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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    Jake Cave wasn't mentioned in the OP. Cave was a fourth OF who featured more power than speed or OBP and was never thought of as an everyday leadoff hitter. Martin's skill set include relatively good contact and OBP tendencies, good speed with the ability to steal bases and, at least last year, improving outfield defense. He was compared to Kwan because his strengths match up with Kwan's strengths. Martin hasn't had a single healthy season to date, but maybe if he were to stay healthy he could make the leap to everyday player.
  2. stringer bell
    The Twins began 2025 with Matt Wallner as their primary lead off hitter and finished the season using Byron Buxton in the #1 spot in the lineup. The team hasn't had a consistent leadoff hitter during most of the Rocco Baldelli era. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians have had a steady presence in the leadoff position. Steven Kwan has led off almost exclusively for four consecutive years and he has been productive and valuable. Kwan is a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner. He's averaged more than 4 WAR per year as an old style leadoff hitter. Kwan hits for a high average, walks above league average, doesn't strike out much and is an asset both on the bases and in the field despite having limited extra base power. Austin Martin possesses a similar skill set--good speed, defensive upside, high contact and limited power-and showed vast improvement in his 50-game audition after the trade deadline. Most Twins followers have projected him to be a platoon or utility player for 2026. I think it would be very beneficial for the team to have a consistent lead off hitter who offered speed, defense and high OBP. Is it possible that he could take the step into becoming a full-time leadoff guy and left fielder? I honestly think there is a chance, especially with a new mnger and coaching staff. It would require Martin to continue to improve in all facets of his game, but he does the strengths in his game that could make him very valuable to the Twins. What is the opinion of the fan base on Twins Daily? Is there someone else in the system that could step up and into a lead off role? Do you see having a regular leading off almost every day as helpful for the team? ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
  3. stringer bell
    Agree with @mnfiremanthat the Twins aren’t really lacking RH hitting as much as LH hitters are stacked at certain positions (as are RH hitters). Currently there are at least five and perhaps as many as seven left handed hitters in line to play three positions. It seems unlikely that even one of the guys profiled can jump in front of the line of lefty hitters (plus Austin Martin) unless bodies are moved.
  4. stringer bell
    I’ve noted the insane contact rates, combined with diminishing on-base numbers and figured that he wasn’t hitting the ball very hard. Not striking out is admirable, but weak contact is not. Arraez has won three batting championships., so I suppose he’s maximized his skill set, but it makes him more of curiosity than a really valuable key player.
  5. stringer bell
    I’m not in love with another poor defensive player on the field, but Bell should actually help to make a more stable, consistent lineup.
  6. stringer bell
    I agree that Larnach would seem the most likely to go. He's coming off a decent year with his most games and plate appearances and he will cost the receiving team a bit more in salary. Even if Larnach is dealt, it would seem that there is no place on the roster for one of Outman/Julien.
  7. stringer bell
    The back end of the bullpen was composed of good, highly regarded pitchers. Very top-heavy and frankly the whole wasn't equal to the sum of the parts. Coming close to replacing those guys is a pretty heavy lift. Agree that the offense needs to improve dramatically or the BP doesn't matter.
  8. stringer bell
    I recently made a comment on the Josh Bell signing and think his signing makes roster discussion a higher priority here on Twins Daily. Specifically, the Twins have a bunch of left handed hitters who are corner outfielders who could DH and there isn't room for them all. Further, many of the guys can't be optioned. It looks like the solution has to be making trades. Here's my take: Position player locks: Buxton, Jeffers, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Bell, Martin, backup catcher, backup infielder. Near locks: Larnach, Wallner, Clemens. Most likely fighting for one spot: Outman, Roden, Julien. Outside looking in: Rodriguez, Gasper, Gonzalez. As I note here, Julien, Roden and Outman would be in competition for the 13th position player spot. Julien and Outman are out of options, so if one of them didn't make the team, they would have to be offered to the rest of MLB before they could be sent to St. Paul. Top prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are also left handed hitting corner outfielders (center field capable). Roden is the only guy in serious consideration for a 26-man roster spot who can be optioned and he also is a left handed corner outfielder. If Roden is optioned the Saints would project to have Gonzalez, Jenkins, Rodriguez and Roden in their outfield. What is the solution to this roster imbalance? What should the Twins do to deal with this and who stays and who goes? Let's discuss!
