3 Years Experience/Payroll All 30 teams - LH/RH starting pitcher win tracker

[Riverbrian]

I'm just going to post the stuff I'm going to track this season. I usually do this type of stuff for my benefit. This year... I might as well share it. 

Some won't be interested.... everybody should be... but I know some won't. Regardless. I'll update the LH/RH starting pitcher tracker every day and if there are a couple of you folks that would be interested in such stuff... it'll be worth it to share. For what it's worth. 

This first post will just be a start of the season marker of how many players under three years experience that made the 26 man rosters of all 30 teams.

This can always be referenced when looking at what teams are having good years or not having good years. 

Under three years experience is a quick way to count players making the minimum. The more players making the minimum... the less spots remaining to fill and more money to spend on those less spots. All teams have a budget... this is an important head count.

Disclaimer: Players with under three years experience who were offered multi-year contracts buying out some years... are not making the minimum and are still counted as players with less than 3 years experience. 

Nats: 20 - Payroll 97

Cards: 19 - Payroll 99

White Sox: 18 - Payroll 87

Marlins: 18 - Payroll 73

Guardians: 18 - Payroll 84

Rockies: 16 - Payroll 122

A's: 16 - Payroll 95

Giants: 15 - Payroll 204

Twins: 14 - Payroll 107

Brewers: 14 - Payroll 129

Rays: 14 - Payroll 88

Pirates: 14 - Payroll 105 

Astros: 12 - Payroll 237

Dodgers: 12 - Payroll 397

Red Sox: 12 - Payroll 196

Orioles: 11 - Payroll 166

Jays: 11 - Payroll 289

Mariners: 11 - Payroll 162

Reds: 11 - Payroll 126

Padres: 10 - Payroll 208

Angels: 10 - Payroll 183

Tigers: 9 - Payroll 217

Cubs: 9 - Payroll 233

Royals: 8 - Payroll 149

Mets: 8  - Payroll 366

Rangers: 8 - Payroll 186

Yankees: 8 - Payroll 319

D-Backs: 6 - Payroll 196

Phillies: 6 - Payroll 285

Braves; 5 - Payroll 250

 

 

 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

I will do my best to update this next section game by game. It's just a running tally of Win/Loss record against Right Handed and Left handed starters. This research will have massive holes that you can drive a truck through. I'm only doing it for one reason. I want to simply know how the team is doing when a left handed starter starts and when a right handed starter starts. Win and Losses vs.

Left Handed Starters: 

March 26 - Trevor Rogers - Lost - Record 0-1 Runs Scored 1 - Season Average Runs Scored 1 - Lineup composition 5 RH 3 Switch 1 LH

March 30 - Kris Bubic - Lost - Record 0-2 Runs Scored 1 - Season Average Runs Scored 1 - Lineup composition 5 RH 3 Switch 1 LH

April 1 - Noe Cameron - Lost - Record 0-3 Runs Scored 9 - Season Average Runs Scored 3,67 - Lineup composition 5 RH 3 Switch 1 LH

April 2 - Cole Ragans - Won - Record 1-3 Runs Scored 5 - Season Average Runs Scored 4 - Lineup Composition 4 RH 2 Switch 3 LH

Right Handed Starters: 

March 28 - Kyle Bradish - Won - Record 1-0 Runs Scored 4 - Season Average Runs Scored 4 - Lineup Composition  4 RH 2 Switch 3 LH

March 29 - Shane Baz - Lost - Record 1-1 Runs Scored 6 - Season Average Runs Scored 5 - Lineup Composition 3 RH 2 Switch 4 LH

[Vanimal46]

The Dodgers with their unlimited funds still prioritizes 12 players with <3 years service time. 2 less than the Twins, who are well on their way to 90+ losses. Just in case if anyone is curious why most casual fans couldn’t care less about this team. 

[Vanimal46]

The St Louis Cardinals figured out where they are in their cycle of MLB contention. The Twins need to get their young guys up as soon as they gain their 7th year of control. 

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

The Dodgers with their unlimited funds still prioritizes 12 players with <3 years service time. 2 less than the Twins, who are well on their way to 90+ losses. Just in case if anyone is curious why most casual fans couldn’t care less about this team. 

In the case of the Dodgers. One of those 12 is Yamamoto because he has less than 3 years service time... he's certainly not making the minimum. 

You are right... Despite having the resources to pay for upper level vets and crowding younger players out.  The Dodgers still post a 12. The Dodgers draft late every year and are still a development success story. That success is more than a 12. They will trade development for developed and still prioritize 12. 

The Dodgers opening day 12 breaks down like this: 

2 Projected starting 9 (Pages and Freeland)

2 Projected not starting 4 (Rushing and Call)

3 Starting Rotation (Yamamoto, Sasaki and Sheehan)

5 Bullpen arms. 

The bullpen is a popular spot to roster players with less than 3 years experience. Adding up all 30 teams. 124 pitchers with less than 3 years experience made the opening day roster. The average is therefore 4.13 per team. 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

The St Louis Cardinals figured out where they are in their cycle of MLB contention. The Twins need to get their young guys up as soon as they gain their 7th year of control. 

