Rumor: Twins Fielding Calls On Their Left-Handed Outfielders

[DJL44]

23 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Hader has been arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball for the last 6 years

And he's being paid accordingly ($14M salary). There is almost no surplus value there. I don't think it is a good idea to give up cheap talent AND a lot of money for 25 innings of relief pitching.

This is a "get to the playoffs and see what happens" season. Not a "we're the favorites so go for it" season.

[DJL44]

16 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Julien was literally stuck in AAA this year..... So, it just happened. 

Julien had never played above AA. He played all of 38 AAA games. This is revisionist history.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, DJL44 said:

Julien had never played above AA. He played all of 38 AAA games. This is revisionist history.

He was up when polanco got hurt, then sent down when polanco got healthy. Literally blocked due to health. I don't know how that's even debatable.

[DJL44]

16 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Agreed. Not even close to the same thing. Larnach can't beat out Gallo. He's not a rookie at a super scarce position. 

Larnach is in AAA instead of Gallo because he has options, not because Gallo has played better.

[DJL44]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

He was up when polanco got hurt, then sent down when polanco got healthy. Literally blocked due to health. I don't know how that's even debatable.

I would love to see Julien get reps at a position where they don't want to remove him for a defensive substitution late in the game. If he's been "blocked" it's because his glove sucks.

[chpettit19]

12 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

And he's being paid accordingly ($14M salary). There is almost no surplus value there. I don't think it is a good idea to give up cheap talent AND a lot of money for 25 innings of relief pitching.

This is a "get to the playoffs and see what happens" season. Not a "we're the favorites so go for it" season.

I couldn't care less about his salary. I don't need surplus value. I just need an elite guy to add to my pen. The cheap talent I'm suggesting we give up is stuck in AAA (as soon as Buxton is back, like tomorrow), and is easily replaceable. If you can't replace Larnach you're doomed anyways. A guy being cheap, but bad, doesn't help anything. 

Giving up Larnach for Hader isn't a "go for it" move, in my opinion. Again, we just view Larnach differently. He doesn't have a place above 4th OFer on my 2024 team either. I simply don't think he's a good enough major league player to worry about trading him for now, or the future. Giving up a guy I wouldn't count on moving forward anyways to give me the best 1-2 pen punch in baseball for the playoffs seems like a no brainer to me. If I have Duran and Hader I turn every postseason game into a 7 inning game for the other offense. I like my odds a lot better with that setup than fighting to keep a guy who's replacement level. And if I can extend Hader before the end of the year and have the best 1-2 pen punch in baseball for the next 4 years I'd trade Larnach in a heartbeat.

[DJL44]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

And if I can extend Hader before the end of the year and have the best 1-2 pen punch in baseball for the next 4 years I'd trade Larnach in a heartbeat.

That's a pipe dream. The Twins aren't giving Hader 5 years, $90M.

[chpettit19]

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

That's a pipe dream. The Twins aren't giving Hader 5 years, $90M.

They should. And they can afford it.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Teoscar Hernandez for Kepler seems like the easy trade.   Both basically on short term deals, have an option for next year on Kepler.  Mariners can use some left handed help,  Twins on the right.  Hernandez is the better bat while Kepler the better fielder.  Mariners can continue to fight for the season possibly have an option for next year.  It still doesn't solve the Gallo conundrum.  I was hoping Gallo would work out,  it hasn't been abysmal like New York or the Dodgers but it hasn't been good either other than the first couple weeks.  As to what we do for relief pitcher I am not sure.  Prato, Isola, Headrick or other 20+ prospect I would be willing to flip for just a useable RP arm.  I am not looking for elite,  just a solid arm.  

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Somebody needs to go from the current LH OF bunch, and I think I could make a good case for trading any of them, but the whole thing hinges on Kepler.  If you are keeping him (picking up his option for next year), then you really need to trade one of Larnach or Wallner.  Neither are a CFer and Gallo being gone next year only opens up one spot.  I don’t think either Larnach or Wallner will be stars, but letting them whither in the wind takes advantage of neither their playing ability nor their perceived trade value.  They just flounder into nothingness.  Simply put, one of them needs to go unless Kepler isn’t back.  The other odd man out here is Nick Gordon.  I think he is an OK player, but he has become redundant.  Castro has replaced him on the roster with more flexibility (options), better defense, and similar offense. Gordon did a fine job as the emergency replacement in CF last year, but Castro does it better.  I don’t think he has tremendous value, but you might be able to flip him for a reliever or use him as an added piece to trade for either a better reliever or a RH hitter.  

[gman]

Like everyone else, I would trade Gallo for roster space. Simply a signing that didn't really work out, move on. Trade Kepler, use his current hot stretch for the teams advantage, before he cools off. If he woke up and this the real him, why did he wait until the post all star break?

