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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    Ryan?
  2. tony&rodney
    This might be what the Twins think too. 78-84 win team?
  3. tony&rodney
    Pablo Lopez has huge value and there is less reason to consider trading him right this second than there was this morning. With Lopez traded, the Twins might have had room to sign Christian Walker to a 5 year/ $70 miilion contract or at least engage on the topic. Now Walker has signed with Houston. The continued and total inaction by the Twins tells me the team is largely already completed. We shouldn't have to worry about a trade of Lopez.
  4. tony&rodney
    9:46 of video where the blogger introduces the thought that mechanics don't matter where he essentially tells us how much mechanics matter. There is money to be made in the online world. Tech exploded in the 1990s and has really ramped up in the last decade plus. MLB and other sports turn over every rock looking for an advantage. The cost of an NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL player is pretty high and so if a team can employ 10-20 people for $150K per person to seek and implement an idea or two that helps win a game or fix or improve a player it is a cost effective matter. Mechanics matter ... a lot. As an old geek and former manager and player, there are literally thousands of examples to cite. I will just use one that might be very difficult to measure bio-mechanically. The manner in which a pitcher grips the ball and then puts pressure on the ball with their fingers from standstill through the windup until release has a significant effect on movement. Pitching coaches, managers, and even teammates will all drop an observation at times. Trips to the mound are nearly always a brief reminder of a mechanical issue, although sometimes the visits are merely to crack a joke and give everyone a breather. If I were a pitcher going to Driveline or a similar school, I would absolutely require (contractually) that all information gained be solely mine and not left for anyone else to view or share once our agreed upon sessions and collaborations were complete. Privacy still matters.
  5. tony&rodney
    This is what I see as well. Alcala should be a one inning weapon with a clearly defined role. If this isn't going to happen then it would be very easy to find a team who values Alcala. The blowup was a bad day but as I watched that I wondered something .... (and this is my first Rocco complaint ever despite not being a big fan of his style) .... where was the pitching coach and manager. It was clear Alcala had to be pulled. There was time. That has already been discussed ad infinitum. The manager takes the blame for that brain spasm. Julien and Miranda are so inconsistent. They would have more success on teams with dissimilar personnel. The Twins are loaded with players who have stiff gloves, run like joggers, and are inexperienced, yet still have talent. Both Miranda and Julien deserve to be in the major leagues but need a correct place/team. The best days for each may have colored the eyes of management and made it tough to move forward without giving both another shot. I just wonder what value these two would have for another team. It seems like Seattle or Arizona are fits.
  6. tony&rodney
    There were a few comments on this topic (trading Lopez) last night on a previous Lopez thread. The underlying issue with the Twins has two angles from my viewpoint. The money factor continues to be real or at least it seems to be a factor in completing the 2025 roster. Reducing to $130 million should not be difficult whatsoever though as there is likely quite a bit of interest in Chris Paddack. The return for Paddack would not be of much interest except to rid the team from worrying about payroll. Another angle is the view of Falvey & Sons regarding the players currently rostered. It is entirely possible that the Twins are satisfied with the players on board now. We read a ton of comments on Twins Daily regarding "the core", which often includes nine position players. So the roster may be already set, minus a few minor league free agent signings with an invite to Ft. Myers. Pablo Lopez is a very good starting pitcher and his contract is looking really good. Kudus to the Twins for the extension. It is entirely possible that the Twins can get a load of value from a trade. A couple of teams will not have a chair to sit on once Burns signs. Pablo Lopez is probably the least risky pitcher in MLB who could be traded. So it is wise to listen. If Boston gets major angst they may be willing to discuss Jarren Duran. Every player should be available and there are opportunities for improving the talent on the Twins team, but only if the Twins are not already satisfied with their current roster.
  7. tony&rodney
    The Twins are not in any position to sign players to long term contracts and the players aren't going to sign unless the terms are crazy in their favor. On Wallner .... if the Twins don't see value in him getting 600+ plate appearances per year (if healthy), there is an easy solution. Pittsburgh is in dire need of a right fielder and would trade Jared Jones for Wallner right now. Both have terrific upside and questions. Jones throws a little too straight and Wallner strikes out. I would just plop Wallner in right field and in the 3 or 4 hole in the batting order. Baldelli might disagree, as might others. Jones would be a really good addition to the pitching staff and allow for the Twins to be more creative in their trades. The real question remains the same. Do the Twins believe they already have their team?
  8. tony&rodney
    Money. It always comes down to money. I'm guessing Ryan is willing to go year to year, betting on himself to reach a time when he chooses where he works. The thought crossed my mind that San Diego would exchange Cease for Ryan to save some money. But, that doesn't work either. Money. Right now, Ryan fits beautifully into the rotation and budget. Sure hope he can sustain health and be effective for 175-200 innings next season.
  9. tony&rodney
    Don't know if this is scary or not. I'm of the mind to hold an AL East team hostage for a big return, something like Jarren Duran from Boston. While that seems unreasonable on the surface, the Red Sox know they have outfielders and can buy a couple of bats. They need better pitching in order to play with the Yankees. Orioles - Samuel Basallo is interesting as is Heston Kjerstad. Baltimore won't pay the price and Falvey should not cave in negotiations. Prefer to keep Pablo unless the price is paid. The Twins don't need any more sorta decent players.
  10. tony&rodney
    Max Kepler is gone, to the East Coast. I thought he might wind up on the West Coast. I wish Max all the best. Guessing that the $10 million was higher than most people thought was possible. Good for Kep.
  11. tony&rodney
    Minor league signing?
