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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 12/4/18
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Hunt for for 28
2:37
Do you see Harper signing with the yankees?
Meg Rowley
2:38
That isn't where I see him. I increasingly picture him in a Phillies uniform.
Yes to the DH
2:38
Was Jerry Dipoto's extension premature given the end result of the 2018 season? We know that Dipoto wants to refocus for 2020/21 but in reality with the worst farm system prior to these trades, when is the next competitive core of the Mariners system going to come up?
Meg Rowley
2:39
I think the timing looks pretty weird, given how the second half went, but I think the extension + real ownership buy-in is what facilitates this tear down or step back or whatever you want to call it.
I still think 2020 seems aggressive, but not impossible.
And a lot will depend on what they allow themselves to spend.
2:41
Assume these prospects pan out. Oh what prospects! It's 2020. As of right this minute, barring further trades, the only big deals on the club's books are:
Kyle Seager, who I imagine they'll try to move if he plays better, and Mike Leake, who I also think they'd be willing to trade.
2:42
Oh and I suppose $14 million on Dee Gordon's deal.
2:43
If they have good prospects ready to graduate and a willingness to spend, that's an interesting team. It has to work, and ownership has to get on board with spending, but it's not uninteresting.
Dennis
2:43
If Corbin goes to Yankees is that the best pitching staff in the AL?
Meg Rowley
2:43
Depends what goes on with Houston, but it's up there.
Reason to Believe
2:43
Any interest or thoughts in having an analytically-inclined player or former player contribute a column about the integration of metrics to daily play?  How does it happen?  What is effective?  Conversely, how can it not work?  Who would you consider approaching?
Meg Rowley
2:45
I would love to run something like that. I think that would be fascinating. Nate Freiman's residency was one of my favorite things we did this year, because that player perspective blended with real analytics is pretty special. The trick is finding someone who can do it who then doesn't get scooped up by a team.
Dennis
2:45
Meg, I heard u on sound could the other day. Where else can we hear audio content from you?  (really enjoy it thanks)
Meg Rowley
2:45
On FanGraphs Audio, for starters!
2:46
I worry I have set a dangerous precedent by releasing two episodes last week.
Cove Dweller
2:46
What's an unhealthy amount of time to spend reading about baseball in the off season?
Meg Rowley
2:46
There isn't an unhealthy amount of time one can spend reading, though some variety might be welcome.
Home Run Histrionics
2:47
Chest pumping or pointing to God?
Meg Rowley
2:47
Do what feels right for you personally.
Bob? Bob.
2:48
An issue with baseball, and sports in general, is that they pay diddly squat.  Once you've tasted the good life, it becomes extraordinarily difficult to give that up for a passion project.  If I was an owner, I would invest $10mm in the analytics department and another $10mm in Minor League salary.  I have a hunch that the $20mm investment would pay major dividends...
Meg Rowley
2:48
You aren't wrong, but I have a feeling that other teams wouldn't thank you for the minor league spending, which is part of why we don't see it.
MLB teams
2:49
Should there be more New York teams?
Meg Rowley
2:49
No, I don't think so.
It's a huge (the biggest?) media market but there are other cities who would be great baseball towns that don't have teams
James
2:49
Wouldn't raising the minimum salary significantly, to say an even million, help change the market? It would raise career earnings for those who never make it to free agency, and reduce the marginal benefit of youth over free agents. Obviously the players would have to make other concessions but could that be a start?
Meg Rowley
2:50
It would certainly be a start.
I think though, the number that most are or will keep an eye on is the overall split of revenue between ownership and players, which is admittedly hard to fully judge, since we don't complete looks at team books.
AL East
2:51
If the Red Sox get Eovaldi and the Yankees get Corbin, who do you have winning the division?
Meg Rowley
2:51
I'd favor the Yankees at the moment, given the other moves they have made (Paxton) and that I think they might make (Machado)
Charles Finley
2:52
Dunn over Sheff?
Meg Rowley
2:52
I feel like I know less, and am therefore more intrigued.
CFH
2:53
What if instead of the draft, players could sign for any amount with any team, but the previous year's playoff teams were limited in what they could spend? That way, players could get paid what they deserve, competitive balance issues are somewhat addressed, and there is no incentive to lose - would the relevant people agree?
Meg Rowley
2:53
It all depends on what your goals are.
If you're getting rid of the draft (I would like to get rid of the draft), your goal is to get money to players. You wouldn't then want to limit team spending.
2:55
If competitive balance is an issue, and it may well be there, though I think less than folks think because there is going to be a limit to spending at some point, I think there are other mechanisms that address that more directly.
Nate
2:55
So what are your overall thoughts on everything that's happened with your Mariners over the last week or two? Are you in favor of the moves, or not so much?
Meg Rowley
2:55
Oh sure, now they're *my* Mariners.
I like the Mets deal for them.
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