JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/30/20

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/30/20

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Ben Clemens

2:39

If that happens and the RSN/team contracts are in the crosshairs, then I think expansion is almost a certainty.

2-D

2:40

Aroldis Chapman is setting the bar very high for staying in shape through all of this.

Ben Clemens

2:40

He's always been jacked, but like, WOW.

His arms

My goodness.

Is he just lifting non-stop?

2:41

https://nypost.com/2020/03/29/yankees-star-aroldis-chapmans-muscles-lo...

Love that he's playing dominos, because that's exactly how I picture him spending his downtime. But jeez.

Kevin

2:43

Hey Ben, thanks for the chat and all of your work here on the site. It's hard to describe how great my appreciation for the site has been through the years. I just purchased the ad-free membership. I regret that I did not do so earlier

Kevin

2:43

Follow up question, if those variables play out and expansion happens, can Manfred get his assumed wish to get rid of leagues and go to NFL style conference setting with 4 team divisions and uniformed hitting rules in time for next CBA?

Ben Clemens

2:43

Kevin, thanks so much.

2:44

This site means a lot to me; I work here now, of course, but it's been a constant in my life even before I did, and even before I wrote about baseball.

It's been eye-opening and awesome to see the outpouring of support from all corners.

2:45

This extraordinary time we're in has revealed a lot about people, and it makes me really happy that it seems many people are just good at heart.

2:46

Not just when it comes to FanGraphs, but in general.

Supporting local businesses, buying pizzas for healthcare workers, stuff like that.

It's a ray of sunshine at a pretty crappy time for the world.

2:47

As to your second question, and putting my baseball hat back on, yeah I think that's the endgame here. Tie it to the CBA, give the players two more teams of 26-man rosters as a carrot, and go 32/8

Felix Pie's Twisted Testical

2:47

Thoughts on Posnanski's "The 100" over at The Athletic? Rankings aside (which are always going to be subjective), I feel like the project has been beautifully constructed. 7 more to go!

Ben Clemens

2:47

I've really been enjoying it.

I was a little hesitant at the part of the 100 where it was a numbers game.

2:48

You know, matching players's spots on the list to their jersey number.

Cute, but it wore on me after a while.

But Joe's writing is awesome, and now that we're getting down to brass tacks, I'm back in.

2:49

He and Jay Jaffe are my two go-to's for writing about baseball's past, and that's a boom market right now.

Fantasy discussion quick hits coming up:

Multiple Offers

2:49

OBP Points League. Giolito/k.tucker for V.Robles/gallen/lamet

Bierber/Gallen/S Marte for Mookie/Giolito

Ben Clemens

2:50

Assuming these are both redrafts, because that makes more sense to me. Hm.... I like the robles/gallen/lamet side more of the first one, but I'm not sure how strongly I believe in that take. I'm high on Kyle Tucker this year but worry that the shortened season might goof with his PT.

2:51

I like diversifying away from Gio, though. Great pitcher but you have to bake in some risk that he backslides slightly from his great 2019.

I think I like the Bieber/Gallen/Marte side of the second too

Which just leaves which of the two I'd rather do; and I think I'd rather do the first.

OBP Points Waiver

2:51

Any guys you like significantly more and quick reason why? K.newman, L.Urias, J.Smoak, C.Walker, T. Le Stella, C. Hernandez, N. Solak, Yandy Diaz,

Ben Clemens

2:52

I like Smoak a lot here. I think his OBP skills are undervalued, and that works well for you.

Additionally, Ryan Braun at first.... color me skeptical.

2:54

It's entirely possible that they just run with that platoon, and Smoak really is worse against left-handed pitchers despite being a switch hitter.

But eh, I just think his production could be pretty good if he earns everyday reps.

2:55

And he's not exaclty a high pick.

Derek

2:55

The Rays worked their magic with Yandy Diaz last year - seems like he should only get better this year, right?

Ben Clemens

2:56

Yandy is interesting too; he really did seem to turn a corner in 2019.

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