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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    Agree that the organizational depth at third is pretty bad, and so it makes sense to keep Gio in the organization in the event of a Lewis injury (40%) or dreadful hitting (15%). Despite the rough spring, I think Lewis will be a good player this year, as long as he's healthy. Neither Lewis nor Urshela should be playing shortstop unless it's the last inning of a blowout or because of crazy substitutions in an extra inning game. I think the Twins keep one of Kreidler or Gray (I suspect it is Kreidler) until they make 40-man room for Culpepper, which would be when he is promoted to the majors. I am not so down on Lee. If he hits, it can make up for his shortcomings in range and arm. Of course, in over 700 PAs, he been much worse than an average hitter (75 OPS+), so he has a lot to prove.
  2. stringer bell
    The real question being bandied about is whether the team should go with four lefties in the pen for any considerable span of time. I say "yes", but hesitantly. All four guys in consideration are more effective against left handed hitter and with four lefties in the bullpen, they will probably face more righties, Over the course of the season, there will be injuries and there might be ineffectiveness, so it is unlikely they will carry four lefties for most of the season. Ideally, the lefties can still be used on mostly left handed hitters or close to 50%. The most effective way to do that is to have the starters go deep in games and allow the Twins to better pick their spots to use the lefties.
  3. stringer bell
    Can Bailey Ober survive as a jumbo right handed Jamie Moyer? I think there is some chance. He didn't throw hard today, but he mostly hit his spots and moved the ball around the zone. The margin is very small, but Ober has always been more pitcher than thrower.
  4. stringer bell
    I think the Twins would really like to go with the best defensive player, but Kreidler has shown nothing to indicate that he'll ever hit more than a pitcher. He's also a good outfielder, so Martin's injury might also give him a way to make the Opening Day roster. Arcia can hit a little bit and he's a pretty solid glove in the middle infield. Gray hasn't hit well either, so I believe it is Arcia by default. The lack of infield depth in the high minors (outside of Culpepper) means to me that no more than one of Gray and Kreidler will be DFA'd since they both have an option remaining.
  5. stringer bell
    Jeffers blooped a pair of singles yesterday, but didn't hit the ball hard. Keaschall and Wallner had very good at-bats.
  6. stringer bell
    I would expect one or both of those guys to spend time in the Twins' bullpen in the 2026 season. Merryweather caused a stir early in camp, but was injured.
  7. stringer bell
    Yes. It would appear Pascual is on the left, Ramos on the right.
  8. stringer bell
    Found this on Facebook. Original Twins Camilo Pascual and Pedro Ramos, now both in their 90s.
  9. stringer bell
    Luke looked hesitant in left field today. I wonder if the coaching staff prefers him in left with Clemens at second or if it is just spring experimentation. Kreidler appears to be good field-no hit in the infield and outfield. Finally, Arcia will have an opt-out opportunity if he doesn’t make the team.
  10. stringer bell
    Spring numbers don’t mean much. From Day 1, Shelton has singled out Bradley (in a good way). He’s got a live arm and some good pitches and he’s still pretty young despite over two years of service time.
  11. stringer bell
    A couple of the most obscure ex-Twins pitched for Pittsburgh. Beau Burrows compiled a 12.54 ERA in five forgettable appearances for the ‘21 Twins.
  12. stringer bell
    Yes, he thought Martin got up slow and that he might have jammed his wrist. Martin batted in the bottom of the inning, had a bloop single and scored, but didn’t go back out for the next inning. Neither Molitor or Provus noted Martin went out of the game until Outman batted in the bottom half of the inning.
  13. stringer bell
    No. I didn’t even think it hit him.
  14. stringer bell
    Broadcasters missed Martin being taken out. I bet he did something to his wrist on the diving attempt.
  15. stringer bell
    Both players have options. For what it's worth Abel has 50 days of major league service time. Spending two months in Triple A will give the Twins another year of team control under the current rules. Zebby has 1 year and 10 days, so two weeks in St. Paul would net another year of control for Matthews.
  16. stringer bell
    Pretty much agree with all of this, although they may try to move Jackson through the DFA process. He hasn't hit. They may also try the same with Kreidler and/or Gray although I doubt they would expose both infielders. I don't think they will DFA Outman despite his poor performance in '24 and '25.