I'm a Chaim Bloom fan. They don't like him much in Boston but he left behind a farm system that is starting reap benefits. 

If the Cards hit on only 33% of the 19. If they fail with 67%. They will have added 6 solid players to the roster for next year at a cost of around 4 million.

We will get to see what the Cards do Wins and Losses wise. 

The Roster breakdown for the Cards on Opening day: 

Projected Starting 9: 7 

Projected Not Starting 4: 3

Starting Rotation: 3

Bullpen: 6

 

[Riverbrian]

Left Handed Starters: 

March 26 - Trevor Rogers - Lost - Record 0-1 Runs Scored 1 - Season Average Runs Scored 1 - Lineup composition 5 RH 3 Switch 1 LH

March 30 - Kris Bubic - Lost - Record 0-2 Runs Scored 1 - Season Average Runs Scored 1 - Lineup composition 5 RH 3 Switch 1 LH

April 1 - Noe Cameron - Lost - Record 0-3 Runs Scored 9 - Season Average Runs Scored 3,67 - Lineup composition 5 RH 3 Switch 1 LH

April 2 - Cole Ragans - Won - Record 1-3 Runs Scored 5 - Season Average Runs Scored 4 - Lineup Composition 4 RH 2 Switch 3 LH

Right Handed Starters: 

March 28 - Kyle Bradish - Won - Record 1-0 Runs Scored 4 - Season Average Runs Scored 4 - Lineup Composition  4 RH 2 Switch 3 LH

March 29 - Shane Baz - Lost - Record 1-1 Runs Scored 6 - Season Average Runs Scored 5 - Lineup Composition 3 RH 2 Switch 4 LH

April 3 - Joe Boyle - Won - Record 2-1 - Runs Scored 10 - Season Average Runs Scored - 6.67 - Lineup Composition 4 RH 1 Switch 4 LH

[nicksaviking]

I think it should be pointed out that while the Twins have lots of players with less than 3 years of experience, most of them are already pushing 30. Or beyond it.

Thats obviously different than running with a roster full of young players you are hoping will be your long term core.

[Riverbrian]

6 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I think it should be pointed out that while the Twins have lots of players with less than 3 years of experience, most of them are already pushing 30. Or beyond it.

Thats obviously different than running with a roster full of young players you are hoping will be your long term core.

This is very true. Under 3 years experience doesn't necessarily mean youthful. It leads the mind to think youth but that isn't always the case. 

The ages of our 14 players with under 3 years experience are: 30, 29, 29, 28, 28, 28, 28, 27, 27, 25, 25, 25, 24, 23

9 out of the 14 are over the age of 27. 

Being baseball young at an older age is an automatic dismissal to some. Just another filter to make the job of finding talent harder.  

IMO this is another search for perfection or focusing on the wart that we do.  We focus on that wart and use for counter arguments to dismiss talent out of hand. It's the Wallner strikes out too much, Larnach can't play defense, Gray is too old argument... that leads to dismissal out of hand.

Personally... I tend to worry less about the age. I place more emphasis on years of control... will they be back... if they actually show something... could they be back to do it again. If Tristan Gray produces an OPS of .750... if he has that surprise great year at age 30 and he is under team control for age 31... we wouldn't want him back? We'd rather spend 7 million on a 33 year old who had an OPS of 720. 

I also place more emphasis on the budget... we have a budget. Finding players who make the minimum that are at least marginally better or marginally worse than the guy you are spending 4 million or 7 million on matters. It matters greatly. 

But yeah... you are right. Our youth isn't as youthful as other teams. 

[Major League Ready]

On 4/2/2026 at 10:30 PM, Vanimal46 said:

The St Louis Cardinals figured out where they are in their cycle of MLB contention. The Twins need to get their young guys up as soon as they gain their 7th year of control. 

Yes, the Twins and Cardinals were in a very similar positions at the start of the off-season.  Yet, they took a very different approache.  I am of the belief that this was Tom Pohlad who chose this direction.  IDK about you but I have a lot more faith in the Cardinals organization than I do Tom Pohlad based on what we have seen.  I have always tried to balance the criticism of the Pohlad's because they were never really impacted the team.  They spent in line with revenue and let the PBO run the show.  Based on what happened this off-season,  I think ownership is now a major obstacle and I sure hope they sell very soon.

[tony&rodney]

15 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Yes, the Twins and Cardinals were in a very similar positions at the start of the off-season.  Yet, they took very different approaches.  I am of the belief that this was Tom Pohlad who chose this direction.  IDK about you but I have a lot more faith in the Cardinals organization than I do Tom Pohlad based on what we have seen.  I have always tried to balance the criticism of the Pohlad's because they were never really impacted the team.  They spent in line with revenue and let the PBO run the show.  Based on what happened this off-season,  I think ownership is now a major obstacle and I sure hope they sell very soon.

You make a point that many will agree with. It always seemed like the Pohlads had zero input and perhaps didn't even know much about the team much less the minor leagues; a hands off approach. If Tom is now involved he can make a difference somehow. Of course this can potentially be very drastic in either direction. I think it is certainly too soon to tell. Looking at the roster, this is still Falvey's Dream Team, although changes are coming. Whether Tom Pohlad put a "NO" to any moves over the winter isn't clear. Did any team make any reasonable offers? I never saw one. We do know that the former PBO ran operations until at least mid December. Is it possible that restrictions were put in place earlier? I have not seen any evidence of that. The July deadline through November were prime time for trades and roster improvements. Nothing happened and we do not know why. 

