Even the Twins Don't Seem to Know What Matters Most to Max Kepler

[LambchoP]

This one is on Watkins. You can't start waving a guy in, then stop, then change your mind. I like Kepler, always have, but it's time to move on. When he hurt his knee I was actually hoping for an IL stint so we could possibly see Keirsey Jr. Unfortunately I think we'll just see more of Margot who is an absolute butcher in the OF. Next year should be Larnach in left, Buck in center, when he shows up, and Wallner in right. Martin and hopefully Keirsey as backups. I'd like it if the signed a quality OF in the off-season as well, because someone has to split CF with Buxton. We all know it,might as well plan for it.

[David Maro]

Max has been counting the games he has left in a Twins uniform.Not really his fault,human nature when you are being told we don't want you anymore.

[stringer bell]

I didn't see the play live, but I will say that Kepler does not run the bases with aggression. He is conservative to the point where one would think he is a slow runner. Last year at a crucial point, he didn't take second on a supposed double steal and I've seen several times when he is in cruising speed when there would be a chance to take an extra base. 

That said, Kepler makes few overt mistakes on the bases. I don't know if it is a function of trying to avoid injury or if he is just wired that way. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I didn't see the play live, but I will say that Kepler does not run the bases with aggression. He is conservative to the point where one would think he is a slow runner. Last year at a crucial point, he didn't take second on a supposed double steal and I've seen several times when he is in cruising speed when there would be a chance to take an extra base. 

That said, Kepler makes few overt mistakes on the bases. I don't know if it is a function of trying to avoid injury or if he is just wired that way. 

As nobody here knows the extent of the knee injury or the pain he plays in, this is a valid question.  Lot's of discussion in previous months about Buxton only going 90% to avoid risk of injury, it could easily be that Kepler basically fine with a few exceptions (like putting on the brakes then trying to kick into gear again).

That being said, Watkins should know the status of Kepler's base running,  This is 100% Watkins.  His inability to make the right decision on sending runners has been atrocious for years.

[JD-TWINS]

On 8/28/2024 at 12:21 PM, chpettit19 said:

I haven't seen an overhead shot that shows Watkins so it's hard to tell what happened. Listening to the broadcast clip it sounds like Watkins waived him late. If Rocco is upset with Kepler it would seem the vast majority of the blame should be pointed at him. But I'd like to hear why Watkins was so late waiving him. From the clip it looks like Kepler is at 3B before/as Soler is picking the ball up at the wall. That should've been an easy waive from the start.

I don't like questioning player's character, effort, etc. I don't know them. There was a poster on yesterday who was upset with Lewis because he smiles on the field too much. People used to always get on Mauer because he didn't react as outward emotionally as they wanted. Claimed it meant he didn't care. I think those are outlandish takes. Somebody not reacting the way you would doesn't mean they aren't as competitive, don't care as much, or aren't effected. But if Rocco is throwing veiled jabs at Kepler I'd think it's fair to assume this situation involved more than his knee or a late Watkins waive. Not a good look for Kepler. I don't know if it's about free agency as the article suggests, but not a good look no matter what the real problem is.

I pointed out this base running gaffe the day following - others immediately protected Kepler and pointed to Watkins. There was a replay from Press Box angle shown immediately after the play and Provus even commented on Kepler’s approach - he turned his head and nearly stopped going around 2B and then cruised to 3B. The Camera picks up Kepler 35 feet or so from 3B getting conflicting signs from Watkins. IF HE HAD HUSTLED THROUGH 2B and picked up his coach instead of taking some wandering approach, he would have scored easily and there would have been zero issues with Watkins.

Watkins certainly deserves criticism after sending Margot, after a terrible jump from 2B, with no outs the very next night. I don’t think he deserves any criticism at all for the Kepler play.

[Linus]

In both cases Kepler and Margot anticipated being held and started slowing. The runner has one job in these situations- run as hard as you can and pick up the third base coach for a sign. Neither runner executed properly. Now both decisions by Watkins were horrible and he certainly has a checkered past in this area but in both cases nobody did their job. Which is not surprising- the Twins are not good at basic fundamental parts of the game.