Twins 9, Orioles 5: Dean Kremer Dominates Former Team as Twins Roll Past Orioles

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Enough with Kriedler in CF - bring up Jenkins - have a real OF 

I agree with all the comments on Rogers and Adams 5.4 and 5.8 Eras should not be kept when there are options in the minors. 

 

Much as I would love to see Jenkins play, it look like Buxton will be back this weekend or early next week at the latest. Buck will play CF every day. Where do you play Jenkins? Can't sit Keaschall, he's the best hitter on the team since July 1 (30-95 since July 1, .909 OPS in July, .915 in August so far), and we need his speed on the bases. Larnach had an .918 OPS in June, .836 in July, .738 so far in August, so while he's trending down he still needs to play. There's no place to play Jenkins unless we move Keaschall back to 2B, have Lewis play 1B, and make Clemens a UTL. Not a bad idea until you remember what a butcher Keaschall was at 2B and we're losing Clemens bat. You don't want to bring up Jenkins to sit on the bench. Right now, Roden can have that 5th OF/plays twice a week at most spot on the bench when Buck comes back.   Looks to me like it will take an injury for Jenkins to come up.     

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

27 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

That's a date that I don't agree with, some potential reward for next year that may or may not happen should not be part of the decision making process.

4 more days likely isn't going to be the difference maker.   Culpepper likely needed a few more games continuing to knock the rust off Harmon.  That callup appears to have been rushed.   Overall I am impressed they are willing to call up both Culpepper and Jenkins.    Being worried about 4 days seems to be rather fruitless in the big picture.   This team success will be on the shoulders of the 26 in the clubhouse.  Jenkins will not likely drastically change the direction 1 way or another.   If Buxton is coming back and is healthy that is likely the bigger addition to this offense.  

[Cris E]

Agree. Jenkins has to play at least half time, and he isn't the hitter that Kaelen "1-9 .111" Culpepper was when he came up so you're going to see him stumble at the plate, a lot. There's not even an assurance that he'll be better than Buxton in the field, and with Byron on the verge of returning it makes even less sense. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, HarmonK03 said:

It is time to bring up Jenkins for Jackson.  This doesn't mean he fills the 13th man role on the bench, instead it pushes everyone down a spot.  This also balances the roster better and allows Clemens and Kreidler to stay in the infield where they are more effective.

Even when Buxton comes back there are plenty AB's to go around between Buxton, Jenkins, Larnach and Keaschall.  And you can give Bell a couple of days a week off and someone can DH.  It takes some creativity but teams do this all the time.  This also strengthens the bench.  But they have to get past worrying which side of the plate the batter stands on in most situations.  It works for Larnach and Martin but it doesn't have to be that way for everyone.  This would also eliminate the need to keep trying to fit Caratini into the lineup at 1B.

Yes Jenkins may struggle but he will also be learning which is beneficial and he will also make some plays, similar to Lara for Milwaukee last week.  It would be great to see an athletic outfield of Jenkins, Buxton and Keaschall and watch them run the ball down.  You are not replacing anyone who has performed at a high level.  

This is tempting. I'm not sure you're right about "not replacing anyone who has performed at a high level".  What this really means if you want to play Jenkins even 4 days a week is that Larnach will see much more bench time. IF (and it's a big if) Buxton really is healthy by the weekend/early next week, he plays pretty much every day. Keaschall has been our best hitter since July 1, by far, with a .909 OPS in July and .915 so far in August. He's hit at a high level and plays 5-6 days a week. Martin has hit LH pitching at a high level with an .809 OPS with a .400 OBP against LH pitching (.258/.409/.400), so far this year and is second on the team with 12 stolen bases playing only part time. He's a great leadoff hitter against lefties and starts all of those games. The only OF hole left is to bench Larnach against RH pitching. Maybe it's time, he had a .918 OPS in July, .836 in July, but a .182/.280/.455(.738) slash line so far in August, and give those 20-25 ABs a week to Jenkins. Still, tough to bench a guy who's hitting .276/.365/.442 (.807) on the year for a guy who's hitting .259/.388/.500 (.888) in the MINORS. Even if you bench Bell twice a week, tough to do to a guy who leads the team in RBIs and has a 1.132 OPS in August, you only find maybe 8- 10 PAs a week. Remember, with all of this Clemens moves to the IF as the every day 2B, no ABs in the OF. That part I agree with, make Lewis the regular 1B and Caratini is only the 2nd C with no time at 1B. Caratini isn't hitting. He carried us in June so it was right to see if he could break out of his slump but he's had that chance and hasn't hit at all since July 1.

