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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    And another ex-Twins catcher will be back in the majors. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/mets-to-select-gary-sanchez.html
  2. stringer bell
    The Twins didn't "just let him go". There was a clause in his minor league contract that allowed him to take a major league contract from another team and the Orioles offered that contract. Secondly, since he was on a minor league contract and in order to put him on the Opening Day roster, they would have to take someone off the 40-man roster. It isn't as simple as "they should have kept Coulombe".
  3. stringer bell
    Ben Rortvedt will make his Yankee debut in the near future. Maybe the Yankees will win that trade. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/yankees-place-jose-trevino-on-il-with-hamstring-strain-recall-ben-rortvedt.html
  4. stringer bell
    There are lots of comments about no one having a bullpen full of shutdown relievers. Probably true, but it seems many teams have guys who come in and mow hitters down. IMHO, the clubs that employ such guys believe their pitchers have the ability to be shutdown relievers. Having 3-4 who should never face high leverage is going to cost games. A lot of us have soured on Moran, for example, but I think he might manage to become quite serviceable. I thought Alcala also had a chance to fill that second tier and maybe when (and if) his arm is 100% that might be true. Stewart does look like a find, although the non-intentional walks are a concern.
  5. stringer bell
    I'm not a huge fan of Emilio Pagan. I have thought his spot on the active and 40-man rosters should have been taken by someone with more upside all year. His recent performance (until yesterday) lowered my full-throated complaints. I'm not going to rip the front office if they do nothing, but I just have to believe there are better alternatives. Yesterday was just too much his history. Come into a manageable situation, lose command of the strike zone and yield a big extra base hit. He doesn't have good enough command to get hitters to go after his out pitches and he doesn't have enough stuff to get away with middle-middle fastballs or cutters. Nobody is perfect (except somehow Yennier Cano) but the blowups are too frequent with Pagan and he's at a point where it is doubtful he will ever get better. There has to be a better answer.
  6. stringer bell
    Yeah, the recovery time for a fractured shin is 4-6 months, so Nick could be done for the season.
  7. stringer bell
    SWR seems to be having a frustrating year. The results don't match the stuff. It happened last year to Jordy Blaze, but Woods Richardson is younger. I have had high hopes for SWR and some disappointments aren't going to immediately change my mind, but it would be good if he could string together a few good outings.
  8. stringer bell
    What I saw from Cano last year was quality stuff, but great inconsistency. He would throw three or four great pitches, maybe get a strikeout and then lose command of the strike zone and groove it. He's older (29?), but the breakout is incredible.
  9. stringer bell
    Castro isn't better than a healthy Royce Lewis, but I would say he's a better and more versatile utility player than a healthy Nick Gordon. Gordon is likely headed for the 60-day IL, either today or when Lewis is activated and I would anticipate that Castro sticks on the major league team. I do agree that Willi Castro shouldn't be playing close to every day given his hitting stats in over three years of big league play, but he has filled in at second, short, third, left, center and right and to my knowledge he's done a decent job at each position. Gordon was shaky enough last year at second and short that the team brought in a backup shortstop and he has those decided left-right splits. Lewis would seem to have an opportunity to play every day at third base and cement his position there. Castro can hang on as the 13th position player filling in everywhere. Perhaps Jose Miranda can hit enough to force his way back on the active roster and get Castro sent down or maybe the same could happen for Julien.
