JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 5/22/23

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Nick

3:11

Baty or Alvarez to win NL ROY?

Ben Clemens

3:11

Haha two versions of the same question from the same chatter, who would have guessed it?

I'm gonna say no to ROY, I think Outman is way out in front at the moment, and no to 60 combined bombs, just b/c dthat's a ton

3:12

Also it's almost June and they ahve a combined 9

But I think they're both great

JWR

3:12

In two years, Bryce Harper will be (a) at 1b, at RF, or (c) DHing?

Ben Clemens

3:12

Choo Choo

3:12

Re: Bieber. Does this years deadline strike you as a good time for CLE to sell high (as they've done with numerous starters before)? Seems like they could really use some new young bats on offense and many contenders are looking for SPs

Trade Szn?

3:12

Whats your assessment of the trade market for Bieber ?

Ben Clemens

3:12

This is very interesting

I think it makes sense for Cleveland generally, they do like to trade starters

3:13

But again: they trade for volume

They always do

That's just their m.o. They want your 11th through 15th prospects, not #4

And I don't think that makes sense here. Like what, some contending team that wants Shane Bieber also just has some starting outfielders to spare?

3:14

Maybe they will trade with the DBacks and try to buy low on Alek Thomas or something? But it's just an awkward fit

Their trades generally focus on shoring up the future rather than going all in on the present

Scrapper

3:14

If the Cubs are out of the race and cannot sign Belllinger (he is a Boras client), could the Cubs get a top 100 prospect for him at the trade deadline. I'd hate to lose him but the Cubs season may be spinning out of control and Bellinger only signed a one year deal.

Ben Clemens

3:14

I do not think they could get that kind of return

3:15

He's been good, no doubt, but he's a rental with recent history of being kinda awful, and he's outperforming his peripheral stats by a ton

Maybe by the end of the year I'll change my tune, but that just seems like a lot to get back for a guy who hasn't even been THAT great this year and has not been good for years before now

bosoxforlife

3:16

Henderson and Rodriguez are not exactly lighting it up this year but The Orioles still have Holliday, maybe the best prospect now, Mayo, Westburg, Kierstad and Cowser waiting. All of them are tearing up their respective leagues.

Ben Clemens

3:16

Yeah, this is what I mean by prospect juice. They just have so many options on the prospect front that some of them will probably pop

Romorr

3:16

I know you aren't the prospect guy here at FGs, but has Jackson Holliday caught your eye at all? Doing some impressive things !

Ben Clemens

3:16

I mean, yes?

He's presumably at least a top 5 prospect

Farhandrew Zaidman

3:16

Re Underrated Prospects: JD Martinez probably qualifies as a "solid MLB career with little prospect pedigree" guy. Justin Turner too.

Ben Clemens

3:16

Oh great calls

3:17

Joey Bats

the swing change guys all fit I think

I guess Bautista was more heralded at first

3:17

Is Sandy cooked? Has a 5.05 era and is 1-5.

Ben Clemens

3:17

Haha, no

But I think it's reasonable to think that 2022 represents him at his best

3:18

Also, if I'm Alcantara, I'm definitely frustrated at the team official who came up with the 'what if everyone playing defense behind sandy was slightly underqualified for their position' plan

3:19

The Marlins had the second-best infield defense in baseball per OAA last year

They're 21st this year, Sandy is a groundball pitcher

Doesn't sooooooound great

3:21

Basically, 'Swap Miguel Rojas for Luis Arraez' is an awesome plan on offense

But not as good defensively!

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