stringer bell

I think this management staff believes right handed hitters have a much better chance against right handed pitchers than left handed batter against left handed pitching. Add in that when the season started the right handed hitters (Farmer/Margot/Santana) were considered superior defenders to Julien, Wallner and Kirilloff.

Yes, the Twins will be challenged by Cy Young candidate Skubal. I hope Miranda is back and in the lineup against the Tigers tonight.

Edouard Julien could be a platoon option at first I suppose. The 2024 version of Miranda should be playing just about every day and if he can continue to produce when moving between first, third and DH, he should get plenty of reps at first and mostly against right handed pitching (reverse splits). I don't see the need to convert Wallner or Larnach to first base. Both are decent corner outfielders and Wallner has that plus-plus arm and the Twins will need another corner outfield spot filled next year when Max Kepler exits. Carlos Santana has been an outstanding acquisition and he is holding his own in the battle vs. Father Time, but Father Time is undefeated. I'd prefer the team doesn't slot in a 39-year-old guy in 2025.

Good luck to Celestino with his new opportunity.

With his walk rate, I don't think the Twins trust Staumont that much.

Don't give them momentum! I really don't want to see the high leverage guys have to throw.

Seattle has been struggling to score runs all year and lately have been dreadful, they scored eight in the first inning against the White Sox.

All teams seemingly struggle. The Phillies had two chances to break Wednesday's game open in the first and second (2nd and 3rd no outs, and bases loaded one out). We see the Twins fail, but everyone does seemingly too often.

Looks like one of those innings for López.

I thought Roy was fine for the home stand. Both he and Plouffe know ball and hitting specifically, but TP is much more of a contemporary of today's players.

Here we go--Margot pinch hitting.

Enjoying Plouffe's analysis.

Have a day Vázquez!!

Lee’s RH helmet looks too big, too.

Does that count as GDP?

I’m surprised they brought Montero out for the fifth.

I won’t say problem solved quite yet, but it looks like Lewis and Miranda will be playing before the Twins road trip is over.

I think the list provided was all-time hitless streaks and not all-time hitless pinch hitting streaks. I know Davis had the longest hitless streak for a non-pitcher and I believe that is was 54 at-bats.

When a player is DFA'd, teams can claim the player, which I would hope the Twins have done. If multiple teams claim the player, the team he is on can work out a trade. I don't think there is any order in the claims. If no trade is worked out, the claiming team with the worst record gets the player and assumes his contract. If no one claims the player, he can declare free agency (if eligible) or accept outright assignment. If the player gets to free agency, the former team is on the hook for the contract except for the major league minimum. I could be wrong about a detail or two--service time figures into the ability to become a free agent and how much of their salary is paid by the former team as does the number of times a player has been outrighted.

Kirilloff could probably end up on the 60-day list to temporarily open a spot. IIRC, the first broadcast after the All-Star break, the broadcast team was saying that several injured players, including AK, were working out over the break. I don't know what Kirilloff was doing, but there's been radio silence since. There was also a report about a month ago (July 6) where MLB Trade Rumors reported that Kirilloff was soon ready to begin swings. Here is the note: Alex Kirilloff has been on the Twins’ 10-day injured list since June 13 due to a back strain, and Kirilloff provided media (including the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale) with an update on his status yesterday. Since part of the discomfort in Kirilloff’s back was due to a nerve issue, he received a cortisone shot and has been working on core-strengthening exercises for now, hopefully with an eye towards soon starting to take swings. Injuries have plagued the career of the former top prospect, as Kirilloff has been limited to 249 games since his MLB debut in 2021 due to a shoulder surgery, two wrist surgeries, and now this back problem.

Kielty/Mohr was a platoon, yes? They didn't have to choose on or the other IIRC. With Kepler (95%) and Santana (80%) likely gone next year, there will be at-bats to be had for the corner outfield, first base and DH, so maybe all three guys could be substantial parts of the 2025 team. Larnach has made himself relevant this year with decent performance. Wallner, since returning from the minors (SSS) has been mashing (or striking out) and Kirilloff has continued to frustrate his fans with injuries that drain his performance and then land him on the IL. I don't think any of the three have established themselves as big-league regulars, but it's possible all three could be good (we've seen moments). I would think it would be risky onto foolish to count on all three to be major contributors next year, but someone should step forward. I haven't been a big fan of Wallner, but he has the ability to put a real charge in a baseball and he has a big arm and decent to good speed. He could become really good if he learns to make more contact, maybe spoiling 10% more of his strike three swings and misses and a bit better able to handle inside pitches.

What do the Twins have in Camargo? From what I've seen he is a guy willing to put on the tools of ignorance who might run into a fat pitch once in a while. How is that different from Chris Williams or Alex Isola or Patrick Winkel? For that matter, how is it different from a dozen or so AAAA catchers who don't currently have an employer? I sincerely question Camargo's value when he just isn't used when called up. To summarize, I agree with you that there isn't much good in the upper minors for the Twins, but I don't think Camargo is good enough to be on a 40-man roster.

I think it's the same story for Keirsey Jr. He's got some skills, but hasn't seen MLB and when you're closer to 30 than 25, it's hard to be considered a prospect.

I think the clock is ticking for a guy like Helman. He's 28 and despite strong numbers at AAA hasn't gotten a sniff of "the show". Given the number of infielders and utility players the Twins have, I wonder if it won't be in his best interest to try another organization next year if he's eligible for minor league free agency.

The Twins have a full 40-man roster with one player (Justin Topa) currently on the 60-day IL that is likely to be put on the active roster within a month. Also, if any non-roster player is promoted from St. Paul, someone will have to be taken off the 40-man roster. In the (IMHO) unlikely event that the Twins add at the trading deadline, they'll also have to make room on the 40-man roster. Who should come off if space is needed? Here is my list: 1) Josh Winder--I have always thought of Winder and Sands together, with Winder having the better chance of establishing himself as a major leaguer. Winder is close to out of chances, at least with the Twins. Winder has had injury issues for each of the last three years and when he has been healthy enough to pitch, he hasn't been consistently effective. He's moved to the bullpen, but hasn't really improved his performance and he's almost 28 years old with little success at the highest level. 2) Brent Headrick--HWheadrick was limited to eight plus innings of triple A pitching before coming down with the dreaded "forearm tightness". AFAIK, he didn't have surgery, but he hasn't pitched since early April. A healthy Headrick might have some value, but his roster spot has value that he isn't earning if he can't pitch. 3) Matt Canterino--Similar to Headrick, he hasn't been able to pitch this year and this isn't his first bout of arm trouble. At some point, the Twins will probably have to cut bait with a guy with electric stuff who can't get or stay healthy. 4) Manuel Margot--I had him on the chopping block for the active roster so he must be there for the 40-man as well. The 0-25 as a pinch hitter and diminished defense takes away from acceptable productions as a platoon piece. 5) Kyle Farmer--Currently on the IL, but a candidate for DFA and loss of a 40-man roster spot. IMHO, Father Time is winning the battle with Farm Dog before he turns 34. 6) Steven Okert--A lefty specialist when the rules minimize the importance of specializing in retiring lefties. 7) Caleb Thielbar--Also losing the battle with the undefeated Father Time. 8) Jair Camargo--While it is necessary to have a third catcher available, if the Twins won't use him when he's on their active roster, does he really have any future? The 40-man roster spot has value and he isn't trusted to catch or hit. The Saints have three other catchers on their roster. If the Twins need to purchase a contract of a catcher, any of the other three can do what Camargo has done for the Twins.