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Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 11/29/2021
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Kevin Goldstein
12:13
Yes, years and money. Terms are defined through in-depth group discussions and obviously the GM has final say. Most conversations end with "Ok, I'll take this back to the group and get back to you." I did like having an understanding of where I can just say yes, going in, but that didn't usually happen.
Derrick
12:14
Reports are that players will sign today so they can negotiate "terms". What other terms are negotiated other than deferred money, no trade clause, payout structure?
Kevin Goldstein
12:14
Charities, award packages, travel benefits, all sorts of stuff.
Chris Antonetti
12:14
EL mentioned in his 40 man article that we can be difficult to deal with. Did you have the same experience with the Astros? Are we perceived like this because we use our model's valuations more religiously than other teams?
Kevin Goldstein
12:14
I didn't see the Indians difficult to deal with, other than they were very data driven so they liked the players the Astros like and vice-versa, so it was just hard to find a match.
Kyle
12:15
Good morning! Seems like today will be crazy, but odds 0-100 we see Carlos Correa sign? I'm betting 0.5, but what do you know?
Kevin Goldstein
12:15
I would also bet hard that he's still a free agent when the lockout begins.
Tom Ricketts
12:15
*to the tune of Kanye's "Coldest Winter"* goodbye my fans, will I ever spend again?
Kevin Goldstein
12:15
Again, did you really think the Cubs were going to be big players in free agency? If so, it's kinda on you.
FCT
12:16
What kind of deal do you ultimately see Rodón getting and what teams make sense?
Kevin Goldstein
12:17
I think he fits for most teams, no? Who doesn't need starters? I think because of the injury history, he should be looking for a bigger AAV and all sorts of incentives, because the injury history is probably going to keep him from getting any length.
Cob
12:17
Red Sox need a starter. Stroman? Ray?
Kevin Goldstein
12:17
Sure.
12:18
I mean, every team needs starters and you just named two good ones.
Matthew
12:18
Curious how this works behind the scenes: Let’s say there’s a team that has enough budget for one “big” contract, and they’re interested (as an example) in Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, and Kris Bryant. They set out offers for all three, but how does it work if they can only sign one? Do they tell the agents that there are two other offers out there and we will take who ever accepts first, and pull the offer after? Is there a deadline? What if two or all three accept? Does the team have to go back to the agents and say sorry to the ones that are not the first choice? Further negotiations? Are agents aware of the identity of the other players?
Kevin Goldstein
12:19
Sure, that kind of thing can happen, and yes, teams will definitely let agents know that they have multiple offers out there and that any acceptance could force them to rescind other offers. You can communicate deadlines (often referred to as "time outs") on offers as well.
Maddoning
12:20
This big spending spree...doesn't that fly in the face of any owner's arguments that they can't afford to give more payroll to the players?
Kevin Goldstein
12:20
I mean, nobody believes that in the first place...
Jacques Pederson
12:20
Is the NL Central going to be total dreck next year? the top two teams aren't even good
Kevin Goldstein
12:21
We kind of thought that going into 2021 and Milwaukee won 95 games while the Cardinals surged in the second half.
Guest
12:21
think the Phillies make a splash this winter? KB or Story?
Kevin Goldstein
12:21
They certainly WANT TO, but free agents are always easier said than done.
Tom Emanski
12:22
There exists space between "not being players on the big free agents" and "not being players in the market at all while players are flying off the board left and right".  The Cubs have many, many holes to fill, and the reasonable middle-tier types are flying off the board on the pitching side.  Even if you don't think they'll be competitive in 2022, signing tradeable assets is a way to shorten the rebuilding/retooling process.
Kevin Goldstein
12:23
Who's a reasonable target that they've missed out on? I see lots of Jon Gray in the chat, but did you really think the Cubs were going to sign a good SP to a four year deal?
zurzles
12:23
When Scherzer/Boras spend all night negotiating with the Mets, then go silent, and then restart talks with the Mets, is it fair to assume they were just trying to see if another team was willing bid higher?
Kevin Goldstein
12:23
I mean, that's their job, no?
Appa Yip Yip
12:23
Do front offices even really care about leaks that much? Is it always the FO that leaks, or do agencies do it too?
Kevin Goldstein
12:24
Agencies definitely do as well. Some teams care about it, others don't.
CVD
12:24
Do you see the Nats making any major signings?
Kevin Goldstein
12:24
No.
Lunar verLander
12:25
Does working with a 'leaky' vs. 'non-leaky' front office have a significant impact on teams trading with one another?
Kevin Goldstein
12:25
It certainly can lead to some early conversations that include "We gotta keep this tight"
Jake
12:25
Is it correct that the Jan 15 international signing period will happen as normal even with a CBA lockout?
Kevin Goldstein
12:26
Yes. Any activity that does not effect the 40-man is allowed. So international signings all the way up to minor league free agent signings are fair game.
G
12:26
Do players/agents ever make the first offer to a team?
Kevin Goldstein
12:27
Not in my experience. They might offer 'guidance' in terms of years and range, but I've never seen a first concrete offer from the player side.
BigDaddeh
12:27
At this point could we say easily that the Yankees put Gerrit Cole's contract on waivers and he'd get taken immediately? Wild
Kevin Goldstein
12:27
Of course he would.
CBT
12:27
As we generally become more pro-labor in the way we talk about the CBA negotiations, why are teams that spend money like LAD, NYY (perhaps now NYM?) vilified? Revenue has exploded by 2-3x what it was 20 years ago, but the biggest payrolls have stayed flat. Would people really rather see Steinbrenner or Guggenheim keep that money over it going back to players?
Kevin Goldstein
12:27
Amen.
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