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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    I've heard him on the radio a bit and he was okay. Paired with Provus, he should be even better. Not many guys got over 200 hits with three different franchises, but Molitor accomplished it. He's a good get for the TV broadcasts.
  2. stringer bell
    To pile on just a bit more, the areas of depth (and perhaps excess) on the Twins are bat-first corner OF/DH/1B and starting pitcher. After four months, this is still true. Weaknesses (bullpen, infield depth) haven't been addressed substantially and their top two prospects will probably have to wait until a second wave of injuries or trades to get a shot in the big leagues. The order seems to be "we will contend, but we won't spent (much)" and leaves only a perfect threading of the needle to come true. If the Twins want to contend this year, I think they need to cashier one or two players for a return that both includes prospect and major league talent. I would submit the Ryan could bring back a solid major leaguer and prospect(s) and Jeffers also could bring back a solid player and perhaps a prospect. Trading Larnach isn't going to bring back impact, but would ease the numbers in the corner OF/DH crowd. Maybe trading Wallner is an answer--I think he could bring back a solid reliever and maybe a prospect, but he also might be part of an improved product next year or two years hence.
  3. stringer bell
    The subtractions have been from the margins, the additions added to the margins, by and large. Their is a new guy in charge of the ownership group, the front office and the field staff, but the transactions are very similar to the past. It probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. If you want talent in a trade, you have to give up talent and if you want talent in a free agent you have to pay a substantial amount for it.
  4. stringer bell
    I think it's another case of Pitching 101--throw quality strikes early in the count, get the batters out. Bradley's fastball, in particular, is/will be a lot more effective if he's ahead in the count. He gets pummeled more than most when he's behind in the count. He has the stuff to be very good. I think he should get a starting spot to begin the season with a fairly short leash.
  5. stringer bell
    Greg Gagne had back issues early in his career and managed to stay at shortstop for about ten years. Gagne was one of my favorite players and I remember the regimen he had to go through every day to be able to play at a high level. That’s a long time ago and training has changed (improved) so that players can recover from some pretty serious injuries. I hope Lee falls in that group.
  6. stringer bell
    I don't see it. I think a couple of the non-roster guys will take spots in the bullpen and there is a good chance that one or two of the rotation candidates also end up as bullpen guys to start the season.
  7. stringer bell
    Certainly those two tools limit Lee's upside, the comparatively weak arm hurts at either shortstop or third base and the lack of foot speed correlates with a lack of range that limit him at shortstop. That said, there are other factors that at least in part make up for the negatives. "Turning outs into outs" is underrated at every position, making the routine to moderately difficult play more often than your peers can mitigate not making plays out of standard range and being quick from glove to hand and having a quick release can make up for lack of arm strength. Anticipation, positioning, a quick first step and good judgement also can move a guy like Lee closer to the median than the bottom. I think Lee is pretty slick glove to hand and his release is also pretty quick. If he can be above average at the skills I listed above, I think he can survive at shortstop defensively, but it is unlikely that he would ever be better than "acceptable". He needs to be an above average hitter for his position and he wasn't close last year when he got full-time play (527 PAs). If he was a Top Ten hitter at shortstop, the defensive deficiencies would not be so glaring. I have a sneaking suspicion that Lee might measure up a little better this spring in speed. I think he played a bit too heavy in 2025 and lingering injuries might have also diminished his foot speed. A couple tenths faster would move him much closer to the middle, which is how his running was regarded before he was drafted.
  8. stringer bell
    Player-coach for the Saints? Seriously, everything I've heard about Urshela says he is the consummate professional, a real good example for young players and minor league guys on their way up. Urshela is probably close to the end of the road and maybe this would be the way to dip his toes in coaching.
  9. stringer bell
    Yeah, there isn't much behind Royce at third base and Lewis does have a pretty extensive injury history. I suppose whoever the utility infielder is could fill in for a day or two, as could Clemens, but if Lewis is sidelined for a stretch, it is either moving Lee over from shortstop or more likely bringing Urshela up from St. Paul.
  10. stringer bell
    Lee was projected to be drafted about where the Twins got him. Perhaps the hype that he would immediately be a star or superstar was generated by the team, but he was pretty universally thought to be a good, safe pick at #8. If he becomes a consistent 2-3 WAR player, that is decent success. If he’s never more than what he’s been so far, he will be a miss by the team.
  11. stringer bell
    Chris Paddack was signed by the Marlins. The report doesn't say if it was a major league contract. Also the Twins signed Gio Urshela to a minor league deal.
  12. stringer bell
    Surprising move. He doesn't play shortstop and I don't think he would move Lewis off of third base. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/twins-sign-gio-urshela.html
  13. stringer bell
    Brooks Lee looked less athletic last year than his rookie year. @bunsen82 said he looked too thick (more muscle, less flexibility) and I concur. Lee has struggled with injuries, particularly his back, and I think that has had an effect on how he moves and what happens in his offseasons. Knowing he’ll have the first shot at short and that he’s the incumbent, he can prepare for the grind in some respects. As a hitter, Broooks was among the team’s best hitters in June. I assume a healthy boost in BABiP luck that month, but I also expect he was far better in all metrics then. What can he do to replicate a month where he was a much better than average hitter? I suspect being stronger and having experienced the grind in ‘25 will make him a better player in 2026. He turns 25 on Saturday, so there’s time to improve. I don’t expect an All-Star, but 2-3 WAR And 105-110 wRC isn’t out of the question.
