Twins Missed a Golden Opportunity with Byron Buxton Roster Move

[tony&rodney]

Walker Jenkins has been playing left field lately. Two weeks from now .... ?

[gil4]

11 hours ago, Brett said:

Trade bait? “And we’ll throw in Tristan Gray.  We really like him…”

Where is Brian Duensing when we need him? 

[Linus]

15 minutes ago, gil4 said:

Where is Brian Duensing when we need him? 

We could use Duensing right about now. 

[gil4]

Just now, Linus said:

We could use Duensing right about now. 

Tell him to bring a bat.

[mluebker]

6 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Keaschall is playing CF.

…like a second baseman who’s never had to field a ricochet off a wall.

[mluebker]

3 hours ago, laloesch said:

Culpepper should have been called up by now arguably…

I won’t argue with it. They have a shortstop performing well in AAA, which can’t be said about the big club. Are we figuring he won’t play as well there as the rotating cast of characters who have been filling in there since Lee moved to 3rd? I wonder how they could find out?

[Parfigliano]

40 minutes ago, mluebker said:

…like a second baseman who’s never had to field a ricochet off a wall.

Live game situations to learn to play CF.  What could go wrong?

[tony&rodney]

50 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Live game situations to learn to play CF.  What could go wrong?

When Buxton went on the IL, someone needs to play centerfield. Roden, Martin, Larnach, Clemens, and Keaschall are the choices, unless the Twins use Gray at shortstop and Kreidler in center. Now, maybe the best option was to keep Outman but it sure seemed like people were done with him. Tough decisions get made when the club moved on from James Outman. There are consequences that are bound to occur with any of the guys on the roster playing out there unless it is Kreidler but we already know that 2-3 balls per game would slip through with Gray and more with Lee. Life is tough.

[mrmpls]

3 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

Like they are having Luke do on the fly.  If his bat plays up here, you find room for him and I don't think Buck will be back anytime soon.

Top prospect Max Clark -- No. 13 overall -- summoned by Tigers

[Greglw3]

13 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

What new FO are you referring to.  Zoll has been here for almost 10 years and has been one of Falvey's key advisors for at least the last 5 years.  And there were no other personnel changes in the front office over the offseason other than Falvey leaving.  It is the same people pushing the same failed philosophies, the only difference Zoll is the final voice, not Falvey.

The front office was Derek Falvey when Thad Levine was here and it was Derek Falvey after Levine left and Zoll took on the ceremonial position of Twins GM.

Everybody knew that Falvey was calling the shots. Until Falvey left.

That was liberation day and the restructuring, so Zoll has all the power, was brilliant. A GM should be able to have free rein to build out his vision. I’m very impressed with Zoll. The FO is hugely improved and the results show it.

The front office is new because they totally restructured it to where, in my opinion, someone far more capable than Falvey has control of both roles, so that the GM is not having the Pres of BB Operations looking over his shoulder and able to pull rank at any time.

You are either super cynical or haven’t been paying attention.

What failed policies have turned a 70-92 team into a 55-55 team with virtually the same roster, except not near as much bullpen talent?

The FO made a massive sweep of the organization, installing Derek Shelton, who has been terrific in myriad ways and Grady Sizemore plus Latroy Hawkins.

I’ve see far more, not just competence, but inspired culture setting and far better field managing from Shelty than R.B. A massive difference.

Basically, everything has changed and the moves that Zoll has made have been far better than Falvey in getting Yoendrys Gomez, Tommy Nance, Jack Anderson and now A.J. Minter, he of the 2.35 ERA and 1 WHIP for 2 out-of-the-top-30 prospects.

The new culture and better than competence is what has allowed this team to be 55-55, even with a bullpen that is horrid on paper. Shelton has managed it superbly, getting the most out of it anyone could. 

Even the switch to Tom Pohlad has been a good move.

[mnfireman]

Jenkins may be the future of the franchise, but he is not ready for MLB...Neither is Culpepper.

[Cory Engelhardt]

10 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Walker Jenkins has been playing left field lately. Two weeks from now .... ?

Yup, I think moving Larnach to open a spot does make a lot of sense

[HarmonK03]

6 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

The front office was Derek Falvey when Thad Levine was here and it was Derek Falvey after Levine left and Zoll took on the ceremonial position of Twins GM.

Everybody knew that Falvey was calling the shots. Until Falvey left.

