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  1. LA Vikes Fan

    Time To Make Some Big Changes and Audition Guys for The Rest Of 2026 After Today's Debacle

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Time To Make Some Big Changes and Audition Guys for The Rest Of 2026 After Today's Debacle
    I freely admit that I was one of those guys clinging to the hope that this year's Twins could not only make the playoffs; they could actually win the Central Division! Well,  a 4-9 start to August and the unmasking of our deficiencies by getting swept at home by the Phillies has made the opposite point to me. We just aren't good enough, at least not with the current group. Our starting pitching is falling apart due to injury, and the offense is pretty futile. Doesn't leave one with much if any hope for 2026.
    So what do we do? I think we use the rest of 2026 to try out guys who could shore up positions for 2027. That means sitting or even cutting guys who will not be on the team next year where we have somebody to look at and playing the guys who we are going to need to start next year. That includes guys learning a new position.. Starting with what I think is next year's Opening Day lineup, Lee (3B), Culpepper (SS), and Lewis (1B or 2B) play every day. Pick a lane with Keaschall. Either he's a corner 0F or a 2B. DH is not a lane for a highly athletic, 23-year-old player. Anyone who suggests that needs to find a day job. Keaschall may in fact be our best hitter, he certainly has been the last two months, and he needs to play in the field every day somewhere. I'd prefer 2B despite how poorly he played there earlier because that's where the opening is, but I respect anyone who says he has to be a corner OF. Regardless of where you put him, call up Jenkins and give him some time to see if he's ready. Same for Roden, he's starting to come around. Give him some fairly consistent ABs. Unless you are going to move Keaschall back to 2B, call up Ben Ross. He is tearing up AAA, and is 25. Let's use the last six weeks to find out if he can be a UTL or even the starting 2B on next year's team.
    On the pitching side, call up Rojas and put him in the rotation in place of either Ober or Matthews. Ober can go to the bullpen as the long man with Adams heading back to AAA or Matthews can either go back to AAA, go to the bullpen, or go on the IL until his foot gets better. Work hard to sign Minter for at least 2027. Keep throwing Funderburk out there in high leverage situations, and keep Prielipp and Kremer in the rotation as long as you can.
    How would we create space? I think it's time to DFA a couple guys and bench a couple others. Kriedler has been a fun story but his ceiling is a good glove, no bat UTL. He probably passes through waivers and if he doesn't, no big loss. Much as I hate to say it, same for Taylor Rogers. In a sense, we might be doing him a favor by making him available to other teams. Maybe he'll get picked up by contender get a chance for another playoff run in this, his last year in the majors. Sit Bell and Larnach 3 days a week unless you're committed to bringing them back next year. Sit Clemens at least 3 days a week. I want him back next year as a very versatile UTL but his bat is way too streaky and inconsistent to give him a starting position. Sit or DH Buxton 3 days a week with the other 3 in CF. His body just isn't going to let him finish strong. I would recommend playing a young Catcher regularly but we don't have one ready to play yet. Let's create opportunity now while we can. There may be no spring training next year.  
    I think if you do these things you can create find 4 plus days a week for Jenkins, Roden, and Ross, 5 days plus a week for Culpeper, and time for Emma when he comes up on 9/1. If you want to change out Roden for Emma, I'm fine with that. We also create a spot every fifth day in the rotation for Rojas. Time to find out if these guys can play. Now, not next spring, NOW. Who's with me?
  2. LA Vikes Fan

    Three Trades I Want To See In The Next Week

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Three Trades I Want To See In The Next Week
    We can all argue about how good this year's team is and whether we should buy or sell. I think the ceiling is about 85-86 wins, getting a wildcard or winning the division if Chicago and Cleveland tank, winning one playoff series, and then being quickly shown the door. I think the floor is 72 – 75 wins if we make no moves, have some injuries, and the pitching completely falls apart.

    I want to make the moves that get us the best chance to hit the ceiling scenario without hamstringing us in the short or medium term. I think it's possible if you make the following three trades and I think all of them can be done. I ran all them through Baseball Trade Values, if you believe in that site, and all said they were either fair trades or a minor overpay by the Twins so I don't think any of them are fantasy, pie-in-the-sky stuff. Here they are:
    Trade 1 – Twins trade with Seattle
    Twins get: Emerson Hancock and Jose Ferrer (or Gabe Speier)
    Mariners get: Ryan Jeffers and either Emma, GG, or Mendez.
    Good trade for both teams. Mariners get the right-handed bat they need at a position of need for this season when they have a real chance to win a crappy division and the pitching to make noise in the playoffs. Cal Raleigh has a .573 OPS trying to play through a strained oblique. He can either go to the bench or be a DH, but is still be around next year when he isn't hurt. They also get an outfielder that might help them this year but really can help them long-term who is completely controllable. Twins get mid rotation starting pitcher with 4 arbitration years left, plus either a 26-year-old (Ferrer) or 31-year-old (Speier) LH reliever who is performing well this year and has at least two years of control after this year. Twins put Hancock in the rotation, move Prielipp or Matthews to the bullpen, and that with the added reliever upgrades the pitching immensely. Even better, you've done it by trading a guy won't be here next year with the only real pain being the trade of a high-end prospect at a position where we have several high-end prospects.
    Trade 2 – Twins trade with the Mets
    Twins get – Luke Weaver.
    Mets get – Ryan Gallagher, James Ellwanger. Khadim Diaw, or Yasser Mercedes, but only one.
    The Twins get a solid right-handed reliever who is having a very good year and who they can keep for $12M next year. Mets get a good but not elite prospect and can decide whether it's more important to get pitching or hitting. Another good deal for both sides. By the way, BTV says trading Gallagher or Ellwanger is a minor overpay with Diaw or Mercedes a pretty even swap for Weaver.
    Trade 3 - Twins trade with Giants
    Twins get - Luis Arraez
    Giants get - Ryan Gallagher or James Ellwanger.
    I stole this idea from the article today about trading for an OF or 2B that can help us against left-handed pitching. I think he's right that Lane Thomas also would be a good choice. I like Arraez more since he can play 2B or 1B, and I think Royce Lewis is still another season away from regaining his form after the injuries. Both Arraez and Thomas hit left-handed pitching well. If we go after Lane Thomas instead, I would trade someone like Yasser Mercedes, not Gallagher or Ellwanger. 
    So there it is. If the Twins make these trades you give up Ryan Jeffers and basically three top 20 prospects, one top 10-12 OF (or top 5 if it's Emma), a 13-20 guy, and a 20-30 guy. We get back a controllable #3 or #4 starter, a controllable good but not elite left-handed reliever, a good but not elite right-handed reliever that we have in 2026 and 2027, and a bat that helps us against left-handed pitching. I think all of these moves are worth the cost as I projected and all would help this year's team. All but the last also help the 2027 team have a better chance of getting to that 85-90 win level.

    What do you think? What trades would you like to see made overall at the deadline as an overall strategy?
     
