stringer bell

Amazingly, against the Twins, he's 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA, 15 hits in 8 innings, 3 BB 5 K.

Whatever value Larnach has is at its peak right now. He is hitting better than he ever has before and unless there is another gear there, this is the best he ever is going to be. He doesn't add value on the bases or in the field, but he is playable in left field. The recurring question is whether to settle for perhaps slightly above average or roll the dice with someone with considerably more upside. Josh Bell is also what he is. He's a switch-hitting DH who can only play first base who has consistently logged above-average hitting numbers while providing virtually no value on the bases or in the field. It is nice to have a constant presence in the middle of the order and according to the broadcasters he is a good clubhouse presence, but he won't be around next year and the Twins have a lot of candidates to be the DH.

Honestly, I thinkthey are major league pitchers who might be the seventh or eighth guy in a bullpen.

One would have thought that the last two weeks plus would have moved them to clear “sell” territory, but they’ve played .600 baseball in the last 15 games (including nine road games). I fear that they will be paralyzed into inactivity at the break, which might be worse than a selloff.

As usual, a really good analysis from Nick. Not a pretty picture, but there’s some reason for optimism. The club needs to decide if they should add or subtract and the recently completed month of June gives mixed signals. They haven’t been overwhelmed by injuries, have some strengths, but pretty glaring weaknesses. I believe they should trade their two most high-profile guys (Jeffers and Ryan) and that pretty much rules out a postseason. Getting bullpen help from trades probably should happen.

I think I might have been the biggest Martin fan on this site, but the numbers are the numbers. He’s become a good defensive corner outfielder, with good speed and contact skills. He hasn’t hit well enough to garner full-time playing time and his value on the bases hasn’t been substantial despite the aforementioned good speed. A pretty good 13th position player on a good team? Maybe, but not someone to build around or invest at-bats. Martin is good in left and right and hasn’t played an inning of infield this year, so I wouldn’t classify him as versatile.

I wouldn't say that Gray is the preferred option at shortstop, but maybe Shelton and his staff see Gray as acceptable at short. Kreidler started several games at short against right handers recently. The numbers and the eye test don't agree, but if Gray is supposed be on the team, he needs to be an acceptable shortstop. Culpepper for Gray makes sense, although the Twins would lose a left handed hitter. Kreidler is not going anywhere. The combination of productive hitting and plus ability in both center and short is valuable.

Is this ump bad or is it just me.

Astros got screwed on the challenge.

A lot of hard hit balls in the last couple innings.

Don't trust Adams.

Provus needs to get his Hispanic catchers on the right team.

Vazquez has regressed to the mean. .214 with a .600 OPS, that sounds a lot more like his numbers with the Twins. Now watch him get six hits during the series.

My son lives there. I have been to two games at Daikin. Not terribly impressed by the park.

I think he did a series for TwinsTV out east--Washington? Recker had a brief major league career as a catcher. He was briefly a member of the Twins organization, but never played for the Twins.