That was liberation day and the restructuring, so Zoll has all the power, was brilliant. A GM should be able to have free rein to build out his vision. I’m very impressed with Zoll. The FO is hugely improved and the results show it.

The front office is new because they totally restructured it to where, in my opinion, someone far more capable than Falvey has control of both roles, so that the GM is not having the Pres of BB Operations looking over his shoulder and able to pull rank at any time.

You are either super cynical or haven’t been paying attention.

What failed policies have turned a 70-92 team into a 55-55 team with virtually the same roster, except not near as much bullpen talent?

The FO made a massive sweep of the organization, installing Derek Shelton, who has been terrific in myriad ways and Grady Sizemore plus Latroy Hawkins.

I’ve see far more, not just competence, but inspired culture setting and far better field managing from Shelty than R.B. A massive difference.

Basically, everything has changed and the moves that Zoll has made have been far better than Falvey in getting Yoendrys Gomez, Tommy Nance, Jack Anderson and now A.J. Minter, he of the 2.35 ERA and 1 WHIP for 2 out-of-the-top-30 prospects.

The new culture and better than competence is what has allowed this team to be 55-55, even with a bullpen that is horrid on paper. Shelton has managed it superbly, getting the most out of it anyone could. 

Even the switch to Tom Pohlad has been a good move.

I have no idea what restructuring you are talking about.  The only change was Falvey left and Zoll became the top decision maker in February after the roster had been essentially set. But there have been no other changes announced.

The PBO which was Falvey is the top position in the baseball operations and sets the vision from training, player development to setting the roster.  The GM should be the one leading the effort to carry out that vision.  You seem to imply that either Falvey was a figurehead or making all decisions by himself.  The same people advising and supporting Falvey are still there, just now they advise and support Zoll.

Zoll worked for Falvey for almost 10 years and was his top advisor as GM for the last two plus years but sounded like he was a key advisor prior to Levine leaving as well.  Zoll obviously believes in this vision or he would have left.  This is still an analytics driven organization led by Zoll.

And Falvey hired Shelton and the coaching staff, not Zoll so at least get the facts correct.

This team is in the same spot as last year at this time, now hopefully they don't have a collapse like last year but let's wait until the end of year to say if it's been a success or not.  But I still do not believe this organization will be successful until they completely overhaul the front office.  That is the responsibility of Tom Pohlad, not to be making any personnel decisions.

[dxpavelka]

23 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

What is your point?

If I have to explain, you'll never understand.

[dxpavelka]

21 hours ago, Jeff K said:

And he plays centerfield

I think Miggy Sano is available if we need another outfielder.

[TopGunn#22]

Twins just made a move for the pen getting A.J. Mintor from the Mets.  Decent LH RP.  Wonder what this means for Taylor Rogers or Kody Funderburk?  We traded 2 minor leaguers, the most notable being Billy Amik.  Mintor WILL help.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, dxpavelka said:

If I have to explain, you'll never understand.

I apologize, but I don't understand. It's OK. There are lots of things in this old world I fail to understand. 

[mluebker]

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

When Buxton went on the IL, someone needs to play centerfield. Roden, Martin, Larnach, Clemens, and Keaschall are the choices, unless the Twins use Gray at shortstop and Kreidler in center.

Too bad there’s no one in St. Paul with some experience in center and a little pop in his bat.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

8 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

The front office was Derek Falvey when Thad Levine was here and it was Derek Falvey after Levine left and Zoll took on the ceremonial position of Twins GM.

Everybody knew that Falvey was calling the shots. Until Falvey left.

That was liberation day and the restructuring, so Zoll has all the power, was brilliant. A GM should be able to have free rein to build out his vision. I’m very impressed with Zoll. The FO is hugely improved and the results show it.

The front office is new because they totally restructured it to where, in my opinion, someone far more capable than Falvey has control of both roles, so that the GM is not having the Pres of BB Operations looking over his shoulder and able to pull rank at any time.

You are either super cynical or haven’t been paying attention.

What failed policies have turned a 70-92 team into a 55-55 team with virtually the same roster, except not near as much bullpen talent?

The FO made a massive sweep of the organization, installing Derek Shelton, who has been terrific in myriad ways and Grady Sizemore plus Latroy Hawkins.

I’ve see far more, not just competence, but inspired culture setting and far better field managing from Shelty than R.B. A massive difference.

