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GNess

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Everything posted by GNess

  1. GNess
    The Twins need to keep finding ways to win - the schedule in September is less daunting. The American League from top to bottom is absent an elite team. There is a path forward in the postseason for every team that qualifies.
  2. GNess
    The defensive struggles of Keaschall are on the entire organization (Keaschall included). The Twins went into the season fully aware of LK's shortcomings at 2B and started him there regardless. Then they shifted him to the OF and on top of that placed him in CF, which is the most difficult to play. His bat shows good promise and has value. The Twins need to develop a higher standard defensively for all players in the system so they aren't facing these decisions of how to keep promising hitters in the lineup. This is also why I don't accept the argument that Jenkins is being blocked by such an array of defensively-challenged OFers including Keaschall.
  3. GNess
    Tough to know the motivations behind the Twins not promoting Jenkins despite the value of such thoughtful speculation. Another more basic concern arises. If Jenkins is what we all hope/project. The Twins will want him to be one of the pillars of the franchise so keeping him in the minors despite his appearing genuinely ready for a promotion he has earned through performance is not a very wise way to treat him.
  4. GNess
    The argument that ERod gets the call up before WJ is sound, but hey both have the tools to be successful MLB players. I can imagine a Twins outfield group in as soon as 2027 of Buxton, Jenkins, Rodriguez, Keaschall and a 5th TBD. Concerns remain about Rodriguez's K rate and injury woes and Jenkins' tepid (but improving) power production so far. Virtually all prospects have hurdles to overcome to make it as a major leaguer.
  5. GNess
    Lewis has something of a long swing, which puts him in the position of having to begin his movement earlier than most batters. This causes him at times to look like he is lunging and off-balance. It also causes a lot of swing and miss. But this long swing is a source of power that he demonstrates fairly consistently. He can really punish the ball. There is always room for improvement and growth, but on the whole what the Twins are getting from Lewis is pretty decent. Unmet expectations are a primary source of unhappiness. Lewis had a lot of hype driving up people's expectations and fostering disappointment which at times seems a bit unfair.
  6. GNess
    The idea of blocking big time prospects like Jenkins and to a lesser extent due to multiple injury issues Rodriguez doesn't hold up. Currently, the Twins have Keaschall playing CF where he is a fish out of water despite his max effort approach, a revolving door in RF and Larnach holding LF vs RH pitchers or until he is replaced by pinch hitters vs LH relievers. Martin, Clemens and Kreidler appear now and again in the OF. If Jenkins is the player and prospect he appears to be he is arguably the Twins 2nd best OF behind only Buxton from a pecking order perspective. His potential alone would command playing time over most of this collection. Culpepper was called up because he was performing at St Paul and was. clearly a better option than Gray or Kreidler, and he was inserted into the Twins' lineup. Lack of talent, production at AAA, potential, apparent readiness and the group of players currently getting innings for the Twins are not delaying Jenkins being called up. It begs the question - what is?
  7. GNess
    Not much has gone easy for this year's Twins, but they show up and get after it consistently. You have to respect their competitive spirit.
  8. GNess
    I guess we can take some solace in the fact that the Twins made some moves at the deadline. But I am not sure we witnessed any true sea change in the way they operate. When they start spending more in free agency, draft/develop well for both internal promotion and trade assets and project a true championship mentality by making bold moves - then we'll know that they are operating from a new paradigm.
  9. GNess
    Promoting players with special potential simply makes sense in general. That is especially so in a pennant race where the Twins are in dire need of any spark on offense they can generate. Culpepper, a quick riser seems like the real deal. Will be fun to see how he handles things!
  10. GNess
    Certainly the Twins have a long way to go to meet the standard of Go Big or Go Home. What they did do was improve the BP in a substantial manner by bringing in some proven arms. That addressed an obvious need, which of course was created by the Twins themselves. They did keep two of their top bats (Larnach and Jeffers) in pursuing BP improvement. To date, the offense .is still amongst the top of the AL, but has been weaker since the all star break. . Not sure trading for Zach Neto as rumored would have done much to alter the situation. This team's offense largely depends on a healthy and productive Byron Buxton. His injury history has to be considered when calculating how the team is going to score runs over the course of the season. That should have been addressed in the offseason. Josh Bell is solid but not an answer to this issue. So the Twins remain victims of their own making and until there are true moments of Go Big or Go Home (i.e. spend much more and have a few or more drafted players become all-star level) the team's fortunes will be a bit murky..
  11. GNess
    Coaches often cite eliminating mental errors as a goal. In reality, they mean reducing mental errors because eliminating them altogether is not realistic. Mistakes happen learn from them and press on.
  12. GNess
    I don't know about specific spending thresholds equating to any standard for success.. But in general the teams that are willing to spend are those that win more often than those that don't. I don't get any special satisfaction because the Twins pulled off a positive move on occasion by searching the bargain bin such as Kody Clemens. (Who I enjoy watching!) My enjoyment comes primarily from rooting for a talented team playing entertaining baseball, competing hard and WINNING. There is little doubt that spending more would be one crucial component in making those things happen.
  13. GNess
    Minter has pitched in many high leverage situations. He makes the back end of the BP much better if he performs as he typically has. The future asset cost was not huge and it is encouraging if the Twins took on salary as it appears to be the case. Hard not to like this move. My guess is the Twins will make another move or two, hopefully including a player with some years of control. T
  14. GNess
    Improbable endings are one of the best aspects of baseball.
