JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 6/27/22

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Teddy Conover

2:11

What's the best-case scenario for the Orioles this year?

Ben Clemens

2:12

The best-case scenario is that Adley mashes, Henderson keeps improving (and he's already looking excellent), Rodriguez recovers from injury with no further hiccups, and they get some interesting names back for their expiring contracts/relievers at the deadline

2:13

That would be really good. They have a wave of prospects theoretically coming, and Rutschman continuing his recent good form would make me more excited about next year

DEEG

2:13

Is Willson Contreras the best bat moved at the deadline?

Ben Clemens

2:13

Yes

Pat M

2:13

If the Phillies make the playoffs do they keep Rob Thomson?

Ben Clemens

2:13

I think they kind of have to

Bandon Brelt

2:14

What are your expectations for Vinnie P now that the Royals finally called him up? (breaking news!)

Wireless Joe Jackson

2:14

What do the Mariners want with Carlos Santana?

Ben Clemens

2:14

Let's talk about this trade, which I find interesting

2:15

Ty France is hurt, which is a problem for the Mariners, because our depth chart had them playing literally Dylan Moore at first before this trade

They're also DH'ing Justin Upton, which is uhhhh

Santana is not one of the best hitters in baseball, but he's a competent lefty bat, and that's something Seattle could use

2:16

stopgap starter at first and platoon DH seems like a perfectly fine role to me. I don't have a strong view on Wyatt Mills either way, but I think the Mariners are right to be trying something

2:17

For the Royals, I love it; the team just couldn't keep running Santana out there with Vinnie P and Nick Pratto both in the minors

Guest

2:17

Kirk is a great catcher for 2022, but in two years, he's a Vogelbachian full-time DH.

Ben Clemens

2:18

That's a strong claim without a ton of validity, in my opinion

That's certainly a possible outcome, but Kirk is improving at catcher, not getting worse, at least by framing metrics

And that's more of a catcher body type than a 1B body type anyway

I dunno if he'll stick but it's definitely an open question, not a foregone conclusion

Teddy Conover

2:18

Do you see a brighter future for the Pirates or Orioles?

Ben Clemens

2:18

The O's

2:19

The Pirates are still in the 'I don't know what's going on, let's trade some guys' phase and I don't think their farm system is quite ready to start cranking out major leaguers yet

2:20

I do think that both are on the right path, though. I'm very displeased with the way the Pirates handled Oneil Cruz, and I'm sure Cruz himself has no love lost for the front office given that they're basically taking money out of his pocket, but a single-minded obsession with never paying any money to anyone and getting multiple pieces in every trade is a great way to rebuild a farm system

Kip

2:20

Dodgers - Braves round 3 feels inevitable. What roster additions do you see each team making between now and the trade deadline?

Ben Clemens

2:20

That's a strong use of inevitable

2:21

I think that the Dodgers will be on the hunt for arms, any arms they can possibly find, be it relief or starting

I think they might be a surprise entrant in trade talks if any incredible bat other than Contreras (awkward fit with Smith in tow) is available

2:22

But mostly they should just look to add pitchers

The Braves are looking good with Michael Harris hitting, but same kinda deal, they really need pitching

2:23

The bullpen is messy, I'm worried Morton is cooked, and at this poin I wouldn't count on a ton from Soroka this year if I were them

I mean, I hope he's great.... but I wouldn't count on it

@RationalMLBfan

2:23

Ben, not really your department, but not sure who else to inform: the articles headers still refer to the 2020 offseason and Fangraphs's goal to cover baseball in the 2021 season and beyond. I'm not trying to be pedantic; just want to be sure that new readers don't ignore this, thinking it is an old message and that Fangraphs doesn't need support.

Ben Clemens

2:24

That is definitely useful. I'll run it up the flagpole, so to speak

Guest

2:25

I think Logan Gilbert may be a sell high. What do you think and what sort of pitcher would be good return for him?

Ben Clemens

2:25

I'm not sure I get it

If you're saying fantasy, yeah sure, but I would definitely not try to trade him if I were the M's

2:27

In fantasy... I dunno, I like Gilbert. If people still think he has that shiny new car look and will overpay for him because he's young, then I guess I'd look to trade him, but I think he's a good ratio guy and at nearly six innings per start he can give you decent volume. I'm definitely not a fantasy expert, but I'd want to be overpaid to move him

x2R

2:27

Onei Cruz, how has been watching him?! Will he stick there?

Ben Clemens

2:28

It's still far too early to say but I've been impressed by what I've seen of Cruz's defense

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