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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 11/13/18
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Meg Rowley
2:00
Hi all-- allow me one moment to respond to a Very Pressing Email.
2:01
Ok, all set! Welcome to the chat. Let's see what nonsense we can get up to today.
Lunar verLander
2:02
...you're not REALLY out of coffee, are you? That'd be some kind of nightmare-ish hellscape...
Meg Rowley
2:02
No, thank goodness. I made more.
Billy
2:02
Any chance Paxton rumors / action heats up again soon? Or does all the “dust” need to settle for Ms FO makes any more moves (assuming they’re still around)?
Meg Rowley
2:03
I would imagine that it might delay for a day or two, but MLB has announced an investigation, and it seems almost certain their trade activity won't wait for that to conclude.
I would think that them getting the package they want has more to do with the delay. They really need to nail this one.
Billy
2:03
Prediction on first nine figure contract signed of the off season?
Meg Rowley
2:04
I think based on absolutely nothing, but I'd expect Machado to go before Harper.
The positional stuff is a complication but he's a little more straightforward in some ways than Harper.
2:05
Now watch Harper sign somewhere while we're chatting.
john j
2:05
Why do I have the feeling the M's scandal doesn't end well for anyone ?
Meg Rowley
2:06
It's an ugly situation no matter what. MLB investigating it seems likely to move some of it out of the public eye, but it's not great.
2:08
I don't know the specifics of what happened beyond what's been reported and some sourced bits and bobs. I don't have trouble believing, in general terms, that working in baseball means witnessing behavior that we'd all find problematic. I find the Mariners continued categorical denials interesting, because they don't leave much wiggle room. I also find it hard to believe you'd blow up your professional life if there was nothing to it. I imagine there are further details to come.
Bread Gardner
2:09
Let's pretend we live in a fantasy world where the Mets are run like the Yankees: smartly. What's their basic off-season plan? I think, at this point, they kind of have to sell high on literally everything and stock up for a run at 2023.
Meg Rowley
2:09
I guess it depends on what you think of the pitching. They held on to it for a reason. They also played a lot of old, not very good players last year. I think a smartly run team sorts the old guy thing out, and maybe spends some money, and sees what they have.
2:10
The Nats are in a weird spot, and we've yet to see how big a step forward the Braves and Phillies will take.
It isn't impossible for the Mets to compete. They'd just have to be less themselves.
Mandy (the Movie) is Dandy
2:11
While the focus of the "Opener" strategy has been on the relievers starting the game, will it also make the "Bulk" innings guys more in demand?
Meg Rowley
2:11
You need depth and good health to pull it off, so sure. There is always a need for more pitching. Even the Rays didn't want to lean on the Opener as much as they did.
X
2:12
Having hired Zaidi, are the Giants potentially exposed to liability for the Dodger's RICO issues? Or does the hiring implicitly suggest that any wrongdoing was directed by someone else, since a reasonably well-run organization wouldn't seek out employees who are facing serious legal issues?
Meg Rowley
2:12
Goodness me do I have no idea.
PTBNL
2:12
I hope you enjoy your coffee.
Meg Rowley
2:12
I almost always do.
Nick
2:12
If the Angels aggressively try to sign Trout to a monster extension and he rejects all offers, do they almost need to trade him, given the insane package he likely brings in? Or do they try to compete this year and either trade him at the deadline or try to extend him at the end of the year?
Meg Rowley
2:13
I think they will try to extend him. I don't think they'll succeed. I still find it pretty improbable that they actually find a trade partner.
I can't imagine being the guy who trades Trout.
Kevin
2:14
With teams like the White Sox, Reds, and Padres are looking at signing some of the bigger name free agents after bottoming out but also before all three are realistically ready to contend. Do you see this as a recalibration after what we saw last year? I guess my question is do you thing the clear distinction of greatnteams and rebuilding teams is going to be the new norm or do you think the middle class will start to emerge again?
Meg Rowley
2:15
I tend to think this stuff goes in waves. The Mariners signing Cano is a useful comp here, or perhaps last year's Phillies with Arrieta. I think there's something to the idea that you can pry open your window early, and then hey you already have a really good player on the roster and don't have to give up any of the minor league pieces you'll want when the window is open in earnest.
2:16
It's weird to say but we might downplay the usefulness of cash in circumstances like this.
It's easy to spend than prospects, and less painful.
Derek
2:16
I'm sure that, during the regular season, it hasn't been hugely enjoyable to be a Mariners fan lately, but what is it like to be a fan of a Jerry Dipoto-led team during the offseason? Exciting? Terrifying? Something in between?
Meg Rowley
2:16
Gotta say, right now it is something of a bummer!
2:18
Whatever comes of this investigation, it is discouraging that the relationship between the org and Dr. Martin degraded so profoundly. Good management often involves figuring out ways to salvage situations like that. So even if proves to be a complicated mess, which is my guess, there's still a management failure here.
Also, good grief their pitching and also catching is gonna be not good next year.
Johnny Coconuts
2:18
Batting cages and ice cream is a solid date choice, right? I suppose it depends on the couple...
Meg Rowley
2:18
It always depends on the couple.
Bread Gardner
2:18
Can we all please just admit that the AL East is going to be a freaking bloodbath?  The Sox and Yanks aren't going anywhere except at each other's throats, and the Rays are ascendant.  I would absolutely not be surprised to see three 90-win teams in this division.
Meg Rowley
2:19
Are there people who are denying that?
Kiner's Disembodied Hands
2:19
I know they're kind of lost in the shuffle of their division, but is it really inconceivable that the Pirates could contend for the division next year? While they appear to have better rosters, neither the Cubs nor Brewers necessarily seem to be locks for a division that might be muddier than most.
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