Riverbrian

I get it. Monday likes following Sunday and he likes Tuesday following him. Doesn't mean Sunday isn't a problem, Doesn't mean we won't need to completely remove Sunday or swap Sunday with Wednesday.

A set lineup isn't even possible. There are literally two charts in the original post showing that a set lineup isn't possible. 502 PA's are necessary to qualify for a batting title. An average of 3.1 PA's per game is necessary to reach 502 PA's. Only 144 players in the majors qualify. 30 teams divided by 144 is an average of 4.8 per team. A constant lineup can't be achieved.

Injuries are never an excuse. Everyone look at that Fangraph chart. Go to the bottom... the 4 most healthy teams are not in the playoffs. Only 2 of the 10 most healthy teams are in a playoff spot. 3 if Cleveland makes the playoffs. Go back to the top... 3 of the 4 most injury inflicted teams are playoff teams. 7 of the 10 most injury inflicted teams are playoff teams. Injuries are never an excuse. Injuries are a constant. If you are not prepped for a constant. It's your fault.

I want to argue this point of yours... but... I... Well... I can't. I've stated a couple of times that I'm torn on the direction that I would take from here. In my heart... deep in my soul... I think the rotation could be pretty good and it could be built around... I just don't want to tear the rotation down... I want them to build around it and maybe get back quicker than most of us think. But my mind using all the logic that I can muster... keeps saying they just haven't finished. It can't be finished... The deadline couldn't have concluded this adjustment. Whose left to deal? We don't have a lot of high value trade candidates that return value back other than Ryan, Pablo and maybe Ober.

I have no idea. AI answered my inquiry with a pay range of $40 to $100K which is in line with stuff I've read before. But again... I have no idea and therefore the question mark afterwards. I may have missed on the interpretation of your comment. I took your "Save on Salt" as in line of what I was thinking. It's a drop in the bucket and therefore not an example of Pohlad cheapness. You now seem to be saying... it is Pohlad cheapness but with basically no significant savings.

4 Scouts at what? 60K? Travel Expenses? It really doesn't seem like it fits into the on going ever lasting cheap Pohlad discussion. Yet it will get dragged into that.

Hope for a similar deal? A. Free agency - When a player has leverage due to multiple teams being interested and competing against each other for a signature on a contract. B. Arbitration - When a player with very limited leverage reaches an agreement to avoid arbitration or actually goes through the arbitration process with the only team that he can play for.

I have no reference point that is necessary to produce applause or anger toward this move. I don't know how big the scouting department is in total. I don't know how big it should be. I don't know the responsibilities of each scout and what they cover. I don't know what is done with the information gathered and how it is filtered down to the dugout for utilization. Advance scouting at the major league level? All the ballparks are fully equipped with camera's from multiple angles. Data is pouring out of every game. Launch angle, spin rates, pop times, you name it. Parker Hageman could do it from his living room.

I used to eat like that when I was younger. I could eat a hot dog in one bite. I got married and my wife put a stop to that. Now I actually use utensils on most meals. One bite at a time.

And we do have a big problem. My mantra is cull from the bottom until the bottom is less bottomly. It doesn't impede growth toward the top but a 26 man roster will be utilized throughout the year and you have to be able to count on your entire roster. I'm not advocating an exact order. I'm not saying replace 26 and then replace 25 and then 24. That would be awfully obsessive compulsive. Right now.. I'm saying we got to replace at least 4 or 5 guys before we even get to Clemens. That's a lot. I think the possible disagreement that I'm having with most is this: I'm saying Kody wasn't that bad. Others feel much differently. But... I got to be clear. Clemens is not the key to the return to glory.

Yeah... I'm really not disagreeing with you. But, if we have 13 players on the roster next year who OPS over .749 (Yeah I know there are other stats). That would be a pretty formidable lineup. It's a good bar to clear and if done... we won't need Clemens. The need for Clemens is the problem. Clemens isn't the problem... It's the need for Clemens. I believe the Twins put themselves in this position and now they got to get themselves out of it because they have failed in terms of development. So how is that done? I don't have the answer for that. At bare minimum (in my opinion of course)... at bare minimum we probably need a good young 1B and a good young infielder who can play a decent SS at bare minimum and then we will need the replacement for Clemens... Infield... Utility type guy. The only player that we can trade to get that type of return is probably Joe Ryan and your starting pitching staff has weakened significantly. Sabato or Julien at 1B in 2026? Can Eeles play SS? We are most likely looking outside the organization.