My view is that if that's what you got to do to give Jenkins 20ish ABs a week, and I think it is, at least wait until August 15 to preserve Jenkins' rookie status. An injury may provide your answer by then or Buxton may not be able to come back. Then you have a place for Jenkins to play at least semi-regularly. If not, tough decision. 

If we wanted to give Jenkins a real shot, the thing to do was to trade Larnach. They tried that and by all reports Houston's owner shot it down. Now I thank we need to wait one more week and then decide. 

[mickster]

39 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

That's a date that I don't agree with, some potential reward for next year that may or may not happen should not be part of the decision making process.

a year of control is more than the potential reward

[HarmonK03]

1 minute ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

This is tempting. I'm not sure you're right about "not replacing anyone who has performed at a high level".  What this really means if you want to play Jenkins even 4 days a week is that Larnach will see much more bench time. IF (and it's a big if) Buxton really is healthy by the weekend/early next week, he plays pretty much every day. Keaschall has been our best hitter since July 1, by far, with a .909 OPS in July and .915 so far in August. He's hit at a high level and plays 5-6 days a week. Martin has hit LH pitching at a high level with an .809 OPS with a .400 OBP against LH pitching (.258/.409/.400), so far this year and is second on the team with 12 stolen bases playing only part time. He's a great leadoff hitter against lefties and starts all of those games. The only OF hole left is to bench Larnach against RH pitching. Maybe it's time, he had a .918 OPS in July, .836 in July, but a .182/.280/.455(.738) slash line so far in August, and give those 20-25 ABs a week to Jenkins. Still, tough to bench a guy who's hitting .276/.365/.442 (.807) on the year for a guy who's hitting .259/.388/.500 (.888) in the MINORS. Even if you bench Bell twice a week, tough to do to a guy who leads the team in RBIs and has a 1.132 OPS in August, you only find maybe 8- 10 PAs a week. Remember, with all of this Clemens moves to the IF as the every day 2B, no ABs in the OF. That part I agree with, make Lewis the regular 1B and Caratini is only the 2nd C with no time at 1B. Caratini isn't hitting. He carried us in June so it was right to see if he could break out of his slump but he's had that chance and hasn't hit at all since July 1.

My view is that if that's what you got to do to give Jenkins 20ish ABs a week, and I think it is, at least wait until August 15 to preserve Jenkins' rookie status. An injury may provide your answer by then or Buxton may not be able to come back. Then you have a place for Jenkins to play at least semi-regularly. If not, tough decision. 

If we wanted to give Jenkins a real shot, the thing to do was to trade Larnach. They tried that and by all reports Houston's owner shot it down. Now I thank we need to wait one more week and then decide. 

Basically if you play 7 days a week, you have 4 positions including DH and 5 guys, that's at least 5 games a week for everyone.  Martin can still play 2 to 3 days a week, maybe you slot Keaschall in at 2B a couple days a week.  I do think it is possible and remember when one of those guys is not starting, they are on the bench, I like my odds of pinch hitting with one of those players as the option.  It is better to have too many options than having to put people in situations that are not optimal.

Yes the better would have been to trade Larnach, but I do not believe it is in the best interests of Jenkins or the team to keep him in St. Paul.  

As for Caratini, he had a career month in St. Paul, he has basically reverted to his career norms which for a backup catcher and occasional fill in at 1B is perfectly acceptable.  But they have basically made him a platoon option and late inning defensive replacement, moving three or four players around, let's minimize if we can.

[HarmonK03]

9 minutes ago, mickster said:

a year of control is more than the potential reward

The 15th is to help keep him eligible for ROY next year and a potential comp pick as a result.  I do not believe it impacts years of control.

[mickster]

11 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

The 15th is to help keep him eligible for ROY next year and a potential comp pick as a result.  I do not believe it impacts years of control.

Then I stand corrected - and he should wait for 27

[HarmonK03]

1 minute ago, mickster said:

Then I stand corrected - and he should wait for 27

I think there is value for him to be here this year, I think he can contribute at some level and starting the learning curve is never a bad thing.  But I understand others want to wait.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

1 hour ago, David HK said:

I would argue that Mr Rogers has been consistent.

Consistently hittable.

😂 You got me there! 😂

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

32 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

The 15th is to help keep him eligible for ROY next year and a potential comp pick as a result.  I do not believe it impacts years of control.

