JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/5/24

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Ben Clemens

2:21

Yeah, this is a good structure for Witt

2:22

I like these kinds of extensions a LOT, I feel like we've gotten to a place where teams and players can negotiate early-career extensions without them being excessively one-sided (in either direction)

norm

2:22

Who you got challenging the Twins this year for the central Tigers or CLE? I think both of them are kind of sneaky interesting and Twins pitching depth does not convince me

Ben Clemens

2:22

Tigers

I like what they've been doing

2:23

Imagine them with Isaac Paredes (not really but it's just fun to keep pointing that one out)

Cody Bellinger

2:23

Does it really make sense for the cubs to sign me to any sort of long term deal, even if it comes in with a lower AAV than boras wants?

Ben Clemens

2:23

In my opinion? Absolutely

Guest

2:25

Twins fans everywhere super excited to see the promise to reinvest the Polanco savings has netted them….a 37 year old DH

Ben Clemens

2:25

Given the size of the savings, I'm not sure what you expected

2:26

That said, I think it's a pretty smart move

The Twins do not spend as much as I'd like them to

but I feel like few teams do a better job of winning trades without donig the whole 'we'll trade you a quarter today for four dime-level prospects' deal where you can't help but win

2:27

and I think that they also do a good job of then integrating those trades into their team

I like where they're headed basically

Doug

2:27

Padres really going to fill their OF/DH spots with NRI types and prospects that have barely played above A ball and will be out of position?

Ben Clemens

2:27

It definitely looks that way!

Doesn't really feel like a recipe to success for me

Father Padre

2:27

Witt or Tatis on their current contracts, who would you rather have?

Ben Clemens

2:27

I'd take Tatis but I bet you most people would take Witt

Eric

2:27

Could you elaborate on why you're the low man on Witt?

Ben Clemens

2:27

Yeah, sure

2:28

A lot of it comes down to not really trusting his approach at the plate

He's a phenomenal hitter and athlete but I think his pitch recognition is probably a 40 or so

maybe a 35

2:29

and that just puts a TON of pressure on his bat speed/bat control

it's really hard to have a swing profile like his and hit for power without striking out a lot

2:30

maybe he can do it, again he's a premium talent, but to really be a star without a complete offensive overhaul he has to keep putting up those excellent numbers on contact and also add value with his defense and legs

legs are a given, I'm definitely less sold on defense

2:31

Statcast had him as one of the best shortstops in baseball a year after being one of the worst, DRS thinks he went from abysmal to bad, Prospectus agrees with DRS

Guest

2:32

Have you guys considered spending less time on the cutesy-poo headlines and more time writing better articles?

Ben Clemens

2:32

Thought about it, decided not to