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  1. LA Vikes Fan
    I agree that it's a definitional issue. Joe Ryan was no "slappy" when we got him. He was 15-8 with a 13.0 strikeouts per 9 and 2.67 ERA in his last MiLB season with the Rays, and he was on Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics. The issue with Ryan was that he was 25 and didn't have the big fastball velocity so scouts were worried his MiLB success wouldn't translate to the Show. I can't think of an equivalent guy but if we can a Joe Ryan type for Bell, do it. The problem is we can't. One other thing. We don't have to punt on Bell in 2027. We can re-sign him; he won't be out of our price range if we're willing to pay $8-12M for a DH. He's making $7M this year. That's a good price for a guy who is likely to finish 2026 around .255/,325/.450 plus with 20-25 HRs and 90-100 plus RBIs. i know people want him gone to give chances to others and his fielding can be charitably describes as awful. Still, will Roden, GG. Emma. Mendez, or Rosario. do better than that in 2027? Maybe but just as likely not. They are younger and might be better by 2028 or the same for longer, and they will be cheaper for awhile, but there's also just as good a chance that they will be worse or get injured. Jenkins I make room for, next year. He gets Martin's spot and may bump Keaschall or Larnach to the bench if Larnach isn't traded. The other 5? We can give them a chance but they have to earn a spot. No scholarships and no creating need by trading productive players just so they can get a chance.
  2. LA Vikes Fan
    I think you are misunderstanding me and way undervaluing what you want to trade. Remember, most prospects don't pan out and you're trading established above average to elite (Ryan) MLB players. The issue is the market. I think you're undervaluing the market for Ryan. I think he's worth an established MLB reliever plus a top 50 prospect. You're trading him for all prospects and ones that either have flaws or are at least 2-3 years away. Salas has an extensive injury history and couldn't hit at the AA level until the last month, Mayfield has had shoulder issues, but is dominating at A+, and De La Cruz is 19 and in the Dominican Summer League. I think Ryan is worth a lot more, but if that's all he will fetch, there's no reason to trade him. Keep him and try again in the off season. It's better for this year's team and you can get that level of return in the off season. I'd be fine with trading Larnach and a prospect for Waldschmit, but not a high end prospect like GG. Jeffers is the harder call as a quality rental who's gone in 2027. I've seen Jeffers for Kyle Carr and Kaeden Kent, two of the Yankees top 20, or Jeffers and Rogers for Carlos Lagrange and Rafael Flores, or for Henry LaLane and Jace Avina. Jeffers alone is worth Hopkins plus and Hopkins alone is worth less than what the Yankees are supposedly willing to do. I see another real problematic issue for the Twins. The team is actually performing fairly well and the league and the division are both weak. They have a chance to play some meaningful, exciting games in August and September if they keep playing this well. That is a difficult scenario to trade away from because it energizes the fan base, restores some faith in the team and ownership, and shows confidence in the players you have, many of whom you need to re – sign in the next year or two. That alone is enough reason not to trade Ryan unless you are blown way and the package you have isn't close to that. You have to trade Jeffers so there you probably have to take what you can get. You don't have to trade anybody else unless you get quality back. Now if they win 10 or less of the 22 games to the trade deadline, trade away.
  3. LA Vikes Fan
    I get the long game and if we can trade Bell for a prospect projectable to a solid MLB player at AA or higher, I'm in. I understood people here to be saying trade Bell for an A Ball Lottery ticket or trade Bell to open up ABs for Roden regardless of return. If the latter is the deal, I'm out. .
  4. LA Vikes Fan
    I think Bradley has been a great acquisition. He was never thought of as "the ace Minnesota envisioned when they acquired him last summer." I think the hope was that he'd be a solid #3 or #4 starter. There was hope he could improve to be something akin to a #2. And improve he has. I would argue that so far this season he has been a very strong #3 to a solid #2 in a competitive team's rotation. Remember, all we gave up was an aging but effective setup man in Griffin Jax. He wasn't a closer, in fact failed miserably in that role when tried, and he had started the back nine of his career. Jax has had a decent season with the Rays as 7th inning guy. Conversely, Bradley has had a very good season with the Twins as our #2 starter. There is no question we got more value than we gave, at least so far. I'm all in favor of changing his pitch sequencing to make you more effective and I think the ideas here are good. Still, I'm more than okay with Bradley continuing the way he has for the rest of the year.