  9. stringer bell
    Bell's signing would seem to decrease playing time for just about every left handed hitting player on the team--Clemens, Wallner, Larnach, Roden, Outman, Julien. In actuality, all six of those guys really can't make the team if there is a utility infielder (Kreidler/Fitgerald) and a backup catcher (Jackson/Pereda). Trades absolutely have to happen. The Bell signing makes the team slightly better and moves Kody Clemens where he belongs--LH hitting utility player--but it really adds to the position player imbalance.
  10. stringer bell
    Just like the always-changing lineup, the Twins need more guys who are out there on defense every day. I think that is particularly true up the middle although catcher is a bit different because of the beating those guys take. It would not take a .300 batting average and 100 RBI for Brooks Lee to be a regular. .260/20/80 (110 OPS+) would be fine. Much like Jorge Polanco, his range and arm are going to limit him as average as best as a shortstop, but if he's a plus hitter he could and should be in the lineup as a regular and second and third base both seem reasonable options. If Lee is more of an average to below average hitter, a bench role similar to Willi Castro (without the outfield reps) could get him regular plate appearances, particularly with an all right handed hitting trio of Keaschall, Culpepper and Lewis manning second, short and third respectively. IMHO, Culpepper is the most likely guy to come in and be an anchor to build around in the middle infield. Lee will get a chance first, but he needs to both hit an field appreciably better and his ceiling as a defender at short isn't high. I'd give Keaschall at least 50 games at second to see if he can become a decent defensive second baseman. He has the speed and quickness to have good range. I don't know about other qualities--soft hands, good footwork, good judgement--but it seems to me he can establish himself at second base.
  11. stringer bell
    If the infield depth is Kreidler or Fitzgerald, I don't see much point in moving Keaschall to the outfield with Gonzalez, Jenkins and Rodriguez waiting in the wings in St. Paul. Hypothetically, if Culpepper were to force his way onto the major league team, moving Lee and Keaschall to the right would make sense, but with the chasm that is first base depth and Josh Bell's poor fielding numbers Keaschall at first base and Lee at second would be the position switches that would be in order.
  12. stringer bell
    How about Michael Cuddyer? I think Cuddy is an example of both sides of this argument. Cuddyer was a high school shortstop moved to third base where he was substandard. He moved to right field where he was satisfactory, but no Gold Glover. When Morneau got hurt, Cuddyer filled in admirably at first (mostly because he hit well). Later on, he played some second base to get the best offense in the lineup for the Twins. Due to injuries, Cuddyer also played a few innings in center field. I would say that the best fits for him were right and first, but having the flexibility to play him elsewhere could help the team. On the other hand, playing a guy clearly out of position probably doesn’t help and having a guy out of position plus poor defenders around him moves a defense close to fatally flawed. Given that the Twins will have three top prospects in the outfield at AAA, I really don’t see much point in moving Keaschall there, especially given the Twins’ lack of depth in the infield. Also, it would be my hope that a shortstop comes in who would anchor the infield rather than another moving piece. Maybe that is Culpepper, maybe someone else.
  13. stringer bell
    I haven't seen it anywhere else so: Happy Birthday Byron Buxton! The current longest tenured player, who has chosen to be a lifelong Twin. Many happy returns.
  14. stringer bell
    BTW, the official Twins website has the headline: "No more questions: Bell will man 1st base for the Twins in '26 (source)" I guess that means the site is making Bell the everyday first sacker. I would hope that a better defender could play there fairly often, but maybe Bell will be there for 140 games.
  15. stringer bell
    For the first half of the season, it would appear that the SS job is Lee's exclusively. I would think that a half season of AAA ball would make Culpupper the next man up when it gets warm outside (usually late May). I would really like to see the Twins acquire a shortstop to at least push Lee as well as a major league catcher. There are too many LH corner outfielders and an apparent excess of prospective starting pitchers on the roster.
