Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat – 6/3/24

Ben Clemens: Hey everybody, I’m going to get began in a minute or two, simply ending a number of issues up over right here

Ben Clemens: Okay let’s get began

Justin: Joey Ortiz profitable NL ROY?

Ben Clemens: Hm, I ponder how playing markets are dealing with his scorching streak

Ben Clemens: They’ve him seventh, behind the 2 NPB imports, the 2 Pirates pitchers, Jackson Merrill, and Andy Pages

Ben Clemens: I’d take him over the 2 hitters, however yeah, even when he’s out-WAR’ed Shota up to now, I don’t suppose the good defensive 3b who’s hitting nicely will beat the pitcher who makes each begin with an ERA round 2

Ben Clemens: I feel I’d in all probability have him fourth in my probabilistic rankings, simply forward of Jones, who appears to be like like he perhaps was not constructed up for a full season

Decide and Soto:

1. Decide and Soto are the one hitters in baseball over 1.000 OPS. 2. They’ve each performed each single recreation (so has Volpe). When does Decide shed “harm susceptible” label given he’s had one 10 day IL stint that didn’t evolve a dumb wall since 2021? 3. The place would you rank the 2 of them, at their peaks (which they’re) amongst all-time hitting duos? (Purely hitting, not dWAR and so forth.)

Ben Clemens: Effectively, 1’s only a query

Ben Clemens: simply not a query*

Ben Clemens: 2 is lots of caveats, as a result of there are partitions in baseball! He solely performed 106 video games final yr, he had harm problems with some kind within the three seasons earlier than 2021

Ben Clemens: additionally who cares?

Ben Clemens: that’s why the label is there, however if you happen to suppose it’s flawed, nice information! Decide is best than individuals suppose

Ben Clemens: 3 that’s actually past the scope of the chat b/c I don’t have a hitting duos rating helpful and I’m not able to make one right here

Ben Clemens: however, extremely!

Idiotic Failson: Do you suppose Hunter Brown can change into an above common starter? He’s been fairly unhealthy, however had some prospect hype.

Ben Clemens: I feel he’s at all times gonna have dwelling run points although

Ben Clemens: which is worrisome

Johny5Alive: Ideas on Henry Davis. Value buying and selling a $44 Freeman who can solely be stored for 1 extra yr for a $5 Davis that may be stored for a minimum of 3 years in a $270 NL solely. Crew has not carried out and able to transition to subsequent yr.

Ben Clemens: I sympathize with the thought however I’d hope you are able to do higher. There are good causes to fret about whether or not davis’s bat is nice sufficient to safe him lots of enjoying time in the long term. I do know they’ve dabbled with him within the outfield up to now however it appears to be like much less doubtless given two years of ML struggles

garrett cooper: How uninterested in writing in regards to the yankees is the Fangraphs staff?

Ben Clemens: I personally am not, I used to be fascinated by writing about Soto just lately. However I’m positive persons are tiring of them b/c it’s at all times kinda boring to put in writing about the identical scorching staff too typically

C: I feel that the Dodgers will win extra video games within the subsequent two seasons than the White Sox will win within the subsequent three seasons. I may additionally see this with the Rockies, A’s, Angels, and Marlins. What do you suppose?

Ben Clemens: Oh that is enjoyable

Ben Clemens: Boy I feel you’re proper

Ben Clemens: if the Sox are .500 in a type of years it’s principally inconceivable?

Ben Clemens: however that appears so unlikely

Ben Clemens: let’s ballot it

Ben Clemens:

Idiotic Failson: You might have an opportunity to win $10,000,000 relying on you attaining a constructive outcome between: 1) throwing an at bat towards Juan Soto; or 2) getting successful off of Mason Miller – which do you select?

Ben Clemens: if I’ve to get successful particularly? and keep away from letting Soto get on base?

Ben Clemens: I feel I’d choose Soto, as a result of he didn’t hit all homers within the dwelling run derby

Ben Clemens: I’d simply lob em in there and let him go wild

Ben Clemens: if my strolling would depend as a win…. eh, I’d in all probability nonetheless choose Soto

Ben Clemens: there’s simply no likelihood of me doing something towards Miller. A minimum of I may get babip fortunate towards Soto

Nervous Flyball Pitcher: I discover the Orioles rotation in a precarious scenario as a result of they’ve three above common or higher starters, however the different three guys are arguably “pray the onerous hits land in gloves,” and that is all depending on well being. How would you ease Cade Povich into the rotation realizing he wouldn’t be higher than current choices for someday? If anyone else goes down, his debut will change into necessary.

