LA Vikes Fan

I also wonder about Topa. He hasn’t pitched in four days. Sounds like an IL candidate. You can backdate it three days so now might be the time to put him on the list. You could call up Matthews and give him the start on Friday when Bradley’s turn comes up. You can recall someone just sent down without eating the required 15 days (10 for a position player) if they’re replacing someone on IL so Funderburk can come back sooner. So, moves for this week - Mondat, Topa to IL, Funderburk back. By Friday, Garcia gone, Matthews up. I’d also think about Klein back for Adams when you can.

The bullpen “”plan” is both short sighted and frustrating. My only thought is that keeping the vets is an effort to have tradable assets and the youth movement starts after the deadline. Other wise, this makes no sense at all. I also wonder if this is because Shelton thinks it will help them compete. I think we know by now it won’t.

I was. I think he’s in the lineup tonight against the left hander.

He may be learning something. His HR to Left Center on Wednesday was an outside pitch that he just went with and hit out. The key for LH hitters hitting LH pitching is to be able to hit sliders running away. You can't pull those so maybe he's got a chance.

No. SWR is out of options according to MLB.com.

SWR needs to go to the bullpen, at least for now. He actually might be effective there - 4.38 ERA first time though, 6. 92 second time through. Seems to match the eye test and not unusual for guys who don't throw hard - once you see the junk once, it's easier to anticipate and hit. Moreover, he's killing us in the rotation going 4 -5 innings when followed by another guy going 5, maybe 6. . I would move Matthews up to take Sim's spot in the rotation, add Gomez ( the guy they just got from Tampa), drop Garcia, and either demote Klein or put Topa on the IL (Topa looks bad; wonder if he's pitching through something). Morris moves to a later inning 1 inning per appearance role. Also, give someone a real chance to be the closer. My money is on Funderburk or Orze, probably in combination. Give them the role and live with the results for a month. Only way to find out if they can do it.

Agreed and let's lean in on this. We picked up Yoendrys Gomez on waivers - 26, high SOs but also high ERA. He has not options left so someone will be leaving the bullpen. My guess is Luis Garcia. I'd like to see Rojas up in the bullpen soon, too. That probably takes an IL stint for someone, although Topa and Rogers inspire little confidence. Bottom line, I'd liek to see the Younger guys get some run adn if it costs us Topa and/or Rogers, so be it.

I was under the impression that Lewis has no options left, but a quick internet search suggests he has 2 remaining. Does anyone know the answer to this? Sending him down to find his stroke makes sense if that is possible, but I was under the impression that he couldn't be optioned.

This is a very tough one. You watch Lewis hit and he seems completely unbalanced, flails at breaking pitches, and regularly whiffs at fastball strikes in the zone. Yet we can all remember times when he looked like a superstar in waiting who just needed to avoid injuries and get a chance to play regularly. The current version of Lewis is completely unplayable. I think you have to give him another month to six weeks of regular time to see if he can turn things around, especially since he essentially has no trade value at this point. Even worse, he’s out of options so we can’t send him to AAA to get his stroke back and he undoubtedly would be claimed on waivers. I suspect that his timeline matches that of Culpepper in that when Culpepper is ready to come up, probably in June, Lewis is the one that stands to lose out.

Good God, Liam Hemdricks. I had actually forgotten about him. Good sarcasm, but maybe not such a bad idea? By the way, Andrew Chafinwas released and is a FA after pitching well in AAA. I htink St. Louis and the Cubs are wooing him but maybe he's worth a call?

Martin is hitting .325 with an .886 OPS and he's been up there for more than 30 games. He should not hit last. I remain in favor of Martin leading off, Buxton second, Larnach 3 against RH pitching, Jeffers 4 and, I can't believe I'm saying this, Lee in the 5 hole. Bell/Wallner can hit 6 as the DH, Keaschall 7, Clemens 8 (he's hitting all of .200 with a .682 OPS, right in line with his career stats), and Lewis/Gray 9. Move Jeffers to 3 against a LH starter, Bell 4, Lee 5, Keaschall 6, Fedko/Wallner/Larnach 7, Caratini 8, Lewis/Gray 9. I saw that Fedko got removed from the AAA lineup right before game time yesterday. Anyone hear if he's on the way up?

