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Nashvilletwin

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Everything posted by Nashvilletwin

  1. Nashvilletwin
    This is now Lewis’s team
  2. Nashvilletwin
    Yep, the reason we had to trade Arraez for Lopez was because of the disaster trade for Mahle. Mahle was supposed to be Lopez. If that had been the case, we could have had our cake and eaten too - but that’s water under the bridge. If we really think about it, the backlog in the infield going forward is caused by Correa. Would we resign Correa today for his current deal knowing what we now have in Lewis, Lee, Julien and Kiriloff? I’m not so sure. Those Correa $s are worth a ton of pitching. Julien has hit everywhere - he will continue to do so. He needs to keep getting ABs, especially against lefties. His fielding is fine and getting better. He is not an outfielder though. So, he either ends up at 1B and Kiriloff goes to LF or he ends up at 2B and Lewis goes to LF. I favor the latter with Wallner in RF, Martin/Buxton/Gordon/? in CF. Just don’t trade him yet - his value is growing quickly.
  3. Nashvilletwin
    Nah, we own the Rangers. I’d take them.
  4. Nashvilletwin
    Nick, Super article and you are spot on: if the FO doesn’t overthink things, we should be in for a solid open window stretch for several years. For example, not dealing our young talent at this year’s deadline is a good example of just staying in the lane that is right before our eyes. The FO has done well drafting - ranging from insightful later round picks to not goofing off with their good luck in the first round the past two years (Lee falling to them and the lottery luck to get Jenkins - again, not overthinking those two picks). The three big keys for ‘24 are: 1) make sure the young players continue to get better; 2) build the pen; and 3) add one more mid to upper level type starter (like a Gray). By focusing on the young core, we should have the cash to address #2 and #3. #1 causes the most concern - if we are successful with that, the next several years could be ridiculously fun; if not, it will truly be a waste of a special, once in a decade, opportunity. Now, let’s step on the Guardians’ throats tomorrow and get ready to go win some playoff games!
  5. Nashvilletwin
    First, the Guardians figure out that they really aren’t very good and are likely not going anywhere this year, so they sell at that deadline in order to get better in ‘24 and beyond. Second, they are down seven games facing the Twins best two starters and their season is about to end. Instead, they win both games, pull to within five, and get new life and some momentum. Third, they say “what the heck - we essentially have a free run at the division now and it will only cost us a few bucks”. So they put in the waiver claims for what we all know wins games down the stretch (pitching, duh) and now they are in a position to have their cake (selling at the deadline to get better in ‘24 and beyond) and eat it too (compete for the division with some new blood). Those two losses by the Twins this week were huge. And the Guardians look damn smart in how they’ve handled their roster. Those three pitchers will most definitely help the Guardians and the Twins better step up their game. It ain’t over by any means. And if we blow this, there should be hell to pay with the FO and coaching staff.
  6. Nashvilletwin
    To quote Wayne Campbell: “Game on!” Or Sherlock Holmes: “The game’s afoot”. Obviously, it’s good we have a five game lead, but by no means is that a safe lead with this team. We had a chance to bury the Guardians and we let them off the hook. It will be devastating if we lose the division this year. I’m certainly not expecting that we will. But make no mistake, if we do, Rocco, Falvey, and probably Levine will likely be shown the door. Those guys are probably battling for their jobs as right now.
  7. Nashvilletwin
    I know we have to play them one game at a time, but let’s sweep these guys and wrap this division up by September 1st. This team is actually getting fun to watch with the young players making such big contributions. The team seems to have more life now than at any time this year - and it’s been growing since about the break and as Jeffers, Julien, Wallner and Lewis have started to play bigger roles. Let’s get Kiriloff back and Martin called up and continue this young guns explosion of energy.
  8. Nashvilletwin
    Was at Target field for the first time in about six years since my dad passed. In town to see family and friends and play some golf. I could not have been more impressed with the entire “product” tonight. Obviously the team played a great all around game. But everything from the stadium, the scoreboard, the greeters, the food, the fireworks, and the fellow fans made for an unbelievable night out. It was A1 entertainment. The Twin Cities and the state are very lucky to have this team, in this facility, being led by an ownership group that clearly cares. Whether we keep the baseball guys or not next year can be a discussion for another day. Tonight was just simply a grand time out.
