The End of the Joey Gallo Saga?

[thelanges5]

Kirilloff not in the Saints lineup tonight. Is he on his way back to Mlps?

[NotAboutWinning]

If Gallo is on the 26 man post-season roster we can assume the FO is not serious about the Twins success.

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I'd like to think so but I don't have all the information that they have. 

But... Regardless, if Kirilloff can come up for Friday's game against the Mets or if he can't. 

I still see no reason for Gallo on the Roster. Luplow at least plays against lefties. Not that we need that but Rocco has a role for him. 

What Gallo provides can be covered by a waiver claim. I'm not suggesting that... I'm just saying that to illustrate how low his value is.   

It’s about clubhouse continuity and spending the $11M salary every possible way imagined. Don’t want any chance to regret releasing him a day too soon. He’s the depth at 1B right now until Kirilloff is physically back with the team. The fact that Julien played an entire game at 1B is a real sign that they are covering any weakness created with a Gallo departure.

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, Shaitan said:

Straight to hyperbole. Why should I make up a scenario to "save you from ruin"? 

Do you want Vasquez at 2B in a meaningful game? That's a recent example of players out of position. It happens all the time.

Of course you want capable defender

s as backups...Just in case. There is a difference between "capable and needle-moving," yes. But Gallo is a backup in pretty much every scenario discussed here. His impact is relevant but minor. I'd understand the debate if his roster presence was blocking a big tool prospect. But it's not. 

I think you can make the case for Stephenson on the postseason roster for speed/defense. But even then, I think they drop a pitcher and keep both players mentioned. And neither of those players gets more than a few AB.

Let's be clear!

Don't use your Hyperbole.

9 hours ago, Shaitan said:

You may as well put Joe Webb at QB.

And then admonish my use of Hyperbole in response.  

If you don't want to use scenario's at my request... Isn't your original question a SCENERIO. 

Here it is below. 

9 hours ago, Shaitan said:

What if there's an injury in the 2nd inning?

My question in response was:

9 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Give me an example of an injury that occurs where Joey Gallo is necessary to save us from ruin

It's an important question.

If the Injury is to Kirilloff. I could respond with what you do instead of using Gallo. 

If the injury is to Kepler... I could respond with what you do instead of using Gallo. 

If the injury is to Royce Lewis... I could respond with what you do instead of using Gallo.

If the injury is to Ryan Jeffers... I could respond with what you do instead of using Gallo. 

As a matter of fact... If 13 players went down with an injury... I could probably respond with what to do instead of using Gallo. 

It isn't that hard to understand what I'm asking. Gonna need to narrow down your broad reaching scenario that implies that Gallo must be rostered.  

But... instead of clarification... your response takes Hyperbole to another level:

8 hours ago, Shaitan said:

Do you want Vasquez at 2B in a meaningful game?

 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

I guess one could argue they should never had him investing his efforts into 2B this year but at some point the Twins must have assessed that they were better off shifting that work to 1B.

I won't make that argument exactly because I've seen him make decent progress at 2B and maybe it is a long term home for him. 

But... I will wonder out loud forever more. Why do they continually paint themselves into these corners of having to make the adjustment late in the season. Julien could have gotten reps at 1B back in June.

They knew Polanco was coming back... they knew Gallo was struggling... They knew Buxton would hold down the DH position... They knew the team was struggling for offense in June... They knew that Julien was hitting the ball as well as anyone on the team. Yet... they couldn't anticipate the possibility that our best starting 9 was going to include Polanco and Julien in the lineup together.

They could have been investing efforts into 1B with Julien back in June.  

[Riverbrian]

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

It’s about clubhouse continuity and spending the $11M salary every possible way imagined. Don’t want any chance to regret releasing him a day too soon. He’s the depth at 1B right now until Kirilloff is physically back with the team. The fact that Julien played an entire game at 1B is a real sign that they are covering any weakness created with a Gallo departure.

Yes... I agree... I believe that Julien at 1B against Cleveland just might be a sign that the transition is underway and they are indeed taking steps toward the departure of Gallo.

But... even if they are not taking those steps. This so called depth that Gallo provides at 1B is not adequate depth. It is depth that is so shallow that it can be surpassed by almost anyone.  

His stats are not major league worthy. 

[yeahyabetcha]

I sense there will be a lot of disappointment tomorrow if Gallo isn’t DFA’d and is the starting center fielder tomorrow night.

[chpettit19]

5 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

Lol, that's why I put it last! It's way down the list for sure but this far in might as well hold tight.

