JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 1/4/21

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 1/4/21

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Ben Clemens

2:00

Hey everyone, welcome to the first FanGraphs chat of the new year (presumably).

We'll answer some questions, have some fun, and maybe (not likely but maybe!) some perfectly phrased question will solve baseball.

Cave Dameron

2:00

If Greg Maddux was pitching in this era, do you think he would be just as good? His approach of sinking pitches and getting groundballs seemed to benefit greatly in his era where guys were taught to swing down on the ball.

Ben Clemens

2:00

Thank you Cave, very cool.

2:01

I don't really know how to think about the era adjustment here.

I don't think he would throw the same pitch mix today, for one.

2:02

Generally speaking I wouldn't bet against Maddux being effective, but if someone who threw Greg Maddux's exact pitches appeared in the bigs today, I don't think it work all that well.

Kate

2:02

Should (will) the Astros give Toro a shot in the OF?

Ben Clemens

2:02

Should they? I think so.

Will they? I also think so, actually

2:03

They don't seem all that interested in bringing in a bunch of veterans, and Toro is worth getting a longer look at.

Chris

2:03

Are we ever going to get a non npb/kbo major league signing again?

Ben Clemens

2:03

Hot take: no.

2:04

No more major league contracts will get signed

In 10 years when Mookie's contract expires, there will be no one left playing baseball.

Kate

2:05

Should we be more worried about Clev's TJ than normal given it was his second surgery?

Ben Clemens

2:05

Yes, a little. One of the biggest problems is that a third one is realllllly bad

Not a lot of people come back from three

2:06

I think there's a lot of data we won't actually have around how severe his injury was, how he's progressing in rehab, etc.

But even without knowing that, yeah

Benny

2:06

First of the remaining QO free agents to sign is ... ?

Ben Clemens

2:07

I'll say Springer. Not a lot to make me favor one over the others, but I could see Cohen deciding on Springer and then just wanting to get somethin done

Kate

2:07

What are the odds the Dodgers actually roll with Edwin Rios at 3B this year? Even if they don't bring back Turner, it seems likely they'd bring in some kind of vet there, right?

Ben Clemens

2:08

I think that, being the Dodgers, they'll mix and match.

2:09

There are enough so-so dudes in free agency that even if the Dodgers don't bring back Turner (which I think they will), there's probably at least one who internal analytics like

And full-time reps for anything short of a superstar player isn't really the LA way these days

BigOwe

2:09

Does Musgrove net the Pirates a top-100 prospect?

Ben Clemens

2:09

I may not be the charter member of the Musgrove fan club, but I'm sure I'm close.

That said.... I say yes

2:11

I would be a lot more interested if he got back up to 94-95 (where he was in late 2019) but even without that, I'm a fan

Two remaining years? Doesn't sound bad

Charlie’s Mom

2:11

Sugano reportedly set to pick from among his suitors tomorrow—best guess? Most fun possible option?

Ben Clemens

2:12

I think there's a decent chance he declines all his offers and returns to Japan

The most fun option is a tie between the Padres and the Blue Jays

Charlie’s Mom

2:12

I am concerned that last year’s whiff on a big FA is still haunting the Brewers. Nobody could have predicted (well—any of this all), but missing out on Didi especially after not trying to lock down Grandal stings even more in retrospect. Please give me some hope here lol.

Ben Clemens

2:13

Hope for the Brewers: their front office performs best in markets where free agents are in less demand than expected

Swooping in for Grandal was great, they got their money's worth on Cain, and the Yelich deal was possible at least partly b/c the Marlins were flooding the zone with outfielders

If this market shakes out that way again, they might be able to swoop in late

2:14

That was their biggest problem last year IMO; their plan had suited them well, and when the market returned to normal (relatively), they were still playing the waiting game

Kate

2:14

Are there teams out there that would use Schwarber at least part of the time at 1B?

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