Twins 9, Tigers 4: Home Run Derby in Detroit Gives Twins a Series Win

[Parfigliano]

31 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Roman Anthony was signed to an 8/$130 extension today. What would it take to lock in Keaschall right now? It might be something to look into… Would 8/$100 million get it done today?

TC would be crazy to offer and Keaschall would be insane if he didn't accept.

[Vanimal46]

2 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

TC would be crazy to offer and Keaschall would be insane if he didn't accept.

The Pohlads aren’t forward thinking at all so it’s a moot point. But I hope the next owner is and takes chances to lock in young talent. That’s how the Braves built a great team, minus this year when injuries were too much to overcome. 

[Patzky]

47 minutes ago, Hubie29 said:

When did the Twins hire the comedy duo Roden and Martin? 

(When they were the Senators) 😂

[wornsmooth]

1 hour ago, rdehring said:

Is it possible this team is playing better since the deadline than before?  I don't think Detroit is all that good.  Granted we didn't face Skubal, but that team sure didn't look like a team who could do anything in the playoffs.  

Not saying that I expect this team to go on a run and make the playoffs, like Detroit did last year.  But the last few games were a lot of fun to watch.  Heck, the two losses in Cleveland were one run games that could have gone the Twins way with a couple small changes.

If Buxton is back in a few days and playing like he did before the injury.  That's one more bat that can make a difference.  And love the way some of these new guys are running.

 

Not to mention Royce.

He smoked a liner about 400 ft for an out.

This guy is not a .250 hitter.

 

[Patzky]

Nowhere else to note it, but Griffin Jax loaded the bases with Angels with nobody out then proceeded to strike out the side, preserving the lead. 

The stress... 

[LeatherAntenna]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

I'm calling it right now: screw ROY.

Luke Keaschall 2025 AL MVP. 

One wonders that if Keaschall doesn’t get injured in April how different the trade deadline might have been.

[tony&rodney]

Always appreciate the work that goes into writing these reports. Thank you for your work. The minor correction below does not detract from the story.

FWIW, Keaschall's line drive double (100.9 mph) that scored two runs in the 1st inning was down the left field line off the very tip of Riley Greene's glove. Greene, according to our illustrious play by play announcer, grades out as the best left fielder in baseball for jumps and range. Put in context, Bader, who is a pretty good outfielder, does not get within 6 feet of the ball. So not a miscue and credit where credit is due ... to Keaschall.

The Twins seemed to have a very solid plan today versus Flaherty and hit his fastball. The Twins also hustled. I have been miffed why every player is not sprinting all out on every play. If they are worried about injury, sit out.

[chpettit19]

45 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

The Pohlads aren’t forward thinking at all so it’s a moot point. But I hope the next owner is and takes chances to lock in young talent. That’s how the Braves built a great team, minus this year when injuries were too much to overcome. 

I'm all for locking up young talent, but 8/100 for Keaschall is significantly high. Jackson Chourio got 8/82. Christian Campbell got 8/60. Ceddane Rafaela 8/50. Roman Anthony is not the right guy to be comparing to. Campbell or Rafaela are the much better comps, in my opinion.

[jorgenswest]

Is it possible the Correa’s presence and influence was so strong that when he wasn’t playing well he pulled others with him? 

[AceWrigley]

3 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Ohl got thumped around, which isn't great to see. Can't give up 3 dingers in less than 3 innings. He's got some things to figure out still . . .

Jeffers kept calling for the change-up and they just keep drilling them.

[Eris]

46 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Is it possible the Correa’s presence and influence was so strong that when he wasn’t playing well he pulled others with him? 

There is the puzzling data that the Twins had a better record over Correa’s 4 years with the team when he was not playing.  Look at who else is gone. Bader hustled all the time. Castro put forth a lot of effort. It will be interesting to see how this all works out. Having a person like Keaschall can be very infectious. 

[karcherd]

1 hour ago, AceWrigley said:

Jeffers kept calling for the change-up and they just keep drilling them.

That's his one pitch just like Tommy Kahnle.  He needs to learn how to spot it or he will not be around.  I am neutral on him but that is the reality of who he is.