You are correct Harmon.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

15 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Basically if you play 7 days a week, you have 4 positions including DH and 5 guys, that's at least 5 games a week for everyone.  Martin can still play 2 to 3 days a week, maybe you slot Keaschall in at 2B a couple days a week.  I do think it is possible and remember when one of those guys is not starting, they are on the bench, I like my odds of pinch hitting with one of those players as the option.  It is better to have too many options than having to put people in situations that are not optimal.

Yes the better would have been to trade Larnach, but I do not believe it is in the best interests of Jenkins or the team to keep him in St. Paul.  

As for Caratini, he had a career month in St. Paul, he has basically reverted to his career norms which for a backup catcher and occasional fill in at 1B is perfectly acceptable.  But they have basically made him a platoon option and late inning defensive replacement, moving three or four players around, let's minimize if we can.

I see your overall point here and completely agree with you on Caratini. The man should never see any position other than catcher. I think where you and I disagree is that I want Buxton and Keaschall playing pretty much everyday and I'm not enthused about Keaschall at 2B. I also want Martin in the lineup against LH pitching.

So let's say there's 6 games a week, 18 OF games a week (6x3) to go around. If you give Keaschall and Buxton 11 of those games (they each sit once every 2 weeks) and Martin 2, there's really only 5 games a week in the OF left, 6 if you only give both Keaschall and Buxton 5 games a week. That's 2 or 3 apiece for Larnach and Jenkins (Roden goes to AAA for Jenkins). I guess that's not too bad and it's more like 3 or 4 if Martin sits. Workable, I guess, but less than optimal in my view. To me, the optimal allocation is Larnach and Martin in a platoon that takes 6 games a week, and Buxton and Keaschall taking 10 or 11 of the remaining 12 OF games. That only leaves 1 or 2 games in the OF for another guy unless Jenkins takes some of the platoon games allocated for Larnach. Maybe you could find 1 more game by sitting Bell once a week but it's hard to find IF games because Clemens would become a full time IF with Kriedler backing up 3 of the 4 spots. You really have left the 12th spot for a 5th OF playing 1 or 2 games a week (now Roden) and then the 13th spot for the 3rd C/pinch runner/pinch hitter now occupied by Jackson. I'm fine with Roden as the 5th OF since I don't have really high hope for him but I'd rather not have Jenkins in that role. That's why I think Buxton's health is key, and whether there is an injury is important. That's what would open up real playing time for Jenkins.

I do want to echo what others have said. All of the OFs are hitting pretty well. Rookies often struggle when first coming up - see Roden and Culpepper so far. It's a big leap to say that Jenkins will definitely hit better than anybody we currently have, even Roden. He might be worse. It's a fair question whether the gymnastics necessary to get him in the lineup is going to improve or degrade the offense. The odds are he will make the offense the same or worse, not better. I do think he will improve the defense.          

[HarmonK03]

1 minute ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I see your overall point here and completely agree with you on Caratini. The man should never see any position other than catcher. I think where you and I disagree is that I want Buxton and Keaschall playing pretty much everyday and I'm not enthused about Keaschall at 2B. I also want Martin in the lineup against LH pitching.

So let's say there's 6 games a week, 18 OF games a week (6x3) to go around. If you give Keaschall and Buxton 11 of those games (they each sit once every 2 weeks) and Martin 2, there's really only 5 games a week in the OF left, 6 if you only give both Keaschall and Buxton 5 games a week. That's 2 or 3 apiece for Larnach and Jenkins (Roden goes to AAA for Jenkins). I guess that's not too bad and it's more like 3 or 4 if Martin sits. Workable, I guess, but less than optimal in my view. To me, the optimal allocation is Larnach and Martin in a platoon that takes 6 games a week, and Buxton and Keaschall taking 10 or 11 of the remaining 12 OF games. That only leaves 1 or 2 games in the OF for another guy unless Jenkins takes some of the platoon games allocated for Larnach. Maybe you could find 1 more game by sitting Bell once a week but it's hard to find IF games because Clemens would become a full time IF with Kriedler backing up 3 of the 4 spots. You really have left the 12th spot for a 5th OF playing 1 or 2 games a week (now Roden) and then the 13th spot for the 3rd C/pinch runner/pinch hitter now occupied by Jackson. I'm fine with Roden as the 5th OF since I don't have really high hope for him but I'd rather not have Jenkins in that role. That's why I think Buxton's health is key, and whether there is an injury is important. That's what would open up real playing time for Jenkins.

