Byron Buxton, Bailey Ober, and Other ALDS Roster Decisions

I would start Ober in Game 1, and bump Ryan to game 4, if needed. Keep Maeda in the pen. He will be valuable there. I think Paddock is the other option that Ober could replace. Funderburk has pitched so well and I love having a second lefty in the pen. As much as I'd love to see Buxton. I don't think he's ready. Maybe the World Series?!

I'd rather they keep Funderburk on the roster and drop Paddack. Houston has dangerous lefties and we are more likely to need a second lefty than another multi-inning reliever with Maeda and Varland both available.

I'd also like to see Ober get the call for Game 1 in Houston.

With Lewis still hurt I think Stevenson as a pinch runner and defensive replacement is more valuable than Buxton as a pinch hitter.

The Buxton decision is easy (for me anyway).  I haven't seen anything to believe he's healthy to play in the field and we have better options for DH right now.  So - I don't need him on the roster anymore this year.  Get healthy and come back next year to take your CF job back.

The Game 1 start is very difficult.  On the service, it should be Joe Ryan.  But Ober has really been pitching great.  This is a tough call.  My gut says they go with Ryan to avoid any hurt ego/feelings.  But I don't think they could go wrong starting Ober.  I think Maeda is the designated long man to come in and save the bullpen in case of blowout.

Funderburk - I feel he will be useful as a lefty.  I wouldn't drop him.  Especially as these series start to go longer.

Stevenson (while situationally useful), I think is the one guy I feel is a luxury spot right now.  If they make any changes, I feel his spot would be the one to use.

Buxton stays Off (no evidence that he can meaningfully contribute this year) 

Ober On and pitches game 1 with Maeda available to piggy back

Stevensons Off to make room for Ober

Funderburk stays for LH option and Paddack (sp) stays for potential long extra-inning need

Done.... aaaaand... done :)

We can't throw Theilbar every game so I think Funderburk needs to stay.  Paddack is probably the odd man out if we bump a pitcher for Ober.  

No to Buck - best wishes for a return to health and centerfield next year

Ober with a quick hook for Maeda in game one

Lopez game two

Gray  game three

Ryan game four

My fear is Lopez vs lefty Valdez - that could end up a 1-0 or 2-1 game.

19 minutes ago, Kenny Powers said:

The Game 1 start is very difficult.  On the service, it should be Joe Ryan.  But Ober has really been pitching great.  This is a tough call.  My gut says they go with Ryan to avoid any hurt ego/feelings.  But I don't think they could go wrong starting Ober.  I think Maeda is the designated long man to come in and save the bullpen in case of blowout.

Telling Joe Ryan "You're starting Game 4" should soothe any hurt feelings.

31 minutes ago, BsuNemo said:

We can't throw Theilbar every game so I think Funderburk needs to stay.

I disagree. Thielbar has pitched on two consecutive days multiple times this year and certainly can pitch 5 days out of 7.

But I also want Funderburk. I can see Ober or Ryan get to a spot where Funderburk comes in for the last out of an inning against a LH. Then, put Maeda in the very next inning as the bridge to the 7th inning.

Add Ober to the roster and remove Stephenson (or Paddack if we think the pinch runner/late inning defense is more valuable than adding the 13th pitcher).

29 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

I disagree. Thielbar has pitched on two consecutive days multiple times this year and certainly can pitch 5 days out of 7.

But I also want Funderburk. I can see Ober or Ryan get to a spot where Funderburk comes in for the last out of an inning against a LH. Then, put Maeda in the very next inning as the bridge to the 7th inning.

Add Ober to the roster and remove Stephenson (or Paddack if we think the pinch runner/late inning defense is more valuable than adding the 13th pitcher).

I forget there's off days - It is just nice to have that second lefty.

With Lewis dealing with his hammy and MAT coming off a hammy issue and did Castro have a hammy issue too?? it would be nice to have someone to pinch run late in games.

Thoughts as I read the thread.

• If they do roster Buxton I have more confidence in his contribution since they were willing to sit him in the wild card series. They would sit him again u less they saw enough improvement.
• One pitcher can start twice in normal rest. Lopez starts games 2 and 5.
• The Twins OPS against lefties after the all star break is .809.
• *Valdez had more success against right handed batters than left handed batters in 2023. The outlook is better for this game than it was in the first half.
• I don’t think any decisions about the roster or rotation will be based on whether or not someone will have hurt feelings.

*note: Splits for left handed starters have a skew. They tend to only face the better left handed hitters so the quality of opponent in the left half of the split is higher.

No way on Buck. Keep Funderburk. Keep Ober and start him in game 1, with Kenta in relief. Ryan would get rocked down there. We have to win 1 of the 2 in Hou to have any chance in this series. 

2 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Buxton stays Off (no evidence that he can meaningfully contribute this year) 

Ober On and pitches game 1 with Maeda available to piggy back

Stevensons Off to make room for Ober

Funderburk stays for LH option and Paddack (sp) stays for potential long extra-inning need

Done.... aaaaand... done :)

Ober is a good choice for either Game 1 or 4. I think he would be really good on Saturday. Ryan goes in Game 4.

Maeda is ready right away when he is needed. Funderburk is someone to keep but no surprise if he is left off the team.

Stevenson provides speed and good defense. The Twins can run on Houston. Pinch running late and the added defense with a lead are huge in the playoffs.

This addition of Ober, keeping Funderburk and Stevenson means that someone from Round One gets left off the roster. I think Chris Paddack has looked really good but the Twins need that roster spot; he is off the roster.

Buck @ less than 100% is a "no go" for me.

He doesn't bring enough to the party if he's less than 100%.  If he aggravated / reinjured himself, then what.

Even if we could replace him on the roster next game due to injury, it doesn't make sense to have someone you really can't count on being / remaining available on the roster.

No to Buxton.  The team has been on a roll since he hit the IL.  Plain and simple, one tool wonder of trying to hit a baseball and not able to do anything else is a liability at this stage of season.  Lewis is your DH.  Buxton is the "cheer"leader we need on the bench is his sweatshirt.  Like the guy but he isn't helping this playoff push.  

Buxton no. Paddock out when spot is needed 

8 hours ago, DJL44 said:

With Lewis still hurt I think Stevenson as a pinch runner and defensive replacement is more valuable than Buxton as a pinch hitter.

When heathy Buxton is a fast runner. He has always felt like a freak of nature to me. So much talent but here's the weird part. To me I have always felt like Baseball wasn't his first choice of sport to play. Such great raw talent that was never fulfilled. 

He could run down any flyball hit out there. His problem in the outfield was he didn't seem like he knew how to dive for a ball and couldn't judge the distance to the wall.

Very fast base runner, but it seemed like he ran too fast and never seemed to learn how to slide properly.

Then once all the launch angle crap started it seemed to ruin his swing since he seemed to be always trying to hit a homer every at bat.

If a pitcher needs to be removed it would seem paddock is the logical choice.  I think he will be a good starting pitcher starting in 2024.  

Buxton:  absolutely should not be on any playoff roster at all this year.  As in every year with Buxton it's wait until next year.  What they are waiting for is another story for another time.  After all its been 8 years waiting on him.  The team has played much better since he hasn't been clogging up the lineup with his automatic outs.  To put him on the roster would be a great disservice to the team and fans.  He can't play.  Why take a roster spot from someone that has helped the team reach the playoffs.  It makes no sense.

The best reason to not put Buck on the roster is that there will be almost no pinch hit against a lefty opportunities in this series.