While i actively opposed the sale of the Minnesota Twins to Carl Pohlad in 1984, I'm not prepared to identify Tom Pohlad as an obstacle to an improved baseball team. It is early and he is the first family member to actively show an interest. Whether he can pull off positive moves is for speculation. He won't get a long time to make his moves. Certainly many, if not most, people will give Tom zero chance. I'm waiting until next March.

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, tony&amp;rodney said:

You make a point that many will agree with. It always seemed like the Pohlads had zero input and perhaps didn't even know much about the team much less the minor leagues; a hands off approach. If Tom is now involved he can make a difference somehow. Of course this can potentially be very drastic in either direction. I think it is certainly too soon to tell. Looking at the roster, this is still Falvey's Dream Team, although changes are coming. Whether Tom Pohlad put a "NO" to any moves over the winter isn't clear. Did any team make any reasonable offers? I never saw one. We do know that the former PBO ran operations until at least mid December. Is it possible that restrictions were put in place earlier? I have not seen any evidence of that. The July deadline through November were prime time for trades and roster improvements. Nothing happened and we do not know why. 

While i actively opposed the sale of the Minnesota Twins to Carl Pohlad in 1984, I'm not prepared to identify Tom Pohlad as an obstacle to an improved baseball team. It is early and he is the first family member to actively show an interest. Whether he can pull off positive moves is for speculation. He won't get a long time to make his moves. Certainly many, if not most, people will give Tom zero chance. I'm waiting until next March.

I agree in that there is a lot of speculation in my opinion.  However, there are a few things that are not speculative.
1.  If the insistence this team was a contender and personnel moves should track with that narrative was Falvey’s, Tom could have changed directions.  Those type of trades take place in January / February.  Freddy Peralta was traded on 1/21 and McKenzie Gore on 1/22.
2.  Larnach’s was offered arbitration on 1/9.  That decision did not support rebuilding.   
3.  Joe and the Pohlad family decided to cut payroll even further while stating they were building around Lopez/Ryan to make a run this year. 
4.  Joe publically stated something to the effect that the team had to contend this year.  It certainly appeared from this and other public statements that Joe and/or the family chose this direction.   

I would concede we don’t know what they were offered but we heard absolutely nothing in terms of trade rumors and they stated public ally they were not considering offers.  I have a very hard time believing there were offers but those negotiations remained completely secret.  I also have a hard time believing that they would not have received any good offers for Ryan/Lopez/Buxton.  They were all sell high candidates.  If Ryan gets hurt or underperforms, the failure to cash in on these assets has the potential to be quite detrimental for the next 6-8 years.  
 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Yes, the Twins and Cardinals were in a very similar positions at the start of the off-season.  Yet, they took very different approaches.  I am of the belief that this was Tom Pohlad who chose this direction.  IDK about you but I have a lot more faith in the Cardinals organization than I do Tom Pohlad based on what we have seen.  I have always tried to balance the criticism of the Pohlad's because they were never really impacted the team.  They spent in line with revenue and let the PBO run the show.  Based on what happened this off-season,  I think ownership is now a major obstacle and I sure hope they sell very soon.

Tom was very public in the offseason, where Joe and Jim were not. We don’t really know what happens behind closed doors, but we saw the outcomes in Falvey and Zoll’s actions since the ill-timed 2023 payroll correction. Zollvine became even more passive than 2019-2022, until the 2025 trade deadline where they panic sold, then became passive again.

That to me, reads like the third generation of Pohlads do not have a vision for the Twins and their investment is floundering as a result. Tom said it out loud is all.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

I agree in that there is a lot of speculation in my opinion.  However, there are a few things that are not speculative.
1.  If the insistence this team was a contender and personnel moves should track with that narrative was Falvey’s, Tom could have changed directions.  Those type of trades take place in January / February.  Freddy Peralta was traded on 1/21 and McKenzie Gore on 1/22.
2.  Larnach’s was offered arbitration on 1/9.  That decision did not support rebuilding.   
3.  Joe and the Pohlad family decided to cut payroll even further while stating they were building around Lopez/Ryan to make a run this year. 
4.  Joe publically stated something to the effect that the team had to contend this year.  It certainly appeared from this and other public statements that Joe and/or the family chose this direction.   

I would concede we don’t know what they were offered but we heard absolutely nothing in terms of trade rumors and they stated public ally they were not considering offers.  I have a very hard time believing there were offers but those negotiations remained completely secret.  I also have a hard time believing that they would not have received any good offers for Ryan/Lopez/Buxton.  They were all sell high candidates.  If Ryan gets hurt or underperforms, the failure to cash in on these assets has the potential to be quite detrimental for the next 6-8 years.  
 

