stringer bell

I don’t think we can make a judgment on Wallner from Spring Training, nor should we. If Wallner struggles in April, the scenario you foresee could very well happen. It’s probably the best path for Miranda to make it back to the Twins.

I haven’t given up on any of these guys, but injuries have blocked their progress and perhaps limited their upsides. I thought it was interesting that the Twins added an inexpensive team option to Alcalá’s 2024 contract. If he can perform and avoid the IL, he’ll be a key piece in 2025. Alcalá looks like he’s on the outside looking in for an Opening Day spot, but if he’s healthy he’ll get his shot this year. Kirilloff’s pretty extensive injury history and lackluster postseason seem to leave people forgetting that he was hitting in the middle of the order for a playoff team last year at age 25. He will have this season to stake a claim as a regular and I hope he succeeds. Miranda has moved down the defensive spectrum rapidly, but hitting has always been his strong suit. If he can hit like he did in midseason of 2022, he will be in the big leagues soon and stay. I’m not sure if that run will come with the Twins.

I haven't heard any word of a new pitch. Getting back to the upper 90s on his fastball would help against everyone and better command also. As I said above, Alcalá got behind on too many counts and grooved too many fastballs--if the count is 1-2 or 2-2 instead of 2-0 and 3-1, he has a lot better chance of getting outs no matter which side of the plate the hitter uses.

Yes, having two spots that can be shuttled would be a better setup. Of course, an injury to one of the locks or out of options types and it is then the optimum situation. BTW, Winder is out until late May so he won't factor into decisions for the first third of the season.

Fitting together the best team to put out there on a daily basis has a lot of moving pieces. Some are as simple as putting the best defender at a position in that position every day, but some are complicated by things like a superior defender moving to another position because a lesser defender can't play anywhere else. It would be great if all the pieces fit perfectly, but that never happens. To me, third base long term is much of that conundrum. While Lewis profiles as good, Lee might profile even higher. So, move Lewis right? To second to displace Julien, to left where he hasn't played much if at all? There is also egos and preferences to deal with. Apparently, Max Kepler wants to stay in right field. Is it worth the trouble to insist that he plays in center some days? Probably not. In Lewis' case, he's a young guy with a superstar upside who has been moved from short to third. Move him again? I don't think the Twins want to wipe the smile off Lewis' face for any reason and perhaps putting him at second or left or center will do just that. It's been said that most personnel decisions take care of themselves and I believe that is the case with Brooks Lee. I don't think it is going to effect the Opening Day roster and his emergence might not happen until 2025. It is interesting to see how the field staff prepares him and all of the other guys who have moved around.

With four-man benches, players there need to be versatile--four guys back up eight positions. Kyle Farmer and Willi Castro will provide a majority of that versatility, but if one is injured it's nice to have another guy who can cover more than one spot effectively. By the way, I don't think either Farmer or Castro is "bad at playing all positions".

Topa was a key trade piece and seemed well regarded, Stewart broke out (limited innings), Jax was pretty good and Durán is elite. Add Thielbar and Okert from the left side and that’s a pretty good start for the BP. They’ve signed several relievers who have had some success to fill out the ‘pen. All the guys don’t have to produce because there is depth. It could go south, but there are lots of viable options.

Another consideration his Staumont’s service time. He can be optioned for only the first three months of the year before he hits the five-year threshold wherein he can only be optioned with his consent, so if his final option isn’t used in the first ninety (or so) days of the season, it is null and void.

According to Phil Miller, no Twin has ever had two triples and a homer in the same game. I believe Kenny Landreaux had a game with three triples. That doesn’t include spring training games.

Why wouldn't they if it is there to use? IMHO, Staumont was never as good as Topa was last year, and if he has an option to use, they might as well use it if he isn't as good as someone else (Alcalá, Funderburk, maybe one of the non-roster guys).

I’d put Staumont as the biggest suspect among those projected and several guys have been really good so far.

Also of note, Ober retired nine in a row after allowing a single and a homer to the first two batters. Woods Richardson with another 1-2-3 inning. He might be moving up the pecking order for a chance with the major league team.

Have a day Buck!! Two triples and a homer......that must be the rarest of rare three-hit games.

His performance in the only year he put up a reasonable amount of innings was just okay and IIRC he really struggled with left handed hitters and home runs. It seems to be that he both needs to be healthy and make the adjustments to keep lefties at bay. Again, from memory, Alcalá had too many deep counts and was forced to groove too many pitches in the "whomp em" zone. I think he's got the stuff to be very, very good, but every team has several guys like that nowadays.

Cortez to the IL in 5, 4 3,................ I know it's spring training but Nestor might not yet be right. Glad to see Buck with a bases clearing triple and a homer! Having both him and Correa healthy could provide the club with plenty of offense.

Well, it could be a rash of injuries, or maybe just maybe Niko reinvents himself as a player. After all, he says he is now seeing the ball better because he has eyeglasses. What I'm sure of is that I will be suspicious of AAA numbers put up in St. Paul. Tim Beckham looked like a monster for the Saints and couldn't hit at all for the Twins. Andrew Stevenson looked like he had finally figured out hitting in Triple A and then looked like the same hitter he had been with the Nationals. Goodrum turned 32 last week, so I doubt a breakout is on the horizon, but he proved to be a big league player for the Tigers a few years back.

