JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/13/23

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Ben Clemens

2:28

I think it's worse for the Braves than the Yankees, because Oswaldo Cabrera is better than what the Braves are running out there

And you also get a free look at Oswaldo Cabrera

2:29

nobody needs a free look at Eddie Rosario

ryan

2:29

You do need magnetic pans for induction to work. It could come with a substantial upfront cost if your existing pans aren't compatible. Not to say induction is bad, but it's just something to be aware of

Ben Clemens

2:29

Yep, good point

Nate

2:29

As a Stros fan...I wish Dana Brown had gotten here about 3 years ago to try and finalize extensions to keep Springer and Correa here. But haven't that said...I know he name dropped Altuve and Bregman as being extension candidates with their 2 years left. Do you think that's really a good idea though? Or does that reek of being similar to Miggy's/Yelich's situation to you too?

Ben Clemens

2:29

The Astros have a big fat pile of money

2:30

I'd be more interested in extending Bregman than Altuve but I think I'd accept eitehr if I were an Astros fan

they might be overpays, but they'll probably be a pretty close to market rate deal for a pretty good player

the Yelich deal looks bad today, but if the Brewers weren't operating on a budget best described as 'the change David Stearns finds around the ballpark every day' it wouldn't be talked about as much, and they're still pretty good anyway

2:31

And the Miggy deal never stopped the Tigers from doing anything they wanted to do

Wireless Joe Jackson

2:31

For a home cook, electric induction is wonderful and beats gas IMO just on ease of cleanup. This is speaking as someone who bought a relatively low end induction range and moved to a place with a pretty nice propane range - I liked the induction better..

Ben Clemens

2:31

This week on StoveGraphs

Appa Yip Yip

2:31

Yusei Kikuchi has a beard. Do you think this is the difference maker for him?

Ben Clemens

2:31

Ooooooh. We'll have to get a beard grade before I can say for sure

Dave

2:31

regarding "change of scenery" improvements and similar tough to measure things like if a player is "clutch" or not, i feel like it's all stuff that truly happens for a subset of players but the overall sample population masks any sort of measurable changes. and the only way of knowing who belongs to that subset where's it's true is to personally know the players well enough to understand their mindset.

Ben Clemens

2:31

Good way to put this

2:32

Thank you for all of the midwinter EV explorations! Since "EV" may as well be Oneil Cruz's middle name, here's my question: In the last month of the season, his K rate dropped, his hard-hit rate went up, as did his Avg. EV. As someone who watched nearly all of his plate appearances last year, I can say he was noticeably just not swinging as hard. Is it as easy as, "If you're 6-7, just don't swing so damned hard, and you'll hit the ball better?"

Ben Clemens

2:32

Uh, probably?

He's just soooooo strong

I love me some Oneil Cruz, and his power is so off the charts that I'd accept some downgrade in it for more contact, no doubt

Just Fowl

2:32

Does the DSG collapse signal the end of local RSNs on cable and usher in universal local streaming?

Ben Clemens

2:32

Nah, but it might signal the beginning of the end, if that makes sense

MikeM

2:33

Speaking of LF for the NYY, Aaron Hicks had a very bad year at the plate last year. Could some of that be contributed to the tendon sheath injury that he sustained in the previous season? Any hopes for some kind of bounce back?

Ben Clemens

2:33

Oh yeah, absolutely

That's two options that I'm semi interested in

Liz

2:33

Which players that aren't in MLB organizations are you most excited to see in the WBC? I'm excited to see Yamamoto pitch

Ben Clemens

2:34

This is maybe silly of me, and I don't know how much he'll play, but Wladimir Balentien is playing!

Jeff

2:34

If you had to choose between 500 at bats of Jason Heyward, Kevin Kiermier, or Victor Robles who do you want?

Ben Clemens

2:34

Probably Kiermaier

2:35

I know he's quite poor against lefties but I like his defense the best of the group and think that he'll do enough offensively

Pedro

2:35

What do you see out of Andrew Vaughn this year? Seems like a player who will benefit getting out of the outfield, having some other hitters get healthy around him for support, no shifts etc

Ben Clemens

2:35

I dunno how much I buy the shifts affecting him, but getting out of the outfield and just another year in the majors are both good

Fletcher

2:35

What do you think of the idea of tying the WAR positional adjustment to leaguewide offensive output from the position?

Ben Clemens

2:36

I don't like it, because how good Aaron Judge is shouldn't affect whether your team's 3b or RF with similar lines are more valuable

Eric

2:36

What are your thoughts on Jose Abreu? Bounceback? He's in a super lineup in Houston and will start every day.