Basically, everything has changed and the moves that Zoll has made have been far better than Falvey in getting Yoendrys Gomez, Tommy Nance, Jack Anderson and now A.J. Minter, he of the 2.35 ERA and 1 WHIP for 2 out-of-the-top-30 prospects.

The new culture and better than competence is what has allowed this team to be 55-55, even with a bullpen that is horrid on paper. Shelton has managed it superbly, getting the most out of it anyone could. 

Even the switch to Tom Pohlad has been a good move.

One of the changes I have observed is that if a player isn't producing, he gets released or sent down. much more quickly under Shelton and Zoll.  Lewis, Wallner, Arcia, Raya, Fedko, Outman and a host of relievers. If a player can't field his position, he is moved to another position. Lee, Lewis, Keaschall, Bell and the next man steps up. 

[Greglw3]

3 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

I have no idea what restructuring you are talking about.  The only change was Falvey left and Zoll became the top decision maker in February after the roster had been essentially set. But there have been no other changes announced.

The PBO which was Falvey is the top position in the baseball operations and sets the vision from training, player development to setting the roster.  The GM should be the one leading the effort to carry out that vision.  You seem to imply that either Falvey was a figurehead or making all decisions by himself.  The same people advising and supporting Falvey are still there, just now they advise and support Zoll.

Zoll worked for Falvey for almost 10 years and was his top advisor as GM for the last two plus years but sounded like he was a key advisor prior to Levine leaving as well.  Zoll obviously believes in this vision or he would have left.  This is still an analytics driven organization led by Zoll.

And Falvey hired Shelton and the coaching staff, not Zoll so at least get the facts correct.

This team is in the same spot as last year at this time, now hopefully they don't have a collapse like last year but let's wait until the end of year to say if it's been a success or not.  But I still do not believe this organization will be successful until they completely overhaul the front office.  That is the responsibility of Tom Pohlad, not to be making any personnel decisions.

I'm implying that Falvey was the De Facto GM that presided over the losing franchise from 2020-2025 and that was probably why Thad Levine left.

We see things differently. You think the front office is essentially the same and I feel that getting rid of Falvey and restructuring to one layer and putting a more talented person in charge has radically transformed it.

We will need to agree to disagree, hope Zoll’s moves, callups, whatever lead to the playoffs and cheer for the Minnesota Twins today!

[Greglw3]

5 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Yup, I think moving Larnach to open a spot does make a lot of sense

I noticed that too! And wondered if it meant what I thought it might mean. I’d like to see definitely Culpepper up at SS after trade deadline and Jenkins in the OF if they move Larnach

[HarmonK03]

5 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

I'm implying that Falvey was the De Facto GM that presided over the losing franchise from 2020-2025 and that was probably why Thad Levine left.

We see things differently. You think the front office is essentially the same and I feel that getting rid of Falvey and restructuring to one layer and putting a more talented person in charge has radically transformed it.

We will need to agree to disagree, hope Zoll’s moves, callups, whatever lead to the playoffs and cheer for the Minnesota Twins today!

We can agree to disagree about Zoll abilities.  But you are wrong about Falvey.  He was hired in 2017 to be the President of Baseball Operations.  Levine was then hired to be the General Manager reporting to Falvey.  This is the typical set up in most front offices in baseball.  Levine actually left because it sounded like Zoll actually was becoming Falvey's more trusted advisor even though he was below Levine on the org chart.

We truly don't know how Falvey and Levine worked and who did what.  But read the article from yesterday about Falvey's  comments about how he ran the trade deadline.  He was not acting as the de facto GM.

It is purely opinion that Zoll is more talented when I have yet to hear of him receiving any calls from other teams for a promotion.  He was handed one here and did not necessarily earn it.

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

I noticed that too! And wondered if it meant what I thought it might mean. I’d like to see definitely Culpepper up at SS after trade deadline and Jenkins in the OF if they move Larnach

Culpepper looks a little rusty right now at the dish. I'm sure the Twins are monitoring his play.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

One of the changes I have observed is that if a player isn't producing, he gets released or sent down. much more quickly under Shelton and Zoll.  Lewis, Wallner, Arcia, Raya, Fedko, Outman and a host of relievers. If a player can't field his position, he is moved to another position. Lee, Lewis, Keaschall, Bell and the next man steps up. 

They sent Wallner down after 25 AB's in 24 so I am not sure this is the case.  Outman should not have even have been on the roster or Arcia for that matter.   So I am not sure that a lot has changed, it feels more like wishful thinking than actual results.

