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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    A couple of disparities between the writeup and the box score--Boushley had zero walks in the box score and the report says four and Julien had a 2-5 day while the writeup says he had four hits. Boushley is doing what he can to get another chance to impress with the Twins. He's been both good and consistent, challenging Festa for the best stats in the Saints rotation. Keirsey is also doing all he can do to get a chance. I think it's a tough pull for him because Wallner, Julien and (perhaps later) Kirilloff are all on the major league (40-man) roster and may all merit another chance before he could make his major league debut. Top prospect Jenkins hasn't been blowing up for the Mussels, so maybe a big fly will get him going. Also good to see Soto with a nice outing. I know he's a long way from the majors, but he's a top prospect and it is good to see him thrive at his level. Severino has been on a real hot streak. I was afraid that he would have to be sent to AA when he struggled early, but his numbers are now acceptable after a slow start.
  2. stringer bell
    Ober's 89-pitch CG is an example of how many things have to come together. 1) Ober got a big lead in the early innings. 2) The bullpen had been overused recently, no pitcher really needed to work. 3) The Athletics were in swing-early mode from the beginning of the game and kept Ober's pitch count low. 4) Ober was sharp, throwing well over 70% strikes and was tough to hit from the get-go. Congratulations to Bailey for getting a rare complete-game victory.
  3. stringer bell
    I'm going to bump this thread again as we approach mid-season. Castro has maintained a projected 5 WAR season, while demonstrating maximum versatility. From what I can see, he is on track to play in 20+ games at five defensive positions, perhaps the first ever to do this. He has played in every game and he leads the team in plate appearances.
  4. stringer bell
    It appears that Willi will be the only person to accomplish the feat of 20 games at five defensive positions. Could he get All-Star consideration? He's a true (super) utility player putting up good numbers offensively.
  5. stringer bell
    Big Picture View. The two losses to Tampa Bay were regression to the mean. The Twins sat at 14-5 in one-run games and 3-0 in extra innings. Pretty tough to sustain that over time. The Rays got the gift runner to score in both games, but not by playing A-B-C ball, they got an error from Lewis and a hit from a guy in a terrible slump. That's the way the ball bounces. It didn't help that Correa and Lewis made errors in Saturday's game. They had good threats to score the tying run and more in their half of the tenth both days and fizzled. Again, IMHO, regression to the mean.
  6. stringer bell
    Bullpens are fragile. They can fall apart with one injury or ineffective key piece. I thought the Twins did a decent job of getting bullpen depth on the cheap over the winter, but the depth went sideways before the season even started with the injuries to Durán, Topa and Thielbar. So far, the most positive story is that Alcalá has been very good and the second best is that Staumont could assume a high-leverage role (great so far in limited sample size and mostly low leverage). The disappointments have been Thielbar, Jackson, and the injury to Topa. I'm neutral on Sands and Okert--they shouldn't be back-end guys, but everyone gets a chance at some point.
  7. stringer bell
    I don't think Wallner's recent production can be totally dismissed, but I'm not totally sold that he is back to what he was last year. Seventeen homers at AAA is a good number, pIarticularly because he wasn't optioned until the middle of April. Lee seems to be swinging it very well. There is an open 40-man spot so he could be promoted without losing anyone currently on the 40-man. It looks like second base would be the position available for him to step in and that would put a roadblock on Julien. Having Julien (2B-1B), Miranda (1B-3B), Lee (2B-SS-3B), Correa (SS) and Lewis for 2025 and on would be a strong, deep, versatile infield.
  8. stringer bell
    I agree that OPS is a pretty simple down-and-dirty way to look at offensive production. It isn't perfect, but no stat is IMHO. OPS probably underrates guys who get on base, but this year because of his declining walk rate, Arráez isn't elite. Luis' OBP is .351 which is lower than Willi Castro. The low slugging negates most of the good OBP and then we can look at defensive deficiencies and base running, neither of which make Arráez look like a better player. Not to pile on, but he's grounded into 13 double plays this season, which roughly projects to 30 in a season. So far, Arráez hasn't missed significant time with injuries, so in conjunction with hitting at the top of the lineup he is racking up counting stats, including leading the league in hits. Arráez is a unique and interesting player, but he isn't as big a difference maker as many on his current team or his first team. If he is elected an All-Star, good for him, but that doesn't make him a more valuable player.
  9. stringer bell
    Ichiro mostly hit singles, but was a Gold Glove outfielder with a great arm. He was also a force on the base paths. Not an apt comp for Arráez.
  10. stringer bell
    I made some similar comments about Arráez in this thread--https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/67393-how-valuable-is-a-unicorn/#comment-1403627 I think, at a much younger age, he has become what Carew and Gwynn became--singles hitters who played a corner and didn't have much power. That said, in today's game, Luis Arráez stands out for his bat-to-ball skills and he might win a whole bunch of batting titles. It takes a lot of singles to win games. I also noted that Arráez' walk rate is down considerably. His overall OBP is still good, but not elite (28th in MLB). On the basis of his play this year, he shouldn't be an All-Star. Finally, I'm reading between the lines a bit, but the Twins traded Arráez after he didn't settle and went through the arbitration process. The Marlins also went through the process with him and he is making over $10M, so there seems to be a disconnect between what Luis thinks he's worth and what front offices are willing to pay him. The surest two ways to up the chances of being traded are to be a union rep or take the club to arbitration.
  11. stringer bell
    The Twins are on a six-game winning streak and moved into the #2 wildcard spot last night. Let's not bicker about whether someone is whining or not.
