JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 9/23/24

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 9/23/24

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Ben Clemens

2:13

I'm definitely willing to be convinced that Santander is a better bet though

he'd be my second choice

Pinstripe Cushion

2:13

Since 2016 is Taylor Walls closer to his +35 DRS or -11 FRV?

How about Altuve, -46 DRS or +2 FRV? That's a pretty wild swing.

Ben Clemens

2:13

I'm in the middle of trying to figure out a reasonable way to blend defensive statistics

2:14

I'll be writing about it in the coming weeks when there's a gap in playoff coverage

So, I guess I'd say that the answer is surely in between, and I'll be able to tell you HOW in between I think it should be in about 10 days

Farhan

2:14

Do you see the trend of Wall Street nerds over ex players as GM’s continuing?

Ben Clemens

2:14

As a former Wall Street nerd, yes, and it should be me

2:15

but realistically, uh, I think baseball generally works in trends and then bounce-backs. The trend has been so strongly towards the Ivy League banker consultant type that I think a little retracement is inevitable

Sonny

2:16

Is Detroit putting the pieces together and opening the window for a run at the AL Central for the next few years or are their a lot of playoff teams and the 2 teams ahead of them collapsed?

Ben Clemens

2:16

Can it be both?

2:17

I think it's a little bit of both. I think it's good for them that they're in the ALC, though. It's not like there's no competition at the top - obviously, the Guardians are consistently pretty good

2:18

But it's just a softer division overall, which means that being pretty good makes you stand out more easily. It's not like the Royals are gonna be awful next year, but I think it's reasonable to bet on some regression from Witt and that they probably won't hit gold with every free agent signing again

so yeah, I'd say that they're opening a window for ALC contention

Sonny

2:18

What’s your preferred (not predicted) World Series matchup?

Ben Clemens

2:18

Brewers/O's

2:19

I have personal ties to both teams (my wife's family are huge Brewers fans, my mom grew up an O's fan) and I find both teams very fun to watch

curveball? slider?

2:19

How has your view of Wyatt Langford changed from the start of the year to now? Bat hasn't been as good as some hoped so far, but he's also quietly been a solid defender in the outfield which is a lot better than he was projected to be!

Ben Clemens

2:19

My view has gone down slightly, but I think I was a bit higher than the pack to start out

I really didn't buy that he was helpless defensively because he's such a good athlete, so I'm not particularly surprised that he's starting to figure that out

2:22

I'm expecting him to pull out of it

I just spent a bit looking over his peripheral numbers, like, I can't quite see what's going wrong here

2:23

I feel like he should be hitting better, basically

Can't figure out the exact reason why he's not

I think I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic but next year needs to be a step forward

Sonny

2:23

Has your long term view of the Breslow Red Sox changed much based on ‘24 results?

Ben Clemens

2:24

Not a huge amount, tbh. The whole "oh they're way ahead of the game, all you have to do is not throw fastballs and you're all geniuses" thing was predictably overblown, and the counter to that was as well

2:25

There are some predictable roster problems, I'd say, but I think they're addressable. Willy Adames would look AWESOME here

but I guess that's probably harsh on Story

2:26

There's gotta be some way to work the outfield picture, I think they'll land on something, but it does feel like this team should be able to go toe to toe with the top of the ALE with some offseason additions

fanoftheman

2:26

Ben, do you have a favorite baseball feat you’re irrationally attached to? Something like most games played without hitting into a double play, or most consecutive games with a double, something silly like that?

Ben Clemens

2:26

I do: most career plate appearances without reaching base

John Gant made a run at the record early in his brief career

2:27

it's currently held by Von McDaniel, an old Cards pitcher

28 PA, 0 H, 0 BB

Hambone Central

2:27

Will either of the Reds or Pirates sign someone (or maybe even someones, plural) from say the Adames, Santander, Alonso, Teoscar, Christian Walker tier of hitters to at least give the illusion of trying to add to their young superstars in EDLC and Skenes?

Ben Clemens

2:27

I'm very skeptical that the Pirates will. It just doesn't feel like the way they spend money even when they have it

2:28

I think that the Reds make some sense as a team that would go for it a little. I think of that group, Santander probably makes the most sense for them

Pat

2:28

AL Manager of the Year- I think it's been assumed it's Vogt with Quataro 2nd..If Detroit makes it in, does Hinch snag it away from Vogt..or at least finished 2nd? Doing what they're doing with 2 starters, I.E., 60% bullpen games, is amazing.

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