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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    I am on the SWR train. At 22, he may have a bit of physical development left and his pitch mix is already good enough so that he should be in the majors for good sometime this year or for sure next year. I don't see him as a bullpen guy because he has more than two pitches. Finally, it is a crazy world where a low-to-mid 90s fastball is now considered "below average". I hope SWR can stay healthy and make the next step this year.
  2. stringer bell
    Miranda has primarily been a third baseman in his minor league career. From what I've read, he's never profiled as better than satisfactory there. He did enough last year to be considered a success and be penciled in as a full-time regular. I don't disagree with that. However, before the season is over he could be a man without a position and a logical trade chip. Martin, Lee and Lewis, who are still considered prospects, but any of them could fill his position at third base, so there are a lot of possibilities for making Miranda's regular status at third a one-year or less experiment. If Jose is supplanted at third, he is then in competition with the likes of Kirilloff, Larnach and Gordon for DH at bats and specifically Kirilloff for time at first base. Kirilloff is the better defender and has the better hitting pedigree (limited MLB success) and hits lefty so he may have the edge on Miranda (if he's healthy).
  3. stringer bell
    At some point the Twins will start winning more games against the Yankees than the odds say they should. I would like to see it in my lifetime. I would like to see it this year TBH. The projection ends up being about .500 and it wouldn't surprise me if that is what it ends up. I think the Twin win four games (or more) versus New York and Houston, but isn't as dominating against the bad teams.
  4. stringer bell
    Compared to other teams that really believe they will compete, the Twins have a far greater level of unprovenness (if that's a word). Gordon had a good stretch last year, but as noted above, he benefited from a high BABiP and shows concerning platoon splits. Kirilloff and Larnach have both had their trials shortened and damaged by lingering injuries. Wallner certainly could benefit from more AAA time. All four of those guys could succeed and make Kepler redundant, but chances are not all of them will succeed. I think it is prudent to have a vet LH hitting corner, two might be overkill. Injuries will probably provide all of these guys with opportunities to prove themselves. Currently, it doesn't look like we'll see the likes of a Contreras, Cave, Celestino outfield, and that is a good thing.
  5. stringer bell
    In looking at their spray charts, Kepler had more opposite field singles than Buxton and also more ground ball to the oppo side than Buck. Neither of them had a bunt single. On the other hand, it looks like Kepler must have grounded out about 100 times to the right side with about a half dozen grounders that slipped through the infield.
  6. stringer bell
    Agree. Correa is still only 28 years old. Most likely just halfway through his time as a shortstop. The honors and awards are pretty limited--no MVP, only two AS nods--with only the one GG (also platinum that year) as an individual award. He's shown very good value, being very good in all facets of the game.
  7. stringer bell
    Remember that there are fewer games within the division and something like 100 inter-division. Pretty reliably, the Twins will face between 25 and 35 percent left handed starters.
  8. stringer bell

