Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

kab21

Old-Timey Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,876

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Profiles

Minnesota Twins News, Rumors & Analysis

Minnesota Twins Videos

2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Rankings

2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Minnesota Twins Trade & Free Agent Rumors

Minnesota Twins Fan Guides & Resources

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

The Minnesota Twins Players Project

2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Forums

Blogs

Events

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by kab21

  1. kab21
    Of course they were cash grabs and the Big 12 is going to join them sooner than later by getting back to at least 12 teams. But they aren't going back. No chance. I have also mentioned the logistical problem of expanding to 6 or 8 teams but I can't see how this committee making critical decisions about something as important as this can last. Even if they could support a selection of OSU or Stanford this year there is almost no way that they can pick them. And every time they have to make a tough call like leaving the Big 12 out of the Playoff last year they are one step closer to a new Playoff system or selection process. At some point they
  2. kab21
    Sano will almost certainly not be as good as he was last year. The good news is that he could lose .066 pts of OPS (to .850 OPS) and still be a really good to borderline great hitter. FWIW Steamer projects him at .848 next season. That would still put him at #25 (by OPS) in the majors last season. So the good news is that his numbers can come back to earth a little and he is still really valuable with potential for improvement. Rosario OTOH is a concern and a good reason why having Kepler seemingly blocked is fine with me. I think both the power will be down next year and so will the avg. He needs to improve considerably as a hitter to be a long term starter for a good team. He (like Arcia) has tons of raw skill so the Twins aren't in a bad position but there is a good chance that one or both flops. I am sure that this will be unpopular. Kepler could just as well be included in this conversation even though his numbers were in AA. His SABR numbers are mouth watering but he needs to sustain that. The power is the most concerning. He should have always hit for power but he doesn't have a long track record of actually doing it and didn't hit many over the fence last year. I am still bullish but I would not be surprised if the OF competition and prospects considered blocked are not actually a problem next year. Or if it is then it is an awesome problem to have.
  3. kab21
    We need a special section on the forum for this mythical 'he had good trade value at XX point'. Fien is exactly who he always was. He is a fine but not great (or even very good) RP'er. He wasn't going to bring back a prospect as good as Hu (Jepsen trade). Whatever prospect he was traded for would have had minimal value to the org. I wouldn't bring him back myself and instead have a Perkins, Jepsen and 7th inning guy with guys like Pressly and Graham as the 4th and 5th options out of the bullpen allowing room for an extra starter like Milone or Nolasco as the long man or prospects like Tonkin, Meyer, Chargois, Burdi. That 7th inning guy could be May (not my choice) or a FA/trade.
  4. kab21
    You brought up lack of conditioning for pro athletes in a thread solely about Sano. You also think that Sano can trim down a bit and be around 250. It is extremely unlikely that Sano ever weighs 250. It isn't a conditioning or being injured problem. It is a 'he's a giant man' problem.
  5. kab21
    Stewart is definitely still a prospect and not a bust but a fair question would be 'How far down the rankings has Stewart fallen and what is his ceiling now?' The quoted question let KLaw off the hook for saying anything substantial but even KLaw has to significantly be second guessing Stewart's potential at this point.
  6. kab21
    You implied that it was a lack of conditioning issue. There is no amount of conditioning that is going to make Sano smaller. It is also going to be hard for Sano at 3B. And 3B is a lot more than just taking hard hit grounders right at him. I remember watching Cuddyer (a natural SS by some definitions ) struggle at 3B and get injured.
  7. kab21
    This is so wrong. Sano isn't 268 lbs because he is out of shape. Sano is a cut 268 lbs and he weighs that much because he has a freakishly big and freakishly athletic body. I think because of this 3B is going to be hard to play at a tolerable level for more than a couple of years though. He probably isn't going to be an average OF'er either but it is a less demanding position and less important one defensively.
  8. kab21
    It is hard to lose games when you only schedule one decent non-conference game, get creampuffs from the eastern half and play in the Big Ten West. Iowa especially had the perfect schedule to go undefeated so far and they squeaked through their schedule. I also don't think MSU is the best team in the East but that is how it played out.
  9. kab21
    So far the KBO is 1/1 in successful transitions with Jung Ho Kang doing very well with the Pirates and Park was a superior hitter in the KBO. There have also been several pitchers that have done well in majors after coming over. Part of the reason for the short list is that Korean baseball has really improved in the 2000's. It is catching up to Japan although it doesn't have nearly the same depth throughout the league.
  10. kab21
    I think everyone knew that Sano would end up in the 260-280 range. This isn't a surprise. Sano's natural position isn't 3B. 260-280 lb players don't naturally play 3B. They just try to survive the season there without doing too much defensive damage there. Kind of like the year (or two) that the Tigers put MCab at 3B with Prince/VMart at 1B/DH. They ended that because of the damage MCab was doing.
  11. kab21
    The Big Ten West truly is terrible and that is the only reason that Iowa is even in the picture right now. It could also be said that MSU isn't the best team in the eastern division but they did get through their schedule. The Big Ten is actually pretty good this year but they lack a powerhouse team. Scott's proposal might make sense with complete realignment but that isn't going to happen. The problem that I see is that a group of people have been given final say on something as important the final 4 teams. With 5 Power conferences and ND/BYU this will inevitably lead to more situations like last year where someone gets left out. Once that happens enough then this could fall apart just like the BCS. Something as simple going to six teams with auto bids for each of the power 5 and some allowance for an auto bid for independent/Group of 5 teams. That is all that needs to be done. I disagree with Scott's issue with expansion of the major conferences. It would be better if they didn't expand but the Big 10's problem was that it chased TV sets (Rutgers) instead of getting the right match for sports. The Big Ten for the most part (with the SEC) had their pick and probably could have added Missouri along with another good team. Maryland is at least a basketball minor power and has had some moments in football.