Ben Clemens: I feel I’d hold doing what they’re doing and letting him pitch in Triple-A

Ben Clemens: such as you mentioned, he isn’t higher than current choices proper now

Visitor: Is it simply me, or has Camilo Doval been slightly shaky even earlier than yesterday’s massive blowup? I haven’t had the “we now have an excellent nearer, the ninth inning might be chill” feeling this yr…

Ben Clemens: I used to be having this dialogue with my spouse over the weekend truly

Ben Clemens: she has the identical vibe as you

Ben Clemens: I feel that his command has been shaky sufficient that it by no means FEELS good even when he’s comfortably changing

Oaktown Blues: Zack Gelof was due for some regression after his enormous debut, however he has completely fallen flat up to now this yr. Are you continue to a believer?

Ben Clemens: Hm, I’m perusing by his numbers right here and I feel I’m as a lot of a believer as I used to be final yr

Ben Clemens: Or, you understand, much less b/c he’s been unhealthy, however not so much much less

Ben Clemens: his underlying abilities don’t appear to have modified a ton, he’s the identical excessive strikeout excessive effort man from final yr, he simply isn’t hitting the ball onerous sufficient for the time being

JOHNNYHELLER: Thanks for doing these chats! So useful. I have to make room on my roster (NL 10 staff 5×5)  for PCA. I’ve B Perkins at $1 and both he or Tauchman have to go (N Jones is again quickly too).
Do I besides a proposal for an finish of contract Suwinski -hoping he begins hitting once more – for Perkins or seek for a greater deal? SBs are at a premium
thanks!

Ben Clemens: I too am questioning what to do about suwinski, I’ve him in Ottoneu. It’s onerous to have lots of belief provided that, you understand, he’s within the minors and placing out 44% of the time

Ben Clemens: If you will get a bonus roster spot b/c he’s not lively, that appears nice. however I’d relatively have Perkins than Suwinski in order that’s the one cause I’d do it

Doug: What would Vlad command in FA..his energy has disappeared he has 5 homers and has change into a 110 EV singles hitter

Ben Clemens: I’m so curious

Ben Clemens: I feel he’d be a pillow contract man

Ben Clemens: Matt Chapman deal or one thing

Ben Clemens: He’s a beneficial participant

Ben Clemens: however form of like Pete Alonso’s upcoming free company, how a lot the model title issues is an open query

Chris: Aaron Decide had a 49% barrel price in Might

Ben Clemens: That’s simply foolish

Who’s Fabio?: Hello Ben – simply questioning if you happen to settle for solicitations in your 5 issues weekly?  Vlad Jr.’s head first slides are tremendous enjoyable to look at and I feel he had one on the weekend however I overlook which recreation.  What do you suppose?

Ben Clemens: If I don’t, I ought to

Ben Clemens: that sounds nice, and I’ll undoubtedly look into it

Bob: Watching the Cubs these days has been brutal. Are they actually this unhealthy or simply unfortunate?

Tom: can Masyn Winn be as beloved (and beneficial) as Ozzie Smith?

Ben Clemens: Let’s do each b/c I used to be fascinated by Playing cards/Cubs and picked these

Ben Clemens: eh, the Cubs are getting unfortunate of late however it’s not like they’re nice. Not an incredible offense and their bullpen is atrocious

Ben Clemens: BaseRUns thinks they need to be 28-32, for instance

Dice Jockey: Let’s say there was proof of Hank Aaron hitting 8 HRs in the course of the time period that NL state are included.  Does MLB nonetheless incorporate NL stats if it means altering the all time HR chief?

Ben Clemens: Yeah, I feel they’d bounce on the likelihood

Ben Clemens: are you aware how badly they want it was noble Hank Aaron as a substitute of everybody hates him Barry Bonds?

Involved Hen: Do you’re taking Decide or the sphere for the HR title this yr? It was form of him to offer everybody else a head begin, however he appears poised to go away my mustachioed masher within the mud.

