JotCast | Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat

Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 10/30/18

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Meg Rowley

2:18

The snark is somewhat undermined by the two-space after a period decision, but! I think between $300-$350 million.

tb.25

2:18

Where do you think the Mariners go from this season? They have many mid-20's players on the roster, but their best players are aging or leaving (Cano, Cruz, Seager). With depleted farm, they'd have to spend money on FA to improve, but just had 89 wins (but in a crowded AL)

Meg Rowley

2:20

I think the annoying answer for Mariners fans is that they stand pat, let Cruz sign elsewhere (I think Houston is the likely destination personally), maybe pick up another reliever on a $17 million, 2 year contract for some dumb reason, a starter or two on a rebound, and hope 89-92 wins is enough.

I expect Seager will be better next year, unless the age-30 drop off is immutable, and they'll roll the dice.

2:21

I think they should trade everything that isn't nailed down, but it doesn't seem like ownership is in on a rebuild yet.

Lawrence

2:21

If Kershaw opts out, are the Astros a likely destination? He is from Texas (albeit Dallas, not Houston), and the Astros have in past years revitalized the careers of other older pitchers (e.g., Verlander). Houston also has available rotation spots, with Morton and Keuchel likely to depart in free agency and McCullers potentially missing time due to injury.

Meg Rowley

2:21

I really just think he ends up back in LA.

2-D

2:21

Any sympathy for Dodger fans? As a Mariners' fan I can understand you saying "hold my beer", but winning the division six straight years and getting dumped every time has to be tough.

Meg Rowley

2:22

Losing is never fun, no matter the success your favorite team has enjoyed. As long as people have some perspective on their relative good fortune, I see no reason not to have sympathy for their disappointments.

Thomas

2:22

The Reds made the list of favorites to sign Clayton Kershaw if he opts out (see https://www.actionnetwork.com/mlb/2018-mlb-free-agency-odds-bryce-harp... won't happen, but what is the rationale for such a signing on the part of the Reds? And for Kershaw?

Meg Rowley

2:23

I guess for the Reds it would be "Hey, we get to have Clayton Kershaw play for us." There is no rationale for Kershaw doing that unless the contract was absurdly rich, and even then, I think he wants a ring and a chance to get the postseason monkey off his back.

2:24

This is the silly season, when a lot of silly teams are listed with FA they'll have no chance at signing.

Silly can be fun, as long as we don't mistake it for serious!

Super Benintendo

2:25

I will begin this by noting that I am not sure of the answer myself, but my perception is that MLB baseball players are far less likely to voice their political opinion than say, an NBA player or NFL player. Is this because baseball has long been the province of white privileged players (even now) and there is less desire to subvert the status quo? Or are their "unwritten rules" governing this "in the clubhouse"? (Stick to the script, Scotty....)

I know that there are exceptions to this and that some former players (Schilling, Chipper Jones, etc.) are more outspoken politically ... and I know that we have incidents like Adam Jones being the target of racial slurs in Boston and the outspoken response to that ... but ... on the whole, I am surprised that even in 2018 when so many athletes are sharing their thoughts on politics ... baseball players, on the whole, remain mostly silent.

Meg Rowley

2:26

I think it is a lot of things. For one, I imagine that the relative dearth of African American players has a chilling effect on protest and political action. I know that Adam Jones has specifically mentioned that in the past.

2:27

Which I don't say meaning to suggest that it has been "easy" for black players in the NFL to protest. Clearly, there have been severe career consequences for their protests of police brutality.

But I imagine it is even more isolating when the majority of players are white.

2:28

There are some who are starting to speak up more. Sean Doolittle is a good example; Jon Lester was a pleasant surprise in his response to the rash of racist and homophobic tweets we learned of earlier in the season (surprising because he hadn't really spoken out more before).

2:29

But that the most outspoken MLB players are guys like Trevor Bauer speaks to the sport's conservative bent.

Both in its fan base, which skews older and whiter, and in its player pool.

tknup

2:29

With a LH power bat and a few decent LH relievers, is it feasibe for the Cardinals to catch the Brewers and Cubs?

Meg Rowley

2:30

I think it's too early to tell. A lot will depend on the upgrades those clubs make. I think both will seek to get better themselves.

stever20

2:30

game 3 of the World Series. Where does it rate for you in all time crazy games?

Meg Rowley

2:30

Very "crazy," weirdly not specifically memorable though.

2:31

The stakes are never higher than they are in extras in the playoffs, but your anxiety is anticipatory more than it is tied to the action on the field.

Adam

2:31

Obviously a lot can change in the off season, but which non-playoff team(s) from the AL do you think can sneak into October next year?

Meg Rowley

2:31

Rays if the pitching stabilizes.

trevise-en

2:32

Do you have a take on Brodie Van Wagenen? The Mets just being the Mets, or method to or beyond their madness?

Matt

2:32

In Brodie we trust? It's gonna be weird mentally attributing all future Mets moves to Jason Lee's character in Mallrats. But there should be some good headline fodder at least - Brodeo, Bro-down, maybe someday he'll be caught up in an im-bro-glio? Considering it's the Mets I can guarantee he'll get cuaght up in one of those.

Meg Rowley

2:33

I will not pretend I know enough about his approach to say. I think we shouldn't dismiss the conflict of interest concerns. Out of the box hires can be great, but also carry a lot of risk, and I'm a bit surprised they signed up for that.

Also boy did it seem like no one wanted that job.

Guest

2:33

Do you think everyone was really pitch tipping, or was it cover for "he'll bounce back/he worked on some mechanics"?

Meg Rowley

2:34

I think pitch tipping happens, but is also overreported.

Roger

2:34

Should fans of diversity be rooting for none of the Mets, Orioles, or Giants to hire Ng as General Manager? Placing anyone in such a toxic situation seems like a recipe for failure, allowing bigots to blame Ng's sex as a reason for the team's struggles. Let's hope for a better GM opening for her elsewhere.

Meg Rowley

2:35

This is such a tricky one.

2:36

I think it is clear that Kim Ng is qualified to be a GM. I think it would super suck to be the GM of the Mets (she won't be, so that is good). I think if she wants to be a GM, she should get to be a GM. I don't think she is obligated to be one though. She has an amazing job at MLB. Being a GM would be a step down for her in a sense.

2:37

There is a generation of young female analysts and scouts that will be the pipeline for future GM roles, and while the pool is shallower than it should be now, it isn't so shallow that Kim is the only name we could mention in these conversations, though again, she is very qualified.

2:38

That her's is the only name we ever hear is a testament to the game's failings on these questions.

stever20

2:38

Do you think Kershaw opts out? Is he still a Dodger in '19?

Meg Rowley

2:39

I think he opts out but they work up a new deal.

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