JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/7/22

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Ben Clemens

2:55

pre-lockout

I'm.... skeptical that this will be where he ends up

But I could see Tampa offering him a king-sized pillow deal or something?

2:57

1/35? I don' think they will tie up finances long-term, and I don't think Freeman is super likely to accept that, but a short-term deal at big money could work for hte Rays if they think they're right on the cusp of the World Series

Greg

2:57

Do you think there is any chance the MLBPA exec committee would approve a deal, only to have the union reject it?

Ben Clemens

2:57

Nah... I think we'd have heard whispers about this before now if there were a possibility of it happening

It's theoretically possible, I just don't think it's a very likely outcome given the way these negotiations have gone

Appa Yip Yip

2:58

Rays gonna pay Freeman in exposure

Ben Clemens

2:58

That would work better if they drew better

Sorry, unfair Tampa Bay slander

I don't think they're going to ridiculously low-ball him or anything

2:59

Just feels like a strange match

Or rather, a match that won't work if he wants four or five years

Dan

3:00

I'm assuming someone currently in the minors will at one point be the best player in baseball. When we look back will it be more true to say they where a lot better than we thought they where or they improved a lot more than we expected them to?

Ben Clemens

3:01

I think that we'll say the first but mean the second

Because the skill that is perhaps most valuable in prospects is their ability to improve

3:02

So it's a six of one half dozen of the other thing

It's not liek they were secretly Barry Bonds in A ball, most likely

The skills that we thought would improve just improved by more

Jon

3:03

In case you missed it, Rays made an offer to Freddie

Ben Clemens

3:03

I... what... that was up above?

We talked about it for a while!

Brandon

3:03

Where would you put Seiya Suzuki if you were including him on a top 100 prospects rankings? (Not saying you should, just hypothetically)

Ben Clemens

3:04

I think I'm probably the wrong person to ask about this. I'm not sure he makes sense as a prospect though

3:05

He's mostly a finished product

I'm kind of skeptical the bat will play but I think I'm the low man on him

A cat

3:05

With the non baseball related investment in real estate development dwarfing stadium costs (see OAK terminal site), isn’t it time to re-examine the anti-trust exemption? Teams are used as tools to further other economic ends, particularly when management refuses or limits investment in the team.

Ben Clemens

3:05

It's just a non-starter

Nate

3:07

Personally, would you like to see the shift banned (or reduced)?

Ben Clemens

3:08

I don't think the anti-trust exemption is going away and I also don't think it has a huge impact on day-to-day baseball

Whoops sorry got those out of order

I think I'd like to see the shift reduced... keep two infielders on both sides

Greg

3:10

The players have been pushing hard for a higher CBT threshold, but doesn't that incentivize small-market teams to spend less? Why bother spending even modest amounts if you'll just be wiped out in your efforts to compete by the bigger-spending clubs (that are now unrestrained by a CBT)?

Ben Clemens

3:10

I mean, they don't need any incentives to spend less

The ones who are competing for the playoffs regularly would probably try to keep doing so

3:11

And it's not like the Pirates are spending any money they could stop spending if the Dodgers spent more

Jesse

3:11

If they do ban the shift, dont you think infielders are just going to try and get a running start to the other side of diamond? seeing how the ball is likely going to be hit there anyway?

Ben Clemens

3:11

Yeah, and that sounds great!

3:13

More people running around sounds like exactly what I want out of baseball

Tacoby Bellsbury

3:13

Speaking of non-starters, have your prospecting excursions put any relief-only arms on your radar that were under it before? If so, whom?