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Kevin Goldstein Chat 2/8/21
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Jon
12:31
Under Luhnow, the Astros seemed to have a practice of basically giving out no minor league deals to veterans (maybe anyone?) during the offseason (IIRC, Jared Hughes was the only one they signed last offseason). What was the reasoning for that, and what did you think about that?
Kevin Goldstein
12:32
Hi everyone. Welcome to the chat. Starting half an hour late today as I was talking to some baseball execs and agents about circus clowns (no, seriously, you'll see soon), but we'll hold tight to the 12pm ET on Monday's in the future.
12:33
Fun first question and nice catch! I didn't know anyone noticed. The Astros generally signed 1-3 veteran minor league FAs a year. Most teams averaged 10-12, and I remember one year where a team exceeded 30. The general thought there was that the org and depth and wanted to learn about the kids as opposed to insurance policies. I agree with it in general, but always pushed to sign a few more. I would have been in the 4-8 range most years.
Matt
12:33
Do teams ever hold grudges with agents? Would the Mets ever be less willing to engage with Bauer and agency if they thought they had a deal?
Kevin Goldstein
12:34
Grudges yes, but not in anyway that would prevent you from engaging. Plenty of agents I really liked dealing with, and some not so much, but no reason to let personal feelings about their representative get in the way of trying to acquire someone who can help the team.
Asinwreck
12:35
Great conversation with Steven Goldman at his podcast today. Will you write a lot about your experiences in the Dominican Republic? (Please write a lot about your experiences in the Dominican Republic.)
Kevin Goldstein
12:35
Glad you enjoyed it, and go check out Steven's Infinite Inning podcast if you want to hear it. Definitely some pieces about the DR coming up. First one scheduled for early March.
Chamaco
12:36
Are there any players or teams that your prior employment would prevent you from talking or writing about at FanGraphs? For example, would you be able to answer a question about your expectations for Forrest Whitley this year and in the future?
Kevin Goldstein
12:37
Sure I can, but you might not like the answer. I'm not sure there's a prospect in baseball with a wider range of possible outcomes than Whitley. I wouldn't be surprised if he pitched zero innings in the big league, and I wouldn't be surprised if he established himself as a rotation piece.
J
12:37
You mentioned it in your Cruz article, and I’d be interested in a full article about the process of a makeup dive
Kevin Goldstein
12:38
[Opens Evernote and adds "Makeup Digs" to Article Ideas project.
Quarantino Martinez
12:38
Thoughts on the Bauer signing, contract and extracurricular? You mentioned being against the Osuna deal. How much responsibility for player character should a front office take?
Kevin Goldstein
12:38
I mean, probably more than they should. Sad truth is, the better a player is, that more crap teams will put up with, in general.
PJ
12:39
Will Miami make any more plays for RP? Maybe bring back Kintzler?
Kevin Goldstein
12:39
There are SO MANY relievers still out there and the market is starting to crumble for them, so yes, I'd expect them to add a cheap arm or two.
Tal's hill
12:39
Did you have any say or involvement in the Andre Scrubb for Tyler White trade?
Kevin Goldstein
12:41
Sure! I'd love to talk about the stroke of brilliance or something, but that was a super quicky where the Astros were happy just to get anything. Andre checked a few boxes in terms of what the team looks for in pitch qualities, but also took a big step forward last year. Astros minor league pitching coaches are pretty damn amazing, and I'm glad to see Bill Murphy bumped up to big league duties this year.
Jack
12:41
Is JD Davis as poor a 3B as defensive metrics show him to be? Should the Mets try to upgrade 3B? Justin Turner is still available.
Kevin Goldstein
12:42
He's a mixed bag. Hands work, arm is plus, but range is really poor. It all adds up to below average.
Internal Conflict
12:42
As someone who is looking to break into a baseball front office (have had a couple interviews but no offers so far), I consistently hear stories about how poor the work/life balance can be. Can you confirm this? Would you recommend for someone who is looking to start a family soon? Also welcome to the site, your articles have been great, looking forward to more!
Kevin Goldstein
12:43
Confirmed, but it's just part of the program. It's pro sports and it revolves around fans. Weekend are non-existent because the team is always playing on the weekend, the biggest college games are on weekends, etc. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc are frequently missed as you are on the road, it's just how it is. Divorce rate is well above the norm.
Ralph
12:43
Is an international draft eminent? If so, how will it work and will it improve conditions within the market?
Kevin Goldstein
12:45
It is assumed that an international draft will be part of the next CBA. Hard to say how it would work, but I would guess five rounds and then some sort of max $$$ amount for any player signing after the draft. It will not improve conditions in the market, like the amateur draft it will be designed to curb spending.
G
12:45
Your time working as both a baseball writer and executive give you a unique perspective on the state of MLB today.

Do you think your work as a writer in the 00's brought us to the current sad state of baseball by laundering owner-friendly ideas  as "forward-thinking"? The constant praise of orgs like the A's and the Rays
Kevin Goldstein
12:46
I mean, the A's and Rays are both really smart orgs who do an incredible job considering their limitations because of their owners. I think it's ok to separate the two. They are really good and doing what they do, but at the same time I wish they didn't have to do it that way.
Rumors
12:46
Without naming names of course, if there even are any, do front offices hear rumors about certain players using PEDs, either majors, minors, or international signings?  Or does it just not get talked about?
Kevin Goldstein
12:46
Absolutely.
Section 34
12:47
Why hasn't FanGraphs written an analysis of the Elvis-Khris Davis trade? Since we can't get a whole article, what are your thoughts? Thank you.
Kevin Goldstein
12:47
Eric is working on it, it is coming soon, and I'm sure it will be excellent. Stay tuned.
Bernard Gilkey
12:47
You mentioned that the past eight years has led you to evaluate pitching differently. Does that extend elsewhere, can you now agree that the Beatles are the best band of all time?
Kevin Goldstein
12:48
I just absolutely never listen to them. I see no reason to do so.
Chris
12:48
Why do the owners negotiate through the media? It doesn't seem to be helping
Kevin Goldstein
12:48
They're creating a narrative, and I think several big writers are happy to carry their water, so it works in that sense, but I certainly don't think it brings them any closer to agreements with the union.
RJ
12:48
Mets were willing to pay Bauer $35 million a year but wouldn’t go to $24 for Realmuto. Can you explain that?
Kevin Goldstein
12:49
Sure. I have no direct knowledge of the situation, but my educated guess is the ownership stepped in. It's frequently the reason big deals than create some kind of logical disconnect happen.
Chris
12:50
Will the dodgers try to duck under the tax by moving jansen or price? How good a prospect/player would each need to be attached to?
Kevin Goldstein
12:51
I could see them making a move or two to re-work their depth, but I don't think it will be for financial reasons. They don't care much about  the minor (relative) cap hit, nor should they.
The Snuggler
12:51
Seems like a handful of teams are ahead of the curve on pitcher development (Cleveland, TB, LA, HOU, maybe CIN).  Is there hope that Baltimore could join them under Elias/Mejdal?
Kevin Goldstein
12:51
For sure, already well underway, actually.
Nittanychris
12:52
What do you think of Josh Naylor as a mini breakout candidate this year? He’s got good OBP skills and should have a long leash in a still weak Cleveland OF.
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