Ben Clemens: Yeah I’d take Decide

random Colorado man: Query in regards to the implementation of Elo rankings right here, from somebody who was once a really robust chessplayer and directed a lot of rated chess tournaments.  How is this technique going to deal with the inflow of replacement-level expertise when rosters broaden?  Who’s the FG professional on this implementation?  I may bore you with some extremely technical questions in regards to the FG system and a few issues that I’ve, however would relatively take that offline if know who to take it to.

Ben Clemens: It’s principally not; we now have a quite simple implementation of Elo and it’s designed to be that manner. We need to hold it separate from our projection fashions, which incorporate estimates of that replacement-level expertise, as a result of that’s a separate issue within the energy rankings

Ben Clemens: however the entire level of going to Elo was to care in regards to the video games that had been performed

Princess Leia: Assist us Obi-Wan Clemonobi! You’re our solely hope!

Maintain Royce Lewis from any extra freak accidents, grasp Jedi!

Ben Clemens: You need the inconceivable!

Appa Yip Yip: The Vlad/Bo period of Jays baseball is kinda feeling like one massive moist fart. What occurred?

Ben Clemens: I dunno what’s occurring with Bo

Ben Clemens: the man is the streakiest hitter round

Ben Clemens: however yeah, chalk this one as much as unhealthy growth variance. I feel the Jays have completed a great job supplementing their core with expertise, although buying and selling Gabriel Moreno as a substitute of discovering some option to commerce Kirk appears to be like prefer it’s going to hang-out them. However they spent and traded

Ben Clemens: and like…. Vlad simply by no means may persistently hit the ball within the air and Bichette places up 4.5 WAR yearly however within the strangest methods

Pete: I’ve heard lots of discuss that the return for Alonso can be fairly gentle they usually might think about holding him, having him reject the QO and solely get a 4th spherical draft choose.  Nevertheless, couldn’t there be a bidding conflict between a number of groups (3 or extra) in want of a 1B on the deadline, sweetening the package deal for the Mets?

Ben Clemens: I imply, it may! Exhausting to foretell a market dynamic like that forward of time

Ben Clemens: And if that occurs, they’d in all probability do it

Ben Clemens: One factor I’m actually unsure about is whether or not the Mets are hoping to maintain Alonso and re-sign him at a mid-tier deal

Ben Clemens: I’ve heard that principally he doesn’t need one, he desires a celebrity contract, and hey, he may get it

Ben Clemens: but when the Mets commerce him, they’re in all probability closing the door on being a handy touchdown place if his market doesn’t develop like he hoped

Nic: This feels embarrassing to even ask, however has Soto suprised you with how good he has been this yr? I imply, I knew he was good. However 190 WRC+ is one other stage of excellent

Ben Clemens: No, however I’ve been actually excessive on Soto for a very long time

Ben Clemens: I feel that it has shocked individuals usually

Ben Clemens: One of many years the place I did daring predictions, I had Soto placing up a 200 wRC+ for the yr

Ben Clemens: like, the man has one of the best batting eye in baseball and gained the house run derby

Dugan: What do you suppose Yariel Rodriguez’s outlook is for this season? How about beyond- SP or RP sooner or later?

Ben Clemens: I feel that he ought to in all probability relieve

Ben Clemens: However I feel that having him with the power to do each is admittedly necessary to the Jays

bosoxforlife: I can’t get off of the concept the Orioles have to offer so much however they have to go after Garrett Crochet. It appears to be like like an ideal alternative to maneuver a few of the extra expertise and the White Sox must do one thing. Would Kierstad and Mayo be sufficient? an excessive amount of?

romorr: I flip backwards and forwards right here. Elias went massive with Burnes, so I ponder if he’ll achieve this once more on the deadline. We all know he likes his prospects. However then once more, Burnes is right here for simply 1 yr, so in a manner…

Ben Clemens: I feel that Kjerstad and Mayo might be greater than it might take, however it’s not off by a ton. Crochet goes to be one of many hottest tickets tehre is that if the Sox are buying and selling him

Ben Clemens: I feel that the O’s are nicely set as much as deal from prospects, but when I have been them, I’d be picky

Ben Clemens: Like, they don’t have to get simply any random pitcher. I feel that Crochet is the form of man they need to be focusing on

Rob Manfred: Hello Ben. Has anybody to your information completed any evaluation into what the common variety of “unhealthy begins” are on common until an SP is demoted or moved right into a reliever function? Dangerous begins which means one thing fully arbitrary

Ben Clemens: No however that sounds fascinating?