It was a messed up offseason. Hard to know anything about what was possible or what was not. Personally, I was present for the loss to Houston in 2023 and saw inherent weaknesses that could only be solved through trades. Soto and the Japanese players (Ohtani, etc.) were never an option and Montgomery and Hoskins were poor choices even at that time. We really don't know where things are going at this time. It seems hard to believe worse is ahead. Agree that at least one or more of Ryan, Lopez, Buxton, Jeffers, Ober, Lewis, Larnach, and Wallner should have been traded (I favored multiple trades), but that is in the past. I am hoping that all of Culpepper, Jenkins, and Rodriguez force their way on to the major league roster as regulars.

Back to the post, the Twins need to be judicious about their roster and we can only hope that a number of players arrive in the next 15 months that will actually make a difference.

[Jim H]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

This is very true. Under 3 years experience doesn't necessarily mean youthful. It leads the mind to think youth but that isn't always the case. 

The ages of our 14 players with under 3 years experience are: 30, 29, 29, 28, 28, 28, 28, 27, 27, 25, 25, 25, 24, 23

9 out of the 14 are over the age of 27. 

Being baseball young at an older age is an automatic dismissal to some. Just another filter to make the job of finding talent harder.  

IMO this is another search for perfection or focusing on the wart that we do.  We focus on that wart and use for counter arguments to dismiss talent out of hand. It's the Wallner strikes out too much, Larnach can't play defense, Gray is too old argument... that leads to dismissal out of hand.

Personally... I tend to worry less about the age. I place more emphasis on years of control... will they be back... if they actually show something... could they be back to do it again. If Tristan Gray produces an OPS of .750... if he has that surprise great year at age 30 and he is under team control for age 31... we wouldn't want him back? We'd rather spend 7 million on a 33 year old who had an OPS of 720. 

I also place more emphasis on the budget... we have a budget. Finding players who make the minimum that are at least marginally better or marginally worse than the guy you are spending 4 million or 7 million on matters. It matters greatly. 

But yeah... you are right. Our youth isn't as youthful as other teams. 

I enjoy your posts. You usually bring a different viewpoint to many of these discussions. It is useful generally, to consider angles that are a little different than some of the narratives found here. 

I do think that having so many late 20's or older players with less than 3 years major league experience is concerning on this version of the Twins. There are very few true impact major leaguers on this roster. There are a few players who could still develop into an impact player but if you haven't done so by the time you reach your late 20's the odds go down dramatically.

So I think you give full time opportunities to the handful of guys on this roster who have a meaningful chance  to reach that not so lofty height. That probably means Martin. Keaschall, Wallner, Lewis, Lee and the youngish starting pitchers. Everyone else is a bit part and can treated as such. If they make something out of their limited opportunities, great. But lets not work too hard to get Clemons, Gray, Outman, etc. extended chances.

Soon hopefully, the next wave of prospects will force themselves to the majors. When that happens, play them everyday. Don't treat them as a bit player to be danced in and out of the lineup with guys who have shown they should be used as backups. All that ever does is extend the amount of time it takes to figure out who can contribute meaningfully to winning.

 

[Jim H]

Just to clarify. Buxton, Jeffers, Ryan are not bit parts. They should play as much as they can handle.

[nicksaviking]

14 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

This is very true. Under 3 years experience doesn't necessarily mean youthful. It leads the mind to think youth but that isn't always the case. 

The ages of our 14 players with under 3 years experience are: 30, 29, 29, 28, 28, 28, 28, 27, 27, 25, 25, 25, 24, 23

9 out of the 14 are over the age of 27. 

Being baseball young at an older age is an automatic dismissal to some. Just another filter to make the job of finding talent harder. 

IMO this is another search for perfection or focusing on the wart that we do.  We focus on that wart and use for counter arguments to dismiss talent out of hand. It's the Wallner strikes out too much, Larnach can't play defense, Gray is too old argument... that leads to dismissal out of hand.

Personally... I tend to worry less about the age. I place more emphasis on years of control... will they be back... if they actually show something... could they be back to do it again. If Tristan Gray produces an OPS of .750... if he has that surprise great year at age 30 and he is under team control for age 31... we wouldn't want him back? We'd rather spend 7 million on a 33 year old who had an OPS of 720. 

 

It would be great if Gray keeps producing. But, call me cynical, I’ll likely always bet against a breakout age 30 season. If he’s still playing well if/when the Twins start selling, I’m guessing moving him will be a regular talking point here. 

[Riverbrian]

Last Game

April 4 - Steven Matz - Loss - Record vs LH Starter - 1-4 Runs Scored 1 - Season Average Runs Scored vs LH Starter 3.4 - Lineup Composition 4 RH 2 Switch 3 LH

Last game vs Right Hander starter and Accumulated Stats vs Right Handed Start

April 3 - Joe Boyle - Won - Record 2-1 vs RH Starter - Runs Scored 10 - Season Average Runs Scored - 6.67 - Lineup Composition 4 RH 1 Switch 4 LH

[Riverbrian]

On 4/4/2026 at 11:19 AM, Jim H said:

I enjoy your posts. You usually bring a different viewpoint to many of these discussions. It is useful generally, to consider angles that are a little different than some of the narratives found here. 

I do think that having so many late 20's or older players with less than 3 years major league experience is concerning on this version of the Twins. There are very few true impact major leaguers on this roster. There are a few players who could still develop into an impact player but if you haven't done so by the time you reach your late 20's the odds go down dramatically.

