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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    Not sure if commenting on a blog entry bumps it, but I do want to again say that Martin's skill set is a fit for the Twins needs, as supported by his performance in the AFL. He's hit, stolen bases and played multiple positions, including center field. I hope he gets plenty of run in Spring Training and puts himself in the conversation for promotion to the majors early in 2023.
  2. stringer bell
    Not sure I agree. If their OBP is "pretty similar" as you state, Julien certainly profiles as a superior power threat and thus would project to have a much higher OPS. Personally, I'm not sure if Julien can sustain such high walk rates and maintain his elite OBP, but if he does, he's going to be a good offensive MLB player.
  3. stringer bell
    There is a lot more talent available for ‘23 than there was for ‘22. I think that one more proven arm needs to be added and it would be good if he was a lefty (Cleveland continues to show more vulnerability to lefties than righties). In addition, the Twins would be well-served to have a guy or two who can go multiple innings.
  4. stringer bell
    I'll answer for Game &-91--part of the trade package for Pablo Lopez.
  5. stringer bell
    I think Gordon is a better outfielder than infielder. I don’t think he’s great in center field, but he’s fine in left. I think Larnach and Kirilloff (if healthy) are major league hitters and capable fielders and Kirilloff would be a better first baseman than Arraez. K & L just need to prove it on the field and they haven’t to this point.
  6. stringer bell
    I guess that if Arraez had played more games at first, I would have felt like he should have won the Gold Glove, but he only played 65 games at first.
  7. stringer bell
    The Twins allowed only 48 unearned runs, fifth in MLB. While the Twins were 19th in earned runs allowed, they were 14th in overall runs allowed. The average number of runs allowed is 694, the Twins allowed 684. Presuming official scoring is consistent, the Twins defense saved runs over an average defense.
  8. stringer bell
    Polanco was good last year and if he’s healthy, he will be fine at second. The Twins allowed fewer unearned than most. Team ERA was higher than the mean, but runs allowed was below the mean. The team they put out on Opening Day was pretty good defensively. Replacements not so much.
  9. stringer bell
    Coaching is part of the base running problem, but personnel is even more of a problem. Whatever position players the Twins add should be good base runners and expert base stealers. In addition base running needs to be emphasized more than in the past. On the defensive side, both the pitchers and catchers will need to work to limit steals. I think the preponderance of right handed pitchers makes a difference in stolen bases allowed, so unless there is more turnover in the pitching staff, the Twins will be at a disadvantage allowing SBs.
  10. stringer bell
    I don’t think it is at all fair to compare Jeffers and Kepler as hitters. Jeffers has a grand total of 591 plate appearances spread out over parts of three seasons. On Opening Day he will be 25 years old. Defensively, I think it’s a mixed bag. The raw numbers of throwing are substandard, and he had quite a few passed balls and allowed plenty of wild pitches. I don’t know where I can find “Catcher ERA”, but I would venture a guess that Jeffers was better (by a lot) than Sánchez and that the won-loss record when Jeffers started at catcher was better than for Sánchez. To me, that would be a function of his ability to call a game.
  11. stringer bell
    Ideally a time-sharing plan should be in place. Whichever catcher is going better should get more time. It also would be good to have a left handed hitter to share time with Jeffers. I think Narvaez, Barnhart or Vasquez would be excellent compliments to Jeffers. Castro has been injured a lot since leaving Minnesota and he will play most of next season at 36 years old.
  12. stringer bell
    Do remember that a catcher has won a batting title since Mauer—Buster Posey won the NL batting championship in 2012.
  13. stringer bell
    I’m mostly a Jeffers believer. He obviously has some flaws (low BA, throwing), but he seems to be a really good receiver and has potential at the plate. I think the wise and prudent thing to do is to sign a complementary catcher—someone who has platoon advantages against RH pitching with a good rep for throwing out base stealers. In my mind that player is Narváez. Both catchers will see plenty of time, even a clear #1 catcher would be behind the plate no more than 2/3 of the time. I don’t know if anyone in the Twins’ system is ready to be a third catcher ready to shuttle back and forth from St. Paul to Minneapolis, but that role also needs to be filled.
  14. stringer bell
    Two thoughts in response to this post. 1) The best athletes/defenders for the Twins were pretty good on defense. That would include Kepler, who most people are ready to jettison and would also include retaining Correa. Despite metrics that put the Twins slightly below average in pitching, they were slightly below the mean in allowing runs. 2) Falvey can and maybe should get lots of criticism, but he has been willing to take risks. The trades for Kiner-Falefa, Paddack and Gio and Sanchez were bold and contained risk.