     
  3. LA Vikes Fan

    Buy or Sell at the Deadline? Well, Where Are We Now Talent – Wise, Anyway?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Buy or Sell at the Deadline? Well, Where Are We Now Talent – Wise, Anyway?
    There is an old very true saying that before you can decide what to do now to impact the future, you have to know where you are now in space and time. I think that before the Twins can decide whether to buy or sell at the deadline, or to do both in some measure, you have to have a sober, clearheaded view of what talent we have now and how we think it will perform in 2027 and 2028. I think we have a pretty good consensus on the 2026 roster. The ceiling is roughly 85 wins, a Wild Car berth or Division title if everyone else falters, maybe win one playoff round, and then a pretty quick exit. The floor is we spiral downward either now or in August and wind up at 72 – 75 wins, with more questions than answers going forward. The most likely result is somewhere in between those two.
    So the big question is where are we likely to be in '27 and '28 if we do little or nothing at the Trade Deadline, or do just a couple low wattage trades for relief pitchers who aren't going to be with us past this year. I think that's where many of us disagree and why we have such divergent thoughts for this year's Trade Deadline. I thought I would try to get at that answer by dividing our current talent at the MLB and AAA level into 7 categories - (1) guys who are now stars and should continue to be stars through either '27 or '28, (2) average or above average MLB starters through '28, (3) guys who have a 50% chance or more of being at least above average MLB starters in 2027 or by 2028, (4) guys and could be contributing roster players in 2027 and/or 2028 but probably not as starters, rotation pieces, or in the top five of the bullpen, or who need to change position to be a contributing guy, (5) guys who are now ready to make MLB debuts, have small sample sizes at the MLB level, or will be ready by 2027 or 2028 and look like they deserve an extended run at the MLB level with a 50% or better chance of success, (6) guys on the AA or AAA level who are wildcards, could be anywhere from stars to failures but deserve a shot in the next 2.5 years, and (7) guys who are either really young or below AA and who look like future MLB starters likely more than two years away but could surprise. With categories (5) - (7), I think it's a safe assumption that none will be immediate stars but the guys I've tried to list are those I think have at least an outside shot at being average or better MLB starters in' 27 or' 28. In each case, I note the position for all players, which I think is important for the pitchers as well as the hitters. For example, I think Bailey Ober will be an average or better #4 starter, but he isn't an average or better #3 or higher MLB starter. I also eliminated older players who I think just won't be around next year or they year after or, if they are, would always be in imminent danger of being replaced like Taylor Rogers and Tommy Nance. I didn't go below the AA level because below that is a complete crapshoot although I did include Tait because I think he is more than a crapshoot. I did not include any of this year's draftees for that same reason.

    I think you have to start here before you can make the buy or sell decision. A sober reflection of what you currently have helps you decide whether you need to blow it up, trade the veterans for the best prospects you can get and play for 2029 later, whether there's a real chance to compete in 27 and 2028 if you get the right prospects or even just stand relatively pat, or whether you're somewhere in between. Here's my thinking:
    (1) Current Stars Likely to Remain Stars through 2027 and/or 2028 - Byron Buxton (CF, may be moving to LF by 2028) , Pablo Lopez (currently only 2027 before contract expires, #1/#2 Starter), Joe Ryan (same, #2 Starter). That's it. The shortness of this list may be a big part of the problem.
    (2) Average or Better MLB Starters - Luke Keaschall (RF/LF), Brooks Lee (3B), Kody Clemens (2B), Trevor Laranch (LHOF/DH, but only in a platoon), Victor Caratini ('27 only), Taj Bradley (#3 or maybe even #2 starter), Bailey Ober (#4/#5 starter), Yolendrys Gomez (late inning reliever), Andrew Morris (late inning reliever), Cole Sands (middle reliever).
    (3) Players With a 50% or Better Chance to be Average or Better MLB Starters, but no sure thing - Royce Lewis (1B), Mick Abel (#4/#5 starter), Connor Prielipp (#4 or better starter). 
    (4) Contributing Roster Players but Not Starters - Ryan Kreidler (UTL IF), Austin Martin (4th OF), Zebby Martin (as a RP could move up a category, but not as a starting pitcher), Alex Jackson (2nd C but not a starter).
    (5) Players With Potential That Deserve a Shot at with 50% chance or Better of Success - Walker Jenkins (OF), Kaelen Culpepper (SS/3B/2B), Kendry Rojas (RP/SP), Mike Paredes (RP), Henry Mendez (OF, not until '28), Marek Houston (SS, not until '28).
    (6) Guys Who Deserve a Shot But Are Complete Wildcards - Emmanuel Rodriguez (OF, wildcard mostly due to age and injury concerns), Alan Roden (OF), Gabriel Gonzalez (OF, wildcard because of his age), CJ Culpepper (RP), Travis Adams (RP), Kody Funderburk (RP), Marco Raya (RP), John Klein (RP), Ryan Gallagher (RP), Woo Suk Go (RP), Ben Ross (SS/UTL), Ricardo Olivar (2nd C), Kalai'i Rosario (OF).
    (7) Players With Real Potential More Than 2 Years Away Who Could Surprise- Riley Quick (SP/RP), Kadim Diaw (C/OF, age), Brandon Winknour (OF), Eduardo Tate (C).
    So I look at that and it causes me to look at 2027 and 2028 with cautious but tempered optimism. I think this is a classic Twins situation; we have about two thirds of a competitive MLB team. We have one star in the field and two in the starting rotation. We have two more starting pitchers who are quality MLB starters lower in the rotation. We have average or better MLB starters at 2B, 3B, and the OF corners, plus at Catcher but only for one more season. We have two, maybe three good relief pitchers, and everybody else is a wildcard.  We have a strong utility infielder but right now he has to be the starting SS, and it looks like we might have a quality fourth OF. It looks like we may have reinforcements at SS and in the OF on the way. We have some rotation depth but not a lot, and we don't have a C with a short timeline. The bullpen is wide open, and a complete crapshoot. If we have a surplus from which to trade prospects it is clearly in the OF and maybe at Shortstop.
    All of this leads me to think that we buy and sell at the deadline. We sell Jeffers, much as I would like to keep him, because his contract is going to be up and we should be able to get potentially quality, near MLB ready relief or starting pitching prospects for him. We trade Larnach but only if we can get a young, controllable relief pitcher that we think can be in the top five or six in the bullpen by 2027 at the latest. We hold onto Ryan unless we get a huge haul and we shop Bell but is unlikely we can get much for him so he probably stays. The one blockbuster move I would consider is trading some guys in categories 5 – 7 other than Jenkins in a package for a controllable established starting pitcher hopefully plus a relief pitcher, like Reid Demers or José Soriano plus Sam Bachman of the Angels. I'm sure there's others to target. I think there's more here than justifies a complete tear down and rebuild but I don't think we can just stand pat.
    Thanks if anybody waded through this overly long analysis. What do you guys think?
  4. LA Vikes Fan

