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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    I have tentative plans to watch the Twins in Houston.
  2. stringer bell
    I actually think that with the Twins apparent depth in the bullpen, they’re best served with eight relievers.
  3. stringer bell
    There might be a benefit to using the “best” pitcher more often, juggling the other guys into a more irregular schedule most likely negates the benefit of getting the #1 more starts and innings. It only takes one guy who is affected to negate the benefit.
  4. stringer bell
    Reese has played the most innings for the Twins at first base of any left handed fielder. I thought Kirilloff would eventually pass him, but..... I remember Reese as a decent hitter and fine fielder. He was pretty strictly platooned throughout his career, although as mentioned he hit a grand slam off a good left hander (Dave McNally).
  5. stringer bell
    The Twins signed Anthony Misiewicz to a minor league contract. Since he is left handed and breathing, I expect he will make it to the Twins sometime during the season, unless he has an opt-out. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/twins-sign-anthony-misiewicz-to-minor-league-deal.html
  6. stringer bell
    The majority of articles are not overly positive or optimistic. This one was, of course. It's really tough when there is no team news to report. That is why too many of us know who Diego Cantaya and Mickey Gasper are. I don't know how many angles of inertia can be written about and there has been much written lately about ownership.
  7. stringer bell
    Is my memory correct? The Twins DFA'd Henriquez during the 2023 season, correct? BBRef says he signed as a free agent in November of 2023. I don't recall Henriquez being on the 40-man when he was recalled the first time in 2024.
  8. stringer bell
    It's hard for me to see Tonkin as a lock for a roster spot.
  9. stringer bell
    It wouldn't surprise me if the IL is in use early in 2025, as it was in 2024. Further, I think Tonkin could be DFA'd and outrighted and if he were claimed, no real loss. Finally, I don't think being left handed is enough for Funderburk to stick. He'll need to be as good or better than the other options for the BP. I agree with Cory that Varland and Topa are likely ahead of Henriquez as well, but if the young man out of options shows enough, they'll find a way to keep him. They will likely need all eleven bullpen arms and probably more going through the season.
  10. stringer bell
    First of all, Camargo turned 25 in July. He’s more than two years older than Cartaya. The other fact in evidence was the handling of Camargo when he was on the big league roster. Everyone plays when Baldelli is calling the shots, but not Camargo. I don’t claim to have any special insight and as long as Camargo is in the organization, I hope he excels. I really believe the third catcher will be determined by the players’ work in Fort Myers. If I’m handicapping, I’d give Cartaya a slight advantage.
  11. stringer bell
    I like the bullpen components, but I don't think they were that good in 2024 and I'll believe it when I see it in 2025. Jax was great throughout, Durán was better than most of his topline numbers and Sands was a revelation. That's a great start. Between Topa, Stewart and Alcalá, there is much chance for injury, but if the Twins can get over 100 appearances from those three, they'll be deeper than last year. That is assuming that Durán, Jax and Sands stay healthy. It would be optimum if the Twins had an effective lefty to mix in and IMHO if they can swap out one of the second three I listed for an equally effective lefty, it would make sense. Deeper outings from the starters also would help.
  12. stringer bell
    Yeah, I'm much more of a casual football fan, but I looked at the schedule after their bye and said that they should win every game until they played Green Bay (and that was a home game). Because their weaknesses weren't glaring, they ended up being in the second tier (below elite) but still winning a surprising 14 games and just missing the payoff of having home field in the playoffs. Looking forward, it would appear that they will have the basis for a good offense if they have a decent QB, but I wonder if the defense might take a step or two back.
  13. stringer bell
    Mauer would be ideal and it would seem like he would be able to invest a decent amount to ne an owner of the only team he ever played for.
  14. stringer bell
    I liked him as a player and thought he was an OK commentator. Best wishes Roy. The photo was from a couple seasons ago in Milwaukee. Roy and the pictured TD posters ran into each other is a concourse.