I like the "play for the future" approach, but I would do it a little differently. I see SWR and Festa in the bullpen by June 1 if Festa is ready to pitch and Ryan isn't out more than a month. I see Matthews taking SWR's rotation spot, with Morris staying in the bullpen and transitioning to a late inning high leverage role, perhaps even being given a shot at closing. I'd also like to see Rojas coming up to the bullpen. Pitching I'd like to see by June 1, health permitting ; Starters - Ryan, Bradley, Ober, Abel, Preilipp, with Matthews the 6th starter at AAA. Bullpen - Topa, Orze, Morris, Rogers, Funderburk, and SWR followed by these guys in order depending on health - Sands, Festa, Rojas, Acton, Lawyerson, Klein, Banda, Garcia. The last group is subject to change depending on health and performance. Ideally, the last 2 in are Sands and Festa, with Lawyerson, Rojas, Acton, and Klein available at AAA when one of the others craters and Banda and Garcia somewhere else or at AAA if they clear waivers. Festa is the AAA closer to get experience in the role. Morris and SWR handle late inning work, Sands and Funderburk are the firemen for high leverage situations. By August 1, Festa is closing in the bigs and Rojas is also in the BP, probably at the expense of Topa and Rogers, both of whom are traded for prospects. Aug 1 BP is Morris, Orze, Festa, Funderburk, SWR, Sands, Rojas, and either Lawyerson or Klein. Acton was also pitching well before he went on the IL and is "only" 27, so I could see him taking a spot.

You forgot Contracting Tuberculosis, also higher than Subway but below Getting Hit by a Bus.

Boy, is that good to see. Maybe the change in coaching staffs is helping. The next step is better hitting discipline - productive outs moving guys to third base after leadoff doubles (or singles plus a SB), sac flies when needed, etc. This team can only win if it is fundamentally sound. We don't have the talent to bludgeon anybody.

Right now we are 7 starters deep with Lopez and Festa out - Ryan, Bradley, Ober, Abel, SWR, Prielipp, and Matthews. Morris can also be stretched back out although I see a real future for him in the bullpen, maybe even in higher leverage situations. Rojas is not quite ready but we saw in his work earlier that he isn't far off. Festa has shoulder issues that may limit his workload. A look at the Saints roster shows no bullpen help unless you believe in Matt Bowman. Everyone else there is doing poorly with maybe Peredes or Drew Smith as an option, Bring Festa back in the bullpen. We have the starter depth and we need bullpen pitching badly. We don't have to decide a path until next year: he won't be able to build back up a a starter until at least late July or August any way so he's no real help this year. Festa has shoulder issues that will limit his workload even if he does build back up. Try him as a late inning reliever this year and then decide.

Interesting idea. Can Culpepper play 2B? Keaschall also may need a reset if things don't improve by May 15 to June 1. If he's still struggling, then bring up Culpepper, play him at either 2B or SS with Lee manning the other.

I like Bell too, I just can't figure out how to roster him, Martin, and Larnach, play the first 2 regularly and Larnach against LH pitching, and still give ERod or someone like him (GG?) a shot at regular playing time. Bell just isn't much of a 1B. Maybe the real bullet to bite here is to DFA Clemens, play Bell everyday at 1B, and leave Larnach as a DH/4th OF. Then the Wallner for ERod switch is pretty straight forward.

