JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/27/20

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Ben Clemens

2:43

The playoffs are a crapshoot, and all, blah blah blah, but look, the rings matter.

It would be one thing if Theo had just stumbled into a historically great team and been like, whoops, guess we win!

2:44

But he's clearly also really good at what he does. I do think that the strategies he used seem to have lost a tiny amount of edge over the years, but that's life.

I think it's entirely reasonable to prefer Friedman right now while taking Theo's overall career.

Steeve

2:44

If it were easily feasible would you support moving the fences back at most parks

Ben Clemens

2:45

Yes! I'd support moving them out as far as possible if it didn't mess with attendance and watchability issues.

I like balls in play and outfield defense a lot.

And more doubles and triples would be super fun.

2:46

You might want to also do something about the resulting drop in offense, but there are things that you could work out to counteract that.

And generally yeah, fences further back = more fun

Curtis

2:47

Is a triple the most exciting play in baseball?

Ben Clemens

2:47

It's definitely up there.

I was thinking about this.... I think I have a triple first, but I also like a weird one.

A really close infield single/out.

With a slow runner.

It's one of those plays wehre you're like, oh he couldn't possibly make it

2:48

Oh, wait, wow, that ball is hit to just the right spot.

Maybe he will!

The third baseman is really going to have to rush this throw!

It's fine with a fast runner, too, but I enjoy the extra drama from having the runner lumber down the line.

Guest

2:48

Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective... a good zoom game?

Ben Clemens

2:48

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about that, but 100% yes.

2:49

It's a great game overall, too.

If you have someone who doesn't mind reading all the clues (we like to alternate), it would work really well.

2:50

I guess potentially minus the newspapers and map, but if you have two people in the apartment that has the copy of the game, or multiple people have copies, that's probably fine.

Those two components aren't make or break if you have someone reallllly pore over the papers.

Jeff

2:51

Yu Darvish's chances of a Curt Schilling (on field) finish to his career from 34 on? I'd say at least 25% right? Probably

Ben Clemens

2:51

Boy, I just looked this up, and post-34 Schilling was incredible (I did 2001 onwards).

2:52

He had four seasons where he put up more WAR than Darvish ever has in a single season.

Derek

2:52

I love Yu

Darvish, that is.

Ben Clemens

2:52

I have Darvish as a top 10 starter in baseball right now.

Potentially top 5

If all we care about is 2020.

2:53

And even then, I'm going to say like.... 10%? It's just so hard to hvae one of these seasons like 2002 Schilling, 2.4 FIP 3.23 ERA at altitude

31.1% strikeout rate in 2002, just bonkers.

I think the question almost boils down to will Darvish win two Cy Youngs the rest of his career.

2:54

And you have to bet no, even though he's awesome.

I would absolutely love for it to happen though. Who's more fun to watch than Darvish when he's on?

Dad

2:55

Why is Cashman not in the same conversation as Friedman and Epstein? The guy has 4 rings and 0 losing seasons. It feels like people forget that the Red Sox would've been in shambles if the Dodgers didn't bail them out.

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