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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 1/22/19
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Jesse
2:44
Love your chats - a few weeks back you mentioned that it didn’t seem right that Harper/Machado didn’t seem to be getting big deals, but why would owners want to go 10/300 based on the track record of these major deals? Wouldn’t something like 5/200 be more realistic? If not, why not? Thanks so much!
Meg Rowley
2:44
Most of those deals aren't struck with 26 year olds.
2:45
I think Craig's piece on what ARod's deal would look like today is instructive https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-alex-rodriguezs-contract-would-look-l...
Hello
2:45
Who are the 2 wildcards in the AL? Angels? Twins? Rays? Athletics? Yankees/Sox?
Meg Rowley
2:45
Woof if I had to pick right now?
Today?
This minute!
2:46
Red Sox and Rays. I think I like the Yankees better to win the division, and I like the Red Sox and Rays better than the A's or Angels I guess?
2:47
or the Twins
Syndergaardians of the Galaxy
2:48
It worries me that a lot of writers out there seem to be looking forward to an MLBPA strike. I'm a union member myself, someone who wants to see an end to the draft and players getting screwed, but I really hope a strike can somehow be avoided. Strikes are really hard.
Meg Rowley
2:49
I don't most of us are looking forward to a strike, but I think many of us acknowledge some kind of stoppage is likely, and also that unions ought to engage in advocacy for their members rather than prioritizing labor peace at their members' expense.
2:50
I run a baseball site. Our site is easier to run when there is more to talk about. A stoppage will be hard editorially, but also, the editorial comfort of FanGraphs doesn't really factor for the union here.
(nor should it)
Todd
2:50
Do you feel that GMs who speak publicly about budget restraints are often just leveraging possible deals that they have in the works? When Eppler, for instance, talks about stretching the budget to get Cody Allen, is he using that behind the scenes to convince a player to sign for less than they’re worth? I guess I’m asking: how much of it is posturing?
Meg Rowley
2:51
I think there is absolutely some of that, and of course all of these team, in a broader sense could spend more. There is wiggle room in budgets, but teams do manage to a number.
Billy Beans
2:51
Crazy how Stowers was a reach pick when he was with the Mariners but a toolsy high-ceiling prospect on the Yankees. Yankees development system #1!
Meg Rowley
2:52
I don't think that's the public narrative among analysts, though similar to the awards thing, I find my greatest moments of peace when I am able to tune out other people liking the things they like in intensely annoying ways.
Refuse_To_Lose
2:53
It's remarkable that the 54(!)-person doesn't include anyone the M's traded to the Rays (though many do appear in the Others of Note section)
Meg Rowley
2:54
Osmy Gregorio came in at 54.
wait
Pardon me, 49
Apologies Osmy, I shall not underrate you like Jerry did.
Greg Briley
2:55
What’s your take on Harold Baines getting in the HOF via the veterans committee? Do you think it will lead to BBWAA voters giving additional consideration to less worthy candidates?
Meg Rowley
2:55
I'm optimistic it won't be a problem.
It was an obviously goofy choice made by a different electorate.
Dylan
2:56
Do you think Paul Goldschmidt is actually interested in signing an extension before the season starts? His last extension really underpaid him.
Meg Rowley
2:57
As much as this market is likely scaring guys, I imagine it would have to be a hefty sum to tempt him not to test the market.
Cove Dweller
2:58
What are some strike-worthy "must haves" that the MLBPA should be seeking in the next CBA negotiations?
Meg Rowley
2:58
You have to get money to players sooner; you need to raise the minimum salary. You probably want an agreed upon rev split.
CamdenWarehouse
2:59
How many tabs do you have open right now?
Meg Rowley
2:59
So so many
15?
Enough to make the flashing of various messages less noticeable while I chat?
steve
3:00
I'm seeing veteran players complaining about Harper and Machado not having signed yet, perhaps insinuating foul play or collusion among the owners and front offices. I have not interest in taking the side of the owners in this tug of war, but I can't stand listening to athletes complain about money, either. There have been so many terrible contracts over the years. Can you contextualize this for me so my reaction isn't as visceral when players complain publicly about money?
Meg Rowley
3:00
No amount of money paid or not paid to a player will change what it cost you to go to a baseball game. It will not make the beer cheaper. You won't be able to afford a better seat. It makes no difference.
3:02
There have been bad deals, yes. But consider that Manny Machado has made a little over $34 million in his career to date. He's already been worth 30 WAR.
3:04
Or to put it another way, part of why I wanted to do this job was that watching peak Felix Hernandez throw a changeup, a really good changeup, a 2014 Felix changeup made me feel something in the tips of my fingers and behind my eyeballs. I *felt* that pitch. Name an owner who has ever done that for you as a fan.
ChickenOfTheSea
3:05
I enjoyed the piece on the Rays prospects, but "Grant Witherspoon" is not a ballplayer. He is a Masterpiece Mystery character who stands to come into a great fortune and will stop at nothing to do away with a meddling vicar. My question: what's his weapon of choice?
Meg Rowley
3:05
A weird poison or somehow, a goose.
#bringbackNotGraphs
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