aberamsey

This is a giant leap of faith. The idea that "any" of the players you listed are "likely" to be better than Kepler, in the long run, is a pretty bold statement. Lewis perhaps, but is he an outfielder? Martin? Come on, at this point, it's impossible to predict if he will even be a big leaguer. Rodriquez, perhaps, but definitely not next season. We have to remember that the object is to put the best team on the field, within the financial constraints that the organization sets. Kepler has a reasonable option. He is most likely not blocking Wallner next year. The object is to put the best team on the field and win games, not find out whether or not guys can play.

Do they really have alternatives waiting in the wings? I feel like next year's lineup has kind of solidified lately. Gallo is clearly not coming back. Wallner has passed Larnach in the organization so next year it makes sense to have Wallner in left and Kepler in right. As far as the alternatives that have at least "as high a floor" I'm not sure who you're referring to, because Larnach clearly hasn't shown that he has the ability to produce at the current Kepler level both offensively or defensively. Who is behind Larnach? Rodriquez arrives in 2025 at the earliest. Kirilloff makes sense at first-- if healthy of course. At this point I feel the Twins need to pick up the option. It's a reasonable contract based on the production he is showing now.

Not good is a bit of an overstatement, unless you are part of the crowd on this site that wanted him sent to St. Paul this past Tuesday.

I get your point but also think back to the energy that Lewis brought the team last year in his short stint prior to injury. He gives them an element of speed that they are lacking right now, along with his solid bat. You continue to give Farmer at bats in the utility role that he does well, third, SS, second, etc, while injecting the youth, defense and speed of Lewis into the lineup.

I'm a big fan and subscribe the Patreon, but more often than not I find John way too negative. Perhaps it's just me and I'm too optimistic, but I expected a bit more positivity, considering where the roster is now compared to the beginning of last season.

I don't get this mindset at all and last season is the prime example. Those "hungry, more talented players" all got hurt and the team had zero depth to finish the season as a result. The Twins have a centerfielder that plays 100-110 games tops. They can't have another season with a Celestino-type replacing him. Taylor gives them gold club caliber defense. Solano and Farmer are proven major leaguers that can play multiple positions. In the case of Solano, he absolutely mashes left-handers, something the Twins need badly. Who if the "hungry and more talented" young players mashes lefties? Lee, eventually. Julien? Maybe. I get the sentiment on Kepler, but he's an outstanding defender and with the new shift rules he at least warrants a look.

You can say this about every single player, so what is your point? Do the few games at AA really mean nothing? if he would have gone hitless and looked overmatch I guarantee those games would have been a hot topic among the naysayers. Those games mean something because it shows that the player is able to adapt easily and immediately to a higher level of baseball, something that might show the ability to continue to advance quickly.