I'm Mad and Happy

[Riverbrian]

Just want to say this:

1. I was disappointed that the Twins trusted Clemens over McCusker at the time of the Clemens trade for Cash. I have nothing against Clemens, don't know much about him other than what his stats and opportunity has been like. Having more faith in Clemens over McCusker was a problem in my eyes. 

2. Today I was pissed that McCusker was pinch hit for in the 3rd inning once the game resumed. It was a bullpen game the rest of the way for Cleveland. They have 3 well rested lefty relievers in the pen (a 4th with the the doubleheader extra guy available in the next game). You know a left handed pitcher was going to come out to face Larnach in the 5 hole and Clemens two batters later in the 7 hole and that's exactly when Cantillo entered the game with Larnach heading to the plate (Which may have happened anyway) because Cantillo threw multiple innings. Cantillo was followed by another lefty Allard who entered the game with Larnach at the plate once again. These early moves just make it easy for the opposing manager. All of this bugged me but mainly... Let McCusker bat. Let him get some major league swings in. There was plenty of game to go. 

3. As much as point #2 bummed me out and as much as the point #1 has me concerned about the faith the Twins exhibit in their own system offensively. I'm thankful it was Clemens. The guy just won us another game almost by himself and that's 3 games you can say that about in a very short period of time.

No matter what I think about point #1 and point #2. Clemens has been our best player since he arrived. Keep him in the lineup and let's see how long he can keep this going.  

  

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Just want to say this:

1. I was disappointed that the Twins trusted Clemens over McCusker at the time of the Clemens trade for Cash. I have nothing against Clemens, don't know much about him other than what his stats and opportunity has been like but having more faith in Clemens over McCusker was a problem in my eyes. 

2. Today I was pissed that McCusker was pinch hit for in the 3rd inning once the game resumed. It was a bullpen game the rest of the way for Cleveland. They have 3 well rested relievers in the pen (a 4th with the the doubleheader extra guy available in the next game). You know a left handed pitcher was going to come out to face Larnach in the 5 hole and Clemens two batterd later in the 7 hole and that's exactly when Cantillo entered the game with Larnach heading to the palte (Which may have happened anyway) because Cantillo threw multiple innings. Cantillo was followed by another lefty Allard who entered the game with Larnach at the plate once again. These early moves just make it easy for the opposing manager. All of this bugged me but mainly... Let McCusker bat. Let him get some major league swings in. There was plenty of game to go. 

3. As much as point #2 bummed me out and as much as the point #1 has me concerned about the faith the Twins exhibit in their own system offensively. I'm thankful it was Clemens. The guy just won us another game almost by himself and that's 3 games you can say that about in a very short period of time.

No matter what I think about point #1 and point #2. Clemens has been our best player since he arrived. Keep him in the lineup and let's see how long he can keep this going.  

  

 

Ride that hot hand!

[DocBauer]

I think Rocco learned a hard lesson about PH too soon in 2024. And maybe he's been forced to learn that lesson due to injuries this season. I don't feel it's necessarily a negative for a manager to continue to learn and adapt.

I wasn't able to watch the game. Were I able to, I also probably would have been upset with such an early move. You just can't play the match up game so early in the game because it usually comes back to bite you later.

But agree that it turned out OK as Clemens has been a godsend of a pickup. Who knew? He could easily revert back to a pumpkin tomorrow. I have no idea if he's a late bloomer in the right place and time to suddenly discover how to be a productive hitter. I rather doubt it. But you play the HOT HAND when you have one. Especially when you're missing so many of your top hitters right now.

My only real beef, I guess, is what happens over the next week? We're still down 3 of our best players. I'm not saying don't play the hot Clemens, but considering McCusker has been hitting both side arms at AAA and absolutely RAKING down there, why not see if you get a SECOND hot bat who could run in to a few big hits? You've got nothing to lose letting him DH or play some OF and see if he can make a difference. If he doesn't, he doesn't. But it's all hands on deck, next man up. But you don't know if the next man can deliver if you don't give him a shot to do so. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

9 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I think Rocco learned a hard lesson about PH too soon in 2024. And maybe he's been forced to learn that lesson due to injuries this season. I don't feel it's necessarily a negative for a manager to continue to learn and adapt.

