I looked at Martin's Minor League stats and nothing there says he is ready for the Majors; next year is a different story but playing games with him this year shows the managers are running a chinese fire drill.

3 hours ago, RpR said:

I looked at Martin's Minor League stats and nothing there says he is ready for the Majors; next year is a different story but playing games with him this year shows the managers are running a chinese fire drill.

I think he's been pretty solid in the last month or so.  Something seems to have clicked.  He's OPS in August is bonkers, he's got 14 walks and 9 strikeouts (exactly what this team needs).  He's got 7 stolen bases in August.  At a minimum, I think he should be one of the 2 extra guys when the rosters expand.  Taylor and Solano have been playing well lately, so I don't think you'd play Martin over them unless they slump, but he probably should take Luplow's spot (or Gallo's, but the Twins can't quite him for some reason).

I agree that it's the last month that gives one hope that Martin could contribute at the MLB level.  Unfortunately we can't just add him on 9/1 because the Twins are going to need those two extra spots and more for Buxton, Castro, and Kirilloff when they come off the IL.  You have to lose one of Luplow or Gallo just to get all 3 of those guys back on the expanded  roster. To get Martin up, you have to lose both Gallo AND Luplow unless someone else gets hurt and goes on the IL.  

6 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I agree that it's the last month that gives one hope that Martin could contribute at the MLB level.  Unfortunately we can't just add him on 9/1 because the Twins are going to need those two extra spots and more for Buxton, Castro, and Kirilloff when they come off the IL.  You have to lose one of Luplow or Gallo just to get all 3 of those guys back on the expanded  roster. To get Martin up, you have to lose both Gallo AND Luplow unless someone else gets hurt and goes on the IL.  

Buxton might play 50 games in CF & 80 at DH……if that’s our hope he’ll probably play 30 & 65 respectively. Bottom line is we need a CF.

Who plays when, is debatable, but here are the options (Kepler only in RF)…….also, we face 75% RH pitching starters!

Wallner - Buxton - Kepler - Castro - Taylor or Gordon

Lewis is at 3B because 75% of the games are against RH starters and we’ll want Wallner & Kepler starting those games.

If physically possible for Byron, we could start Taylor-Buxton-Castro v. LH pitching. Lewis bat would be beneficial from the right side in a corner OF spot……play Farmer & Solano 1st & 2nd but who plays 3B - no right handed bat left. Might as well just lock in Lewis at 3B

What about Andrew Stevenson. His is hitting .318 (10th highest in International League) with a .396 on base .pct. That in and by itself is worthy of a look instead of Michael Taylor. In addition, Stevenson has 42 stolen bases in 47 attempts. Plus he has hit 16 HR's. This kid was a top prospect in the National system and finally appears to be putting it all together. Why are the Twins not thinking about him?

Also, Austin Martin is red hot the past 45 days or so. 

Also, Austin Martin is red hot the past 45 days or so.  

Austin Martin

St. Paul Saints - AAA
2B/OF

"I would see if Luplow is willing to stay with the team if/when he clears waivers. If he is, he's the one. If he's not, well, he's still the one."  LOL!

On 8/24/2023 at 3:46 PM, LA VIkes Fan said:

I agree that it's the last month that gives one hope that Martin could contribute at the MLB level.  Unfortunately we can't just add him on 9/1 because the Twins are going to need those two extra spots and more for Buxton, Castro, and Kirilloff when they come off the IL.  You have to lose one of Luplow or Gallo just to get all 3 of those guys back on the expanded  roster. To get Martin up, you have to lose both Gallo AND Luplow unless someone else gets hurt and goes on the IL.  

I agree give Martin his shot!!! If Buxton can't play CF can they keep him on the IL? 

I would get rid of Gallo (last 30 days .150 and 0-11 in last 7 games), although he does have the 2nd highest HR's on the team with 20 so all in not good at all.   

Luplow in the last 7 games 1 hit .063.  Last 15 only 1 HR and 2 RBI's,  We would be a better team without either.

The Luplow experiment should be over. He can't hit. Also, he is in an option year so we can send him down to AAA without losing him if we keep him on the 40 man, in case anyone thinks there's a reason to keep him, and he isn't likely to make a postseason roster once everyone is back. I would send him down now (or after the Cle series since they're pitching RH starters), and bring up Martin or whoever the FO thinks is best.  Do it before 9/1 so that the player is prost-season eligible in case we catch lightning in a bottle and Martin turns out to be another Julien.  

On 8/26/2023 at 10:45 PM, JesusisLord7 said:

What about Andrew Stevenson. His is hitting .318 (10th highest in International League) with a .396 on base .pct. That in and by itself is worthy of a look instead of Michael Taylor. In addition, Stevenson has 42 stolen bases in 47 attempts. Plus he has hit 16 HR's. This kid was a top prospect in the National system and finally appears to be putting it all together. Why are the Twins not thinking about him?

yes..Stevenson..why is there no talk about this guy ??? just think if he would be up all year instead of Gallo ??? I would rather have him playing in Sept than Buxton

I can't believe the author was serious, when he said, drop two of these four........Gallo, Luplow, Farmer or Solano.  Solano......are you kidding? Probably the most consistent player on the entire team all year.

On 8/24/2023 at 3:56 PM, clone52 said:

I think he's been pretty solid in the last month or so.  Something seems to have clicked.  He's OPS in August is bonkers, he's got 14 walks and 9 strikeouts (exactly what this team needs).  He's got 7 stolen bases in August.  At a minimum, I think he should be one of the 2 extra guys when the rosters expand.  Taylor and Solano have been playing well lately, so I don't think you'd play Martin over them unless they slump, but he probably should take Luplow's spot (or Gallo's, but the Twins can't quite him for some reason).

And no way are the Twins parting ways with Solano this year.  They guy can really hit!

Dump both Gallo and Ludlow.  And quit putting so much emphasis in Buxton.  He's been here 8 years and he's still being treated like he's the best player in baseball.  Get over it.  Hrs not anymore and counting on him to fill some kind of a full time, highly productive role on this team.  It has hurt the team the last few years.  He's hurt way too much and hès not dependable and in reality not that great of a player anymore.  Twins seem to play better without him playing.  Go Twins

4 hours ago, Jeff K said:

And no way are the Twins parting ways with Solano this year.  They guy can really hit!

 

He is easily the Twins best offseason free agent signing last offseason.  And best value.  1.3 WAR for 2 million and his .376 OBP comes awfully close to what Arreaz gave us last year.  
 

put another way if Solano and Gallo switched WAR values this season (Gallo at .4 WAR last I checked) we would be ok with both contracts this year.