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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    Depending on which metrics are used, Farmer ranks as somewhere between average and well below average as a defensive shortstop. His hitting has been buttressed by excellent numbers against left handed pitching. He’s a three-position infielder who is good in the clubhouse. When the Twins shopped him this winter, I don’t think there was any interest at the salary he was projected to get. I speculated that the younger, more athletic Willi Castro should be slated as the preferable backup for Correa and apparently the club agrees. The problem is that neither player is hitting his weight. Jackson Holliday is struggling mightily for the Orioles, but hardly anyone is up in arms because almost every other O is mashing. Noted above, the Twins have nine below the Mendoza Line, with several of them more than one good game away from respectable stats. The team has been out homered 27-15 and if that trend continues they won’t win 70 games. Yes, the guys mentioned have not stepped up, but one could name another half-dozen players who have hurt the club as much as the guys named in the OP.
  2. stringer bell
    I agree that Pablo needs to step up. Even with Buxton pretty healthy, he’s going to frustrate us with skids like he’s been in for most of the season. I can’t imagine it will last much longer. So many guys are scuffling, it magnifies Buxton’s lack of production. The Twins need more from Buxton than for him to be another Myles Straw.
  3. stringer bell
    Camargo might get to play today.
  4. stringer bell
    All right, which Twin has the most plate appearances this year without hitting a home run or stealing a base? It’s Carlos Santana, but a close second is Byron Buxton who has 54 plate appearances without going deep and without attempting a stolen base.
  5. stringer bell
    Really? What, 11 at-bats?
  6. stringer bell
    Larnach has less than 700 plate appearances. It has been often quoted that managers and coaching staffs need to see 1000 plate appearances before they know what they have. He has struck out 50% above league average while hitting homers slightly below league average. He does walk at a bit higher rate than league average. He definitely needs to put the ball in play at a higher rate and put more balls over the fence. How can he do that? Better recognition of pitches is one part, but he needs to do damage when he gets his pitch. I haven't given up on him yet, but I'm nearly certain he won't get any/many more chances with the Twins. He's their best hope right now to contribute.
  7. stringer bell
    Trevor Larnach has been recalled after playing a couple of rehab games for the Mighty Mussels. Larnach is now 27 years old and his last minor league option was used to start this season. He was a first round draft choice out of college and has played part of three seasons for the Twins. There are prospects in the pipeline who would seem to have high ceilings that are also left handed hitting corner outfielders (Emmanuel Rodriguez, Walker Jenkins) so it would appear that this is Larnach's last chance to establish himself as a major leaguer with the Twins. Larnach has had a bunch of injuries and illnesses and has spent a fair amount of time on the Injured List, but has so far accrued just over 2 years of service time. In that time, he's batted .222 with a .699 OPS (95 OPS+) and has hit 20 homers in just under 700 plate appearances. Larnach will never be a Gold Glove outfielder, but I would say his defense is adequate for a corner outfielder. He's struck out over 33% of the time while drawing walks at a 11% clip. I do think this is Larnach's last. best chance to establish himself. He should get at-bats against right handed pitching and if he can raise his production, he would likely trade places in the Twins minds with Matt Wallner. I wish him good luck and good health.
  8. stringer bell
    Who takes his spot? Brigham is on the minor league IL, I guess they could add another non-roster guy--Jensen, Henriquez, or maybe St. Paul's closer Hobie Harris, but the roster might be getting tight for relief pitchers pretty soon--adding another to the 40-man might be tough without exposing someone they want to keep.
  9. stringer bell
    The Twins gave Wallner 19 days--Wallner demoted to St. Paul, Trevor Larnach off rehab and promoted to the Twins.
