JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/8/21

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/8/21

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Ben Clemens

2:23

Yeah this is certainly not the most hopeless the Royals have been in the last 5 years

Slew

2:23

Cleveland has to be shopping Jose Ramirez, right? Or if they're not, shouldn't they be?

Ben Clemens

2:23

I don't really see why they *should* be, but I'm sure they are

I don't generally have a problem with teams who aren't at all competitive and have no prospect of being competitive building for the future

2:24

Like, the Rockies trading Arenado was always going to happen, and the sad part is the process that led to it

But if you're Cleveland, what are you hoping for

Are you hoping to get an underpriced batting stud (like Ramirez) and a Cy Young winner on a rookie contract?

You have that!

2:25

If you want to build a competitor on a budget, you have to get lucky

The Indians got lucky!

Why trade that luck? Are circumstances going to somehow be better for them in four years?

Todd Bonzalez

2:25

Would the Reds signing Villar to be the SS cement their status as the worst Defense in the league for the upcoming season? Outside of Barnhart, best defenders would be Senzel in center and Suarez at 3B...

Ben Clemens

2:25

Depends on if he plays every day, I think

FunFella13

2:25

Ben,

Last week you wrote that you weren't sure whether Trevor Bauer's signing was good for baseball. I'm curious what you think a good-for-baseball outcome would be for his free agency? There's been enough writing here about the dwindling share of revenue that players get.

Thanks

Ben Clemens

2:26

Oh, easy. I think teams making a big deal out of it to the point where he has to actually express some remorse and say he's done something wrong would be the best outcome

trophy

2

cool

1

2:27

I don't have a problem with Bauer signing a big contract, I just think an acknowledgement of what he did, and that he was wrong to do it, would go a long way

There are a lot of people who listen to what he says

For better or worse

Moose_Bolton

2:27

Wanted to say that I really liked your article on the Bauer signing. I thought you did a good job of articulating why he is a controversial (to put it lightly) figure but also that he is quite a good pitcher. I've found it interesting that some people can't seem to realize that I am capable of thinking he's a fairly toxic person while also thinking it is good that the Dodgers would pay a player the amount they did. I don't think it is hypocritical to feel both ways.

Ben Clemens

2:28

Thanks! I probably won't answer any more Bauer article questions, but I'll just say I was shocked by the responses to it, but not that shocked. A guy who notoriously has a big internet following of like-minded trolls seems to attract, well, like-minded trolling, in a 'let's make everything the Culture War' kind of way

Cove Dweller

2:29

Has San Diego done enough for their pen this offseason? Do you think it's likely they try to use some of their rotation out of the pen in the regular season?

Ben Clemens

2:29

Yeha, I do

(to the second part)

I think that their plan is going to be see how the pen looks in the first half, then make deadline acquisitions

I would probably do the same in their spot

Moonlight Graham

2:30

Who will be the next player to get 30M AAV? Lindor or someone else?

Ben Clemens

2:30

Lindor, but Lindor vs. field is a good one for this

5 Run Homer

2:30

As a Blue Jays fan, I can say that our perception of Kevin Pillar was pretty much the same as Cards fans see Bader. Bad hitting + no walks + great fielding = under-appreciated player

Ben Clemens

2:31

Good-glove CF's are always underrated it seems

Bader is kind of the logical extreme of that, in that he's a realllllly good outfielder and I'd say a worse bat than Pillar

2:32

but generally agree

Greg

2:32

Which would be a worse indicator of the odds of success for the Reds this year: Dee Strange-Gordon starting at SS on opening day, or Jose Garcia starting at SS on opening day?

Ben Clemens

2:32

DSG

That would just not be a good outcome, it's not like no team has ever thought to play him at short before

Dee Arby

2:32

Should the Phillies let Scott Kingery play everyday in CF and just see what he does? He had some helium to him, and most prospects don’t just come in and rake. Is his star still bright or has it dimmed?

Ben Clemens

2:32

They should let him play everyday somewhere

2:33

With that contract there's a lot of value to finding out if you have a long-term piece

5 Run Homer

2:33

Dee hasn't been a shortstop since like his minor league days with the Dodgers I thought?

Ben Clemens

2:33

Well that's kinda what I mean

He got moved off short to second b/c that's where his defense played well, and it's not like he's gotten faster/smoother

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