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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    It’s a trend that seems to be expanding. A few years ago MLB dictated that a number of starters had to be playing in road games and teams defied the edict. I don’t know if the rule is in effect at this point, but in reality, the visiting teams will do what they want.
  2. stringer bell
    Does it matter that the Twins have a shortstop signed for six years and both of these guys are nominally shortstops? Neither will likely be playing another position until midseason at best. Is Lee projected to be an elite hitter as a third baseman? Second baseman? How about Lewis? Will he end up a corner outfielder, center fielder, third baseman or second baseman? Too many questions for guys who won't have a full year of active time on the major league roster. A year from now might be a better time to make these speculative deals.
  3. stringer bell
    I think he'll be with the club at some point in 2023. Defensively, he is a better version of Gordon, but as a hitter, his upside is limited.
  4. stringer bell
    I suppose there is a fair chance that Kirilloff will never be able to live up to his potential. I think the Twins, by their non-pursuit of big-time options, seem to be indicating that he will be back and able to perform. I guess no one really knows how this situation will pan out. I'm pulling for AK and I hope he makes it in what is probably a make-or-break year. The veteran players the Twins picked up will all be much better if not pushed into full-time duty. I'm not sure if we should be judging them on Spring Training stats, but none are here to hit in the middle of the lineup and play every day. I agree that Larnach should get a good shot to establish himself. Matt Wallner reminds me too much of Michael Restovich, another Minnesotan, who couldn't make the move from AAA to the majors. Julien will probably get his shot sometime in the first half of the season and he does look like he can be a really good offensive player. Finally, with a little work, I think Miranda can be at least an average first baseman, It's probably his position to play long-term if he stays with the Twins.
  5. stringer bell
    These players are all within a year of being contributors for the Twins. I would agree with the projections that Lee, Correa and Lewis should be he principal three infielders outside of first base. Right now Kirilloff is the least sure bet to contribute, but it appears the Twins still believe in AK. I do think one of Kirilloff, Julien or Miranda will eventually be deemed expendable in light of their defense positions.
  6. stringer bell
    Hard limit on pitchers at 13.
  7. stringer bell
    To my knowledge, Ober was available throughout his rookie season. Due to his lack of innings in the preceding years and being a rookie, he wasn’t allowed to go deep in games that year. Last year, Ober’s injuries were confined to his lower body (if that matters) and he was fully healthy as the season ended. Maeda is older, with a more established résumé, and he so far appears to be injury free. It’s pretty tough to take a guy out of his preferred role because a younger guy looks better in Soring Training. With their new, fortified rotation, the Twins should be able to move to their sixth guy with little noticeable dropoff. That Ober might spend some time in the minors doesn’t enrage me. He’ll get plenty of big league work this season IMHO.
  8. stringer bell
    The CW of Kirilloff going on the IL seems to be right at this time. As far as the last guy in the bullpen, Megill is both on the 40-man and has an option, so he can move freely back and forth to St. Paul. Unless he makes the Opening Day roster, Dennis Santana's demotion will provide a 40-man spot for whoever the Twins choose as the last guy in the bullpen. So far, on performance, Danny Coulombe has a case, Ortega has thrown well and Dobnak, Dereck Rodriquez, Sands and de Leon have thrown well and worked multiple innings. Ideally, these "last guys" would be interchangeable, with their option used and they would be able to come and go from St. Paul. Among the candidates for this role, Sands, Megill and Ortega have options remaining.
  9. stringer bell
    Pagan can't be optioned without his consent. He would be DFAed and taken off the 40-man roster. I don't think Sands has performed the best of possible long relievers and opening a spot for a non-roster pitcher who has pitched better--Dobnak, de Leon, Dereck Rodriquez, and others--and there would be a spot for whoever has p;itched the best.
  10. stringer bell
    I think Ober gets optioned to start the season, but the first tight muscle or tweak for a starter sends that guy to the IL for a two start "break". After that, the next tight muscle or discomfort until someone is legitimately out for a while. I don't think Maeda will be sent to the bullpen early and the only way he ends up there is if he is the least effective starter and Ober is waiting for a spot.
  11. stringer bell
    There are a few guys on the 40-man who aren't sure things or maybe long shots to make the active roster, including Henriquez, Megill, Pagan, Santana and (who the heck is?) Alex Phillips. Pagan and Santana don't have options, so if they don't make the active roster, would create 40-man space. Henriquez and Josh Winder are possible candidates for 60-day IL, which could also create roster space. I do believe Coulombe will be on the active roster at some point and will provide decent results. Beyond that, having a third left hander, particularly when the club's starters all throw right handed, makes a lot of sense. There are downsides. If Coulombe is added, he must stay on the roster or be DFAed. He's well into his 30s and it is a not a sure thing that he will maintain what he's been able to do. Finally, he would profile as a one-inning guy in a bullpen full of them.