So I think you give full time opportunities to the handful of guys on this roster who have a meaningful chance  to reach that not so lofty height. That probably means Martin. Keaschall, Wallner, Lewis, Lee and the youngish starting pitchers. Everyone else is a bit part and can treated as such. If they make something out of their limited opportunities, great. But lets not work too hard to get Clemons, Gray, Outman, etc. extended chances.

Soon hopefully, the next wave of prospects will force themselves to the majors. When that happens, play them everyday. Don't treat them as a bit player to be danced in and out of the lineup with guys who have shown they should be used as backups. All that ever does is extend the amount of time it takes to figure out who can contribute meaningfully to winning.

 

To me... at least the part that I talk about often... Pitchers don't really apply in regards to utilization. You can't hide pitchers. If you are in the rotation... you are going to rotate in. You can occasionally skip a spot if off days allow but you are going to take your turn the rest of the time or it will compromise the rest and routine... rotation... of the other 4. Pitchers are going to get their opportunity. 

The Bullpen... you can't hide. LaTroy is going to tell you get up because you are going in. The manager can try to control leverage but that dam will burst every 3 game series. You can't control leverage because leverage is all over the place in every 9 innings... run prevention is needed in the 5th and 6th inning. 

On the position players side of the equation. You can hide players until you can't... because injuries are going to shove that guy you hid behind the snowblower in the garage right into the starting lineup. 

Picking a starting nine for daily work... only works if you are:

A; Right All the Time and B: Healthy all the time. 

I try really hard to keep individual players out of the discussion because it makes the player the discussion and not the concept.

I'll use your suggestions for example. You'd give full time opportunity to Buxton, Jeffers, Martin, Keaschall, Wallner, Lewis and Lee. On Twinsdaily... some are going to disagree with you. And that's OK. However... The lack on consensus, the subjectiveness, the difference of opinion should suggest that these decisions are made on the margins. There isn't a clear advantage... therefore there isn't a clear superior player... yet 1 will be chosen. If the choices were between Trevor Larnach or Juan Soto. We would clearly be off the margins now. If we had to choose between Witt and Lee... Nobody is going to say... Hey... Get that Lee in there. There would be no discussion.

Therefore... we don't have a player that is good enough to keep it from not being a discussion. We don't have Bobby Witt... We have Brooks Lee getting the same amount of playing time as Bobby Witt... and that just locks in that disadvantage. I'd rather have someone competing seriously with Brooks Lee until someone starts performing everyday worthy. 

All your eggs in that Brooks Lee basket with no net if he fails and failure means... starting over again. Lee Failure costs time.

Plus... it's just unnecessary... What we have is 13 roster spots and 9 starting positions. You don't have to absorb a full time .600 something OPS... You can hedge these bets on the margins. Just allow for honest competition until someone says mine and says mine by actually becoming a player that erased all doubt... becoming a player who stepped out of the margins. 

IMO... Byron Buxton and Luke Keaschall are the only two players who have earned every day playing time. That's it. For the first nine games this year. Has anybody earned everyday playing time? Our team Slug is collectively .331. My chosen two are slugging .250 and .233. It's Josh Bell that has been irreplaceable. 

With two catchers... catchers have their own rotation and Buxton and Keaschall. You are left with 9 players and 6 positions to fill. If Royce wakes up and becomes the Royce that we expected him to be. The kind of guy that the manager would bat 2nd or 3rd in the batting order instead of 8th.

Great! Now you have 8 players left to work with an 5 positions. Find another superstar. 7 players for 4 positions. 

Until then... in the meantime... Let them compete! Every last one of them. Turn on 13 faucets... not just 9. Lets not waste time with bit players at all. 

Lets not act like Lewis and his .671 OPS was everyday worthy. Lewis was in the margins with Graham Pauley. 

 

[Riverbrian]

Last Game

April 5 - Nick Martinez - Loss - Runs Scored 1 

Lineup Composition 4 RH 1 Switch 4 LH

Record vs RH Starter - 2-2

Season Average Runs Scored vs RH Starter 5.25

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Light Handed Starter

Record vs LH starter - 1-4

Season Average Runs scored vs LH starter 3.40

[Jim H]

22 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

To me... at least the part that I talk about often... Pitchers don't really apply in regards to utilization. You can't hide pitchers. If you are in the rotation... you are going to rotate in. You can occasionally skip a spot if off days allow but you are going to take your turn the rest of the time or it will compromise the rest and routine... rotation... of the other 4. Pitchers are going to get their opportunity. 

The Bullpen... you can't hide. LaTroy is going to tell you get up because you are going in. The manager can try to control leverage but that dam will burst every 3 game series. You can't control leverage because leverage is all over the place in every 9 innings... run prevention is needed in the 5th and 6th inning. 

On the position players side of the equation. You can hide players until you can't... because injuries are going to shove that guy you hid behind the snowblower in the garage right into the starting lineup. 

Picking a starting nine for daily work... only works if you are:

A; Right All the Time and B: Healthy all the time. 

I try really hard to keep individual players out of the discussion because it makes the player the discussion and not the concept.

