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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    MLBTradeRumors has Martin with an injury - UCL sprain. Hope he is ok.
  2. tony&rodney
    Your post points to the direct offseason actions of the Twins. Falvey and group added depth with experienced players and will also have a decent number of young players ready to force their way into playing time. Yes, the Twins need their top guys in the lineup to compete with the best teams but Farmer, Taylor, Solano, and others are solid depth. The roster is better suited to the long haul this year.
  3. tony&rodney
    Through the exact same amount of time, with a few less games due to the pandemic, where do you find yourself on Baldelli having replaced Molitor? Did the Twins get it right? When the Pohlads hired Falvey it was already determined that a new manager would replace Molitor after one season. Baldelli was then the choice and he has done fine and followed the ideals of Falvey. Molitor has continued on as an advisor to the Pohlads for the Twins and even increased his time working with the minor leagues in the past few years. I'm not sure there is another person in baseball who understands and knows the game of baseball as well as Paul Molitor. The Twins are lucky to have him and Paul keeps active in the game while still being able to live a normal life as opposed to the grinding schedule of MLB, which Molitor is all too familiar with from his many years in the game. I wouldn't say it is a matter of getting it right with Baldelli because the idea was for Falvey to have his man in the dugout. Thus we can expect to see Baldelli there for a few years unless there is some unusual unexpected conflict that arises between dugout and front office, or a major breakdown occurs where the Pohlads decide to clean house across the board. I don't see that as a likely occurrence given the Pohlad business models.
  4. tony&rodney
    Why does it seem like people are discussing injuries in a way that sounds like reverse psychology? PTSD? Or have a few folks sworn off of wine and chocolate for Lent?
  5. tony&rodney
    The Dodgers are over the first luxury tax threshold. Money isn't an issue for them now or going forward, but they have openly stated a desire to use their younger players. They have the best farm system in baseball, according to multiple sites, and are looking for a bit of a reset in talent. Losing Lux was very unfortunate, but the backup is pretty decent.
  6. tony&rodney
    One of the reasons that I have zero interest in blaming Barry Bonds or others for steroid use (he was never definitively caught) is because it is the owners and commissioner that direct the game. Who can forget the shameless hype of McGuire-Sosa every single day, including cutting away from the game you were watching to see their at bats. I was disgusted by that. Manfred (presently) and the owners run the game and play with the rules of the game however they see fit to do so. The use of different balls was apparent as was the outcome, more home runs. In softball one can use various balls that are usually clearly coded with a colored dot. MLB is not going to use a blue, red, or any color dot but the league knows exactly which balls are used because they ship the cases of baseballs to the stadiums. Aaron Judge had a terrific 2022 season, yet it is hard not to wonder what role the ball played in his final numbers. The use of different balls just isn't necessary or good for the game of baseball. Next thing you know the bases will be changed. Wait. What?
  7. tony&rodney
    The Rays ownership group is trying to be positive about developments concerning their stadium search and dialogue with St. Petersburg. Still, what a mess. St. Petersburg itself isn't too bad but the Trop is in an out of the way spot, built on a hazardous waste dump of all places. The Trop is much better than the Dome ever was but is still not great. Attendance is a problem there. Tampa would likely be a better place for the team. The entire area is an urban sprawl without feeling very urban, but rather like constant piles of suburbs. I lived in the area for a decade and enjoyed the food and weather. The traffic is horrible. The Tampa Bay area is about the same as the Twin Cities but has a younger crowd which surprises many.
  8. tony&rodney
    Brooks Lee has a plus hit tool tag and thus far we have seen it in a limited sample. I'm a big believer in his future because of his unique package of skills. That said, Lee seems like a solid player who may be a long time regular at the top of the lineup, but he does not have the freak skills of a Robin Yount or Joe Mauer. We just may have that guy in Emmanuel Rodriguez. It is natural to look at prospects and hope for the best; fans. I could see Lee forcing the Twins hand by late July. If the stars align we could also see the rise of Emmanuel by next season. In the meantime it is nice to have the depth and experience on the current roster. This allows the younger players an opportunity to prove themselves in a more relaxed fashion as opposed to how the Detroit and Kansas City teams need production now from their young guys. Lee, Lewis, Rodriguez, and Julien are coming along nicely.
  9. tony&rodney
    College pitchers have the same relative velocity and breaking stuff as pitchers in MLB. There is, however, a huge separation in how a pitcher below the majors leagues controls and commands their pitches. A guy like Brooks Lee with his mental approach seemingly higher than many can adjust quicker to the pace of play at the top level. It is a big plus that Lee keeps his bat on plane and looks to make contact in pitcher's counts while looking to rip on mistake pitches early in an at bat. The repetitions this year will help him and I believe he could move quickly through AA and AAA. He will be a fun player to follow this season.