The route to the post season roster has to include getting very very hot over the last month. If not it will be Stevenson who can be a pinch running weapon Ala Terrance Gore or whoever the royals used. He's just a better runner and defender for the bench spot.

There's literally a 0% chance Joey Gallo receives a QO. The QO will be nearly double what he got paid this year. There's no 3 week hot streak possible to make teams forget about his last 3 months and double his salary. The QO isn't something they need to factor in in any way, shape, or form.

[Jocko87]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

There's literally a 0% chance Joey Gallo receives a QO. The QO will be nearly double what he got paid this year. There's no 3 week hot streak possible to make teams forget about his last 3 months and double his salary. The QO isn't something they need to factor in in any way, shape, or form.

I'm not talking about what I would do or factor. I'm not saying it's remotely likely. I am am saying that this isn't a baseball decision, which should be obvious at this point. In the world of Boras crazy things can happen. Maybe it's not the QO that is the factor, maybe it's the Boras relationship. Same difference to me.

In truth, I mentioned it so my actual point could be obfuscated. He stays on the roster to fill time so others don't have to. I wouldn't be surprised if someone else, maybe even Correa, takes an il stint when Kirrilloff comes back.

[chpettit19]

I'm pretty surprised, actually, very surprised, to see this much pushback from posters on the idea that Gallo should be DFA'd tomorrow for Kirilloff. Doubts that it may happen? With how this FO holds onto vets for perceived depth, we should all have doubts that it will happen. But I'm very surprised to see so many people suggesting it actually makes sense to continue rostering Gallo, not only for September, but the postseason as well.

If you're no better than 3rd on the depth chart at any position you're not providing real depth, you're just a body. And Gallo isn't better than 3rd on the depth chart anywhere. There's no situation in which he should be a pinch hitter in a game that means something, and they have far better baserunners for any pinch running needs. Gallo brings no uncoverable skill to this roster. It's time for him to go.

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

I'm not talking about what I would do or factor. I'm not saying it's remotely likely. I am am saying that this isn't a baseball decision, which should be obvious at this point. In the world of Boras crazy things can happen. Maybe it's not the QO that is the factor, maybe it's the Boras relationship. Same difference to me.

In truth, I mentioned it so my actual point could be obfuscated. He stays on the roster to fill time so others don't have to. I wouldn't be surprised if someone else, maybe even Correa, takes an il stint when Kirrilloff comes back.

Yeah, I just think the whole Boras thing is blown way out of proportion. Boras wouldn't be very good at his job if he's using a team DFAing a guy playing at Gallo's current level against them. It's certainly better to be on his good side than his bad side, but he's not going to tell the Twins to pound sand when Kirilloff is up for an extension because the Twins DFA'd Gallo in September after the last 3 months he's had. If the FO can't negotiate with agents after they cut one of their guys they shouldn't be running a team. I think this is a "depth and flexibility" decision, and I think it's been the wrong one for months. But, unless it's the Pohlads saying they can't eat his deal, this has always been a baseball decision.

I'll be pretty shocked if they go so aggressive that they IL someone tomorrow who's been playing all year. And even if all they're looking for is a warm body to "fill time" there's better options than Gallo. Call up a young guy and get them experience. While the Twins likely have this division wrapped up they can't just phone in the next 3 weeks. That's not how you prepare for the playoffs. Give Correa, or whoever, some extra off days? Sure. But don't shut them down. Call Larnach up if all you're looking for is a warm body. At least he can get some more reps before next year. I don't see what the FO thinks rostering Gallo is good for. His current usage doesn't suggest Rocco sees it either.

[big dog]

7 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

There's no 3 week hot streak possible to make teams forget about his last 3 months and double his salary.

Or forget about his last 3 years, for that matter.

[jorgenswest]

10 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

They could have been investing efforts into 1B with Julien back in June.

Are you talking about reps in game? I think the real work is reps outside of the game. You get very little reps in a game and no repetition to work on footwork and angles, I don’t know when he started that work at 1B except that it was reported at least a month before we saw him in a game.

In June I think it was most prudent to spend that rep time outside of games invested in 2B or decide to scrap 2B and keep him in the minors to get him ready for 1B faster. The minor league schedule, travel and routine allows more time to get that repetition work outside of the game time.

I think they needed his bat for Polanco and bringing him back to the majors as a 2B was the best decision.

I also believe there are players who adapt easily to position change and are gifted with their footwork and arm action. They probably have soft hands. This isn’t Julien’s skill set. He needs the work.