I agree with previous posts that Twins will need controllable outfielders for next year and I'd prefer Wallner and Larnach. Jenkins probably won't be ready for 2-3 months😀(we wish).

I don't really want Castro or Gordon getting enough time in the outfield next year to be looked at as near starters. We need better. But it's starting to look like we might be grabbing outfielders off the scrap heap next year.

[jorgenswest]

3 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Not to mention Stevenson, who has the best #'s in St. Paul - great speed, good fielder and he now has 12 homers with a .325 batting average. He's different than our Larnach and Wallner's as his K rate is in the lower 20's. 

It is hard to trust any numbers at St. Paul and at the same time ignore his stretch in the majors from 2017-2021 with an OPS+ of 85. He may have figured something out or he might be skilled at hitting AAA pitching. I don’t think his stat line is helpful in knowing whether he is a different hitter at 29.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Agreed and a key point. The Twins need to think about their 2024 OF in making any kind of deal. Right now, that OF is .... well, Castro, Wallner and Larnach with Gordon and Stevenson in reserve? Gallo and Taylor are on expiring deals - Gallo can't hit, and Taylor is 32, fields well but also can't hit. Kepler has a $10m option that the Twins may or may not pick up. The Kepler of the last 30-40 games is worth $10M; the Kepler of the first 50-60 games isn't worth $2m. Buxton is signed but may not see the OF in 2024 either. 

A lot hinges on Kepler. If we're going to pick up the option or negotiate a 2-3 year deal at a lower AAV with Kepler, Wallner or Larnach is available. If not, we should be in the market for a Lane Thomas or Dylan Carlson so we have a young OF for next year who can play CF if we need him. Frankly, we might be in that market even if we keep Kepler. Lots of moving parts here, all of which we have to keep in mind before making any deals.    

[Mike Sixel]

Sure, 2024 matters....but if the OF is Larnach and Celestino and Wallner, it might be worse than this year's OF.....

Larnach does not look like part of the future, but he might be. That's the kind of guy you take a chance on acquiring, not building around if you are a serious contender. 

I understand why Larnach WAS in St. Paul (options and injuries and all), but we are past the time to worry about that. Gallo is just plan not good. If he's on the roster, and Larnach isn't, well, that says plenty, IMO.

[JD-TWINS]

13 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

DFA Gallo, trade Larnach for a RP. Put Wallner in left. I hear Kepler lollygagged a flyball today.... But he's not going anywhere. 

 

Didn’t see Kepler misplay anything? Anyway, you’re right, he’s going nowhere.

Wallner down until Sept. 1 roster expansion  - or Gallo is DFA’d - or Buxton with the 30 day IL stint for month of August???

[JD-TWINS]

44 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Sure, 2024 matters....but if the OF is Larnach and Celestino and Wallner, it might be worse than this year's OF.....

Larnach does not look like part of the future, but he might be. That's the kind of guy you take a chance on acquiring, not building around if you are a serious contender. 

I understand why Larnach WAS in St. Paul (options and injuries and all), but we are past the time to worry about that. Gallo is just plan not good. If he's on the roster, and Larnach isn't, well, that says plenty, IMO.

Celestino??? Gotta quit (as a group) typing Celistino in as a guy we want on the west side of the river!! Larnach looks great in uniform but doesn’t consistently hit when given a chance.

Trade offerings…..Larnach - Gordon - Miranda - Celestino - Contreras - Martin (if needed) - Gallo (can’t be interest) - SWR - Headrick. I’m sure there are 2-3 other younger SS draft pick - trade acquisition guys we can offer as well.

Lee - Festa - Roya - Rodriguez are the untouchable fellas.

Need 26 & 40 man roster room & a relief pitcher! Gotta be active with trades.

[DJL44]

58 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Sure, 2024 matters....but if the OF is Larnach and Celestino and Wallner, it might be worse than this year's OF.....

I want Kirilloff in the OF and Julien at 1B in 2024. I want Buxton there too but he might be the new John Castino.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Gallo is just plan not good. If he's on the roster, and Larnach isn't, well, that says plenty, IMO.

It says plenty about the front office, not about Larnach.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Celestino??? Gotta quit (as a group) typing Celistino in as a guy we want on the west side of the river!! Larnach looks great in uniform but doesn’t consistently hit when given a chance.

Trade offerings…..Larnach - Gordon - Miranda - Celestino - Contreras - Martin (if needed) - Gallo (can’t be interest) - SWR - Headrick. I’m sure there are 2-3 other younger SS draft pick - trade acquisition guys we can offer as well.

Lee - Festa - Roya - Rodriguez are the untouchable fellas.

Need 26 & 40 man roster room & a relief pitcher! Gotta be active with trades.

100% sure I said that the OF would be bad if he was there....not sure your point.

