I Like Pablo Lopez

[stringer bell]

Lopez is starting today vs. the Yankees. He got through the first on five pitches. Do like the way he goes about his business.

[Vanimal46]

WOAH. You decided to log in and post the hottest take in TD history? Put a NSFW label next time. 
 

[stringer bell]

16 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

WOAH. You decided to log in and post the hottest take in TD history? Put a NSFW label next time. 
 

Okay, I'll make a bit hotter take and say that the price of Arraez for Lopez is worth it.

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Okay, I'll make a bit hotter take and say that the price of Arraez for Lopez is worth it.

Duck and cover!

I wasn't a big Lopez guy before the trade, or even at the time of the trade, but watching him in the WBC, and his spring starts, has allowed him to grow on me. I may have sold him short. He may be our best arm. I'm excited to watch him this season.

[stringer bell]

Of course, about three seconds after I post the second statement, Lopez gives up a two-run bomb to Volpe.

[Craig Arko]

Lopez is named the opening day starter. 

[stringer bell]

I don't think I'd seen him pitch before the Twins acquired him. He's impressive in the way he goes about his business, he's a nice interview, and I like his pitches. 

[tony&rodney]

Pablo Lopez is a good pitcher and Luis Arraez is a good hitter. The trade should benefit both teams. It is the type of trade that is made when the options for each team below the player lost are covered to some degree. The Marlins are deep in pitching and the Twins have infielders. I suspect these trades make the GMs nervous and is a reason why we never saw a trade of either Sano after his 2029 season or Buxton a few years ago, not that I am suggesting these trades should have been made but noting the angst surrounding a trade of a key player.

I'm more concerned with Maeda and Mahle than with P. Lopez, Gray, Ryan, or Ober. We are a week away from the games that count.

[FlyingFinn]

Anyone know - was that the plan to only pitch Lopez three innings or however many pitches he had today?

[stringer bell]

They removed Lopez after three innings. Congrats on him getting the Opening Day start!!

Maeda on for the fourth. Gave up two runs, although a misplay by Julien cost him . Maeda walked two batters in two innings, and threw a lot of pitches. He does need better command to be effective IMHO.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

3 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Anyone know - was that the plan to only pitch Lopez three innings or however many pitches he had today?

Probably. No concern here. This would be his final spring start and he's already lathered up from the WBC.

[stringer bell]

3 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Anyone know - was that the plan to only pitch Lopez three innings or however many pitches he had today?

Probably the plan to only throw fifty or so. He threw more in the WBC and is sufficiently stretched out. 

[JD-TWINS]

Haven’t seen him pitch - really hoping for ERA of sub 3.50 & 14 plus wins. Going into the season thinking we may want to extend him for a couple years even though he’s still under team control through ‘24.

Lopez - Ryan - Paddack - Varland - Prielipp as the 2025 staff?……….plus maybe a FA?

[MMMordabito]

26 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

They removed Lopez after three innings. Congrats on him getting the Opening Day start!!

Shoulda been Ryan.

[stringer bell]

Maeda has worked five innings so far, just over 70 pitches. If he's done, he finished pretty strong, FB got as high as 92. IMHO, it is just shaking off the rust from not being on a big-league mound for 18 months.