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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    FWIW, Wallner is trying to force the Twins hand. He has a double, triple, and home run in his return to AAA.
  2. tony&rodney
    I take it you are not fans of Ober and Varland? They seem like fair #4 and #5 starting pitchers for most any MLB team.
  3. tony&rodney
    I cannot find the article that involved a discussion among a number of long term scouts who suggested that the top five this year are all better prospects than all but Adley Rutschman in the last ten years and they expect them to be stars.. Time will tell on those predictions.
  4. tony&rodney
    I'm still hoping for Max Clark. He has present skills and fantastic upside. Remember that the Twins didn't think much of Corbin Carroll. I would hope the Twins take a player with a chance to play in the MLB All Star Game and not somebody who projects a s a pretty good hitter. I liked Steer and CES two years ago but neither projects as a Julio Rodriguez. Passing on Skenes is improbable. I watched several of his games and he looks tough. Still, I'm totally confounded by how the Twins management works. Confounded, not upset in any way.
  5. tony&rodney
    Gallo has been doing just enough to keep in the lineup. Most days Joey is at first base and has not been too good in the outfield. Does he need some time on the IL to heal a leg injury? Ideally, Kirilloff is the first baseman. Yes, the team has a glut of left-handed hitting corner outfielders when one lines up Gallo, Kepler, Larnach, and Wallner with Gordon on the 60 day IL now and Castro as an everywhere reserve player. I guess this was a reaction to watching Cave and Contreras last September. By the end of July, I would expect some changes via trades.
  6. tony&rodney
    Wallner is not listed for 2023, but he has improved his 28.4 from 2022 a bit i believe, so there is another guy who can run a little. I think only Buxton can outrun the big guy from Forest Lake. However, Wallner is raw and still learning all aspects of the game. There is talent there though.
  7. tony&rodney
    Good hitting by Lewis to lob the ball into the outfield instead of trying for the three run jack. I almost feel bad for Kepler. He has been a good player for the Twins but is clearly not what the Twins need right now. Maybe he turns it around. Maybe Buxton and Correa turn it around too.
  8. tony&rodney
    Wonder what teams would be interested? Also wonder if the Twins are open to trading either or both?
  9. tony&rodney
    If the plan last winter was to have Taylor in CF and Buxton as a DH, then the Twins are a handicapped team. MAT is a fine centerfielder and excellent base runner, Kansas City did not trade him for salary relief or because the prospects they acquired are so promising. They did not need a reserve outfielder. The Twins need to figure out a configuration which makes sense in the field. They have their best outfielder as a DH, their best first baseman playing outfield, and some good DH guys playing in the field. The Twins have lost four series in a row and are 10-14 going into Houston before they come home to play four games versus Cleveland. These next seven somehow seem pretty important. Maybe the Twins can figure out where their players should play.
  10. tony&rodney
    I'm not at all convinced that Matt Wallner will evolve at a point in time to become a regular starter much less a star, but his athleticism is enticing despite the raw inexperienced nature of his play and it seems necessary to find out. Would the Twins even allow a young player to develop into a star? Wallner reached base in eight straight plate appearances, yet more impressive was the manner in which he accomplished it. He was focused and in control of the strike zone and fouled off some good pitches. Certainly it makes sense to see how his play would proceed in several subsequent games at the very least. Does this portend that the return of Maeda results in Varland being returned to AAA? A shift, even if for a brief time, to twelve pitchers is also something to consider. I expect that to be the norm within a year or two actually. The Twins are confounding to me.
  11. tony&rodney
    Playing the Astros in Houston should get players interested in being competitive even more than one might expect under usual circumstances. Although one could say that every game demands close attention, playing a team in their stadium that has dominated baseball for nearly a decade may increase whatever competitive spirit exists. This is similar to going into Yankee or Dodger Stadiums. We should see some good baseball. On a side note, I wonder if there would be benefits from carrying an additional bat and going with twelve pitchers? Does anyone else find it unusual to send a player to AAA who is clearly your best bat at this moment in time?
  12. tony&rodney
    Twins outfielders play very deep, deeper than their opponents outfielders no matter who is batting. Maybe this a stats thing, I have no idea.