That's my same bar. I've probably typed the words "I want 13 players who can play" about a thousand times on this website. Got some significant pushback over it as well. In regards to Clemens... again... I'm not overly passionate about him. Just saying... right now... he's not the place to start and if we find 13 players who are better than what he provided this year... we would be in pretty decent shape going forward. This discussion branched off a couple of different directions. When it got into the Max Muncy, Justin Turner... I'm agreeing with old nurse. Ultimately... I'm saying... there are success stories. I don't know what Clemens will become if he continues to play into 2026. We got three years of control... He's not a one year rental like many of the players I actually complain about specifically. If it works out... whatever he learns, figures out will be to the Twins benefit in 2027 and not his future team. If it doesn't work out. Player X from AAA should be able to push him out the door. The problem is... We don't have a Player X. We got at least 4 guys that we have to dispose of and replace first.

First off 19 homers in 307 AB's is 31 Home Runs over 502 AB's. The number of AB's is important in a counting stat like that. I understand what you are saying and forgive me but I believe I've covered everything you are saying during the course of this thread and I'm not entirely disagreeing with you, Chief or anyone. I stated in my first post that I was against the Clemens acquisition back in April and with hindsight in my pocket... If I could go back in time... I would still be against it. I'm serious when I say that... no matter how conflicted I may sound as I defend a player that I'm not sure about at all. What I mean by that is this: The fact that we had more faith in trying Clemens than faith in what they were developing in their own backyard is why I was against it and would still be against it. Both you and Chief are using the phrase "Massive Failure". I agree that is a massive failure. No argument from me. Now that he is here and from I've seen this year and how he compares with what I've seen from his teammates this year... as we are looking at a lot of lottery balls with the Twins logo on it. When I say Clemens is a good bar to clear... That's all about raising the bar not lowering it. 13 players better than Clemens means Clemens is no longer necessary and if we have 13 players clearing that 2025 bar. Things will be decent... maybe not earth shaking but better than it is right now. Right now... we are not there. If you look at the 26 man roster... before we target Clemens for disposal. Before we talk about trading Larnach because this left handed corner outfield below average defense log jam that has everyone concerned. Gasper, Julien, Fitzgerald and McCusker need to be replaced first. Is it Pereda replacing Gasper... Maybe we can add him to the list and make it 5 players. Lewis and Lee I'm sure will be back next year as well they should... they will get plenty of opportunity as well they should... but both Lewis and Lee didn't clear the Clemens bar in 2025. So...take those 5 off the roster for 2026 (one of them is September call up)... Now lets stab Clemens in the head and toss him aside. Let's trade Larnach... Some want Wallner gone. That's 6 gone... 7 with Wallner gone. Outman... add Outman... Many people want him out. Buxton, Martin, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall and Jeffers is all we have left to work with. That's it... We are starting 2026 with Buxton, Martin, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall and Jeffers. All I'm saying is this: Larnach is not the problem... Larnach is not where you start when the cleanup begins. Clemens is not the big problem. Getting yourself in a situation where needing Clemens has always been the problem. If we can get 13 players better than Clemens and no longer need him... things will be better. Maybe even competitive. Then we can work on Ash's plan... Let's find 7 or 8 player clearing the Buxton bar. Like Milwaukee has.

I've been meaning to get to this. It's a great post. I agree... that's the metric... The Buxton bar is where we want to be. Hopefully the Twins can get there some day in the future and hope it doesn't take too long. Forgive me a moment as I bring up another sport. In Hockey... we all want to score goals but before you do... You gotta clear the puck out of your defensive zone. Right now with the Twins. The puck is deep in the defensive zone and they got to figure out how to clear the zone. It's hard to score from 195 feet out. So... the Clemens bar is fine with me for now. For now. The Brewers are tough to beat because they are tough to beat up and down the lineup. They have been working toward this for a long time. The Twins just wiped the slate clean.