  5. LA Vikes Fan
    Can't agree with you. You're right that the recent hot streak got him to a 103 OPS+. His history is a slow start, then heats up and continues hot the rest of the way. He's likely to hit at least a 110 OPS+ by the end, 115 OPS+ for the later 81 games. He's probably gone next year but very helpful this year. I'm not against trading Bell, I'm against trading him for "a lottery ticket". I would trade him for a solid AA or AAA guy with solid regular upside. Not a future star, but a pitcher who is likely to be a solid reliver, a middle IF who is an above average glove and hits 7 at the MLB level, someone like that. If we can't get that, and maybe we can't, keep him. He may be worth more to the Twins than anyone else but his value to us is what matters. It will be tough to find at bats for Roden. It's tough when the starters at the positions you play are all hitting at the top of the lineup. Still, I think you can get him 15-20 ABs a week, including ABs against LH starters when Larnach sits and a day or two when Keaschall sits. Roden has neutral platoon splits. That's enough to find out what you have and chances are an injury gives you the chance to find out more.
  6. LA Vikes Fan
    The return on all of these ideas seems light except for the deal for Detmers, which I love. Salas, Mayfield, and de LA Cruz are all at least 2 years away and the latter 2 haven't even hit AA yet. Ryan is worth more, a whole lot more. He's worth an established controllable MLB bat plus. Waldschmit is Gonzalez with a better defensive profile so why both GG and Larnach? Hopkins would be a great get but Kelly is just ok, nothing that special, and giving up BOTH Jeffers and Houston is way too much. Hopkins and Kelly for Jeffers and someone like Sam Armstrong makes more sense to me.
  7. LA Vikes Fan
    I don't know why people are eager to get rid of Bell for an A ball lottery ticket or its equivalent. He's hit .290/.350/.598 in the last 30 games with 8 HRs, 28 RBIS and only about a 22% strikeout rate. If we have a middle of the order bat, he's it. Now if we were to get a solid late inning reliever for him, that's a trade to make. The problem is that those kinds of returns are not available at the deadline. What's generally available are prospects at least a year or two away, many of whom don't turn out. I understand the issue of getting playing time for Alan Roden, Culpepper, and maybe Emma if he's ever healthy for longer than a week or two at a stretch. It's going to be hard to do if we don't trade anybody. Culpepper could come up and play 2B and SS with Clemens moving to a UTL role and Gray DFA'd but getting time for OFs is a puzzle, particularly LH hitting OFs who can't be Larnach's platoon mate. It will probably take a trade of Larnach or Bell to accomplish that. I'd rather trade Larnach but frankly don't think we'll trade either. I think Roden gets his chance after we trade Jeffers and go back to 2 catchers, thus leaving a spot open. Its going to take either that or an injury and somehow there's always injury related chances for guys.
  8. LA Vikes Fan
    My son is in Brea. I like Yates too but at age 39, I'm not giving up much for him. He only helps this year and maaaaybe next. Maybe GG, Wallner and Ben Ross for Soriano or Detmers and Yates?
  9. LA Vikes Fan
    Wow, interesting and good take. I disagree on only 2 things. First, Keaschall is winning the long term job in RF. He's hitting again like last year or close and he's a real athlete. Second, I don't think they trade Bell or Larnach. I think both stay because the return will be too light for Bell to make any sense. Larnach might go if some like SD would offer a really good young reliever like Bradgley Rodriguez but more likely he stays because the available return will be all prospects at least a year out. Neither goes because we won't trade them unless we get someone who can help this year. Keaschall looking good in the OF and again at the plate creates a real opportunity. Now we have trade bait. We have 6 OFs in AAA that could garner some serious interest - Jenkins, Emma, GG, Roden, Mendez and Rosario. And that doesn't count Wallner or Fedko. Jenkins is off the table. I'd be hesitant to trade Emma, GG, or Mendez, but would consider the latter 3 in a trade for an established younger controllable starting pitcher and a solid reliver. Say Jose Soriano or Reid Detmers of the Angels or someone that good? Or maybe for a just graduated top 50 starting prospect like Robbie Snelling of Miami? Maybe Roden or Rosario and throw in a Ben Ross to make it happen? My point is that with Keaschall looking like he can be a long term OF fixture, we now have OFs to trade. You DO NOT trade any of them for 30 plus year old relief pitchers. You DO trade one or two of them for younger, controllable starting pitchers. We've all been thinking all of these guys at AAA are future All Stars. They aren't. At least half of them won't make it and are now at their peak value as prospects with a future. Let's cash that value in if there's an opportunity.