I wasn't able to watch the game. Were I able to, I also probably would have been upset with such an early move. You just can't play the match up game so early in the game because it usually comes back to bite you later.

But agree that it turned out OK as Clemens has been a godsend of a pickup. Who knew? He could easily revert back to a pumpkin tomorrow. I have no idea if he's a late bloomer in the right place and time to suddenly discover how to be a productive hitter. I rather doubt it. But you play the HOT HAND when you have one. Especially when you're missing so many of your top hitters right now.

My only real beef, I guess, is what happens over the next week? We're still down 3 of our best players. I'm not saying don't play the hot Clemens, but considering McCusker has been hitting both side arms at AAA and absolutely RAKING down there, why not see if you get a SECOND hot bat who could run in to a few big hits? You've got nothing to lose letting him DH or play some OF and see if he can make a difference. If he doesn't, he doesn't. But it's all hands on deck, next man up. But you don't know if the next man can deliver if you don't give him a shot to do so. 

Agreed, right now it’s not Clemens v McCusker, it’s more Bader/Kiersey/Whoevers DHing v McCusker. There’s plenty of room to get McCrusher at bats while Wallner is out, and probably even after he returns. This team isn’t exactly blowing the doors off in the batters box

[Riverbrian]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

think Rocco learned a hard lesson about PH too soon in 2024. And maybe he's been forced to learn that lesson due to injuries this season.

I was hoping it was gone. But, we just saw it. 

This leads me to believe it's closer to sentence two. The team is constructed different. Bader and France are everyday playing additions. They are not short siders. We have 5 left handed hitters on the team currently.

It's about Faith and Rocco had more faith in Margot than he does in McCusker. 

Where is that faith or lack of faith coming from? I don't know but I don't trust it. 

Consider this:

Kody Clemens has been a rock star.

Clemens fell into this rock stardom. Kody was traded for on April 26th. For 16 games... Kody accumulated just 13 AB's. 2 for 13 over his first two weeks. Was Kody capable of this stretch on April 26th when he arrived or did he magically become what we are seeing right now? DId he just poof into this at the exact moment that opportunity was presented to him? Presented to him because Rocco suddenly had nobody else to turn to.  

Anyway... I'd like to simply say this: 

Clemens was obviously trusted over McCusker. But... by utilization you can see that Clemens wasn't trusted initially. Clemens didn't earn opportunity, every other option had to be taken from Rocco before he would have to be trusted.

Rocco or the front office should not be getting credit for knowing Clemens would go 11 for 26 over 7 games when the entire team got hurt. And Rocco isn't going to get the benefit of the doubt from at least me of being all knowing if he puts McCusker to sleep. 

Let's see what the lineup looks like against the left hander tomorrow night. 

 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Agreed, right now it’s not Clemens v McCusker, it’s more Bader/Kiersey/Whoevers DHing v McCusker. There’s plenty of room to get McCrusher at bats while Wallner is out, and probably even after he returns. This team isn’t exactly blowing the doors off in the batters box

Other than the initial roster spot which was clearly a choice. This isn't a Clemens v McCusker thing. At least not directly.

With Castro's versatility and even the versatility of Clemens.

It is McCusker vs everybody. You and I both know that we don't have a roster full of must have's in the current lineup.

Ty France is hitting 4th! If Ty France is hitting 4th in the lineup. That lineup can never be considered locked down full of must haves 1 through 9. There is a ton of room for McCusker. 

It could be argued that the only lineup Must Have's just happened to collide with each other one week ago and therefore wiping all the must have's from the roster in one 50 million dollar moment. 

This is predetermination.

McCusker should get a couple of starts this weekend against the left handers. It won't matter what he does with them. 

 

[Trov]

This is nothing new with Rocco.  He has never just given a guy at bats to give them a shot.  He has always put who he feels gives him the best shot to win.  Even late last season many were calling for giving Kerisay a shot, not that September numbers mean anything, but he did not get thrown out over and over, but Rocco kept doing what he does.

It was clear the Twins do not have a ton of fait in McCusker but it was his turn to get called up.  I believe the team looks a lot more about how a guy does in BP, and his minor league at bats than just his output.  As many point out on here, just because someone is hitting well does not mean that is sustainable.  How much of the SSS is luck?  When you swing and miss as much as McCusker does at AAA how much worse will it be at MLB? 