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

The Pohlads aren’t forward thinking at all so it’s a moot point. But I hope the next owner is and takes chances to lock in young talent. That’s how the Braves built a great team, minus this year when injuries were too much to overcome. 

Funny because I was JUST looking at Atlanta's roster before checking in here. Acuna was a great deal, but he's only got three years left. Olson has been great but he's the only one under contract long term who's playing well and he's not young. Atlanta is certainly regretting the Michael Harris deal and probably the Austin Riley deal too. I didn't realize his power up and vanished two years ago; he's starting to look like their Max Kepler but paid twice as much for twice the years. Ozzie Albies is also now a bad player two years running, but his two remaining option years are only 7M. Anyway, overall, I'd guess Atlanta is regretting most of those deals and I bet they try to get out from most of them this winter.

As for the Twins, we had the same conversations about Miranda, Lewis and Julien the past three seasons. Even if we the fans won't base a decision of those comps, I'm sure ownership and the front office will. In their minds, NOT doing those deals might have been the only break they've caught since 2023.

[MikeNC]

Whatever the Twins are paying their pitching coach, they should double it!  Castoffs and retreads somehow getting the job done.  Oviously having Skywalker knock in 3 runs a game helps a lot, but do you remember what a project Varland was?  Jax was?  4+ innings out of Hatch today, who's MLB average in 40 appearances over the past 6 years is less than 2.  He did have a respectable 4.18 ERA in 171 Minor League appearances going back to 2017. He also spent 2024 in Japan and got raked for an ERA of over 7.  Even Funderburk (shudder) is getting outs now.  Remarkable.

[Melissa]

2 hours ago, Patzky said:

Nowhere else to note it, but Griffin Jax loaded the bases with Angels with nobody out then proceeded to strike out the side, preserving the lead. 

The stress... 

 Very reminiscent of his Twins performances this year … 

[chpettit19]

12 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Funny because I was JUST looking at Atlanta's roster before checking in here. Acuna was a great deal, but he's only got three years left. Olson has been great but he's the only one under contract long term who's playing well and he's not young. Atlanta is certainly regretting the Michael Harris deal and probably the Austin Riley deal too. I didn't realize his power up and vanished two years ago; he's starting to look like their Max Kepler but paid twice as much for twice the years. Ozzie Albies is also now a bad player two years running, but his two remaining option years are only 7M. Anyway, overall, I'd guess Atlanta is regretting most of those deals and I bet they try to get out from most of them this winter.

As for the Twins, we had the same conversations about Miranda, Lewis and Julien the past three seasons. Even if we the fans won't base a decision of those comps, I'm sure ownership and the front office will. In their minds, NOT doing those deals might have been the only break they've caught since 2023.

Austin Riley and Matt Olson aren't the same thing as what we're talking about with Luke Keaschall. Austin Riley got extended after back to back 6 WAR, 30 HR, top 10 MVP seasons. Matt Olson, as you point out, is a much older player than any of these guys.

Acuna, Albies, and Harris are more of what we're talking about and I think Harris is the only one Atlanta has any question at all about. Even with Albies injury struggles the last couple years that have really hurt his overall performance, I think Atlanta would do that deal all over again. He has far out performed that contract. Same with Acuna. Injuries have taken his games played numbers down, but those are 2 of the most team friendly deals in recent memory when it comes to WAR per dollar, if you believe in that kind of thing. 

Michael Harris II is making them nervous now, I'll give you that. If he continues on with his level of performance from this year, that's going to be a bad deal. But if he gets back to what he was last year, that deal is just fine. Not a massive win, but not a problem at all. I wouldn't say they're regretting it yet, though. 1 bad year shouldn't have them giving up on him.

Their 3 super early contracts that are comparable to what extending Keaschall right now would be are 2 for 3 with Harris still up in the air. In terms of their situation right now, sure, it's not great if Riley doesn't bounce back, but in terms of the results of the extensions similar to what extending Keaschall would be the results are actually quite positive. There's always risk. But there's risk in not extending, too.