  12. kab21
    The problem is that Arcia is out of options and I am not ready to cut him. I might not be in the Arcia fan club (probably his biggest detractor last season) but he has raw skill that can't be taught. The kid can flat out hit (with flaws). This also isn't a situation where Kepler followed up a great AA season with an outstanding AAA season and there is no reason to be in the minors. I also think that for a player that has had as little true success in the minors that inconsistent playing time would not help him.
  13. kab21
    The problem that I mention is not so much about this year or Ohio St but rather the ********* if 2 teams from the same conference made the playoff instead of a one loss conf champ. Right now fans are supporting this (and loving it) but I am not sure that will remain the case if there are too many controversial and seemingly arbitrary (50/50 coin flips) selections by the committee. If they could figure out the scheduling then a 6 team playoff could solve that. Automatic bids for any 0 or 1 loss Power 5 conference champs. Possibly an auto bid for an independent or Group of 5 team ranked in the top ten (or unbeaten or something else). After that committee selections for the final spots. It is a scheduling issue but there is a lower chance over somebody getting cheated. They mostly control their own destiny instead of a committee.
  14. kab21
    I am cautiously optimistic about Park but I like the certainty (injury risk aside) of Trumbo in Target Field. And a one year deal allows the team to move on depending on what happens with the OF prospects (Arcia, Kepler, Rosario, Buxton and Walker) this season. I have been a Trumbo fan for awhile though.
  15. kab21
    I don't see a reason not to tender Nunez a contract. The Twins are almost guaranteed to carry two backup IF'ers and he can actually hit alright for a bench player that can play multiple IF/OF positions. He would pair nice with Danny Santana because the Twins could then keep a bat first bench player which I have always wanted to have on the team. Fien and Milone are dependent on what else the Twins plan on doing this offseason and how serious they are about putting May into the rotation. If May is in the rotation then they are 6 deep plus they need a place to stash Nolasco if he makes the team. Berrios goes to AAA and Nolasco is either in the rotation or long relief. There simply isn't room and not a great need for an 8th starter. You can still tender him a contract but I would trade him for anything. Fien depends on May, Nolasco/Milone (in long relief) and if the Twins go after another RP'er. There are only so many bullpen spots available. In addition to this tendering contracts depends on what kind of spending the Twins have planned. If they are mostly standing pat and don't need money then they might as well keep all of the players. If they are planning to make a mid sized splash somewhere then they might want the financial flexibility.
  16. kab21
    The problem is that he hits 30 HR's in almost the least valuable way possible. A lot of K's and only a few BB's = a low BA and OBP with terrible defense. But would he have been a better one year option than Park? Could Trumbo be a reasonable upside for Park? Obviously it would be nice to have Park signed for 4 years (plus option) if he performs well but I like the idea of a real 30 HR hitter behind Sano. Park might hit that many but it is far from given. FWIW - I like the Park signing even if it is a little odd (position wise).
  17. kab21
    The problem with this is that it essentially becomes Buxton or bust next season in CF. We have gone down that road before.
  18. kab21
    Sano in CF. That's brilliant. Revere would be a good choice if possible. I might even trade a minor prospect instead of competing in FA for him. 7M is a little expensive but he is exactly what the Twins need this year. He isn't just needed for backing up and likely starting in CF for awhile but he can also start on the corners if any of the prospects are injured or struggling.
  19. kab21
    Having Santana as the super utility 4th OF'er guy would be nice. It would allow the team to only carry one futility infielder and carry a bat first bench player as the 25th player. The question is whether or not the team is comfortable with him as a CF'er for 2-3 months if Buxton is in AAA or injured. I like De Aza as a versatile 4th OF'er that could start for a couple of months if needed.
  20. kab21
    Here is the one thing that doesn't really work for the college football playoff: Arguably the best team is going to be left out. I would still put Alabama #1 but Ohio State would be 1a and even Oklahoma would be solidly at #3. It is hard to say that the goal is to put the 4 best teams in and not take Ohio State. They of course have no one to blame but themselves since they didn't win when it mattered but they are still better than the other teams.
  21. kab21
    The Twins really need an excellent 4th OF'er that can play CF if Buxton needs to be in AAA for 2-3 months.
  22. kab21
    Looks like the top 4 are pretty much locked in (w/ the Big Ten champ). The only drama left will be what happens if Clemson or Alabama loses in their conference championships. Who would you put in that scenario? NC (if they beat Clemson) Ohio State (two big teams) Stanford 2 losses (if they win the conf champ) A different 2 loss team?
  23. kab21
    About a year ago there were some questioning whether or not he could lead a winning Wolves team. Now at least there are just health concerns.
  24. kab21
    And possibly one more 3B on the market in Lawrie.
  25. kab21
    It was almost scary to read that about KG but that is why he is one of the best ever. Observations Lavine is stuck at the backup PG spot because he is far better than either other option, correct? How would he look playing with the 1st team instead of Prince? Or do the Wolves have to look outside the org for a wing long term? Payne looks like a solid blue collar 4 (15 min/g reserve). I can understand playing KG and Prince (not as much) but shouldn't the team be focused on developing guys like Payne (back to the bench when Bjelica returns)? After putting a completely different team around Rubio he looks like a vital piece for the future compared to what the board thought of him a year ago. But who could have guessed that they would have found a #4 that only shoots 3's and a 5 that can hit outside shots.
×
×
  • Create New...