Twins To Activate Carlos Correa From The Injured List, Option Austin Martin To Triple-A

[Riverbrian]

4 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Vazquez is wearing the tools of ignorance tonight. Jeffers is the DH. 

The lineup has been posted. Vazquez is Catching and Jeffers is the DH and I report that and I got a thumbs down from RpR?

[wabene]

RpR has a very important role to fill here at TD, obviously. The guy just never disappoints, keep up the good work, buddy!

 

Edit: ok I'm not sure what it is, but it seems important!

[RpR]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Vazquez is wearing the tools of ignorance tonight. Jeffers is the DH. 

Yes you did; it seem some here have very tender feeling.

I get thumbs-down often but do not have a snit-fit over it.

But just for you I will change  it.

[Florida Flash]

2 hours ago, Patzky said:

Guess Margot wasn't opt-able.

I doubt if anyone would have picked up that contract, and if they did the Twins should be happy.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Florida Flash said:

I doubt if anyone would have picked up that contract, and if they did the Twins should be happy.

Agreed

[Mike Sixel]

38 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

The lineup has been posted. Vazquez is Catching and Jeffers is the DH and I report that and I got a thumbs down from RpR?

So they are just going to keep starting Vazquez? Maybe rpr didn't like that decision, not your post?

[Riverbrian]

25 minutes ago, RpR said:

Yes you did; it seem some here have very tende feeling.

I get thumbs-down often but do not have a snit-fit over it.

But just for you I will change  it.

Don't bother... I could care less. 

I'm just pointing out that I got a thumbs down for posting who is catching tonight. 

 

[wabene]

Ok now we're all fired up and ready for the game thread

[Riverbrian]

13 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

So they are just going to keep starting Vazquez? Maybe rpr didn't like that decision, not your post?

[Mike Sixel]

Farmer should be dealt, if he's not a SS.... Or dfa...... Martin can play second, or Castro can, but I'd just play Julien. But that's not happening. Heaven forbid we trust the youth. 

[nova_twins]

I wonder about Martin's long term fit despite widespread positivity. He's probably not good enough in CF to justify being the main alternative to Buxton. He doesn't really hit enough for the corners, so he doesn't help much post (?) Kepler. He's a weaker infield backup than Castro or Brooks Lee (once healthy). Not to mention there are other guys coming up a little behind but with a lot more potential, like Emma and Keaschall. 

I do think there are teams he can help in his prime, but the Twins roster may not turn out to be the best spot. 

[ashbury]

21 minutes ago, nova_twins said:

I wonder about Martin's long term fit despite widespread positivity. He's probably not good enough in CF to justify being the main alternative to Buxton. He doesn't really hit enough for the corners, so he doesn't help much post (?) Kepler. He's a weaker infield backup than Castro or Brooks Lee (once healthy). Not to mention there are other guys coming up a little behind but with a lot more potential, like Emma and Keaschall. 

I do think there are teams he can help in his prime, but the Twins roster may not turn out to be the best spot. 

He still has time and room to grow, but right now he's like the second coming of Nick Gordon; both profile best in LF but haven't shown enough with the bat to excel there.  As first-round draft picks, they took slightly different paths but have somehow converged, for me anyway.

[arby58]

5 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

1B RH platoon should be Miranda's spot not only when Lewis comes back. Martin has nothing to prove in AAA & doesn't need more playing time, he has had plenty of playing time in the MLB. He needs more MLB experience to grow. which he can't in AAA. Like I've said from the beginning all our major acquisitions has been a waste. Taking away valuable playing time from our players that are more worthy & need that playing time. This should not have been necessary to send Martin down, He has the spunk that is so necessary on this team especially with Lewis gone.

Correa's bat & glove has been greatly needed especially in the INF, I expect our INF defense #s have been very poor since he's been gone.

Santana has 4 HRs in the last 5 games - maybe you're jumping the gun a little? The season doesn't end after the first 30 games, it's just beginning.

Martin has a grand total of 62 at bats in MLB and around 250 at AAA - he's still got room to grow. For the good things he did while up, it worked out to a -0.1 WAR. MLB isn't a development league.

[DocBauer]

I do think sending Martin down was the right call. I liked what I saw of him so far, and he had that look of "I belong". But he's also got the least amount of experience and could probably use a little more polish. I thought he looked OK in CF, though I did see a couple extra steps here and there. While Keirsey is having a fine season at St Paul, I'd like to see Martin get plenty of time there for his development. 