Luke l.: I do know Jared Jones had a harder and shorter outing just lately, however what (apart from that) makes you watched he isn’t constructed up for a full season? He pitched 126 final yr and 122 the yr earlier than. What’s an affordable expectation? 145? 155?

Ben Clemens: Simply his velo dips as the sport goes on

Ben Clemens: they’ve gotten barely extra excessive of late

Ben Clemens: and like, fifth inning he’s 93-95, that’s not the identical man as the start of the yr

Ben Clemens: he’s clearly a max effort kind, throws his hardest within the first inning, however i’ve been shocked by the magnitude of velo dropoff

Ben: In the event you airdropped Andrew Friedman and the remainder of the Dodgers’ entrance workplace (or your entrance workplace of alternative) into the Rockies group, do you suppose they’d be capable of develop a pitching pipeline able to long run success at Coors? Or is that this simply an intractable downside no matter the entrance workplace working to handle it?

Ben Clemens: Nice query, dont’ actually know the reply however possession definitely performs a component on this as nicely

Ben Clemens: in order that makes the entire thing actually difficult

Christian: Ought to the Mariners think about the $20 mil left on Garver’s contract a misplaced trigger and commerce for a DH with a wRC+ over 80?

Ben Clemens: Nah, I feel I’d run with him

Ben Clemens: I have to see extra to suppose he’s undoubtedly a lemon

Idiotic Failson: What does Clay Holmes subsequent contract appear like, and can or not it’s the Yankees that provide it? He appears to be like like he’s going to receives a commission, and Hal made some noise about unsustainable payrolls, one thing there has to interrupt.

Ben Clemens: Yeah I feel they’re gonna let him depart

Ben Clemens: He’s been superior, however I feel that realistically, they’re extra more likely to develop good relievers than good some other place

Ben Clemens: they usually’re cash constrained a minimum of slightly bit

Ben Clemens: in order that’s a wise place to chop again imo. it’s enjoying the numbers

ZOMG Skenes: So Skenes is nice ya? Plus Jones the Pirates have a formidable entrance line of pitching. bat or two and the Pirates are immediate contenders. I imply look how a lot better they’ve been with Nick Gonzalez working .300/.360/.500 on the market. Can the lineup be mounted this season, both by callups or trades, or are they going to “let it experience” this season and (hopefully, perhaps) be extra aggressive subsequent offseason? How typically do groups get blessed with two aces? F’ing go for it’s what I say.

Ben Clemens: I fully agree with this

Ben Clemens: I don’t suppose that the lineup could be mounted this season, although. Having massive issues at three positions (1b, C, CF) is simply onerous

Ben Clemens: I feel that there’s a little bit of throwing good cash after unhealthy right here, making a bunch of trades this yr feels too early

Ben Clemens: I feel that being aggressive this offseason is a totally logical match. Will they do it? I dunno! Bob Nutting doesn’t encourage confidence

Hans Gruber: How do you want Christian walker at 1B for the Yankees on the deadline if the ‘backs don’t inch nearer to the WC and rizzo (who isn’t fielding nicely both) doesn’t begin hitting?

Ben Clemens: I feel the DBacks must fall additional out of the race for them to commerce Walker

Ben Clemens: They made massive upgrades this offseason to attempt to run again their success

Ben Clemens: I feel that they’re in all probability fairly intent on having a great season and attempting to make the playoffs, so that they’d must be blown away by a proposal to maneuver somebody

MORE SOTO QUESTIONS: Soto has a profession low stroll price however is hitting for extra energy. I do know the proof for lineup results is usually nothing, however I’m curious if any of that’s due to Decide behind him?

Ben Clemens: I imply, hasn’t been sufficient knowledge to say I don’t suppose

Ben Clemens: and like, it’s a profession low however not by a ton and it’s nonetheless 14.4%

Colton: Purchase or promote, Mariners are getting the second coming of 2009 Franklin Gutierrez with this Victor Robles signing lol

Ben Clemens: Purchase! He’ll get scorching, after which cool off however everybody will keep in mind him fondly anyway

André René Roussimoff: Is Sutter Well being Park a pitcher’s stadium or a hitter’s stadium?