I don't think Lee's position or promotion are a fait accompli, not even close. The health and productivity of players already on the roster factors in greatly and Lee's own performance and health matter equally as much. Major injury and poor performance are going to matter and IMHO they really can't be predicted. Lee's work at short and third only in games so far tells me the team wants him to continue to get better at the two spots that best fit his skills, with the idea that if adjustments need to be made, they can be done later. Lee has the skills to be a capable shortstop and might project to be a better third baseman. He's played very little at second base so it would be an adjustment, but one he would be expected to master. Since there is no clear path and so many variables, it makes good sense to wait and see where he'll be of most benefit to the Twins. The key to all this is that it isn't likely to be in the first half of this season, unless one of the current starters suffers a major injury.

Rocco said he would get work in spring training at all three positions, but so far nothing in games at second base.

Looks beautiful! I hope to make it next year for at least a week!

Do Hyoung Park said that Julien is doing regular drills without a wrap on his wrist. He also noted that Thielbar will be pitching on one of the back fields today.

I saw a tweet that DeSclafani threw a 35-pitch bullpen yesterday and felt good afterward. With about three weeks to go before he would be scheduled to pitch, I don't think there's room for any more setbacks. Thielbar hasn't pitched yet and I haven't seen any notes on him recently. Same for Zack Weiss, who has always looked like a real longshot to make the club, but is on the 40-man.

I really couldn't come up with a proper title to this thread. What I wanted to discuss with TD faithful is the clues provided by the positions played by some of the players on the Twins this spring. For example, Austin Martin played games in center and left field before Margot was acquired, then played second base a couple games. Yesterday, he was back in the outfield (LF) and Margot started the game in center. What does this mean for Martin? I think until Margot was acquired, Martin had a shot to be the 4th outfielder (backup CF), after Margot was added, Martin is more utility, with his ability to play in the infield more relevant. First of all, a look at players who haven't moved around. Royce Lewis has played third base only, Max Kepler has played right field exclusively, Correa at short and Buxton in center (whoopee!). Edouard Julien has only played second base. The significant news is that Lewis and Julien have not moved around. There may be a position change in their future with the Twins, but it doesn't look like it will be in play at the beginning of the season. Also, Brooks Lee has split time between shortstop and third base (three games each) with no time at second. If Lee was to force his way on the roster, I would presume he would get time at second. Also of note, Jose Miranda has played one game in the field and it was at first base. Willi Castro has started games in center, left, third and short, That fits with a "super utility" tag especially if he can duplicate or increase his offensive numbers from last year. Farmer started yesterday at short and has played games at second and third, fitting his role from last year and presumed role for 2024. No time for Farmer at first or in the outfield. I believe he would be placed there only in an emergency situation or the last innings of a lopsided win or loss. Here are others who have moved around: Anthony Prato--second base (3), third base (4) and left field (1). Austin Martin--left field (2), center field (2) and second base (3). Yunior Severino--second base (2), third base (3) and first base (2). Michael Helman--third base (3), left field (2), right field (1) and second base (2). Niko Goodrum--shortstop (3), second base (1), third base (2) and first base (1). Outfielders who have moved around are Manuel Margot in center (3) and left (3), Trevor Larnach in left (3) and right (3) and Matt Wallner in left (5) and right (1). One additional note, Alex Kirilloff played yesterday in right field after being at first base in five games. What does it all mean? Well, the Twins have depth in utility players. Goodrum, Helman, Prato, Martin and Severino can all play a lot of positions so the loss of a Farmer or Castro to injury could be mitigated. The pecking order at short is always of interest and Farmer has gotten the most work there (in Correa's absence) followed by Lee, Goodrum and Castro. Prato, Martin and Helman haven't played short (I don't know if Prato ever has) so I don't think they'd be viable option as backups there. Perhaps the largest message is that Brooks Lee forcing a defensive jumble really isn't on the table yet. Versatility is a good thing and the Twins' position players seem to have plenty of it.

I'd like to add maybe one or two former Twins to the telecasts. At some point there would be too many IMHO. I've always enjoyed what Cuddyer had to say and he was viewed as the ultimate team guy for the two teams he played for after he left the Twins. Of the analysts returning this year, I've seen a lot of griping about Smalley, but I like his perspective as a hitter and besides I have a picture of him with me and two other TD members.

I am a big Kirilloff fan and I concur with those saying this year is huge for his future with the Twins. What I visualize to start the year will be AK in the starting lineup nearly 100% of the time against right handed pitching, at DH when Santana is at first and at first when any of the penciled-in regulars are DHing (Buxton, Lewis, Kepler, Wallner or Julien). Santana will pinch hit for Kirilloff when a lefty enters and I doubt Rocco will hit for Santana ever, so AK will get less than strict platoon at-bats. Kirilloff needs to sustain his hitting vs. right handers and improve against lefties and on defense. That’s all doable with good health. Yes, there is some pressure, but I believe this guy can be a really good player with good health.

If Buxton or any other regular is in the DH role vs. a RH starter, Kirilloff should be starting at first base. If he’s not, then the danger signals are going off for his future.