tony&rodney

People will hold their opinions whatever, but Tom Pohlad has shown more interest in baseball than any other Pohlad since his grandma. That is clearly a good thing imo.

Ok, that makes sense as one way to look at it. I can live with using some of the prospects already within the system. My thoughts on acquiring Sonny Gray are more related to how he allows the team to bring in a mentor for the young pitchers at the same time as he allows for a shift of someone to the bullpen where help is needed. We don't know what will become of Dasan Hill. He is all over the place right now. When I watch him pitch I see a guy who is totally inexperienced and struggling to repeat any pitches for much duration, but also an arm that throws unhittable pitches. Soto has been out too much to get much of a feel for. So, both Hill and Soto could be really good. The idea was to more or less match the Chase Petty transaction. In the end I'm ok with a few gambles. It isn't just to win now but to bring in someone to help our young pitchers. Bradley, Prielipp, Matthews, Rojas, Abel, and others are a fair base of a staff going forward. No such thing as too much pitching. I do think Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner could be moved although Larnach has looked decent this year. I'm not trading Jeffers just to trade him but losing Jackson might be a mistake. It will be interesting to see which direction the Twins take this year. I was very frustrated by the lack of moves after the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

Roden made a couple of nice plays in the outfield. They were catches that should be made but he looked comfortable and competent in right field, which has not always been true of every Twins outfielder. Roden did not look so good in the outfield on some occasions for the Saints this year although his reputation is as a fair defender. Thus I was pleased with the glove and naturally happy for Roden that he got the big walk-off base hit.

Sizemore was one of my favorite players to watch on opposing teams. He always played the game the way a manager wants to see it played - make the right plays every time, be a tough plate appearance, and run with efficiency. What a bonus that Sizemore is willing and capable as a coach because that isn't a given with former stars. Coaching is a humble job. The Twins got lucky bringing Sizemore to the club.

You might be on to something here. Either way, it doesn't make any difference for me. When I watch the games (usually have a minor league game on the laptop with Twins on big screen) I'm tuned into the players and situations within the game, from wondering about pitch choice to fielder positioning and a batter's approach. Most of the time the sound is off. As a side note it helps to pay attention because the people who input the count and outs and who is batting are often incorrect in minor league games. If a different format with talking heads brings in fans that seems like a positive. I was mildly amused by Plouffe last night when I had the sound on.

Detmers or Soriano will cost a couple of top prospects for sure. As much as these two are good pitchers, I'm not sure they are a need or what the Twins should be looking at right now. What do people think about a reboot of the Sonny Gray trade? This time is would be Dasan Hill or Charlee Soto going to Boston. What would it take to acquire Gray?

Happy club.

No.

#3 - bullpen. #2 - bullpen. #1 - bullpen. I'm not sure what teams are willing to give up a good relief pitcher. Maybe San Diego or Pittsburgh. Perhaps Wallner returns something useful or Jeffers a bigger piece. One outside shot would be to offer Dasan Hill for Sonny Gray. Gray pushes Rojas to pen duty. I'm holding off until the end of the month unless a really good deal falls in my lap if I am the Twins.

No way to be correct on draft picks. A few writers have suggested (and it was mentioned in a comment here on TD) that Emerson is the best high school pick since Bobby Witt Jr. There is no way Emerson turns out as good simply because he isn't as fast or have as big an arm. There is also the fact that Konnor Griffin was the #9 pick in 2024 and is doing well with Pittsburgh this season (currently out with an injury). Griffin had a spectacular first full season of pro ball in 2025 that ranks with the best ever from first year players. I'm hoping the Twins take BPA and have good luck with the development process, but will not expect the #3 pick this year to play as a regular until 2028 or later. There are a number of picks that will be really good, so the draft is exciting.

There is almost no chance the Twins sign Ryan Jeffers to a long term contract and the idea that the club will push a QO of $23 million towards Jeffers is absurd. The reality is that Ryan Jeffers is in his last season with the Twins. The decision is whether the club benefits more from a trade by August 3 or by keeping Jeffers to provide help towards winning games. Keeping Jeffers creates a difficult roster decision with Alex Jackson. The Twins can roll with three catchers until August but playing short a position player might be tougher for an entire month. Right now, the Twins are using Bell at DH and Lewis at first base. Any shifting of playing time creates questions and one has to wonder if the results would create more runs. The recent moves done by the Twins to strengthen their defense have paid large dividends in wins and less stress on the pitchers. Currently, the club is putting a better set of gloves in the field. Moving pieces risks that situation. The goal should be to improve the overall product. The needs are most pointedly in the bullpen. Any addition that clearly improves the pen is a plus. Thus it would seem rather obvious that the Twins must find the best offer of pitching for Ryan Jeffers. Another way to improve the bullpen would be to make an attempt to pry Sonny Gray away from Boston with a similar offer to the last transaction that brought him to Minnesota; offer Dasan Hill or Charlee Soto for Gray. We shouldn't expect any moves until late July or at the deadline unless a team or two get edgy and decide they need a catcher like Ryan Jeffers right now. We will almost certainly see Jeffers versus the Angels. Watching the Saints, Jeffers looks like he is ready today. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Yes, video is a part of the process. Video doesn't tell enough to make a decision where big money is invested. The first thing that comes to mind for me with video is source and context. There is a reason that MLB has these evaluation camps where clubs can watch the players in person.

