Riverbrian

Back to the subject of this article: I'm assuming more data to be collected between now and October and I also assume that data will play a role in off-season decisions. I have no expectation that major free agents will be coming so next years roster but there are a lot of left handed hitters for consideration. This means that a couple of cheap Margot and Farmer type free agents will need to take a couple of the roster spots of players being penciled into slots.

Only the front office knows for sure but I believe that Santana was brought in for full time duty against both left and right handers. 2 are catchers, 6 are platooned... that leaves 5 players had to be chosen for duty against both left hander and right handed starting pitchers. Probably: Julien/Farmer - 2B Kirilloff/Margot - DH Wallner/Castro - LF This is my assumption so FWIW of course. If it wasn't Santana for full time duty then it was Castro. He would be the only other option. I don't believe Castro was the choice. First off... if it's Castro where does he play full time? Remember this is when the season started with everyone healthy. If the plan was to set up Kirilloff and Santana as the 1B platoon. Possibly: Kirilloff/Santana - 1B Julien/Farmer - 2B Wallner/Margot - LF The option position full time position is now DH for Castro. We could shift Wallner/Margot to DH platoon and give Castro LF full time? Or we could just rotate players through the DH spot moving Castro to fill in every vacated spot and doing that every day. I just don't see any of that likely coming out of spring training. Here's what we know: (Coming out of spring training healthy) 1. Jeffers and Vazquez were going to be the catcher rotation and they both hit right handed 2. Julien, Kirilloff and Wallner were not going to be in the lineup against left handed starters. 3. Margot and Farmer (Castro) were not going to be starting against right handed starters. 4. Correa, Buxton, Lewis, Kepler were going to be playing against both hands. That's 11 players roles accounted for out of the 13 that headed north out of Florida. The other two left to be accounted for are the switch hitters Santana and Castro. One of them has to go into group 3 and one of them has to go into group 4 and both are candidates. I believe it was Santana to play every day because: 1. Castro was an obvious candidate to move around to get extra AB's against Right Handers because he could fill in wherever needed when Buxton and others needed maintenance days. 2. Santana had the better overall offensive stats in 2023. Of course... we will never know... only the front office knows because everything changed 2 AB's into the season when Royce Lewis went down. Which then required both Santana and Castro go into group 4. The only clues we have and they are not rock solid clues was provided by the opening day lineup against left handed starter Cole Ragans. 1. Julien, Kirilloff and Wallner did not start so group 2 seems to be accurate. 2. Margot started at DH, Farmer started at 2B, Castro started in LF and Santana started at 1B. 3. Santana batted 5th while the bottom of the order was Farmer 7th, Castro 8th and Margot 9th. 4. Game two on March 30th against Right Handed starter. Lewis is out. Martin is called up. Kepler fouled a ball of his foot game one and is not in the lineup against a RH. Kirilloff starts in LF, Julien starts at 2B and Wallner starts in RF. Castro is now at 3B and Santana starts at 1B. 5. Farmer, Margot and Martin are on the bench. Martin is used as a pinch runner while Farmer and Margot are used as pinch hitters for our left handed problem children. 6. Game three against a right handed starter. Same lineup as game two. With Lewis getting hurt early. We don't know who was chosen to be the every day player coming out of spring training between Santana and Castro. I'm going with Santana. As the season as progressed and performance decisions have changed the off-season plan. Larnach replaced Wallner in group two, Kepler replaced Julien in group two and it seems like Martin has replaced Kirilloff in Group two. Meanwhile Castro and Santana lead the team in AB's by a fairly large margin. Injuries and poor performance have certainly caused an adjustment on the fly which have certainly messed up the carefully laid plans of the off-season.

You are correct... Berrios was the ranked #19 on the MLB prospect list in 2016. 2nd ranked on the Twins after Byron Buxton. He had some real nice numbers in AAA and AA. ERA below 3.00 on the farm in 2014 and 2015. Berrios was much more bally-hooed and deservedly so. All of that and he still struggled. I believe Wabene is making that point.

Sir... You took my words and mixed a lot of them.