    Twins Acquire Woo Suk Go For Bullpen . . . Seriously

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Twins Acquire Woo Suk Go For Bullpen . . . Seriously
    The Twins just acquired a relief pitcher from the Tigers. His name is . . . wait for it .. Woo-Suk Go. I am not making that up. Pronounced ooh, suk go. Again, I am not making that up.
    Go is a 27 year old RH who came over in 2024 and struggled with the Padres and Marlins. He has rediscovered his form this year in the minors after the Tigers signed him and pitched well in AA and AAA. He has an assignment clause in his contract so the Twins have to put him on the 40 man, not sure if he has to go on the 26 man roster. We have an open 40 man spot so no corresponding move necessary. 95 MPH fastball, touches 98, with a good curve at 78-83 MPH. Late inning power stuff, dominant reliver in the KBO. His weakness? In a huge surprise, sometimes has control issues. If he's coming to the Twins 26 man, likely to replace Lawyerson or Funderburk. I say Lawyerson. Funderburk is LH so he stays until Rojas is ready to take his place.    
    What do you think? Is Woo Suk Go the solution? If he is, name the problem...
  5. LA Vikes Fan

    SWR DFA'D By Toronto - Should We pick Him Up For the BP?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    SWR DFA'D By Toronto - Should We pick Him Up For the BP?
    In an interesting and perhaps ironic twist, Toronto just designated SWR for assignment. Since going to Toronto, SWR has pitched 10 innings in three appearances, 2 3 inning appearances and one 4 inning appearance. His line is 4 hits, 7 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Whip of 1.10, FIP of 4.20. Middle/long relief only, no saves or save opportunities. He did finish one game so that suggests he was the mop up guy in a blowout.
    So here's the question - Do you pick SWR up on waivers to return to Minnesota? We won't get a chance to get him as a free agent because Toronto can assign him to AAA; he doesn't have previous DFAs or enough time to refuse the assignment. To get him, we either have to trade probably using the ubiquitous "cash considerations" or claim him on waivers.
    I say YES! Let's get him back and see if we can fix him in the bullpen. We make space by waving Taylor Rogers, putting him on the IL, or allowing him to retire with a nice press conference and sendoff ceremony. He is cooked. SWR was it good pitcher as recently as last year. This all assumes he's willing to go into the Bullpen. The recent DFA's by both the Twins and the Blue Jays does make me wonder if there is an attitude issue like "I'm a starter, not a reliever", but I have no information to support that. I say we grab him.
  6. LA Vikes Fan

    Who Should We Call Up Now For the Bullpen?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Who Should We Call Up NOW For he Bullpen?
    I’ve seen some interesting content here about position players ready for promotion, trading specific guys, and some potential position changes, but I don’t remember seeing much that solves the real problem for this year’s Twins – fixing the Bullpen. You hear talk about trading for relief pitchers at the deadline, but that’s going to be very expensive this year in terms of prospects and only has about a 50/50 chance of success. History is littered with trades for relievers that didn’t work out. I want to fix the problem internally, not hope we get lucky externally unless Boston will trade us Chapman for a decent AA prospect and an A ball lottery ticket. Good luck with that. I’d love to see some analysis on the guys in our system who we think could come up and help the bullpen now. And by now, I mean, call them up today or tomorrow and give them a month-long run before the deadline to see if they can be part of the answer. 
     
    I start with the premise that there are a minimum of three open spots. Voth will be DFAd today if he hasn’t been already, Adams doesn’t look ready and may never be ready, and painful as it is to say our old friend Taylor Rogers should either go on the IL or retire. He’s cooked. There are three open spots minimum. I leave Preilipp, Rojas, and Paredes to cover the fourth and fifth starter/long man reliever spots and I think Orze is very shaky, but I leave him for now to be replaced when Sands is ready to pitch. Gomez, Banda, and Morris are the late inning guys. I also don’t think Ober or Able will be ready in the next month to either help in the bullpen or hold down a starting spot and kick Paredes into the pen. I actually think when Able is ready to come back that the bullpen may be the better place to put him for the rest of this year given his elbow issues and I would seriously think about making him the closer.
     
    I have one other criteria. No pitcher over 30 with no options. I want guys 28 or younger that can be part of a long-term bullpen, not Band-Aids we grab off the waiver wires. Even though the Gomez experience turned out to be positive, most of them aren’t.
    Based on all that, I say we promote Funderburk, CJ, Culpepper, and John Klein to replace Voth, Adams and Rogers. Today or tomorrow. Funderburk was very good the second half of last year and his slow start this year may be the result of his wife’s illness and the new child as much as anything to do with his pitching . I think Culpepper and Klein are the best of the rest at AAA, although Roznek is intriguing.
    That’s my attempted solution to our biggest problem, but some of you guys know a lot more about what’s available in the system that I do. What does everybody else think?
  7. LA Vikes Fan

    Time to Bring Back CES? He's on Waivers

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Time to Bring Back CES? He's on Waivers
    The Reds DFA'd former Twin Christian Encarnacion-Strand (aka CES) for assignment today, His overall MLB stats are not great, but not horrible, and he is a RH hitting 1B. Probably as good as or better than Wagaman, and with more power potential. What does everyone think about bringing him back? It looks like he has one option remaining for 2026 and is in AAA now., although it's a little unclear. He's available on waivers and would need a 40 man spot if called up but not now. I say why not? Wagaman wasn't that impressive in ST and isn't hitting in AAA, so I say bring CES back. 
     
  8. LA Vikes Fan

    Twins to Interview James Rowson For Manager; Shelton Also In Play

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Twins to Interview James Rowson For Manager; Shelton Also In Play
    Breaking news from MLB Trade Rumors. The Yankees have granted the Twins permission to speak with James Rowson about their managerial vacancy. The news originally was attributed to the New York Post baseball reporters. They also report that the Twins have considered Derek Shelton and Ramon Vasquez as potential candidates.
    I frankly like all three possibilities, although I would lean more towards Shelton due to his managerial experience. What you guys think?
     
