JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/27/20

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/27/20

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Ben Clemens

2:55

I'm not convinced about the shambles part, but I think he's a great GM too.

2:56

I think the reason he doesn't get included in the discussion is because he hasn't always been the kind of franchise-altering, build something out of nothing guy that those two are, or at least isn't perceived that way.

2:57

If you think earlier Cashman is more about financial muscle, maybe you can discount him; and then later Cashman has been really good at assembling teams, but the Yankees had that dip period where they were constructing 85 win teams instead of juggernauts that I think still moves him lower in my mind.

But he probably doesn't get enough credit, because it's the yankees, of course they'll be good.

Joseph

2:58

Will the Rangers ever win a World Series

Ben Clemens

2:58

Yeah! On a long enough timeline, everyone will.

2:59

But also, I like what they're doing there in general. Obviously Jon Daniels and co have built good teams before.

3:00

But I generally like where they're set up now, and I think that having a closed roof stadium is going to help out a lot longterm.

It sounds silly but I can't imagine all those long hot games are awesome for their players longterm.

3:01

Plus, they've been willing to spend when they're contending, and they seem to have a knack for pitching acquisitions. Baseball is competitive but I mean, I think they are doing well.

I miss baseball

3:01

Ben, what's your least favorite rule in baseball?

Ben Clemens

3:01

Hm.

3:03

How about foul bunts being strike three?

That seems silly to me.

It's not a big secret that I think bunts are fun, and this one was made for when bunting was super valuable, not now.

3:04

Failing that, I'd like to see check swings codified.

The way they actually work is always frustrating.

Derek

3:04

In your opinion, is there ever an argument that MVP should be someone other than the WAR leader? (Maybe other than unequal playing time if WAR is close?)

Ben Clemens

3:04

Yeah, for sure. I actually look at WPA a decent amount, because I interpret the award as caring about that.

3:05

If you had a guy who, for the sake of argument, hit 50 homers but all 50 came in 8 run games somehow.

I'd say he's likely to be really valuable going forwrad.

And he's a great player

3:06

But maybe he wasn't actually THAT valuable to his team that year.

I also care more about offensive numbers than defensive numbers b/c of the error bands on single season defense

If players are within 1 WAR, WAR isn't telling you with much certainty who's better anyway.

I miss baseball

3:07

Related to Jeff's question: Will the Dodgers get a draft pick due to their loss of the All Star Game?

Ben Clemens

3:07

I don't think so.

They might get the World Series hosted there as a neutral location if there is one this year, or they might get a future All Star game.

3:08

But I think porting it into a draft pick would be unpopular with other teams and out of line with the way the league generally awards or strips draft picks.

Tel

3:10

Your talk of zoom games and teaching your wife hearts made me wonder about playing cards over zoom. Seems like playing hearts or whatever with everyone using their own deck would make for some interesting games - everyone could have the queen of spades. You would need to have a rule for breaking ties of course, maybe first to play the card wins. But the strategies would be so completely different when you have no idea what cards are in each player's hand.

Ben Clemens

3:10

Ooh, this isn't necessarily what you're talking about, but have you heard of cancellation hearts?

3:11

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancellation_Hearts

I highly recommend it.

It's hearts with two decks, but if two of the same card is played, that card can't win the hand.

3:12

So you can do things like open lead the queen of spades hoping the other queen will play on yours.

I'm not really sure how the strategy works, because I haven't played it all that often, but it's really fun.

And the feeling of thinking you're going to take a trick and then getting canceled is awesome.

Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes

3:13

Outfield assists at home are the most exciting play in baseball to watch. Triples are up there as well, but triple plays and strike-em-out-throw-em-outs are above them, in my opinion.

Ben Clemens

3:13

Another excellent choice.

Outfield assists at almost any base really.

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