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Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 1/3/2022
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Kevin Goldstein
12:49
Absolutely. It's too damn long. Players think it's too long, front offices think it's too long, coaching staffs think it's too long. Owners also have tax-incentive stadium agreements that guarantee X numbers of spring training games, so it's not going to change.
Guest
12:49
How luxurious are the jets and hotels the players fly on/stay in?
Kevin Goldstein
12:49
They're very nice. I'd love to write about what the charter flights are like, but it's hard to do without coming off as bougie.
TooDamnTall
12:49
Do FO read a lot of public media, or mostly immersed in org reports?
Kevin Goldstein
12:49
They do, absolutely.
Mitch
12:50
What are the front office folks doing during the lockout?
Kevin Goldstein
12:50
There's still lots to do, and frankly, for a bit it's nice to have to break from MLB stuff to address amateur, international and player development issues.
Guest
12:50
Was the whole "moneyball" thing as revolutionary as it
Kevin Goldstein
12:51
There was a revolution, but Oakland was just a part of it as opposed to the driving force.
Lunar verLander
12:52
re. closer mentality: conversely, do you think there's something about being a closer that makes them ill-suited for non-closer roles?
Kevin Goldstein
12:52
There are certainly some guys who kind of need the intensity.
Appa Yip Yip
12:53
Are you aware of any players ever having put on an adult diaper for a big game just so they wouldn't have to worry about trying to squeeze in a bathroom break? Feels like a very reliever thing to do.
Kevin Goldstein
12:53
It's really not hard to squeeze in a bathroom break. There's a facility just inside the tunnel. WHAT A WEIRD QUESTION.
NotAA
12:53
Do you think that Baltimore will seriously consider, at the very least, taking a high schooler 1-1 based on Elias’ track record?
Kevin Goldstein
12:53
Yes, I do, actually.
Judge
12:54
If you're the Yankees, do you a. extend Judge longterm (5+), b. extend him 3-4 c. see if he's healthy again and then make a decision (but of course if he is, he'll be worth even more)?
Kevin Goldstein
12:55
B. He turns 30 this year . . .
Mitch
12:55
Thoughts on the Jayson Stark article that proposed a new draft order that would give the teams who just missed the playoffs the first draft picks?
Kevin Goldstein
12:56
I've seen lots of ideas I could be down with and I'm open minded to that one.
Hmmm
12:56
Off the top of your head, who was the nicest player you've ever met? And if you don't mind, the meanest?
Kevin Goldstein
12:56
Most of the players I met in person were Astros. Correa, Altuve, Maldonado, Marwin and Teoscar come to mind, along with plenty of minor leaguers.
TooDamnTall
12:57
Speaking of Judge, what's his secret for overcoming those long levers?
Kevin Goldstein
12:57
He still whiffs a lot, but it's just the quality of the contact due to his strength that really separates him.
Mitch
12:57
How do teams truly know player's ages (thinking specifically about draft/international prospects)? Is there a chance that there are MLB players playing right now who are actually older than their recorded age says they are?
Kevin Goldstein
12:58
I'm sure one or two have fallen through the cracks, but it's not like it used to be. International players no go through a rigorous check from MLB before they can be signed.
NotAA
12:58
Is there any notable difference between the titles Chief Baseball Officer and President of Baseball Operations
Kevin Goldstein
12:58
The title game is weird. There are GMs doing the same job as other team's AGMs.
John
1:00
How about instead of Stark's draft order proposal, there is more of anti-competitive tax. Teams that don't spend according to their revenue and additionally don't meet a specific win threshold have to pay a tax? Doesn't impose a salary floor on teams like Oakland or Tampa but also forces teams to spend if they have it and are not in a position to win
Kevin Goldstein
1:01
I generally don't like "We will punish you if you don't do this" ideas as much as "We will reward you if you do this" ideas.
NotAA
1:01
When you started out working for the Astros did you have aspirations of becoming a GM
Kevin Goldstein
1:01
Um, maybe, but I knew it was an unrealistic goal. About a year in I realized that GM is not a job I'd probably even want. AGM is where it's at.
TooDamnTall
1:02
Are FO personal upset when they get a title change to prevent taking another (better) job?
Kevin Goldstein
1:02
Sometimes, but only sometimes. Often they wanted to stay there and got a nice salary bump.
Hello!
1:02
What's the ratio in the clubhouse between extrovert/introvert players, if you had to guess?
Kevin Goldstein
1:02
Somewhere about 2/3 to 1/3?
171
1:02
Kevin, I absolutely love your chats. Every time you pull back the curtain on front office workings, even the smallest things, it is just incredibly interesting. Thank you so much for what you do!
Kevin Goldstein
1:03
Glad you enjoy. I'm the person who likes doing chats.
Terry
1:03
Can Logan Gilbert be a number 2?
Kevin Goldstein
1:03
Feels like a 3/4 to me.
Baseball Fan
1:03
Are there any scouts that are clearly head and shoulders above the rest? How much is THE BEST scout in baseball worth?
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