  9. LA Vikes Fan

    Next Year's Roster - A Thought Experiment. Can You do Better?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Next Year's Roster - A Thought Experiment. Can You do Better?
    Well, this season's over except for the crying (like after last night), so a young(ish) man's thoughts turn to next season. What should that Opening Day roster look like? Here's my take. Couple of rules - you have to use guys we now have or, if you put in a trade or FA placeholder you have to identify who will be traded and you have to assume that the FA will be $8m a year or less. No signing Pete Alonso or William Contreras to fill the 1B or C hole. That's just a fantasy. Also, take out the idea that guys will be in AAA for a few weeks to suppress service time for this exercise or, if you think that's likely, your roster should be as of May 15 to take that out. 
    My philosophy is to push young players quickly now while we're in a rebuild (and that's what this is). I completely reject the idea of signing guys like Harrison Bader, Jesse Winker, or Kiner-Falefa to fill holes to raise our floor so we're mediocre rather than bad. This team isn't a contender looking to patch a few holes; this is a speeded up rebuild. Now is the time to push the chips we have in and see what we got. For example, I love the idea of Walter Jenkins starting next year in LF. Let's see if he's ready in ST and if he shows well, which I think he will, play him now. My thought of the "push ahead to build quickly 2026 roster":
    OF - Buxton, Jenkins, Wallner, Martin, Fedko/Gonzalez/Rodriguez/Outman - I think it will be Outman to have the true backup CF but I don't think he lasts long. I'd give Fedko the first shot, then Rodriguez (if he's ever healthy), then Gonzalez. 
    IF - Keaschall (1B), Lee (SS), Lewis (3B), K Culpepper (2B), Clemens (1B/2B/OF), Eeles/Holland (UTL). Same deal with Culpepper, if he shows in ST, he's the starting 2B with Eeles, Clemens, Martin, or Holland as plan B. Keaschall fills the 1B hole; he's stretched at 2B and is a bat first guy. 
    C - Jeffers, Vasquez (yup, the team ERA since he got hurt shows his value) or vet glove first FA (say Austin Hedges, not Danny Jansen). This is the one area where I value glove and handling the staff/calling the game over bat because of the pitching staff changes. We also don't really have anyone else ready other than maaaybe Noah Cardenas and the FA list is either really expensive or really bad. 
    SP - Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Matthews, Bradley. Zebby and Taj get the first crack with the AAA guys listed below up next. Too much talent there to give up or move either of them to the bullpen yet. Both have #2/3 starter potential and Zebby could be a #1 in time. 
    RP - Topa, Sands, Hatch, Funderburk, Festa, SWR, Coulombe, Ohl/Lawyerson/FA/RP acquired by trading Larnach. Festa and Topa start as co-closers, Festa is closer by mid-season. On the FA front, I would definitely sign Coulombe and would shoot for our old friends Tyler Rogers and Zack Littel. I would also be talking to Jacob Junis and Kyle Finnegan. Devin Williams might be an interesting reclamation project after pitching great for Milwaukee and flaming our in New York if we can get him for $5-8M a year on a 1 year deal.  
    Gone (or in AAA as Depth) - Larnach, Julien, Tonkin, Kriske, Cabrera, Gaspar, and Fitzgerald; Outman unless he hits or maybe right away if Emma comes up. 
    AAA rotation - Abel, Prielipp, Rojas, Klein, CJ Culpepper, Morris, Raya. These guys plus Adams, Ohl, and Lewis are the AAA bullpen depth as well; Mike Peredes and Cade Bragg move up to AAA and could be callup candidates depending on how they do. No more throwing guys like Genesis Cabrera, Erasmo Ramirez, or Darren McCaughen into the bullpen.    
    This team is more athletic, faster, but inexperienced and the bullpen is a question mark. Rotation is a real strength without injury and has real depth. On offense, run wild like they are now. Buxton and Keaschall should have 20+ stolen bases, Lee, Lewis, Martin, Wallner, Jenkins, and Culpepper should have at least 10. We're going to need to manufacture runs and now you have the pieces to do that. Help the bullpen and starters with a number 2 catcher like Vasquez or Hedges; Jeffers is the DH when he doesn't catch. Put Culpeper at 2B because Lee has come alive since becoming the starting SS. Really try hard to trade Larnach (plus prospect(s) if necessary) for an established average or better reliever or sign one as a FA. Hatch and SWR are 2 plus innings at a time guys. They cover the 4 or 5 inning starts and start on short notice when necessary. No more inning at a time in the middle innings. Bring back Coulombe and/or Taylor Rogers as the second/third LH. Topa, Sands, Festa, Funderburk, Coulombe, and the FA handle the late innings - bring your antacids. 
    This team could win 85-90 games; it could win 70-75 games. Wide variation but more fun to watch and better positioned to get better as the year goes on. What do you think?
  10. LA Vikes Fan

    What's the Roster and the Lineup On August 1 Forward and How do We Get There? Here's My Plan. What's Yours?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    What's the Roster and the Lineup On August 1 Forward and How do We Get there? Here's My Plan. What's Yours?
    We're heading toward the trade deadline and things are not going well, to put it mildly.  Where does everyone think we'll be on August 1 and how will we get there? My view is that we should be playing for 2026 and beyond at this point. The current iteration of this team is unlikely to make the playoffs and very unlikely to do anything if they sneak into the postseason. We're also not trading for an impact vet with the team up for sale. I say we pivot to see what we have by trading vets for prospects and giving opportunity to others. Here are the steps:
    Trade for Prospects - Castro, Paddack, Bader, Coulombe, and France. The return won't be great except maybe for the first two, but none of these guys are part of the 2026 team. I would try to re-sign Castro but I don't think he'll sign on the cusp of free agency and it's hard to commit to future payroll with the team up for sale. All of the trades are for prospects and I want as much quality as possible so I trade for better guys farther away if we can. None of the prospects we get are on the MLB roster until at least 2026. You could also substitute Stewart for Coulombe but we need to keep one and trade one. 
    DFA/Use as Trade Add-Ons - Clemens, Wentz, Vasquez, Keirsey (or send him back to AAA). I don't think any team will want these guys but who knows, they might go as part of a package with one of the guys above. Catching is always hard to find so maybe some one will a want or need a catcher badly enough to give up something for Vasquez? Ahhh, probably not.  
    Players back from Il - Matthews, Keaschall. Both are supposed to return in July so I assume they will do so, have their rehab at AAA and be back with the Twins. 
    Up From AAA - Noah Cardenas (C), Travis Adams (RP/long man), Austin Martin (OF), Emmanuel Rodriguez (CF), Anthony Prato (UTL), Pierson Ohl (RP). This is pretty much all we got at AAA. Miranda isn't hitting at all, Fitzgerald is 31 and not in our long term plans, and we saw what the team thinks of McCusker.  I added Emma because he plays CF but could see McCusker with Martin the backup CF. It's not great if Buxton goes done but we're totally screwed for the year if Buxton goes down any way.  I thought about Eeles for the UTL spot but went with Prato because he plays SS and Eeles doesn't. Besides Prato just turned 27 and if he's going to make the Show, now is the time. Eeles is only 25 and just came back from injury. 
    Lineup on August 1 going forward:
    Keaschall - 1B
    Buxton - CF
    Larnach or Wallner - RF/LF/DH 
    Lewis - 3B
    Correa - SS
    Lee - 2B
    Wallner or Larnach -  RF/DH
    Jeffers or Cardenas - C
    Martin/Rodriguez - DH/OF 
    Bench (all play 2-3 days a week) - Julien (1B/2B), Jeffers/Cardenas (C), Martin/Rodriguez (OF), Prato (SS/3B).
    Starting Pitchers:
    Ryan
    Ober
    Matthews
    Festa
    SWR
    Lopez takes over for whoever is injured or not performing when he comes back. If all are healthy and performing, low man goes to the bullpen. 
    Bullpen:
    Duran (closer)
    Jax (high leverage/8th inning)
    Varland (high leverage/7th inning)
    Topa
    Stewart
    Adams
    Sands
    Ohl
    Funderburk
    Is this a great roster? Nope. Is this as good or maybe better than what we have now? maybe. Does this have a better chance of setting us up for 20026 and beyond while hopefully replenishing the farm? Absolutely. Let's find out what we got. This is the way to do it, IMHO.
    What do you guys think?  
     