    Helman

    stringer bell commented on Paul Walerius's blog entry in Paul Walerius

    I think Willi Castro has a better skill set and major league experience. He would slot in front of Helman, I think and I believe they are the same age. As far as stealing bases, hit and running etc., I hope their personnel is more suited to that game this year. Last year, it really wasn't. Whether they are suited to a running or base stealing unit, I hope there is improvement in base running since it was dreadful last year.
  9. stringer bell
    Average health (as measured by man/games lost) would have made the Twins a contender last year and would put them there this year IMHO. I would say the Twins have gambled on questionable health quite a bit during the Falvey era and the results have been less than optimum.
  10. stringer bell
    Yep, outwardly the Twins have addressed depth by having Farmer and Gordon in the infield and Gordon, Larnach, Celestino (at least) in the outfield. For first base they have Kirilloff and then guys slated to play elsewhere. I guess they are really believing Alex' wrist problems will be behind him. I hope so, I really think Kirilloff can be a lineup fixture and potential All-Star if he is fully healthy and I do believe this year is a make-or-break for the former first round pick.
  11. stringer bell
    FWIW, Gallo is a clearly superior defender. Offensively, I think you're right, but Miguel seems to have worn out his welcome in Minny. BTW, I don't think it's totally fair. Sano has holes in his swing that seem to have been recognized and exacerbated by the high-velo new normal that has taken over MLB. It isn't because he doesn't work hard or he's too fat IMHO.
  12. stringer bell
    Here is the quote, taken from fangraphs:
  13. stringer bell
    I don't know if the Twins have been more or less transparent than other organizations. The fanbase is due for success, in particular in the postseason, and so there is less patience for the lack of transparency here. Last season's Buxton "management" was puzzling to me. It seemed a long shot to keep their brightest star on the field and in a limited capacity.
  14. stringer bell
    If they can hit! Both Kepler and Gallo have had seasons in the past where they should be in the lineup almost every day, even against lefties. Still, they are overloaded with Gordon, Larnach, Kepler and Gallo all corner OF and DH candidates or adding Kirilloff, six guys for four spots in the order.
  15. stringer bell
    I agree and adding a left handed corner outfielder like Gallo is questionable at best. I just don't think they considered making Gio a platoon first baseman. Making Miranda the primary third baseman seems to always have been their plan and he certainly could hit enough to make us forget Gio in that role. I've said in other threads that I view Kirilloff's as probably the most significant recovery from injury. The club's actions really seem to underscore their belief in his recovery and eventual positive contribution.
  16. stringer bell
    I think you have the lineup versus right handed pitching pretty close to right. Versus lefties, the I think first of all Farmer and Miranda would be flip-flopped. Secondly, the primary DH most likely would be Buxton, with Taylor in center. Two of Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, Gallo and Kepler would be in the starting lineup unless Buxton is in center, Taylor in left and a catcher is the DH.
  17. stringer bell
    I think every team has a number of players that are in the unproven range due to injuries, but I think the Twins have more than most. To expect to "hit" on all is overly optimistic, but to expect someone to break through seems realistic. I think the biggest question mark is Kirilloff and 2023 might be a make-or-break year for him.
  18. stringer bell
    I saw he was signed. Must be behind Coulombe and Moran.
  19. stringer bell
    There are a lot of bullpens that could benefit from one of the remaining free agents featured here. Why aren't they signed? It appears almost every 40-man roster is filled and no one seems to want to expose more players to be claimed. Perhaps the price tags are higher than the teams are willing to disburse mid-inning and setup people. I personally like the idea of adding another lefty to the mix, but it doesn't appear the Twins or anyone else is that interested at the rate currently demanded by the free agents.
  20. stringer bell
    Locke St. John signed to a minor league contract. St. John is a 30-year old left handed relief pitcher who has had a cup of coffee in the majors. He provides more southpaw options along with Coulombe and Moran. The Twins also signed Aaron Sanchez to a minor league deal so they are adding pitching depth. A lot of ex-Twins have signed minor league contracts. Waiting for Rosterman to update us.
  21. stringer bell
    I'm still questioning the Gallo signing, but I don't think it's just comparing Gallo to Urshela. Gio had a nice year last year, but he remains a slow right handed hitter with marginal power, who was going to get (I'll call it) star (not superstar) money. The moves the Twins have made and not made indicate confidence in Alex Kirilloff, perhaps indirectly related to retaining Gio. I think the left side of the infield had a lot more to do with cashiering Urshlela, with the uncertainty to start 2023 at shortstop and right handed hitting Royce Lewis and switch hitter Brooks Lee on the horizon.
  22. stringer bell
    There is a lot of room and a lot of players between "all" (three All-Star level performances) and failure (an outfield of Contreras, Cave and a not-ready Wallner). About nine outfielders are in contention for three positions and DH. If every single one of them don't reach expectations, this truly will be a lost season. I expect, with this many candidates, that the Twins will have some not perform to expectations, but a few who do. Because of the injuries suffered in the past two years, the Twins aren't going all in on three of their home-grown number one draft choices--Buxton, Kirilloff and Larnach--and this makes sense given the time this trio has missed since the COVID year.
  23. stringer bell
    I’m not sure, but I’m guessing he stays on the major league roster.
  24. stringer bell
    Regarding Canterino, they had a near identical situation with Enlow two years ago. The team didn’t use the major league 60-day for Enlow, so I doubt they would for Canterino. There will be a 60-day assignment for Paddack and I believe also for Lewis. The Twins might be offering minor league contracts to guys who really aren’t minor leaguers. A pitcher receiving such an offer would probably wait and see if he got a major league contract offer before accepting.
  25. stringer bell
    I like BBRef for a quick bio or split stats.
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