Now, I agree you can give him a few full games and see what he looks like at MLB level.  Clemons has never been a good MLB player, just average bench guy.  He is on a crazy hot streak so ride it out.  Now talking about trusting him over McCusker is not really something to compare as one is OF and one is IF.  

[Muppet]

No problem subbing out Clemens for McCusker. He'll get his chance eventually, but not during close games. He might be on fire in AAA, but the best AAA pitcher is worse than the worse MLB pitcher. He's going to have to adjust, even if that just takes a few at bats. He might have to be Joey Gallo for a few games before he's McClusker again. 

[Linus]

Sometimes we just need to take a step back and get out of the weeds. This specific situation aside if you can’t give McCusker a legit chance now with his production at AAA and the lineup they are rolling out there, when will you be able to do it?

[tony&rodney]

5 hours ago, Linus said:

Sometimes we just need to take a step back and get out of the weeds. This specific situation aside if you can’t give McCusker a legit chance now with his production at AAA and the lineup they are rolling out there, when will you be able to do it?

In a comment to someone earlier this week I said the same thing ... when. One wonders what Cleveland or Kansas City would do if they had McCusker. 

However, I'm a Twins fan since 1961 and despite not understanding much of what passes through Falvey or Baldelli's heads, I'm still hoping the team does well. Tough team to watch.

[Jocko87]

I'm struggling to understand what the issue is here.

They brought in an available outside player over someone not on the 40 man. In May. Always take the outside resources over your own, always.

Then, they were right about said outside resource and he became the MVP of a 13 game winning streak.

The inside resource in question is called up anyway but is a lower priority for at bats to the aforementioned red hot acquisition.

Meanwhile, McCusker is so fooled by a major league change up he's thrown a bat farther than he's hit anything.

The front office and Rocco have played this perfectly including McCusker most likely going back down when Buxton is ready.

I don't know what the issue is.

[Jocko87]

6 hours ago, Linus said:

Sometimes we just need to take a step back and get out of the weeds. This specific situation aside if you can’t give McCusker a legit chance now with his production at AAA and the lineup they are rolling out there, when will you be able to do it?

You are correct about getting out of the weeds, we don't have enough information to be in them most of the time.

You ignored your own advice in the second part of your post. That's a decidedly small view. I could see ten different routes to playing time for McCusker down the road.

[jorgenswest]

McCusker has a lot of at bats against same sided pitching in the minors (unlike a left handed hitter that comes up). He has done well against them the last two years by OPS. The one rate that might be most telling in his transition to the majors are strike out and walk ratios.

RHP: 33%/8% in 499 PAs

LHP: 26%/12% in 211 PAs

If he is ready to help against left handed pitching in the majors do they keep him in the majors or do they send him back to AAA to continue to work on hitting right handed pitching?

They are in a tough division and they need to win games in the majors particularly against division foes. I would expect Rocco to make decisions based on what gives them the best chance to win that division game. 

[stringer bell]

First things first--Happy Birthday Carson McCusker! He's 27 today. It would be a great story if he came up and started hitting immediately as if he was still facing AAA pitching and never returned to the minors and became a star. For his good and the good of my favorite professional sports franchise, I hope it happens.

The flip side is that reality bites. Carson McCusker probably won't hit much and he'll probably be sent to the minors when both Buxton and Wallner return from their injuries unless someone else gets injured in the meantime.

McCusker wasn't regarded as much of a prospect for some reasons. He has always had a contact and strikeout issue and he's apparently not a great fielder. His age works against him as a prospect as well. It remains to be seen if he has hitting weaknesses that can be exploited or whether he has adjusted well enough to cover those weaknesses. 

I expect he will get another start against a left handed pitcher in the KC series. If he crushes, he might start changing expectations and get a bit longer leash before he is sent back to St. Paul. Some players are late bloomers and sometimes talent evaluators are wrong. 

However, I think that @Riverbrian is correct that his role is laid in for him and it doesn't offer a huge chance to thrive. Life isn't fair and the big man most likely won't be given a lot of rope to get and hold a spot on the Twins active roster.