  11. LA Vikes Fan

    Houston May Want to Trade For Correa - Should We Do It?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Houston May Want to Trade For Correa - Should We Do It?
    There are reports out today that Houston is looking at trading for Correa with Paredes likely out for an extended period and perhaps for the season. Who knows if this is true, but what would/could we get for Correa? Should we do a deal?
    I would consider doing this IF we can get a solid prospect in return, something like a top 15-25 in the Houston system. According to MLB.com, that would mean a 40 FV guy like Jose Fluery, Caden Powell, or James Hicks. Probably a good future reliever or average plus regular type if things work out. Would you do it? Would you if you "knew" that the money would be repositioned this off season for one or two solid players? 
  12. LA Vikes Fan

    2025 Trade Deadline - 3 Off the Board (and counting), How Does This affect the Twins Potential Sales?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    2025 Trade Deadline - 3 Off the Board (and counting), How Does This affect the Twins Potential Sales?
    Maybe I'm just bored at work, but I thought it might be good to have a blog where we track the MLB players traded, see the returns, and see how that effects what the Twins might, should, or could do. Here's a start with the first 3:
    Ryan McMahon to Yankees - Rockies traded 3B McMahon to Yankees for LHP Griffin Herring (Yankees #17, 45 FV grade) and RHP Josh Grosz (not in top 30). McMahon is a much better fielder than Castro, Castro a much better hitter (112 OPS+ to 92 wRC+).  Suggests Castro is worth one top 20 prospect and a flyer. Actually sounds about right. Does take the Yankees off the board as a trading partner for Castro. I don't know about you but I'm not in favor of helping the Yankees anyway.
    Gregory Soto to Mets - Orioles trade LHRP Soto to the Mets for RHP Wellington Aracena (20, somewhere between 14 and 25 in Mets system) and Cameron Foster (26, unranked power RP just moved up to AAA, maybe close to majors). Foster is a power guy who dominated AA but off to a slow start in AAA: could be a decent MLB middle reliver soon. Aracena throws 97+ with shaky command at the A ball level but profiles as a possible late inning reliever if he can refine his control. Not a bad haul for the rental Soto. Coloumbe is older than Soto but much better this year. Maybe we can get a better headliner prospect that's doing well in AAA plus a flyer like Aracena for Coloumbe. Do it if we can. 
    Josh Naylor to Mariners - DBacks traded 1B Naylor to Seattle for rookie left-hander Brandyn Garcia and pitching prospect Ashton Izzi. Naylor has a 123+ OPS, Ty France 85+ and Naylor is a better 1B. No comparison. Garcia was Seattle’s 11th-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2023. He ranked 13th among Seattle prospects at MLB Pipeline and 19th at Baseball America. Izzi, 21, is a long-term development play. He pitched well in Low-A last season but has struggled to a 5.51 ERA across 12 starts in High-A this year. In other words, 1 top 20 and a flyer. France will be lucky to get us the flyer. Trade him for whatever you can get. 
    Returns so far make me optimistic that we might actually be able to get some quality prospects for both Castro and Coloumbe. Still prospects though, none of whom are MLB ready this year or probably next year. I would trade Coloumbe for a similar or better return and maybe try to re-sign him in the off-season. I would try to re-sign Castro now and if not, also trade him for the same or a better return and follow the same path in the off-season. 
    What do you guys think about the return and how it impacts the Twins? Would you make similar deals?
  13. LA Vikes Fan

    Who Replaces Wallner As He Goes to the IL?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Who Replaces Wallner As He Goes to the IL?
    Wallner is going on the IL today with hamstring tightness, assumedly retroactive a day. Who comes up? This decision is a little more complicated than usual because Austin Martin is on the minor league IL, we can't make Castro an OF because we don't have enough left side infielders unless Correa can play, and Larnach isn't running well. Add to that you look at the statistics for the St. Paul Saints and the only three players were really hitting much are Carson McCusker, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Luke Keaschall. McCausker has only had 145 PAs (132 ABs) at AAA between last year and this year, going 38-132 (.288), with 8 HRS, 13 RBI, 48 SOs (33.1%!), and 13 BBs (9%). He's also 6'8", 250 lbs., so I'm guessing not a speed merchant. Good average and OPS, some but not exceptional power, high strikeout rate. Keaschall is in his first year at AAA with a slash line of.261/.379/.348 (.727), and coming off Tommy John surgery so is limited in the field. Good on-base guy, not much power, uncertain defensive home, not an outfielder. Ryan Fitzgerald is hitting with a .882 OPS and can play SS, but he is 30, not really a prospect because of his age and prior performance, and also not outfielder. Emma is not really hitting much at AAA - .704 OPS wiht no HRs and 6 RBIs in 45 ABs. This also Jefferson Morales who placed some outfield, but he's really a catcher and is sitting.238/.304/.405 (.709) so he's not really setting the world on fire.
    So what do you do? I would call up Keaschall, put some combination of Bader, Keirsey, and Larnach in the corner OF every day, and have Keaschall play 2B some and DH some. I'm banking on Correa being able to play so he and Lee are the primary left side of the infield, with Castro an occasional fill in and also available as the fifth outfielder.  Frankly, it's not ideal. It would be better Martin was available, but he's not. By the way, I wouldn't be upset if they combined this with bringing up Fitzgerald to have some infield coverage at SS and 3B while sending down Gaspar.
    What do you guys think we should do?
  14. LA Vikes Fan

    Keirsey, Julien and Gaspar Make Opening Day Roster

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Keirsey, Julien and Gaspar Make Opening Day Roster
    MIB trade Rumors is reporting (from Betsy Helfand ) that Keirsey and Gaspar made the team to open 2025.  They also speculate that locks in Julien on the team. Martin is being sent to St. Paul. Good decisions in my view. I hope all three get enough playing time while Lee and Lewis are out so we can make an intelligent decision as to who to send down when the time comes. 
  15. LA Vikes Fan

    Helman Traded to Cards

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Helman Traded For Cash
    MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Twins traded Michael Helman to St. Louis for cash. It does not say how much cash. Well, I guess we now know how the team is paying ofr Bader and one of the players going to create a 40 man vacancy. Not very exciting.  
  16. LA Vikes Fan

