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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 2/5/19
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billsaints
2:57
Do you think Manny and Bryce are in contact with each other on a regular basis? I would if I was them.
Meg Rowley
2:58
I don't know if they are pals or not, so maybe but I'd be surprised. They're adverse parties too in a way. I'm sure their agents are aware of how they're positioned relative to each other.
Bubble
2:58
What's the minimum minor league salary that would have you saying they are compensated fairly?
Meg Rowley
2:59
Fairly? Or at a living wage? Because those aren't the same. Probably $40k.
For a living wage.
Sammy Sooser
2:59
That $250 mil per year is ~2.4% of MLB revenues in 2018. The players thought that by limiting cash flow towards non-members of their union, that they were earmarking a larger share of the money for themselves. In actuality, they made their replacements so cheap to acquire and develop that teams have started up additional minor league teams in the DSL and complex ball. Not working to reverse this trend is negligent, imo. Also, I know a minor leaguer. Last season, he made $1.20 per hour, and he asked for grocery store gift cards for Christmas. Forgetting whether it's the right fiscal move, it's the decent human being move as well.
Meg Rowley
3:02
I don't disagree that it is the right thing. It is obviously the right thing. And yes, the union did make moves in the last CBA negotiation that led to some of the issues we're seeing here, though the wages in the minors precede this most recent negotiation. My point is, ownership is getting exactly what it wanted. The league is working to support legislation that exempts minor leaguers from the minimum wage in AZ. Let's just be clear eyed about who did what here.
Hold please, my furnace guy is calling
Johnnie
3:03
Which upcoming minor league promotion are you looking forward to the most?
Meg Rowley
3:03
Give us Vladito. Give us Vladito now. Right now!
Chris
3:03
Should netting be mandatory at every mlb and minor league stadium? What about college?
Meg Rowley
3:04
I think so. It doesn't interfere with your view of the game. The best seats are behind a net already!
And a woman died last summer. It's just a no-brainer to me.
Ryan
3:04
The Tampa Bay Times suggested a 1-year, 35-million dollar deal for Harper.  Would that be (a) good for the team? or (b) good for Harper?
Meg Rowley
3:05
Good for the team, yes. Good for Harper? Unclear though I lean no. As I said, I'm not sure why would assume the market would be better, and he's assuming the risk of injury.
3:06
For Machado, not only doe that all apply, but right now he doesn't carry a QO. He almost certainly would next year. Now, that doesn't mean he wouldn't get signed, but the QO has been used as justification for that.
PD
3:06
As cold as it is in Seattle, the Midwest was 40 degrees colder a week or so ago...
Meg Rowley
3:06
Sure, but I live here.
Gaslamp Gary
3:07
The Spring Training hat rankings came out. Thoughts on the Mariners one coming in at 29? Is it a worthy price to pay to end the curse of the trident?
Meg Rowley
3:07
I mostly only care about the good ones. The A's hat is good. I like the D-backs hat.
DJ
3:08
I agree with how frustrating the offseason has been morally. I've been so disenfranchised and feel myself loving all of this just a little less. I know issues exist in every workplace - but the Russell story, Kapler, how players are paid, among other things has bummed me out. Do you believe any change is on the horizon, or if there's anything actionable that can happen - or is this just something that's always going to be prevalant
Meg Rowley
3:09
Fandom will always require negotiating with uncomfortable moral standards. There being actual baseball will help. It will help so much. Baseball is so wonderful. But these issues aren't going anywhere. Soon, we'll get more breaks from them because we'll have baseball to focus on. But we have to keep thinking about them.
Ask your Gastrointerologist
3:09
Whats your personal favorite:  the Szymborski ZiPS projections or the Top Prospects Series
Meg Rowley
3:10
I shall not pick from amongst my children, but instead love them for what they each bring.
What wonderful baseball spirits they all are.
AJ
3:11
Sorry, but I can’t get mad about teams not wanting to pay $30m for the next 10 yrs to Harper or Machado.  Both players have obvious flaws, and those contracts are risky.  I’m much more upset about how minor leaguers are treated, and that some teams are not spending in general, and that a lot of guys in their 30s seem to be tossed aside for unproved players just to save money.  But upset about what’s happening to Harper and Machado?  Nah.
Meg Rowley
3:12
You are free to be upset about whatever you want. I would simply point out that you can also be mad about all of those things at once.
3:13
I agree that the situation minor leaguers face is the one with the greatest moral urgency, but getting them a living wage will not balance out the split of revenue players receive. There has to be spending, big spending on top of that. A team can sign a generational talent. Why not... just do that and win some baseball games?
Safety Stegosaurus
3:13
Have you changed your furnace filter? I hate to admit I needed a HVAC guy to tell me this.
Meg Rowley
3:13
Yes, I have.
3:14
Good suggestion though. It appears to be a wiring issue with the ignitor.
NA
3:14
How much do you consider your legacy when making editorial decisions? You seem like a live and let live type, but in order to take over from Dave or Carson as the GOAT fangraphs editor, you’re going to have to be willing to a ruffle a few feathers.
Meg Rowley
3:14
This suggests you haven't read the comments on some of my written work.
Bernie Brewer
3:15
Free Dayn Perry
Meg Rowley
3:15
I assure you, Dayn will never be caged.
Sorry no Tortillas
3:15
2018 MLB playoff team who misses the dance in 2019
Meg Rowley
3:15
Sorry Rockies, might be you :(
HD
3:16
Worst Seattle neighborhood to live in during a snow storm?
Meg Rowley
3:16
The top of Queen Anne hill, imo
Cactus League
3:16
Best complex in the league
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