I think Keaschall is different than Miranda, Lewis, and Julien. Miranda and Julien are/were 1 tool players. Bat only guys who brought no speed or defense to the plate and relied entirely on their bats to carry them. Not the kind of long-term bets you want to make with extensions. Lewis had the obvious injury concerns. Star upside but was all small sample sizes and serious injuries. Again, not the same kind of bet as Keaschall. I agree many fans had those conversations, but I think those 3 were very different guys.

If you can extend Keaschall for 8 and between 50 and 60 mil I think it's a no brainer. That's Christian Campbell, Cedanne Rafaela money. Depending how you structure it, there shouldn't be any years where that's killing any budget if he completely flops and it's giving him guaranteed money. If you choose not to (the very likely choice they make) there's risk he blows up and you lose him in a max 6 years or have to pay him considerably more money. There's risk in every decision. Extending and not extending. The challenge is getting most of your decisions right.

[mnfireman]

6 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

If you can extend Keaschall for 8 and between 50 and 60 mil I think it's a no brainer. That's Christian Campbell, Cedanne Rafaela money. Depending how you structure it, there shouldn't be any years where that's killing any budget if he completely flops and it's giving him guaranteed money. If you choose not to (the very likely choice they make) there's risk he blows up and you lose him in a max 6 years or have to pay him considerably more money. There's risk in every decision. Extending and not extending. The challenge is getting most of your decisions right.

He's had 35 PA's, let's put the extension talks on hold for awhile...

[chpettit19]

21 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

He's had 35 PA's, let's put the extension talks on hold for awhile...

That's part of the strategy. It's how Atlanta got Albies and Acuna for crazy cheap. It's why Boston has Campbell and Rafaela locked up for 60 and 50 mil for 8 years a piece right now. It's why Milwaukee has Chourio under control well beyond his arb years for 82 mil. 

It's a risk. You can be against taking that risk, but don't tell the rest of us to put our heads in the sand because of it. It is a strategy that is used often. Boston just extended Roman Anthony today, too. Jackson Merrill in San Diego, Rodriguez out in Seattle. Teams sign youngsters very early quite often.

Teams do this. Because it saves them money. Lots of money. But it comes with risk. So, no, I will not put the extension talks on hold. Chourio was signed before he ever stepped foot on a major league field. As a 20-year-old. It's a good strategy when used correctly.

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, Patzky said:

Nowhere else to note it, but Griffin Jax loaded the bases with Angels with nobody out then proceeded to strike out the side, preserving the lead. 

The stress... 

He is what he is.  Living on the edge.  It will blow up in his face.

[Doc Lenz]

Gasper should bat first and play shortstop when his parents are at the games. When they aren’t at games bat first and DH.

It should also be required that all players on the roster have to be from Minnesota.

[knothole61]

8 hours ago, darwin22 said:

Great to see a series W---first since ASB---with several prospects (Keaschall and Roden) and journeymen (Hatch and Kriskie) contributing in major ways to bring home a victory.

I want to temper my optimism (hope is a dangerous thing) on Keaschall, but this kid is a DUDE! Saw him play 2 games for Wind Surge last year against Cardinals AA team and came away impressed with his quick bat and power.  Moreover, he plays with great enthusiasm and grit.  Reminds me of a lighter version of one of my all-time Twins favorites---the Rat---Gary Gaetti!

Also, quite impressed by the performance of Hatch. Wow!  Where did that come from??  Might be his best performance in his career.  The way he pitched today, he earned some additional opportunities after ownership nuked our bullpen last week.

With Keaschall's impressive return from injury, I'm stoked to see Kalen Culpepper, Gabby Gonzalez and Walker Jenkins next week as I'm making my annual road trip (from KC area) down to Springfield, Mo to see two games next week.  

Taking solace in small victories for the remainder this season.

 

darwin...the comparison of Keaschall to Gaetti seems apt to some extent, and yes, he does appear to have a "fast bat." Unlike Gaetti, however, I can't see Keaschall heading into the tunnel to smoke "heaters" four or five times a game! I just can't see that... 

