JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 12/14/20

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Ben Clemens

2:23

The 60-day isn't available until the season starts

Designating for assignment allows any team to claim them

2:24

So basically to get them off the team, you have to expose them to a riskier chance of losing them than the Rule V

Sam

2:24

why dont the cards try to trade for Lindor? the have the money and the farm, Dejong can play third. And they could have his ear to sign him to a contract when all that Carpenter/Fowler money is freed up next year

Ben Clemens

2:24

They could. I think it'd make some sense. He would presumably not cost too much given Cleveland's cash allergy

That said, they won't, I don't think. Mozeliak has just been harping on how much they want to cut payroll all offseason

Curtis

2:25

Going in to 2021 does it seem like there's quite a bit of parity? I'm not a fan of expanding the playoffs but I think there's an argument that there's still little difference between the last team in and the last team out of the post-season.

Ben Clemens

2:25

I agree with this

I also agree with your point that there's not a ton of difference between the last team in and first team out

I don't think that's an argument for expanded plyaoffs, though

Imagine a league with two juggernauts and 28 exactly identical teams

There would be literally zero difference between the last team in and first team out unless you had a 2-team postseason

2:26

But the more teams you add, the less likely the great teams would be to win

Unless you do a system with byes, which I think is one option

14 teams with first-round byes for the 1 seed in each league would be fun

'fun'

Moonlight Graham

2:26

How would you configure the new Red Sox outfield with Verdugo, Benintendi, and Renfroe as the starters? They were spoiled with Mookie and JBJ being plus outfielders in Fenway's weird dimensions.

Britton

2:26

Is Hunter Renfroe an everday OF in Boston?

Ben Clemens

2:28

I think I'd go with Benintendi in center

Jason has Verdugo in center on RR, and he did play a game there in 2020 while Benny didn't

2:29

But I don't think the difference is huge either way. One argument in favor of using Verdugo there is that if he's good, he's under team control for longer

And yeah, I think Renfroe will be an everyday hitter for them at least for a bit

2:30

They should give him a chance to succeed against righties

Daniel

2:30

Ben, use your press but then freeze your tofu, then boil it for 15 minutes and press it again. In fact, some suggest the best is press, freeze, defrost, freeze, defroast (double freeze technique). Freezing Tofu turns the water into ice crystals. It's "the best" way to handle tofu IMHO. Also... air fryer.

Ben Clemens

2:30

whoaaaaa

Never heard of this

I'll give it a shot

2:31

Air fryer would be nice, but we don't have the space for it in our kitchen

We have a stand mixer that we got as a wedding gift, and it's one or the other

Zebulon

2:31

Northern Colorado is getting a team in one of the "partner leagues" or was that your point?

Ben Clemens

2:31

Yeah that's kinda my point. That would have, I think theoretically, been an affiliated team (it's the Orem Owlz moving) otherwise

2:32

the downgrade from affiliated to partner there might not be a huge NPV hit to MLB's future fans going forward

Pumpsie Green

2:32

I can see the Jays not landing any of the top 4 free agents. I'm fine with that! They should be looking to pitcher upgrades in trades anyway. How about Darvish and Heyward as the Cubs try to keep downward pace with the NL Central?

Ben Clemens

2:32

If the Cubs are actually trading Darvish to cut salary, then totally yes

I truly don't understand that rumor, particularly the part that he might not have a ton of trade value

2:33

Yu is awesome and not particularly expensive for an ace

You're also not getting some onerous deal, three years remaining at less than 20 million per

Hugh

2:34

If Dan has sufficient experience w/chili to have authoritative opinions about it... what is your equivalent food that you can express opinions on?

Ben Clemens

2:34