stringer bell

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.

Perhaps off-topic, but what happened to Michael Helman? I see he's on the IL for over a month. I know his season started late because of an injury, but I never heard of another injury to him.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Twins do not seem inclined to add salary so it would appear they will have a quiet interlude as far as acquiring new players. However, the club had a rash of injuries prior to the All-Star break and several players are close to returning to the active roster. Not long ago, I thought the Twins had more major league players than they had active roster slots, particularly on the position player side, but several guys now on the active roster look like they would be better served by being in the minors playing for the Saints. In addition, a couple of guys who can't be optioned could be shed form the active roster. Here is my list--position players first--then pitchers. 1) Jair Camargo--Camargo was called up shortly before the All-Star break when they Twins appeared to have better health. The suspicion is that one or both of the regular catchers was nicked up and Camargo was added for protection against a short term (non-IL injury). Then the injuries came. While Jeffers and Vázquez continued to take their turns behind the plate, Camargo kept the bench warm. He got into a couple games in the late innings and started a game as the DH (hitless). It is very apparent the major league field staff doesn't trust Camargo as more than a stopgap behind the plate. While he does have good power, I don't think Camargo can make consistent enough contact to be much of an offensive threat. He definitely isn't much help to the major league team and should be optioned as soon as an injured player is taken off the IL. Note: The Twins optioned Camargo today with no corresponding move yet announced. 2) Austin Martin--Since returning from an IL stint after the All-Star break, Martin is hitless. His BA is down to .244, with an OPS of .647. Martin failed to make the play when the Brewers scored a key run in extra innings and overall his defense needs work. He's started two of five games since returning, and with other players returning to health, it will get tougher and tougher to give him opportunities on the field. He does have some versatility and his speed off the bench is an asset. 3) Edouard Julien--Julien returned to the Twins after the All-Star break and has continued to have maddening plate appearances. He's 2-12 (both singles) with three walks, but eight strikeouts. Julien continues to take called third strikes, leading all of MLB despite being sent to the minors for more than a month. His trip to the minors in June hasn't seemed to have helped. 4) Brooks Lee--Since July 12, Lee is 4-32 (all singles) with four walks and six strikeouts. He's made a couple of questionable decisions in the field while playing second, short and third. Lee started yesterday at shortstop, and I think he's the best defender at short on the active roster. While I still think the future is bright for Lee, he also might benefit from a reset in St. Paul, but Julien and Martin should go first. 5) Kyle Farmer--Farmer has been on the IL since July 12th. At the time of his injury, many on this site were calling for him to be DFA'd, but the subsequent struggles of Lee, Julien and Martin make his return from the IL more palatable. The veteran Farmer seems to have lost a step and hasn't hit for average or power. He's versatile, but this year's poor hitting still makes him a DFA candidate. 6) Manuel Margot--The overall view of Margot's season is pretty bad. He's got a -.8 WAR, a .235 BA and a 78 OPS+. Margot was brought in as a platoon corner outfielder who could cover in center when Buxton was absent. He's done well as the right handed option versus left handed starters, but he's 0-25 as a frequently used pinch hitter and his defense has been marginal. Could Austin Martin or someone else do better? The first four guys can be optioned, making them more likely to be taken off the active roster without being lost for good to the club. I haven't included Alex Kirilloff on this list, although he is certain to be sent to St. Paul for rehab when he's ready for game activity. Depending on how long it takes for AK to be ready for a rehab assignment, he might save his 2024 option. Pitching 1) Steven Okert--Yesterday's opener hasn't been very effective for the Twins on the whole. He is definitely more effective against left handed hitters, but lefty specialists don't really exist anymore. Too many base runners and too many inherited runners scoring for Okert to be considered a keeper. 2) Caleb Thielbar--After having his best run of the year prior to the break, Thielbar has yielded runs in both appearances since the All-Star game. His numbers are worse in almost every stat, metric or split and it is getting late in the game to say it is bad luck. 3) David Festa--Nominally the fifth starter, Festa may have won a reprieve by doing quite well against a stacked Phillies lineup yesterday. Good strikeout numbers help, but he has allowed a lot of hard contact. 4) Kody Funderburk--He is on the IL currently, but I don't think he is one of the eight best relief pitchers for the Twins or one of the 13 best pitchers (counting the starters). "Fundy" is funky and when he can get ahead in counts, he can be very effective and make hitters look pretty silly. However, when the hitters get ahead, he doesn't have enough stuff to win those battles. Given the lack of depth and performance of Twins' left handed pitchers, Funderburk probably will keep getting chances, but I can't see him on a playoff roster. I also have to mention Cole Sands. I have been skeptical of his stuff and ability, but he has shown himself to be pretty good as a multi-purpose bullpen arm. The increased velocity without loss of command has made him a major leaguer IMHO and he is currently not in jeopardy of being sent to the minors.

Mentioned in the Wednesday game recap: Camargo optioned back to St. Paul with no other move being announced as of yet.

Camargo was sent down today with no corresponding active roster move.

Ninja’d!!

The team had to make room on the 26-man roster and the 40-man roster to bring Stewart back. Castillo was the easy choice. I do agree Julien still looks lost at the plate and probably would benefit from another trip on the Green Line, but it looks like Lee isn’t in a much better place. Camargo is hardly being used and Martin’s role is also limited. All of those guys are optionable. There’s room to add back all the injured hitters IMHO.

I was at the game today. It was nice to see a nice crowd on a getaway day. The Twins played Philly at the right time and they held their big hitters in check. They also faced three quality starters and managed to win two of three. The Twins need their best hitters to get back in the lineup! There are plenty of candidates for demotion—Julien, Lee, Martin and Camargo—and they have need for bullpen arms—particularly left handers. There, of course, is also a need for a starter and Festa and Varland are questionable to fill that role. On to Detroit. It seems they are playing better so winning a series won’t be easy.

Castro has struggled at short and maybe been overextended? I didn’t think Willi would get many more innings at third, but with both Miranda and Lewis on the shelf, I think it’s the right call.

Beautiful day at Target Field!

Everyone was bunched up early on Sunday, but Schauffele won it on the back nine with a 31. There wasn't a weakness in his game and he deserved to win. I didn't think he was elite, but he was better than anybody in the tournament.

Still haven’t found a helmet that fits Brooks.

30-47-50-72. Has there ever been a Twins’ infield with higher numbers (in total)? At some point Martin could replace Santana (with Julien at first, then it would be 47-82-50-72.