We all realize this is such a subjective discussion. These results are based upon those inclined to answer from those who have nothing to compare their local option to. Very few people have listened to all 30 broadcasts. It's Yes or No question basically with a tally. I've read some negative comments on Atteberry on Twinsdaily. Don't entirely understand the reasons for negative comments but to each their own. My honest opinion is this. I think he does a great job. He's smooth with decent inflection to keep it interesting and he is able to fill 3 hours of air time with knowledge that pertains to not only baseball but basically wherever the conversation goes... From pop culture and beyond. At the basic level... he just needs to be able to tell me that it was a single up the middle... Kris is able to do this and more. Thumbs up from me. In a social media world where negative comments are more likely to be expressed. I hope Kris reads my comment here on Twinsdaily so he knows that there is at least one person who thinks he does a great job.

Could be. I don't have the clairvoyance to take a strong position either way. My whole conversation in this thread started with... "if we can find 13 players better". Meaning what Clemens has provided us in 2025 in 2026. It's a good bar to clear. My main position is this on Clemens. Right now... We have a lot worse. His 19 Dingers is nothing to sneeze at.

Yep I already have Outman etched in stone for a roster spot next year. Not because I'm personally behind him or even believe in him... and that also doesn't mean that I don't believe in him. Once again... I don't know but his power and speed combo could be special. The reason I have him etched in stone is because they traded for him knowing that he has no options available next year and will have to be on the 26 man or he goes to the waiver wire. The only way the trade makes sense is if they are willing to give him a run in 2026 to try and unlock that potential. They don't acquire him for a couple of months and then toss him to the waiver wire at the end of the season. Therefore... Outman will be given the benefit of pre-determination and will be allowed to struggle for awhile. Out won't need to be the same blistering out of the box that Clemens required. And of course... he certainly didn't blister out of the box. Some players are given the chance to get it right eventually. Some players don't.

I appreciate these updates. They are fun to look at it... please continue because I look forward to them. If I understand the lottery correctly and I'm pretty sure that I don't because I think that the odds for the 3 teams removed are redistributed as the lottery goes from 18 teams eligible to 15 and I don't know the redistribution process. With my current understanding... It sure seems like the Top 3 spots are the place to be. If there were no teams removed and 18 teams eligible. The top 3 spots are supposed to have equal odds at 16.5%. When add that together... It's about 50% that one of the top 3 teams get the first pick and threfore 50% that one of the other 15 teams get the first pick get struck by lightning. With the three teams out and their lottery wealth redistributed. I'm not sure what that will add up to percentage wise for the top 3 teams or the other 12 teams with longer odds. I was sleeping in Math school so... I guess I'll wait until the odds are announced and then hopefully someone can explain it to me.

I'm trying real hard to get out of the fan perception business because I don't know what anyone will be. And I believe with every fiber of my being that front offices don't know either. Still I find myself having to take strong positions where the correct answer is. I don't know. Clemens has already been branded. Day one with the team... the majority of our minds were made up. I wasn't happy with his arrival... I was part of it. 19 home runs later... the majority it seems would still shove him out the door. I think you are spot on. I'm pretty sure that the fans on Athletics Daily took a while to warm up to Rooker. The Oakland front office and manager took a while to warm up to him. 30 year old Seth Brown was the guy they chose over Brent Rooker. Seth gets hurt and now Kotsay turns to Rooker. Brent goes on an 8 for 17 at the exact moment that Kotsay pointed his finger at him. Brent turns that into 9 home runs before April is over. 1.245 OPS over 67 AB's. Kotsay couldn't see what Rooker would become... he chose Brown. The Royals couldn't see it, the Padres couldn't see it... The Twins couldn't see it. If Rooker doesn't explode out of the gate. If Rooker is just average out of the gate. He probably wouldn't be in baseball right now. May and June were actually down months for Rooker. Below Average for two months after the hot April start. That hot start gave him continued chances through the down months. Clemens 2025 is much like Rooker 2023. Rocco didn't know. They chose Julien and Ty France. After they signed Clemens... Rocco stared at him for two weeks, It took a Buxton and Correa double concussion collision before Rocco had no other choice. Clemens goes 10 for 22 with a couple of dingers and now Clemens is part of the language around here. If Clemens doesn't start 10 for 22. He's the first guy to St. Paul when health starts to return to the club. Because he was hot at the exact moment Rocco ran out of options and pointed a finger at him. Here he is. A subject to be debated for 2026.

