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Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 8/16/2021
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Guest
1:14
Do you think Brent Suter is best utilized in his current role or could he be stretched out as a starter? Seems to get better as he throws more pitches.
Kevin Goldstein
1:14
I like how he is currently used.
Lorenzo
1:14
How do you think the Trevor Bauer situation plays out?
Kevin Goldstein
1:15
I don't think he pitches again this year.
Guest
1:15
Do you think the multi-inning reliever is moving toward extinction or will it have more value going forward with the advent of shorter starting stints?
Kevin Goldstein
1:15
Absolutely the latter.
resumeman
1:16
So not to say this is the case in any particular instance like Laureano, but are there really no such things as false positives with these PED tests? Is it a rock solid fact that everyone who got popped had taken these substances (whether intentionally or not)?
Kevin Goldstein
1:16
I don't think any system is 100%.
Joe
1:17
Do GMs ever take publicly available metrics like WAR or wRC+ into account?
Kevin Goldstein
1:17
Sure.
Rays Attendance
1:17
What is the most important 'makeup' trait in a ballplayer? And which teams value makeup/character the most, you've found?
Kevin Goldstein
1:18
I know it's a cliche, but love of the game is big for me. Even more important is that drive to improve and knowing that there's always something to work on.
Don
1:18
How do you think fans (who feel this way, at least) rationalize siding with owners over players while also constantly saying that Manfred is ruining the game? As if Manfred is anything more than a figurehead and mouthpiece for those owners?
Kevin Goldstein
1:19
Um . . . without getting too political, on a cultural level this country has turned bosses/busines owners into heroes and workers into less than that.
Dude
1:19
How did Jake Meyers go from non-prospect to mashing AAA and now a nice debut in the MLB?
Kevin Goldstein
1:19
By working his ass off.
Fitz
1:20
Quick thoughts on Nick Yorke? Seems a lot of the backlash from the draft pick may be a little silly now.
Kevin Goldstein
1:20
Sure does. Another reason why analyzing a draft the day after is a silly (but I guess necessary) exercise.
diadem
1:20
The Cubs are fielding a dismal lineup and going nowhere. How does that affect a SP like Hendricks? Motivated because of lack of run support or demotivated by general bummerdom?
Kevin Goldstein
1:21
I'm sure he still gives all of the effort and wants to pitch very well, but yeah, I've talked to players, and being on a bad team can be a real bummer down the stretch.
Guest
1:22
are teams' versions of wRC+ ACTUALLY much better than just the version we all have access to? If so, how much better? If not, would teams be better served just using fangraphs/BP's metrics and investing that money elsewhere (like, for instance, feeding minor leaguers)?
Kevin Goldstein
1:24
Some are a bit better, and some are a bit worse, but I don't know of any, that on a full season-level, are dramatically different from the most respected public sites. I don't think there are any situations where FanGraphs has a player at 1.3 WAR and some team has that same player as a six win type or anything.
Contract Curious
1:26
I know when a player with a guaranteed contract gets released a new team can sign him for the minimum and his old team is on the hook for the difference remaining on the contract. If the player has a vesting option or a player option at the end of their contract and the option vests, which team pays the money?
Kevin Goldstein
1:27
Likely nobody. Often the statistical aspect of a vesting option are public, but the option also likely needs the player to be healthy and available on the signing team's roster at the end of the year.
Taylor
1:27
Has Austin Martin's potential ceiling dropped? He doesn't seem like he'll stick at the premium positions.
Kevin Goldstein
1:27
Yeah, at least a little.
Guest
1:28
With the Darvish injury, the Padres are down to 2 experienced starters + Ryan Weathers. If you are their FO, is Arrieta really your best option to eat innings? Are there other outside the box options you look at?
Kevin Goldstein
1:28
I don't think they signed Arrieta and said to themsleves "Great! Problem solved!" -- more likely just trying to create options.
Eddie Waitkus
1:29
Do scouts/teams seek out certain physical features when projecting players? For example - does finger length play a role into whether a pitcher can "learn" a particular pitch?
Kevin Goldstein
1:30
Lots of teams doing this kind of bio-mechanical stuff. Findings so far are all over the board.
Ghost of Marvin Miller
1:30
Likelihood of a work stoppage next Spring?
Kevin Goldstein
1:30
50.1%
Joe
1:32
Is it difficult to square any potential political leanings one might have about workers (say, they should be paid for their labor) and being in a front office? It seems sort of impossible not to treat players like commodities to some extent.
Kevin Goldstein
1:33
Yes, it can be difficult, and I personally believe players should never be referred to in commodified language, like 'assets' for example.
1:34
Ok, just a few more before Ben (chatting soon!) yells at me.
Kate
1:35
Does Greg Jones have a path to regular PT in Tampa?  Or does he need to get traded?
Kevin Goldstein
1:35
He has several paths. He's still a ways away and plenty will change between now and then.
Ben Cherington
1:36
Do people really not know about Gremlins 2 and Joe Dante, a true king?
Kevin Goldstein
1:36
I know, right?
Mac
1:36
Do you think they'll move the draft up?  This summer is/was an absolute mess.
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