Otaknam
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Everything posted by Otaknam
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If I was Canterino I’d support a bullpen role if that was the fastest way to the major leagues. He can always transition to starter again as he works innings and gets more experience.
- 42 replies
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- matt canterino
- griffin jax
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Two Paths for Emmanuel Rodriguez and the Twins
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Minor League Talk
Because their history isn’t paying a free agent starter $30 million per year over 4-5 years. But I’m with you on reluctance in trading high upside position players. Besides, why would a number one free agent starter want to pitch for a manager who doesn’t trust him to pitch more than five innings? -
Hopefully Corey Provus stays on the radio broadcast. Provus is the best radio play by play guy the team has ever had, and I’ve been listening since the first game against the Yankees in 1961. He is the best at smoothly describing the action so as a listener I can see the game in my mind’s eye, a unique skill. Moving Provus to TV would create a difficult gap in the radio broadcast that cannot be filled by Gladden, who struggles to describe the action as it occurs, and is frustrating to listen to.
- 54 replies
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- dick bremer
- bert blyleven
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Movement Among the Twins Top Prospects from 2023
Otaknam commented on Ted Schwerzler 's blog entry in Off The Baggy
I’m curious why Festa wasn’t added to the AFL roster, unless the FO thinks he is too advanced to the league or he needs the rest. -
The teams needs insurance against Buxton’s constant injuries. So signing Taylor or someone else for one year seems essential, Despite his high strikeout numbers, Taylor hit some key home runs and played gold glove quality center field. Martin might be an option in the future, but he needs to keep showing improvement at the AAA level first. I hope they resign Castro and move on from Gordon, as Castro has proven his value and has more speed than Gordon.
- 23 replies
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- michael a taylor
- byron buxton
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Brooks Lee's Anticipation Grows for His Moment in 2024
Otaknam replied to Ted Schwerzler 's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
My take is they will move on from Polanco and Kepler, freeing up more playing time for younger players, and almost $20 million. With Lewis now at third and Correa at short, the team can rotate Lee and Julien at second base, with Julien occasionally playing first and also DH. Lee can rotate at third and shortstop too, giving Correa and Lewis some days off, and he can also DH. All this, of course, when Lee makes the big league roster sometime next year. It’s a good problem to have. -
The Soto or Alonso trade for one guaranteed year only makes sense if they are the missing piece of a serous World Series contender, which they might be. But I wouldn’t trade Brooks Lee or Walker Jenkins for one year of Soto or Alonso. That said I don’t think the FO would do it.
- 41 replies
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- juan soto
- pete alonso
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The Twins have a good problem: how to make room for so many infielders. Correa is a fixture at short and Lewis likely at third for now. That leaves Julien, a now proven major league hitter, Brooks Lee as a call up soon, and Junior Severino later. It wouldn’t surprise me if Polanco and Kepler are gone, either by trade or not picking up their option, continuing the youth movement. That would free up around $18 million to add starting pitching, maybe even keeping Gray on a two year contract. But Gray might want to leave and play for a manager who trusts him to pitch six inning or more, unlike Baldelli. I like the trajectory of the team for next year.
- 70 replies
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- brooks lee
- yunior severino
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Rocco has shown some growth in two areas: more base stealing and letting starters go deeper. They even had a complete game! In past years they relied on power, not speed, even when a fast runner was on base. So it’s good to see some movement towards adding speed to the game plan. That said, they seldom did hit and run, aspect of adding speed to the game plan. Let’s hope the speed trend continues, and they can start that by signing the super sub Castro.
- 36 replies
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- willi castro
- ronald acuna jr.
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Minnesota's Postseason Run Points to a Bright Future
Otaknam replied to Ted Schwerzler 's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Good point on Steer and CES and Steer. But the Twins bench was very good, including Castro. Castro has great speed, and can play multiple positions. Solano and Farmer filled in admirably and provided some right handed punch, which they need with Buxton always injured. Every team needs productive and versatile players off the bench. The Gallo signing was an $11 million mistake that can be better spent elsewhere. -
“why not an article about how they can get out of the Buxton or Correa contracts?” Because they can’t get out of those guaranteed contracts unless they trade them. But I think both have no trade clauses in their contracts. Both need to be healthy in 2024, and if they are they will produce. Sadly they can’t count on Buxton to play more than 120 games when healthy because he is injury prone. Every time he puts on the jets or slides I cringe, expecting another pulled hamstring or broken hand.