  12. stringer bell
    I don't want to go to every thread to defend Ryan Jeffers, but his weaknesses have been magnified to the point that I believe someone should try to balance the ledger. First of all, Jeffers is considerably younger than the AAA depth at St. Paul. He's 25, Sisco is 28 and Greiner and Wolters are over 30. Jeffers has as much offensive upside as anyone above Low A ball IMHO and the defense isn't all about throwing out runners, although I will acknowledge he is far below average. He handles a staff well and if memory serves, his CERA (catcher ERA) was considerably better than Sanchez last year (I couldn't find a CERA stat for catchers last year). Vazquez will not catch 80% of games for the Twins. Mitch Garver was on his way to a Silver Slugger and he only caught 80-some (injured about 25 games if memory serves). If Jeffers' bat comes around as it appeared it was when he was injured last year, it wouldn't surprise me to see him alternate fully with Vazquez. I'd agree that the Twins don't have any stud prospects who are old enough to drink a beer and they would be well advised to draft a good catcher early in this year's draft.
  13. stringer bell
    I think the talk about a 6-man rotation is overblown. How long did it last in 2022? Somebody likely will go down in the first month and Ober will be in the regular rotation (or it could be Ober). Anyway, if the Twins defy odds and keep their top six healthy for the first half, I can see a scenario where they squeeze 6 guys into five roster spots using the IL to rest starters (as the did for Archer for last year) and optioning Ober occasionally. I really can't see the Twins going with only seven in the 'pen (crazy I know). The competition for the last couple of spots in the bullpen looks to be pretty good.
  14. stringer bell
    No.
  15. stringer bell
    Extending pitchers in their mid-to-late 30s is risky. I’d be much more inclined to extend Mahle through his early 30s than with Gray or Maeda.
  16. stringer bell
    Twins pitchers need to do what they can to limit base stealing. I can't quantify this, but I would say well over half of the SB attempts are sealed by the time the pitcher releases the ball and the catcher has no chance to throw out the base runner. Stealing second on right handers has been and will continue to be easier and the Twins will most likely carry only two lefties out of thirteen, so the catchers are being asked to do a lot. The above doesn't absolve Jeffers of responsibility for his poor throwing. He needs to improve considerably on accuracy while releasing the ball more quickly than he did last year. I don't think it really correct to call what the Twins will do and have done platooning. It is job sharing and alternating. Jeffers will see more than his share of lefty pitching, I think, but he'll get a fair number of starts versus right handers.
  17. stringer bell
    https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/03/twins-notes-buxton-polanco-gordon-miranda-kirilloff-rotation.html Updates on many of the Twins' injured players. The only less than positive report is on Kirilloff. I'm not sure of the process for him. I don't know when he could be put on the IL and I'm pretty sure he can't play in games while on the IL. It would appear that he might need to stay in Florida for a while after the team heads north and might also need some rehab time in St. Paul (I'm speculating).
  18. stringer bell
    Those extra large bases will be just as important in taking extra bases. I'd hope the Twins concentrate on taking the bases they can take, whether it is by stolen bases or better base running.
  19. stringer bell
    There are a lot of infield prospects due to break through, along with Miranda and Correa. Is there room for Julien if Lee and Lewis establish themselves as players, with Salas not far behind? I'd prefer to have players that can help win games on offense and defense and having Miranda and Julien at two infield spots doesn't sound like a good defensive infield. That said, there aren't any guarantees. We can't be sure the prospects deliver and we can't be totally sure that Julien will continue to be an outstanding offensive player. First base and DH may be manned by either or both of Miranda and Julien in coming years.
  20. stringer bell
    A lefty with good stuff? Sounds like someone to watch as he progresses. I wish him the best.
  21. stringer bell
    I’ve been a Kirilloff fan for a while. Last year, when the team broke camp I said a healthy Kirilloff’s ceiling was Will Clark offense and Mark Grace defense and his floor was Will Clark defense and Mark Grace offense. I still believe that, but after three wrist surgeries, including the far more invasive procedure, the chances of him being 100% are far from a guarantee. The Twins really don’t have a viable long-term alternative if AK can’t come back at something approaching full strength. The team’s off-season where they didn’t pursue a first baseman seems to indicate that they believe Kirilloff will be able to come back and be productive.
  22. stringer bell
    I am doubtful that there is much upside for him. However, as Ash mentioned, plus center of the diamond fielders have value. He should be back by the end of May at the latest, so he'll have a chance to develop this year barring more injuries.
  23. stringer bell
    Regarding bat-first guys, Julien probably fits that description and maybe Miranda, as well. Lewis, Lee and Martin all would profile to be decent defenders higher on the spectrum than Julien and maybe Miranda.
  24. stringer bell
    I think he will be sent to Triple A and I think that is the right call, as well. If he does well, the Twins possibly could promote him before midseason. It will probably help Julien to face AAA pitching and also work on his defense.
  25. stringer bell
    It seems to me that the Twins chose to blame the injury woes on the training staff. I don't know if this is scapegoating or if last year's head trainer did a poor job. Baldelli seems to be a players' manager and there hasn't been scuttlebutt of discontent from the players. I do think that the teams that he has had since taking over fit with his plan to rest everybody in the course of the season. However, every single year Rocco's teams have staggered at the end. This is particularly true of the two playoff teams and 2022. They weren't healthy going into postseason and didn't really have a chance to advance. Apparently, resting didn't get the desired result of having the players stay healthy through the season. Bad luck? Bad training staff? Poor management? I think it is a little bit of all three.
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