JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 8/21/2023

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Ben Clemens

3:00

that said, I'll be shocked if he's not in their big league rotation next May

Cito

3:00

What is up with Buxton, and what are the Twins going to do with him? Is he washed? Can't seem to hit. Won't let him play the field

Ben Clemens

3:00

Man.... he kinda seems washed

I wonder if he should have just missed this season to recover from whatever injury he has

because what they're getting is not *better* than that

3:01

but it's obviously been way worse for his health

Seamus

3:01

What is your favorite social deduction game?

Ben Clemens

3:01

any variation of mafia/werewolf

Among Us was a fun distraction but I like ones that get played 100% in person, personally

MLB

3:01

Riley Greene and Torkelson will combine to produce how much WAR next year?

Ben Clemens

3:01

3.9 (3.7 Greene, 0.2 Tork, for the hot take)

but no, let's call it 5, 3.7/1.3

3:02

Riley Greene was one of my dudes coming into this year and whie he's not gonna keep babiping like htis, maybe he'll play some more games for once

Jadon

3:02

Do you think the Tigers made the right move going with Clark instead of Langford? If so, why?

Ben Clemens

3:03

Eh, I'm not good enough at that kind of prospect evaluation to give you a reasonable answer

Re: baseball books

3:03

The baseball subreddit used to do an annual winter book list that has a lot of great picks, both retro/romantic and modern/nerdy. I’ve found a lot of great picks over the years, most recently The Glory of Their Times.

Ben Clemens

3:03

Good call

Doug

3:03

Has the game and players passed Bob Melvin by? Seemed like he used to get everything out of his players. Now he can’t do anything to help turn the team around. I understand they made the NLCS last gesr

Ben Clemens

3:03

Wasn't this like.... hailed as a genius managerial hire very recently?

I don't think he deserved as much credit as he received for being great, or as much blame as he's getting for being bad

3:04

but yeah, that clubhouse does NOT seem like it's in a good place

Bmore Orioles

3:04

Bradish and Grayson have been lights out for 2 months. Our offense comes and goes, but can be quite strong. Good D. Good bullpen, with help on the way. Are we WS contenders?

punter hence

3:04

Looking at Baltimore's starters, relievers and position players, only 1 of 3 (RP) is truly standout or even solidly above average by fWAR. Does this concern you at all in terms of being a real threat in the playoffs? I think there's a lot to be excited for this core, but maybe not expecting a deep run this year

Ben Clemens

3:04

This is fun!

I think of Baltimore as a legit playoff threat, largely because I don't think the AL has anyone clearly better

3:05

for my money, the Dodgers and Braves are the class of baseball by a wide margin this year

but all of the AL contenders have flaws

Tom

3:05

What happened to all the FA SS's this year? It just doesn't make sense that they would all have down years right away?

Ben Clemens

3:05

No idea but it really is weird

Wrights Back

3:05

OMG, if you call '16-18 the 'bad times' for the Mets, I suggest you root for the Yankees. Too outcome focused!

Ben Clemens

3:06

haha well 2017 was pretty bad; they went from being a good team to losing 92 games and they were trying SO hard to fill the stadium by the end

I went to two 'fan appreciation have a luxury suite with other fans' games that year haha

Jadon

3:07

Who do you think is the best American born black player in the league currently? Guy sitting next to me wants to know lol.

Ben Clemens

3:07

hmmm... well my extremely biased self wants to say Masyn Winn

he's so fun already

but clearly it's Mookie

3:08

and like.... I don't think it's particularly close to being close

Appa Yip Yip

3:08

I forgot about Milwaukee inserting themselves into the Murphy trade like the dude at the party who didn't pay for anything and left with a box of donuts and half a case of beer.