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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    Good on Eddie Rosario. However, as recently as two weeks ago, he had a negative WAR. I saw an article out of Atlanta speculating that he was playing his way out of the Braves organization (for 2024).
  2. stringer bell
    With 13-man pitching staffs, platoons are limited. Pure platoons, where one player always starts against lefties and his platoon partner always starts against right handers are very rare. Much more common is the usage of hitters that get the majority of their starts when they have the platoon advantage. Given their stats for previous years, it would make perfect sense to get Farmer and Solano in the lineup every time against left handed pitching. This is reinforced by the dismal numbers that several Twins left handed hitters have put up against left handed pitchers--Kepler, Kirilloff, Wallner, and Julien. I would add Royce Lewis to the everyday player list and note that the catchers on the Twins alternate. Taylor gets some days off against right handers, but he is also pretty much an every day player. As for pinch hitting early, I agree with @chpetit19 that having an opener does change things and might necessitate an early move to the bench. Outside of an opener scenario, I also recoil when Baldelli goes to the bench in the middle innings, particularly when the Twins are ahead or a superior defensive player is removed. I wish the Twins had a more set lineup where 4-6 guys were always hitting in the same spot, but given their roster, that will not be happening at least this year.
  3. stringer bell
    For those of us old enough to remember, one of the top practitioners of platooning was former Twins manager Gene Mauch. He platooned Rob Wilfong and Bobby Randall, Mike Cubbage and John Castino, Glenn Adams and Jose Morales, Hosken Powell and Bombo Rivera and the list can go a lot longer than that. Yes, the Opener concept throws a wrench into the normal platoon operation, as well. As mentioned above, the "bulk" guy was a right hander and only one other lefty was in the Pirates BP, so Rocco started Luplow and hit him leadoff to assure that he'd get an at-bat against a lefthander. What I predicted in the game thread and still would like an answer to is why Baldelli didn't pinch hit Kepler and move Wallner to left field in the third inning. Kepler has hit very well lately and would be a superior choice over Gallo to hit or field. With all the off days, I don't think he really needed a rest.
  4. stringer bell
    I really don’t want to defend Rocco or Joey Gallo, but even with all the empty at-bats, Gallo has a .751 OPS, which is above league average. He dovetails this positive stat with decent defense. I heard no word on Kepler’s status today. I presumed he was available to play and would hit for the right handed hitting Luplow, with Matt Wallner moving to left field. Baldelli will use all of his position players and Gallo’s skills merit some playing time. Solano has started games at first against right handers. Gallo has been benched against right handers, but situations have allowed him at bats and kept him on the roster. I presume he will eventually be benched or DFAed when more players are healthy. Time will tell.
  5. stringer bell
    I think it was the plan all along. He was going to give Luplow one at-bat against a left hander, that's why he had him leading off. They knew Borucki wasn't going to be in the game too long. Rocco has pinch hit early in games and said things like he wanted to get the favorable matchup even if it was early. I don't necessarily agree with that plan, especially if bringing in a pinch hitter will hurt the defense later in the game. Also, I thought he might use Kepler to hit early and move Wallner to left field.
  6. stringer bell
    Ortega for Balazovic. That’s a start, but it does not address the underuse of Sands/Winder/Headrick.
  7. stringer bell
    The team's weaknesses showed up today. 1) Defense--a decent third baseman makes the play on the first hit and some first basemen catch the ball that Polanco threw. Cufoff men weren't in proper position twice (didn't cost any runs this time, one of them was Polanco). It's great that Jorge Polanco is willing to play third base, but he hurts the team over there. Julien probably turns the DP in the seventh if he comes across the bag instead of staying behind it. 2) Fifteen more strikeouts. Yeah, their starter has good stuff, but he wasn't Nolan Ryan. 3) Bullpen--Floro gives up an inherited runner when he came in with two outs and then Jordy Blaze gives up a three-spot in the ninth. Even if it is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, some changes need to be made. Day game tomorrow and I'll be there in the heat. I hope Wallner and Jeffers are in the lineup and Lewis is back at third base. Best wishes to Keuchel and if he gets hit hard, best wishes for his next job.