No argument. OBP is what will show up on the negative side of his ledger. .071 BB% is on the low side. Buxton BTW has an .077 BB%. Juan Soto leads the way with a .180. So basically double the walks for the top of the pile in that statistic. His .220 batting average isn't helping that OBP. But, with his hard hit rate and fairly decent K percentage... I like a guy at the plate who doesn't K a ton and hits the ball hard as someone who can trend upward. And maybe... just maybe... No way of telling... but maybe... just maybe... As he gets more AB's... that eye gets a little sharper. We are still talking about someone who has 740 Career PA's over 4 years. At the end of the day... High OPS is driven by Slug primarily. You'll find a handful of guys like Austin Martin who have close to equal OBP to Slug and end up with a decent OPS out of it but there are not many. I'm not going to spend a lot of energy fighting for the guy... but... we got a lot worse on this roster. A lot worse.

Based on performance in 2025 and performance alone. Maybe just Buxton and Keaschall would out rank him on the Twins. Just looking at some cherry picked stats. (Using 233 Plate appearances as a marker... I wanted to make sure that Stanton and Varsho are included). Only 22 players have a better AB/HR Ratio (Two are Twins Buxton and Wallner). He has a strikeout rate of .232. From those 22 players... Only Caminero, Juan Soto, Langaliers, Grisham, Springer and Carpenter have a better strikeout rate. 91.8 exit velocity, 49% hard hit rate. Only Buxton is better in both categories and not by much. Home Runs, Decent Contact, Strong exit velos and hard hit percentage. He runs well, aggressive on the bases and his defense is decent at multiple positions. If you keep hitting like that, the balls are going to find more grass. What's not to like about that? Streakiness? Age? When the clean up begins... he's not the first area to clean.

1. I'm not comparing him directly to Rooker. You are. 2. Rooker was being used by another poster as an example of players who were tossed aside by other teams and also by the fans of those teams. Only to become something extraordinary after receiving the break of landing on the exact team that could actually provide opportunity and just happened to hit the ground running at the exact moment of that opportunity leading to another game followed by another game and eventually a long term contract and a future in the game of baseball. The comparison is that Rooker like Clemens was inches from selling cars and now he's home free. Not saying Kody is home free... not saying he will be a Rooker. These are two players who were inches from out of the game of baseball entirely. 3. I get it... you didn't like Rooker's defense. As far as I'm concerned... He can DH or just let balls fall around him in the OF... if he can hit 30 plus home runs three years in a row like he's done... I just don't care. If the A's want to give him back to the Twins. I'll take him. The A's don't want to give him back... they signed him to a 5 year deal so he can call Coldwell Banker and talk real estate in Las Vegas.

Exactly. Justin Turner is another. J.D. Martinez and what's his name... Umm... David Ortiz. Those are just the loud ones.

Just to piggy back on the spot on point you are making. 40 Man space decisions are going to make players available and if the clubs were right or wrong on these hard line decisions are just plain often undetermined. Rooker was DFA'd by the Royals. Before that he was traded to the Royals for a player that the Padres DFA'd a month later. Before that he was what I assume was a 40 man roster space clearing addition in the Rogers/Paddack deal that made room for Pagan. When you consider the opportunity that is typically provided to players like Rooker or Collins or Clemens once the 26 and 40 man space restrictions cut them loose due to predetermination. It's amazing that any outliers like Rooker or Collins or even Clemens happen at all... Yet against the opportunity restricted odds... they happen. People will say it's a rarity and not the norm. It is a rarity but quite possibly rare because of they stay on the edges watching others. The fact that it happens at all only points how bad these misses are and if they can miss... you wonder how many just faded off that could have been. How many of these Rooker roster space cuts just drifted off into the baseball wind with the potential to be a Rooker all along unrealized. It's impossible to answer. I'm sure many got the fate that was going to happen eventually but every Rooker or Clemens makes you wonder. Nobody is ever going to know the answer to that question because they are cut, gone. The organization will always be right when they control the outcome. Told ya they wouldn't make it. Clemens is getting opportunity now. Kudo's and Good Luck to him. He gets to represent a small group of outliers that just happened to land in the one spot where they get a chance.