Ben Clemens: I don’t have the reply for you, however I can inform you that it felt small to me

Patrick: Howdy Ben Thanks in your time. is the “first half” filter in baseball splits leaderboard referring to first 5 innings?

Ben Clemens: first half of the season

Mike Hazen: What do you suppose I’m doing on the deadline? Issues look unhealthy, however presumably the starters gained’t be damage without end and Corbin Carroll will keep in mind the best way to hit ultimately, and it’s not like SF and SD are *that* far forward.

Ben Clemens: Yeah, identical to I mentioned, I feel you’re going for it

Chickie: Edouard Julien simply obtained despatched to AAA for poor efficiency and the return of Royce Lewis. Check out each Julien and ELDC’s numbers over the previous 28 days they usually’re fairly darn shut. Excluding SBs and Ok’s, the place Elly holds that benefit/drawback. If McLain and Marte have been wholesome and lively , I’d guess Elly would’ve been AAA sure himself.

Ben Clemens: I imply, what?

Ben Clemens: I don’t suppose that is smart? And like…. if you happen to’re sending individuals down for 28 days of efficiency you shouldn’t be anyplace close to a GM’s seat

Ben Clemens: Dan is writing in regards to the Julien demotion later right now, or perhaps it’s already up truly

Clubhouse Chemistry: Have you ever seen many GM’s go after clubhouse glue guys regardless of lackluster stats? Have a look at the entire Dodgers bench, Austin Barnes, Chris Taylor, Kike Hernandez, and Miggy Rojas are all normally horrible hitters and sporadic at defensive

Ben Clemens: This seems like a Dodgers particular factor of bringing again the previous band

Ben Clemens: I feel that Taylor is tehre b/c he was once a roster band assist who may hit like 10% higher than league common

Ben Clemens: and like…. hey he nonetheless has a contract

Ben Clemens: however I agree that their bench is simply too heavy on veteran presence sorts

deBride: Crochet has by no means thrown greater than 65 documented innings in a season…ever. Excessive College, School, Minors, Majors. How excessive can his IP whole responsibly climb this yr?

Ben Clemens: oh man…. like…. 120? perhaps?

Ben Clemens: it’s undoubtedly a priority

Visitor: if you happen to have been a prospect and heard your title in talks going to the White Sox (or Rockies or Tigers or Pirates or), how badly would you panic about your future incomes potential?

Visitor: (higher framing: if you happen to have been their agent)

Ben Clemens: Rockies, sure!

Ben Clemens: Coors hitters get devalued ‘b/c coors’ however their pitchers by no means pan out

Ben Clemens: I feel that I’d panic much less on the opposite groups b/c if you happen to’re good, nice information, they’ll commerce you

deBride: Tampa, Cleveland and Milwaukee have three of the 4 lowest common staff fastball velocities on the FG leaderboards. Coincidence, or is there some intentionality occurring there?

Ben Clemens: A minimum of for Tampa and Milwaukee, a few of that’s that their onerous throwers have gotten damage

Ben Clemens: so perhaps that’s intentinoal?

bosoxforlife: There must be some exploration on the rationale that only a few of the touted younger hitters are delivering something near what was anticipated. Is the hole between Triple-A pitching and the Present so nice that’s subsequent to inconceivable to foretell who can deal with the speed bounce?

Ben Clemens: I don’t know what makes the hole so completely different, however it’s indisputably there. I don’t suppose that is new. Each offseason Derek Carty, the man who does the BAT projections and is usually only a good baseball prognosticator, sends a listing of touted prospects and which of them beneath or over carried out expectations of their rookie yr

Ben Clemens: virtually everyone seems to be beneath!

Ben Clemens: baseball is difficult and other people fail. Gunnar Henderson is the exception not the rule

Visitor: would you are concerned prematurely in regards to the coaches/participant dev/org as, say, a hitter going to Pittsburgh, or wait till you bought there?

Ben Clemens: I’d wait till I obtained there

Ben Clemens: look, from the skin, that is simply rumors and mumbling

Ben Clemens: and never solely that, however groups are always altering

Ben Clemens: what number of groups do you suppose are utilizing AI help in planning exercises and the like lately? In all probability most

Ben Clemens: how will that have an effect on the standard of the coaching you obtain? Manner too quickly to inform

Steve O: Fill within the clean. Anthony Volpe is a ___ WAR participant shifting ahead.

