Luplow DFA’d Taylor reinstated from DL

[Brandon]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/twins-designate-jordan-luplow-for-assignment.html

[mrtwinsfan]

6 minutes ago, Brandon said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/twins-designate-jordan-luplow-for-assignment.html

[LewFordLives]

Odd that it's Luplow and not Stevenson.

[IaBeanCounter]

5 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

Odd that it's Luplow and not Stevenson.

I believe that Stevenson is more of a base stealing threat as a PR.

[IaBeanCounter]

The move also opens another slot on the 40 man roster for players coming off the 60 day IL.  With the move I believe that there are 2 slots currently open.

[wabene]

I wonder who Falvey had do the deed. Maybe the scout they had dress up as Mini Me for Lewis. 😂

[DocBauer]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Luplow DFA. I assume Taylor will be activated. This does clear a 40-man spot, as well. 

I'm rather surprised by this. I thought Stevenson would be the one sent out. He's been doing well as a PH and his OPS, even in SSS, seemed to indicate he was bringing at least some value as a RH OF.

[Jocko87]

Feels like a formality move, he'll most likely clear and accept an assignment and still be available in emergency.

[Minny505]

16 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I'm rather surprised by this. I thought Stevenson would be the one sent out. He's been doing well as a PH and his OPS, even in SSS, seemed to indicate he was bringing at least some value as a RH OF.

Completely agree. Stevenson could simply be optioned and you could add him back for the playoffs. Gotta have Luplow in the lineup vs LHP or as a pinch-hitter. He's a much better option than Castro.

While it's remote, they may now lose him. Even if not, the team would be best served continuing to get Luplow MLB PAs, while Stevenson just needs to run, which can be in AAA or MLB.

[GusGus11]

48 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

Completely agree. Stevenson could simply be optioned and you could add him back for the playoffs. Gotta have Luplow in the lineup vs LHP or as a pinch-hitter. He's a much better option than Castro.

While it's remote, they may now lose him. Even if not, the team would be best served continuing to get Luplow MLB PAs, while Stevenson just needs to run, which can be in AAA or MLB.

Luplow isnt a better option than Castro much less a "much better" option.

And Stevenson didnt have options so we would have lost him forsure.

[stringer bell]

Stevenson can't be optioned, he would have to have been DFAed. Luplow has an option available and could have been sent to St. Paul. I guess the Twins want Castro over Luplow in left field. I also presume he would accept an outright and might be added to the roster if there is an injury, but the club does need to clear 40-man space for Stewart and would have to clear more space for Gordon, Alcalá and Paddack. The clock is ticking on all three of them and those transactions would have to be made during the postseason run if the Twins advance beyond the first round.

[Dman]

Seems logical. Right handed bat for a right handed bat.  Might as well see what Stevenson can do.  I still think he sticks as the designated base stealer but we will see.

Luplow did about as well as expected and might be back. Will just have to wait and see,  Gonna be interesting down the stretch to see who makes it and who doesn't.

[Minny505]

38 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

Luplow isnt a better option than Castro much less a "much better" option.

And Stevenson didnt have options so we would have lost him forsure.

In 2023 Luplow has an .820 OPS vs LHP. Castro has a .646. That is a difference of "much better" in my book.

For their careers, Luplow has an .839 and Castro a .693, so this is not some SSS mirage. That is also a difference of "much better" in my book.

That said, I believe you are correct about being out of options. Oversight on my part. 

I don't think we lose either to waivers due to playoff roster rules. I would just rather continue to give Luplow MLB PAs leading up to the playoffs to keep him sharp, while Stevenson's pinch-running doesn't really need to maintain sharpness.

[LA VIkes Fan]

I think this tells you less  about Luplow v. Stevenson and more about whether they think Buxton is an available CF option this year. The reason to keep Stevenson is that he can play an above average CF. Luplow cannot. Stevenson can be put in for defensive purposes after Rocco engages in one of his all pinch hitting managerial innings and winds up without the services of Castro or Taylor, or Castro has to go in and play 2B or 3B.  Stevenson is then available to play CF at a pretty good level for the last couple of innings. Luplow is more one-dimensional and doesn't give us that same level of defensive flexibility. Oh, and he can steal a base. 

[Shaitan]

20 hours ago, IaBeanCounter said:

I believe that Stevenson is more of a base stealing threat as a PR.

Meaning Gordon will soon take his spot.

[chpettit19]

First round of the playoffs they probably carry 15 bats. Second round they probably carry 14. As much as it saddens me to think this, I'm guessing they didn't DFA Gallo because he's going to be on the playoff roster. If not him then Gordon. And they're still hoping for a Buxton return (according to all the reports I've read). Luplow wasn't going to crack the top 14 or 15 position player cutoff for the playoffs so DFAing him made sense. I assume he sticks around and is an injury replacement option during the playoffs.

Jeffers, Vazquez, Correa, Farmer, Julien, Kirilloff, Lewis, Polanco, Solano, Castro, Kepler, MAT, and Wallner have their spots locked up (barring late season injury). That's 13 spots already filled. Stevenson is a good postseason roster fit in that he can be a base stealer off the bench, and is a more than capable CFer. So he's got the inside track on the last spot over a 1 dimensional guy like Luplow. Stevenson gets pushed out if Gallo and Gordon both "earn" a spot. Is even further pushed out if Buxton gets a spot. Stevenson vs Luplow was part of it, but really it's a question of 2 of Luplow, Stevenson, Gallo, Gordon, and Buxton for the WC round, and 1 of them for the rest of the playoffs. Luplow was never going to survive that competition outside of multiple injuries.

[nicksaviking]

20 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Odd that it's Luplow and not Stevenson.

Probably because the team was short on left handed hitters.

