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Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 3/7/2022
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Hal
1:07
What do you think about MLB awarding a trophy to the team with the best regular-season record, like what NHL does with the President's Trophy? Could even add a bonus for players/teams for additional incentive.
Kevin Goldstein
1:08
I didn't know the NHL did that, but I like it.
Rob Baine
1:09
What’s the minimum amount of games in your opinion that would make this a full season? Let’s be honest nobody thinks 162 is needed. For me 146 is the sweet spot. Somewhere between 146-152. (I’m sorry but the 60 game season in 2020 was as Mickey Mouse as it gets)
Kevin Goldstein
1:09
I think 154 would be great.
Otto
1:09
Are the "sticky stuff" inspections staying this year?
Kevin Goldstein
1:10
Haven't heard anything on that. I do think we're going to see a pre-tacked ball at some point soon.
Guest
1:10
It's apparent that Rob Manfred is failing miserably at getting the owners to agree on a CBA. Will someone (other than a goverment appointed mediator) have to step in and if so who is that person?
Kevin Goldstein
1:11
I don't know who this superhero is, but that person isn't coming. It's really down to these two sides as they are.
Raquel
1:11
Where does a guy like Ben Joyce - throwing 103mph - fit in the draft?
Kevin Goldstein
1:12
There's a weekend college notebook coming very soon, and I talk about just that!
Prospect Age
1:12
Just looking at Francisco Alvarez, I have a hard time believing he is only 20 years old. Is age deception still an intermittent problem in the prospectverse?
Kevin Goldstein
1:12
It's very rare, and almost unheard of with VZ players.
Jacob
1:13
Do you think that robo-umps will decrease steals, the thinking being that catcher's primary focus will be cutting down runners and there will be no focus needed on framing?
Kevin Goldstein
1:13
Never thought about that perspective, but I'm kinda interested in thinking about it now . . .
bb
1:13
How much would someone have to pay you to get you to listen to Sting's new version of "Russians"?
Kevin Goldstein
1:14
Untold millions.
Jacob
1:16
What advice do you have for young people trying to get into baseball writing (as a passion and potentially as a career)?
Kevin Goldstein
1:16
A. Start writing. Even if it's just a blog for yourself or something. Start doing it.
Mark
1:17
As a long time fan, I think it's too "easy" to hit home runs these days. Since stadium fences can't be moved back, using limited flight baseballs would force a lot of players to stop swinging for the fences every at bat. The real sluggers would still get their dingers, but others would be forced to just put the ball in play and, voila, the shifting issues disappear. Stolen bases would become valuable again.Thoughts?
Kevin Goldstein
1:17
I'm just not for any kind of dramatic changes to the game like this. I think they bring about tons of unintended consequences and I'm fine with the game changing organically.
1:18
Ok, reaching the final moments. We're in the stretch as they say, so get your final questions in now.
Otto
1:19
What position should the pirates focus at the draft?
Kevin Goldstein
1:19
The position where the best player available is.
bb
1:19
Amazing how one can suffer "biblical losses" but still have billions to buy a soccer team, isn't it?
Kevin Goldstein
1:19
It's like how every time Facebook stock is down someone writes Mark Zuckerberg lost $X billion today and we're support to be upset for him or something.
Mike
1:20
Seiya Suzuki. Where would he fit on top 100 prospect list?
Kevin Goldstein
1:20
In the teens somewhere. I feel strongly that he should NOT be ranked on a prospect list.
My frields call me whiskers
1:21
Regarding the wooden vs. metal bat question from a while back....do top college hitters ever use wooden bats for the entire season (when the rest of the team is using metal), to speed up the transition to pro-ball?
Kevin Goldstein
1:21
Nah. They'd be hurting the team. A lot of them, and even more high schoolers take BP with wood for the scouts.
Ricksy
1:22
Would a shift restriction that requires 4 fielders to stay on the dirt be more appealing to you than a 2 per side situation?
Kevin Goldstein
1:22
Not really. If a team wants to put all seven fielders other than the batter at third base, go ahead and do it.
Jon
1:23
Do you like Baz or Rodriguez more?
Kevin Goldstein
1:23
The top 100 prospects are right there for you! Grayson is the best pitching prospect in baseball.
Jacob
1:23
Why don't you think Suzuki should be included on prospects lists?
Kevin Goldstein
1:24
It's just apples and oranges. He's 27, he has an established track record in NPB. He's a rookie, but he's not really a prospect.
Mac
1:26
Why can't the domestic draft have a rotating order and ability to trade picks?
Kevin Goldstein
1:26
I've always been a strong advocate for allowing for the trading of picks.
chilly
1:26
what % of the questions you get relate or seem to relate to fantasy baseball?
Kevin Goldstein
1:27
Not super high. People realize that I tend not to answer them. Sporer and the fantasy team MUCH better equipped to do that.
Brandon
1:27
Thanks for all the work you all do!
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