I do want to echo what others have said. All of the OFs are hitting pretty well. Rookies often struggle when first coming up - see Roden and Culpepper so far. It's a big leap to say that Jenkins will definitely hit better than anybody we currently have, even Roden. He might be worse. It's a fair question whether the gymnastics necessary to get him in the lineup is going to improve or degrade the offense. The odds are he will make the offense the same or worse, not better. I do think he will improve the defense.          

I do have a feeling that they will be DH'ing Buxton at least once a week when he comes back.  I suspect they will do some sort of load management with him, so that could open up a couple of days in the OF.

I am ready to move on from Roden but that is me, I think Jenkins could equal his production and probably be better on defense.

But your points are all fair.  I just want to improve the roster, raise the floor would be nice for a change.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Can't ask for much more than we've gotten from Kremer so far. Nice to see the trade deadline guys generally playing well and showing why they were acquired.

Pretty good offensive showing. Could have had even more runs early, but nice to exit the LH starter early by clogging up the bases with runners.

Would have liked to see Adams pitch better with such a big lead and Rogers could have been better as well, but these guys are probably now in the bottom 3 of the bullpen which is a much better position to be in. (Baltimore can't be happy with Garcia or Wolfram last night; the former faced 4 guys and retired none of them, and Wolfram immediately surrendered a 3-run dinger. ouch.)

Interesting to see former Twins prospect CES get in a game; he was the prospect I thought we might really regret losing, but so far he really hasn't done much (injuries have been a problem too). Mahle might have busted out for us because of injury, but the "big prospect haul" we gave up was more suspects than prospects (Hajjar out of baseball, CES got sold for cash, and after a nice rookie season Steer has turned into a utility player who probably won't be offered arbitration...)

You can’t just look at some stats a couple times per year and determine if a guy is worthwhile to an organization.

I live in Cincinnati and will let others here know that Spencer Steer is not only a solid player but that the organization loves him……. Tito Francona at Top of the list……teammates are right behind.

He plays, has played, a number of positions because he can play wherever the player anticipated to perform, isn’t doing the job. He’ll be back at 1B or in LF as needed in ‘27. If he plays 1B, Sal Stewart plays 3B and the offense improves greatly over Suarez or Hayes!

He’s hit 20+ HR’s for 3 of his first 3 years and had 16 HR through 98 games in ‘26. He averaged 84 RBI over those 3 years and stole 15 bases one year and 25 bases another year. AND he can play 5 different positions as needed to help the Club.

His arbitration deal with the Reds is just a matter of time.

[LA Vikes Fan]

16 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

I do have a feeling that they will be DH'ing Buxton at least once a week when he comes back.  I suspect they will do some sort of load management with him, so that could open up a couple of days in the OF.

I am ready to move on from Roden but that is me, I think Jenkins could equal his production and probably be better on defense.

But your points are all fair.  I just want to improve the roster, raise the floor would be nice for a change.

I'm right with you. I understand why they gave Roden a shot given his age and AAA production but it's time to end that experiment. If Buxton DHs once a week in place of Bell (Bell is another guy to keep off the field), now we're getting closer to 3 games a week for Jenkins AND he can play CF when Buxton is the DH. Definitely improves the CF defense when Buck is out and you have to believe Jenkins can at least match Kriedler's offensive output. I have to admit I'm warming up to the idea of a Jenkins for Roden switch. 

I'll bet what's happening behind the scenes is they're waiting until the end of this week to make the call. That way, we know more about what Buxton can and can't do and when, we've got more data on whether Roden can hit MLB pitching (not looking great sovfar), we know a little about whether Culpepper is ready and thus how badly we need Kriedler to play SS, we've waited on injuries, and we still preserve Jenkin's rookie status. I would like to see Jenkins up this year. Lots of ways that can happen.  

[DJL44]

6 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I'm right with you. I understand why they gave Roden a shot given his age and AAA production but it's time to end that experiment. If Buxton DHs once a week in place of Bell (Bell is another guy to keep off the field), now we're getting closer to 3 games a week for Jenkins AND he can play CF when Buxton is the DH. Definitely improves the CF defense when Buck is out and you have to believe Jenkins can at least match Kriedler's offensive output. I have to admit I'm warming up to the idea of a Jenkins for Roden switch. 

