You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 2/5/19
powered byJotCast
Meg Rowley
2:00
Hello, friends.
Welcome to the chat!
2:01
Very little is happening in baseball. In Seattle, it is quite cold (for Seattle).
Bo
2:01
How much longer do you think the Harper and Machado sweepstakes last? Who signs first?
Meg Rowley
2:01
I still think Machado goes first.
2:02
In terms of when, I wonder if we'll see them before the end of the month at this point.
I do think they will likely go fairly quickly once one of them signs.
Lunar verLander
2:03
Apparently, today is National Weatherperson's Day. In honor of this, we should take a step back and appreciate that Mike Trout signed his extension when he did and isn't a free agent this offseason...could you imagine if arguably the greatest baseball players of all time had to wait this long to sign a deal?
Meg Rowley
2:04
I'd like to think that Trout would ummm not have to wait. I appreciate that Harper and Machado really shouldn't have to wait  either, but Trout is Trout.
2:05
Of course, I look forward to his market being slow just before the CBA gets renegotiated. I am sure that will go fine.
Skip
2:05
I'm an Florida guy and got roped into a Mt Hood wedding this summer. What is the one can't miss baseball park in the Pacific Northwest where should I see a game? I've already been to Safeco/T-Mobile park...
Meg Rowley
2:06
If you're open to northern California parks, the Giants' ballpark is gorgeous if expensive.
2:07
I might suggest an Oregon minor league ballpark tour.
Chris
2:07
Are leake, EE and Bruce all going to be on the mariners opening day roster? If not which one is most likely to get traded?
Meg Rowley
2:08
It doesn't seem like there is a ton of interest in Encarnacion or Bruce at the moment -- I'd say Leake is the most likely to move, but at this point, I'm starting to expect him there on Opening Day.
2:10
I know they aren't opposed to moving him (or at least haven't been in the past), but the no-trade makes it tricky and someone does have to pitch in Seattle.
(apologies, was pinged on... several things!)
Q-Ball
2:10
Is this year's FA period even slower and more confusing than last year's?  Sure seems that way
Meg Rowley
2:11
It feels slower-- I haven't actually seen an update to Travis' study from last year, but it seems slower. And yes, I would say weirder. I get it is a lot of money. I appreciate it is a lot of years. But Machado and Harper are generational talents. And even beyond them, there are good players who address real needs that don't have homes.
It doesn't feel great.
PD
2:11
Snow day!
Meg Rowley
2:12
The best part of working from home is getting to work from home. The worst part of working from home is that you don't really have snow days.
Just days spent trying to fit shoveling snow in amongst other stuff, while sitting in a house with a broken furnace that won't get fixed for a while.
TravisScottFell
2:12
Is there any chance of a work stoppage to mess up opening day?
Meg Rowley
2:13
This year, I don't think so.
When this CBA concludes? Yes.
dvm
2:13
Harper....Phillies?  Padres?  White Sox?  Unknown team?  Your best guess
Meg Rowley
2:14
I think Phillies makes the most sense.
Reagan
2:14
What i think is silly is that Matt Chapman had a better year then Manny Machado (Defense, offense is pretty even, giving Chapman a slight lead) and Chapman is younger but chapman is Making league minimum and Machado will be making 30 mil+ all Machado did was get OK quicker.
Meg Rowley
2:14
We can be frustrated that players don't get money earlier in their careers and also be frustrated that Machado is unsigned.
2:15
My ability to be dismayed by multiple things at once should not be underestimated. That's an 80-grade tool.
Mandy Is Still 91% Fresh
2:15
You are Mike Trout.  The Angels make you a fair extension offer that your agent says is pretty much what you would get as a free agent.  Do you stay with the Angels or do you flee when you become a free agent?
Meg Rowley
2:16
I don't know Trout, so I'm not sure how he would balance the desire to win a ring (for instance) or be closer to home (for another instance) with money.
It shouldn't matter. Every team in baseball should be trying to woo him when the time comes. Every single team.
2-D
2:17
I'm going to resist making a joke about Tropicana going cashless and instead ask if you think this will be a wider trend and your thoughts on the decision?
Meg Rowley
2:18
I hope other teams think about the feedback Tampa received and go a different way. Cashless options tend to disadvantage those who don't have bank accounts (which isn't a small number of folks) or don't have easy access to credit.
The best case scenario is that folks are annoyed on occasion ("Oh no, I forgot my card.") The worst case scenario is you're excluding fans.
2:19
That's bad to do at a point in time when baseball generally, and the Rays in particular could use more of them. Not to mention, it is kinda icky.
Jason N
2:21
Hi Meg.  What do you consider a “living wage” for minor leaguers?  Quick math tell me a $40k raise equals about $250m/year charge to owners.  At that price, I can see why the MLB union hasn’t fought for it.  Feels like arguing for a transfer of wealth of that size to an audience that isn’t part of the union would be negligent.  Isn’t the answer for minor leaguers to form their own union?
Meg Rowley
2:22
Minor leaguers should be unionized, either as part of the MLBPA (unlikely) or a union of their own. I wish the MLBPA would take a longer view on this stuff, and we are starting to see their public stance shift. But as I mentioned last week, the league and the teams really ought to take most of the blame here. It's their decision.
Load More Messages
Connecting…