JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/7/22

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Ben Clemens

2:25

Excellent signing

Low risk, solid reward, they clearly have a team-building idea that they're goin with

The Stranger

2:25

How much of the advantage of flat VAA is separate from the advantage of throwing harder? In your article on flat sinkers, the low VAA sinkers were like 3mph faster than the high VAA sinkers. That’s a big advantage to the pitcher regardless of release point, no?

Ben Clemens

2:25

That is a good question that I should totally research

Right now I'm writing about Jacob deGrom because I want to do something easy

Jesse

2:25

Once the lockout does end, how long do you think it will be until we see trades/ FA moves happen. I think it would be awfully suspicious if FA signings were made right as the deadline ended

Ben Clemens

2:25

A few days, I think

2:26

I very much doubt teams are actively in contact with agents, though they might have generic agreements to pick up where they left off when the lockout ends

And both sides will be really motivated to make a deal and get some certainty

thebearproofsuit

2:26

Toronto offers G.Moreno for J. Rodriguez.......who says no?

Ben Clemens

2:26

Mariners

2:27

I am one of the biggest Moreno backers around.... and Mariners

thebearproofsuit

2:28

Keith Law disagrees

Ben Clemens

2:29

Eh.... ask him that question. I get that Moreno is a great prospect but I have questions about his pitch recognition -- not enough to make him less than a good major leaguer, but enough that I want to bet a little on Julio on a relative value

I dunno, maybe I'm wildly off base, but I just don't actually think it's particulalry close

Mitch

2:29

If you were the A's, how would you handle their current situation? Trade all their big name players? Or maybe trade say two of them and target near-MLB ready talent in return and try to keep competing?

Inaccessible Rail

2:30

I keep reading about all the A's players who are on the trading block, but I've seen nothing about Sean Murphy. I've got to believe that with the shortage of good catchers, he's incredibly valuable and would land Oakland a real haul. Is he just too far off from his FA years for Oakland to deal him?

Ben Clemens

2:30

Love Murphy, and think he's probably their most valuable trade chip, but I think that he's too far off from his FA years to get dealt

Oakland loves the smash-and-grab quick rebuilts

rebuilds*

2:31

and Murphy can definitely be a part of their next playoff team

Brownpants

2:31

What should Seattle do with Taylor Trammell? If 3 or 4 of Seattle's other outfielders pan out/stay healthy I don't see where he fits in

Ben Clemens

2:31

I agree with that.... which means they should keep him and see what happens

2:32

That's a lot of things that have to go right for him to be surplus

JournoFlo

2:32

Which baseball writers/commentators have the best lettuce? I leano to Eno.

Ben Clemens

2:32

Eno is up there. I'm in an Ottoneu league with him and his team name is "It's a Perm"

love it

Appa Yip Yip

2:33

Gengar is fast and can turn invisible, good luck getting a tag down when you can't see the dude stealing bases.

Ben Clemens

2:33

yeah if a ghost-type gets on

they're scoring

2:33

Most IP in 2022: Greinke, Wainwright, or Verlander? And how many

Ben Clemens

2:33

I'll take Wainwright by 25

Verlander is an okay pick too

2:34

But there's risk there obviously

Gila Monster

2:34

Could you see the D-Backs moving Ketel Marte? He could command quite the haul given he is quite cheap and there is nothing on the market for either 2B or CF.

Ben Clemens

2:34

I could if they decide they want to blow it up at the big league level and bet on their (very good) farm

Personally, I do not think they should do that

Kaleb

2:35

Hey Ben - I know you're not the "prospect guy", but what's up with Michael Busch and the Dodgers? Is he the forgotten man in their top group of prosepcts - Vargas has a little more shine, plus their MIF at the pro level is stacked?

Ben Clemens

2:35

I think that's basically the deal

2:36

It's funny, I was writing Vargas up last year as a no-shine guy and now he's got plenty of shine

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