JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/24/2020

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Ben Clemens

2:15

Quick round of board game questions:

Sirras

2:15

Have you played Into The Breach? Great turn based strategy for multiple systems

Ben Clemens

2:15

I haven't, but I opened it up in a tab to read about after this. Big fan of turn-based things ever since FF Tactics

Sirras

2:16

I've heard Wingspan is both fun and hilariously specific with bird info. Have you tried that one?

Ben Clemens

2:16

Haven't played it but it's on my board game group's list. It is very well regarded and birds are cool!

Sirras

2:16

Any new board games to recommend? Tried Terraforming Mars and Villainous in the last week - TM was very fun (long but worth it). Villainous less so but it's aimed at kiddos

Ben Clemens

2:16

My wife and I are playing through Aeon's End Legacy right now and really enjoying it. We like asymmetrical co-op games, though, so it hit exactly the right spot.

2:17

Okay, back to baseball.

Steve

2:17

The Dozier signing reminds me of the Kinsler signing except Dozier is younger, better and cheaper. Do you like the low-risk flyer?

Ben Clemens

2:17

Yeah, I love it. I liked Rian Watt's take on it:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/instagraphs/padres-place-minor-faith-in-br...

2:18

Which is basically 'yeah, why not! seems like value'

Casualballer

2:18

The title from your article rosy about leverage was referencing the TV show? Massive fan.

Ben Clemens

2:18

Yeah. Really wish there were more seasons of it. I've rewatched it at least once, it's a very enjoyable watch.

2:19

There's a very long question in the queue about stripping the Astros of a championship

That rather than paste into here, I'll just roughly paraphrase.

Why do baseball writers seem to be against stripping the title while more fans are for it?

I have a hard time thinking about baseball writers as a monolith, so I can only answer for myself.

2:20

I'm pretty indifferent to stripping the title

It stings the Astros a bit, theoretically: they can't hang a banner, and so on.

It matters essentially not at all to the teams they beat.

As Justin Turner eloquently said, he wants the big hits and the parade, not a piece of paper somewhere saying they won.

2:21

And it matters to history inasmuch as we value the achievement differently.

I'd argue that the scope of this scandal is such that no one is going to be reading the title as clean, regardless of whether it's stripped.

There hasn't been a bigger team-specific scandal in baseball in my lifetime.

2:22

So if the title were stripped, it'd inconvenience the Astros when it comes to marketing, I guess.

Still, I don't think they're planning any team reunions for this team.

2:23

I'm essentially indifferent. I find the whole concept of vacating wins in the NCAA silly, and this is similar.

2:24

But if people want to do it, fine. It won't change my opinion of the Astros either way -- I think they cheated to win, and very clearly crossed the line in doing so, and that you can't look at those teams and know they "should" have won the title. Doesn't mean they would definitely have lost, but you can't know what the outcome would have been.

DonJulio

2:24

Trevor Bauer said 70% of pitchers are doctoring the ball. Thoughts?

Ben Clemens

2:24

Mine at 70.

And I don't think batters really care?

There are issues with being obvious. But if you're going out there with some extra sunscreen on your arm to keep your fingers grippy so that you don't lose control and whip one into their back, fair play.

2:25

Look at pitchers' hats and tell me they're not covered in foreign substances.

There are limits to it, but I'm pretty much okay with it.

Matt

2:25

What is Boston's plan, I heard all offseason about getting under the luxury tax and getting rid of Betts, but that was were the conversation ended. What are they planning?

Ben Clemens

2:26

They're going a little underpants gnomes here, except without the missing step 2. Step One: Spend Less. Step Two: Profit(s increase)

That John Henry letter was like 'there are costs to losing a superstar in free agency, like you don't get to find cost-controlled players that make our team cheaper'

Sounds about right!

Guest

2:27

Choice between Jasson Dominguez and CJ Abrams in dynasty league....which way would you lean???