[knothole61]

4 hours ago, MikeNC said:

Whatever the Twins are paying their pitching coach, they should double it!  Castoffs and retreads somehow getting the job done.  Oviously having Skywalker knock in 3 runs a game helps a lot, but do you remember what a project Varland was?  Jax was?  4+ innings out of Hatch today, who's MLB average in 40 appearances over the past 6 years is less than 2.  He did have a respectable 4.18 ERA in 171 Minor League appearances going back to 2017. He also spent 2024 in Japan and got raked for an ERA of over 7.  Even Funderburk (shudder) is getting outs now.  Remarkable.

Mike, "Skywalker" just might fit. What part of NC?

[twinstalker]

I'm as high on Keaschall as anyone and have scoffed for over a year now at the idea anyone other than Jenkins (among current prospects) comes remotely close to him.

However, pitchers aren't pitching much to him yet, this time or last time.  His quick bat and two strike approach are great, but he's not yet seeing what he's going to see.

I just traded for him in another league, and it wasn't cheap.

[UK Twin]

Credit where credit's due, that's a great series win. Keaschall would be a serious ROY candidate if he hadn't picked up a bad injury. September call ups will be interesting - hopefully Jenkins will get his first taste of the majors. 

[UK Twin]

2 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

He is what he is.  Living on the edge.  It will blow up in his face.

I loved the Jax trade TBH. Good reliever, but not elite and we got a SP under lots of team control with clear upside. 

[karcherd]

September call ups will have minimal impact for the Twins with the new rules.  You can only add two players with no more than one being a pitcher.  And I am sure they will continue to audition pitchers so one of the call ups will be a pitcher.  So it will be difficult to bring anyone additional up to get a real look.  Maybe a week or so for a couple of guys but that would be about all you can expect.

[madtowntwin]

Hatch was very impressive mixing his pitches with good control and velocity. Ohl needs to have pinpoint control as his velocity is not that strong at this point. Keaschall was impressive with bat, glove and legs. A lot of pop in the bats this game...

[TwinsDr2021]

12 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

As for the Twins, we had the same conversations about Miranda, Lewis and Julien the past three seasons. Even if we the fans won't base a decision of those comps, I'm sure ownership and the front office will. In their minds, NOT doing those deals might have been the only break they've caught since 2023.

It shouldn't be considered a break, it should be considered this is how you deal with guys that come up in their mid 20's. 

Keaschall turns 23 next week, so he is right on the edge (they have control though age 27) of if they should or shouldn't extend him, I would lean towards trying to extend him. The idea of extending a player IMO is to get their prime years for cheap(er), if you already have them control of them through their primes there really is no need for the team or player to accept that.  (difference between Lopez and Ryan/Ober/Jax/Duran) 

IMO there really are two ways of dealing with prospects get them up young (23 or younger, preferably even younger) to see what they are, and then either extend or move on when they become a bit expensive (Castro for the TIgers as an example).  Or hold off until they are older and never play "real" money for them. (Wallner, Larnach, Miranda, Julien)

A player like Royce who got hurt which delayed his debut ends up getting hurt financially. The Twins have him control of him though age 29, so really no need to lock him up, plus with the injuries.

For example Roman Anthony is 21 and even with the extension they only have him though age 30 (last year a club option)  compared to the Twins who have just about everybody (minus Keashall) already controlled though age 29 or older. 

 

 

[stringer bell]

14 hours ago, mnfireman said:

He's had 35 PA's, let's put the extension talks on hold for awhile...

Several of the players discussed had fewer or no MLB plate appearances. Choutio and Keith had extensions with zero PAs, as did the Red Sox Campbell. It’s a risk a selling ownership is unlikely to take and the results of speculative early extensions are decidedly mixed. 

[stringer bell]

9 hours ago, UK Twin said:

Credit where credit's due, that's a great series win. Keaschall would be a serious ROY candidate if he hadn't picked up a bad injury. September call ups will be interesting - hopefully Jenkins will get his first taste of the majors. 

September call ups aren’t what they used to be. Two players, mostly likely an additional bullpen arm and a third catcher.

Edit to add: I missed the @karcherd comment which said essentially the same thing I posted.