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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    Yes, Farmer did hit into a high number of DPs, but to say he wasn't good with runners on is incorrect IMHO. His OPS with RiSP last season was .818 and he drove in 60 runners in 141 plate appearances, both far better than the Twins in aggregate last season. Gio had three more PAs with RiSP and had 8 less RBI, for example, with a similar number of GDPs.
  2. stringer bell
    I don't think he's strictly an outfielder, but he's (at best) third on the depth chart at shortstop and third base. If Polanco suffered an injury, he might even get regular play at second. Both the eye test and metrics indicate he's not a good fielder at second and short, but he got some play at both positions last year. His best defensive position (left field) is way down on the spectrum of importance and he's league average there.
  3. stringer bell
    The idea isn't to ever use Farmer at catcher. It is that there is an option in case the catcher gets injured. The Twins probably used Sanchez and Jeffers 15-20 times in the same lineup and never used a non-catcher. Having Farmer available in a crisis is better than putting a relief pitcher behind the plate, as was the scenario part of '22.
  4. stringer bell
    We might also see the scenario of Vazquez and Jeffers in the lineup at the same time, particularly with a guy (Farmer) who came to the majors as a catcher.
  5. stringer bell
    Gordon proved to me last year that he was a major leaguer. Perhaps this year he will prove he is a regular. I really am not worried about who starts Game One, everybody will get chances. That is the way modern managers do things. Now, to the nuts and bolts of the roster composition--the present roster has Gordon, Gallo, Kepler, Larnach, Taylor and Buxton in the outfield. Add in that Kirilloff also has played more outfield than first in his major league career and there are too many big leaguers for everyone to their share of playing time and that is especially true of the left handed hitting corner outfielders. I honestly don't see Gordon as the first or second choice at any outfield spot and do remember, he's only played a couple of innings in right field. In the infield, Gordon doesn't look like the number one backup at short or third (again he's only played a few innings at third) and it would probably depend on the handedness of the opponent starter if he was the first choice to spell Polanco. The depth chart looked similar in 2022 and Gordon managed to get his chances and succeed. I wonder how 2023 will pan out.
  6. stringer bell
    Kyle Farmer and Michael A Taylor replace Celestino and Garlick and add to the payroll. Worth it IMHO.
  7. stringer bell
    Yes, really nice article. I'm sure I'm not the only that noticed he at one point was throwing 99 mph fastballs.
  8. 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.
  9. 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).
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. stringer bell
    Here is the quote, taken from fangraphs:
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. stringer bell
    I saw he was signed. Must be behind Coulombe and Moran.
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