  14. stringer bell
    Lee does have the look of stopgap at shortstop. I'm not convinced that we've seen all that he can offer as a shortstop. I want to see more of Culpepper, and the numbers were really good in the minors last year. There's not much upside in the rest of the candidates for the roster.
  15. stringer bell
    Agree with @rdehring on his takes for both Lee and Keaschall. If Lee hits for an 80 OPS+, his defense will never make up for it. The raw tools limit what he will be as a defender, but he could be pretty close to average. The hands are pretty good and he's pretty fluid. His hitting has been disappointing thus far. He was supposed to have an outstanding hit tool and we haven't seen it yet. Give some reps to Keaschall before we judge his defensive chops. The one thing that is concerning is how many evaluators think he would be better at a different position. Both guys are young with room to grow. They've had injuries and Lee hasn't yet clicked as a big league hitter, but it's possible for them to take steps forward.
  16. stringer bell
    Nice summary here. I understand Abrams ranked among the worst defensive shortstops last year, so I would be hesitant to acquire him.
  17. stringer bell
    My recollection is that in the "good old days" just about every outfielder was an option at first base. A bunch of great players moved to first base in the late stage of their careers including Henry Aaron and Mickey Mantle. Many, if not most, first basemen convert from other positions. The last two gold glove winners in the AL converted from other positions. Can Mendez be an acceptable defensive first baseman? Time will tell. I think it is a good move with Rodriguez, Roden and Jenkins ahead of them
  18. stringer bell
    Laweryson was released by the Angels, an odd move unless it is an injury. If he’s not injured, the Twins could use him at St. Paul.
  19. stringer bell
    I think that Trevor Larnach is a decent major league hitter, but with his lack of value as a fielder or base runner, his overall value is pretty low. I see him as pretty replaceable on the current Twins team, so yes trade him, but the return isn't going to be anything to celebrate. Ober and SWR are slotted at #3 and #4 in the Twins rotation. Since pitching seems to be the coin of the realm, they have some value, but their value to the Twins in 2026 is pretty high, even though there are pretty good arms in the system to take their places. If the Twins want to get big talent back, they need to trade Ryan or Lopez who are a level or more up from Ober and SWR. Jeffers is going to be a free agent after 2026. I don't see him catching for the Twins in 2027 or beyond. If a club needs a catcher, they might be willing to part with some substantial talent. A catching corps of Caratini, Jackson and David Banuelos is pretty suspect, but pretty good defensively. If I'm the GM with an edict of "compete in 2026", I trade Joe Ryan and Jeffers for substantial major league talent plus a couple prospects and sign Zach Gallen to replace Ryan. I'd like to see the Twins acquire a shortstop who can hit acceptably and who is a better than average defender. There aren't many/any available that I know of, but there must be a gem or two out there who is blocked.
  20. stringer bell
    Lack of walks doesn't equal command. Zebby got behind too many hitters and paid the price over and over. That 98 mph heater is a lot better pitch on 0-2 than it is on 3-1. I think Matthews is one of the 12 best arms and should start the season with the Twins. I also don't think the team should give up on him as a starter just yet. The data says that the pitches are being hit much better than the quality of the stuff and I submit that it is lack of command leading to this conclusion.
  21. stringer bell
    It seems to me that even if things go pretty well, the Twins will go eight or nine deep in starting pitchers this year. Really projections like this are about who the poster thinks will get the first shot. The results weren't there consistently, but I liked the stuff I saw from both Abel and Bradley.
  22. stringer bell
    Cole Irvin (3.2 terrible innings with the 2024 Twins) to the Dodgers on a minor league deal. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/diamondbacks-carlos-santana-close-to-deal.html Carlos Santana agreed to terms with the Diamondbacks. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/diamondbacks-carlos-santana-close-to-deal.html Mickey Gasper claimed by the Red Sox (he made his debut with them in 2024). https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/red-sox-claim-mickey-gasper.html
  23. stringer bell
    I wonder if they are planning on putting him on the 60-day IL as soon as Spring Training starts. He could rehab in the minor when he's ready to throw in games and they could have a while to evaluate him.
  24. stringer bell
    It probably depends on #25, but I'd much rather he hit lower in the lineup. Solo homers don't win many games, especially in the first inning.
  25. stringer bell
    No one wants to convert every starter to a bullpen role if they don't make the Opening Day rotation. That said, the Twins are Exhibit A for turning starters into functional relievers going back as far as Eddie Guardado, Rick Aguilera and Joe Nathan. Guys who know a whole lot more about pitching than I do make those decisions--they aren't right 100% of the time, but there are so many examples that it must be a thing to convert starters to the bullpen. Further, I think the fan base doesn't want to see Zebby, Abel and Preliepp use all their bullets pitching for the Saints. Lastly, if there are innings limitations on guys like Festa and Preliepp, they can be better managed out of a bullpen. Being sent to the bullpen is not a guarantee that a guy will never get back to the rotation. I have advocated getting most of the best arms on the major league team and sorting out roles as we go along.
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