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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    While there is no question that having more starting pitching is a good thing, I think the real question is where to draw the line and convert guys to bullpen roles. It appears that Sands is already on this track and I honestly think it may be the right role (health permitting) for Henriquez and Winder. If Baldelli is committed to having a guy capable of going over 50 pitches in a bullpen role, having the trio of (healthy) Sands, Winder and Henriquez would provide the necessary length and flexibility to help the team in 2023.
  2. stringer bell
    It worked out and the trend is for managers to pinch hit in the middle innings to break open a game. I don't like using up half of the bench with a small lead, especially when not improving the defense. It could be argued that Farmer/Solano is as good or better than Gordon/Gallo, but having Farmer and Solano face a tough righty in the 8th or 9th in a tie game is the scenario I fear. As far as Lopez' usage, it sure appears to be a midline for Opening Day starters. While Pablo may or may not be the best pitcher for the Twins, he currently doesn't rate among the elite of Opening Day starters, who might be allowed an extra inning or dozen pitches.
  3. stringer bell
    Well, they have a day off on Friday, so all of the guys in the bullpen will be rested and ready to go on Saturday. I don't know if that figured into the pitching decisions.
  4. stringer bell
    Right now, the three highest-level relievers are J. Lopez, Duran and Thielbar. Jax could be included, but hasn't really been used in many (if any) ninth inning save situations. I think the Twins might have six guys with highest leverage stuff--those already mentioned plus Moran and Alcala. Maybe it's PTSD from last year, but I can't fathom Pagan being near a close game in the ninth inning.
  5. stringer bell
    Let's not extrapolate today's game X 162. Somehow, they went 4-11 with runners in scoring position and only scored two runs. There weren't a whole bunch of bad at-bats, but some hard-hit balls went for outs and the hits didn't drive in runs. I'm not going to panic just yet. Pablo Lopez looked great, but had too many free passes. The Royals lineup isn't really scary, and it appeared he wasn't going to give in to the two guys (Perez and Witt) that were likely to beat him. I would like to see our starters average six innings per start and 5.1 is less, but Rocco didn't stretch his starters as far as other teams have done. I would expect the first trip through the rotation won't see anyone go much more than 80 pitches, maybe they'll be closer to 100 in the next turn. The defense turned every probable out into an out. The bases were run properly, Tommy Watkins took a chance sending Trevor Larnach in the sixth inning and an off-line throw made it certain he was safe. All in all, very encouraging. The Twins are better than the Royals, but the Royals will probably win at least three games against them this year. This is one they shouldn't have won and they didn't. I liked a 2:30 game and hope that continues.
  6. stringer bell
    Because I'm feeling witty this AM, I'll post this: Our favorite online employment service, (ex-Twin) Ehire Adrianza has made the Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster. Congrats to him! He's carved out quite a career.
  7. stringer bell
    Specific to the bullpen, the threesome of Jax, Alcala and Moran can transform the bullpen from so-so to first rate if all three are able to take a step forward. Six guys capable of shutting down good lineups with the lead would be awesome. Gardy's 2006 BP was the deepest I can remember and this group could be better.
  8. stringer bell
    I think the title of this thread should have been edited. It should read "Are Longer Starts Coming for the Twins?". Without question, I think the Twins starters will work more innings in 2023, mostly because they all have a full spring training this year and there will be fewer short starts due to ineffectiveness. i do find it interesting how far Twins pitchers were allowed to stretch out in Florida. I don't think anyone threw as many as 80 pitches in an outing, so I would think the five starters would max out at 6 innings and about 80 pitches if they are effective. Opponents' starters were working deeper into the game during the last week and I would expect these guys could get close to 100 pitches in their next game, so pretty close to maximum as early as April
  9. stringer bell
    As soon as Farmer and Solano were acquired, it was assumed that they would be on the Opening Day roster. Castro, not so much, but in looking at his profile, he is someone who can do a little of a lot of things with more versatility than anyone on the projected Opening Day roster. Willi was my pick for "most impactful NRI" and I think he well might be.
  10. stringer bell
    I've been pondering the '23 season and feel like injuries could derail the Twins season much as it has for the last two years. There are a number of younger players who haven't approached their ceilings and if a fair number of those players do improve dramatically, the Twins will be a very good ballclub. Kirilloff, Larnach, Jeffers and (to some extent) Miranda haven't locked down regular status despite pretty good to excellent pedigrees. If two or three of those guys establish themselves, their lineup is deep and would be productive. For the pitching staff, Alcala, Moran and (to some extent) Jax are in a similar situation for the bullpen. Adding two or three productive arms to Duran, Lopez and Thielbar suddenly makes the bullpen pretty deep and d talented. Add a high floor relatively low ceiling veteran starting staff and the team looks really solid. The top lineups and pitching staffs aren't waiting for guys to establish themselves to the degree that the Twins are waiting for their guys.
  11. stringer bell
    I think Winder and Henriquez are in the same pod as Sands. Hopefully, they will be healthy enough to replace Sands when/if he goes long or is ineffective. I don't share the optimism for Sands because his command is iffy. Too many pitches far enough out of the zone that won't be chased and also too many over the middle of the plate.