I'll use your suggestions for example. You'd give full time opportunity to Buxton, Jeffers, Martin, Keaschall, Wallner, Lewis and Lee. On Twinsdaily... some are going to disagree with you. And that's OK. However... The lack on consensus, the subjectiveness, the difference of opinion should suggest that these decisions are made on the margins. There isn't a clear advantage... therefore there isn't a clear superior player... yet 1 will be chosen. If the choices were between Trevor Larnach or Juan Soto. We would clearly be off the margins now. If we had to choose between Witt and Lee... Nobody is going to say... Hey... Get that Lee in there. There would be no discussion.

Therefore... we don't have a player that is good enough to keep it from not being a discussion. We don't have Bobby Witt... We have Brooks Lee getting the same amount of playing time as Bobby Witt... and that just locks in that disadvantage. I'd rather have someone competing seriously with Brooks Lee until someone starts performing everyday worthy. 

All your eggs in that Brooks Lee basket with no net if he fails and failure means... starting over again. Lee Failure costs time.

Plus... it's just unnecessary... What we have is 13 roster spots and 9 starting positions. You don't have to absorb a full time .600 something OPS... You can hedge these bets on the margins. Just allow for honest competition until someone says mine and says mine by actually becoming a player that erased all doubt... becoming a player who stepped out of the margins. 

IMO... Byron Buxton and Luke Keaschall are the only two players who have earned every day playing time. That's it. For the first nine games this year. Has anybody earned everyday playing time? Our team Slug is collectively .331. My chosen two are slugging .250 and .233. It's Josh Bell that has been irreplaceable. 

With two catchers... catchers have their own rotation and Buxton and Keaschall. You are left with 9 players and 6 positions to fill. If Royce wakes up and becomes the Royce that we expected him to be. The kind of guy that the manager would bat 2nd or 3rd in the batting order instead of 8th.

Great! Now you have 8 players left to work with an 5 positions. Find another superstar. 7 players for 4 positions. 

Until then... in the meantime... Let them compete! Every last one of them. Turn on 13 faucets... not just 9. Lets not waste time with bit players at all. 

Lets not act like Lewis and his .671 OPS was everyday worthy. Lewis was in the margins with Graham Pauley. 

 

I don't agree with this. What you are proposing is pretty much what the Twins were doing under Baldelli. They chased small platoon advantages by moving people up and down the batting order. They would try gain a slight advantage getting a backup an at bat in the 5th inning when a new pitcher came into the game. they gave 400 pa's some years to career backups 30 years old or older, most of were gone the next year.

So now we have a bunch of guys past their mid twenties who between injuries and being used to chase platoon advantages,  nobody knows if they can be an everyday productive player. The right answer is probably not.

Still, there is no good reason reason to force Outman, Gray or Caratini into the lineup at every opportunity. They are backups. They have spent years proving it. So take advantage of their versatility and play them when somebody has a minor injury, is sick or needs a break for some reason. 

When the next wave is ready or someone goes on the IL call up the next player and play them. The game hasn't changed, the competition is better. Trying to ease them into the lineup or protect them from platoon disadvantages is self defeating and delays finding out if they can compete at the major league level.

[Riverbrian]

3 hours ago, Jim H said:

I don't agree with this. What you are proposing is pretty much what the Twins were doing under Baldelli. They chased small platoon advantages by moving people up and down the batting order. They would try gain a slight advantage getting a backup an at bat in the 5th inning when a new pitcher came into the game. they gave 400 pa's some years to career backups 30 years old or older, most of were gone the next year.

So now we have a bunch of guys past their mid twenties who between injuries and being used to chase platoon advantages,  nobody knows if they can be an everyday productive player. The right answer is probably not.

Still, there is no good reason reason to force Outman, Gray or Caratini into the lineup at every opportunity. They are backups. They have spent years proving it. So take advantage of their versatility and play them when somebody has a minor injury, is sick or needs a break for some reason. 

When the next wave is ready or someone goes on the IL call up the next player and play them. The game hasn't changed, the competition is better. Trying to ease them into the lineup or protect them from platoon disadvantages is self defeating and delays finding out if they can compete at the major league level.

I apologize but I give up. I can't have this discussion everywhere and it's clear nobody understands what I'm saying and eventually it's just causing hard feelings. So... I give up. I have to keep my oddball opinions to myself. They just are not mainstream enough to express.

I have been against the chasing of small platoon advantages especially with developing players since the Carter administration and have stated so millions of times on this website. 

Yet it has come full circle to the point where you have tagged me with platooning of all things. I started this thread so we can all see at the very least the actual Won Lost Record against Right Handed and Left Handed starters so anyone interested can question weather the platooning is actually helping in the simple terms of wins and losses. 

I honestly don't know what to type next. 

What I'm saying is... I'd like the Twins to roster 26 players that they believe in and I'd like them to demonstrate that belief in them by letting them compete for playing time.

I can't help it if they roster players that people don't believe in. 