[Greglw3]

1 minute ago, HarmonK03 said:

We can agree to disagree about Zoll abilities.  But you are wrong about Falvey.  He was hired in 2017 to be the President of Baseball Operations.  Levine was then hired to be the General Manager reporting to Falvey.  This is the typical set up in most front offices in baseball.  Levine actually left because it sounded like Zoll actually was becoming Falvey's more trusted advisor even though he was below Levine on the org chart.

We truly don't know how Falvey and Levine worked and who did what.  But read the article from yesterday about Falvey's  comments about how he ran the trade deadline.  He was not acting as the de facto GM.

It is purely opinion that Zoll is more talented when I have yet to hear of him receiving any calls from other teams for a promotion.  He was handed one here and did not necessarily earn it.

It's not worth arguing about. I believe that Zoll and Shelton are vastly superior to Falvey and Baldelli. You can say "You’re wrong, all you want" but I’ve watched how the franchise has been run since Falvey and Baldelli left and it’s light years better. 

And I have a factual correction for you!

The 2025 Twins were 51-59 after 110 games, not the same as this year and they had vastly more bullpen talent. Big difference between .500 with a very improvable bullpen, rotation and lineup vs lefties than 8 games below .500 with a peak bullpen.

[Greglw3]

8 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Culpepper looks a little rusty right now at the dish. I'm sure the Twins are monitoring his play.

2 hits, was that yesterday? Looking at the silver lining. I think once he settles in, he’ll be, in total, a vast improvement over Kreidler, especially offensively with power and steals.

[tony&rodney]

Just now, Greglw3 said:

2 hits, was that yesterday? Looking at the silver lining. I think once he settles in, he’ll be, in total, a vast improvement over Kreidler, especially offensively with power and steals.

I'm watching the games and seeing how he looks and comparing that to his strong play before he was injured. Right now Culpepper is swinging at a few pitches he was spitting at earlier and he swung through a few middle middle gifts. He could tune in quickly .... we shall see. Kreidler is the better player at this time. Forget the stats and highlights and watch the games if you really want to see how Culpepper (or Jenkins) looks right now. 

FWIW, Sabato continues to totally mash mistakes. I doubt MLB pitchers put the ball on the tee very often but Sabato is not missing when the pitchers go middle middle.

[HarmonK03]

7 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

It's not worth arguing about. I believe that Zoll and Shelton are vastly superior to Falvey and Baldelli. You can say "You’re wrong, all you want" but I’ve watched how the franchise has been run since Falvey and Baldelli left and it’s light years better. 

And I have a factual correction for you!

The 2025 Twins were 51-59 after 110 games, not the same as this year and they had vastly more bullpen talent. Big difference between .500 with a very improvable bullpen, rotation and lineup vs lefties than 8 games below .500 with a peak bullpen.

Like bringing Gray back up, that is making this organization light years better.  My only point is, that the same people are making the recommendations in 2026 as in 2025 and before.  Zoll didn't necessarily pick out Gomez or Garcia to sign, someone on his staff that has been there before and after Falvey made the recommendation. Maybe Zoll is approving the better signing we will see.  But Shelton was Falvey's hire, so if you like Shelton, Falvey should get the credit for it.

[Greglw3]

3 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

Like bringing Gray back up, that is making this organization light years better.  My only point is, that the same people are making the recommendations in 2026 as in 2025 and before.  Zoll didn't necessarily pick out Gomez or Garcia to sign, someone on his staff that has been there before and after Falvey made the recommendation. Maybe Zoll is approving the better signing we will see.  But Shelton was Falvey's hire, so if you like Shelton, Falvey should get the credit for it.

HarmonK03, all I can say is RodC29! You say tomato, I say tomato. 

And "Knock out a home run, shout a hip hurray...cheer for the Minnesota Twins tonight!"

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

It's not worth arguing about. I believe that Zoll and Shelton are vastly superior to Falvey and Baldelli. You can say "You’re wrong, all you want" but I’ve watched how the franchise has been run since Falvey and Baldelli left and it’s light years better. 

And I have a factual correction for you!

The 2025 Twins were 51-59 after 110 games, not the same as this year and they had vastly more bullpen talent. Big difference between .500 with a very improvable bullpen, rotation and lineup vs lefties than 8 games below .500 with a peak bullpen.

This team is about ninety five percent built by Falvey.....