JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/1/21

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Ben Clemens

2:12

And he also has a streamlined delivery he's testing out this year, which I'm always a fan of

Curtis

2:13

Most surprising contract of the off season thus far? Good or bad...

Ben Clemens

2:13

I'm most surprised by the Trevor Rosenthal deal

I'm happily surprised, I personally root for him b/c of the Cardinals ties

2:14

But given the early reliever market, I wasn't expecting a boom/bust kinda guy to get that much money

Pumpsie Green

2:14

Would Hendricks and Heyward have positive, neutral or negative trade value? Man, looking at Roster Resource, with a couple of good trades and a non-tender or two, the Cubs could go into next year with an all-minimum salary. At that point, would ownership stop complaining?

Ben Clemens

2:15

Hendricks positive, Heyward negative; I htink the package works out to a small positive

You get 3/60 for Heyward basically, 4/60 for Hendricks

I think Hendricks is enough of a value at that rate that I'd net take the whole package

The return would be tiny, though

2:16

To be clear, I don't think the Cubs are considering trading Hendricks

But if they did, I do think they'd try to package him with Heyward

brad penny for your thoughts

2:16

Nolan Arenado with 0-2 with 1 strikeout in his StL debut on Sunday. Is he now the biggest trade bust ever?

Ben Clemens

2:16

It's over

Not Sandy Alderson

2:17

Given all the stories and trades we have already seen due to strained finances of some teams, and without knowing if/when fans will be allowed into stadiums, do you think we might see more trades during the season than a "normal" year?

Ben Clemens

2:17

Yeah, this wouldn't shock me. Teams that get out of it early might just cut bait on salary

Nate

2:17

No question, just enjoying tea from my newly arrived Official FanGraphs mug. Thanks for all the great content!

Ben Clemens

2:17

I am too!

2:18

A nice Celestial Seasonings peach tea at the moment

This is my first mug of this shape -- they're on the shorter, wider side

And it's very pleasing to hold

Curtis

2:18

What's the difference in value of Kyle Seager before the season and then at the trade deadline? Lots of factors but assuming the Mariners paid some of the salary, what could the return conceivably be in each scenario? or what would be the difference in the return. Thanks!

Ben Clemens

2:19

I think the move is to wait, even though I *think* the return will be worse then

Here's why

The actual return you're going to get for Seager, right now, isn't enormous

2:20

I suppose you could eat the contract and try to get something interesting, but who are the teams who really want a 3B right now? NYM arguably (eh) and MIL in the NL

And that's kinda it of the top line contender

If you wait until midseason and Carter Kieboom has struggled, or Gio Urshela is hurt, you might just have what they need

2:21

You might also not, and end up with nothing, but I think the rewards if you manage to wait are meaningful

Chris

2:22

Why are mlb teams (besides the angels) so bad at broadcasting spring training games?

Ben Clemens

2:22

I think they're messing around with new camera angles maybe? And also it's not like they need to reach out to an audience with this one.

2:23

But yeah, teams' lack of dedication isn't great for me, the most engaged baseball watcher

Appa Yip Yip

2:23

I like to get the Celestial Seasonings mix pack and open them all and mix them together for Surprise Tea. Pandemic entertainment baby!

Guest

2:23

I just discovered peach tea- the Bigelow variety. I did not know this was a possibility before, and am enjoying it immensely except for the extremely judgmental reactions from my wife, who wrinkles her nose as if I am sipping boiled turds...

Ben Clemens

2:23

It's a tea chat now

We get bougie teas sometimes, but I'm partial to Celestial Seasonings. It's as good now as it was when I was a kid

2:24

And I LOVE hot beverages

Derek

2:24

I thought you only drank plain hot water?

Ben Clemens

2:24

Hey now, I drink plain hot water when I don't have tea handy