 

[Riverbrian]

Last Game

April 6 - Casey Mize - Win - Runs Scored 7

Lineup Composition 3 RH 3 Switch 3 LH

Record vs RH Starter - 3-2

Season Average Runs Scored vs RH Starter 5.6

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Light Handed Starter

Record vs LH starter - 1-4

Season Average Runs scored vs LH starter 3.40

[Jim H]

Ok. Just how are you implementing this compete for playing time idea? While I agree players need to earn playing time, one way you earn it is by dominating in the minors. So if you  have earned a promotion to the majors I think they deserve an extended opportunity to adjust to the better competition. 

I also think there is a place on the roster for versatile backups who may not be good enough to play everyday but can contribute good defense at several positions, be a starter for short time when someone is on IL, and sometimes they even earn  a full time or a platoon role.

I think right now Larnach has probably played himself into a platoon role. The problem with that is Martin had an extended opportunity at the end of last season to play left field everyday and basically succeeded at it. 

My question for you is how does compete for playing time work in this situation? I want see Martin playing left field almost every because he's earned the opportunity and because Larnach seems to better suited to platoon dh. I also think that Martin may eventually prove he can't provide enough offense to be an everyday left fielder.  I just don't want that decided before he has a reasonable chance to prove it, one way or the other.

So what the Twins are likely going to do is try to get both of them "fair" playing time. Leaving one or the other on the bench for 3-4 games in a row, pinch hitting for one of them in the 5th inning, playing one of them in a position they usually don't play, or some other goofy thing.

Now, I realize that none of this is what you are advocating for. I am just afraid that when the Twins try to allow "compete for for playing time" this is what you are going to get.

[Riverbrian]

 

Last Game - Left Handed Starter

April 7 - Tarik Skubal - Win - Runs Scored 4

Lineup Composition 5 RH 3 SWITCHED 1 LH

Record vs LH Starter - 2-4

Season Average Runs Scored vs LH Starter 3.5

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Right Handed Starter

Record vs RH starter - 3-2

Season Average Runs scored vs RH starter 5.60

[Riverbrian]

Last Game - Left Handed Starter

April 7 - Framber Valdez - Win - Runs Scored 8

Lineup Composition 5 RH 3 SWITCH 1 LH

Record vs LH Starter - 3-4

Season Average Runs Scored vs LH Starter 4.14

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Right Handed Starter

Record vs LH starter - 3-2

Season Average Runs scored vs RH starter 5.60

[Riverbrian]

On 4/7/2026 at 7:26 PM, Jim H said:

Ok. Just how are you implementing this compete for playing time idea? While I agree players need to earn playing time, one way you earn it is by dominating in the minors. So if you  have earned a promotion to the majors I think they deserve an extended opportunity to adjust to the better competition. 

I also think there is a place on the roster for versatile backups who may not be good enough to play everyday but can contribute good defense at several positions, be a starter for short time when someone is on IL, and sometimes they even earn  a full time or a platoon role.

I think right now Larnach has probably played himself into a platoon role. The problem with that is Martin had an extended opportunity at the end of last season to play left field everyday and basically succeeded at it. 

My question for you is how does compete for playing time work in this situation? I want see Martin playing left field almost every because he's earned the opportunity and because Larnach seems to better suited to platoon dh. I also think that Martin may eventually prove he can't provide enough offense to be an everyday left fielder.  I just don't want that decided before he has a reasonable chance to prove it, one way or the other.

So what the Twins are likely going to do is try to get both of them "fair" playing time. Leaving one or the other on the bench for 3-4 games in a row, pinch hitting for one of them in the 5th inning, playing one of them in a position they usually don't play, or some other goofy thing.

Now, I realize that none of this is what you are advocating for. I am just afraid that when the Twins try to allow "compete for for playing time" this is what you are going to get.

I apologize. You didn't deserve my frustration. I'll discuss it with you if you are generally curious but I'm a little worn thin by the let me spoil it for you... this ain't little league... comments on other threads. It's my fault because I keep bringing it up and opening myself up for it so I'm going to stop doing that. The website has grown tired of me and I'm tired of the website. I'll let those folks just keep... I don't care. 

The concept is really simple. All 26 man roster spots are gold... All 26 man spots are critical to the present and future. Every single roster spot. It's about having better talent across the board. This should be something everybody wants. It really shouldn't have such opposition. My attitude is... looking at the Twins front office square in the eye and saying... OK... if you believe in the guy... let him show why you believe in him. 

However... as I've found out. Individual players plugged in are poison pills to the discussion. If 99% of TD hates James Outman and that 99% might be low. If everyone hates Outman... The concept is dead. I insist it's not dead... it should never be dead but James Outman or Tristan Gray or any player that others have deemed unworthy will become the discussion instead. This is subjective opinion... but subjective opinion kills the idea... dead in it's tracks. 

I didn't roster Outman... I would have done something completely different. I didn't trade a reliever that could be on our injured list right now for him... knowing he was out of options. I wouldn't have done that. I didn't roster him... the Twins did. He's not my poison pill. 

Meanwhile... I'll stick to my guns... all 26 man roster spots are gold and necessary. You shouldn't hide players... injuries are going to drag them into the light eventually anyway.

Not letting them compete against average to below average production is just settling for average to below average production. That average to below average production that we settle for... those are players that over 50% of Twinsdaily is also bitching about. 

This really isn't a hard concept. It's just easier to bitch about the players. 

I'll type more when I have more time. 