  12. stringer bell
    The Giants won the pennant in '51, but lost the World Series. They won the pennant in SF in '62, but lost to the Yankees in seven games. Willie was only on one world champion.
  13. stringer bell
    I'll say it again, I've been a huge Kirilloff fan since he broke in. I certainly think his previous injuries figure in with trying to tough it out with an injury. Further, I wonder how much he thinks the organization is really in his corner. I read somewhere that he had an MRI in May. Did the club know? I do know that this is the fourth time (wrist twice, shoulder and now back) where he's performed poorly and then gone on the IL. As others have said, it is not a good look.
  14. stringer bell
    Listen to the latest (free) Gleeman and the Geek, they discuss this at length, but before the revelation of an injury. Decision time for AK could come after this season, but the leash is shorter for him than Miranda, Wallner or even Larnach. Much like all three of these guys, he really has to be a much better than average hitter to establish himself.
  15. stringer bell
    He was the best I ever saw. All five tools and as much charisma as Royce Lewis. When he wasn't unanimously picked to the HOF, I thought it would never happen for anyone. I'm too young to remember that great catch in the World Series, but he routinely made great defensive plays. He led the NL in homers several times, even while playing at Candlestick Park, hardly a hitter's paradise. Willie missed almost two full years due to military service. If not for that, he would have easily had more homers than the Babe and been neck and neck with Aaron. He won his only World Series when he was 23. That tells me that if you win hardware, cherish it, because it might not come your way again.
  16. stringer bell
    Wallner may force his way back (good for him!) and the options are for him to replace Martin, Farmer or Margot. Martin can be optioned and his role is as a platoon OF and possible Buxton replacement. Margot can fill that role as well. Farmer is reduced to platoon second baseman, but an injury would give him reps in the infield. Margot is a platoon OF, has a couple starts in center field and a few starts against right handed pitching, including in the nightcap of the day/night DH on Sunday. There would be arguments to keep any of the three and losing Margot or Farmer would mean they wouldn't be in the organization any longer. I like what Martin brings to the table, but his performance as an outfielder has been spotty, at best. It looks like he has the skills to be more than adequate, but he's misplayed a lot of balls. Farmer and Margot have limited, at best, trade value. The Dodgers might give something for his services, but more likely would just pay the rest of his contract. I don't think any team regards Farmer as a potential regular shortstop.
  17. stringer bell
    If he is healthy, Pablo should turn it around. He's still allowing less hits the innings pitched and striking out more than one per inning. His FIP is more than a full run lower than his actual ERA. He's allowed too many big innings and long balls.
  18. stringer bell
    It's the Rays only visit to Target Field. My guess is that there will be delays but that they find a few hours each day to get all three of the games in. It won't be great for the players or fans, but doubleheaders and makeup games are a headache. The field drains well, so footing shouldn't be too much of a problem.
  19. stringer bell
    Thirteen games later, the Twins stand at 40-32 which projects to a 90-win season. This club is more offense-driven than the 2023 model and the peaks and valleys in their season are driven by offense or lack thereof. Home runs and strikeouts are down. and the Twins pitching staff continues to strike out more batters than the Twins' batters have struck out. On the flip side, the Twins' staff has yielded more homers than the Twins have hit. The team continues to shine in close games and is 3-0 in extra inning games.
  20. stringer bell
    5.5 games behind Cleveland and half a game behind KC. I won't say it is getting late early, but I will say that they need to gain ground prior to the end of the month, if they seriously want to win the AL Central. They need to win some games against Cleveland to win the division. An interim goal would be to overtake the Royals. It would be much more comfortable to be in the #2 wild card just because one or more of the teams behind the Twins will probably get hot at some point.
  21. stringer bell
    A note on Willi Castro. If he starts Tuesday at second base (likely), he will have started at least 10 games in five different positions (LF, CF, 3B, SS, 2B), in 73 games. I don't know if another player has done that in a whole season and I don't think another Twin has, although Cesar Tovar played all over.
  22. stringer bell
    When Sands struggles, it is because of too many pitches out of the strike zone. Down 2-0 and 3-0 isn't a way to get outs. That was the case again yesterday.
  23. stringer bell
    Fun game to watch last night and I thought the crowd was really into it, considering there weren't that many in the park. Martin provided a great defensive play as well as two hits (and an error) in an eventful day in center field. Varland was available for long relief and calmed the storm, but weakened in his fifth inning. Josh Staumont was outstanding, coming in with runners on base and cleaning up Varland's mess and then fanning the side in the eighth inning. Miranda absolutely crushed his game-winning homer, his first off a pitch other than a fastball. There are concerns with this team, but there's a lot to be optimistic about. Paddack seems to be like a box of chocolates--"you never know what you're gonna get". After a good performance against the Rockies, he threw batting practice against the A's. The Twins haven't gotten the consistently good starts from their rotation that they did for much of last season. Lastly, the left handed bullpen options aren't optimal, with Caleb Thielbar struggling mightily.
  24. stringer bell
    If someone goes on IL, they can keep the 27th guy on the active roster, Al thought the 13 pitcher limit has to be observed.
  25. stringer bell
    Nice night at the ball yard! Announced crowd of 20K. IDK how many didn’t exchange their tickets. Lots of lusty hitting. Varland good, Staumont an Jax very good I sat between some Oakland fans (they exist!) and some people obviously there for the Pride celebration. All were nice to each other and I enjoyed the experience.
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