I love debuts

We are currently not balanced properly. We have over addressed our ability to handle left handed pitching that comprise only 25% of MLB pitchers. It's working... we are ranked 2nd in OPS. We need to prioritize the 75% of pitchers who throw right handed. We need more left handed hitters who hit right handers to find the proper balance. Kyle Farmer is taking up a roster spot with .534 OPS against Right Handed pitchers over 66 AB's against RH. Farmer has 59 AB's vs Left Handers which is less AB's against left handers if my math is correct. Manual Margot is taking up a roster spot with a .476 OPS against Right Handed pitchers over 92 AB's. Margot has 76 AB's vs Left Handers. Which is also less if my math is correct. Both Margot and Farmer have been healthy and on the roster for the month of June. In June - Margot had 56 AB's and Farmer had 32. To compare and contrast June usage... Willi Castro had 102 AB's in month of June. Under utilized guys who can't hit right handers are a waste of roster space. Replace them with left handed hitters.... Attack the 75% of pitching instead of attacking the 25% In Elementary school we were all taught the importance of balanced diet from the 4 food groups. The Twins are not balanced. You are what you eat. Keep Wallner

If they didn't try to upgrade the offense last year with one of the best starting rotations in team history. I'm not sure why they would do it this year. If I had to guess... I don't have to... but I'm going to anyway. If I had to guess... I think the budget was a problem at last years trade deadline and I think the budget was a problem this off-season and in consideration of the money due in raises next year... I assume that the budget is still a challenge to navigate. I still believe (with no inside information) that the Twins spent the Correa money on Vazquez and Gallo therefore blowing the available budget when Correa signed with the Giants. When Correa came back around. They had to spend money they didn't really have anymore. It's been "right-sizing" since then. Just a guess but it seems to make sense to me.

"As of the time of this writing, they are 17-2 vs CHW, COL, LAA, OAK. These are 4 of the 5 worst teams in baseball. They are 25-33 against everyone else". Better still - The Twins are 18-2 vs CHW, COL, LAA, Oak as of this writing. Compared to the rest of the American League vs those same 4 teams: Los Angeles Ang: 3-0 Houston 15-5 Seattle: 12-4 Toronto: 9-3 Kansas City: 13-5 Baltimore: 9-4 Boston: 9-4 New York Y: 7-3 Chicago WS: 2-1 Cleveland: 15-8 Tampa: 10-9 Detroit: 7-6 Texas: 5-8 Oakland: 2-4 Why is everyone else in the American League not as good as the Twins?

On Kepler... I'm staying out of it. I advocated releasing him last June and he was one of the hottest hitters in baseball in the 2nd half. Not going to do it this time. Although... I will say this... It would be in Max's best interest to become one of the hottest hitters in baseball in the 2nd half again this year. His performance will have dollar signs attached to it with his pending free agency this off-season.

Since April 27 - Farmer's OPS .717 - wRC+ 111 Since May 1 - Farmer's OPS .652 - wRC+ 93 Average? Not Average? I'll let others debate the 2024 Farmer definition. One thing is pretty clear in my mind. Farmer certainly isn't pushing anyone on the roster. 65 AB's in two months. He ain't pushing anyone. Kepler could use some pushing. Since May 1 his OPS is .713. Since June 1 it's .517

I'm with String... The thing that matters in my mind is how often will he get to show that good bat against left handed pitching? I don't like burning up roster spots this way.

It was easy enough to do. Here's a photo of my new living room set up. My wife wants to change the cord colors to match the carpet and drapes.

On baseball forums such as these. You are allowed to suggest Polanco for Gilbert straight up and be angry with the Twins for not getting it done.

I come by it honestly, I grew up on Little John Court just off of Robin Hood Drive. Yes... that was the actually Court Name that I grew up on.

I draw no conclusions from my list but in response to what you have observed from my list. If the season ended today. 12 teams make the playoffs (not 10) The Guardians, Yankees, Mariners, Orioles, Twins and Royals would represent the American League while the Phillies, Dodgers, Brewers, Braves, Cards and Padres would represent the National League. 11 or more is the top half... 10 or less would be the bottom half. That would place 8 current playoff teams in the bottom half: Cards 10, Orioles 9, Mariners 9, Twins 8, Yankees 8, Braves 7, Dodgers 6, Phillies 4 4 teams in the top half: Guardians 16, Royals 14, Brewers 12, Padres 11. Although... I'd claim that the line between current playoff teams and potential playoff teams is currently a big fat line the size of the Yukon Territories. The Rockies, Marlins A's and White Sox are out and that is about it so I am really hesitant to draw any conclusions from my thrown together list for everyone's enjoyment. The Red sox are good day away from a playoff team with 15 young players helping them have that good day. The Rangers could go on a heater and become that playoff team with DeGrom reducing them to 3 young players. I'd also contend that the difference between 12 and 9 young players which comprises 5 teams is a thin line the size of Highway 61... for revisiting. The 4 teams that are out: A's 20, White Sox 7 is a pretty large canyon. I just don't fear youth. Logan Morrison is much scarier.

