stringer bell

Run scoring really is the ultimate measure of the team's offense and the Twins haven't been that bad. All of the strikeouts and weak contact are not very entertaining and the Twins' inconsistency doesn't give many of us confidence that they will improve in the remaining 60% of the season. In this era, it is really tough to put together three or more hits in an inning and put up a crooked number. It is also difficult to produce runs with productive outs. We've seen Twins pitchers work out of those situations frequently. The Twins are extreme in strikeouts, on a record breaking pace. They are among the top teams at drawing walks and in the upper quadrant of homers, so they are probably the most "three true outcomes" team in MLB. I think it is sometimes boring and a roller coaster, but that is most of what the roster is. The disappointing performance of Buxton and particularly Correa shortens the lineup. Their return to their norms plus the addition of Polanco, Krilloff and Lewis could make for a more productive and diversified lineup. The Twins seem to specialize in having key parts injured or unavailable, but if they could put together a lineup featuring their best hitters (not Max Kepler), they could and should score more runs more often.

Max Kepler has been a topic of discussion for much of this season. After two subpar years, many on this board were ready to cut bait for the second-longest tenured Twin before the season started. His performance since the start of the season has only increased the scrutiny on him, his spot on the roster and in the batting order. Kepler started the seaon in the deep freeze and after he got his first two hits of the season, he went on the IL. Coming back from the Injured List, he started to hit acceptably but had another trip to the IL and this time he has struggled mightily. Max's overall numbers in 140 PAs include a .640 OPS and 77 OPS+. For a right fielder, those numbers are unacceptable. He has accumulated only .1 WAR, because of his still very good defense. It is up to the Twins' front office to decide if they want to part company with Kepler. At this point, betting on better performance from either Trevor Larnach or Matt Wallner should be a worthy gamble, and really not much of a risk. Max's batting average has decreased every year since 2019 (26 y.o. year) as has his OPS and OPS+. There just doesn't look to be any upside. The options for parting company include a DFA and a trade. Looking at a trade, which might give some value for a player who once was valuable, one needs to look at who might be interested and what those interested would be willing to give in return. There are other teams that haven't had great production from their corner outfielders, including some that figure to contend. I would assume most of those teams are not looking for a veteran, but will try players from their own system and what they are willing to give for Kepler would be minimal unless the Twins take on Max's salary ($8.5M), I can't imagine any non-contender would be interested. A DFA would mean the approximately $5M owed Kepler (+ $1M buyout) would be lost. I doubt the Twins want to do that right now, particularly given the injury history of many players who would figure to replace Kepler. In my opinion, the thing to do as this time is to recall a replacement for Kepler and carry him as a backup outfielder. This plan isn't as simple as all that. Kepler won't be happy with a demotion and there currently isn't room on the active roster for him. Max is the second most senior player on the team and is a well-regarded professional. What to do with Max Kepler?

I really like AK as the long-term answer at first base. I think he will hit enough to be a middle-of-the-order fixture and he will be a fine defensive first baseman, maybe the best lefthanded first baseman the Twins have ever had. Lee is a great prospect, but he looks to be at least a year away and who knows what will happen to Correa and Lewis in that year. If Lewis' and Correa's defense are too good to move them and Lee forces his way to the majors, the easiest adjustment would be to move Lee to second or maybe to an outfield corner.

I dunno. To me, keeping Lewis in the infield this year is probably a done deal. If he adjusts to third as it appears he has, maybe it is best to keep him there. It will probably be a decision to be made after the team is done playing this season, hopefully in November. It isn't a guarantee that he will be a good or great outfielder and current need shouldn't figure in to what is best for the club long-term. If Lewis plays close to 100 games at third this season, it will make him much more likely to stay there long term IMHO. I'm not 100% convinced that his arm is best-suited for third. There seems to be a wind up before he throws, but that would be the case at short, too.

I’m glad Lewis is okay. Happy Birthday Royce!! 24 years old today.

Buxton and Correa both missed the last three games of the Cleveland series, leaving the Twins with a woefully short bench. It is hoped that both will be ready to go for the Tampa Bay series. It makes sense to me for Buxton to remain on the active list because healing from bruised ribs should be pretty much a straight line--each day should be better and recurrence would only happen if someone or something hit his ribs. Correa, on the other hand, might be subject to a recurrence at any time. It seems to me that perhaps he should go on the IL and get his foot as right as it can be or he and the team may be dealing with this injury for months.

Long term encouraging stats--The Twins have allowed 29 stolen bases with 15 caught stealing. They have been successful on 28 stolen bases and only caught six times. They are actually winning that portion of the running game. The biggest bugaboo is strikeouts. In 60 games, they struck out 613 times.

It’s too bad that the Twins only got a split when they were able to keep Ramírez in check. Of course the Twins marquee players did …….zero. Add a decent middle of the order to the pitching staff and role players and this is a good team. Correa, Buxton, Kirilloff and Lewis could and should be a good middle of the order. How much longer should Max Kepler be considered the starting right fielder?

I think they will use all 30 days of Maeda’s rehab, particularly since there are no easy bullpen or rotation moves to be made. I think Maeda has to prove that his current stuff can get hitters out.

I’m probably just too Twins centric, but it seems to me no team plays a whole series with a one-man bench and the players on the bench are the stars.

Dan Hayes reports that Kirilloff is ill. Exhale.

I’m saying “uh-oh” when Kirilloff sits and Garlick and Solano play.

This sets up tomorrow's game as important. A win gives the Twins three of four and increases their hold on first place while exorcising some demons. Another close loss and some might start thinking "here we go again". I don't know how many pitches McKenzie will be allowed to throw, but it would be wise to get him out of there early. I also don't know how many people will be available off the bench. López (Jorge) needs to get right. It is situations like these where it's too bad they can't send him to the minors to get his confidence back.

Nuts!

Barrels!!!

The turn was by Farmer.

What promoting Garlick probably means is that Buxton is expected back sooner rather than later. That would be the logical place for Wallner to get at-bats.

Holy cow!! What a play.

Emergency hack, 14-hopper and jam shot yield a run.

OK, so maybe this is is "occasional rest" day.

I don't dispute that many players might be considered below average, but the four-man bench has two guys out as walking wounded. Kirilloff and Kepler are healthy, and I wouldn't put Kepler in vs. the LH pitcher.

Sonny Gray, chasing the clouds away!

Yeah, I'm disappointed Kirlloff isn't in the lineup, but he's about the only lefty I want to see in there every day.

I don't think they've gotten great production from their catchers, but there are probably 20 other teams that aren't satisfied with what they're getting. Of all catchers, Jeffers ranks ninth in WAR and Vázquez is 32nd.

Nine RH hitting players, no Buxton or Correa and yes Garlick is in the park and Jeffers is in the lineup as the DH.