  10. LA Vikes Fan
    I'll bite on actually proposing a trade rather than just dissing the owner family (who deserves it, by the way). I live in SoCal and my son in Orange County is an Angels fan, poor guy. He says Soriano and Detmers are both potentially available in trades. as are Bachman and Yates in the bullpen. The Angels contention window is at least 3 years out and they're looking for young, controllable hitting. Here are the candidates: Jose Soriano (27 yo RHSP) - 8-5, 3.42 ERA, 111 SOs in 100 IP, 26.2 SO%, 1.32 WHIP, 4.01 FIP, Arb eligible 2027, FA 2029. Reid Detmers (27 yo LHSP) - 3-6, 4.13 ERA, 117 SOs in 104 IP, 27.1 SO%, 1.11 WHIP, 3.08 FIP, Arb eligible 2027, FA 2029. Sam Bachman (26 yo RHRP) - 1-1, 3.26 ERA, 39 SOs, 38.2 IP, 24.4 SO%, 1.19 WHIP, 4.40 FIP, Arb 2027, FA 2031. Kirby Yates (39 yo RHRP) - 0-3, 2.75 ERA, 28 SOs, 19.2 IP, 35.4% SO%, 2.96 FIP, one year deal. Proposed deals - Alan Roden or G Gonzalez plus Kala'i Rosario, Ben Ross, or Matt Wallner and an A or AA pitcher (Sam Armstrong?) for Detmers and one of the two relievers. Basically they can have 2 position players other than Culppeper, Jenkins, Emma or Mendez plus an A or AA guy for one of the two starters and one reliever. I like Detmers better than Soriano but would take either. Getting the starter improves the bullpen because that's where Paredes goes. I'd obviously rather have Bachman at age 26 than Yates at age 39 but would take Yates if the prospect return was lesser. What do you think?
  11. LA Vikes Fan
    You got that right I think there is little chance that Jackson is DFA'd for Jeffers. He stays so he can be part of the tandem with Caratini when Jeffers is traded. I'd love to keep Jeffers but you just can't do that when he's a FA at the end of the year.
  12. LA Vikes Fan
    Fedko is replaced by Jeffers when he’s ready to rejoin the Twins, probably today. I do like Arcia for Gray to give us a UTL who can play SS behind Kriedler but then there’s no room to bring up Roden or Jenkins. I think the OFs may have to wait until a trade or an injury to get a shot.
  13. LA Vikes Fan
    I see them trying to thread the needle if we don’t bottom out the next 3 weeks. The first move is Jeffers up for Fedko, then Roden for a DFA’d and traded for cash considerations Gray. Roden is CF insurance with Clemens so Kriedler can be the everyday SS. Jeffers is traded for pitching including relief help. Much speculation about Ryan, not even close to a trade unless we bottom out and even then we keep him to the offseason. He just said very nice things about Shelton, Caratini, and Team chemistry. Things a guy angling for an extension would say. Much smoke on Larnach, Bell, and Clemens. No fire, all 3 stay. Wallner moved for an A ball Lotto ticket or as part of a package with a prospect for a AA pitcher.
  14. LA Vikes Fan
    Pronounced ooh suk go. Seriously. I am not making that up. Dominant closer in the KBO before coming over to the states. Struggled with Miami and SD, released, picked up by Detroit, having a very good year in AA and AAA. Corresponding move not necessary for 40 man because we have an open spot but I understand his contract assignment clause means he has to be added to the 26 man, which is why Detroit traded him. Probably a replacement for Lawyerson if he's added to the 26 man.
  15. LA Vikes Fan
    Thanks. I had read harder fastball but maybe he slowed things down to improve his control. He was a very sought after guy in 2024 when he came over from Korea. Who knows, maybe there's something there. Worth a shot.
  16. LA Vikes Fan
    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...
  17. LA Vikes Fan
    By the way, 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 so the Twins have to put him on the 40 man, not sure if they have to keep him on the 26 man roster. We have an open 40 man spot so no corresponding move required. 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. Likely to replace Lawyerson or Funderburk. I say Lawyerson. Funderburk is LH so he stays until Rojas is ready to take his place.
  18. LA Vikes Fan
    NO, he won't. There are at least 6 teams trolling the waiver wire for second catchers, all of whom are much worse this year than Jackson. Joey Bart, Matt Thaiss, Gary Sanchez, and James McCann all have MLB jobs, and Sandy Leon did until a few weeks ago. Jackson will last about 2 minutes on the waiver wire. He isn't the one going for Jeffers. Fedko is. That's why Fedko hasn't been sent down go for Roden, They're saving his spot for Jeffers.