  10. stringer bell
    I was kind of expecting the DFA of Matt Bowman after he worked three innings against the Orioles last night. Bowman doesn't have any minor league options remaining, so he would have to be given the DFA treatment if the Twins wanted to try to get him back to St. Paul. I guess there really isn't anyone to take Bowman's place at the moment with Staumont still a few days away. Staumont and Topa would figure to be back before Durán or Duarte and there isn't room for everybody, so I imagine lots of transactions for those last few spots in the bullpen. Funderburk, Duarte, Sands, Staumont and Alcalá all have options and I expect all of these guys will find themselves in St. Paul at some point this season.
  11. stringer bell
    Given that so many are struggling, playing Miranda at either first or third makes some sense. His three-hit game last night makes his statistics look much better. Regardless of platoon advantage here are the nine guys on the active roster I would play right now: Catcher--Jeffers, First Base--Santana (ugh) Second Base--Julien, Shortstop--Castro (ugh), Third Base--Miranda, Left Field--Martin, Center Field--Buxton, Right Field--Margot, DH--Kirilloff.
  12. stringer bell
    Farmer/Castro at shortstop: Farmer doesn't have the range of Castro or the throwing arm. I would say that he has surer hands and he has plenty of experience at shortstop. Combining these factors with Farmer's really slow start at the plate and I would say it is real hard to put Farmer out there regularly right now. Unfortunately Castro hasn't been much better with the bat and he's made a few fielding mistakes (one not charged as an error). Willi's defense was very good last year, but much like his hitting and base running, it might be a mirage. So far, Castro has hurt the team more than he's helped it and his strikeout rate is second worst on the team.
  13. stringer bell
    Tony Kemp signed to a minor league deal. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/twins-sign-tony-kemp.html
  14. stringer bell
    Service time might be a consideration. In Alcalá's case. Getting another year of team control might have value if he has found a way to be effective. To be fair, Alcalá has spent most of the last two years on the major league Injured List, accruing service time while not contributing. Bowman might be a DFA candidate, although he was pretty effective last night. Funderburk could be optioned but it doesn't appear that the Twins' debut of Staumont (or Topa) is imminent and I also think before Funderburk is optioned, the Twins would like to see Thielbar get through an effective outing.
  15. stringer bell
    Donnie Barrels finds a new team! https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/padres-sign-donovan-solano-to-minor-league-deal.html
  16. stringer bell
    It should be noted that Larnach is rehabbing and should be physically ready soon or maybe immediately.
  17. stringer bell
    Castro will be the primary shortstop until Correa returns? I think that is the proper call, given the alternatives. I suppose Lee should be about ready to return to the Saints, or at least do a rehab. By the time he is ready to help the Twins, Correa should be back. Farmer has a one-year deal and a buyout, if I'm not mistaken.
  18. stringer bell
    I would like to point out that Twins' pitchers have struck out more batters than the Twins have struck out.
  19. stringer bell
    Guys without options aren't going anywhere. Alcalá, Funderburk and Sands have options. I suppose Bowman could be DFA'd at any time. Guys who can throw multiple innings are at a premium since it doesn't look like Paddack will be going deep into games and so far Varland, as well. That is why I was suggesting Louie go to the BP temporarily.
  20. stringer bell
    SWR had one bad inning and the Saint BP allowed a bunch of inherited runners to score. With such a small sample size, his numbers look bad, but he’s been effective except for one inning.
  21. stringer bell
    With Paddack pitching limited innings, have Varland available for multiple innings would be helpful IMHO.
  22. stringer bell
    Honestly SWR got charged with an earned run, but without his own fielding mistake, it would have been six scoreless.
  23. stringer bell
    On the 27th man, technically the player has to be sent down, but he can stay if someone goes on the IL and can be promoted immediately if someone else is optioned or DFA’d. I’d like to see SWR get another start or two in place of Varland (maybe moving Louie to the BP).
  24. stringer bell
    SWR done after 6. I approve. It isn't like this is a guy with a ton of big league experience. The question is, will he stay or go back to St. Paul?
  25. stringer bell
    Bottom four in the Twins order--ugh. Terrible starts.
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