    There is Help on the Waiver Wire - Should We Try to Grab It?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    There is Help on the Waiver Wire - Should We Try to Grab It?
    In classic Twins fashion, we saved our run of poor injury luck for just after the trade deadline (not that we would've traded for anybody any good anyway), leaving the team short at some important positions. It's August, the time when a young Front Office's heart turns to that classic rebound refuge – the waiver wire. I thought it might be interesting to have a place where people can put in the names of anybody they think is available on waivers that would actually help the Twins either as AAA depth or on the current 26 man roster. I actually have three candidates:
    Ahmed Rosario - The Dodgers just put Rosario on waivers after trading for him due to a roster crunch when Mookie Betts came back. Rosario is actually hitting .305/.331/.435 (.746), and plays a decent shortstop and very good second base. I love me some Willie Castro at the plate playing second base or in the outfield, but he is no shortstop and we don't have one with Correa out. Rosario will get claimed on waivers with only $387,000 left on his contract for the year so we may not get a chance but I think he is definitely worth a claim and would make this team better this year. Martin can go back to AAA to make room on the roster. Also, having Castro go to centerfield may help us if Buxton is down for a couple of weeks with "right hip soreness".
    Jake Diekman - Left-handed relief pitcher waived by the Mets. Not having a good year this year, 5.63 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, but had a 3.34 ERA last year in 56 innings. He's 37 so maybe he's just falling off a cliff, but it's worth finding that out. He's passed through waivers so would only have to be paid the prorated share of the veterans minimum. I think he's definitely worth a call, particularly if you will go and pitch at AAA for a week or two for evaluation. We need a left-handed reliever – Okert is mediocre at best, Theilbar may be cooked, and Funderburk has yet to show his MLB worthy. I don't think Richards is going to solve the problem as a reverse split pitcher.
    Brad Keller - Boy, do we need starting pitching death desperately. One more injury and we are toast if we aren't already. Keller just opted to become a free agent from  the Red Sox because they optioned him back to AAA when a couple guys came off the IL. He is only 29, and his history shows a guy who's a started a lot of games with a 4.5 - 5.10 ERA, doesn't walk very many guys, but doesn't strike out a lot either. Pretty Meh, but the Twins have taken guys like this and upped their velocity to make them better. I think he's definitely worth a try at AAA and would be a better sixth starter than Randy Dobnak. 
    If you believe MLB Trade Rumors, there are several other veterans who could hit the waiver wire in the next couple of weeks as teams falling out of contention pare salary. Their list is of course behind a pay wall but if last year is any indication, we could see some prominent names whose contracts are expiring out there and available. I would expect some DFA news coming out of Texas, Toronto, Tampa, Miami, Oakland, and maybe even from Washington, the Angels, or the White Sox involving guys on expiring contracts that the team doesn't expect to have next year. We are frankly rapidly running out of players, particularly in the rotation, bullpen, and at shortstop. There ain't much at AAA that we haven't already brought up. Let's leave no stone unturned and try to find guys.
    I'd love to hear any other suggestions
     
  17. LA Vikes Fan

    Varland Optioned to St. Paul - 8/15/24

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Varland Optioned to St. Paul - 8/15/24
    Just saw that the Twins have optioned Louie Varland back to St. Paul. No corresponding move yet announced. Looks like Festa and Matthews are the short term winners for the #4 and #5 rotation spots with Varland as #6 for the time being. Assume he will be back before 9/1 in the bullpen unless there's another injury. 
  18. LA Vikes Fan

    Sometimes Fallout Is Good For You - Any Pitchers Worth Getting Who Have Been DFA'd To Make Room For Trades?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Sometimes Fallout Is Good For You - Any Pitchers Worth Getting Who Have Been DFA'd To Make Room For Trades?
    Well, the trade deadline is come and gone and the Twins have picked up Trevor Richards. No, not Trevor Rogers, Taylor Rogers or even Mr. Rogers (it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood), Trevor Richards. I frankly never heard of him but he apparently is a mediocre right-handed reliever who tends to get lefties out but not righties.. 
    Still, all hope is not lost. Some of the big boys that made the big boy trades now have to jettison players off their 40 man rosters. Every now and then, you see somebody that might be worth trying to get.
    First, the rules (a revision from my first blog, thanks Karbo).  All players DFA'd must be placed on outright or relaese waivers. These players can be claimed with the claiming team picking up the contract. The DFA'd player can be assigned to AAA if they pass through waivers, but any player with more than 5 years of MLB service time can reject that assignment, become a free agent, and sign with any team. That player forfeits their existing contract and is paid whatever the new team negotiates.  The two players below both have more than 5 years of service time so they could be signed as free agents or picked up on waivers. I don't know if the rules allow a team to call a DFA'd players agent to let him know that the team would sign the player if he rejected an assignment and chose free agency but I'll bet that type of communication occurs. 
    With all that said, I've seen two guys who I think are worth a waiver claim or free agent call by the Twins front office. I'd love to know if anybody sees anybody else. My two are:
    Cole Irvin - A 30 year old left-handed starting pitcher, Irvin is 6-5 this year with a 4.85 ERA, 4.48 FIP. He has relatively low strikeout totals (6.3/9) and a relatively high WHIP (1.4), but he is left-handed and breathing and he does have 14 starts this year plus 7 relief appearances.  Better than Okert? He very well may be and is on a farily reasonable contract - $2m for the season, so about 750K remaining. 
    Jake Diekman - Diekman is at 37-year-old left-handed reliever that has been DFA'd by the Mets to make room for their acquisitions. He is not having a great year with a 5.63 ERA and a 6.12 FIP, but in 2023 he had a 2.18 ERA/3.21 FIP/1.125 WHIP in 45 innings with Tampa Bay. He started with the White sucks, so his total for 2023 is a 3.34 ERA/3.75 FIP, 1..324 WHIP. He was also decent to good in 2021 with Oakland, but not so good in 2022 with Boston and our good friends from Chicago. Once again, he is left-handed and breathing so he has that going for him, which is nice. He also leads the Mets in appearances from the bullpen. He's on a one year $4m contract, so about 1.5M remaining. He might be worth a try while Okert sat on the IL. Something has to be wrong with that guy given the way he's pitching.
    I would consider a claim on these these two guys and I think there will be more as good teams have to shed players to welcome new additions for whom they traded prospects. What you think of these two guys? Any thoughts on others that might be soon hitting the waiver wire or DFA land?
  19. LA Vikes Fan

    Paddack To Il, Ronny Henriquez Up

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Paddack To Il, Ronny Henriquez Up
    MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that Chris Paddack has been placed on the 15 day Injured List. The corresponding transaction is a call up of Ronny Henriquez. With the Monday off day, Ober can start on Thursday in Arizona on regular rest. Boushley and Dobnak would also be on regular rest to start Thursday, while Varland and Festa both pitched "within the last few days" and would not be available to start Thursday. That obviously doesn't mean they couldn't start Ober on Thursday and bring someone up to start Friday or Saturday if they wanted to stretch the rotation a day. My guess is he Henriquez is up because he can be easily sent back down on Thursday or after the Arizona series, and that they will call up a starter for one of the games in Seattle The corresponding move for a starter call up would be either sending Henriquez back to AAA or perhaps putting Thielbar on the IL.
  20. LA Vikes Fan

