Decisions: Royce Lewis Put on a Ballet About the Trade Deadline Saturday

[mnfireman]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

You totally missed it. Shelton went to the mound, used five infielders, and told everyone they were looking for a ground ball double play with Raleigh being a very slow runner. The play is second base. The manager could not have been any more predictive or instructive.

Royce made a mistake, it happens. You just did too. It's all good. They need to keep playing hard because there is plenty of season left.

Or ..... you were being sarcastic. 

If the ball had been hit anywhere but where it was, to Lewis's left, its a non-discussion. Lewis is new to 1B and doesn't have the ability (yet?) to fight his instinct (get the out at 1B) and realize the play was to throw to 2B, though to be honest, there was a lot of traffic in front of him - Martin and Rodriguez were both in his line of sight and Martin dropped to the ground kind of late and still directly  between Lewis and 2B, or step on 1B and immediately look/throw home. Not making excuses, I was always coached to anticipate the ball coming to you so you knew what/where your play would be

[Linus]

Good grief, the mental gymnastics to make excuses for Royce is absurd. He’s played baseball for 20 years, all of it in the infield. I’ve been optimistic about his play at first since the transition but he screwed up. It’s ok to admit it. 

[Muppet]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

You totally missed it. Shelton went to the mound, used five infielders, and told everyone they were looking for a ground ball double play with Raleigh being a very slow runner. The play is second base. The manager could not have been any more predictive or instructive.

Royce made a mistake, it happens. You just did too. It's all good. They need to keep playing hard because there is plenty of season left.

Or ..... you were being sarcastic. 

Yep. Forgot to push the sarcasm emoji button. I didn’t see it, so apparently the bases weren’t loaded and the play was to second… but either way, it isn’t little league, they should know where to throw before they get the ball without the manager having to tell them. Seems he screwed it up despite the manager having actually told him. 

[Matthew Trueblood]

3 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

I do find it a little ironic that many on here criticized Lewis about his comments when they wanted him to move to 2B two years ago.  And one of his concerns was he didn't want to make a mistake at a new position while the team was chasing a pennant.

So now he has willingly moved around the infield like a utility infielder without saying a word, but then when the learning curve shows he still has a ways to go, everyone is quick to criticize.  Not sure you can have it both ways.

Well, just for one thing, he didn't do this willingly, NOR without saying a word. Haha.

[jkcarew]

Not really worth picking apart, IMO. He should never have had any thought to go to second after tagging first. Still, if he makes the play, the game’s only tied. You didn’t win. It’s tied. Play better overall and you can afford a mistake or two. It’s a game, and the Twins, not just Martin, seldom play well enough in all three phases to have much margin for error. This isn’t new and it’s unlikely to suddenly change. The baseball gods just gave you a series, when you were within a couple of outs from being swept by Kansas City at home. By Kansas City. At home. Moral: we generally have more margin for error than KC, but probably not much more (if any) than a team like Seattle. But we all already know this.

[HarmonK03]

8 hours ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

Well, just for one thing, he didn't do this willingly, NOR without saying a word. Haha.

I don't recall seeing any pushback about the move.  Please remind me with the comments he made that showed he pushed back.  Morneau had good things to say about his work and he said something to the effect of I am happy to be in the lineup and positions are what they are.

So rather than laugh, show the quotes.

[JD-TWINS]

18 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

To be clear, people make mistakes. It's not the end of the world. But people here keep excusing his awful hitting, and mediocre fielding. 

……& some ignore his game winning hit a few days ago and game tying HR a day or two later. ………His fielding at 1B is exciting to me ….. he’s more athletic than most guys typically seen at 1B. His interaction with flips to pitchers and grabbing short-hopped throws all seem pretty natural, IMO.

He’s played maybe 40 games there between AAA & MLB. He screwed up! No reason to make stuff up about his general defensive play at 1B…….his 3B play is behind him.

He lifted his atrocious BA from .165 to .215 and, agreed, that .215 number is embarrassing! However, he’s been a pretty solid contributor since his recall.