  10. tony&rodney
    You do know that Rojas had his contract extended, right? The Dodgers traded for Rojas specifically to protect themselves in case of an issue with Lux. Every team looks to upgrade. There are not any shortstops available right now that are better than Rojas, that I'm aware of.
  11. tony&rodney
    Not sure what you are comprehending. I clearly disagree with the notion of trading Farmer, although we just don't know if it is a possibility. The Twins are going with more experienced players until the young guys force their way into the lineup. We won't know how that looks until July.
  12. tony&rodney
    You could be correct, but I'm not seeing the Dodgers in a panic mode where they trade something of worth for a utility player. LAD did just sign Rojas to an extension, indicating some trust in his value going forward. Additionally, the Dodgers have a few guys to slide into the shortstop position from time to time. A lineup with Betts, Freeman, Smith, and Martinez is going to cause a headache for any team and they also have a good pitching staff. Expectations will not look for 100 wins, but the team will almost certainly be in the picture for a division crown or playoff spot. Falvey has purposely added players to ensure the Twins have depth this year. The Twins eagerly await the time when several of their younger players and prospects come into their own, forcing their way into the lineup. Until then, maybe July, I expect the Twins to see how this roster competes.
  13. tony&rodney
    MLB athletes were mostly stars on their teams growing up. It is an adjustment to accept part time usage. Farmer was a solid addition for the Twins and his experience and versatility will be a plus this season. If he does well and the Twins guys like Royce Lewis develop into strong players this summer, Farmer may be moved again at some later point, perhaps after the season. Guys who can play shortstop usually find jobs.
  14. tony&rodney
    The Dodgers will roll with what they have and look when they feel it necessary. Think June or July.
  15. tony&rodney
    Julien will need to be aggessive when necessary, but if he was on the wrong side of several pitches we should note that detail. Last summer, in the minor league games I watched on milb. com, Julien had more bad calls than anyone else by a substantial margin. It sometimes seemed like he was the victim of more poor strike calls than everyone else combined. This does not make any sense at all and I don't have an idea why that happens to him. What there any discussion of using the auto zone calls in Spring Training this year?
  16. tony&rodney
    Sabato made his money already and just needs to show some type of improvement for himself. Baseball has been tough for him the last few years. Balazovic has looked lost on the mound in the last year. He gets this year to sort out his head and make a case why anyone should care about him. I hope he can turn the corner. The post is right on. These three have quite a year ahead of them.
  17. tony&rodney
    Yes. I remember quite a few people thinking that a speedy defensive player with a great hit tool was the pick to make. Maybe ironic that Carroll has now shown some pop in his bat as well. But yah, Corbin Carroll was the guy many of us on. TD wanted at #13. Then we just thought - perhaps Cavaco was missed by many evaluators; underrated. Oh well.
  18. tony&rodney
    Sabato was a strange choice for a #1 draft pick. We wish him well.
  19. tony&rodney
    Do any of the prospects project to be as good as Polanco or are people expecting a large decline in Polanco's performance? If Jorge really is breaking down and unable to return to his former prowess as a player, it is really good to know that the Twins do have some young guys capable of filling his position. I'm just not sure that any of them will ever be as good as a healthy Polanco.
  20. tony&rodney
    Perhaps the team begins the year with 14 position players and 12 pitchers.
  21. tony&rodney
    There is some irony that we question, with some justification, the future of a 29 year old Jorge Polanco on the Twins squad. Polanco has been the best overall Twins player for a few years now. Last season was his first time on the IL. But things change and Jorge will need to rebound too, with all of the other guys seeking a return to full health.
  22. tony&rodney
    This is what Julien will need to show, and he sure could too. He will undoubtedly begin in St. Paul, but a guy who crushes right handed pitchers will get opportunities sooner rather than later. He is an option as the strong side of a platoon at DH. Julien will continue to work on his fielding but it is his bat that will be watched for a decision on when he comes to the Twins.
  23. tony&rodney
    Burnes and others are worth keeping an eye open but at this time the Twins have to see how their roster works. Let's check back around the All Star Game.
  24. tony&rodney
    12 pitchers and 14 position players. Problem is solved.
  25. tony&rodney
    This is what I guessed on the post Seth put up yesterday. Seems more logical unless there is an injury that has not been revealed.
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