[Trov]

Gallo will be the one to go when they do return AK.  They will keep AK on the rehab as long as they can, just incase there is an injury along the way, because one Gallo is DFA he will be gone.  The last thing they would want is DFA him and then have some injury to someone else and now they have more of a hole.  No way is Gallo around if AK is fully ready and healthy.  I also feel if AK is fully healthy, he will make the lineup crazy deep and scary.  Julien leading off, Polo, Lewis, Kepler, CC, AK, Jeffers, Wallner, whoever plays CF batting 9th will be a nice line up against righties. 

[Woof Bronzer]

 

20 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Gosh. . . the NY media going out of their way to trash a guy that didn't play well for the Yankees?  I'm shocked.  Shocked I say!

Yes, sort of like how everyone loved Donaldson's "fire" when he was here, but once he left he retroactively became a clubhouse cancer that we were happy to get rid of....

Now that Gallo has replicated his 2022 season I think it's safe to say the problem wasn't the NY media.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

19 hours ago, Azviking101 said:

In my view, as long as MAT is on the IL they won't move on from Gallo.

Gallo can play CF competently and the Twins want no situation where Stevenson is getting innings in the playoffs.

Without MAT, the only playoff options in CF are Gallo and Castro. Kepler is not playing Center.

This makes the most sense to me. Thanks AZ.

[Riverbrian]

43 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Are you talking about reps in game? I think the real work is reps outside of the game. You get very little reps in a game and no repetition to work on footwork and angles, I don’t know when he started that work at 1B except that it was reported at least a month before we saw him in a game.

In June I think it was most prudent to spend that rep time outside of games invested in 2B or decide to scrap 2B and keep him in the minors to get him ready for 1B faster. The minor league schedule, travel and routine allows more time to get that repetition work outside of the game time.

I think they needed his bat for Polanco and bringing him back to the majors as a 2B was the best decision.

I also believe there are players who adapt easily to position change and are gifted with their footwork and arm action. They probably have soft hands. This isn’t Julien’s skill set. He needs the work.

I'm talking about both. I'm talking about whatever it takes to get the process started. 

I agree with you. The process of playing a different positions starts with repetitions behind the scenes. 

How long does the process take. I don't know... I assume not very long because a ball player is a ball player and that is why they move around a lot and do just fine.

Whatever the process... it should have started sooner and I say that fully admitting that I don't know when it started. I do know that his public debut at the position occurred on September 7 in an important game against the only team that could knock us out of the playoffs so the timing was odd to say the least... but hey... better late than never.  

Going back to June... Polanco is on the DL with a hamstring issue. He will come back. Julien is one of the few players that we have hitting the baseball during a team wide funk. 

We have an OF that is struggling in it's entirety to hit the baseball as the team offensive stats rank at or near the bottom of the league in important categories. 

Kirilloff can be moved to the OF. We have Farmer, Polanco, Castro also as options in the infield. We have a manager who platoons consistently and heavily pinch hits based on those matchups which guarantees that players are going to be moved around.

The club knows that Polanco will return which will produce two 2B. 

The process could have started sooner... and I say that based on the lateness of the debut. 

Putting all of that aside. I'll just say this:

The forums on Twinsdaily spend a lot of column inches worrying about who can play 1B. And apparently we have to roster Joey Gallo who needs to go 13 for 22 just to raise his profile to terrible... because nobody else can play 1B. 

 

[Tibs]

Not saying this is what I'd do or what I'm hoping for, but I think there's a much higher chance of Kirilloff replacing Stevenson than this thread is indicating.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Well, now you’ve got me wondering if the Twins should have had Sano on the roster instead of Gallo.  They are both about 30.

Here is OPS+:

Year    Sano     Gallo

20.      105         87 (sss)

21.        112.        121

22.        2 (sss)   80

23.                      100

Career OPS

vs RHP.   802.    798

vs LHP.    810.     766

 

Career OPS+
Sano:  116. Gallo 109

 

Career K% of PA:

Sano 36.4%. Gallo 37.9%

[Rod Carews Birthday]

1 hour ago, Woof Bronzer said:

 

Yes, sort of like how everyone loved Donaldson's "fire" when he was here, but once he left he retroactively became a clubhouse cancer that we were happy to get rid of....

Now that Gallo has replicated his 2022 season I think it's safe to say the problem wasn't the NY media.  

That is likely true but he still didn’t need to be trashed by the NY media on his way out the door. They’re a particularly brutal group.  They’ve trashed everybody from Bobby Mercer to Reggie Jackson to Dave Winfield and beyond. 

