JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 1/27/20

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Kevin

3:39

Ignoring time commitment, top 2 board games of all time are Risk and Acquire. Simple but strategic, different layout after every move. Also played Human Punishment, a mafia/werewolf type card game which was embarrassingly complicated.

Ben Clemens

3:39

Disagree on Risk. Acquire is absolutely one of the most interesting games ever, though.

Levels upon levels.

3:40

I like games where optimal strategy is not pre-determined, and Acquire is like the logical end of that.

Peppa Pig

3:40

Matt Boyd, more first half 2019 or second half 2019 in 2020? Is the changeup something he should keep working on, or abandon?

Ben Clemens

3:40

Ooh I've been trying to figure out Boyd. I don't know that I've gotten to an answer, but I have him more innings eater than stud, if that makes sense.

3:42

I mean, I think ihs change is fine? He used to really lean on it, and I don't think it's good enough for that treatment, but it has that Bugs Bunny hilarious speed difference going for it these days. I do wonder if there's something mechanically weird about it, though.

3:43

13mph differences with perfect mechanical repetition feel rare to me

Ryan

3:43

Are stolen bases undervalued when it comes to statistical analysis? By that I mean, I don't see too many stats that take into account the ability for a good base stealer to turn a bunch of walks or singles into doubles and triples at the cost of a few outs. I know there is BsR (I think that's the name), but there doesn't seem to be much else. (Also, just want to say I agree with you with your response regarding Yarbrough/Chirinos being traded)

Ben Clemens

3:43

Nah, I think BsR does it right. It's doing that tradeoff for every stolen base; run value of the added runner vs. run value cost of an out.

3:44

You could argue that stolen bases are undervalued contextually because the runs they help lead to are often in high-leverage spots

But it's going to be a small edge

Mitch Haniger

3:44

Is Marco Gonzales roughly the same as Boyd, just a little worse?

Ben Clemens

3:44

Very different, but maybe similar results? Boyd is a strikeouts guy, Gonzales is a 'wait he's good?' guy

3:45

I'd say Robbie Ray is maybe a better Boyd comp?

Edge

3:45

What first name is associated with the best combination of a pitcher and hitter in MLB history? I like "Mike" as an early favorite (Mussina and Schmidt). Others like "Don" or "Lou" seem to fall flat on one side or the other. The Dons (Sutton, Drysdale, Newcombe) need a hitter better than Mattingly, the Lous (Gehrig, Whitaker, Brock) need a pitcher better than . . . Trivino?

Ben Clemens

3:45

Wow, I need to think about this one. Great question though.

Like Trout plus Mussina

nice

(lol at schmidt, c'mon man)

3:46

and now I'm just thinking across all names, which is very fun

Mike is very likely the correct answer, but I just really enjoy thinking about all baseball players

Cito's Mustache

3:46

George (Herman Ruth and Brett)

Ben Clemens

3:46

teds williams and lily?

SomeGuy

3:47

Nolan (Arenado, Ryan) probably not the best but decent

Munch Hambungler

3:47

Roger(s), Hornsby and Clemens seems very strong

Ben Clemens

3:47

Ooh I don't think that counts, but otherwise not bad!

Kevin

3:47

I hate the guy as a 2000s So Fan. But its definitely Roger Clemens and Hornsby

Munch Hambungler

3:48

Do you think JP Crawford has it in him to spray soft line drives around for a wRC+ of 115-120, or is he a glove first replacement level kind of guy?

noname

3:48

barry zito and bonds?

Ben Clemens

3:48

Wow I couldn't think of a barry pitcher! This is the leader in the clubhouse now I think

3:49

J.P. Crawford, pass. Glove first replacement dude for me.

Like, maybe a bit better than that, but I don't think spraying flares is a workable plan, and he strikes out too much for the power he has.

3:50

lightning round time, as I'll be finishing up in five minutes

Guest

3:50

Luzardo, Puk, Cease, Whitley....order of preference?

Ben Clemens

3:50

assuming this is either dynasty or real baseball question, I'd go luzardo/whitley/puk/cease

Syndergardenomes

3:50

George, for Babe Ruth and Tom Seaver (George Thomas Seaver) Nobody's beating that.

Ben Clemens

3:50

technicalities to the rescue!

Nick

3:50

Al(bert) Leiter and Pujols?

Munch Hambungler

3:51

What should we make of the great "non-adjustment" Dan Vogelbach demonstrated in the second half of 2019? How soon should the Mariners look to pry Dom Smith away from the Mets as competition for the position?

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