  12. tony&rodney
    .... except he has not performed because he was injured. 2023 was a good year for Luzardo and he still has some helium. What did the Cubs find? I was thinking you might know someone or have seen the players discussed (particularly Keaschall) play quite a bit last season. When I saw Luzardo last season (on several occasions) and Keaschall (quite a bit), I saw an injured guy slinging it. Keaschall looked like someone a team needs. Now the reports currently are that Luzardo is fully healed and progressing through a normal healthy offseason. This is great news for him and the upside is there. My deal for him would just not include Keaschall. No way.
  13. tony&rodney
    So, once again, we get a little press on Pablo Lopez via MLB.com. ESPN's Jeff Pasan suggests that the Twins are "listening" on deals for Lopez.
  14. tony&rodney
    So I guess you dismiss the injuries and are really high on Jesus Luzardo, but also not too keen on Luke Keaschall. I just curious about how many times you have seen each of these guys in the last year? You seem to know something about each of these players and have a strong opinion, which is fine. How did you come to that opinion?
  15. tony&rodney
    I'm a little surprised on some views of Luke Keaschall. He really looked like he controlled his plate appearances last summer. The quickness of folks to agree with this trade made me wonder who has watched Keaschall, or for that matter, the current version of Jesus Luzardo. I was all over ideas and proposed several last winter that brought Luzardo and/or Edward Cabrera to the Twins in the past. Times have changed though. Not only has Keaschall shot up the charts but he did so while waiting for surgery. The guy can hit and he is a player. Meanwhile, the unfortunate has happened to both Luzardo and Cabrera; injury after injury. Miami would gladly take Kaelen Culpepper and Yasser Mercedes, both fine prospects, for Luzardo. I'm afraid the risk isn't worth it for Luzardo or Cabrera. FWIW, Fangraphs and MLBTradeRumors project Luzardo at $6M with Baseball Prospectus at $6.5M.
  16. tony&rodney
    That is my preferred alignment.
  17. tony&rodney
    This is a possible route. If Boston is locked out of the free agent market they may be quite aggressively seeking an additional starting pitcher. Can Willi Castro be added to a SP to pry away a player like Jarren Duran? The initial impulse is no and I want Emmanuel Rodriguez to start the year in the lineup, but stones need to be turned over, conversations and opportunities need to be explored. A top offer of Jhoan Duran, Willi Castro, and Kyle DeBarge or Billy Amick might draw the attention of Arizona for Jordan Lawler. There are deals. What they are, we cannot know. However, Willi Castro should only be moved for something significant and most likely as the second player in a transaction.
  18. tony&rodney
    EmRod does not have splits LH/RH, he just sees ball. Really. Perhaps a difference will manifest itself at the major league level, but Emmanuel does not have a problem facing left-handed pitchers. The Twins have twisted themselves into knots playing the platoon game too often, and I am not opposed to platooning when it is called for in specific circumstances.
  19. tony&rodney
    This depends on a several factors. Do the Twins have anything in the works with Boston for an outfielder? Who is calling and offering what in return? Will San Diego send Cease for Larnach? Will Pittsburgh send Jones for Wallner? The Twins have a few options in the outfield and several of them require patience with young players. Will they have any patience? Emmanuel. Walker, and Luke Keaschall may all step up as better options in the outfield than either of Larnach or Wallner. This is difficult because right now Larnach has made some major improvements in his batting approach and Wallner is one very dangerous hitter putting up really strong OPS numbers. I think the biggest question is whether Falvey plans anything at all other than ST invites to players on milb contracts. Will he? I would put Emmanuel in the outfield now.
  20. tony&rodney
    1. Royce Lewis could be your power hitting first baseman. He has bulked up to hit the long ball but it also affected his flexibility to play 2B or 3B. 2. This one will be very tough. Dalton Rushing hits while Jeferson Quero provides defense. Who know if they can be acquired. Perhaps Brooks Lee for Quero. 3. The Twins already have this player in Emmanuel Rodriguez. Let him play. 4. Money problems aside, there are options. Both Dylan Cease and Sandy Alcantara could be possibilities. Miami would need to be blown away. Blow them away by offering MLB players Chris Paddack and Edouard Julien along with minor league prospects of value such as Charlee Soto, Kaelen Culpepper, C. J. Culpepper, Billy Amick, and Yasser Mercedes. None of those guys need to go on a 40 person list and all have some promise. That is a haul. San Diego might just take an exchange of starting pitchers plus a mid range prospect.
  21. tony&rodney
    The Twins are in limbo right now, so no deals.
  22. tony&rodney
    This might be it. I too was flummoxed by the choice of such a lowly rated player. I doubt the Cubs trade Kevin Alcantara, but that sounds more fitting. Castro should be part of a larger trade.
  23. tony&rodney
    While I have no idea the exact idea with this article, I'm guessing that the writer was attempting to find the value in trade between the Cubs and Twins. Clearly, I'm opposed to this specific exchange idea from my comments above. However, the concept of putting out guesstimates for potential trades is worth a discussion even if I (or others) may have dismissed it as not worth a second look. Perhaps individuals might find it more interesting to suggest alternative trade proposals, but I'm not seeing any benefit to putting down the writer. Another option is to skip the article or at a minimum refrain from commenting. We may be venturing into a time of no relevant offseason news. Falvey takes vacations too. Twins Daily must be searching for ideas, which is tough.
  24. tony&rodney
    Apparently nobody cares a hoot if rich people commit crimes. So ..... APPROVED
  25. tony&rodney
    Something close to context - Willi Castro (i year left) for Kali'a Rosario, except for the Cubs player is out of options.
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