  13. tony&rodney
    Castro should have earned a utility spot with his versatility and all around play.
  14. tony&rodney
    Hopefully, we do see Buxton in centerfield at some point. Taylor is a fine defender but does not provide enough offense unless the rest of the lineup is terrorizing opposing pitchers. I'm liking Castro more all the time and Farmer has clearly shown that he is a valuable player. Taylor will need to be kept all season for centerfield insurance, providing that Byron does play in the field. The return of guys like Polanco, Kepler, Larnach, and Lewis (possibly) could reshape the roster. I expect the front office to choose the people they started the year with, but I'm ready for Julien to DH or play in the field versus right handed pitchers. Larnach has been our best option in left field. While I expect Kepler to be back in right field, Wallner is making his case as an impactful fellow. The lineup in the field largely depends though on Byron Buxton. Ideal: Julien-DH, Buxton-CF, Kirilloff-1B, Polanco-2B, Correa-SS, Larnach-LF, Lewis-3B, Wallner/Kepler-RF (undecided), Vasquez-C. Sure hope Buck can have the health to play centerfield by mid June, but I'm thinking the Twins are too afraid of an injury still.
  15. tony&rodney
    Wallner can move. He is inexperienced and already 25, but he has some superior physical talents.
  16. tony&rodney
    Good story.
  17. tony&rodney
    Louie Varland pitched great again. The offense is just bewildering.
  18. tony&rodney
    Every day a player from one of the MLB teams is sent off the active roster, mostly due to team needs and performance. Umpires are rated internally but have no accountability for their performances. It doesn't make any sense. Lately, for who knows what reason or more likely none at all, Kirilloff cannot get an honest at bat from the umpires. He is not a guy who often puts the first pitch in play and it sure seems like the word is out that an umpire will give an extra 6 inches on a pitch to Kirilloff. The strike call on Taylor was pretty egregious considering it was 2 inches low and the pitcher was all over the place, which can mean that the umpire will not automatically give a strike call. Never thought I would say this ... bring on the ABS.
  19. tony&rodney
    I agree. Gallo must be suffering because Kirilloff is a far better first baseman than Gallo and Gallo should be slightly better than Kirilloff in the outfield. So there must be reasons.
  20. tony&rodney
    Were the Twins unhappy with Julien hitting a leadoff home run? Did Wallner not hit his double hard enough or throw home quick enough? I'm a little confused by this Friday night lineup and hope it works out perfectly.
  21. tony&rodney
    Max Clark would be a terrific pick for the Twins. He has the most upside of anyone since the pick of Byron Buxton.
  22. tony&rodney
    True. I'm not sold. He has a ton to prove in my opinion, but I'm just a small voice that favors different skill sets. I understand those who like his game; I don't.
  23. tony&rodney
    Me too. I'm not sure the return will be so amazing in the offseason, especially if said player is still insistent on becoming a free agent.
  24. tony&rodney
    Baseball (2023) managers have less autonomy than in the past. Falvey and Levine (perhaps others) have a significant voice in the game. I'm not sure that is a positive thing. Baldelli was hired because of his prior experience in working with a group of people combined with his low key approach. Managers made in game decisions, player usage patterns, and various other calls based on their knowledge, experience, discussions with other coaches, and feel for what was actually in front of them before the advent of front office involvement. In a sense there is only so much Baldelli can do. He is Falvey's guy. The Twins would never have someone like Francona or Baker. Both of these managers (a few others) listen and converse with a wide assortment of people, including their front offices, but the decisions made on players and in games is their call. If the Twins wanted the best mind possible as a field manager, Paul Molitor would still be in charge. Thus, the extension of Baldelli is easily understandable, actually expected, with Falvey at the helm of the team. Baldelli is fine. What has been a bit of a surprise is how the Pohlads have increased their unprecedented (for the Twins) financial spending under Falvey.
  25. tony&rodney
    Trades depend on what a team is asking for in return (obviously). In this case our neighbors are unlikely to be seeking to trade their best starting pitcher. Always keep the lines of communication open for ways in which to improve the roster.
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