[Muppet]

37 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

However, I think that @Riverbrian is correct that his role is laid in for him and it doesn't offer a huge chance to thrive. Life isn't fair and the big man most likely won't be given a lot of rope to get and hold a spot on the Twins active roster.

I’m not sure it is unfair. He’s clearly on the shortlist to come up to the majors. It’s only May and half the team has been injured. He’ll be up here with his full chance when the time comes. In the meantime he probably at least got some major league catering and top tier hotel rooms as well as the ability to be a fly in the wall in a major league clubhouse. This isn’t the last of McCusker we get this year.

[knothole61]

It's hard to go against the formidable Riverbrian, with whom I nearly always agree, but I just don't see the Emperor's clothes on McCusker. Give him maybe 25 at bats, sure...but I have a feeling that at 25 or 125 at bats he'll end up performing like the 2023 version of Joey Gallo. And I seem to recall him looking less than agile while patrolling right field a few games ago. 

By the way, it appears that birthday wishes are in order as Carson turned 27 just today!

 

[SwainZag]

I really hope that Carson does get his fair shake, but how can you be upset with moves that worked?

Clemens probably isn't on this team if he isn't the utility guy that he is combined with the amount of injuries that this team has had.   The way he has hit the ball has also kinda earned him more ABs.

Before he was brought into the suspended Cleveland game he was 7 for his last 12 AB and 9 for his last 14 PA getting on base.  He promptly delivered as well.  

 

[Riverbrian]

6 hours ago, SwainZag said:

I really hope that Carson does get his fair shake, but how can you be upset with moves that worked?

Clemens probably isn't on this team if he isn't the utility guy that he is combined with the amount of injuries that this team has had.   The way he has hit the ball has also kinda earned him more ABs.

Before he was brought into the suspended Cleveland game he was 7 for his last 12 AB and 9 for his last 14 PA getting on base.  He promptly delivered as well.  

 

Exactly my point all along. 

I want to be pissed but I can't because Clemens has been our best player and it worked like a charm. 

[Riverbrian]

10 hours ago, Muppet said:

I’m not sure it is unfair. He’s clearly on the shortlist to come up to the majors. It’s only May and half the team has been injured. He’ll be up here with his full chance when the time comes. In the meantime he probably at least got some major league catering and top tier hotel rooms as well as the ability to be a fly in the wall in a major league clubhouse. This isn’t the last of McCusker we get this year.

It's absolutely unfair but the roster limitations cause a lot of unfairness in the industry.  

However, since he's here... in uniform. 

France with his .672 OPS can't come out for a day to give McCusker some swings that day. Jeffers can't catch one day instead of DH so Vazquez can sit so McCusker can get some swings that day. 

Pinch hit for him in the 4th inning?

How did we end up with a team full of players who can't sit for a beat to yield some (not all) playing time.

With Buxton and Correa both down who is left from the (can't sit this guy for one game or we die)crowd on the roster. The crowd is basically one player... maybe two but clearly one player. 

Ironically it's Clemens. The guy who did the pinch hitting. 

Ironically the guy who I was originally concerned about signing because he took the 40 man spot and 26 man spot that could have gone to McCusker April 26. 

It's a funny game. 

 

[Riverbrian]

7 hours ago, knothole61 said:

It's hard to go against the formidable Riverbrian, with whom I nearly always agree, but I just don't see the Emperor's clothes on McCusker. Give him maybe 25 at bats, sure...but I have a feeling that at 25 or 125 at bats he'll end up performing like the 2023 version of Joey Gallo. And I seem to recall him looking less than agile while patrolling right field a few games ago. 

By the way, it appears that birthday wishes are in order as Carson turned 27 just today!

 

He could be the next Gallo? I don't know.

But he should be allowed to actually be the next Gallo... just to prove it.  

[Major League Ready]

On 5/22/2025 at 7:10 AM, Riverbrian said:

Ty France is hitting 4th! If Ty France is hitting 4th in the lineup. That lineup can never be considered locked down full of must haves 1 through 9. There is a ton of room for McCusker. 

I wouldn't worry about this too much.  The only reason France is hitting 4th is because 4 guys who would hit in front of him are out.  Correa is back today.  Wallner will be back any day with Buxton right behind him.  That pushes France to the 7 spot and if Clemens keeps going anywhere near the way he has been, France is on the bench and perhaps DFAed when Keaschall gets back.   

