3 Spring Training Stat Lines that Matter for the Twins

[Major League Ready]

6 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Well, two are likely gone after this year..... So there will be space next year. 

Are you saying two will be gone because they will resign one of Mahle / Gray or Maeda?

[Trov]

Miranda has me most excited.  He has shown in his career so far large growth in short periods.  He was a fringe prospect early on, then grew quickly a couple of years ago.  Last year he came up and struggled quickly, but then turned it around with a full 180 quickly.  Then he drops some fat, puts on some muscle this off-season and takes spring head on.  Yes, spring means nothing, but I am very high on Miranda right now as a sneaky guy to be our MVP this year.  

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Are you saying two will be gone because they will resign one of Mahle / Gray or Maeda?

I think so. Only one. 

[nicksaviking]

9 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Well, two are likely gone after this year..... So there will be space next year. 

Right, but there was space this year and they still went after Lopez. I'm not complaining as Lopez is a decent pitcher, but they probably wouldn't have went out and traded for him had they trusted the young guys. 

So will they trust them next year if they still have only a handful of 2023 starts? Or will they go out and trade for someone else? That's why I think they need to intentionally give Ober, Varland and SWR starts, and plenty of them, regardless of the current health of the rotation.

[Mike Sixel]

16 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Right, but there was space this year and they still went after Lopez. I'm not complaining as Lopez is a decent pitcher, but they probably wouldn't have went out and traded for him had they trusted the young guys. 

So will they trust them next year if they still have only a handful of 2023 starts? Or will they go out and trade for someone else? That's why I think they need to intentionally give Ober, Varland and SWR starts, and plenty of them, regardless of the current health of the rotation.

Got it. I think it's about depth, not trust. I think I'd start all three in Minnesota next year, but that would crush the depth. I would move Maeda to the bullpen and pay him, and put Ober in Minnesota now, but it's not up to me. 

[Minny505]

On 3/28/2023 at 8:30 AM, D.C Twins said:

Miranda will find his way to 1B sooner rather than later (I don't think Krill's wrist is going to hold long term but I hope I'm wrong)

No. Maybe he is going to be rough. His limited MLB sample makes it nearly impossible to judge.

That said, his 246.2 innings at 3B last year for the Twins were deemed league average by modern metrics. 

His 3289.2 innings at 3B in the minors, the position he played almost exclusively as a prospect with no rumors from evaluators that he might not be able to handle the position, seem to indicate he'll be fine.

People need to stop conflating his ugly 1B defense with his solid 3B defense.

[Major League Ready]

5 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I think so. Only one. 

Where this gets trick is if the guy they really want to extend is Lopez, especially if Lopez is inclined to sign here.  They still need to fill 3 spots.  Of course, kind of have an extra (Ober) right now and Paddack will be back.   

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Where this gets trick is if the guy they really want to extend is Lopez, especially if Lopez is inclined to sign here.  They still need to fill 3 spots.  Of course, kind of have an extra (Ober) right now and Paddack will be back.   

Paddock is a unicorn for me, if he starts more than 10 games, I'll be surprised. Big believer in Ober, SWR and Varland to number number 3 types, maybe one of them is better. You know, bring in those three and keep Lopez and sign Nola....or something...

[Major League Ready]

16 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Paddock is a unicorn for me, if he starts more than 10 games, I'll be surprised. Big believer in Ober, SWR and Varland to number number 3 types, maybe one of them is better. You know, bring in those three and keep Lopez and sign Nola....or something...

I am not sure what to make of Paddack either.  My take is they have Lopez / Ryan / Ober next year and will need to fill two spots and come up with some depth.  Paddack / Varland and SWR are the most likely candidates.  One or two of Festa / Raya and Prielipp could be ready too.  Perhaps not to start the season but by mid season.  Dobnak and Balazovic are the long shots.  Henriguez could end up being long-relief and a spot starter. Where I am going with this is that they don't need to sign a guy to fill the rotation.  If they sign a free agent SP it should be a top of the rotation guy.

[DJL44]

On 3/29/2023 at 7:03 AM, Major League Ready said:

Are you saying two will be gone because they will resign one of Mahle / Gray or Maeda?

I expect them to give a qualifying offer to two of those pitchers, perhaps all three. One of them might accept it.