stringer bell
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Everything posted by stringer bell
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Important for utility guys to be able to fill in adequately at the key positions--center field and shortstop. Rocco prefers Farmer over Castro at short and has been somewhat reluctant to go with Willi in center field. According to BBRef, after more than an extremely SSS, Castro is a neutral in center. While that doesn't sound great, being average where the best outfielders in the world are deployed is pretty good. When both players were on the active roster, Rocco used Castro at short. Again, that is telling to me in any competition for a utility spot on the Twins going forward. I would agree with those of you that are saying Willi is good, not elite, in the field. His best position appears to be left field, although he's played precious little second for the Twins, because they had other less-versatile options there. -
Carlson is younger than either Wallner or Larnach. If he were added to the Twins, I have a hard time seeing playing time for both of those guys anyway. If Wallner (or Larnach) would be included as a return, would the Cards need more than Varland/SWR? Of course, from the StL side, if Carlson isn't getting playing time, why would Wallner or Larnach?
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Pablo used a lot of ammo in that first inning.
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Damn, ninja'd by the Chief.
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M's OF Kelenic was placed on the IL this morning. After he took a called third in the ninth on a Duran curve ball, he kicked the water cooler and broke his foot. He had a terrific at-bat and fouled off a number of 104 mph fastballs.
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All I’ve read is that Polanco will have a “substantial rehab” which, to me, indicates most if not all of the 20 day maximum. That will take us close to or beyond the trade deadline. I really doubt the Twins will attempt to show-horn him into third base, especially when it might be for only 10 days until Lewis is back. The most likely move is to IL Buxton when Polanco is ready and have Julien DH five days a week. Injuries likely will take care of the “logjam”.
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I’ve been a Castro backer since he was signed. He deserves a roster spot for the remainder of the season and a spot on the 40-man beyond the season. He is well-suited to a utility role. By the time Gordon is ready to play this year, it will probably be September. I really don’t see much of a role for him this year and he’ll probably have to win a spot next season. There is no comparison in terms of speed, base running and defense between Nick and Willi. Castro is superior in all of those aspects. Willi also switch hits and plays acceptable defense at more positions. Unless Nick Gordon can hit enough to become a platoon left fielder, there is no role for him on the Twins while they have Willi Castro.
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Carlson is a switch hitter with better splits vs. LH pitching. He’s under team control for three more years. He’s center field capable and was a first round draft choice. He won’t come cheap, but would be an excellent get for this year and beyond.
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Julien has been removed after batting in the 7th or 8th several times, when the Twins were ahead.
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- kenta maeda
- edouard julien
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Cooperstown is calling.
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Three straight starts for Willi in center IIRC. The resurgent Kep and C-4 get days off. Infield defense? Let’s hope Pablo gets lots of strikeouts and routine fly balls.
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I don’t see the 40-man as a big issue. With De León and Alcalá done and likely done that clears two spots. Gordon and Paddack would be added to the 40-man no sooner than September and neither is a guarantee. There is a pretty high likelihood that by September there will be other injuries that knock a player off the 40-man and if everybody stays healthy there are several DFA candidates from the bullpen. The roster crunch, such as it is, really is the active roster and particularly bat-first left handed hitters. Edit to add: most of my thoughts ninja’d by jmlease1.
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The 40-man is not really full. De León hasn’t been placed on the 60-day IL and could at any time. Also, despite what has been reported, Alcalá is still listed on the 15-day IL and could also be transferred. Recovery from a broken shin (Gordon’s injury) is supposed to be about three months, which would put Gordon out until mid-August and it would figure that he will need a rehab assignment.
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I thought they’d put Solano at first and move AK to LF.
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Tough night for AK.
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Chances of Gallo getting an RBI single—less than 5%?
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If you want rarity in yesterday’s puzzle, how about Jim Bouton for Milwaukee & the Yankees?
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Didn't Jaylin Davis get traded for Dyson, as well? He had a minute or two in the majors IIRC.
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These late games are a bit of a shock to the system. It does allow me to wait a few minutes and do the Immaculate Grid. Is anyone else playing this game?
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In the part of the world where I was brought up, many people used such terms.
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If the Twins run the table, they would win by at least 7 games, because Cleveland would lose the six head-to-head games.
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Yes, Statcast has him tied with Kepler, Kirilloff and Nick Gordon. Still, he should be able to get double-digit steals in a full season, especially since he's already a pretty good base runner.
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- edouard julien
- alex kirilloff
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Byron Buxton's Clock Is Ticking
stringer bell replied to Cody Pirkl's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
I’ve seen reports that Polanco will have a significant rehab. The team website pegs his return around August 1st, so this weekend is not decision time. If everything stays as it is now, placing Buxton on the IL would make perfect sense, but a lot can change. I don’t think Wallner is clearly superior to either Kepler or Gallo it’s hard to get PAs for all of them.- 52 replies
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- byron buxton
- jorge polanco
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If one healthy player needs to be demoted or DFAed, I would agree it should be Gallo. He's on a one-year deal and his positive contribution is so sporadic. Also, he's Exhibit A of "so many strikeouts".
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Gleeman & The Geek had similar thoughts. The offense is bad (at least until recently), but finding players who are a clear upgrade isn't easy and casting aside someone like Gallo or Kepler doesn't really change the overall problem. I do think adding a RH hitting OF who would reduce playing time for Taylor/Gallo/Kepler makes sense. When Aaron Hicks was released, I wondered if the Twins would consider him. I think in retrospect he would have been a good fit, but again that would necessitate an "okay" player being released or demoted.