I'll bet what's happening behind the scenes is they're waiting until the end of this week to make the call. That way, we know more about what Buxton can and can't do and when, we've got more data on whether Roden can hit MLB pitching (not looking great sovfar), we know a little about whether Culpepper is ready and thus how badly we need Kriedler to play SS, we've waited on injuries, and we still preserve Jenkin's rookie status. I would like to see Jenkins up this year. Lots of ways that can happen.  

Roden will be optioned when Buxton returns.

[Exiled in Illinois]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Culpepper batting .111 with 5K in 13 PA.

Well, I guess we should send him down and bring in someone else:)

 

[mickster]

3 minutes ago, Exiled in Illinois said:

Well, I guess we should send him down and bring in someone else:)

 

I think he should stay now that he is up, but a reason that Jenkins doesn't come up as we can't have two learning while still in the hunt

[RpR]

7 minutes ago, Exiled in Illinois said:

Well, I guess we should send him down and bring in someone else:)

 

Keep him on the bench, if he stays. 

This is not Little League, the games exist for the team to succeed for post season, not T-ball learning.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

You can’t just look at some stats a couple times per year and determine if a guy is worthwhile to an organization.

I live in Cincinnati and will let others here know that Spencer Steer is not only a solid player but that the organization loves him……. Tito Francona at Top of the list……teammates are right behind.

He plays, has played, a number of positions because he can play wherever the player anticipated to perform, isn’t doing the job. He’ll be back at 1B or in LF as needed in ‘27. If he plays 1B, Sal Stewart plays 3B and the offense improves greatly over Suarez or Hayes!

He’s hit 20+ HR’s for 3 of his first 3 years and had 16 HR through 98 games in ‘26. He averaged 84 RBI over those 3 years and stole 15 bases one year and 25 bases another year. AND he can play 5 different positions as needed to help the Club.

His arbitration deal with the Reds is just a matter of time.

He's not particularly good at any defensive position and is barely a league average hitter. He's literally gotten worse every year since becoming a regular. Cincy's cheap-ass ownership is going to pay him $6M in arbitration? I guess if we have a salary floor by then, maybe. 

It's great that Francona loves him, and I'm sure he's a good guy and all too. It doesn't mean he's a starting quality MLB player, or that because he's willing to run out and play a position that he's actually good at it. Cincy is a pretty bad team, despite some good starters and Steer is unlikely to help them improve much, unless you see a sudden renaissance at 29. His only defensive position is 1B and he doesn't hit enough to be an asset there.

[JD-TWINS]

6 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

He's not particularly good at any defensive position and is barely a league average hitter. He's literally gotten worse every year since becoming a regular. Cincy's cheap-ass ownership is going to pay him $6M in arbitration? I guess if we have a salary floor by then, maybe. 

It's great that Francona loves him, and I'm sure he's a good guy and all too. It doesn't mean he's a starting quality MLB player, or that because he's willing to run out and play a position that he's actually good at it. Cincy is a pretty bad team, despite some good starters and Steer is unlikely to help them improve much, unless you see a sudden renaissance at 29. His only defensive position is 1B and he doesn't hit enough to be an asset there.

Gold Glove finalist at 1B in 2025.

Speer is making $4M this year and as. comparison, they are paying their back-up Catcher (Trevino) $5.25M ………. $128M for the whole Club.

[HarmonK03]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Keep him on the bench, if he stays. 

This is not Little League, the games exist for the team to succeed for post season, not T-ball learning.

If we had a major league caliber both offensively and defensively shortstop it would be easier and he wouldn't have been called up.  But we don't have that, so he is here.

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

3 hours ago, mickster said:

Then I stand corrected - and he should wait for 27

Why not wait until 28, he will only be 22 next year and if it isn't a full year, why waste that time? 

[mickster]

Just now, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

Why not wait until 28, he will only be 22 next year and if it isn't a full year, why waste that time? 

I think the whole CBA issue and how it is resolved will have a big impact on most teams.   I am an optimist and hoping that both sides realize that any lockout will hurt the game.

[Linus]

I don’t recall seeing Kremer pitch before the trade. He has pitched well in his two starts.  In his first start the pitch usage graphic didn’t even include a curveball yet he’s thrown some really good ones, especially to lefties. Happy for Martin - he had been really scuffling. 

[MMMordabito]

7 hours ago, David HK said:

In part thanks to Mr Keashall's ego.

That's hindsight bias and confusing lack of prevention with cause, but, I guess.

I'd be more inclined to thank the umpire who made the bad call.

