JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 11/27/23

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 11/27/23

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Ben Clemens

2:00

Hey everybody, let's get chatting. I'm gonna try to go fast and furious today, an hour of densely packed questions, so let's get started right away

CocoPuffs

2:00

I know most writers aren’t a fan of one team, at least after a few years of writing. As a lifelong Oakland A’s fan who’s having his heart ripped out, any tips on being a fan without a team? Baseball has been such a huge part of my life but I’m close to dropping it all together, it’s heartbreaking

Ben Clemens

2:01

I've certainly toned down my Cards fandom, but I still do root for them to do well, and a lot of my colleagues feel similarly

That said, I think that life without a strong rooting interest can be fun as long as you're really into how amazing all these players are

I love watching good defense and weird stuff

But if that's not for you, you can't make it be. It's really tough! What the A's did sucks

Sabey Sabes

2:02

Thought the Cubs would be in on a Maeda type, especially at that price, to backfill the rotation. Wrong thought or are they tunnel-visioned on the top prizes right now?

Ben Clemens

2:02

I think that there will be enough Maeda-type choices that they aren't in huge trouble if they miss on all the top of rotation types

Like yes, a Maeda type makes a lot of sense for them. But there are enough other versions that they'll be fine

Dk

2:02

Chances Mets sign Yamomoto, Imanga and Miley?

Ben Clemens

2:03

Let's say 3%. That's a lot of people going to one specific team

TomBruno23

2:03

2024 St. Louis Cardinals: A Rotation for the Aged. When is the last time the club threw out a projected starting 5 with an average age of 35?

Frogs

2:03

What team is going to fumble the offseason the hardest? Is it already the Cardinals?

Ben Clemens

2:03

Look, if this is the Cardinals' entire plan, I'll be annoyed

This is not exactly a fearsome rotation

2:04

I do think Sonny Gray is a perfect fit for them, though

good right now, timeline kinda lines up with the Arenado/Goldschmidt side of things, they're clearly interested in guys who throw sinkers, even if they're generally moving towards valuing whiffs more

I'm really unenthused about the Lynn and Gibson signings, Lynn particularly

If they are going for one more starter via trade, great! If they're not, what the heck

Mike

2:05

Seems like the Cards might move Matz now to open up more salary for another top of the rotation arm? Can't imagine you get much for Matz but 2/22 for him isn't that bad a contract all things considered

Ben Clemens

2:05

I mean, I don't see them signing a top free agent from here

It's just not how they operate

I think they should! I don't think they will

TW

2:05

Any thoughts on the Tigers' moves for Canha and Maeda?

Ben Clemens

2:05

I think they both make a ton of sense

I don't think they should be done

They have a lot of unproven rotation options. Someone is going to get hurt. Someone is going to struggle. Maybe those should each say 'some ones' in fact

2:06

Getting good, solidly average players to fill holes that were otherwise getting filled with duct tape and Triple-A lifers is what good teams do

I'm not 100% sure the Tigers have the core to where these patches will make the whole thing work

But I do like that they're trying. Maybe they have one big signing in mind that will really anchor the rotation

Matt Damon

2:06

MATT. DAMON.

Ben Clemens

2:06

Welcome back, my friend

The Batman

2:07

Let's be the maximum version of generous. How does the Eugenio Suarez trade help the 2024 Seattle Mariners?

Ben Clemens

2:07

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/eugenio-suarez-available-for-cheap-to-a-go...

It does not

I cannot give you that pitch

I think the argument is this: if the Urias trade only happens if they're moving Suarez, you can convince yourself that they socked away five million bucks that can be used in the future

2:08

plus saved a few million more on a backup catcher that can be recycled, combined, into either a fifth starter or a left fielder

but no, they should have traded for Urias AND kept Suarez, c'mon

Mr. Fister

2:09

With all the talks about shoulder injuries being even worse than elbow injuries for pitchers, should I just stop overthinking whether or not to keep Woodruff @ $17 in my dynasty league? Stashing during a lost '24 to have @ $20 in '25 is dumb, right? I mean, we can't expect him after missing a whole year, to be top 10 again, right?

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