  9. Nashvilletwin
    Exchange Kiriloff for Williams and Buxton (obligatorily) for Prato and I for one would take that lineup right now coming out of camp in ‘24. Except I actually would have Lee in the infield and Lewis in LF. Why? Because all nine of those players should be in the starting lineup and Lewis can be more of an outfielder than Lee. I do think one of Kepler or Polanco will be with the club next year. Add in Vasquez and two of Castro, Larnach, Gordon and maybe one or two others (Prato?) and you have your 13 position players. It won’t work that way - no chance they break camp next year with Lee and Martin on the big club.
  10. Nashvilletwin
    It would be nice if at least 6 of the 7 position players and 2 of the 3 pitchers on this list were everyday players on the Twins by May 1, 2024.
  11. Nashvilletwin
    Just turned on the game and was wondering if Julien is hurt. I couldn’t agree more with your comment: now Gallo is taking Julien’s ABs? WTH!
  12. Nashvilletwin
    There are multiple permutations. One written about earlier this week suggested Lee go to 1B and, I guess, moving Kiriloff to LF. Not sure this is on the radar screen, Here’s another: if CF is so dangerous, why not have Lewis in LF? We could put Wallner (with his arm) in RF and Martin (with his speed) in CF. This gives us our desired infield (left to right) of Lee, Correa, Julien and Kiriloff. Regardless, sometime in early ‘24 we need Lewis, Lee, Julien, Kiriloff, Wallner and Jeffers in the starting lineup as often as possible (understanding Jeffers and Vasquez should be about a 60:40 split). This leaves Correa at SS and one open, presumably OF, position player spot. Candidates for that include Castro, Martin, Kepler and Gordon. Add in Buxton and there is your 13 position player lineup in ‘24 with nine of those players essentially making league minimum. Exchange Larnach for Kepler (which makes sense in spite of Max’s recent resurgence) and only Correa, Buxton and Vasquez would be making real dough. Or, instead, keep Polanco and not Kepler. Either way, investment opportunities for the mound - both starting and in relief - should be enormous. Maybe, we then resign Gray and/or Maeda…. I’m going to enjoy the rest of this season - who knows where it could go, especially if we get good Lopez and good Gray in games 1 & 2 in any playoff series. However, in ‘24 I’m really, really looking forward to getting rid of ‘23’s “one and done” rentals and heavily investing my avid fan interest in an essentially new era of Twins baseball.
  13. Nashvilletwin
    Just saw that segment on the Twins fan who donated her kidney to the Phillies fan. I have goosebumps. Wow. Way to go to that Twins fan! That’s incredible!
  14. Nashvilletwin
    Exactly. Just when it looked like Gallo would be jettisoned, Kiriloff gets hurt… Just let the kids get their ABs. Anyway, let’s hope we are still above .500 on Sunday night.
  15. Nashvilletwin
    Seriously, talking about putting the cart before the horse….. Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. Geez, this team may win the division with less than 80 wins - boy, what an accomplishment.
  16. Nashvilletwin
    Just great to see him back to health and embracing the type of baseball that made him such a high pick (and will be how he makes his mark in the majors). One has to wonder if the trade to the Twins was a bit of bad luck for him. At the time of the trade, our organization was fully invested in the HR or bust approach. A trade to an organization that would have continue to focus on his true competitive advantage instead of trying to create another one might have been a better move for him. Alas, he is where he is now and, thankfully, it appears the Twins (and the league) may be moving in the direction of his true (and differentiated) skill base. If Lewis finds himself in CF next year (to make way for Lee and Julien in the infield), Martin very well could end up a super utility role or left field. If not, it’s not outside the realm of possibility he develops into a more everyday CFer. Regardless, the prospect of OBA machines with a bit of stolen base prowess Julien, Martin and Lee at the top of the order in ‘24 is exciting.
  17. Nashvilletwin
    Larnach has such a sweet swing. It’s a shame that Gallo basically took his season away from him. It would have been nice to know what we really have in him. Hope he gets a call up and does a few things so he can get traded over the off-season - he needs a new organization. Given how this team is run/managed, and that we are in the stretch run for a playoff spot, I don’t see many ABs being available for the position players. On the other hand, the pitchers should be ready at any time to fill in the bullpen - I’d think they would get the majority of an expanded roster spots.
  18. Nashvilletwin
    Poor Larnach - how he wishes he had been traded at the deadline or instead of Steer or CES. He really needs to get out of this organization if he’s ever going to full fill his dream of being a major leaguer. I feel bad for the guy. Sabato, somewhat quietly, appears to be figuring things out a bit more. Hmmmm.