[Jeff K]

On 7/25/2023 at 11:34 PM, Mike Sixel said:

DFA Gallo, trade Larnach for a RP. Put Wallner in left. I hear Kepler lollygagged a flyball today.... But he's not going anywhere. 

 

I would definitely keep Wallner and Kirilloff.  While Kepler has been hitting well the past several weeks, the idea is to sell high and buy low.  Kepler is on a high which should have boosted his stock from nothing to something.  I think we could get a solid relief pitcher for him and they should do it.  We all know how Kepler is a streaky hitter.  His current hot streak will pass and his value will go back to zero.  And I can't imagine a market for Gallo.  DFA.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Jeff K said:

I would definitely keep Wallner and Kirilloff.  While Kepler has been hitting well the past several weeks, the idea is to sell high and buy low.  Kepler is on a high which should have boosted his stock from nothing to something.  I think we could get a solid relief pitcher for him and they should do it.  We all know how Kepler is a streaky hitter.  His current hot streak will pass and his value will go back to zero.  And I can't imagine a market for Gallo.  DFA.

I'd deal him. The Twins are not going to. 

[Jeff K]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd deal him. The Twins are not going to. 

Isn't Kepler in the last year of his contract with an option for one more?  If yes, I think the Twins might be willing to move him now.  Especially as Wallner is starting look pretty good.

[Jeff K]

On 7/26/2023 at 11:07 AM, chpettit19 said:

I couldn't care less about his salary. I don't need surplus value. I just need an elite guy to add to my pen. The cheap talent I'm suggesting we give up is stuck in AAA (as soon as Buxton is back, like tomorrow), and is easily replaceable. If you can't replace Larnach you're doomed anyways. A guy being cheap, but bad, doesn't help anything. 

Giving up Larnach for Hader isn't a "go for it" move, in my opinion. Again, we just view Larnach differently. He doesn't have a place above 4th OFer on my 2024 team either. I simply don't think he's a good enough major league player to worry about trading him for now, or the future. Giving up a guy I wouldn't count on moving forward anyways to give me the best 1-2 pen punch in baseball for the playoffs seems like a no brainer to me. If I have Duran and Hader I turn every postseason game into a 7 inning game for the other offense. I like my odds a lot better with that setup than fighting to keep a guy who's replacement level. And if I can extend Hader before the end of the year and have the best 1-2 pen punch in baseball for the next 4 years I'd trade Larnach in a heartbeat.

Larnach alone will not get Hader.

[LA Vikes Fan]

13 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

Larnach alone will not get Hader.

Agreed. Larnach alone won't even get you Finnegan from Washington or Barlow from KC, IMHO. Unfortunately, the bloom is off of that rose. To get value for Larnach we will need to package him with a pitcher like SWR at least. Is Finnegan worth that? Maybe. Barlow is not. Hader is off the market and we can't afford the prospects necessary to get him any way. 

[chpettit19]

50 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

Larnach alone will not get Hader.

I mostly agree. And said as much in one of the other posts. That comment was simply responding to the idea of giving up Larnach at all for Hader. Hader is a rental so I'm not sure he should cost much more than Larnach, but I'm sure they'd ask for a lower level prospect as well.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I'm not all that enamored with Wallner as of yet. Seems like he projects to being a strike-out prone hitter and a shaky outfielder. If he proves me wrong, I'd be elated. I just don't see much upside and I'd be curious to see what the trade market is for him.

[wabene]

For me it all starts with removing Gallo.

Even though I've been ready to move on from Kepler, I can see how his recent play and time logged with the organization has earned him a place till the end of the season. 

Next I would shop, Gordon, then Larnach. I would keep Wallner. 

Note to Max, please play with the same energy the rest of the season that you've displayed since the break. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Kepler's a fixture. For better or worse. That option in 2024 looks pretty cost effective when you consider what guys like Gallo and Pollack signed for this off-season. 

[ICTwin25]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

For me it all starts with removing Gallo.

Even though I've been ready to move on from Kepler, I can see how his recent play and time logged with the organization has earned him a place till the end of the season. 

Next I would shop, Gordon, then Larnach. I would keep Wallner. 

Note to Max, please play with the same energy the rest of the season that you've displayed since the break. 

I agree with you on all fronts. I have hated Kepler for 3 years now, but gotta give credit where credit is due as he's playing really well right now and I hope it lasts. I really like Wallner as the guy can flat out hit. Larnach was a big name coming out of college, but it just doesn't seem like it will ever happen...he has never been good at the AAA level

[wabene]

I'm not in a hurry to unload Larnach, I think he has potential. If Gallo is gone and you don't keep a spot for Gordon, then Wallner could be up with Kepler and Larnach could be stashed at St Paul. Still need a good right handed bat.