  16. stringer bell
    The bigger picture here is that Bell adds to the overabundance of lefty hitting corner guys who can and should be at the DH position much if not most of the time. Given his resume, he should be in the middle of the lineup against right handed pitchers and the Twins currently have Larnach, Wallner and Clemens to start in left and right and first base. Add in Roden and Outman and it is six guys for four spots with only one guy--Clemens who is near average defensively. Given the current roster, I can't see any way that both Roden and Outman make the club. I think at least one position player trade is needed and probably more. Currently Kreidler/Fitgerald and Jackson/Perada are the backup shortstop and catcher respectively and between those four guys none is a lock to break the Mendoza line.
  17. stringer bell
    Roden profiles to be a pretty good player. In his rookie year, he wasn't good but with two option years remaining I think he'll get a chance
  18. stringer bell
    Upbeat take on the news. I hope this eventually helps the product on the field. It seems that the Pohlad are here for the immediate future. I’m not crazy about that, but if they are amenable to paying competitive salaries with the debt paid off. I am not sure I believe most of the debt came from paying people during COVID, but I guess we’ll see as the offseason progresses.
  19. stringer bell
    I think it's a pretty good plan to have good defenders in pure backup roles, especially for the crucial defensive positions (CF, SS, C). That Kreidler has rated above average at both short and center gives him some value despite a really weak bat. Fitzgerald is probably a much better hitter, but if the role is pinch runner and defensive replacement, Kreidler might be the better fit.
  20. stringer bell
    A major part of Lewis' struggles in the second half of '24 and most of '25 had to do with health IMHO. He came back from injury too soon, particularly in 2025. He looked tentative and seemed to have lost confidence. He played better at the end of the season, although his hitting continued to be inconsistent. Getting his head in the right place might unlock his game changing ability (again). I think Royce will continue to have inconsistent success as a hitter due to how many moving parts are in his swing. He's got enough talent (IMHO) to still produce good numbers despite the inconsistency. That he showed that he could be an asset on the bases and in the field in 2025 adds to his value. I'm thinking Lewis will have a good year and cement himself in the middle of the Twins lineup in 2026.
  21. stringer bell
    Bat only guys have a hard time accumulating WAR and Bell looks to add to a team only for his ability to hit. If he can regularly play and hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup, it will at least add length Playing him at first only occasionally would appear to be wise, but depending how injuries shake out, he might be over at the gateway more than he should. I've never thought that a left handed hitter who has wide platoon stats should be backed up by another left handed hitter who also has wide platoon splits and that would have been the case with Clemens and Julien.
  22. stringer bell
    Every defensive metric had Lewis above average at third base last year, his biggest sample size and healthiest season thus far. I agree that Keaschall didn't look very good at second, but concur with @jmlease1that he has had little time to work on his craft there due to the injuries he's suffered so far. He has the tools to be adequate or better at second and it makes no sense to move a guy down the defensive spectrum so early in his career. Lee wasn't great at shortstop, but his numbers were far superior to Carlos Correa in 2025 in about a half season sample. He's 24 and I think there's a chance that he'll be considerably better in 2026. He's the only guy on the major league roster with chance to be an every day shortstop. I don't think Brooks Lee would ever be a better than average shortstop defensively, but he might be able to make up for that with a bat in his hands.
  23. stringer bell
    Jorge to Queens! https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/mets-to-sign-jorge-polanco.html
  24. stringer bell
    I gave this post a grudging thumbs up. We are all guilty to some degree of bias. I thought Alex Kirilloff would be a potential All-Star and I didn't want Santana to take his at-bats away (I was wr-wr-wrong). I thought Brent Rooker was a stiff who ran into an occasional fastball (wrong again!) but I think I've been right a lot as well. Being skeptical of Twins prospects has a lot of recent history on its side. I prefer to think that the prospects are not so much overhyped as undeveloped and the franchise has failed in the last five years to get those prospects to flourish. The next wave of prospects is close Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Culpepper all should start 2026 in St. Paul. Those guys probably will determine what the next five years looks like for the team. Three former first round draft choices--Lewis, Lee and Wallner--probably have a lot to say how the coming season goes. To expect all of these guys to be stars is a pipe dream. For them all to fail would be a nightmare.
  25. stringer bell
    The Twins 40-man is overbalanced with (mostly LH) outfielders and starting pitchers. There seems to be very little interest in moving outfielders to the infield and modest interest in moving starting pitchers to the bullpen. I believe a trade or two (or more) is in order.
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