Ben Clemens: as in a POWAR participant

Ben Clemens: I’m gonna put him the place I at all times have, as a yearly borderline all star

Ben Clemens: so name it a 3.5-4 WAR/600 participant

Visitor: even Gunnar wanted a month to get going final yr. nicely, he actually simply wanted me to commerce him in a keeper league on Might 9, 2023

Ben Clemens: One other nice level: it’s too quickly to inform!

cesar: Who’re some acquisition targets for Guardians? What do they should be WS caliber membership?

Ben Clemens: You’re by no means gonna consider this, however they may use some outfield assist

Ben Clemens: Additionally I feel it might be clever so as to add a pitcher of a minimum of marignal playoff worth

Ben Clemens: I’m not likely positive how a lot they’ll depend on from Gavin Williams this yr, and the employees is simply skinny

ZOMG Skenes: I positive want the Pirates spent the $25 mil or no matter they blew on Rowdy Roddy + Michael A Taylor + Chapman otherwise. I’ve no phrases for why Tellez continues to be within the lineup

Ben Clemens: Yeah, I’ve obtained nothing for you there

Ben Clemens: It’s wild to me that they suppose he’s nonetheless their most suitable choice

WAR: “Bichette places up 4.5 WAR yearly however within the strangest methods.” Are you saying not all contributing elements to WAR are created equal?

Ben Clemens: I imply, I absolutely regress defensive worth a bit after I’m WAR

Ben Clemens: however no, what I imply is he does it by hitting .175 for a month after which being one of the best participant in baseball the following month. or with nice baserunning, or horrible baserunning regardless of good pace and BABIP

Ben Clemens: he’s wildly streaky, is my level

Visitor: As you mentioned, most prospects have underperformed expectations, however who’s one which has overperformed that we should always control?

Ben Clemens: Joey Ortiz, Jared Jones, Davis Schneider, Michael Busch

Ben: If hitting prospects find yourself being extra variable than beforehand thought, with their adjustment to main league pitching so much much less predictable, that would shift a few of the prospect worth again towards pitchers, even with their recognized demographic threat. Curious to know if these low cost charges are already starting to shift.

Ben Clemens: I disagree with this premise

Ben Clemens: I feel they’re as variable as I’ve at all times thought

Ben Clemens: the purpose of that Derek Carty point out is that he sends this out yearly

bosoxforlife: Wilyer Abreu. He has been glorious.

Ben Clemens: Wenceel Perez too

Ben Clemens: Lot of dudes hitting this yr

Visitor: Is substitute worth rc+ 100 or near it?

Ben Clemens: no, it’s round 70. being a mean hitter is meaningfully above substitute stage

Ben Clemens: ask the Pirates! they’d kill for some common hitters

Jeff McNeil: What occurs to me this season? Do I get moved on the deadline?

Ben Clemens: I imply it saddens me to say this, I’m an enormous McNeil man and I cherished that he had m ultiple cardboard cutouts of his canine within the outfield in 2020 so he may at all times search for her

Ben Clemens: however why would a plyaoff contender proactively add Jeff McNeil?

Ben Clemens: If he have been free, I’d take him, in fact

Ben Clemens: I feel he’s an above common hitter regardless of a tough first half, he’s in all probability like a 110-ish wRC+ man

Ben Clemens: however he’s not an excellent second baseman, and he’s not free

Ben Clemens: he’s beneath contract by 2026

Ben Clemens: simply seems like a really bizarre commerce chip

Mariano Duncan: What are your ideas on Luis Gil? Will the Yankees depart him within the rotation all yr?

Ben Clemens: At this level I feel they must

Ben Clemens: like, he has to fail, you understand what I imply?

Ben Clemens: if he fails, if he hits an enormous bump within the street, positive

Ben Clemens: however you possibly can’t take away him from the rotation when he’s pitching like this

SomeGuy: What pitchers ought to the Guards goal. Is Trevor Williams a viable get for reinforcements? On the very least he’d be higher than Carrasco or Allen (who I completely known as would suck).

