tony&rodney

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.

Absolutely. The Twins should see what teams will offer for Jenkins, Keaschall, everyone. What is the market? Buck is 5/10 and NTC but everyone else can be moved. What comes back is the only question. So if one mentions Clemens, also drop Prielipp and every other name too.

I picked the Twins for 73 wins. However "mid" was the 1987 Twins by definition. Do I think the 2026 Twins can pull anything off like 1987? No. Is it possible? Yes. This conversation is out of context. The time to assess is from now until August 1. Conversations and wish lists are already being had and on the whiteboard. The All Star Game will heighten discussions and the games up to the Seattle series will direct to a large extent how transactions proceed. The roster that is in uniform at Target Field on July 30 versus the Kansas City Royals will almost certainly have a few changes when people tune in to watch the Twins play at Kaufman Stadium versus the KC club on August 4. The conversations about Bell seem off to me but make perfect sense to others. My view is that Bell is a pure DH. He sits when Buxton is the DH. Can a team offer something useful for Bell? I doubt it. The Twins will trade Bell if someone offers a player worthy. Ryan was not a secret and the Twins were out of it when they traded Cruz. So, yes the Twins would take Brody Hopkins. I'm just not seeing it. Additionally, Roden and other young players seldom make even decent DH's. Finally, the mention of trading Kody Clemens is nonsensical. Who is offering a top prospect for Clemens. Clemens plays strong defense in the outfield and on the right side of the infield. His pace is a 30+ HR, 85+ runs, 85+ RBIs ..... all with decent base running and solid defense. Clemens is inexpensive and under team control for three more years after this season. Give me a trade that makes sense. Why are people even bringing in Clemens name to the conversation? If folks suggest he is already old and won't help the 2035 Twins team, well then yes let's send him off for a 16 year old.

The Twins were hoping Taj could be a steady mid to back of the rotation piece. Bradley's stock was way down. He had been sent down to AAA. I like the work you did in the article - good stuff. The brain trusts (coaches) are working with our pitchers. The Twins will be pretty pleased to see Taj Bradley put up the same numbers again in the second half of the season. 14-6 with 200 strikeouts and an ERA around 3.50 should make everyone happy. Of course, much better numbers is good too.

Those counting on 2027 baseball being cancelled are looking for bad luck and knocking on wood. If 2027 MLB goes missing we won't have to worry about service time again. Joe Ryan has a year and a half. Unless a team is willing to send "real top prospects" Ryan should be retained. We could throw names around but it is really very premature until the last 5 days before the trading deadline.

Well, I guess we know now .... can't win a World Series. That's one less thing to worry about. I accept my fate. FWIW, I like watching the Twins play this year. I also enjoy watching Milwaukee too.

Roden? He is a corner outfielder. I doubt the Twins call him up to DH. Lewis is holding down first base unless he gets traded. Larnach is playing left field unless he gets traded. Bell is pretty much the DH except when Buxton needs to bat but not field. Fedko is the 13th guy who plays some defense, runs, and gets occasional game time and he is a RH bat. I watch a fair number of Saints games. Roden has been playing well. He isn't nearly the athlete (outfielder, baserunner, or hitter) that Jenkins is right now. Of course, you may see him as a better player. The Twins seem bound to use one or more of Roden, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Rosario, or Mendez in a trade. Maybe Jenkins is available but that seems unlikely. But .... we shall see. I'm not opposed to Roden at all. I just see better options.

I'm not sure why you want to move Bell. The signing was an odd choice but Bell has little value in trade and much value as a Twin. He has hit when it counts for the most part. Veteran leadership is also still a thing. Bell is the DH. Ride the bat until it no longer produces and he is still a good teammate riding pine and pinch-hitting. Now if some team wants to offer up a good relief pitcher .... sure. However, would you trade a bullpen guy like Morris or even Raya for Bell? Bell is a pro and looks just fine in Twins duds.

While I am all in on spending for really talented effective players, it is talent not money that wins. Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and Milwaukee lead the way. They allow free agents to walk, when it suits them. Management remains important. I'm encouraged by the changes taking place this season. After the All Star break, we may see some positive moves in the first days of August.

There really wasn't much to buy in 2023. The two names that flooded Twins Daily were Jordan Montgomery and Rhys Hoskins. There is mythology involved. There were missed opportunities to trade players. Jeffers could be traded or kept as they may see value in his talent on the team through the remainder of the season. Ryan is under contract through 2027 so not a free agent. There is no hurry on Ryan and it would be foolish to trade him unless the offer is a major return of talent. I'm choosing hope for more competitive rosters. Others will cheer for losses.

I don't know what is going on behind the scene but I think Tom may have encouraged the coaching staff and manager as well as the front office to make some of the moves we have seen this season. The movement of players to positions where they are more suited has significantly strengthened the defense. I don't believe those moves would have been made last year. In that sense TP may be a fresh start. We just don't know. The reflexive hatred doesn't serve a purpose though, except that some people feel better having fantom enemies.

Worth a look and let us hope some more substantial bullpen help arrives via trade, return to health, or development. An improved bullpen is the next step to more series wins. The defense and offense are coming around. The starting pitching has been respectable.