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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 1/8/19
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Meg Rowley
2:00
Hello everyone, and welcome to my first chat of 2019.
Happy New Year to all!
Jim
2:00
What will the White Sox get from Boston for Kelvin Herrera in 2 weeks?
Meg Rowley
2:01
I don't think it'll be that quick of a move, but barring a bevy of other signings, I wouldn't expect him to be in a White Sox uniform come the end of July if he's at all decent.
(prepares to see immediate trade news break)
Wade
2:01
Hi Meg, can something please happen
Meg Rowley
2:02
What, you didn't enjoy (checks notes) 1 billion Mets moves on a Sunday?
CamdenWarehouse
2:02
Hi Meg. When do you expect player profile write ups to go live?
Meg Rowley
2:02
I will have to double check with Paul and crew but I think sooner rather than later.
Bighen
2:02
Mets rearranging deck chairs on Titanic or did they actually add anything with the 3 trades?  I am not overly concerned as they traded 7 guys for 5 and didn't add anyone over 28 if I didn't miss anything but was there any net effect?
Meg Rowley
2:04
I think the question is less did they add anything (they likely added some high probability but low ceiling bench production) than what it is they gave up. I'm far from a prospect expert, but I often wonder if orgs with new folks at the helm should be a little more reticent to move low level guys so early in a new regime.
2:06
I appreciate that business and trades have to get done, and often, those low-level guys have names we don't remember in five years. But it also seems like a really good way to make a trade you look back on and dwell over at 2 AM. I was pretty surprised they parted with Santana.
Apologies, my internet is being a little wonky-- it is windy here.
Bip
2:07
How much do you think increasing pay for young players (minor leaguers and pre-arb MLB) could help divert amateur athletes away from football and basketball and into baseball?
Meg Rowley
2:08
I think, in combination with making youth baseball more financially feasible, it would have a big impact. High bonus guys do fine and can make their way through, but I have no doubt it is a deterrent to professional participation, even if contracts are guaranteed at the pro level in a way they aren't in football, and the long term health consequences are less dire than they there as well.
Dean Cain
2:08
What other casual Machado friends can the White Sox add?
Meg Rowley
2:09
About 300-$350 million of them that might help.
I don't think the other stuff is irrelevant, but it is effectively irrelevant until after reasonable terms are offered.
Pete
2:09
Meg will the Mariners sign Bryce Harper why not
Meg Rowley
2:10
No, though given their stated timeline for contention, if they did it wouldn't be as wild as it might seem, even with all their offseason moves.
BK
2:10
Who finishes with more fWAR in 2019, Ozzie or Gleybar?
Meg Rowley
2:11
Ozzie, I think.
robertobeers
2:11
Now that the Seahawks' season is over, how do you feel about the "fan enjoyment" ebb and flow of the NFL season compared to the MLB?
Meg Rowley
2:13
January is the month of the year when I feel the antsiest for baseball. Especially because the offseason discourse so often highlights the things I like least about the sport (a labor market increasingly tilted away from players, teams sitting out contention). So I want to be reminded of what I like.
Football when the Seahawks aren't playing isn't as emotionally impactful, but is more fun.
Dave in London
2:14
Thanks for chatting Meg. Do you  think Kikuchi's history of shoulder problems in Japan is cause for concern in '19 and in the coming years?
Meg Rowley
2:14
All pitchers are cause for injury concern. How much will range, but every one of them. Pitching is bad for you. So yes, though it sounds like they have a plan to ease him into the majors, and no pressure at all to win now.
Outta my way, Gyorkass
2:15
Just when you think LOLMets can't get any LOLMetsier, this gem from Eric & Kiley's review of NYM's farm: "Several league sources have told us that the Mets don’t scout beneath full-season ball, which is the opposite of what most others teams are doing as data comes to be a greater and greater part of the player evaluation process at the upper levels of the minors."
Meg Rowley
2:15
It is certainly an approach.
Airport Banana
2:16
Happy New Year! Did the Brewers get a better return for Keon Broxton or Domingo Santana?
Meg Rowley
2:16
I like the Broxton return better, but mostly because I struggle to feel much of anything about Ben Gamel.
Nick Mar - Cake is Good
2:16
Should Pollock be a target for LAD, more than LeMahieu?
Meg Rowley
2:17
Yes, though honestly, how is he not in a Cleveland uniform? I mean, we know how, but how?
Virginia
2:18
Maybe I missed it, but don't think I saw any FG analysis on Garret Richard's signing with the pads...what's your reaction?
Meg Rowley
2:19
I like it. He's good when healthy, though not often healthy. But also, the Padres aren't really contending next year, so if he gets dinged up or isn't effective, it doesn't change a ton, and if he's healthy and good, you either have a healthy and good pitcher, or you trade a healthy and good pitcher.
Eric
2:20
Dexter Fowler has come out and said he was depressed during the 2018 season. Do you think mental health issues such as depression are often and overlooked factor in player performance? To that end, assuming Fowler's issues are behind him, do you foresee a bounceback season in 2019?
Meg Rowley
2:21
I think all human being find their lives and jobs altered and affected when grappling with poor mental health, and I see no reason why baseball would be any different. I obviously can't speak to his mental state now, or what amount of his performance trouble stemmed from it, but I hope he is on the mend.
2:22
I think we'd all do well to remember these are people who struggle, and suffer, and fight with their spouses, and we don't often know any of that when they're on the field. It can account for a lot.
Dave in London
2:22
What's Vogelbach's outlook for 2019? Regular playing time in the majors, bench player, AAA again?
Meg Rowley
2:23
I'm just not convinced they'll ever trust him with regular duty, but I also believe he is out of options, so I'd guess a bench role, assuming he's with Seattle to start the year.
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