2019 Meet the World Series GM's
Sept 23, 2019 10:48:58 GMT -5
White Sox GM (Michael), Tigers GM (Alex), and 1 more like this
Post by Mariners GM (David) on Sept 23, 2019 10:48:58 GMT -5
For the 2019 World Series we have Alex with the Detroit Tigers and Matt with the St. Louis Cardinals. I had time to sit down with both of the GM's during this very busy matchup to discuss some questions about this season and beyond.
Alex
Matt
1. How do you feel at the halfway point of this WS matchup?
Alex: It's gonna be close... We both have large leads in some categories but it's a pretty even split and with a whole another week there's plenty of time for some big changes. To win I probably need to take at least 2/3 of the triple slash stats.
Matt: I don't feel great. Injuries have taken a toll on my team. Losing Marte and Yelich, as well as Sogard being banged up has not helped me at all and if my other bats don't start heating up I'm going to be in trouble.
2. Is managing this long two week World Series matchup as stressful as you thought it would be?
Alex: I've definitely been checking fantrax a lot more than usual. This is what it's all about - win or go home.
Matt: It is very stressful. It was stressful enough the first two weeks as my team struggled and now without my best bats and knowing my lead is very small, it has been a rough week.
3. What has impressed you the most with your team during the first half of this matchup?
Alex: Honestly performing about as expected, maybe slightly under performing in the pitching stats. We've been good but can be better. MVP so far is joint between Verlander and DeGrom.
Matt: The fact that my pitching which hasn't been very good has been keeping me in it while my bats are cold.
4. Did the regular season go as you expected as far as roster configuration?
Alex: For the most part. I obviously got more than expected out of Pete, and David Fletcher has also been a very useful player unexpectedly. But I was hoping to get a lot more out of both Scooter Gennett and Wil Myers when I gave them both big contracts last offseason.
Matt: For the most part. Was never able to acquire another top SP which would have made me feel a tad better about my chances. Also not being able to upgrade my C was tough but I think for the most part my roster has been how I wanted it to look like when I started my long rebuild.
5. What are hoping improves for you team in the second week of this matchup?
Alex: If I can get my pitching WHIP down and keep hitting well it should be enough to get it done. Also wouldn't mind swiping a couple saves and making that category interesting.
Matt: I hope my bats show up. They have carried me the entire season and I need Olson, Albies, Acuna, Arenado and Semien to show up.
6. What is your biggest disappointment of the season so far (Matt, no Yelich injury)?
Alex: Scooter Gennett. Bumgarner has also not been worth his trade price yet, could use a big week 2 from him.
Matt: Kyle Freeland. When I initially crafted my roster, I was expecting Berrios and Freeland to be my two aces. Unfortunately, I haven't even been able to roster Freeland for the majority of the season.
7. Which player is your biggest surprise of the season?
Alex: I already mentioned Pete and Fletcher above so will go with Brett Gardner and Shin Soo Choo's continued usefulness. Both have put up great, every category, seasons in their mid-30s, couldn't ask for more.
Matt: Ketel Marte. When I acquired him in the Dansby trade, I figured he would be a solid replacement for me. I never expected him to have the season he has had batting as well as emerging as my starting CF.
8. What trade has helped you the most this season to get you to the World Series (again Matt, no Yelich)?
Alex: Probably picking up DeGrom in the preseason. Had I not made that move and signed Verlander in FA my rotation would have been very ugly this year (RIP Zack Godley).
Matt: I'd have to go with the Marte trade or the Arenado one. Both players became huge pieces for my team this season and are a large part of why I had the number 1 offense for the majority of the season.
9. If you are defeated in the World Series, will you accept it graciously like the loser you are or will you go down kicking and screaming and blame it on a bad two weeks?
Alex: Happy that I made it this far, and feel confident that I have the foundation to get back in the future. I'll be gracious if it comes to that.
Matt: Truthfully, I don't really belong here right now. Two straight ties to get here is ridiculous. My team has been underperforming since the playoffs started and if I lose this week I wouldn't even be surprised. Alex has a damn good team and as of now he deserves it much more than I do.
10. What is your plan for the 2020 season?
Alex: Win the World Series. I'll need to work some trade magic to fill out a rotation but my offense should be top notch again next year and I have the assets to make at least one more serious run at it. Maybe retool in 2021.
Matt: As of right now, I plan on running it back. There is a good chance I need to move one of my top bats (Yelich potentially) to try and upgrade my pitching staff. I have enough cap to sign a SS/CF since I am losing Sogard and Semien. I think my team is missing a few pieces but I feel like this offseason will be a good place to correct the issues so that I don't need a tiebreaker to make it to this point next season.
Bonus: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Alex: Yes definitely. Hard to see an argument against meat on bread being a sandwich. Hoagies/subs are sandwiches, why is a hot dog any different? Better question: is cereal soup?