  15. GNess
    After grounding into double plays almost every inning the Lewis game winning triple was a thing of beauty.
  16. GNess
    True and nice graphics. Yes to win it all in 87 the Twins had to win 8 post season games, while in 2026 the Twins would have to win 13 games to win it all. Yet, a team in 2026 still has to make the playoffs to win the world series (12 teams get in 18 are eliminated through the 162 game schedule.) Also it isn't unreasonable for supporters of the Twins to root for the Twins to be amongst the 12 who earn the right to compete in the championship tournament. This doesn't mean most are advocating for the team to sacrifice significant future assets for a long shot bid - there is some middle ground I suspect where the Twins could add a few players at a moderate asset cost which could enhance their chances of winning the division or earning a WC berth.
  17. GNess
    I get you prefaced your post by noting it was tongue in cheek. Your analogy comparing playing at Nicolett and playing in the NFL falls short as if that reflects in any meaningful way the differences between any MLB teams particularly those that qualify for the playoffs. Yes, 87 was a shorter postseason, but the Twins were underdogs vs Detroit and St Louis. (4-1 vs Detroit in the ALCS and 4-3 in the World Series) As far as being part of the weakness simply because my view differs from yours is nonsense. I am just sharing my opinion on TD. I can't imagine how my or your words here would have any bearing whatsoever on the course of action the Twins will take at the trade deadline.
  18. GNess
    The Twins do not have to mortgage the future add a piece or two that would make them more competitive in 2026. All teams that qualify. for the postseason have a shot especially in 3, 5 or even 7 game formats to determine who advances/wins.
  19. GNess
    I agree with Matthew Trueblood's view. The Twins have been to three world series since moving to Minnesota. I would suggest the 87 version that won the world series was not considered to be a serious contender until. they actually won some games in the postseason! If a team makes it into the postseason it has accomplished something. that the majority of teams failed to do. You have to be in the postseason to. compete for a title. it's an opportunity that doesn't occur most seasons. 60+ years of Minnesota Twins baseball. Two world series titles. Three trips in total to the world series. 14 playoff seasons since 1969 resulting in two world series, 43 seasons since 1969 of no playoffs and no world series appearances. it's a very difficult challenge unless you are a franchise with deep pockets and a willingness to spend. Last related point - the weakness of the division in 2026 is not a flaw it is an opportunity.
  20. GNess
    Here is a very basic way to frame this issue a bit differently: In some years teams with lesser records in the regular season go on to reach the League Championship Series or even the World Series. Call it the get hot at the right time path. (Path A) In most years big spending, power franchises like the current LA Dodgers go on to the League Championship and/or World Series. Call this the have more talent path. (Path B) If there two distinct paths to reach Championship levels which path is more likely for the Twins to reach Championship type levels? The Twins are just a few games back of the Chisox and Guardians. Why give up on this team that is clearly capable of winning the division or at least play meaningful games in September and the fun that goes along with that., For an attempt to acquire, through astute trading, prospects which will allow for the Twins to have an uber talented team which will be World Series worthy at some unknown point in the future.
  21. GNess
    A question arises - deal lewis or Larnach? Here is one way to look at this: Lewis' production at the plate has really diminished for whatever reason(s). He likely has very limited asset value in terms of a trade at deadline. Larnach is looking like he may have ascended to a higher level in terms of production at the plate so he may have decent trade value at the deadline. (Likely above that of Lewis.) The trend lines would suggest that Larnach would likely have greater production value for the remainder of this season and next season. The Twins would be surrendering that value in trading Larnach if whatever minor leaguers coming up to replace him don't produce near his level. The immediate value of player(s) in a theoretical Larnach trade is likely to be limited, but they may offer some future value. A Lewis trade offers less risk of losing the immediate value at the plate given his now two + season slump and injury issues. The present version of Lewis seems easier to replace. Neither of these players offers much defensively. If Lewis could net even a limited return the Twins probably should do that instead of dealing a player like Larnach.
  22. GNess
    I agree with the basic premise of this well written article. I would also add Rojas to the list of untouchables given he is a LH with legit SP potential. Of course, you have to give something to get something and the Twins can't cling to all of their Top 30 prospects.
  23. GNess
    What about Robbie Ray? He is stlll an effective SP - close enough by results to the four cited. I don't think the asking price would be too high and there is no contractual commitment beyond this season. For the younger Twins to experience a real fight for a playoff spot would have some value in their development. Ray could help this effort.
  24. GNess
    Trades don't take place in a vacuum. - they always have some impact. even if it's just a matter of trying to influence your fan base in some direction. MLB teams make trades - they are part of the process, but trades are inherently risky and sometimes (many times?) don't turn out favorably. Consider that many on TD say the Twins aren't "real" contenders in 2026. What if they hadn't traded away one or both current all star relievers (Duran, Varland) which would go a long ways in bolstering a Twins bullpen which has been shaky and a significant reason the team is trailing by 3 games rather than possibly being in the lead in the division - that might change the narrative around contender status.
  25. GNess
    If you give AB's / opportunities to your 13th "ranked" position player you are taking them directly away from someone who is higher in the pecking order. (Or this player could be described as 5th best OFer out of 5.) Finding ways to keep your best lineups on the field as often as possible seems to be driving this. Seems quite rational to me.
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