Cleveland they must get to the bottom of? Cleveland is the thing that they can't figure out what's going on so they shut it down until clarity arises from some sort of investigation? Congress shuts down Cleveland Baseball and they shut down Lawn Darts. But... other things much more problematic are allowed to continue with proper financial support in the form of campaign contributions. Listen... We all know why this is happening. We all know why Congress all of a sudden has sprung into action. It's the same reason they always spring into action. Larry Dolan is a cheap guy. He takes the same approach to campaign contributions that he does to paying baseball players. He is buying no friends. There was no lawn dart lobby in 1988 and look what happened and Larry Dolan doesn't open up his wallet. This is what happens to the little guy and the little guy is hanging yard signs in support of this system.

I've never met Boras but his reputation sure seems like you describe. So I agree it would be a complication to getting a deal done. The deal... if there was one to be had... would need to be like the one offered to Buxton. Just like you describe. I'd probably be calling Boras today just to see if he hangs up on me.

In the 13 games... Since Martin has been called up replacing the left handed Kirilloff. The Twins have faced 4 left handed starting pitchers. Rocco has trotted out the same lineup for all 4 games. Kepler, Larnach and Martin are the 3 players who have sat each of those games. Losing the left handed Kirilloff and replaced by the right handed Martin overstuffed the right handed batters box. One right handed hitter was going to have sit against a lefty. Instead of a rotation... Rocco has picked Martin consistently. Against those right handed pitchers. Kepler, Larnach, Castro and Santana are the ones who fill the left handed batters box. After including the catcher that leaves 4 right handed hitters will have to lineup against right handers. Lewis, Buxton and Correa are givens. That 4th spot has been Rocco picking and choosing amongst the 4extra choices - Miranda, Margot, Martin and Farmer. In the 9 out of 13 games where a right handed pitcher has started. Max Kepler has taken a maintenance day, Willi Castro has taken 1 maintenance day. Buxton has taken 2, Correa has taken 1. Santana has taken 1. Lewis has taken 1. That's 7 extra lineup spots that need to be added to the one that is needed each of the 9 games. That's a total of 16 lineup spots to cover via picking and choosing amongst, Miranda, Margot, Martin and Farmer. Those 16 open spots were utilized this way. Martin 7 starts against a RH starter. Miranda 5 starts against a RH Starter. Margot 3 starts against a RH Starter. Farmer 1 start against a RH starter. To me... the answer is pretty easy. Remove those 4 starts by Margot and Farmer. Give them to Martin and Miranda. Make it equal -- Martin and Miranda 8 each. Although... It makes even more sense to 2 to 1 Miranda starts because he is hitting the ball real well right now. So Make it Miranda 12 and Martin 4 for those 16 starts needed to fill out the daily lineup card. Which leads us back to what you are saying... Not enough playing time for Martin. Wallner called up for Martin is certainly worth discussion although... Martin certainly doesn't deserve that. It's Farmer that deserves it.

I agree with you And I disagree with you It's a tough one... I have no doubt that he's a superstar and if you can keep him in a Minnesota uniform... I think you have to do it. But Yeah... The Injury history is off the charts in his young career thus far. It sure leaves you with a realization that you will probably be paying for a lot of IL time in that contract. However... I think you have to give it a shot.

You will all be happy to know that I'm stealing the broadcast of Twins games now. Should be able to watch the games going forward. I've always been law abiding... I pay my taxes... I clear the table after supper. I'm sure my mother would be proud of the criminal I have become. The Twins have turned me into a Pirate.