  19. LA Vikes Fan
    As was I. Today was impressive. I still see Ryan as a very good #2 starter, not a #1, but he looked great today.
  20. LA Vikes Fan
    Absolutely right. Jackson can do as much as Fedko is now doing in the field except play centerfield, and hits a whole lot better. He can be that pinch runner if Martin‘s already in the game. Besides, we waive Jackson someone will take him given how desperate teams are for backup catchers after all the injuries these season. Tomorrow we’ll see Fedco down, Jeffers activated. Just in time for Cleveland.
  21. LA Vikes Fan
    I agree with all of that except the conclusion that he's a #1. He may be in the top 10-15 starters this year but that doesn't make him fit at least for my definition of a #1. I see a #1 starter as a guy who regularly pitches at least 180 innings a season (the standard is really 200 but the game has changed), ERA/FIP/Sierra all under 3.25, ERA ideally under 3, regularly pitches into the 7th and sometimes the 8th, gives team a real good chance to win 8 games out of 10 and almost always saves the bullpen. They have a clunker here or there but when it happens you're always surprised. There aren't 30 #1 starters in my opinion; there are probably about 10. Most teams don't have a #1. Yamamoto, Cole pre-injury, Skubal, Skenes, Crochet, those guys are #1 starters. Ohtani can be if he's injury free, Brown, Cease and Webb have been some years, deGrom and Sale used to be and may be coming back to that status. Thee are a few others that don't come right to mind. These are guys that when you see them lined up against your team you think, well, that's a loss, hope we can win the other two games. Ryan isn't there yet and probably won't ever be. Lopez was close and could be. That's my view anyway.
  22. LA Vikes Fan
    September 2026 unless they trade away a bunch of guys at the deadline and make August a tryout camp lie last year. Get his feet wet this year and let him compete for a roster spot during ST 2027. History tells us that its more likely than not that he will have some struggles and have to go back to AA at least once after he comes up. Let's get him acclimated to the pitching this year so he can go through those growing pains in the first half of next year and be ready to really contribute in the back half of 2027.
  23. LA Vikes Fan
    Well analyzed by Nick as usual. I agree with his bottom line. We basically have two quality relievers in Gomez and Morris, two adequate guys that can be in the back half of a decent bullpen in Orze and Rogers, an unknown in Raya, and three guys who really should be in AAA most of the season coming up only as necessary for injuries. That makes it hard to go on a long winning streak. I think the strategy is pretty obvious. We have a month before the trade deadline. We need to use that time to see whether there’s any reinforcements coming internally. That means getting CJ Culpepper, Rozek, Rojas, and maybe even Rashi up to the Twins. If we have reinforcements, those are probably the only possible guys along with Paredes if Ober comes back to the rotation and nobody else gets hurt.. Then by late July, we have some information about who we have, whether the team has a chance to be a dark horse WC contender, and how desperate the need. Jeffers will be traded if he’s healthy. We have to get one younger established MLB reliever as part of the return. If we can we also want to get one higher ceiling AAA starting pitching prospect that we can put in the bullpan for the rest of the year as well. We also look at some lower level trades that might let us a decent relief pitcher but I don’t hold out a lot of hope for anything more than that because of who we have to trade. Guys like Larnach and Bell might get you a pretty good sixth or seventh inning guy, but they’re not gonna get you quality late inning relief help. We also have to pray that neither Gomez or Morris gets hurt. i’m against trading Ryan before the off-season and I don’t think they will trade Ryan unless we fall out of whatever one defines as contention. And frankly, if we fall out of contention to get to the 85 wins or so it will take to be a wildcard this year, then I don’t think trading for relief help matters. In that case, trade Jeffers, Ryan, Bell, and Larnach for the highest quality baseball players you can get regardless of what position they play.
  24. LA Vikes Fan
    Good win. Still, two things. Lawyerson is reminding us why he cannot be an MLB pitcher. He simply does not throw enough strikes. He should go back down tomorrow and be replaced by either Culpepper or Rashi, or even Rosek. Gray cannot play shortstop. Gomez should’ve been out of that 9th then in 10 quick pitches. Instead he had to throw longer, work harder, and it’s going to come back to bite us. DFA Gray, promote Alan Roden, and make Kreidler the shortstop. Make those two changes please. Today.
  25. LA Vikes Fan
    I think the problem is that even if we backdated a 10 day IL stint for three days, Buxton wouldn't be available in York or against Cleveland. They must feel like he will be back and ready to play in one of those two series.
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