I like the approach Martin showed at the plate. He flashed XB power, patience, and contact, as well as some of his speed. But again, some additional experience and polish can only help him. He still has only about a half season of AAA under his belt.

Margot has been a surprising disappointment, IMO, as a decent, solid veteran. Hopefully  he gets untracked soon and performs to his career norms. Martin WILL be up again. IDEALLY, when that happens, he will replace Margot as a similar, but younger player with potential. But it's too early to just bail on a 30yo veteran 30 games in to the season. 

How good can Martin be? It's up in the air, but he's got a skil set to help "balance" the power/OB approach of this lineup. I want him to get more experience in CF because I think he's got the ability to be pretty good there as a backup option. He can be a nice bottom of the order contributor to flip the lineup, OR, continue to grow and improve and maybe be a #1 sparkplug with Julien sliding to the #2 spot.

It was a solid debut. I'm actually expecting more from him the next time we see him.

[Shaitan]

5 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Vazquez is wearing the tools of ignorance tonight. Jeffers is the DH. 

But within the week I predict he'll lead the team in SB.

[Shaitan]

2 hours ago, ashbury said:

He still has time and room to grow, but right now he's like the second coming of Nick Gordon; both profile best in LF but haven't shown enough with the bat to excel there.  As first-round draft picks, they took slightly different paths but have somehow converged, for me anyway.

They were literally drafted in the same slot too...or, well, close. I don't trust my memory anymore.

All spring I was thinking this. Martin has more discipline at the plate, but they're very similar players as far as role goes. And that is not a bad thing. That's how MLB draft works. And it's fascinating, and kind of why I love this game. Because they're both also so different.

[Shaitan]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I do think sending Martin down was the right call. I liked what I saw of him so far, and he had that look of "I belong". But he's also got the least amount of experience and could probably use a little more polish. I thought he looked OK in CF, though I did see a couple extra steps here and there. While Keirsey is having a fine season at St Paul, I'd like to see Martin get plenty of time there for his development. 

I like the approach Martin showed at the plate. He flashed XB power, patience, and contact, as well as some of his speed. But again, some additional experience and polish can only help him. He still has only about a half season of AAA under his belt.

Margot has been a surprising disappointment, IMO, as a decent, solid veteran. Hopefully  he gets untracked soon and performs to his career norms. Martin WILL be up again. IDEALLY, when that happens, he will replace Margot as a similar, but younger player with potential. But it's too early to just bail on a 30yo veteran 30 games in to the season. 

How good can Martin be? It's up in the air, but he's got a skil set to help "balance" the power/OB approach of this lineup. I want him to get more experience in CF because I think he's got the ability to be pretty good there as a backup option. He can be a nice bottom of the order contributor to flip the lineup, OR, continue to grow and improve and maybe be a #1 sparkplug with Julien sliding to the #2 spot.

It was a solid debut. I'm actually expecting more from him the next time we see him.

It sounds like you view Martin as primarily OF, vs IF?

I also think he'll be back soon. I'm just curious of the role. I think he's kind of a Marwin, but more middle IF...or, as I said, above this, essentially Gordon with a little better middle IF glovework.

[DocBauer]

40 minutes ago, Shaitan said:

It sounds like you view Martin as primarily OF, vs IF?

I also think he'll be back soon. I'm just curious of the role. I think he's kind of a Marwin, but more middle IF...or, as I said, above this, essentially Gordon with a little better middle IF glovework.

Since the Twins acquired him they've said he's a NATURAL OF. They've also stated the reason they kept him at SS as long as they did was because he was already doing so, and because as much time as could be spent "in the dirt" would only assist in his development as a possible INF option.

We have to remember that Martin was drafted not only as a HITTER, but also as an INF. The Jays did him no favors, after missing an entire year due to covid, and putting him not only at SS, but also AA. And the Twins followed along. I blame the Jay's for trying to FORCE him to jump to AA AND playing his probably worst position after NOT playing for a year. I blame the Twins NOT for adjusting his hitting approach, but for keeping him at SS for some reason.

Martin CAN probably play SS or 3B in an "emergency" situation.  But he is OBVIOUSLY an OF. What's wrong with that? His development has been delayed because he's only now being allowed who he's supposed to be, along with injuries that have delayed him.

