JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 11/29/21

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 11/29/21

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Ben Clemens

2:00

Hey everybody, welcome to the chat.

2:01

Seems like we are having an issue getting it to show on the main FanGraphs page, so for now this is a super-exclusive chat for people with exquisite tastes

And I mean, also people who like my writing. Not necessarily mutually exclusive!

I got back from a nice vacation to Italy Saturday night, and imagine my surprise, every free agent is signing, like early Christmas

Let's talk about it! And Italy too, of course

BettsBellingerCaruso

2:02

Scherzer gone, Seager strongly linked w/ the Rangers and no news for Kershaw.

Losing Scherzer is meh as he was here for 2 months but the latter two as a Dodger fan... it would hurt

The Bauer contract is to blame partly for this right?

Ben Clemens

2:02

Definitely seems that way, though I think the team is still highly likely to sign Kershaw

I wouldn't panic too much yet; I doubt retaining Scherzer was the key to the Dodgers' offseason plans or anything

I still think they're in the market for a bat and two good starters

5 Run Homer

2:02

Everyone is all over the Blue Jays for next year, and rightly so, but it feels like they're still pretty incomplete as of right now. The lineup is absolutely begging for a Kris Bryant, and I still don't trust the bullpen. Can they win the division as currently constructed?

bk

2:02

The Blue Jays make the playoffs in 2022, yes or no (assuming continued 5 team playoff structure)?

Ben Clemens

2:03

Two twists on the same question

Can they win the division? Of course

I'm gonna predict them to make it, but it's a near thing. I have them as the third-best team in the AL East, which doesn't leave you much margin for error

2:05

I think they could use another pitcher and another bat. I'm less concerned about the bullpen just because teams can fix that more in-season

Darth NateR

2:05

Given all the issues that come up with the chats hitting the front page, I have to say being subscribed via RSS means that I never miss one of these! High recommend to the 4 other people reading this.

Ben Clemens

2:05

Hey, you mean the FIVE other people reading this :)

Darth NateR

2:05

Which of the contracts signed so far most surprised you?

Ben Clemens

2:05

Semien's

2:06

Dan was tactful in his writeup, but wow that's a lot of money for Semien. I don't necessarily think it's too much, but it's one of those signings you make to signal that you're open for business, and uh.... are the Rangers open for business?

I thought my 4/120 speculation made more sense, and truly think that it's a weird timeline fit

The reason you're signing Semien is for the first two years of his deal... but the Rangers aren't good right now!

Ross

2:07

Do you like Story or Bryant better for the Mariners?

Ben Clemens

2:07

Bryant, because like Jerry, I really do believe that JP Crawford is a good fit at shortstop

Feels like you're wasting a bit of Story's value by signing him on a team with a good shortstop already. If he's playing third, why not go for Bryant instead? I trust Bryant's bat quite a bit more

Nate

2:08

Do you think the White Sox can actually get a middle infielder for Craig Kimbrel? If so, who?

Ben Clemens

2:08

Boy, Nick Madrigal would look good right about now, huh?

I don't know!

I don't think they''ll manage it in the end. Kimbrel has surplus value, but not THAT much

Steve

2:08

What would you do next if you were Steve Cohen and Billy Eppler? Also are the mets the WS favorite? NL favoroite? NL East Favorite?

Ben Clemens

2:09

I.... don't think the Mets are any more than co-favorites to win the Eeast

I have them about even with the Braves

Anguished in Arvada

2:10

I double checked, and Jon Gray is the first player to ever not get traded at the deadline from a losing team, *not* get a QO, and still end up getting a $50m contract. Exactly how badly did the Rockies misplay their hand here?

Ben Clemens

2:10

Um....

Yeah, so badly!

The whole thing just continues to be a Rockies disaster

It's exacerbated by their communication about it

2:11

They really just have no consistency in what they're saying or doing from moment to moment

2:12

They weren't trading Gray b/c they wanted to extend him, then they gave him a big enough extension offer that he turned down that it was clear htey should QO him, then they didn't QO him, then they didn't keep him...

Just like, absolute disaster

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