  12. stringer bell
    They had the same situation with Enlow two years ago and never placed him on the 60-day list. I'm not sure what the provisions are, but I'm willing to guarantee that Canterino won't be placed on the major league 60-day list. Edit to add: mlbtraderumors.com is reporting that Castro has been selected (not quite, he's been listed as on the 26-man roster which implies he's been selected). His name has been added to the 40-man roster on the Twins' official site (as an outfielder).
  13. stringer bell
    Not if they add Castro. Castro takes the last spot on the 40-man and then they would have to clear a spot for a non-roster pitcher.
  14. stringer bell
    Love the optimism! I will believe that Kirilloff will contribute when he’s activated off the IL.
  15. stringer bell
    The roster still isn't official as far as I know. Castro hasn't been added to the 40-man and all the players who will go on the IL (non-60 day) are still listed on the roster as active. I won't be shocked if the Twins claim someone and keep Castro in the minors.
  16. stringer bell
    It was a tribute to @USAFChief
  17. stringer bell
    I'd bet a bit of money that someone will go on the IL before both Kirilloff and Polanco are back. I agree Castro would be the easy choice, particularly because he can be optioned. Performance would matter. If Larnach struggles out of the gate, he could be demoted. If Solano get little playing time and looks bad, they might DFA him, but as I said, I would bet on someone going on IL.
  18. stringer bell
    I don't think anything other than activation from the IL will tell me that Kirilloff is going to help this club. Yes, he's "progressing" and all, but until the Twins think he's ready to play in Minneapolis, I'll doubt his recovery.
  19. stringer bell
    Three different players. 1) I think Larnach should have and will have an opportunity to play himself into a regular role with the Twins. He' s youngish, has big power and a decent defensive OF. Displacing someone (Taylor, Kirilloff, Gallo) could happen if Trevor emerges. 2) Castro is young for a three-plus year vet and has an option remaining. I don't think he's in a fair fight for a regular job, but he might be a valuable piece as the year progresses. 3) Solano isn't in the team's long-term plans, but I'm sure he will get some ABs to see if he's still "Donny Barrels"
  20. stringer bell
    He essentially was traded for Urshela. More flexibility and a special skill, hitting left handed pitching. He will get starts in a lot of places. He'll probably get starts at three positions. Let's hope that it isn't filling in for injured players.
  21. stringer bell
    Actually, it was a two-run single in his first inning and if a play had been made in the infield, he would have already gotten through that inning. The velocity is there for Maeda, it is the command that has been shaky and he just needs to get the rust off IMHO. He has thrown in excess of 70 pitches in both of his last outings, so he is as stretched out as any of the starters. I don't agree with you on this one. This is spring training and yes, Bailey Ober has been impressive, but Maeda and Mahle are established pitchers who are getting ready. Frankly, I'm more concerned about Mahle than Maeda, at least in proportion to their expectations. This isn't going to be JA Happ and Shoemaker or Archer and Bundy.
  22. stringer bell
    I'd rank all three impressive performances (1) Larnach (2) Miranda and (3) Ober. 1. Larnach plays "bat first" positions and is 26 years old. I think this year is perhaps his last chance to establish himself as a regular. I believe he can be a very good all-around corner outfielder, but the clock is ticking. 2. Miranda, similar to Larnach, needs to hit well above average playing at bat-first positions (first and third) and not being a particularly adept defender. For most of last season and this spring he has looked the part of a middle-of-the-order masher. 3. Ober has stepped up his velocity which moves his ceiling up, almost commensurate with his height. It is important for him to remain healthy and provide the Twins with innings when he is called on. His performance this year will play a big part in his role with the Twins in 2024 and beyond.
  23. stringer bell
    That's what I would have done (Coulombe for Pagan). I only hope it isn't purely a money thing. The FO and Rocco seemed determined to have a guy who can go multiple innings, so it was a competition based only on that ability. Add in that Coulombe would have to be added at the expense of a DFA (or 60-day IL assignment for someone) and that he couldn't be optioned and the Twins chose the "more flexibility" route. One thought that occurred to me is that maybe this indicates that either or both of Winder and Henriquez is closer to being ready to perform than I've thought. First of all, neither was placed on the 60-day IL, secondly one of those two will be a candidate to switch places with Sands if the 40-man roster remains full.
  24. stringer bell
    Danny Coulombe is a 33-year old relief pitcher, who hasn't gotten a major league contract since before the pandemic. He has been effective in low-leverage situations. If the Twins were to select his contract, they would have needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. I thought the Twins could clear a space for him by putting someone on the 60-day IL, but the Twins haven't done that so far. Coulombe couldn't be sent down if his contract was selected. Sands has value because he's on the 40-man roster and has an option remaining. Any modern bullpen needs pieces that can be moved back and forth to Triple A. He also is one of the few bullpen pieces who can go longer than 30-40 pitches. I know there is value in that, but personally I just don't think he can be effective enough to stick around. Apparently the Twins value the flexibility that Sands provides. As for Coulombe, it seems his minor league contract includes the newest thing, not an opt-out as such, but a chance to find "greener pastures" if someone is willing to sign him on another teams 40-man roster, they either get promoted or move on to the new team. It wouldn't surprise me that many of the other veteran minor league contracts have similar provisions.
  25. stringer bell
    Sandy León released today by the Rangers.
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