[chpettit19]

On 5/22/2025 at 6:03 AM, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Agreed, right now it’s not Clemens v McCusker, it’s more Bader/Kiersey/Whoevers DHing v McCusker. There’s plenty of room to get McCrusher at bats while Wallner is out, and probably even after he returns. This team isn’t exactly blowing the doors off in the batters box

Christian Vazquez started 3 straight games over the weekend and 4 of the last 5 games. Only game he didn't start was the one McCusker did start against the lefty that promptly got suspended after 3 innings. Anytime you're starting both of your catchers in 4 of 5 games there is plenty of room in your lineup. (I will note that McCusker was still in AAA for the first 2 of those Vazquez starts)

[TheLeviathan]

On 5/22/2025 at 6:27 AM, Trov said:

This is nothing new with Rocco.  He has never just given a guy at bats to give them a shot.  He has always put who he feels gives him the best shot to win.  Even late last season many were calling for giving Kerisay a shot, not that September numbers mean anything, but he did not get thrown out over and over, but Rocco kept doing what he does.

To be clear....you're mad the manager is making decisions to win games over giving 28 year old career minor leaguers chances?

Well.....that's a take.

[Riverbrian]

22 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

I wouldn't worry about this too much.  The only reason France is hitting 4th is because 4 guys who would hit in front of him are out.  Correa is back today.  Wallner will be back any day with Buxton right behind him.  That pushes France to the 7 spot and if Clemens keeps going anywhere near the way he has been, France is on the bench and perhaps DFAed when Keaschall gets back.   

I'm not worried about that per se. I'm saying that this is what happens. 

Injuries are going to happen. If you sign France to hit 8th in the order... that will only last as long as the health of others lasts. If you sign a guy to be a bench guy... that only lasts as long as the health of others last.  

Once the injuries start happening and they are going to happen. The guy you signed to hit 8th will rise up in the order.  

The main point about France hitting 4th in the lineup is too illustrate that there is plenty of room for McCusker to get AB's. Not just against lefties. The other side point about France hitting 4th... is the dependence that Rocco has placed in France (Can't be taken out of the lineup). 

The main point I'm making isn't really about France at all... there is another thread where I'm making my France points. The main point is really about Rocco yanking a player in the third inning with plenty of game to play which pissed me off and the irony of that player being Clemens who has been on fire and promptly came through which made me happy. 

As the Rally Goat says... No one can distill the ocean. 😉  

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, TheLeviathan said:

To be clear....you're mad the manager is making decisions to win games over giving 28 year old career minor leaguers chances?

Well.....that's a take.

Even better, the choice was between two 28 year old career minor leaguers.

[Road trip]

McCusker will be back in AAA very soon, as a pending roster crunch is coming with Correa, Buxton, and Wallner all returning (we think).  I don't think the Twins management ever intended this first trip to the majors to be a long one.  I'd have liked to have seen more, but I've seen the Twins do this so many times that it doesn't surprise me.

If McCusker continues to rake at AAA he will get a longer tryout at the major league level.  It might be later this year if outfielders get hurt, or it might be next year.  It's also possible that he will be traded in the off season.  Someone will give him a chance if he continues to destroy AAA pitching.  Then it'll be up to him, as his age and profile dictates that the chance will be somewhat brief when it arrives (unless he ends up someplace like Pittsburgh or Colorado...noncontenders can afford a long leash). 

I'll be interested to watch when it happens.  McCusker is such an outlier in physical profile that I don't quite know what to expect from him, unlike other career minor leaguers like Fitzgerald or Bride who perfectly look the profile of "journeyman infielder".  McCusker will probably never get 500 career at bats in the majors, but there is this small chance that he's a unicorn.  That's part of what makes baseball fun.

[Trov]

5 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

To be clear....you're mad the manager is making decisions to win games over giving 28 year old career minor leaguers chances?

Well.....that's a take.

I never said I was mad at the manager, I was pointing out that is how Rocco has always managed.  Many fans want to see guys with big numbers in the minors to be given a chance at the majors, but there is plenty of times they do not, and normally there is a reason for that.