[howeda7]

7 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Replacing Jenkins with your 13th roster spot and minimal opportunities doesn’t sound ideal. Bringing up the rookies doesn’t mean improved performance. Culpepper has shown the jump is tough. 

Jenkins deserves a shot far more than Roden. He got his and his future is clearly as a bench player. The Varland trade continues to be a disaster. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

32 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Jenkins deserves a shot far more than Roden. He got his and his future is clearly as a bench player. The Varland trade continues to be a disaster. 

I am completely fine with Roden or even Martin but I think that train has left after yesterdays explosion.   I see zero possibility of Jackson being DFA'd.    Thats my opinion, but I think the implication is for him to remain on the roster the remainder of the year to be the backup for next year.   My guess is as much as his stats have been solid I think he is impressed the coaching staff with his professionalism and always being ready when called upon.  He is effectively the perfect 13 man.   

As to the Varland trade being a disaster I disagree.  The trade itself yes Roden had already deflated value in half before the trade, as to excess value on the trade calculator he is now an 8 instead of 10 million.  Rojas I would argue shows true potential at being an MLB arm.  His control improves with innings which lends me to think he is more likely to succeed as a starter which improves the value calculation.  Lastly I see zero possibility of the Twins getting the second highest lottery odds and getting the #3 pick to draft Vahn Lackey if we didn't trade Varland.  Lackey has immensely more value than almost every other prospect and player in the Twins organization and has an excess value $20 million higher than the #4 pick Jackson Flora.   

[howeda7]

20 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I am completely fine with Roden or even Martin but I think that train has left after yesterdays explosion.   I see zero possibility of Jackson being DFA'd.    Thats my opinion, but I think the implication is for him to remain on the roster the remainder of the year to be the backup for next year.   My guess is as much as his stats have been solid I think he is impressed the coaching staff with his professionalism and always being ready when called upon.  He is effectively the perfect 13 man.   

As to the Varland trade being a disaster I disagree.  The trade itself yes Roden had already deflated value in half before the trade, as to excess value on the trade calculator he is now an 8 instead of 10 million.  Rojas I would argue shows true potential at being an MLB arm.  His control improves with innings which lends me to think he is more likely to succeed as a starter which improves the value calculation.  Lastly I see zero possibility of the Twins getting the second highest lottery odds and getting the #3 pick to draft Vahn Lackey if we didn't trade Varland.  Lackey has immensely more value than almost every other prospect and player in the Twins organization and has an excess value $20 million higher than the #4 pick Jackson Flora.   

Jackson is fine, but he's not playing at all. And keeping a career .174 hitting 3rd catcher on your roster for 2 months just because you'd like him to be your back-up NEXT year is very hard to defend if you fancy yourself as trying to make the play-offs. He's easy to replace in the off-season and there's a non-zero chance he'll pass through waivers again given his $2 million + salary.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

2 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Jackson is fine, but he's not playing at all. And keeping a career .174 hitting 3rd catcher on your roster for 2 months just because you'd like him to be your back-up NEXT year is very hard to defend if you fancy yourself as trying to make the play-offs. He's easy to replace in the off-season and there's a non-zero chance he'll pass through waivers again given his $2 million + salary.

Quoting 10 years of stats is so lazy.  Some players it just takes a longer time for them to click.  Yes it is still a small sample size,  but over 2 years Jackson has now produced a positive WAR in completely different ways.   Excess home runs in 2025,  and higher batting average in 2026 - but in both cases his swing velocity has increased drastically - and his exit velocity has increased which makes the higher BABIP this year seem like it could continue rather than just being a small sample size.  With backup catchers regularly having a negative WAR this seems like a good gamble to take in a year where the FA class is abysmal.   

If you are willing to waste another lottery ticket prospect or higher to fill the backup catching position so be it.  However the bigger issue is we have zero MLB depth at the catching position in the minors.  So if you let him go and 1 of Jeffers or Caratini gets hurt you are in a break glass situation.   Also there is a zero percent chance he passes through waivers with the massive amount of injuries and underperformance.  The Yankees would scoop him up in a heartbeat.  Heck they took a chance on Mitch Garver on an milb deal.   Jackson current salary is $1.35 million.  Which was a higher deal than the expected arbitration number by the Orioles to make it less likely for a team to scoop him up on waivers.  Its how the Twins got lucky when they dfa'd after spring training, but at that time there was zero demand for backup catchers.  Since then multiple catchers have been injured or underperformed.