I like the summary. And, yes, some early-season small samples are making some guys look better than they probably are, and some worse than they probably are.

Jeffers, Solano, Vasquez...all with unsustainably high BABiP. (Not that there aren't other encouraging things burried in their numbers. There are.)

Gordon with a ridiculously GOOD K-rate (very low)...but a horrific BABiP. He's putting almost every ball into play...and almost every one is resulting in an out. Miranda, also with good-ish BB and K rates...but low BABiP.

31 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Gordon with a ridiculously GOOD K-rate (very low)...but a horrific BABiP. He's putting almost every ball into play...and almost every one is resulting in an out.

Maybe would trade him to the Japanese team for La Tortuga.

Best catching in baseball? Still hasn't been challenged in a running game. Because the pitchers aren't putting guys on base.

Yes, the hitting could be better. Solano is basically an older version of Arraez at first, but saving the Twins in that respect. We see there is no depth until Kirilloff challenges a returning Gallo.

Kepler, Polanco return will make the team better, one hopes? If anything, the Twins have allowed folks like Castro and Gordon and Taylor to get at bats and show they can play in a pinch, although we don't really want them as regulars. Farmer will be interesting to see when he comes back.

The name of the game is pitching and what the Twins do with pending free agents Gray, Mahle and Madea when the time comes. Will Varland, Ober and others come thru with limited appearances? Do the Twins break the bank and offer any of Gray or Mahle a bigger contract to hang around?

Good exciting baseball. Dynamite starts from the rotation. Overall decent usage of the bullpen, as we see the, um, hesitancy of Rocco to use Pagan or Sands unless really needed, and the hopeful gaining a solid footing in the pen of Alcala and Moran.

Duran will give up homers if his throws meet a bat. He has to stay comfortable with winning that challenge. A young super closer in action.

Lopez, Gray, and Ryan have been the story so far. If this is the real version of each of them for the season, the Twins are going to win a lot of games...and possibly even some playoff games🙈

Good review but you missed a couple issues. Kepler is a big one. The new shift rules haven't produced the better results for Kepler. We have to get more production from RF. Pitching has been great but on the 2nd and 3rd time through reality is setting in. We are good with Lopez, Gray and Ryan. After that concerns have popped up. Maeda's arm weakness is a major set-back. Hope we don't play that out too long. Let him rehab in St. Paul. Ober probably needs to be up sooner than later.

On 4/15/2023 at 11:25 AM, Rosterman said:

Best catching in baseball? Still hasn't been challenged in a running game. Because the pitchers aren't putting guys on base.

Yes, the hitting could be better. Solano is basically an older version of Arraez at first, but saving the Twins in that respect. We see there is no depth until Kirilloff challenges a returning Gallo.

Kepler, Polanco return will make the team better, one hopes? If anything, the Twins have allowed folks like Castro and Gordon and Taylor to get at bats and show they can play in a pinch, although we don't really want them as regulars. Farmer will be interesting to see when he comes back.

The name of the game is pitching and what the Twins do with pending free agents Gray, Mahle and Madea when the time comes. Will Varland, Ober and others come thru with limited appearances? Do the Twins break the bank and offer any of Gray or Mahle a bigger contract to hang around?

Good exciting baseball. Dynamite starts from the rotation. Overall decent usage of the bullpen, as we see the, um, hesitancy of Rocco to use Pagan or Sands unless really needed, and the hopeful gaining a solid footing in the pen of Alcala and Moran.

Duran will give up homers if his throws meet a bat. He has to stay comfortable with winning that challenge. A young super closer in action.

Since this comment was written we’ve extended López through ‘27. Great move & nice deal for all!

Mahle is mediocre & I watched him for 3.5 years here in Cinti…….thought the same of his mental make-up when he was here. Decent stuff - no guts - tries to strike everyone out “just off the edge” & walks guys - gets behind - throws too many pitches - gives up homers.

Ryan will be around to extend next year.

I would offer Gray an $8-$10 per year raise. Too much money but with that amount we keep the term to only 2 years. Get it done ASAP! Good for both sides.

Can we DFA Pagan yet and bring up Ober for the long term?

On 4/18/2023 at 11:36 AM, JD-TWINS said:

Mahle is mediocre & I watched him for 3.5 years here in Cinti…….thought the same of his mental make-up when he was here. Decent stuff - no guts - tries to strike everyone out “just off the edge” & walks guys - gets behind - throws too many pitches - gives up homers.

Sounds like the spitting image of Jake Odorizzi - gets the Ks, but throws too many pitches and is usually 'good enough' but never takes the next step.

On 4/18/2023 at 11:36 AM, JD-TWINS said:

I would offer Gray an $8-$10 per year raise. Too much money but with that amount we keep the term to only 2 years. Get it done ASAP! Good for both sides.

Yeah, I'd be fine not paying a bunch for Gray, with the likes of Varland/Ober/SWR in the wings.