  15. stringer bell
    While I doubt Helman can be a big a contributor as Castro, he has had promotions slowed by injuries and he was delayed by the COVID year when minor leaguers didn't play. He's done well at the upper levels of the minors and he is versatile. Also, Castro was non-tendered two years ago and signed by the Twins to a minor league contract, so he wasn't very highly valued at that point.
  16. stringer bell
    Didn't make you for a Buffalo Springfield fan. Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you're always afraid Step out of line, the men come and take you away (For What It's Worth Buffalo Springfield--1966)
  17. stringer bell
    I'll go with home vs. road mostly and quality of opponent, as well. Darnold had a wonderful first 16 games of the regular season, but the season ended with two poor outings.
  18. stringer bell
    "Donnie Barrels" is off the board. Just like Carlos Santana, when will Father Time win the battle with Solano's productivity? https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/mariners-sign-donovan-solano.html
  19. stringer bell
    I don't think Gasper was passed through Rule V, at least not this year. I know the Red Sox claimed him from the Yankees, was that a Triple A Rule V claim?
  20. stringer bell
    I don't have hate for Kepler. He was an okay player that never took the next step, although it looked like it in 2019 until he was hurt at the tail end of the season. When he came up, I thought he would be a much higher percentage hitter and that never really happened. His best batting average came in 2023 and was only .260. The power was intermittent and although he had well above average speed, he never developed as a threat on the bases. The last couple of years, he was so conservative on the bases that it hurt the team IMHO. I've read the criticism often that the Twins want guys to pull the ball and hit home runs. I don't believe that to be totally true and I don't think it ruined many players, but if it hurt someone I think it is Kepler. He just didn't hit enough long balls consistently to justify all the pop flies and grounders to second.
  21. stringer bell
    I think a lot of people are using "lazy" for fat. Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew don't get shamed for being fat because they kept performing. Sanó plateaued (or worse) in his 20s Did he plateau because he gained weight? I don't think so. He swung and missed at way too many balls in the strike zone. His plate discipline was okay (not great), but when you get beat on balls in the zone, it opens everything up. On the occasions when he was punishing strikes, he was a real slugger, but those occasions proved to be too rare. He wasn't a good defender anywhere he was put despite a really strong arm, so he had to hit.
  22. stringer bell
    Given the team's usage (or lack thereof) of Camargo last year, I think the Twins really don't think he's "ready to play". He'll have another chance to show the field staff in the spring and I expect he'll log a lot of innings in exhibition games and the team will decide who the third catcher is. I'll be interested to see how they handle Gasper as well. Does he show up early to catch the pitchers? Will he be used at catcher in exhibition games? His Triple A numbers say that he should be able to hold his own as a hitter, but if he's not considered a catcher, then he's trying to make the club as a first baseman/second baseman.
  23. stringer bell
    According to BBRef, Jeffers has been one of the top 10 catchers (as measured by WAR) in 2023-2024. He turns 28 during the season, so he should be nearing his peak and he’s been healthy all of the last two years. The Twins have no one who could be predicted to match that production in their system and signing a free agent or trading for a replacement would be expensive. My advise is to keep Jeffers at least for his time under team control and consider an extension next off-season. The Twins have had time to see Camargo and he hasn’t thrived, but maybe it’s fair to say he’s held his own. That they added Cartaya tells me they aren’t thrilled with the option of Camargo as the injury replacement for either catcher. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the two guys alternating at Triple A, with the better player getting called up if necessary. Spring training might be significant for the backup catchers and it will be interesting to see how Gasper is used, as well.
  24. stringer bell
    Minor League deal? Rehabbing right handed reliever in their 30s describes quite a few members of the current BP. I suppose "bring him home" is an inducement, but .............
  25. stringer bell
    Sounds about right to me.. There are lots of unknowns, of course, but seems to be the range of outcomes we should expect.
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