JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 11/16/20

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Guest

3:03

Sherlock Holmes: consulting detective is excellent for 2 players

Ben Clemens

3:03

Oh GREAT call

Also Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game, which is kind of five Sherlock mysteries that are linked together

3:04

Those are kind of hit or miss, I know that some of my friends aren't into it, but my wife and I love it

We had a Sherlock themed dinner party in the Before Times that was really fun

Adam

3:04

Your favorite team can win 3 of the next 5 World Series, OR you personally can hit a home run in the major leagues. Which do you pick?

Ben Clemens

3:04

Give me 3 of the next 5 WS, because if I hit a home run in the majors, it would be SO clear to me that something was amiss

I haven't played seriously since little league

3:05

So it would be cheapened by my conviction that something supernatural was going on

Janus

3:05

Kim Ng hiring thoughts? Imagine me telling you five years ago that's the team who would hire her.

Ben Clemens

3:06

I don't feel that I'm the most qualified person to answer this, but I'm going to try anyway

Kim Ng is maybe the most overqualified first-time GM in history, and it's a shame that it has to be that way

3:07

Being Asian-American and female in a job (MLB front office types) dominated by white males makes it doubly hard to break through

Should have happened long ago, glad it has happened now

David

3:08

I would have rathered Lester for 3 mil.

I have no issue with Smyly, but I just wanted to see costs kept down for what teams spent on players.

Ben Clemens

3:08

I mean, I thiiiiink I'd rather have Lester for $3 mil too? Not sure. On the other hand, if you call Lester up and offer him that, he'd say "eh let's talk in January"

3:09

No reason for him to accept that now. He could stlil get it later

Hal

3:09

Is there a fit out there for Yadier Molina if he leaves the Cards? (assuming he's fine with not catching 130 games)

Ben Clemens

3:09

I think there are a lot of fits actually, and yes, it's VERY contingent on him accepting a smaller workload

Guest

3:10

Is Smyly's salary going to prevent the Braves from signing other players? If not, I don't see what there is to question about it. I guess someone in here could be the team's CFO, but seems unlikely.

Ben Clemens

3:10

They could theoretically be shareholders, since it's the Braves

Guest

3:11

Other 2 player recommendations: my wife and I have also been playing Imhotep: the Duel; Sagrada; Splendor; Jaipur; Gizmos

Ben Clemens

3:11

interactive chat today!

Jaipur is sweet, I was so-so on Splendor but only played once, haven't played the rest

But Imhotep sounds intriguing, it's on my BGG list

Dan

3:11

What are your quick thoughts on Gary Sanchez? Is he going to be good again? Playable on a contender? On a related question is a change of scenery trade about new coaches, new role, or something else?

Ben Clemens

3:12

I think that change of scenery is often about having different coaches talking to you everyday, from a developmental standpoint

3:13

If you're a player whose production is continually below talent, well, it's likely that what your coaches are telling you isn't clicking

Could be their fault, could be your fault, but it could also just be a mismatch in their teaching method and your learning method

3:14

To answer the question about Sanchez, I think he'll be good again, but I do think he would benefit from a change of scenery

Guest

3:14

In a hypothetical and very disappointing world where Cleveland trades both Lindor and Carrasco this offseason, would they get more value back if they package them together or trade them separately?

Ben Clemens

3:14

Boy, VERY disappointing indeed

3:16

I think that I'd rather see them dealt separately. Easier to find teams that value the specific thing they're selling that way, and I don't think that Cleveland has shown much interest in prying one single gem out of a team's farm system so much as going for depth

So there isn't an issue where Lindor on his own isn't worth as much as the prospect they're trading for, most likely

Jacob

3:17

If the Mets aren't fully confident in Thor being back they could need two more SP pieces. They seem interested in Morton. Who else would be a good option?

Ben Clemens

3:17

Would you accept Rick Porcello, lol?

He was totally fine on the Mets this year, done in by a .373 BABIP in a short season

His batted ball metrics were unremarkable, just got absolutely CRUSHED on balls in play

3:18

But someone in that tier

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