 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

Last Game - Right Handed Starter

April 9 - Ryan Flaherty - Win - Runs Scored 3

Lineup Composition 2 RH 2 SWITCH 5 LH

Record vs RH Starter - 4-2

Season Average Runs Scored vs LH Starter 5.17

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Left Handed Starter

Record vs LH starter - 3-4

Season Average Runs scored vs LH starter 4.14

[Riverbrian]

On 4/7/2026 at 7:26 PM, Jim H said:

Ok. Just how are you implementing this compete for playing time idea? While I agree players need to earn playing time, one way you earn it is by dominating in the minors. So if you  have earned a promotion to the majors I think they deserve an extended opportunity to adjust to the better competition. 

I also think there is a place on the roster for versatile backups who may not be good enough to play everyday but can contribute good defense at several positions, be a starter for short time when someone is on IL, and sometimes they even earn  a full time or a platoon role.

I think right now Larnach has probably played himself into a platoon role. The problem with that is Martin had an extended opportunity at the end of last season to play left field everyday and basically succeeded at it. 

My question for you is how does compete for playing time work in this situation? I want see Martin playing left field almost every because he's earned the opportunity and because Larnach seems to better suited to platoon dh. I also think that Martin may eventually prove he can't provide enough offense to be an everyday left fielder.  I just don't want that decided before he has a reasonable chance to prove it, one way or the other.

So what the Twins are likely going to do is try to get both of them "fair" playing time. Leaving one or the other on the bench for 3-4 games in a row, pinch hitting for one of them in the 5th inning, playing one of them in a position they usually don't play, or some other goofy thing.

Now, I realize that none of this is what you are advocating for. I am just afraid that when the Twins try to allow "compete for for playing time" this is what you are going to get.

How would compete for playing time work with Larnach and Martin?

That's too narrow a question because when you include DH... there are 4 lineup spots for 5 outfielders on the 26 man roster. If all things are equal... (they are not equal).... but... if all things were equal... That's Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Martin and Outman all playing 4 out of 5 games. None of them are tossed... no roster spaces wasted... all roster spots developing.

Please understand that I am not advocating blind equal distribution as I just exampled. It's an example to provide the playing time available to an active 26 man roster with 13 position players.

It's a dial not a switch. Buxton you dial up... Outman you dial down. If you have to dial Outman down all the way to nothing because his presence in the lineup hurts the team. Get him off the roster. Bring up someone else. This team could cut Outman right now and call up Erod. Erod could join that group of 5 and playing 4 out 5 games would not compromise his development one bit.

What it doesn't do... is remove everybody around Erod and force him into a 162 game attitude where you sink or swim with Erod... Where it's all Erod or nothing. It's a dial not a switch. 

If all you see is all or nothing. If all you see is... we will commit to him... we will not commit to the other guy. If you don't see the dial and it's possibilities... What I'm saying will make no sense at all. You have to see the dial and the dial is important because the margins are thin Larnach, Martin and Erod.  

Larnach or Martin? Your opinions are reasonable. Mine are different. That's OK. 

The first thing I wouldn't do. I wouldn't short side platoon Martin. It's probably too late for Larnach... we have already strip mined him for parts... we are 4 years into his development as a guy that requires a right handed compliment. We have already robbed him of crucial development time against left handed pitchers... we have already created a platoon specialist named Trevor Larnach. However... the problem with trying to set up a platoon for Larnach. It requires someone on the roster to be a short sider. That's wasting a roster spot because 28% of pitching is left handed. 

If you turn Martin into that short sider just to cover Larnach... You will kill his development. Just like the Twins killed or attempted to kill every left handed hitter the past 3 years. Same thing... just worse because 28% creates even less playing time that the 72% that left handers face. 

In regards to the infield. Same thing. I didn't roster Tristan Gray... I would have looked for a young SS to compete with Lee and Lewis. Tristan just happens to be who the Twins gave a roster spot to. If you have 4 infielders for 3 spots... Equal rotation would be 3 games every 4. Nobody needs to put on a waiting list and we don't have to suffer the potential fate of Brooks Lee failing and nobody else to turn to. Which means they will have to start over. 

Catchers have their own rotation... That leaves 11 players for 8 spots. Use the dial... Don't use a light switch. Let the performing players to dial up and the ones who are struggling a little to dial down.  

[Riverbrian]

On 4/9/2026 at 6:15 PM, Riverbrian said:

Last Game - Right Handed Starter

April 9 - Ryan Flaherty - Win - Runs Scored 3

Lineup Composition 2 RH 2 SWITCH 5 LH

Record vs RH Starter - 4-2

Season Average Runs Scored vs LH Starter 5.17

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Left Handed Starter

Record vs LH starter - 3-4

Season Average Runs scored vs LH starter 4.14

Last Game - Left Handed Starter Handed

April 10 - Patrick Corbin - Loss - Runs Scored 4

Lineup Composition 4 RH 3 SWITCH 2 LH

Record vs RH Starter - 3 - 5

Season Average Runs Scored vs LH Starter 4.13

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasons Accumulated Stats vs Right Handed Starter

Record vs LH starter - 4-2

Season Average Runs scored vs RH starter 5.17