    Twins Pre-Trade Deadline Needs - Potential In-House Solutions

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Twins Pre-Trade Deadline Needs - Potential In-House Solutions
    We are closing in on Trade deadline season, that time when we all can fantasize about trading mid-level prospects for other team's stars. Before we get there though, we need to decide what this team actually needs and evaluate whether there are in-house options that can fill the bill. Trading at the deadline is always high-risk and very expensive in terms of prospects. It always cost more than you think to get another teams solid, mid-level veteran and they're often on expiring contracts making them mere short term rentals.
    What Do We Need?
    I think our needs are pretty straightforward. We have a pretty good rotation that lacks backend depth, about 75% of a good bullpen, and about 80% of a strong lineup that could really use another middle of the order bat or leadoff hitter. An addition in each of those areas be great. It would be helpful if the starter was left-handed, the reliever a viable seventh or eighth inning option, and if the hitter could play 2B or corner OF. I say the latter on the assumption that if we could bring up a hitter that can play well at second base, Willi Castro could be an everyday corner OF. He is actually pretty good out there in the field.
    Who Should We Try In-House?
    I actually think we may have solutions to all three spots presently on our AAA club. Looking at them from most likely to fill in house to least likely, at least in my view:
    Let's start with the hitter. Brooks Lee has been tearing up AAA since he came off the injured list - .367/.421/.561 (.982), with 4 HRs, 7 Doubles, and 9 walks against only 14 strikeouts in 107  PAs, 98 ABs. Published reports say that he had basically made the team out of Spring Training before his back seized up so he must've held his own against major league pitching, at least this spring. He could come up and be an everyday 2B and our primary backup SS, with Castro moving to basically an everyday job in LF. We could create space for him by either putting Kepler on the IL to give Lee a try, shutting down Larnach through the ASB so he can actually recover from the turf toe problem, or parting ways with Farmer through a trade or DFA. Also, another injury opens the spot. This run of good health won't last forever.
    I don't think that Matt Wallner is likely to be the answer, at least not now. He is absolutely hitting better at AAA than he was but he has 86 strikeouts in 250 AAA at bats, an almost 33% strikeout rate at the AAA level. Over the last two seasons he has struck out 97 times in 269 plate appearances at the MLB level, an over 36% rate. I think you have to wait until the strikeout rate goes down in AAA to at least around 25% before you can give Wallner another shot, especially when you remember how bad he was in the playoffs, how bad he was in Spring Training, and how horrendous his line was at the MLB level to start the season (.080/.273/.240 (.513)) before he was sent down. I believe in Wallner as a future solid MLB player but I do not think he is a short-term solution and probably not a solution for this season IMHO.
    Bullpen help? I think the answer is actually pretty obvious - Louie Varland. I understand why they keep him stretched out at the AAA level as rotation depth. I do think there's a way to do that at the MLB level by having him pitch some long relief like he did last week against Oakland. If the need arises for him to become a starter, you can start with having him as the "bulk" pitcher on the bullpen day and slowly build him back up. At this point, the best we can hope for from him as a starter at the MLB level is a series of 5 or 6 inning starts and his track record this year suggests an ERA over 5. I don't think he's the answer for the rotation help. I know he's trying to learn a changeup so he can be an MLB starter. He can do that in the off-season and next year's spring training so he can help the Twins now. I would call him up now and put him in the bullpen while telling him that they'll stretch him out and give them another chance as a starter next year. Again, putting him on the roster shouldn't be too hard considering how bad Thielbar is pitching which suggests an injury that should result in an IL stint through the ASB. He could also come up and take Cole Sands place. Once again, any sort of injury would provide the opening.
    How about the rotation? That may be a toughest one of all. I don't think Louie Varland is the answer. Festa might be and Boushley could be the kind of guy who has that one great career year and we catch lightning in a bottle. If either one can come up and give us some innings with an ERA even the 4.5 – 5 range, that would be perfectly okay for a number 5 starter. I just read that even Paddack thinks he needs a break as he comes back from a second TJ surgery. Now is the time. Put Paddack on the 15 day IL through the ASB and call up Festa (my choice) or Boushley. Give him three starts before the ASB and see what you have. Only way to know if we need to trade for a starter. 
    What To Do and When
    I think we need to try our in-house options before this FO gets fleeced again at the trade deadline for a mediocre veteran or a pitcher with arm trouble. To me, the moves are pretty clear and the time to make those moves is NOW, not two weeks from now, NOW. Let's give ourselves a chance to really evaluate these guys so a month from now we know whether there's any chance that any of our in-house options can work, whether we need to be out in the trade market,  or whether we should just decide that this isn't our year to do much more than sneak into the playoffs and get bounced early.
    In sum, here are the moves to make:
    Brooks Lee up, either Kepler or Larnach to the IL (or, if possible, a trade of Farmer)
    Louie Varland up for the bullpen, Thielbar to the 15 day IL
    David Festa up, Paddack to the 15 day IL
    I would make the move with  Lee today on an off day so he is available in Arizona. I would bring up Festa for Thursday's start place of Paddack, and would Il Thielbar later this week to bring up Varland since Louie just pitched and got blown out yesterday. Varland's probably not available till at least Wednesday or Thursday. The latest I would make these moves is next Monday when we return from this road trip but I think that is too close to the ASB to be helpful.
    What you guys think of these moves? Are there others that should be made in addition or instead of these? Inquiring minds want to know your thoughts . . .
  21. LA Vikes Fan

    Who Says No To The Athletic's Proposed Twins Trade For Alonso - I DO!

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Who Says No To The Athletic's Proposed Twins Trade For Alonso - I DO!
    The Athletic just published an article about "FIve Trades I'd Like To See" before the MLB trade deadline. One of them involved the Twins trading for Pete Alonso:
    Twins get: Pete Alonso
    Mets get: Alex Kirilloff, David Festa, Luke Keaschall
    I for one would be very irritated if the Twins made this trade. Let's start with what we get. Pete Alonso is a great hitter and would be a great fit in the middle of our lineup for the next two or three months. After that, he is going to a high revenue team for 2025 and beyond, most likely returning to the Mets. He likes it there, he likes New York, and it's only a matter of whether they will pony up the money. If the Mets won't pony up the money, another East Coast team will. I have to think the Yankees are looking for a first basemen for next season given Anthony Rizzo's struggles. Alonso is the very definition of a short term one season rental. And that's before we think about whether ownership would be willing to part with the about $8 million he still owed for the rest of the 2024 season.
    Now let's think about what we would give up. I am down on Kirilloff as are many others, but he still has high end upside. I wouldn't mind using him as part of a trade given his redundancy with Larnach and Wallner (I think Miranda has won the first base job starting next season unless he falls off the table), but not when you have to give up two quality pieces to go with him. Festa is probably our best starting pitching prospect and certainly the one closest to the Majors. Keaschall is only 21 and looks to have some real upside in the middle infield. That's important when we remember that Correa is only going to be the starting SS for another 3-4 years, when he will age out. Lewis' knee injuries probably leave him at 3B for the foreseeable future. Lee or Keaschall may be the Shortstop starting in 2026 or 2027. Way too big a package for two or three months of Pete Alonso, way too much. I might give up one of the three as long as it wasn't Festa plus a less heralded prospect or two like Schobel or Rosario, but not the three listed. 
    My conclusion is this is classic clickbait from a New York homer wanting to improve his team. What say each of you?
  22. LA Vikes Fan

