JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/1/24

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/1/24

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Jack

2:20

Paxton is starting for the Dodgers today. Do you think he is the next pitcher the Dodgers staff helps break out ?

Ben Clemens

2:20

I think it's just a health thing with Paxton, so it's hard to say

Guest

2:21

how different is Erick Fedde now vs. last time he was in MLB?

love

1

Ben Clemens

2:22

He's different, no doubt. I think that having an out pitch is transformative for him

2:23

He's always been able to throw strikes and fill innings, but he walked too many batters and didn't strike out enough because he just could not end at-bats when he was ahead

I think that if his sweeper is even decent -- and it looks good to me -- that change is massive

Obviously I'm pretty high on him, he was one of my bold takes in my prediction article

And nothing about his first start changed my opinion all that much, I'm hardly surprised that he might have home run issues but I like the strikeout stuff and the fact that his walks are declining as a result is also great

Appa Yip Yip

2:24

AL Cy is clearly going to Kevin Gausman. It's his time.

Ben Clemens

2:24

It would be amazing if he had a great season with ERA lower than FIP to get the award, because I feel like he's been a FIP darling in Toronto

Idiotic Failson

2:24

Chances the Yankees go 162-0? They're off to a decent start

Ben Clemens

2:24

haha it's 0; but since it's April Fools I'll say 50%

it happens or it doesn't

Nate

2:25

Was elder's first half of the 2023 season just a fluke

Ben Clemens

2:25

*just* a fluke? no

I think there are real things to like about him

I'm willing to believe that he can induce weak contact better than your average major leaguer

2:26

but I think that his lack of stuff is going to hold him back

David

2:26

When the Cubs give up on Morel at 3B (to watch him play defense for any length of time is to realize he’s a ultra athletic DH), will there by any place to turn other than the trio of Nick Madrigal/Wisdom/Mastro?

David

2:26

Morel looking rough at third. Are the Cubs going to regret not signing Chapman, especially given how his price fell?

Ben Clemens

2:26

Oh sorry, didn't realize these were both from the same person

But Morel is not a third baseman

2:27

the Cubs knew this, they were running lineups last year with him at second and little Nick Madrigal at third

I don't know why they tried it again but he just cannot play third well

I don't hate Madrigal/Wisdom/Mastrobuoni as an alternative, though. I'm surprised to say that I like Madrigal's defense a fair amount there despite his arm, and he makes for an interesting power/contact platoon with Wisdom

2:28

I think you can get a sense for pitchers who Wisdom is gonna struggle with, guys who have strikeout stuff basically, and bounce those two around accordingly

I don't think they're going to regret missing out on Chapman, but well, I've always been lower than consensus on Chapman

RTJ

2:28

who ends up being more valuable to the Blue Jays this year: Alex Manoah or Joey Votto?

Ben Clemens

2:28

Manoah

There's no answer here I'd be sad about other than 'neither', though

I'm rooting for both

Guest

2:29

Will soroka ever figure it out again

Ben Clemens

2:29

Ugh, I hope so

Zero strikeouts in five innings is NOT an encouraging sign

JB

2:29

Who has more WAR over the remainder of their contract? Strasburg (likely 0) or Baez (possibly negative)?

Ben Clemens

2:29

I'll take Baez for sure, haha

I mean, he was absolutely atrocious last year and worth 0.8 WAR

Dan

2:30

I'm in a daily Pick 'em competition with the caveat that if the game I pick that day (picks due at 11am est) isn't completed it still counts as a win for me. Is there a good way to look up game cancellations and delays?

Ben Clemens

2:30

I actually don't know

Sorry for a non-answer here, but I figured I'd at least post it so you wouldn't just keep wondering

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