JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/31/25

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Ben Clemens

2:50

if you spend money like that, it really doesn't matter the other stuff you do, a sizeable proportion of fans only see the money

Wood

2:50

Who would be more valuable, Adley at SS or Gunnar at C?

Ben Clemens

2:50

I'm guessing Adley at shortstop because that seems easier to adjust to than catching

SinceYouMentionedit

2:50

Do you text your friend back that Dylan Crews can't make contact? He looks awful :(

Ben Clemens

2:51

no haha, those are his texts to me

we were making up new theoretical sombreros. I called eight in a row the Americium Sombrero

rare, heavy

Everett

2:51

Thoughts on Colt Keith?

Ben Clemens

2:51

I didn't love this move, though I thought Gleyber was a good enough free agent signing to make it work

2:52

maybe McKinstry gets forced out of the rotation and Gleyber moves to third? I dunno. But I worry that Keith's bat is not good enough at first

How long left?

2:52

Been enjoying the yap session. How much longer will you be chatting?

Ben Clemens

2:52

20 minutes, let's say

gotta watch degrom's start and get writing soon

2:53

Ooh a Sean Newcomb start

and it's going exactly how I expected

here is an actual conversation I had when writing up the Red Sox rotation

2:54

Me: Meg, I know you said that I should include Newcomb because he's in the rotation on opening day, but I really don't want to.
Meg: Mention everyone in an opening day rotation
Me: Ugh

maybe he'll prove me wrong

but like... no he won't, let's be real

All Rise

2:54

Back to Judge being underrated … is it possible Ohtani’s a tad overrated? I’ve seen Ohtani described as the greatest player in the world, but if I had one player to put on my team this year, I’m going with Judge — even if Ohtani makes it back to the mound.

Ben Clemens

2:54

it's possible. The thing with Ohtani is that his talent is so clear that it's less about results

and more about watching this guy and wondering what's possible

Alec

2:55

happy carmen mlodzinski day!

Ben Clemens

2:55

may your spelling bees never include only the letters for Mlodzinski

David

2:56

Postseason randomness and all, but if you hypothetically had a one-game playoff between MLB all-stars and, say, the Chicago White Sox, would the all-stars have a 70-80% chance of winning?

Ben Clemens

2:56

Yeah

They would

Guest

2:56

You guys got me all hyped for the Royals. Will their focus on OBP (India/Canha) to relieve pressure from their younger players pay off and how long should it take to measure a difference if it is measurable?

Ben Clemens

2:56

It'll take a while to measure. And I don't think it's guaranteed to work even if the plan is good and the acquisitions hit. But I love the concept

man Newcomb is getting nuked-omb

15 pitches, 2-0 with no outs

and two on

MikeM

2:57

One more Judge question. O/U 60 HRs?

Ben Clemens

2:57

ha, it's wild that we're projecting him for 53

so screw it, over

Dan

2:57

Should teams with a former catcher playing a different position very aggressively pinch hit their catcher? I heard teams tend not to PH for a catch in case the second one gets invited but surely any former catcher can handle a few emergency innings.

Ben Clemens

2:57

well 'very aggressively' isn't really right. how about 'less defensively'

but I definitely like where your head's at

2:58

also I just had a flashback to the time that the Guardians pinch hit WITH Austin Hedges in the playoffs last year

and then were immediately banished to the shadow realm for their impudence

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