  17. stringer bell
    I bit the bullet and asked Google if a guy with less than six years of service on a minor league deal can opt out and Google answered that they cannot unless they negotiated an opt-out. Altavilla might have an opt-out option in his contract, but I doubt it. If he does have an opt-out, I think he's close to a lock to make the Opening Day roster. Google contradicts itself about more veteran players on minor league contracts, but MLB Trade Rumors quotes the Basic Agreement stating that free agents with more than six years of service time who were on a major league roster or Injured List at the close of last season have automatic opt-outs. That would include Urshela, Chafin, Arcia and Hendriks.
  18. stringer bell
    Wow, just wow. Twenty spring training at-bats and he's labeled a BUST. Lewis might not be an All-Star, but next to Buxton, he is the best bet to be a 3 WAR or better player on this team IMHO. He's healthy and running well. If his health holds, he'll be fine.
  19. stringer bell
    Here’s my take: Since this thread started with Altavilla, he’ll be the first topic. He has experience and a couple good pitches. He’s helped his case in limited work. I think he makes the Opening Day roster. Liam Hendriks is throwing mid-90s and has been pretty effective. I think he’s in as well. Andrew Chafin doesn’t wake up radar guns, but has been an effective reliever for a while. I think he’s the third non-roster pitcher add. #4 is Orlando Arcia. He’s hit a bit in ST and has been a capable shortstop. With the ability to play other positions. Kreidler hasn’t hit this spring or ever in the majors. I don’t think the Twins trust Gray at short. James Outman has had a good ST, as has Roden. Back to Altavilla—He doesn’t have 6 years of service, so I believe he’s doesn’t have the right to opt-out unless it is written in his minor league contract. Gio, Hendriks, Chafin and Arcia should be able to opt-out, so that if any of them don’t make the team, they’ll likely become free agents. Jackson not making the club would add one 40-man spot. Outman could be the second, but I’m not sure the Twins will expose him. After that are tough calls. Maybe Kreidler or Gray could be DFA’d but there isn’t much minor league infield depth and both have an option.
  20. stringer bell
    Mid to upper 90s velocity for Altavilla. He is on a minor league contract and hasn't exceeded six years of service. Does he have the right to refuse assignment to the minors. There's about 10 days until Opening Day, so something could happen for him to not make the team. I'm looking at about four non-roster players making the team, which means that four guys would have to be DFA'd. Alex Jackson and James Outman could provide two spots, as they are out of options and do can't be sent to St. Paul without being exposed to all the other teams. I'm not sure who the other guys would be--if Topa is let go, it would open a spot.
  21. stringer bell
    Yeah, I think he might end up being the best minor league contract they signed this year. Really good velocity and his Savant page shows some promise. He'll need to throw enough strikes, but if he does, I think he will be effective.
  22. stringer bell
    I don't think the cases are similar in terms of what caused the guys to be moved to the bullpen. Varland, for example, had an above average velocity fastball as a starter and I think most of the others weren't impacted by lack of velocity. Yes, it would figure that Ober might pick up a couple mph, but going from 89 to 91 wouldn't make much difference IMHO.
  23. stringer bell
    I just can't see Urshela making the team. He is certainly well-regarded, but his offense and defense have diminished quite a bit since his season with the Twins, and he wasn't that good then. If he's willing to go to AAA as a fallback for Lewis he might get a shot, but adding him to the 40-man might be a bit much, especially since the Twins probably will have to make 40-man space for 2-3 pitchers and maybe Orlando Arcia. I think the key thing for Gray is whether he is capable of playing shortstop. He looks like a better hitter than Arcia or Kreidler and I don't think being a left handed hitter is much of a detriment
  24. stringer bell
    Maeda pitched out of the bullpen 7-8 years ago, when BPs weren't built as much on velocity, as they are now and I believe he was throwing closer to mid-90s with his fastball then, as well. I can't think of anyone in the last several years who lost a rotation spot substantially because of diminished velocity and converted to a successful reliever.
  25. stringer bell
    Ober doesn't profile as a reliever IMHO. Either he makes his stuff work in the rotation or he's a release candidate, similar in some ways to Kenta Maeda during his time in the AL. Since he never threw really hard, his margin for error has always been pretty small, but he managed to be good until last season.
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