  10. stringer bell
    Here are some thumbnails of ex-Twins that have flourished this year: Brent Rooker--Absolutely tearing it up as an OF/DH for the A's. In previous trials with the Twins, Royals and Padres, he had 260 plate appearances with a .208 batting average, 10 homers and 23 RBI. In barely half the plate appearances with the A's, he's hit over .300, 11 homers and 30 RBIs. His OPS this year is 1.042 Luis Arraez--Last year's AL batting champion is well on his way to winning another one in the NL. He's playing second base and leading everyone by 40 percentage points. He's hitting .389 with a .930 OPS. Michael Tonkin--He hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2017 with the Twins. I recall being in Fort Myers in March of 2015 when the Twins sent him down, he sat next to me watching a minor league game. He wasn't talkative, but shook my hand and I wished him well. Anyway, he made the Braves staff out of spring training and has been outstanding . He's 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA and a .627 WHIP. Tonkin is 33 years old now. It's a really good story. Ian Gibault--He had a cup of coffee with the Twins (3 appearances) in 2021. He hooked on with Cincinnati in 2022 and has done very well for the Reds this year. He's 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.105 WHIP. Yennier Cano--The Twins brought him up 2022. He would make several outstanding pitches and then groove one and also really had trouble throwing strikes. He gave 14 runs in 13.2 innings. The Twins included him in the Jorge Lopez trade. For the Orioles, he gave up nine runs in 4.1 innings to finish off the season. Cano made the Orioles bullpen out of spring training and he's been near unhittable. In 21.2 innings, he's allowed four(!!!) hits and struck out 25. The ERA is 0.00 and his WHIP is a microscopic .18. Cano is now 29 years old. Ian Hamilton--The Twins had him last year and he made one appearance (I believe as a COVID replacement). The Yankees signed him as a minor league free agent and he's been outstanding. He's 1-1 with a save and a 1.23 ERA. His WHIP is 1.091. Hamilton is 28 years old and prior to this year had made 15 big league appearances.
  11. stringer bell
    The Twins are 24-0 and Rocco is 0-20 I guess. I think taking De Leon out was the right move and it was either bringing in Lopez for four outs or trying to get one from Pagan, who hadn't pitched in two days. It didn't work out, but that doesn't make it the wrong strategy.
  12. stringer bell
    If Gallo doesn't miss any time, there still wouldn't be any place for Wallner to play. With Kepler probably due to be activated on the 23rd, it would be a short-term stay on the active list.
  13. stringer bell
    Reading the Twitter responses about the injuries, a solid majority want Lewis recalled and he can't be activated until May 30 or something like that. I believe it is 60 days from Opening Day and that would be May 29. His rehab can run until June 1. If they IL Polanco, I have to believe Edouard Julien would be recalled.
  14. stringer bell
    Fractured shin? I haven't heard of that injury in baseball ever, I think. That sounds like a long recovery, maybe 60-day IL (just a guess). I think Castro is up to stay at least until Gordon returns. Kyle Garlick makes the most sense to me as a replacement especially since the Angels start two left handers on Friday and Saturday. I quickly googled "shin fracture" and the number that came up for recovery was 4-6 months.
  15. stringer bell
    Strange numbers regarding hitting with runners on base so far this year. The Twins have been good with runners in scoring position, but beyond bad in the subset of bases loaded. Close and late has been poor as well. Some of this is small sample size and the numbers will regress to the mean, but it is almost a mental thing now with the sacks juiced.
  16. stringer bell
    A lot to chew on after this game. 1) Bases loaded, no outs ends up with nothing. Jorge Polanco, pinch hitter Donovan Solano and Kyle Farmer can't get any runs in. 2) Epic meltdown by Emilio Pagan. First and second, two outs, bottom of the order and he allowed two walks and a grand slam. The walks killed and set up the slam. 3) Gordon and Gallo both left the game after fouling balls off their foot/leg. Polanco also left the game shortly after popping out in the sixth. 4) Still recovering from the 12-inning game on Monday, the Twins used callup Jose De Leon and Emilio Pagan in game situations. De Leon deserved a better fate, Pagan did not. 5) I'm speculating that roster moves are imminent. I wouldn't be surprised if any of Gallo/Gordon/Polanco are put on the Injured List. Kyle Garlick might figure short-term with two left handed starters pitching for the Angels in Anaheim. Julien for Polanco if Jorge is back on the IL. Perhaps adjustments in the pitching staff are due. I've thought Pagan should go for a while. As I said in the game thread, I haven't been saying it as loud or as often since he "wore it" in Boston.
