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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 11/6/18
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Meg Rowley
2:00
Hello!
Welcome to the chat. Apologies for my very brief lateness. I was on the phone with one Carson Cistulli.
2:01
If you will allow a moment of earnestness and also sincerity: Please go vote if you have not and your state has not made it impossible for you to do so.
If your state has, shame on them. If your state hasn't, think of all those having a hard time voting today, and go do your voting.
Guest
2:02
When does "2019" begin for the purpose of no-trade clauses? Jason Heyward has full no trade rights in 2018, but not 2019. I started wondering about coupling one or more surplus value guys in order to try to move his contract but then ran into: when does '2019' begin?
Meg Rowley
2:02
I believe the league year or championship season is defined in the CBA, so a moment.
2:04
I believe it is when guys officially become free agents and can be signed
Mountie Votto
2:04
I'll admit to being pretty jaded by the Reds recently, but their moves so far this offseason are encouraging. I love the DJ and  Turner Ward hirings, and they seem legitimately motivated to get pitching. A savvy trade or two and maybe some high-upside FA signings and could they maybe sorta kinda be a contender?
Meg Rowley
2:05
It all comes down to the pitching. Also, another bat. I think they'd be pretty fringy considering the other good teams, both in the league and their division, but maybe. I wouldn't bank on this being the year though.
chris
2:05
Is the Indians potentially selling in the middle of a contention window everything that is wrong with baseball?
Meg Rowley
2:05
I don't like it, not even one little bit.
2:06
The Indians didn't tank, but there have been teams that have tanked and then spent. That's a good model. Cleveland's approach seems designed to win through September and then see a lot of early October exits.
Nick Mar - Cake is Good
2:06
Meg, would you agree that "I Voted" stickers are the best part of election day?
Meg Rowley
2:07
Fulfilling our democratic promise and paying off the great leap of faith that is our ability to make smart collective choices and care for one another is the best part of election day.
As someone who lives in a state that does all of their elections by mail, I can confirm that the sticker isn't missed much.
Cashman
2:07
Hi Meg!  Love your chats. Reports coming out about the mariners needing to rebuild and that they will begin selling off pieces that have value. What do yanks need to give up to get Paxton?
Meg Rowley
2:08
I think it would need to be pretty good, close to major league ready pieces. The return always matters obviously, but here it really does.
2nd_city
2:08
I know someone who annually attends the Winter Meetings and he says at the MILB Gala they run out of beer every year.  Are those which are connected to baseball the most prolific drinkers in sports?
Meg Rowley
2:09
I have never been to Winter Meetings (this will be my first year) and I can't speak to how baseball stacks up to other sports, but it's a bunch of (mostly) socially awkward (mostly) dudes, so I have no trouble believing there is heavy drinking.
stever20
2:09
Do you think Grandal and or Ryu take the QO from the Dodgers?
Meg Rowley
2:09
I don't think either will.
Nick Mar - Cake is Good
2:09
You always have a positive attitude.  Can you help a pessimist, please?
Meg Rowley
2:10
I do not always have a positive attitude, and it's been pretty hard to sustain at times the last two years. But just remember that it is ok to feel down, healthy even, and that there is always something you can do to help someone somewhere.
Fangraphs reader
2:10
With the Mariners looking to take a step back next year, Nelson Cruz and the Astros seem like a pretty obvious fit, right?
Meg Rowley
2:10
That seemed obvious even before this whispering.
2:11
It's not impossible that Cruz will return-- he has limited fit on other rosters-- but the last I heard was that they weren't making an effort to bring him back.
stever20
2:12
Which way would you prefer free agency if you had your druthers?  MLB way where it could play out over 3+ months or NBA/NFL way where top guys are gone 3-4 days into free agency?  I can see wanting it spread out but the way the NBA especially does it- it takes over sports for a week or two.
Meg Rowley
2:12
As a person who likes to sleep and appreciates time to make decisions in her own life, probably this way?
The Old Buccaneer
2:12
Voting lines are long; chat while you wait!
Meg Rowley
2:12
This is good advice.
B
2:13
Am I wrong to think that teams that act early in the offseason to secure second-tier players will win the offseason?  It seems that there may be a number of teams in on the Harper/Machado/Corbin/Keuchel sweepstakes, and teams that lose out on those players are going to have a lot of money to throw at second-tier players once those players are off the board.
Meg Rowley
2:15
I think it really depends what you're trying to do with your roster, and the relative quality of the second-tier player. I'm sure there's a first-mover advantage for some of these guys, especially with players probably feeling a bit spooked about waiting with the way last year played out, but my thought in these moments is always 'Why not do both?"
Eyebrows
2:15
The Mariners are rumored to be selling but want to keep a few players like Diaz. I love Diaz, but it puzzles me why a rebuilding team would keep a reliever that could be one of their best trade chips. Thoughts?
Meg Rowley
2:15
That I am similarly confused.
Now, I get the appeal of dealing Díaz at the deadline, especially if he has another great season.
2:16
But relievers are volatile, Díaz throws super harm with those whip-like mechanics on a thin frame, and his value is really high right now. I'd be tempted to move him now. Like, right now.
2:17
I don't say that, to be clear, knowing anything special about his medicals. But I'd be nervous waiting. Though, my tendency to be nervous is one of several reasons I have this job, and not Jerry Dipoto's.
Braves fan
2:17
I think the Mariners are making the right call in rebuilding especially trying to move Paxton right now. I don’t understand why they plan to keep Haniger and Diaz and trade everything else. Haniger would be the second best corner OF available this offseason behind Harper. Do you think teams should completely tank or rebuild around already established young players.
Meg Rowley
2:18
Like I said, I don't get holding on to Díaz. Haniger makes more sense to me just given the years of team control.
Mostly, they should pick a lane and commit.
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