  8. stringer bell
    38 games to go. I think it is time for a true bullpen reorg. First of all, the starters (not counting Dallas Keuchel) have established they can give a decent start almost every time out. Yes, Joe Ryan will be treated carefully when he returns, but it is doubtful there will be a four-alarm fire started by someone in the rotation. What the Twins need is guys to pitch one or two innings every other day to set up what has become a thin and precarious back of the bullpen. We'll call the back end Jax, Pagán, Thielbar and Duran. Floro is just a guy. He gives up base runners, doesn't get a lot of strikeouts and struggles getting left handed hitters out. He is not going to give up big numbers too often, but also isn't the guy you want to shut down a budding rally. He should be the six to eighth guy in an eight-man bullpen. Balozavic has some potential. The fastball isn't dominating, but it is okay when well-placed. The league seems to be catching up to him right now. Send him down. Sands and Winder aren't trusted in any kind of leverage situations. The Twins don't need innings unless they are well-pitched innings. Send them down. Who to recall? I'd give Funderburk a look. He has good numbers with the Saints and he is a breathing left handed relief pitcher. I'd try Oliver Ortega again. His worst outing was pitching multiple innings in a back-to-back situation. His overall numbers were passable and he has been one of St. Paul's best relievers. The eighth guy in the 'pen could be Headrick or Henriquez and maybe Stewart will be back in September to take a spot in the bullpen. Only one 40-man spot would be needed and Alcalá has already been on the IL for more than 60 days, so he could be moved. Eight bullpen guys won't be needed for October. Challenging everybody in the bullpen is something that needs to be done. The team has six weeks to sort it out. They are fortunate to have enough of a cushion to make such moves if they see fit.
  9. stringer bell
    The average OPS in the International League is .800, so let’s cool off a little about St. Paul’s hitters, Martin included. I think Martin’s skill set would fit really well with next year’s Twins roster. That he’s having success at the highest minor league level is great for his confidence and bodes well for his future.
  10. stringer bell
    Can the Twins have a roster with utility guys Castro, Farmer and Martin as their bench? There really isn’t a lefty-mashing outfielder and there is no real backup at first base. IMHO, the most expendable is Farmer, but he’s a preferred alternate shortstop and he’s got the best résumé as hitting left handed pitching.
  11. stringer bell
    Depending on Ryan’s recovery and Keuchel’s next outing, Dallas Keuchel would be a prime candidate for DFA. If Austin Martin is clearly restored as a prospect, I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a DFA for Gilberto Celestino.
  12. stringer bell
    I pointed out on another thread that Sands has faced ZERO batters in high leverage situations. I don't know the exact number of days he has been on the active roster, but this is astonishing. Winder has faced five batters in medium leverage (none in high leverage) and a third "long reliever", Bret Headrick, has faced two batters in high leverage and eight in medium leverage. The Twins' starters have given the front office a gift in minimizing the workload for the bullpen and the front office has squandered that gift.
  13. stringer bell
    Torkleson and Greene look like keepers, but they don’t have a bunch of next-level guys to step up. They have some pitching talent (notably Skubel and Rodriguez). It appears to me that the vets they brought in (Grossman, Baéz, Schoop) really didn’t work out in the long run. Too many holes to catch the Twins this year, but they could be a lot better next year.
  14. stringer bell
    I don't hold out huge hope for Headrick, but I think the underlying numbers are better. He gave up four yesterday in St. Paul, but it's not like he allowed ten hits and a couple walks. Balazovic was horrible in '22 at St. Paul and only had a so-so ERA in ''23 before his recall and he's been pretty good for the Twins.
  15. stringer bell
    Since he went only four innings, I suspect the Twins will have Ryan make another rehab start, which means Keuchel will probably get two more major league starts. If Keuchel gets tagged again tomorrow, the Twins could adjust their plans and give Louie Varland a spot start or they could bring back Ryan without another rehab start.