- 38 replies
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- christian vazquez
- jair camargo
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Gray to Stay or Sonny to Take Smart Money
Otaknam replied to Dave Borton's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
I think Sonny will walk because the manager does not trust him to pitch more than five innings. And Gray has a bulldog mentality. -
The Twins Would Be Wise to Trade Kyle Farmer
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Lewis, Lee, Lopez, Ryan, and Julien should all be untouchable. Everyone else should be available for the right deal.- 50 replies
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- kyle farmer
- carlos correa
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Don't Forget About Jose Miranda
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
There is no reason to trade Miranda since he has another option. He should be motivated to earn a roster spot next year. If he puts up good numbers but still is behind Lee and others, then try to trade him. -
What Should the Twins Do With Jordan Balazovic?
Otaknam replied to Cody Schoenmann's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Gordon has been surpassed by Wili Castro as a utility player. Castro’s speed was a weapon and separates him from Gordon. So hopefully Castro is on the team next year. I hope Balazovic retains his roster spot and continues to develop as a BP arm if not starter. Henriquez and Alcala have great arms so keeping them makes sense to me. I believe they will also keep Moran based on his stuff. Hopefully he can improve his command. Someone will take a chance on a lefty reliever with great stuff but control issues. -
An Offseason To-Do List for the Minnesota Twins
Otaknam replied to Nick Nelson's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Hate the strikeout or bust approach of theFO and Rocco! Hopefully the hitting coaches can get some of these guys to do something besides swing from their heels and get on base. Striking out Almost half the time, like they did against Houston, is not the path to success.- 76 replies
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- sonny gray
- max kepler
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Have some good at bats and stop striking out half the time and your chances of winning are much better. That trend can’t be blamed on the umpires. That said, thankfully Phil Cuzzi and Angel Hernandez weren’t working!
- 104 replies
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- eduoard julien
- carlos correa
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Hopefully Baldelli doesn’t screw this up with his dogmatic adherence to analytics. Show some trust in your starters to get through 6 innings or more. I don’t know if the team with offer Sonny Gray a contract, but why would Sonny stay when Rocco doesn’t trust him to pitch more than five innings?
- 11 replies
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- pablo lopez
- johan santana
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Our opinions are no factor as to what Rocco will do.
- 14 replies
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- edouard julien
- alex kirilloff
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The Twins Have a Playoff-Caliber Pitching Staff
Otaknam replied to Cody Pirkl's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
The Tom Kelly approach of pitch to contact and let your defense bail you out. It took years to get past that approach, and thankfully they did. Also the TK approach to hitting was make contact, not try to hit home runs. They lost David Ortiz to Boston with that philosophy.- 3 replies
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- brock stewart
- jhoan duran
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Of course all Twins fans are elated now. But this was a frustrating team over the first half of the season and it deserved some criticism. The offense stunk, the RISP was horrible, especially with the bases loaded. Correa was batting in the low .200’s, Buxton was always hurt or recovering from injury, Kepler was inept, and Gallo’s strikeouts made us long for Miguel Sano. On top of that Lewis was hurt again, removing his potent right handed bat from the lineup. It was two steps forward two steps back week after week. The only reason they stayed afloat was starting pitching and the back half of the bullpen. And then the rookies and Kepler started to hit and the season turned around. But give some credit to the FO for staying the course.
- 38 replies
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- emilio pagan
- max kepler
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I like Sonny Gray. He’s a bulldog competitor and can win a big game. But he’s no Verlander, Kershaw, Halliday, or Viola, all legit number one starters. Sonny is in the next group.
- 23 replies
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- sonny gray
- royce lewis
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They will start the experienced Farmer at SS, regardless if Lee is called up. You don’t want a rookie w no ML experience to start in the playoffs at such a premium position when there is another solid option. That said I don’t think they will call up Lee this fall.
- 65 replies
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- brooks lee
- kyle farmer
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Byron Buxton's Playoff Role Might Be Big Bench Bat
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Sadly Buxton can’t be counted on for the playoffs, for next year, and maybe not after that. The team has played well without him lately. Buxton always takes two weeks to get his timing back, meanwhile piling up strikeouts and leaving runners on base. The team should strongly consider signing Michael A. Taylor to an extension given that it’s unlikely Buxton will ever be able to play more than 100 games.- 58 replies
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- byron buxton
- jordan luplow
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