[Florida Flash]

21 hours ago, CRF said:

Can't wait to see Gallo gone, but I'll believe it when I see it. There really isn't a reason not to DFA him, but he's still here. 

If we dont have better players at AAA, AA, or even A, our farm system is in shambles. I think the FO is desperately hoping that he can do something to ease the pain of his big contract. Unfortunately we just dont see that many position players pitching for that to happen.

[insagt1]

19 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

You had me until the QO statement... zero chance of that happening.

Now that the attacks on Pagan are holding little merit, the angst has been redirected to Gallo.  Not great, but not as horrendous as most believe.  He is at the back-end of the roster, but ahead of Luplow and maybe a reliever or two.  I would be surprised to see Gallo let go at any point the rest of the way.  That includes playoffs.  Gallo provides a lot of flexibility, with power off the bench and as a defensive replacement all over. 

I would say with confidence that right now Gallo does NOT have power off the bench. Using him as a pinch hitter in any 'game' situation is folly...a wasted out, usually a k. With the game on the line, needing a run, Joey would probably line up behind some pitchers. I suppose if the sacks were loaded, two outs and behind by 4, you MIGHT go for broke and try him, but the odds are so small he would make contact, why do it? They may keep him around until the playoffs, but I doubt they would find a spot for him on a post season roster.

I hope Kirilloff is here soon. Larnach...meh, I don't think he will add much frankly. He's had several chances and none of them sustained much excitement.

[yeahyabetcha]

2 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

Well, now you’ve got me wondering if the Twins should have had Sano on the roster instead of Gallo.  They are both about 30.

Here is OPS+:

Year    Sano     Gallo

20.      105         87 (sss)

21.        112.        121

22.        2 (sss)   80

23.                      100

Career OPS

vs RHP.   802.    798

vs LHP.    810.     766

 

Career OPS+
Sano:  116. Gallo 109

 

Career K% of PA:

Sano 36.4%. Gallo 37.9%

You forgot to mention Sano’s defensive abilities.

[Battle ur tail off]

5 hours ago, Trov said:

, because one Gallo is DFA he will be gone.  

Why? Who is going to pick him up? Gone would only mean gone from baseball period, or the Twins say we don't even want you on our AAA club. If I am Gallo, I accept the assignment if no one else comes calling because I know that if I don't prove anything at all the last part of this season, my career is 100% over other than possibly minor league filler for an organization that wants a LH bat with some ML experience. 

[GusGus11]

Gallo to the IL with a left foot contusion lol. That sounds like code for "yo, we will keep you rostered to enjoy the run with the guys but youre going to IL with something made up"

AK back!

[Patzky]

On 9/7/2023 at 2:18 PM, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I have Luplow as the last player on the bench, and a Keuchel/Sands/Winder type also being ahead of Gallo on the cut list. They are not cutting Gallo at this point.

Not a fan of the front office leaving Kirilloff in the minors, or Larnach for that matter. Both Gallo and Kirilloff will be on the playoff roster. How many pitchers should they carry for that 3 game series? There should be room for Larnach even if Larnach is the last player on the bench in those games. Kirilloff has got to be starting first baseman in those games. 

Well it's official. Gallo onto the IL and Kiriloff up.

[Patzky]

So Dr says Gallo has been playing hurt. 

[Road trip]

16 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

Gallo to the IL with a left foot contusion lol. That sounds like code for "yo, we will keep you rostered to enjoy the run with the guys but youre going to IL with something made up"

AK back!

Eh,,, it's Minnesota Nice.  Plus they can stash him in case of a catastrophic Uber crash that involves all of our other potential first basemen.

Glad to see it done, but I actually wish him well.... somewhere in the NL next year.

[GusGus11]

10 minutes ago, Road trip said:

Eh,,, it's Minnesota Nice.  Plus they can stash him in case of a catastrophic Uber crash that involves all of our other potential first basemen.

Glad to see it done, but I actually wish him well.... somewhere in the NL next year.

No doubt it was the right thing to do. Was just funny cause he was literally a pinch runner on Tuesday ha.

But there was no reason to DFA and Ive told people this for a while. Theres nowhere for him to go, no team will take him this late and he cant play in post season if they did. SO keep a good clubhouse guy who helped the team a lot in April when most of the offense sucked.

And now we also have him for back up(hopefully not needed) in case some other injuries happen.

This late in the year there just isnt a reason to DFA unless a player oddly prefers it.

[wabene]

5 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

SO keep a good clubhouse guy who helped the team a lot in April when most of the offense sucked.

This is a good attitude GG. He seems like an alright guy. He can cheer the boys on from the bench