Twins Must Change the Balance Between Luke Keaschall's Bat and His Glove

[Cory Engelhardt]

34 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

They are not going to fix the defensive woes overnight, but I can see a scenario where it improves a lot by this time next year.  Lee is average at 3B and Lewis should be just fine at 1B with a little more time.  We are weak up the middle which of course is a real problem.  However, I saw quite a bit at Culpepper at AAA and the eye test says he is above average.  We badly need Houston's offense to continue to improve.  If he could be here by July next year, Culpepper slides to 2B and the INF defense is not stellar but it's above average and strong up the middle.

Now, the OF.  We all expect Jenkins is going to be here soon and that's going to be a significant upgrade.  The other guy we really need is to make the leap to the majors is Rodriguez.  He gives us a strong defensive corner OFer and a backup CFer that can hit same hand pitching and run the bases.  If those two guys join Buxton our OF defense improve vastly.  

The speed these young guys will bring will also improve our base running.  I pray these young guys make it because this team will be a lot more fun to watch.

I agree with everything you said.

I also think, IF they don't truly believe in Houston's bat to be mlb ready, that if Tom Pohlad TRULY wants to show he is a legit owner and will try to win, maybe they do attempt to make a good move this offseason for either a really good 2B or a really good SS to pair with Culpepper. Not that this has to be a ton about money or trading all the prospects. More I think even, someone like Michael Massey from the Royals at 2B, or Masyn Winn from the Cardinals at SS; either of them would dramatically help the up the middle defense with Culpepper playing the other position. Not that it HAS to be those guys. Heck, maybe they go back to the Angels and ask about Zach Neto if they truly believe he can be a SS here. 

To me, that is the kind of move that solidifies the up the middle defense that would have such a great affect on run prevention in 2027.

That said, maybe they do love Marek Houston. That could be. But they need upgrades at more than a few spots defensively in the lineup for 2027 compared to now, and getting a truly good defender at one of the 2 up the middle infield spots would be so good for this team.

I also agree with you that defensively Brooks Lee at 3B and Royce Lewis at 1B is pretty much fine. I just want a lot better defense up the middle than what we have currently. 

[djvang]

They need to develop/trade for an everyday CF. People should just stop counting on Buxton being a major part of this team going forward.  His history has shown that he just can't do it and never will. Over his total career he's averaged about 80 games per year. That's a part time player, not someone you can build a team around. They need to move on from him.

[Major League Ready]

4 minutes ago, djvang said:

They need to develop/trade for an everyday CF. People should just stop counting on Buxton being a major part of this team going forward.  His history has shown that he just can't do it and never will. Over his total career he's averaged about 80 games per year. That's a part time player, not someone you can build a team around. They need to move on from him.

Have you heard of a guy named Walker Jenkins? 

[ToddlerHarmon]

7 hours ago, Cris E said:

TK's teams did play the right way, but those teams were pretty much just playing to the top of their abilities, and that's not meant as a compliment.  Those were some bad teams but it was rooted in the roster work over the winter, not in the coaching in spring training or during the season. I did like a lot of what Kelly did, but I'd be the first to admit that times have changed and I'm not sure he could succeed like that today.

But I am convinced that no one would have won much more with this roster, Matt Walbeck's 275 games with a 47 ops+ (SERIOUSLY: 1000AB of .571 OPS at the height of the steroid-fueled massive offense early 90s), Pat Meares at SS forever (2600Ab of 76 OPS+), Brad Radke followed by no one with Eddie G appearing 120 times a season followed by no one, sliding Aguilera from rotation to pen looking for some edge, then letting him start again when no one else would and being rewarded with a 6 ERA. Just some terrible baseball teams.

 

Yup. And to clarify for the young uns, this was not because TK clung to Meares and Walbeck. There were truly no better options on the roster or on the farm.

[shimrod]

9 hours ago, NYCTK said:

Is he to blame why those teams were so bad? Not exactly, but I don't seem to remember those mid to late 90s Twins teams as exemplary in how to play the game the right way. 

Kelly maintained high standards for fundamental baseball. The drop off occurred after Gardy took over and got continually worse throughout his tenure.  It infuriated me listening to the announcers obligatory "the Twins do the little things right" commentary as they made mistake after mistake.

[djvang]

47 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Have you heard of a guy named Walker Jenkins? 

Heard of him but haven't seen him. What are they waiting for?

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, djvang said:

Heard of him but haven't seen him. What are they waiting for?

For there to be a full time opening in the field. Next year. 

[Cris E]

As soon as the kids get established in MLB you're going to start seeing Buxton move to RF. It'll save him some wear and tear, he's got the arm for it, and it'll let the CF stay in place to feel more continuity.  It will take a year to complete, but I expect Byron to play 20+ games over there next year.

[Jacksson]

8 hours ago, DJL44 said:

What a brilliant suggestion. Practices. I don’t know why nobody thought of that before.

What do you think the team does every day before the game begins. Do you think they’re sitting in the clubhouse playing PlayStation?

Whatever they are doing and however they are doing it has not worked & is not working.

A new approach and .or new coaches are needed.

[Linus]

Realistically LKs best chance to become an acceptable fielder would be 2b or left field. His speed would be best utilized in LF and his arm minimized there as well. He needs to get the reps there asap. He is about the last guy on this team you want moving around. I love the guy from an offensive standpoint- the OBP, baserunning and the hustle. This club needs a guy or two like this. 

[TL]

I think his position is LF because of the arm - I trust he will get better in the OF with work to at least be average. I hope he ends up as a “4th outfielder” that gets as many at bats as an everyday player by cycling through DH and the occasional RF/CF (and injuries always occur). That would mean Jenkins and E-Rod/Mendez are thriving. I even wonder if he could be tried at 1B depending on what happens with Lewis over the next few years.