The number of players who go from draft to MLB is miniscule. There are very few who make it after one full year in pro ball. If someone wants their team to get a young budding star for 2027, that guy will need to come up from the organization or via trade.

The scouting department probably has 90+% say in who is picked. Zoll isn't out watching the draft eligible players. At least I don't think is. Calvin would actually go watch a few amateurs once in a while. I'm guessing that Zoll might have a say in general philosophy once the top 200 players are off the board.

Your choice of how to evaluate players is interesting to some extent. Do you watch the Saints games regularly? Why are you down on Jenkins? You were totally down on Andrew Morris too, saying he would never amount to anything and had mediocre stuff. Morris is still an open book at the MLB level but I expected him to do well based on watching him a ton the last few years. Morris still is developing in my opinion. Similarly, I have watched Jenkins a fair amount and I expect he will do well at the MLB level. Injuries have slowed him down and he will never be Ken Griffey Jr., but he will be good in my opinion. Are you using just numbers, which is what another fellow on TD does, or are you watching all of the games and don't like what you see? It is curious to me. Of course, your opinions are yours and fine to share which is what all of us hacks do on Twins Daily. I just wonder .... no big deal.

We get to see what Roden can do before the trade deadline and people on TD are happy. Two positives there but the lineup needs to fill for Buck.

My guess is we see Walker Jenkins play for the Twins this season .... unless he is injured.

Yes, it is a tough spot. Best case scenario, everyone is used quite a bit.

Yes, Outman moved quickly from pickup 13th guy to starting. Detroit has some issues too. I was focused more on the topic, Roden. I'm not opposed to calling up Roden (As a side note it is interesting that Roden has picked up a ton of fans on Twins Daily) to replace Fedko. If Roden is called up and takes Feko's place, he doesn't get much playing time. So there is that. Additionally Fedko is a better baserunner and glove although the difference is small enough to ignore, maybe. Inexperienced players almost always struggle in a role where they sit after always having been everyday players.

Not to go sidewise on the topic, but I never understand this argument/comment and it is made all the time. I don't believe it works to compare the leagues because they are structured differently and played vastly different schedules. My question is - What is parity? Is it an ability to defeat another team? Is it an opportunity to make the playoffs? What is parity? So I'm breaking my comment on suggesting you cannot compare if I say no other league has more teams closer .500 records if that is parity. The NHL is close but football, basketball, and soccer are nowhere close to baseball when it comes to a team having a competitive shot at winning. What is parity? If parity is revenue sharing, that is strictly done by owners. Given there is a wide difference in revenues between organizations it makes sense that spending is also going to be widely different. That may be what people see as parity. If one makes revenue similarity the definition of parity, then I get it. That is different than competitive.

Patience. Outman could not be sent down. Like others he was given opportunity. Now he is gone and he plays a similar role for Detroit. Unfortunately Roden was injured when Wallner and Outman were sent out. Now the Twins have Larnach and Martin playing left field and Keaschall in right field. Fedko is the RH hitting outfielder who mostly comes in to run and play defense. The opening may be if Byron Buxton gets put on the IL. I don't think the Twins envision Roden filling the 13th person position roster slot. Today's article may be timely if Buck is down until after the All Star break. By August 4 people may get their wish regarding Roden. It does seem like the games from now until the Seattle series will decide how the Twins react concerning the trade deadline. Trades may open a roster spot or free Roden to play for another team. Right now, with Larnach and Keaschall playing well, there doesn't seem to be any playing time available for him. Alan Roden is doing his part by continuing to hit and have strong PA at AAA. He is making his case. I'm not sure why people choose to make attempts to put down Walker Jenkins in their hopes that Roden gets promoted. I would be really surprised if anyone could find one of the professionals who evaluate players to pick Roden over Jenkins. Jenkins is a better defensive player, runs better, and has the better swing. I watch a ton of the Saints games and like Roden a fair amount. Jenkins is the better baseball player and it doesn't have anything to do with draft position. I hope Roden gets an opportunity at the MLB level. I'll leave it for the pros to decide when that occurs.

Play around with numbers long enough and you can get really confused. The trade value site has mastered that, but they were close on a couple once upon a time. The Wizard behind the curtain.

Caratini has been terrific. In addition to the hitting and catching he does an excellent job of the slow walk to the mound when it is needed to settle down his pitcher. Victor is having fun and leading the team to wins. Jackson needs to be kept unless the Twins plan on holding Jeffers no matter what any club offers. AAA is thin for catching..

So Jenkins and Culpepper or Prielipp for Skubal? We get Tarik for 2 months. I suggested something last winter that was blasted - Joe Ryan, Alan Roden, and Charlee Soto for Max Clark. I cannot believe the Twins can pull off a Skubal trade; not worth it. Sonny Gray and Chapman can be had for something like Dasan Hill plus something bigger (?Royce?).

My point is we are just guessing. Houston has been more steady than spectacular in the games I have seen him player (well over several dozen games). Brandon Winokur has made a number of plays at shortstop that Houston could never pull off simply because of the difference in physical skills, but I believe Houston is a true shortstop and better by a fair amount over Winokur. I have not seen Cholowsky play so no real opinion but the experts say he is a true shortstop. He was a consensus #1 pick since last July until a week ago - people are hedging now. I'm still hopeful the Twins get Lackey. The thing I love about Culpepper is his compete level. The injuries have cost him this season. I think he might have been called up but fate intervened. I'm just saying that we need to let it play out. Culpepper should be a really good MLB player. I'm high on him.