  16. stringer bell
    I don't think adding Martin to the active roster (and 40-man) will happen. He's a second baseman/outfielder and I don't know how his defense at any of those positions profiles. The development of Martin will probably effect how aggressively the Twins go after re-signing Taylor or someone else. as well as picking up Kepler's option.
  17. stringer bell
    Per BBRef: Sands has faced zero batters in medium or high leverage. Headrick has faced 10 batters in medium and high leverage (2 high leverage and 8 medium leverage). Winder has faced 5 batters in medium leverage, none in high leverage. The Twins have carried at least one of these guys all season and often more than one and they all reasonably could have been replaced by Andrew Bechtold, who could fill in at the infield positions.
  18. stringer bell
    To echo a thought from the game thread, much less complaining about Arraez when López has another scoreless outing and Arraez’ OPS is about the same as Julien’s. Rocco seemed to think Wallner was okay, maybe out for a day or two. Lots of times, small fractures aren’t found on that first x-ray. Joe Ryan allowed one hit (homer) in four innings. Two walks and seven strikeouts.
  19. stringer bell
    It’s his buddy Shelton in the other dugout. I think that mattered in this case.
  20. stringer bell
    Polanco has two team options available correct? I don't think it would be a bad idea to pick up the first option and look to trade him for the right offer. As far as him being a super-sub, the only position where he is close to average defensively is second base. With the supposed availability of Lewis, Correa, Julien, Miranda, Lee and Kirilloff, there really aren't enough at bats for all the younger players.
  21. stringer bell
    I’ve enjoyed this game and just to make it more interesting, I’ve tried to include Twins or ex-Twins in every square. Yesterday, I used Steve Carlton as a Phillies All-Star and today C J Cron as a Rockie with a 100 RBI season. A couple days I used Ruben Sierra as a Texas Silver Slugger and Bret Boone as a Mariners’ Silver Slugger. If anyone wants to do the same, here are some Twins who played for a lot of teams: Terry Mulholand, Mike Morgan, Fernando Rodney and Lucan Hernandez.
  22. stringer bell
    Farmer is not signed for 2024. He will be in his final arbitration year. The Twins could non-tender him or trade him, if they choose. Farmer's situation will be quite similar to Gio's (this year) except that he'll be coming off a much less productive season.
  23. stringer bell
    Agree on all points, but hope that Jax can work his way back into the Circle of Trust.
  24. stringer bell
    All reports are saying that Lewis will be activated today. Someone will have to be taken off the active roster. In order of probability, here are the possible moves (IMHO): 1) DFA Keuchel. 2) Option Luplow 3) Castro to IL 4) Option Sands 5) Correa to IL. Are there any other roster moves possible to clear space for Royce? Discuss please.
  25. stringer bell
    First of all, as to adding two players on September 1, I doubt the Twins bring up a player who is not currently injured and is not on the 40-man roster. The possible activations of Nick Gordon, Brock Stewart and Chris Paddack might cover the two spots that can be added on 9/1. A clue to the future of Gordon is if and when he goes on rehab assignment. Twenty days from the start date the Twins would either have to add him to the active roster or DFA him. Stewart was moved to the 60-day IL and would be eligible to come off late in August. No word on progress for him. There are five more players on the major league IL with at least a chance of being ready to play yet this year. 1) Buxton--the disabling injury is a hamstring. The underlying injuries (hip and knee) might also be healing with the time off. There is still plenty of mystery about Buxton's injuries and the resulting inability to play defense. 2) Kirilloff--No reports since he had a cortisone injection. I am starting to doubt his return this year. 3) Ryan--No report on Ryan either. His fifteen days will be up and it was reported that he would continue throwing while trying to get healthy. 4) Miranda--No report since July. It would appear that if even if he returned to health that there would be no place for him on the active roster and an option to the minors would be the next step. 5) Alcalá--The Twins say that they hope he will pitch again this year. It would seem probable that he, too, would require a rehab assignment and so far no word on that. As a fan, I'm totally frustrated with the lack of news about all of these players. Several could be key performers in the postseason and we just don't have any timetables or firm estimates on their return.
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