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Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 8/20/19
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Clark W. Griswold, Jr.
2:40
His Excellency Clayton Kershaw has looked damn good the last two months with the slower slider, hasn't he? I smell a big bounce back year in 2020 if he can stay off the DL.
Meg Rowley
2:40
He has looked very good, and it is really neat, and I think it will be useful to managing our expectations to just assume there will be some IL time baked in every season.
Based
2:41
Where did Sheryl Ring go? I love her work and have missed it these past couple months
Meg Rowley
2:41
She had an opportunity at Beyond the Box Score she was excited about and is writing over there now -- you can still read her stuff, and she's been doing her usual good work.
Other Ryan
2:42
If Yelich and Trout switched skill levels overnight, how long would it take before Yelich was accepted as the best player in the league? My guess is it would take a while(2 seasons maybe?), since there would be a lot of "inertia" in people considering Trout the best player in baseball.
Meg Rowley
2:42
I think that's right, because I think we would assume Trout is hurt, and expect him to bounce back -- also these aren't such huge differences that we would assume a Freaky Friday.
Steaming Hot Fajitas
2:43
Players' Weekend: Cool and fun? Or kinda silly?
Meg Rowley
2:43
I think anything that highlights these dudes' personalities and individuality is good.
Sanford
2:43
What World Series match-up are you rooting for this year? Dodgers/Astros would be Good Baseball, but i find myself feeling like Braves/Twins would be a delight.
Meg Rowley
2:44
I kinda just want Dodgers/Astros. Gimme the best guys doing the best stuff.
Roland
2:44
Which of Oakland or Tampa Bay will finally get a new stadium?  And at some point, does MLB need to acknowledge that neither city might come through, and thus seriously consider realignment/relocation before those stadium situations get resolved?
Meg Rowley
2:45
Oakland seems much more likely to me than Tampa, though if the Rays move to Portland, Jeff might have to work in an office for the first time in... a long time. Wonder which he's rooting for.
Mark
2:45
Do you think the juiced balls are here to stay?
Meg Rowley
2:45
Considering that offense would collapse without them, I'm inclined to say yes, but a lot about this process hasn't been especially well-considered so my official stance is shruggy emoji guy.
v2micca
2:46
Do you think that the Acuña v. Soto discussion will stay interesting longer than the Trout v. Harper debate did?
Meg Rowley
2:47
Is this a debate in the same way as Trout vs. Harper? If so, then there seems to be greater consistency on both sides, rather than just one, in the early going here, so yes?
Ryan
2:48
Now that the season is upon us, what is your take on pumpkin beers?
Meg Rowley
2:48
Some of them are good, some of them are very bad, most of them make the mistake of thinking pumpkin pie spicing and pumpkins are the same thing, and people should just drink what they like.
40 Man Constraints
2:49
I've paid more attention the past few years around teams getting something because you don't want to use lose a player for nothing to the Rule 5 Draft because you can't get him on to your 40 man. I get that but don't you think there needs to be a stronger attempt to recoup more value?
Meg Rowley
2:50
I think they try to maximize the players they receive already. If they're really good prospects, they're not really considered fringe 40 guys and then it's a different convo -- if they're marginal, teams know they have minimal leverage.
JustCurious
2:50
Should pitchers hitting (in the NL)/fielding be taken into account in the Cy Young voting? Basically should the award go to the best player who is a pitcher or the best at actually pitching?
Meg Rowley
2:52
Best at actual pitching, though I think I'd split that as pitching/fielding vs. hitting, as fielding your position is part of pitching. That said, I think we should be more open to pitchers for MVP, in which case, you take the whole deal into account.
Cove Dweller
2:52
Does Mattingly have a case to return as manager for the Marlins next year (besides arguing that he was there for the worst of times)?
Meg Rowley
2:52
This is going to sound snarky, and I don't mean it to, but I have no earthly idea.
Edward
2:53
How close to unanimous will Trout come in winning the AL MVP?  (Put differently, how many old-school holdouts are there who won't vote for a player on a non-contender?)
Meg Rowley
2:53
I think the case is going to be pretty overwhelming, and while he isn't on a contender, his traditional stat case is also super compelling. Call me an optimist but I hope unanimous.
Ralph
2:54
Meg... more of a personal question. My daughter is six years old. I would love her to grow loving the game of baseballl. I grew up romantically listening to the game with my grandfather. I take her to MiLB games. I have not taken her to a MLB game as of yet  She likes to go out and play catch and take batting practice with daddy. What else can I do to cultivate that love? What drew you? Like I said, I would love to find "the answer". Not sure there is a recipe, but would love to find one.
Meg Rowley
2:55
Exposure to the game for sure, but honestly, kids are gonna like what they like, and it's probably important for her to know that, too, so she doesn't feel pressure to like a thing she's iffy on (if she gets to that place).
Los Angeles Bills
2:55
If the Dodgers were to lose in the WS AGAIN, they're basically the Bills, right? Like, how many pennant banners can you hang before people stop caring you can win only your league?
Meg Rowley
2:56
I uhhhh would not have picked the Bills as my first comp, no.
Pujols
2:56
Is there any level of performance I could produce in the final 3 years of my contract that would complicate my HoF chances? For example: 3x Chris Davis' 2018 line.
Meg Rowley
2:56
I think he'd retire before he got there, and even then, I don't know that he could do it.
Curry
2:57
Not to overreact to one start, but TJ Zeuch threw a no hitter in the minors last night.  Between he and Nate Pearson do the Jays have enough SP talent to contend for a wild card as early as next year?
Meg Rowley
2:57
I think that statement qualifies as overreacting to one start.
EW
2:58
They predicted, with all of the youth folks, Trout would likely cease to be perennially best (barring severe injury) at about age 32 or 33. If that is true, who overtakes him in 4/5 years? Tatis, Acuna, personwedon'tknowyet?
Meg Rowley
3:00
Those two among actives, and if Franco lives up to his billing, he's in there.
Guest
3:01
What're your thoughts on Boston after this year? Do you think they trade Betts? That rotation is looking paper thin with Porcello gone and injuries to Price & Sale. Plus they are without many prospects for depth in the near future too. But their young position player core is pretty great
Meg Rowley
3:01
I uhhh do not think they trade Betts.
Last September
3:02
Are you at all sad that this is the last September with 40-man rosters? I enjoy watching the strategy as managers make moves knowing they have virtually unlimited benches and bullpens.
Meg Rowley
3:02
I am -- I know the games can drag, but getting a look at those dudes is great and it means a lot to them.
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