JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/18/24

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Ben Clemens

2:18

I think if the A's end up making a farce of the game on the field, the owners will have to change their tune

Guest

2:18

not mocking, that's cool that that is your name! was it intentional with Mark Twain, or a coincidence?

Ben Clemens

2:18

definitely intentional, my parents had a sense of humor

Ben

2:19

What do you make of the rumors that Milwaukee might try out DL Hall in the starting rotation? A lot to ask of someone with his injury history, overall lack of innings, and pitch mix?

Ben Clemens

2:19

I guess I'd put it this wya

You don't trade for DL Hall if you don't think he has a decent chance at being a starter

if the Brewers thought he was relief-only they would have traded for a different prospect

Insert Witty Name Here

2:19

I’ve always had dreams that my son would become a pitcher. But after reading the article of how many injuries they really go through, I’m starting to have reservations like I do with him not playing football. Reasonable or no?

Ben Clemens

2:20

I don't really think they're comparable, tbh

the quality of life differences between people who had elbow surgery a bunch of times and people who played football a long time are big

like leaving the concussion issues aside, just your knees and ankles in football, dang

Made Wiley

2:21

Seiya Suzuki MVP vote getter this year?

Ben Clemens

2:21

I hope so! I've been team Seiya a long time and I was very encouraged by 2023

the guy can just flat out hit

2:21

Can I ask what you like about McClain? Obviously he plays in a band box, which helps for fantasy, but the peripherals really point more to a slightly above average hitter than a great one.

Ben Clemens

2:22

I think players like him who are fast risers just succeeding everywhere tend to make good adjustments in the bigs

I agree that he outperformed his peripherals but I like his odds of cutting his strikeout rate given his good sense of the zone in the minors, and I think that his floor is really high from a PT standpoint as well b/c he's such a great defender

He'll steal some bases, too

Better player in real life than fantasy, I think, but just a great player overall

Hunter

2:23

What do you think the Tigers rotation looks like by the middle of the season? Right now there are 6 guys (Skubal, Maeda, Flaherty, Manning, Mize, Olson) competing for 5 spots out of camp. And then Jobe looks like the real deal. I guess there are always injuries so that will really end up shaping it.

Ben Clemens

2:23

Yeah, I think that Jobe is a long shot to be in the rotation on a permanent basis this year, and that one of those guys will go down with injury clearing things up

I'm feeling pretty hopeful about Flaherty turning his career around

2:24

He's a very talented pitcher, and I could totally see the talent shining through after some rough years

Made Wiley

2:24

This super doesn't matter but did Glasnow get the OD start because he's actually pitcher in the majors before?

Ben Clemens

2:24

probably? I really don't know why, but just a seniority thing makes sense to me

Mr. Met

2:25

Do you think the Mets are having some buyers remorse? They got Manaea and Bader for $24m a year when it seems they could’ve got Snell and Taylor for just over $30m and with the same length of deals.

Ben Clemens

2:25

On Bader, probably? I mean, I prefer Bader to MAT, and he's a New York guy which should really help with marketing stuff

Maybe the Mets need that this year

I don't really think so on Manaea though, like they can still go out and sign Snell if they want, it doesn't make the Manaea deal any worse

or better, etc.

Victor Scott II

2:25

Am I legit and how do you see my 2024 unfolding?

Ben Clemens

2:26

I hope I'm wrong on this. I am really skeptical that your bat will play in the majors given the contact quality you've displayed in your career. I'd prefer to give you another year in the minors to focus more on development rather than throw you in the deep end in a playoff race right away

2:27

that said... you're gonna play some gorgeous defense and I'm here for it

rjm

2:27

How comfortable are you with the use of park factors when we don't have a super strong causal link for the clear trends we observe? I was listening to Rates and Barrels and Eno was speculating that the batting eye at Seattle is what causes their higher K rates, but wasn't super sure, for example

Ben Clemens

2:27

I like regressing them a LOT

Made Wiley

2:27

2nd base PPP - are you, a STL fan, in love with Nico Hoerner?

Ben Clemens

2:27

I think he's quite good, I liked Tommy Edman at 2b and I think Hoerner has a similar vibe

2:28

good defensive shortstop whose biggest liability was probably arm, so 2b just plays perfectly

SucramRenrut