Ben Clemens: yeah, or what about in-division rival Erick Fedde

Inning limits: What do groups normally do with guys who attain their inner inning restrict? Transfer them to the ‘pen? Shut them down a la Strasburg in 2012? What do you suppose the White Sox would do with Crochet contemplating it is going to come early?

Ben Clemens: I feel they’ll shut him down

Ben Clemens: however I form of suppose they’re hoping somebody will commerce for him and make it that staff’s downside

J: Soto is swinging extra typically on 0-0 counts (7%, a profession excessive and up from 6% final season). On the whole he’s swinging far more when forward of the depend than typical (15.7%, a profession excessive and up from 12.8% final yr). Individuals will level to Decide however I feel the extra apparent rationalization is solely that he’s attempting to do extra harm in hitter’s counts. Clearly it’s working.

RTJ: I’m so unhappy about Spencer Torkelson. Is there any hope left?

Ben Clemens: Some? Absolutely

Ben Clemens: I shouldn’t have a ton left!

Ben Clemens: it’s simply been some time at this level

Manfred: Doesn’t MLB altering the balls yearly make it more durable to check yr to

Cursed laser present: Kutter Crawford is regressing to the imply, however it’s a #2 perhaps #3 or extra #4 perhaps #3 starter? And for the following 3 seasons would you relatively have him or Bello?

Ben Clemens: I feel it’s like a 3/4 factor

Ben Clemens: I’d take Bello, clearly Crawford has been higher however I like Bello’s arsenal so much

damane: Does Matos get despatched down for one of many rehabbing Giants OFs (Slater, Conforto)? Dude has a .350 OPS in his final 14 video games. I feel Heliot Ramos has earned lots of leeway with the staff seeing how nicely he’s completed these days.

Ben Clemens: I feel it’s extraordinarily unlikely. I agree that he’s gotten ice chilly however he’s by far essentially the most legit CF on the staff with Lee out for the yr, which issues so much in SF

Ben Clemens: I feel Fitzgerald in all probability will get despatched down first

Ben Clemens: with Slater again, they’ve the righty bat/CF succesful slot coated

Ben Clemens: jeez, this staff is injured, simply roster useful resource now

bosoxforlife: It’s wanting like Luis Arraez goes to set a report that may by no means be approached by profitable the batting title for 3 consecutive years on 3 completely different groups, until he wins once more subsequent yr and the yr after and the………….

wheelhouse: the yankees’ lineup goes to be considerably thinned out on the finish of the season, with torres, rizzo, verdugo, and clearly soto coming off the books. i’m assuming their basic plan is to go all out to re-sign soto however will let the remaining stroll, however i nonetheless can’t see them beginning rookies at >=3 positions subsequent season. i’d suppose a commerce is extra doubtless than a FA signing for mentioned funds causes, so who across the league may you see them focusing on for nook IF?

Ben Clemens: lot of items want to complete shifting round earlier than we all know who’s even going to be available on the market, however I do agree together with your basic conclusion

Ben Clemens: They’re gonna again the truck up for Soto and I don’t suppose they’ll retain Rizzo or Verdugo

Ben Clemens: I may see Torres? Not completely clear there, depends upon his market

Ben Clemens: Effectively proper… however what occurs subsequent?

Ben Clemens: anyway… I feel they go the discount veteran route at 1b

WT Morris: I’d prefer to see Jordan Walker use Stan Musial’s batting stance.  I don’t know why

Ben Clemens: I feel b/c it’d be enjoyable with him so tall

bosoxforlife: Is Soto value Ohtani cash? In right now’s recreation when .240 is common he appears to be like like Williams, Bonds, Aaron in a single package deal.

Ben Clemens: I feel he’s

Ben Clemens: He’s simply so low threat as a hitter

Ben Clemens: wildly sturdy too

Ben Clemens: essentially the most video games he’s missed in a season since his rookie yr is 13 when he obtained covid in 2020

Visitor: How beneficial do you discover wRC+ within the context of only one recreation?

Ben Clemens: I imply, I take advantage of it bundled into recreation logs

Ben Clemens: however it’s not saying a lot that you simply don’t know. hit a hoemr, good wrc+

Ben Clemens: okay, i gotta run and begin making lunch

Ben Clemens: which is quesadillas right now, lunch query asker

Ben Clemens: have a great one, everyone