JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 6/29/26

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Cheeknbut

2:29

Oops… I’ve been thinking. Is it better to have a sport that draws the best athletes (lebrons, myles garretts, etc.) because the advantage of their physicality is large or would it be better to have a sport that appeals to the masses ? Basically is there a supply/demand equilibrium where actually you don’t want the rules to be catered too much to huge athletes for the health of the sport

Ben Clemens

2:29

I actually think that appealing to the masses is better if you can swing it, but that it's not always easy

But, also, it kind of matters what the game looks like

basketball is better for having outlier athletes play it, I think

2:30

I'm not sure the same would be true of baseball

I think there's room for both

longsuffering

2:30

If the Jays are honest with themselves, I believe they aren't going to contend for a playoff spot this year. Too much has gone wrong, and too much hasn't corrected in time. Do you think they'd be smart to jump the gun and start selling on guys like Gausman and Bieber? Or is it better to wait until closer to the deadline where there's more clarity?

Ben Clemens

2:30

Oh, definitely wait for the deadline. They're in this big soup of teams that could be in a playoff spot with a hot week

and plenty of good players on the team, so like, you can easily see them figuring things out and going on a tear

there's also probably not a big downside to waiting

2:31

from what I'm hearing, the early-market prices are indeed high, but that means that basically no one is actually shopping yet

so like, to jump the queue, you'd have to basically offer your guys at no premium? and then what are you doing jumping the queue? get those extra weeks of evaluation

Phillip Denny

2:31

Tales of Mookie's demise at the plate may have been slightly exaggerated? He's brought the season wRC+ to 102, and in June that's 122. He's probably not an MVP anymore, but certainly there are a couple of 4 WAR seasons left in the tank?

Ben Clemens

2:31

certainly's a strong word, but yeah, betting on Mookie Betts to suddenly be awful feels like it was a loser

ajake57

2:32

The Phillies are perfectly positioned to go after salary dumps. Matt Chapman, Luis Castillo types. The only advantage they have is that they can run a lofty payroll. They really don't have anything left to lose at this point.

Ben Clemens

2:32

that's interesting

I wonder if the ownership group is into that. but yeah, basically, they have no assets to trade for stars, but sure they could use their wallet if they wanted

war2d2

2:32

I just remembered that late in the Cubs game yesterday Counsell pinch hit for Matt Shaw with Justin Dean, who promptly struck out to end the inning. I’ve not seen any explanation for why he went with the journeyman 30yo guy who just got his first MLB hit last week, over the supposed top prospect/future star with the game on the line. They both are RH hitters too, and the AB was against a righty reliever. It doesn’t seem to have been an injury thing. Just throwing it out there because I’m curious, and maybe you or someone in the chat knows more details than I’ve been able to find.

Ben Clemens

2:32

haven't heard or seen anything about it. But if anyone in the chat knows, I'd love to hear

earthmover

2:32

Where are you at on Jordan Walker these days? Strikeout to walk ratio is rough lately

Ben Clemens

2:33

I'd say that I'm still into it but I remain pretty sure he didn't turn himself into a 150 wRC+ hitter overnight

2:34

I like to talk about who needs to make an adjustment next

basically pitchers had to make an adjustment to walker's new plans early in the season

and now they have, so it's up to him to adjust back

this one feels easier, and alos, he's still been moderatly productive in the downturn, but they're pitching him differently and he must now make a counter-adjustment

bosoxforlife

2:35

I have been watching baseball for a long, long time and last night's game had more wild swings of emotion than almost any regular season game I have ever seen. From Gray's great performance, super high, to the depth's of despair followed by another wild high. Ain't baseball great!

Ben Clemens

2:35

Indeed

That was a really wild game

the only swings that are up there for me in recent times are, ironically, the world cup game from the previous day

2:36

Algeria/Austria was great b/c a tie advanced both, a win for either advanced Iran plus the winner while eliminating the loser, and yet instead of playing for a tie the teams went absolutely nuts, and there were two goals scored in stoppage time in a 3-3 tie

late swings of emotion are really fun

glenb0828

2:36

If you're starting a team today, which one player in the minors or majors are you taking? K. Griffin? McGonigle, et al?

Ben Clemens

2:36

like, why wouldn't it be Ohtani?

but sure, I think I'd probably take McGonigle over Griffin if I had to pick right now, but I am not super sure and I think I'd just take a guy who I already know is incredibly great

2:37

very big brained to value, like, the sixth year of service time more than an absolute superstar at the peak of their powers

didace

2:37

Dylan Crews - June wRC+ is 117 and he plays excellent defense. He's not going anywhere.

Ben Clemens

2:37

I agree with this in general

2:38

maybe not hte 'how's he hitting in june'

but the 'Nats don't need to see much spark to get convinced'

appayipyip

2:38

There's so much player movement these days guys know so many more other players around the league personally than 30, 40 years ago, plus with the WBC being a regular thing idk it's weird to expect them to pretend to hate each other all the time.

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