[umterp23]

Gordon really shouldn't be part of the playoff conversation.  Was doing nothing in performance prior to injury.  Stevenson plays better defense and may be a better runner instead of asking a guy who is recovering from a broken leg to be playoff ready.

[RpR]

So far at AAA, Gordon is what he was early in the year.

I like the guy,  maybe because he reminds me of Willie Mays Hays, but his future would be more secure with another team.

[RpR]

30 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Probably because the team was short on left handed hitters.

Possibly defense and get-up-and-go, won over  batting ability.

[IaBeanCounter]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

but really it's a question of 2 of Luplow, Stevenson, Gallo, Gordon, and Buxton for the WC round, and 1 of them for the rest of the playoffs. Luplow was never going to survive that competition outside of multiple injuries.

My guess is Buxton is on the playoff roster if he is healthy enough to PH or DH.  I would prefer Stevenson over Gordon and then Gallo, but based on Gallo still be on the 40 man I agree with you that he will get a playoff roster spot.

[Road trip]

21 minutes ago, IaBeanCounter said:

My guess is Buxton is on the playoff roster if he is healthy enough to PH or DH.  I would prefer Stevenson over Gordon and then Gallo, but based on Gallo still be on the 40 man I agree with you that he will get a playoff roster spot.

Yes, I suspect this math is correct.  My order of preference is pretty much the same, but I fear we will get Gallo.

There isn't much time to get Buxton ready, but I suppose it could still happen.  I mean, Dick Bremer puts out a daily public service announcement that "The Twins still hope to have Buxton back in center field this year", generally no later than the 4th inning of the game.  Hope is not a plan for managing a team, but perhaps these seemingly scripted statements keep some casual fans interested.

[DJL44]

My optimistic take. The Saints season is over in a week. They have to add Austin Martin to the 40 man roster this offseason. This clears a spot on the 40 man roster if they want to promote Martin.

[Battle ur tail off]

2 hours ago, Shaitan said:

Meaning Gordon will soon take his spot.

I doubt it. Castro and Stevenson are flat out weapons in a playoff series. I would rather have both of them on the playoff roster instead of quite a few guys. Stealing a base, going first to third or scoring on a single when you are on second is like gold in the playoffs. 

[Battle ur tail off]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Stevenson gets pushed out if Gallo and Gordon both "earn" a spot. Is even further pushed out if Buxton gets a spot. Stevenson vs Luplow was part of it, but really it's a question of 2 of Luplow, Stevenson, Gallo, Gordon, and Buxton for the WC round, and 1 of them for the rest of the playoffs. Luplow was never going to survive that competition outside of multiple injuries.

IMO, Stevenson is more valuable than anyone on that list except Buxton. He IMO, has his spot sewn up 100%. He is there to steal 1-2 bases in a series, that's it. But that is much more valuable than the strikeouts or anyone else the rest of that list gives you. 

He(Stevenson), will be on the roster 100%. You can take that to the bank. 

[RickOShea]

Having Buxton on the post season roster does not make us a better.  If anything, it hamstrings our lineup, and one strenuous play on defense, takes him back to the bench.  Now, more than ever, we need to follow the  adage 'best man for the job' and get let sentiments or wild hopes get in the way.  We just don't have that kind of wiggle room.

[Battle ur tail off]

9 minutes ago, RickOShea said:

Having Buxton on the post season roster does not make us a better.  If anything, it hamstrings our lineup, and one strenuous play on defense, takes him back to the bench.  Now, more than ever, we need to follow the  adage 'best man for the job' and get let sentiments or wild hopes get in the way.  We just don't have that kind of wiggle room.

If he gets injured he can be immediately replaced. Twins will carry a few guys in street clothes to be ready for any injuries. 

[chpettit19]

21 minutes ago, Battle ur tail off said:

IMO, Stevenson is more valuable than anyone on that list except Buxton. He IMO, has his spot sewn up 100%. He is there to steal 1-2 bases in a series, that's it. But that is much more valuable than the strikeouts or anyone else the rest of that list gives you. 

He(Stevenson), will be on the roster 100%. You can take that to the bank. 

I don't take anything to the bank with this FO, they surprise me all the time. He'd make my wild card roster, but Gallo wouldn't be on my 40-man anymore, and I would've traded Gordon in the offseason. This org puts way more emphasis on platoon advantages than I would, and there's a real chance they see more value in someone they'd want to be able to use as a pinch hitter over someone they'd use to steal bases. I don't agree with it, but it's a very real possibility. They aren't still carrying Gallo for no reason (at least I hope they aren't).

[Battle ur tail off]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't take anything to the bank with this FO, they surprise me all the time. He'd make my wild card roster, but Gallo wouldn't be on my 40-man anymore, and I would've traded Gordon in the offseason. This org puts way more emphasis on platoon advantages than I would, and there's a real chance they see more value in someone they'd want to be able to use as a pinch hitter over someone they'd use to steal bases. I don't agree with it, but it's a very real possibility. They aren't still carrying Gallo for no reason (at least I hope they aren't).

You're probably right, but I'm cashing my paycheck anyway. 😁 Remember the guy that Royals used when they won their WS? I can't remember his name, but he flat out won games for them. 

[chpettit19]

7 minutes ago, Battle ur tail off said:

You're probably right, but I'm cashing my paycheck anyway. 😁 Remember the guy that Royals used when they won their WS? I can't remember his name, but he flat out won games for them. 

Terrence Gore. I do remember, and I think those are useful pieces for sure. Dave Roberts for the Red Sox back in '04. I just won't believe they aren't going to be pinch hit happy until I see it. WC round there should be room for whoever they want with 15 position players, but I'm guessing they drop to 14 for the ALDS (🤞 they make it) and then we'll see what decisions they make.