  19. Nashvilletwin
    Farmer, like Polanco, is under contract for ‘24 - so would need to be traded or released. The first is certainly possible (so you are correct), the second unlikely. Lee will come around at AAA; no worries there - he’s always hit and he knows the game. He will be a strong candidate for AL Rookie of the Year in ‘24, which if it happens I think would accrue draft pick benefits to us if he’s up early enough. He may not break camp per se, but he should be a quick/early call up and, if Lewis does play CF on a regular basis, he should be our starting 3B for most of ‘24.
  20. Nashvilletwin
    There should be room for most of our prospects in ‘24. Here’s a take on the position players who could be coming out of camp: “Youngster Locks” (6): Lewis, Lee, Julien, Kiriloff, Wallner, Jeffers, “Oldster Locks” (4) Correa, Buxton, Vasquez, Farmer. “Youngster Bubble” (3): Gordon, Larnach, Martin “Oldster Bubble” (3): Kepler, Polanco, and Castro The “best” line-up may be Lewis in CF, Lee at 3B, Julien at 2B, Kiriloff at 1B, Wallner in RF and Larnach in LF. Correa stays at SS, BB is DH and Jeffers (60+%) and Vasquez (40-%) split duties behind the plate. Some combo of two of Gordon, Castro, and Martin play super utility roles covering both the outfield (all three spots) and the infield (not including 1B). Farmer should stay as an all infield position playing capable player and for his veteran presence (the man is a pro’s pro). We could keep Polanco as an our primary backup 1B and switch hitting DH plus some 2B work against lefties - he’d get plenty of ABs. That’s 14 position players (one too many?) with excellent flexibility and redundancy at all positions. Plus a good mix of right, left and switch hitting bats, defensive prowess and speed. Eight of the players are essentially making league minimum - freeing up capital to augment the pitching staff.
  21. Nashvilletwin
    An additional benefit of the young players: they are way more fun to watch! I hate to miss any Julien, Wallner or Lewis ABs and Jeffers and Kiriloff are not far behind. When Gallo steps to the plate, it’s time to check emails, grab a snack or take a nap. It just goes to show these players need the ABs and playing time in the majors to see what we have and to develop. Investment is required. Agree with the above post - it’s too bad we aren’t giving Larnach that long look too; instead, Kepler won’t play center and Gallo somehow stays in the lineup. Let the kids play! BTW, Wallner has been getting a fair amount of grief on the TD for his lack of a glove; I’d say he’s been pretty nifty in the field with it lately.
  22. Nashvilletwin
    Gallo making himself indispensable as our now starting 1B through injuries (first Kiriloff and now Solano). Next thing we know, those two will come back and then Kepler and Wallner will go down and he will again be a starting outfielder. Sheesh - Gallo has more lives than a cat….
  23. Nashvilletwin
    So, with respect to Gallo, are you implying that the ‘ol “Sooo, you’re telling me I still have a chance” is still on the table? I’d assume Jim Carey had a better chance…but, hey, maybe you’re right - who knows with this FO. Bottom line - nothing to do on Max until year end. Let’s just sit back and enjoy the show (for which we have been waiting for so long and which is really fun to watch).
  24. Nashvilletwin
    Love Max. Absolutely one of my favorite Twins from this recent era. Love what he is doing right now as well. He’s resurgence is one of the key factors in our climb past the Guardians. Geez, hope he keeps it up. Having said that, the question remains - who is the real Max Kepler at this stage in his career? Sorry, but it’s not unreasonable to have the under on the next two years or so of Max’s career vs. how he has played since the All-Star break. Two weeks or so ago, it seemed pretty clear we couldn’t trade him for even a long-shot prospect. Now we are willing to pick up his option for a net $9MM? Let’s hold steady and see how the year plays out. The way things are going, there are a vast range of potential outcomes for Max - from a buyout, a one year pick up, a pickup followed by a trade, a new multi year deal, etc. Poor Larnach, his chances for an extended, real look just get slimmer and slimmer. Next thing he knows Gallo will get hot and there will be talk about another $11MM one year deal for him. How he must wish he had been traded at the deadline.
  25. Nashvilletwin
    And the year before this year it was injuries, and the year before that…..blah, blah blah. I understand your point, but true leaders succeed even if everything doesn’t go their way. This leadership group has not. Sorry, but some of us, and hopefully our owners, expect better results despite annual hiccups in circumstances. Are the horrible? Absolutely not. Have they proven they can win given the historically high resources granted to them? No they have not. If they are unable to win a playoff series this year, they will have failed in their most important, primary objective over their entire tenure. The Twins are entering a new era with essentially an entirely new young core. Perhaps it’s time to bring in new leadership to manage it (and, yes, I mean the manager as well). At some point, excuses need to be parked at the door and results have to matter.
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