JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/23/20

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/23/20

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Ben Clemens

2:01

Hey guys, welcome to the chat. It's a pretty weird time at the moment, to say the least. I just got a notification that the Olympics were canceled while I was writing up this introduction, for example.

I'm going to make myself a coffee really quickly, and then get into the questions.

Jacob

2:03

It's very important that I have your favorite soup recipe

Ben Clemens

2:03

My favorite soup is probably just a nice hearty chili, with beans (sorry Dan).

2:04

But my wife and I have been eating more vegetarian meals recently, and if you're going to do that, we made a really nice bean soup last week.

Black beans, onions, garlic, cumin, taco seasoning, jalapenos, carrots, and a can of IPA.

2:05

Throw all those in a slow cooker and let it go to town. Eat over rice or with chips (depending on how long you cook it, it can reduce somewhat heavily).

BANGING SCHEME

2:05

So what is the absolute shortest possible season that would be worth it? Like 48 games, four three-game series only against in-division opponents?

Ben Clemens

2:06

Interesting. I think I'd prefer a mega-tournament, something like give the two previous league winners a first round bye but then do a round-of-32 style deal, with say best of 9 series in each.

That would mean 45 games maximum, and I don't exactly know what I'd be getting out of the regular season otherwise.

45 games for a single team, that is, and that'd be super unlikely.

Steve Sax Disease

2:07

Will Gavin Lux start in Minors?

Ben Clemens

2:08

I mean, no? I suppose the Dodgers could, but I'm not sure what they'd get out of it at this point. It really comes down to how they handle service time rules, but he has 28 days banked already, so avoiding enough time that he gets under the Super-2 deadline seems really dicey. I think they'll just play it straight, especially given that if we do have a shortened season (all bets are off if we skip the season), you really want all hands on deck.

John Oleruds Helmet

2:08

Oh Mr Ben!! Grace thee with thy wisdom!! Did I get a steal in the 2nd to last round of my AL only draft with Rich Hill?

Ben Clemens

2:09

Yes for sure. I mean, I really like Rich Hill either way, but yeah.... Hill, Verlander, I guess Luis Urias, various Yankees... nagging injury types are all looking better now

Quarantini, Shaken Not Stirred

2:09

Excited for your Twitch-Plays-Pokemon-esque experiment, though I think things would really get spicy with some real-time Anarchy/Democracy game decisions
>manager walks 3 steps toward mound
>manager walks 1 step toward dugout
>manager spins in circles

Ben Clemens

2:10

I truly have no idea how it will turn out.

One thing I'm worried about is that I haven't played OOTP in a while.

But yeah, Twitch Plays was an inspiration for this.

2:11

So far, most of the suggestions have been eminently reasonable. I haven't given any crazy options, but even then, 'extremely aggressive' isn't winning the how should the team be on the basepaths poll

Which is slightly shocking to me. I voted for that!

But I guess we're trying to win, not goof around.

And people do love winning.

Stevil

2:12

First, a huge yes to vegetarian/vegan chili. Second, do you think MLB already has a point of no return date in mind, or are they likely still procrastinating?

eloquentboot

2:12

Ben, this whole situation is a real bummer. I feel like if I don't get to enjoy a nice hot dog with friends and family on 4th of July this year, I'll be bummed in a way I've never been bummed.

Goats and Soda

2:12

If I say baseball starts in fall on 7/4/20, are you taking the over or under on that?

Ben Clemens

2:12

I'll throw all of these together, as they're about a similar thing. Yeah, the whole situation is super lame.

It also really sucks how many people aren't taking it seriously.

2:13

Like, I get that there are a lot of people for whom staying home isn't an option.

I'm not talking about them.

LA and Marin County have had to close down beaches because there have been such big crowds.

Like, c'mon people. I walk our dog through a nearby park, and it's been as crowded this week as ever.

And not with dog walkers, either - just with people out having picnics or throwing a ball around or whatnot.

2:14

In terms of baseball -- I think they probably have a no return date in mind, but they won't tell anyone, and they'll also be willing to fudge it if it's a few days or so.

I'd take the 'after' on 7/4/20 though.

Goats and Soda

2:14

I chose Grisham and Profar as late round picks over Winker and Margot.....did I get that 100%, 50%, or 0% correct?

Ben Clemens

2:15

Hm. I'll say 100%. I like Winker, but he's a better real-life player than fantasy player I think.

Platoon bat, walks a lot, that kind of thing.

And I don't really know if you'll get much out of Profar, but would you get much out of Margot either? I guess my point is that Grisham is my favorite of the four by far.

#1 Flan

2:16

Ben--I want to go back and score some games (because, well, no baseball). Can you recommend a good scorecard for MLB games?

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