Game Thread: Twins @ Blue Jays, 6/5/22 @ 12:37 CT

[Squirrel]

Just now, rwilfong86 said:

I think I heard that he was considered the best defensive shortstop in the minors for the Twins. 

Yeah, as I said, I knew he was good ... but he is way better than Lewis

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, Squirrel said:

wow, I knew Palacios was good on defense, but I didn't realize how good. Far better than Lewis

Wasn't he regarded as the best defensive SS in the organization?  Seems legit if so.

[stringer bell]

4 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Larnach leads the team in DRS?

Wouldn't have guessed that either.  

Larnach really is flying under the radar.

He’s been good in the outfield, but I’m wondering how long he is going to struggle with the Ks. 

[Squirrel]

Just now, wsnydes said:

Wasn't he regarded as the best defensive SS in the organization?  Seems legit if so.

 

Just now, Squirrel said:

Yeah, as I said, I knew he was good ... but he is way better than Lewis

 

[PDX Twin]

Big out!

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

He’s been good in the outfield, but I’m wondering how long he is going to struggle with the Ks. 

He's leading the team in WAR too, so he must be doing something right.

I do agree with the K's though.

[stringer bell]

With all of their RH power, I wouldn’t think Smeltzer should have a long leash today. 

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

He’s been good in the outfield, but I’m wondering how long he is going to struggle with the Ks. 

With the quality and quantity of players that can play the outfield on the team, hopefully he can start hitting again before someone else gets his playing time. 

[rwilfong86]

2 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Wasn't he regarded as the best defensive SS in the organization?  Seems legit if so.

He's got range and a cannon for an arm. Reminds me of Correa. 

[Danchat]

5 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

He would be a great piece in a package for pitching help.

Maybe we can trade him for Odorizzi again? ?

[rwilfong86]

Just now, Danchat said:

Maybe we can trade him for Odorizzi again? ?

Let's hope not!

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, rwilfong86 said:

With the quality and quantity of players that can play the outfield on the team, hopefully he can start hitting again before someone else gets his playing time. 

I imagine that he'll get ample opportunity.  Nobody is really pushing him all that much, yet.

[Mill1634]

6 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

He would be a great piece in a package for pitching help.

I don't think he's getting anyone of significance. Maybe as a throw in along with a better prospect(s), but I would prefer to "throw in" someone that hasn't shown they are capable of playing an above-average big league SS.

[TeJayDubz]

6 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

The team would still be on the hook for his salary regardless.  Another team can pick him up for the league minimum.  And he's got an option for next season, which will likely be declined anyway.

Yes, though if we can even get a couple young prospects for him I think it would better than releasing him. Even if you're eating his salary to make the trade happen.

No way the Twins pick up his option, even if they are interested in resigning him. 

8 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

He would be a great piece in a package for pitching help.

I was thinking that too once Royce is back healthy he'll be more expendable. We already traded him once for a mid-to-front end starter. Why not do it again??

[PDX Twin]

2 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

I don't think he's getting anyone of significance. Maybe as a throw in along with a better prospect(s), but I would prefer to "throw in" someone that hasn't shown they are capable of playing an above-average big league SS.

Kind of depends whether you think Correa stays two more seasons. 

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, wsnydes said:

I imagine that he'll get ample opportunity.  Nobody is really pushing him all that much, yet.

"yet" being the key word. 

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, TeJayDubz said:

I was thinking that too once Royce is back healthy he'll be more expendable. We already traded him once for a mid-to-front end starter. Why not do it again??

Yep! ?

[mnfireman]

Like the rest of the young players, Arraez being the exception so far, when Larnach slumps, he slumps big; 0 for his last 18 with 9 K's....

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

"yet" being the key word. 

Right, but that's why he'll get ample opportunity.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

Seriously......what is Rocco doing?  Smeltzer out after 4 with 60 pitches?   I just don't know what he's thinking?  Does he think he's got some great bullpen sitting there to bail him out????

[rwilfong86]

Just now, wsnydes said:

Right, but that's why he'll get ample opportunity.

If Celestino continues hitting and Kirilloff comes back and starts raking, it will definitely put the pressure on to get better quality at bats. At least he made contact in his last AB. 

[Doctor Gast]

12 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

With all of their RH power, I wouldn’t think Smeltzer should have a long leash today. 

I was wondering why they'd pulled Smeltzer so soon. I'd think that he should've gone 5

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, cheeseheadgophfan said:

Seriously......what is Rocco doing?  Smeltzer out after 4 with 60 pitches?   I just don't know what he's thinking?  Does he think he's got some great bullpen sitting there to bail him out????

The Blue Jays have a primarily right handed lineup so getting Smeltzer out before going through the order a 3rd time was probably not a bad idea.

[Aggies7]

Did our manager seriously just pull smeltzer out of the game? 62 pitches? Are you bleeping kidding me with this junk?

[Aggies7]

Just now, rwilfong86 said:

The Blue Jays have a primarily right handed lineup so getting Smeltzer out before going through the order a 3rd time was probably not a bad idea.

Rocco continues to operate under the misguided opinion that we have enough bullpen arms to continually get 4-5 innings a game out of them. Third time through the order for a starter is not exponentially worse than some of our bullpen options 

[Doctor Gast]

8 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

Like the rest of the young players, Arraez being the exception so far, when Larnach slumps, he slumps big; 0 for his last 18 with 9 K's....

How old is Arraez? Is he still considered young as far as MLB is concerned?

[stringer bell]

Just now, Aggies7 said:

Rocco continues to operate under the misguided opinion that we have enough bullpen arms to continually get 4-5 innings a game out of them. Third time through the order for a starter is not exponentially worse than some of our bullpen options 

They have their best bullpen options available and an off-day tomorrow. I’m not opposed to the move. 

[Jerr]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

Rocco continues to operate under the misguided opinion that we have enough bullpen arms to continually get 4-5 innings a game out of them. Third time through the order for a starter is not exponentially worse than some of our bullpen options 

Why not leave him in until he shows he is struggling? Short leash on him, but let him pitch.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

Rocco continues to operate under the misguided opinion that we have enough bullpen arms to continually get 4-5 innings a game out of them. Third time through the order for a starter is not exponentially worse than some of our bullpen options 

We'll see if that decision backfires like it often has. 

[Mill1634]

I'm not sure who goes down, but Cotton deserves/needs to stay on the big league roster.

My guesses:

Hamilton->Pagan

Thielbar->Cano

Contreras->Kepler

Duffey->Minaya

And then eventually

Ryan->Bundy

Correa->Palacios

Lewis->Someone

 

You also probably have to work Kiriloff in somewhere...but I don't think there is a hitter that "deserves" to get sent out. I think the most likely case would be sending down Moran and going down a pitcher in the bullpen.