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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 2/12/19
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Guest
3:26
I am planning a career change into data science. I am wondering what data & sabermetric skills you think are most valued by hiring MLB organizations?
Meg Rowley
3:27
I'd take a look at the recent job postings we've put up.
The short answer is learn to code, and don't be a jerk. That second one is just good workplace advice generally.
2-D
3:28
What do you think of these London games?
Meg Rowley
3:28
Growing the sport is cool, growing it in London is a little weird.
lunch
3:29
who you think wins the nl east?
Meg Rowley
3:29
Right now? The Nationals. But it could shift a bunch before Opening Day. There are so so so many guys unsigned.
Lazzaro Da Fietta
3:29
Offer for Harper: 4 years @ $140M, then a player option for another 4 years @ 140M. Worst case, is 8 years, $280M. Would he take it?
Meg Rowley
3:30
Maybe? I think he has richer deals than that currently.
atticus
3:30
If you had the power to assign a current free agent to a team and they would have to sign a contract with that team that you designed what would the contract look like and with which team?
Meg Rowley
3:31
The Phillies should sign Bryce Harper for $300 million. The Padres should sign Manny Machado for $300 million. This really doesn't have to be complicated and if I have discretion, I'm not sure why I would make it difficult.
3:32
I love the idea of Manny to San Diego. Jump start that window. Don't let Hosmer define the next era of success. Remember that we'll all die and parades are World Series wins are fun.
Or so I have been told.
Dave
3:33
As a Cubs fan, I've been asked how I can justify rooting for an organization that obviously doesn't care about women/LGBT/Muslim fans. As someone who is sympathetic to all of those causes, what other answer is there besides the fact that I've been a fan since before the Ricketts owned the team?
Meg Rowley
3:34
Woof. I think the really bummer answer is that while there are orgs that do better than the cubs on this stuff, there isn't a lot of truly ethical consumption of a product that refuses to pay a living wage to minor leaguers.
3:35
So, I think the best you can do is listen to your fellow fans, and try, as best as you are able to support them, and demand better of your favorite team. You can't do a lot to change the way the Cubs do business. You can be a good friend and neighbor to fans who are marginalized by the orgs they like best.
BigRichie
3:35
Folks on the Bill James web site, including Bill himself, are all saying Harper and Machado are unsigned because they're only very good, but want great money. They were supposed to be great, but mostly have fallen short of that, especially of late.
Meg Rowley
3:36
That is an opinion to which Bill is entitled, but with which I respectfully disagree.
The rooftile at the Comet
3:36
Can you see a path to the playoffs for the 2019 Mariners?
Meg Rowley
3:36
I mean, stuff from space collides with the earth all the time.
It's just a matter of placement and size.
Random
3:38
If instead of giving Harper/Machado 300 million this year and instead give staggered 1-4 year deals to older but still elite players (such that once one deal expires the next one starts) would I do better or worse in terms of total WAR? For instance, Donaldson is projected for ~4 WAR next year. I don't think Machado will produce 40 WAR over a 10 year deal. So, 10 Donaldson like deals provides better value right?
Meg Rowley
3:39
You have to find, sign, and roster 10 players then. Machado has in his career produced 30.2 WAR to date; Harper 30.7.
Tugs
3:39
Probably do late for you to see this but your "we hoped you liked reading" link just below the chat is a 404 page.
Meg Rowley
3:40
Hmmm shall pass on. Usually a sign that there is some dev stuff going on behind the scenes.
Outta my way, Gyorkass
3:40
Re: stars opting out only to re-sign - Greinke opted out of his deal with LAD to sign with AZ
Meg Rowley
3:41
Goodness, yes, thank you.
RAGBRAI
3:41
A AA team has banned peanuts and cracker jacks for the upcoming season...has baseball gone mad!  Collusion?
Meg Rowley
3:42
I know you're kidding (?), but I don't think that's a good way to describe balancing a minor inconvenience vs. a widespread and dangerous allergic reaction.
The rooftile at the Comet
3:42
Will Fèlix return?
Meg Rowley
3:42
To baseball? Yes. To form? :(
Random
3:42
It would still be one roster spot a year and you don't have as much of the risk that comes with a long term deal.
Meg Rowley
3:43
First, these guys are 26. Yes, there is risk. But they are also 26. Second, you have different risk! You need a bunch of guys to work out exactly right. Or you could risk one guy who is really, really good.
Ryan
3:43
Which would-be contender most needs to improve its rotation: As, Brewers, or Braves?
Meg Rowley
3:44
Braves, because they don't have as compelling a way out of the bullpen to offset the weakness.
3:45
Alright folks, I need to get going and do some editing. Thanks for all the questions, and sorry for what I didn't get to. I hope you all have good days!
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