He MIGHT be a starting player, or a role player, but the "who he might be" is starting now.

[bean5302]

Austin Martin looks like the very definition of a utility player to me. Miranda undoubtedly stayed up because he looks like a solid starter.

[Riverbrian]

6 hours ago, Shaitan said:

But within the week I predict he'll lead the team in SB.

Now that they sent Martin down.

Vazquez has to replace those wheels. 

[MABB1959]

17 hours ago, Patzky said:

Guess Margot wasn't opt-able.

Is he worth keeping?  I don't think he has any trade value and if they sent him down would anyone pick him up?

Time to see what Martin has this year.

[nlites09]

19 hours ago, Kenny Powers said:

A lot more fun to watch these guys lately.  Martin did fine in his first taste of MLB.  Now he needs to go back and dominate AAA.  He'll be back.  But hopefully we can keep this momentum going and get on a little run now with guys finally getting healthy.

 

[nlites09]

Martin should have stayed up, Margot neefs to GO, don't care what it costs, let the young guys play.

 

Winning streak is against Angels & White Sox guys.

[arby58]

8 minutes ago, nlites09 said:

Martin should have stayed up, Margot neefs to GO, don't care what it costs, let the young guys play.

 

Winning streak is against Angels & White Sox guys.

White Sox had just swept the Rays. 

[jmlease1]

55 minutes ago, nlites09 said:

Martin should have stayed up, Margot neefs to GO, don't care what it costs, let the young guys play.

 

Winning streak is against Angels & White Sox guys.

Martin has options, so cutting Margot means dumping a veteran under 30 with a solid track record by the end of April. not too many teams make that move. And while Margot has been unplayable against RHP, his .733 OPS against LHP has been fine. Note in fairly similar amounts of playing time Martin and Margot have been about as productive overall...and neither has been great. (-0.5 bWAR)

I love Martin and I've kept the faith on him, but he still has things to work on. He wasn't getting on base like he needs to and his defense wasn't exactly elite either. It's probably just small sample size, but he wasn't hitting LHP worth a damn, and that's where the Twins likely need that 4th OF bat to be with Kepler back and Larnach playing well enough to demand time. Margot was doing what he had been predicted to do: hit LHP reasonably.

Margot may be washed as a player, but this isn't a guy who is in his mid to late 30's, so a little more time is warranted, especially since some of the underlying stats suggest he's been a little unlucky so far. If he's still trash at the plate in June, maybe we look at moving on, but we don't have that much depth that's ready to play in the OF, and certainly not a lot that's proven, so if Kepler or Buxton go down for extended amounts of time things could get very thin the next time someone rolls an ankle.

I prefer to take chances on younger players over veteran retreads, but Martin hasn't blown the doors off and maybe it's a little early to spend our depth and decide that a guy with 63 PAs is for sure done.

With Larnach playing well, Kepler being back, Buxton being healthy and Jeffers getting more time at DH, the 4th OF spot isn't going to get tons of time. Seems reasonable to give Margot another month or so to see if his bat can come around. Martin will be back.

[Mike Sixel]

10 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Austin Martin looks like the very definition of a utility player to me. Miranda undoubtedly stayed up because he looks like a solid starter.

Pretty tiny sample size. 

[bean5302]

26 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Pretty tiny sample size. 

For whom?

Miranda, who clearly held his own for a full season in 2022 when his shoulder didn't need surgery and raked in a full year of AAA the year before that. There's plenty of reason to believe he can be an MLB starter and he's on his last option.

Martin has hit around league average for over 1,000 plate appearances in the high minors... and did about the same at the MLB level nearly dead on matching his projected wRC+ from ZiPS, Steamer, FGDC, THE BAT, THE BAT X, and ATC DC. A little pop, above average speed, doesn't K a ton, doesn't walk a ton, good hit tool but lacks the power to turn fly balls into home runs, average arm. Austin Martin is a good backup/utility guy. Which is what everybody has been expecting out of him for two years now.

[In My La Z boy]

Will hope Margot & Farmer turn it around at the plate quickly. This team doesn't jettison veterans during the season. Will be interesting to see what happens when Royce is ready. I'm thinking we'd rather have Miranda & Martin on the bench as the year moves forward w/Castro as primary IF backup. Also rooting for Wallner to make it back!