  15. stringer bell
    I agree that having a pitcher better than Sonny Gray is a reasonable goal and would be a large step toward better outcomes in future seasons. There are not a lot of top guys available this off season. I think Rodon would be the best fit of the lot and it helps that he isn't ancient (turns 30 in December) and throws left handed. Rodon's injury history probably needs to be considered, but he worked the most innings he has ever pitched this past season.
  16. stringer bell
    I agree with much of what you are saying. Further, it was an embarrassment to be in contention and have an outfield consisting of three of (green rookie) Wallner, Gordon, Celestino and Jake Cave. What I don't agree with is that the Twins will be without their top five outfielders as much as they were this year. I don't expect all five that were out for the stretch run in 2022 (Buxton, Kepler, Garlick, Larnach and Kirilloff) to stay healthy all year or be ready for a stretch run, but I would expect more than zero to be basically healthy for that duration. Saying that, I do expect better health for the outfield than 2022. Having an upgraded replacement for Garlick and having two or three capable outfielders in reserve (Gordon, Celestino, Wallner) should be enough depth to have something left at the end of the season. It just hasn't happened the last two or three years.
  17. stringer bell
    Referring to the OP, yes the Twins could win with Iglesias, if he’s the eighth or ninth best regular, hitting somewhere between seventh and ninth in the order. The Twins need to improve offensively and in the pitching department. If they do and have average health, they will be pretty good. I agree that the team needs better production from the outfield, but a return to health isn’t out of the question.
  18. stringer bell
    Until the free agent shortstop's $$$$ are added!
  19. stringer bell
    Hamilton hasn't been trusted to hit in some time. Yes, he supplies elite base running and really good defense, but he really isn't a big league hitter any more, if he ever was. He was an ideal guy to add as a 28th player and come in to run for one of the Twins several slow runners. They really didn't get many chances to use Hamilton when he could change the game. Hamilton is a free agent. I doubt that he will get a major league contract.
  20. stringer bell
    Nice job Norm!!
  21. stringer bell
    I certainly think that signing Andrus should be explored if the Twins fail to retain Correa. BBRef listed Andrus with Iglesias in the tier below the "Big Four" among free agent shortstops. It is true that this year was the first in some time where Andrus has posted positive hitting statistics. If I were to project, I would expect league average offense and league average shortstop defense. In looking at 2023 blueprints for Twins Daily, there seems to be quite a difference of opinion on what salary Andrus might command. Since his offense has been substandard for several years with the exception of last year, I would think his salary would not be close to what he received on his now-completed contract. I would think all that he could get would be $5-8M, but that isn't based on any real figures. If someone has a more exact projection of his salary I'd like to hear it.
  22. stringer bell
    The money is there to sign someone to a nine-digit (>$100M) contract. The three biggest areas of need are 1) catcher 2) shortstop and 3) starting pitcher. At this time, the Twins can pencil in five capable starting pitchers and a starting catcher. They don't have a shortstop that projects to hit near league average or field at a major league level. I think the Twins should sign a bridge shortstop and count on one of their prospects (Lewis, Lee or Martin) to step in. I'd prefer that the Twins sign a complementary catcher to Jeffers and spend the big money on a starting pitcher (Rodon). One way or another, the Twins have a lot to spend. If they could retain Correa or sign Willson Contreras, I think that would be fine, but I see a real need to upgrade the top of their rotation.
  23. stringer bell
    Gio had a nice year last year, no question. He has modest power, doesn't walk much and is another slow guy who grounds into a ton of double plays. From my eye test, he was a solid fielder at third, probably limited range, but the position is mostly "step and dive" and will be more so with shifts being outlawed next year. It would be great to have a Gio Urshela in the lineup and hitting seventh in 120-140 games next year. He provides value for the Twins, is there another team that believes they will contend who would take Gio on at $9M as an upgrade? That is a $9M dollar question. I do say keep him unless you get fair value for him, but don't think about extending him.
  24. stringer bell
    He hasn't been good for several years. My guess is that he is a non-tender when arbitration salaries must be submitted. Pagan's body of work reminds me of Hansel Robles. Good fastball, but not enough of a secondary pitch combined with questionable command.
  25. stringer bell
    I’ve liked Andrus over Iglesias—more pop, more speed and probably better defense. I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but what will he demand in pay? Last year was his first good offensive season since 2017 and he will be 34 for most of next season.
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