  17. stringer bell
    I'm retired and injured, so I have time for this: Here is my list of ex-Twins who have played in the major leagues so far this year. This only includes players who actually played in a regular season major league game for the Twins, so no Wells, Baddoo, Steer etc. Eddie Rosario--Atlanta, Michael Tonkin--Atlanta, Ehire Adrianza--Atlanta, Kyle Gibson--Baltimore, Yennier Cano--Baltimore, Danny Coulombe--Baltimore, Rob Refsnyder--Boston, Zack Littell--Boston & Tampa Bay, Michael Fulmer--Chicago Cubs, Derek Law--Cincinnati, Ian Gibault--Cincinnati, Alan Businitz--Cincinnati, Billy Hamilton--Chicago White Sox, Lance Lynn--Chicago White Sox, Alex Colome--Chicago White Sox, CJ Cron--Colorado, Jonathan Schoop--Detroit, Ryan Pressly--Houston, Gio Urshela--Los Angeles Angels, Bruster Graterol--Los Angeles Dodgers, Luis Arraez--Miami, Deven Smeltzer--Miami, JT Chargois--Miami, Chi Chi Gonzalez--Miami, John Curtiss--New York Mets, Eduardo Escobar--New York Mets, Aaron Hicks--New York Yankees, Josh Donaldson--New York Yankees, Ian Hamilton--New York Yankees, Brent Rooker--Oakland, Trevor May--Oakland, Jake Cave--Philadelphia, Rich Hill--Pittsburgh, Chase De Jong--Pittsburgh, Nelson Cruz--San Diego, LaMonte Wade--San Francisco, Taylor Rogers--San Francisco, Tommy Milone--Seattle, Jose Berrios--Toronto, Taylor Motter--Saint Louis, Robbie Grossman--Texas, Sandy Leon--Texas, Mitch Garver--Texas, Idemaro Vargas--Washington. 44 players, including 23 pitchers. After today's Twins game is over, I'll probably comment on the guys who have blossomed and surprised.
  18. stringer bell
    They all scored six runs and they all won! I'd much rather the teams I'm pulling for consistently put up five or six runs rather than scoring double digits a few games and then getting shut down to three runs or below for five or six games. Nice to see Lee have a really good game. His overall numbers are good, but don't scream for promotion just yet.
  19. stringer bell
    Farmer will regress to the mean about as certainly as Correa. He’s a starter for a second division club and a valuable bench piece for a contender. Having him available to start against lefties and fill in at three positions is really valuable. If Lewis is healthy (sure appears to be!), he’s the third baseman. I will believe Buxton in center field when I see it. We’re past “mid May” and AFAIK he’s not even started to prep to play in the field. An injury to Taylor might get that particular ball rolling, but it might not happen this season. I doubt the Twins trade major league talent to acquire bullpen help. If they get a guy or two, I would expect they part with prospects, probably from A ball or below at the deadline.
  20. stringer bell
    Nick Gordon has played more center field lately. He made a couple of outstanding catches, but I still believe he’s a step below Taylor in CF. The thought that occurred to me was whether Nick would have caught the short fly that Taylor caught on the run in the eighth inning. Maybe, maybe not. That was a ball that many if not most center fielders catch and in this case it might have been the difference in the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gordon is the starting center fielder in today’s matinee. It seems it is his way to playing time with the roster as constructed.
  21. stringer bell
    IIRC, Balazovic’s control problems develop after he’s thrown a couple of innings. As he fatigues a bit, he loses command of the zone. He might be a classic to convert to relief IMHO. A starter that weakens after 3-4 innings is a bullpen killer, as we saw last year. I think Jordy Blaze has a real future as a reliever, not so much as a rotation piece.
  22. stringer bell
    Some stats to highlight--.231 team BA ranks 25th in MLB. 15 SB rank next to last, however team OPS is 15th and in runs per game the Twins rank 10th. They are going to win a lot of games if they score 5 runs or more, as they have in the last four games. Willi Castro may or may not be on the roster all season, but he has demonstrated the ability to play all over (he made a couple of nice plays at second yesterday) and get an occasional hit from either side of the plate. In addition, he can steal a base (4 steals and should be 5).
  23. stringer bell
    It appears there could be a roster crunch in earnest in the next two weeks plus. Kepler is due back in a week or less with no easy move to clear space. Lewis will come off the IL on or around June 1st and Castro or Solano could be in jeopardy and Jose Miranda might also hit his way back again without easy moves to clear space.
  24. stringer bell
    José De León promoted (contract selected) with Alcalá going on the 15-day IL. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/twins-to-select-jose-de-leon.html
  25. stringer bell
    Two ex-Twins in the same transaction: Fernando Abad selected by the Rockies as CJ Cron is put on the IL.
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