Lets not be a Margot Kidder. Those numbers you post are his numbers since May 27. 72 PA's - 62 AB's over that span. 32 PA's - 28 AB's vs Left handed pitching: .429/.469/.649 (1.112) 40 PA's - 34 AB's vs Right Handed Pitching .206/.325/.294 (.619) Still facing more right handers than left handers. I'm not really in a Margot mood right now. Unless he lost that ball in the ceiling. That McCarthy 258 foot lazy fly ball for a single should have been caught by simply continuing to move his feet. Wouldn't even needed to dive for it... he could have just run under it... like a routine play from a routine outfielder. It would have been the third out in the 4th inning. It cost Festa 3 earned runs. His 4th inning would have been (should have been) HR, K, K, 1B, F9. 1 Earned Run

Yep... They started all of their left handed bats against Povich and won the game 3-2. Kwan, Gimenez, Brennen, Schneeman, Naylor and Naylor all started the game and those 6 are every single pure left handed hitter on the roster. Starting the game on the bench for that game: Rocchio(S): Primary SS Freeman(R) Hedges(R): Backup catcher Rodriquez (R): sent down shortly afterwards They don't appear to be messing around with platoons. I'm sure they make left/right decisions game by game but the left/right thing doesn't appear to define those game by game decisions.

I didn't know this article was coming. I've been doing some looking at Cleveland and was posting some elementary stuff on another thread. Stuff that would be more appropriate posted here so I'll repeat it here. For those who fear the young player. For those who like vets with a little track record. 16 of the current 26 players on the Cleveland Roster have less than two years service time. 9 of those 16 players were listed on the MLB.com Top 30 prospects last year. To compare and contrast. The Twins have 8 players on the current roster with less than 2 years service time. 4 of those 8 players were listed as top 30 prospects last year. Cleveland is doubling the production of the Twins from the farm. The Orioles who most think of as a young up and coming team have 9. I'm not making a statement that youth is the way to go because look at Cleveland. It works both ways. The Rockies currently have 13 players with less than 2 years service time on their 26 man roster so youth isn't the answer at the edge of the mountains. Granted... since I'm looking at current rosters,.. the amount of youth on any given roster at any given point of time can be greatly influenced by the amount of injuries a team is dealing with, Cleveland for example currently has 5 guys on the IL who have more than 2 years service time which in theory provides 5 roster spots for players with less than 2 years experience to replace them. However... With 16 young players on the roster regardless if that number is inflated by injury... Cleveland just rattled off 7 straight W's before losing last night so that influx of youth isn't costing them for the time being. The only conclusion that I can draw and it's a conclusion that I settled on a long time ago. There is no reason to be scared of youth. We don't need a boat load of vets to win. The thing to be scared about is bad performance regardless if it's coming from youth or coming from vets. After you move past the superstars of the game into the general baseball player masses that make up the bulk of most rosters. I believe that vets are just as capable of producing bad performance but they typically get to continue producing those bad results. The answer IMO isn't more youth... the answer isn't more vets... it's less tolerance of poor performance regardless of experience. The answer is less playing time for those struggling regardless of experience, The answer is less 26 man roster spots for those struggling regardless of experience. Youth that struggles can be sent down... Vets that struggle just stay and take you down. Anyways... I'm not afraid of youth. Cleveland is doing really well with it. In case any one is curious on where the entire league stands on the less than 2 years service time scale. Here are how all of the teams in MLB rank using current rosters with no regard to how many injuries have been suffered by each team that will influence the current totals. I draw no conclusions from the numbers posted below other than... I'm not afraid of youth. A's: 20 Guardians: 16 (7-3 in last 10 games) Red Sox: 15 (8-2 in last 10 games) Royals: 14 (3-7 in last 10 games) Astros: 14 (8-2 in last 10 games) Pirates: 14 (6-4 in last 10 games) DBacks: 13 Rockies: 13 Marlins: 13 Brewers: 12 Tigers: 11 Cubs: 11 Reds: 11 Padres: 11 Giants: 11 Angels: 10 Cards: 10 Nats: 10 Orioles: 9 Mariners: 9 Rays: 9 Twins: 8 Yankees: 8 White Sox: 7 (Yuck... This should be 26) Jays: 7 Braves: 7 Dodgers: 6 Mets: 6 Rangers: 5 Phillies: 4

The Twins have 8 players on their current roster with less than 2 years of service time. Lewis, Miranda, Martin, SWR, Festa, Funderburk, Rodriquez and Sands. Cleveland with the best record in baseball has 16 out of 26 players with under two years service time.