Matt: It isn't a sandwich. Anyone who thinks it is a sandwich is wrong. A hot dog is a hot dog there is just no comparison.
Thank you both for taking the time to answer these questions and good luck during the second week of the World Series.
Alex
Matt
1. How do you feel at the halfway point of this WS matchup?
Alex: It's gonna be close... We both have large leads in some categories but it's a pretty even split and with a whole another week there's plenty of time for some big changes. To win I probably need to take at least 2/3 of the triple slash stats.
Matt: I don't feel great. Injuries have taken a toll on my team. Losing Marte and Yelich, as well as Sogard being banged up has not helped me at all and if my other bats don't start heating up I'm going to be in trouble.
2. Is managing this long two week World Series matchup as stressful as you thought it would be?
Alex: I've definitely been checking fantrax a lot more than usual. This is what it's all about - win or go home.
Matt: It is very stressful. It was stressful enough the first two weeks as my team struggled and now without my best bats and knowing my lead is very small, it has been a rough week.
3. What has impressed you the most with your team during the first half of this matchup?
Alex: Honestly performing about as expected, maybe slightly under performing in the pitching stats. We've been good but can be better. MVP so far is joint between Verlander and DeGrom.
Matt: The fact that my pitching which hasn't been very good has been keeping me in it while my bats are cold.
4. Did the regular season go as you expected as far as roster configuration?
Alex: For the most part. I obviously got more than expected out of Pete, and David Fletcher has also been a very useful player unexpectedly. But I was hoping to get a lot more out of both Scooter Gennett and Wil Myers when I gave them both big contracts last offseason.
Matt: For the most part. Was never able to acquire another top SP which would have made me feel a tad better about my chances. Also not being able to upgrade my C was tough but I think for the most part my roster has been how I wanted it to look like when I started my long rebuild.
5. What are hoping improves for you team in the second week of this matchup?
Alex: If I can get my pitching WHIP down and keep hitting well it should be enough to get it done. Also wouldn't mind swiping a couple saves and making that category interesting.
Matt: I hope my bats show up. They have carried me the entire season and I need Olson, Albies, Acuna, Arenado and Semien to show up.
6. What is your biggest disappointment of the season so far (Matt, no Yelich injury)?
Alex: Scooter Gennett. Bumgarner has also not been worth his trade price yet, could use a big week 2 from him.
Matt: Kyle Freeland. When I initially crafted my roster, I was expecting Berrios and Freeland to be my two aces. Unfortunately, I haven't even been able to roster Freeland for the majority of the season.
7. Which player is your biggest surprise of the season?
Alex: I already mentioned Pete and Fletcher above so will go with Brett Gardner and Shin Soo Choo's continued usefulness. Both have put up great, every category, seasons in their mid-30s, couldn't ask for more.
Matt: Ketel Marte. When I acquired him in the Dansby trade, I figured he would be a solid replacement for me. I never expected him to have the season he has had batting as well as emerging as my starting CF.
8. What trade has helped you the most this season to get you to the World Series (again Matt, no Yelich)?
Alex: Probably picking up DeGrom in the preseason. Had I not made that move and signed Verlander in FA my rotation would have been very ugly this year (RIP Zack Godley).
Matt: I'd have to go with the Marte trade or the Arenado one. Both players became huge pieces for my team this season and are a large part of why I had the number 1 offense for the majority of the season.
9. If you are defeated in the World Series, will you accept it graciously like the loser you are or will you go down kicking and screaming and blame it on a bad two weeks?
Alex: Happy that I made it this far, and feel confident that I have the foundation to get back in the future. I'll be gracious if it comes to that.
Matt: Truthfully, I don't really belong here right now. Two straight ties to get here is ridiculous. My team has been underperforming since the playoffs started and if I lose this week I wouldn't even be surprised. Alex has a damn good team and as of now he deserves it much more than I do.
10. What is your plan for the 2020 season?
Alex: Win the World Series. I'll need to work some trade magic to fill out a rotation but my offense should be top notch again next year and I have the assets to make at least one more serious run at it. Maybe retool in 2021.
Matt: As of right now, I plan on running it back. There is a good chance I need to move one of my top bats (Yelich potentially) to try and upgrade my pitching staff. I have enough cap to sign a SS/CF since I am losing Sogard and Semien. I think my team is missing a few pieces but I feel like this offseason will be a good place to correct the issues so that I don't need a tiebreaker to make it to this point next season.
Bonus: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Alex: Yes definitely. Hard to see an argument against meat on bread being a sandwich. Hoagies/subs are sandwiches, why is a hot dog any different? Better question: is cereal soup?
Matt: It isn't a sandwich. Anyone who thinks it is a sandwich is wrong. A hot dog is a hot dog there is just no comparison.
Thank you both for taking the time to answer these questions and good luck during the second week of the World Series.