JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 8/22/22

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Mets fan

2:33

Should the Mets trade Jeff McNeil after this season? If so, what does he bring back?

Ben Clemens

2:33

EonADS

2:34

I honestly think Hader might be hurt. Having pitched through shoulder injuries in college and HS, I recognize they way he's cutting the load on his arm, which is screwing his release point and feel. He's tucked the arm in slightly, which makes him compensate with a slight vertical increase in release point. His extension is not as good horizontally, and the vertical increase is just throwing his command off.

Ben Clemens

2:34

I'm definitely not a mechanics guy, but something looks wrong

2:34

Who is the better player going forward, Mateo or Pena?

Ben Clemens

2:34

Pena

Farhandrew Zaidman

2:34

What in the heck are the Marlins thinking putting Brian Anderson in RF? He looked completely lost out there this weekend and I don't know that Wendle is a big defensive upgrade at 3B....

Ben Clemens

2:34

I feel like this is constantly happening with Brian Anderson

He's a 3b

He's played a lot of innings in the outfield for being a 3b

2:35

I guess 2018 was the last time it was a BIG problem, but they messed around with it in 2019 too, and again this year

Keep him in the infield imo

Finnegan's Seam-shifted Wake

2:35

Any thoughts on Justin Steele or "cut/ride" fastballs in general?

Ben Clemens

2:35

Stay tuned for an article about him as well

Dodgers Fan

2:35

Yesterday, Kimbrel jogged out to "Let it Go" from Frozen for Women's Day. This needs to be a permanent change.

Ben Clemens

2:36

I don't have kids. I LOVE that song

A lot of my friends who have kids hate it, because they've heard it 16000 times, but that's an amazing closer song for me

Dodgers Fan

2:37

On that note, do you have an all-time favorite closer entrance music choice?

Ben Clemens

2:37

As much as I have hipster tendencies, I can't go against Enter Sandman. I've been in Yankee Stadium before and it just transformed the place

2:38

Two honorable mentions: Edwin Diaz's trumpets create a different but still spectacular atmosphere, and there was a year when Andrew Miller was closing for the Yankees and came in to "When the Man Comes Around"

re: Brian Anderson

2:38

They put him in the outfield because he keeps hurting his shoulder throwing from third, if I remember correctly.

Ben Clemens

2:38

Ah, this is helpful to know

That makes some sense; he was worth getting in the lineup for his bat even if they knew his defense was compromised, particularly for those Marlins

The Great Giambino

2:38

Speaking of kids songs, what are your thoughts on Oscar Gonzalez walking up to SpongeBob Squarepants theme?

Ben Clemens

2:38

Great; loved Baby Shark too

Thomas

2:38

Any thoughts on the weird season Matt Chapman is having? Big offensive bounce back, with a bigger defensive backslide. Is it just getting used to the turf at Rogers Centre or are his elite defensive days over?

Ben Clemens

2:39

Mike Petriello wrote about this and I loved it

https://www.mlb.com/news/how-contenders-improved-infield-defense

Blake Seams

2:40

Cristian Javier is pitching way to well for the Astros to relegate him to the bullpen come playoff time, right?

Ben Clemens

2:41

It's a tough (but good) problem for the team. I think it's one of him or Luis Garcia

Javier's stuff has historically popped in the bullpen, but I could also see them doing some kind of semi-tandem deal between the two of them, and I'd love that

Some Guy

2:41

You have one pitcher you get to add to the Cardinals. Their contract situation doesn't change, neither do their tendencies as a pitcher. Who do you pick?

Ben Clemens

2:41

Sandy Alcantara by a mile

that contract, wowwwwww

2:42

Second would be Manoah, then McClanahan

Matt (Oceanside)

2:42

The Texas Rangers possibly competing next year seems plausible from the run differential and adding a hitter, but what do they do about the pitching. Bringing back Perez and pairing him with Gray sounds like a good start, but I feel like they need to sign a top-end pitcher and some depth, in addition to seeing results from the farm. Do you think pitching is the biggest mountain for them?

Ben Clemens

2:42

Yeah, they need more pitching. I'm assuming they are targeting some this offseason. Even mid-tier pitching would be a big upgrade

Guest

2:42

Which veteran would you most like to see win a World Series ring? Greinke maybe? Or is his the kind of personality that wouldn't really care about it?

Ben Clemens

2:43

Greinke would be an excellent one. McCutchen is up there for me too

Votto

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