    What Should Happen to Miranda When Lewis Comes Back?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    What Should Happen To Miranda When Lewis Comes Back?
    With the recent good news that Royce Lewis it's just about ready to start an assumedly short rehab assignment, one's mind turns to what happens when he's ready to rejoin the Twins. You have to think that he'll be playing 3B at least three or four times a week and probably more, and we have Castro as a potential 3B backup. What happens to José Miranda in that scenario?
    First, the facts. Miranda is hitting .276/.315/.457 (.772) with 4 HRs, 7 Doubles, and 12 RBIs in 105 ABs. He has 16 SOs and 4 walks, (14.5% SO rate, 3.7% walk rate). He's better against LH pitching – .807 OPS – but still respectable against RH pitching with a .722 OPS. His defense at 3B, once a weakness, has improved to a little below average average, with a -2 OAA at 3B and a 0 OAA at 1B. His Statcast chart is not particularly impressive, above average in some things but very little red other than being on the 74th percentile in whiff rate in the 89th percentile in strikeout rate. In other words, the stats so far indicate a little better-than-average player at age 25 with about 750 at bats in MLB so far. Those latter two facts suggest that there is room for improvement to a solidly above average hitter who is an average or slightly above fielder, but those results are far from assured.
    I think the Twins have to keep Miranda on the roster and I think he needs to play. His team needs quality RH hitters in the worst way, and Miranda is really the only reinforcement option. Lewis can obviously hit, Correa is a quality hitter, and both Buxton and Jeffers are streaky. The rest of them? Not much there. Margot and Vasquez are well below average hitters even if you only count Margot hitting from the right side. Santana can hit right-handed but is a black hole left-handed, and from a hitting standpoint should only start against left-handed pitching. Farmer can hit left-handed pitching or at least could in the past but he's nearing the end of his career and it's unlikely he's going to have a big pop during this season. he's also somewhere else next year. I think you have to keep Miranda around for his bat and hope his defense improves.
    So where do you play him once Lewis is back to play 3B? I think the answer is pretty simple. Miranda plays 4 to 5 days a week, 3 to 4 of them as the 1B against right-handed pitching, a day or two at 3B for Lewis when he is the DH, and he can be the DH once a week, maybe twice. I would also look at him at 2B as the RH alternative to Edward Julien unless Rocco comes to his senses and starts playing Julien every day. Miranda was a 2B in the minors, he's here for the long term, and he's a better hitter than Farmer. I would suggest trying him in LF, but I know they did that in the minors and I hear it was an unmitigated disaster. So my view is Miranda needs to stay, play regularly, and do it in a combination of 1B and 3B. 
    This decision is coming in is coming within the next couple weeks hopefully. What he is everybody think?
  23. LA Vikes Fan

    Has Varland Won the 5th Starter Job? What Are the Options For DeSclafani?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Has Varland Won the 5th Starter Job? What Are the Options For DeSclafani?
    Louis Varland just went four innings, one hit, in his last spring training start. He has gone 11 innings in 4 appearances, 3 starts, and is given up a total of six hits and no runs. He's got 11 strikeouts, one walk, a spring training WHIP of 0.64, and an ERA of 0.00. I know spring training statistics are not necessarily predictive but you do have to ask yourself what a guy has to do to make the team. His primary competition, Anthony DeSclafani, has yet to pitch an inning in spring training. He is allegedly "ramping up" his bullpens but that's as far as he's gotten given what I think was shoulder pain (may have been elbow or forearm) at the beginning of spring training. You have to think that Varland has won a spot in the starting rotation with his performance.
    Prediction: DeSclafani opens up the season on the Injured List. Varland opens up the season as the fifth starter and the Twins have all five starters pitching. There are no skipped starts due to off days. DeSclafani comes off the IL in 10 days, and then goes to AAA for the full 20 day rehab period to build up innings. At that point, there is a decision to be made but past history tells us that someone will be ineffective or need an IL stint to give DeSclafani a spot. It may be a bullpen spot if all of the starters are pitching well but I suspect there will be a spot. What do you guys think?
    Question: Given DeSclafani's issues in spring training, he me need a longer Il stint than 10 days but probably doesn't need the full 60 days. Is there another option? Alternatively, if the only choices are a 10 day or 60 day IL designation, if we put him on the 60 day list can he come back sooner and pitch in the minors? In other words, could he be put on the 60 day list and thus off the 40 man roster, but come back to AAA in say 30 days and spend a month building back up? I know a lot of you guys know the rules really well so I'm curious because that seems to me to be the smart move. He's then ready around June 1 and by then we will be in need of another starter if for no other reason than Paddack will need a break. More likely, one of the top five will either be hurt or ineffective. Anybody know the answer?
  24. LA Vikes Fan

    Twins Farm System Ranked #9 By ESPN

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Twins Farm System Ranked #9 By ESPN
    There's an article on ESPN ranking all the MLB farm system by "empirical surplus dollar value", whatever that is. The Twins are ranked as #9. That's a little bit higher than I would have expected and the ranking does not appear to include the Seattle prospect we just got in the Polanco trade, at least he is not mentioned. They do mention Lee, Martin, Festa, Canterino, and Cory Lewis as guys at upper levels who could make an impact this year or next, and Rodriguez and Raya as guys who could make an impact in the second half of 2024. I thought you guys might find this interesting. Here's the link:
    https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/39437646/top-30-mlb-farm-systems-prospects-list-2024-kiley-mcdaniel-cubs-orioles-tigers-padres
    it is behind the ESPN+ pay wall so I apologize if not everyone can access this. It will eventually get to the regular site. I get access to this because of the Disney Plus subscription my wife made us get to give my grandson something to watch when he comes over.
  25. LA Vikes Fan

    Starter Order for ALDS - What Would You Do?

    By LA Vikes Fan,


    Starter Order for ALDS - What Would You Do?
    Now that we've won, time to start thinking about how we line up the starters for the ALDS. Games 1 and 2 are Saturday and Sunday in Houston, 3 and 4 are Tuesday and Wednesday in MN, and game 5 Friday in Houston. Lopez is able to go Sunday on 4 days rest, Gray not until Tuesday.  Ryan would be next man up but hasn't pitched well lately and got bombed when he started in Houston on May 30. I think Ober is a better bet on the road, so is Maeda. Here's what I would do:
    Saturday - Ober
    Sunday - Lopez
    Tuesday - Gray
    Wednesday - Ryan/Maeda
    Friday Lopez
    Ober joins roster instead of Paddack or Funderburk (I say drop Paddack for Ober). Gives you Lopez twice, Gray in a possible elimination game, and gives us a better chance on Saturday with Ober instead of Ryan. Ryan pitches at home where he's much better. Thoughts? 
     
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