 

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

To me it .looked like Caratini wasn't in great position to make a play.  I give him a little of the blame also.

I’ve been defending Lewis here BUT Caratini has to catch the ball…….it was a soft throw to the 1B side of the plate…….he can’t position himself at the plate to make a poor throw into a good one.

[JD-TWINS]

19 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

To be clear, people make mistakes. It's not the end of the world. But people here keep excusing his awful hitting, and mediocre fielding. 

Since his recall Lewis has played in 40 games. He’s hit .245 - has 7 HR - 17 RBI. I don’t think his play at 1B is mediocre.

Brooks Lee, since June 6, has hit .230 - has 7 HR - 22 RBI……….he’s hit .223 in July & .240 for the season.

Luke Keaschall, over 105 games Keaschall is hitting .263 - has 6 HR - 33 RBI. …..he’s done a nice job increasing his BA as he was brutal through most of first 1/3 of season. Nobody thinks Luke is winning any Gold Gloves at any time soon.

 

[terrydactyls]

34 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I’ve been defending Lewis here BUT Caratini has to catch the ball…….it was a soft throw to the 1B side of the plate…….he can’t position himself at the plate to make a poor throw into a good one.

Caratini had his back to the 3rd base line.  Because of that, there was no way he would be able to locate the runner.  Yes, it wasn't a good throw, but if Caratini would have move a little to his right, he would have seen where the runner was and dove to a spot that would intercept his slide.  The runner may still have been safe, but the play would have been much closer.  He also would not have to make a "matador" tag attempt.

[killercarewoliva]

20 hours ago, TNtwins85 said:

Acceptable is the key. Yet he was demoted because he was hitting .180 and looking overmatched every at bat. Him getting demoted allowed them to shift Lee to third who was overmatched at SS. It also allowed them to install Kreidler and Grey at SS. It wasn’t Lewis’ defense and it wasn’t clearing a path for Culpepper. It was Lewis’ bat, Lee’s terrible D. 

Step on first as you are turning to throw home. Lewis looks like a monster of physical strength to hit baseballs but that as we know isn't all of it. Problem solved that began in 2017 just trade him. 

[David Maro]

Its pretty plain and simple you play musical chairs with your infield things like this will happen. Last night Shelton moved Lewis to 2nd late and Caratini to 1st and had 5 infielders and still lost. Caratini was not able to get the ball down the line. At times Shelton seems to over think the game. Not saying Lewis makes the play but probably reacts differently than the night before. 

If or if not more trades are coming the team has to settle on the infield positions to remain in the playoff run. They can't keep giving extra outs to the other team.

[howeda7]

The better defensive alignment per defensive runs saved is Clemons at 1B, Lee at 2B and Lewis at 3B. They won't move them now, but if those 3 are still starting infielders next year, that should be the alignment. 

[RpR]

5 hours ago, HarmonK03 said:

I don't recall seeing any pushback about the move.  Please remind me with the comments he made that showed he pushed back.  Morneau had good things to say about his work and he said something to the effect of I am happy to be in the lineup and positions are what they are.

So rather than laugh, show the quotes.

Morneau has never ever given a non happy talk about ANY Twin.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, David Maro said:

Its pretty plain and simple you play musical chairs with your infield things like this will happen. Last night Shelton moved Lewis to 2nd late and Caratini to 1st and had 5 infielders and still lost. Caratini was not able to get the ball down the line. At times Shelton seems to over think the game. Not saying Lewis makes the play but probably reacts differently than the night before. 

If or if not more trades are coming the team has to settle on the infield positions to remain in the playoff run. They can't keep giving extra outs to the other team.

They are settled. Sometimes they pinch hit late and move guys, but the infield is set. 

[David Maro]

Don't know what game people are watching,but since the break just 1st base alone has had Bell,Caratini,Clemens,Jackson and Lewis. And 2nd base Clemens,Keaschall,Kriedler,and Lewis and Lee 1 game. It really doesn't look like the infield is settled to me.