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Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 2/7/2022
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Kevin Goldstein
12:59
Sure, but every team does.
171
1:00
Did you or anyone you know ever see a front office member meeting with a player agent at the hotel bar and realize that a potential deal you were working on for a FA wasn't going to happen?
Kevin Goldstein
1:00
I've seen them, but didn't necessarily jump to conclusions. Small, side conversations with agents about players you are NEVER GOING TO SIGN happen all the time.
Frank Thomas the Tank Engine
1:00
Opening day could get pushed back, what, 5-7 days and still get 162 games by rescheduling the first games through playing on a few scheduled off days, a couple planned doubleheaders, and pushing back the playoffs a few days (as no playoff schedule is set yet since we don't know the format), right?
Kevin Goldstein
1:01
Right. But that's feeling very optimistic on February 7th considering where we are.
Guest
1:01
Do prospects ranks (on the top 100) get altered based upon organizational circumstances outside of the prospect's control? For instance....if a guy is a legit SS, but the major-league team has a great SS already in place that will bump the prospect to 3B, does that lower is rank?
Kevin Goldstein
1:01
It does not, and should not.
Farhandrew Zaidman
1:01
Thoughts on the so-called "Metaverse" and its potential impacts in professional baseball?
Kevin Goldstein
1:02
I try my best not to spend any mental energy on the Metaverse, web 3.0, NFTs, crypto, etc.
Martin
1:03
Over under on the number of people who are in front offices who know who Steve Albini is, now that you're at Fangraphs?
Kevin Goldstein
1:03
17.5?
Erik
1:03
If an international draft does get instituted, is there a good reason why it should remain separate from the domestic amateur draft?
Kevin Goldstein
1:04
Fair question, I think it's just dramatically easier because every team's international operations are separate and distinct from the amateur group. A world draft has been discussed, but it's not in the cards.
Frank Thomas the Tank Engine
1:04
When the lockout ends, will spring training sites open immediately for players who want to voluntarily report even if official start dates aren't for a little while?
Kevin Goldstein
1:05
TBD. People in the game I talked to think they'll get a 7-to-10 day runway to get things going.
Mike B
1:05
I couldnt imagine having to decide on a house hours after seeing it, its like everyday is the trade deadline & you had no prior conversations with any of the teams
Kevin Goldstein
1:05
I feel seen.
We've seen houses online that we like and when we ask to see it, we're declined. It's crazy fast.
Moog Powell
1:06
What is it about handedness that makes batter-pitcher handedness splits a thing? In otherwords, physically, why is it that lefty pitchers generally have success against lefty batters and visa versa?
Kevin Goldstein
1:07
Stand in the box and imagine where the ball is starting from a LHP and then a RHP. You obviously get a much better look at the oppo side.
RFLMBillyFish
1:07
Please define "He can *really* hit." Feels like it's never said about guys with plus bat speed, for example.
Kevin Goldstein
1:07
Jose Altuve has tremendous bat speed and can really hit. There are plenty of them.
Erik
1:07
Can/should front office people serve as mediators between owners and players, since they theoretically have good relationships with both groups? Or is there just no route to do that effectively?
Kevin Goldstein
1:08
It's tough. Lots of front office people are in a tough middle ground. The owners sign their checks, but they side with the players on many of the issues. There's certainly no route to them getting involved. This is really between MLB/Owners and the union.
Jonathan
1:09
Mid 40s, I've never done any formal baseball research that's been published, but I have a bunch of machine learning/A.I. IP and a track record of innovating those sorts of tools in a variety of disciplines (counter-terrorism, DNA analysis...).  I'm mainly a research scientist; am good at coding but not as good as a Ph.D. computer scientist who's spent years in the trenches.  I'm thinking about a career change.  Would a baseball front office have any interest in someone like me, or is my background a bit too niche for that sort of jump?
Kevin Goldstein
1:09
I think there would be interest in the right position/need.
Mitch
1:09
How many people in a FO are truly involved in the decision on a fairly major trade/signing. In other words, how many people does a GM really trust when a big decision is on the table
Kevin Goldstein
1:09
I can only speak for the team I worked for. The inner circle on these things was 5-7 people, depending on the time and year.
Bret
1:10
Whenever the lockout ends and there's a few weeks given to teams to make trades/signings/etc. - do teams as a whole go out and try to make a splash to get fan sentiment back, or just try to take care of business quickly and get on with things?
Kevin Goldstein
1:10
I think things will move VERY VERY quickly. It will be chaos and I'm worried for Meg's mental health once it starts.
Quin y
1:11
If there’s a international draft what happens to the buscones?  Might they try and steer their prospects to Asia?
Kevin Goldstein
1:11
Nothing. I don't think you'll see some big steer to Asia.
Bob Mase
1:11
What percentage of players have their contract insured by their team any given year?
Kevin Goldstein
1:12
Very, very small.
Mac
1:13
Have you heard anything regarding the draft date and if it's going to even happen?
Kevin Goldstein
1:13
It's going to happen, but date hasn't been set. I do think July might just become the new reality.
matt
1:14
How much of the difference between the players and owners is posturing? And has your opinion on this changed in the last month?
Kevin Goldstein
1:14
Posturing to what end?
Duchess
1:15
Have we moved on too quickly from Leody Taveras? Still super young, some solid skills
Kevin Goldstein
1:15
I think in general, fans move on from prospects way too quickly, as they're always looking for the next shiny new thing. I don't think Taveras is every going to hit much, but I wouldn't be shocked if he had a decent career anyway.
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