My frustration is that Martin isn't playing every day. You're right that Outman isn't the problem; Wallner is. Shelton seems to feel obligated to play Wallner a lot if he's on the roster even though there are 3 OFs much more productive so far this year. If he's on the IL or in AAA that opens up the lineup for Martin to play every day. That still leaves the problem of finding time for Emma to play unless Bell plays in the field, because they like to have Martin and Larnach in the OF so Bell can DH and Clemens play 1B. Once again, no room at the Inn for Emma. I think you have to deal with both Wallner and either Bell or Clemens before a spot really opens up for Emma. Bringing him up to platoon with Martin so some combination of Larnach, Bell and Clemens can play is a waste. The thought on Outman was to open up a roster spot for GG but you still have the problem of finding him ABs. This roster needs some major reshuffling before the AAA OFs can really get a chance. I'd like to get it started sooner rather than later.

I agree, although I really wonder if there is a market for Wallner. He's a guy that would only to a bottom feeder team looking ahead to better times in a couple of years (think Rooker going to the As) and he's already 28 so his prime is almost gone. I think the better move is to use the rib issue as a reason to IL him for 10 days and then send him to AAA for a 20 day rehab assignment and see if we can get him going. That gives us a month to see if Emma (or GG) is MLB ready. Maybe even teach him 1B during the rehab assignment. This is sad and unfortunate but needs to be done. This team is regressing to its mean, about a .450 winning %. It's time to turn over the roster. Wallner goes first so Emma can play. Next move is Outman gone for GG, then Clemens or Gray for Culpepper unless a Lewis injury opens up a spot for him earlier. I'd do the same thing in the bullpen but we don't have a lot in AAA and you can trade relievers at the deadline, even mediocre ones. Hell, I'd like to see Lewis on a rehab assignment in AAA playing 1B every day and a second half of Lewis/GG at 1B, Keaschall at 2B, Culpepper SS, Lee 3B, with Emma, Buxton, and Martin the starting OF, Larnach/GG at DH, Bell traded for young relievers, and a bench of GG (OF/1B), Gray (IF UTL), Caratini (C), and Wallner/Clemens (OF/1B).

I agree with the OP analysis. The bigger question is can you fix this, and how? No one knows the answer because no one knows how different players might perform, but it sure seems like there are steps that need to be taken: Outman DFA, Emma up. Wallner demoted, GG up. Clemens DFA, Kriegler or Arcia promoted to play SS everyday and improve the defense. Lee moved to 3B, Lewis benched, and the two share 3B with Lee playing 2B on occasion. Lewis plays 1B some. The new SS is just keeping the seat warm until Culpepper is ready to be promoted. Unless he improves over the next week of home games, Keaschall back to AAA for a reset. Replaced by a platoon of Gray and Kreidler with Gray also getting ABs against LH. Banda DFA, Rojas promoted to a bullpen role. When Abel is ready to return, Prielipp stays in the rotation and SWR moves to the bullpen (assuming Prielipp pitches well in his next two starts). At that time, Rojas goes back to AAA if he has not performed and if he has, Morris or Funderburk down. I searched for better bullpen moves to make but I just don't see any other than promoting a journeyman retread like Brebbia and I just couldn't see the point. Adams may be a guy in a couple of weeks. Lineup going forward: Martin LF, Buxton CF, Larnach/Bell/GG DH, Jeffers/Caratini C, Lee 3B, Keaschall/Gray 2B, Emma RF, Bell/GG 1B, Arcia/Kreideler SS. I think he is we've either got to significantly improve the defense or score more runs. I see the path to improving the defense as a better bet than improving the offense. By moving Lee we improve at short and at 3B. Emma is a huge upgrade over Wallner in the outfield, and by making Larnach a basically DH only player, you improve the left-field defense by having Martin play every day. 1B is still a defensive black hole but frankly GG can't be any worse than Bell and who knows, maybe he'll improve enough to stay there. Keaschall needs to fight off Gray to keep his job with a AAA reset an alternate possibility, Wallner can come back when he's got his stroke back but he's a fallback if Emma can't hit MLB pitching yet or fighting for playing time. He's had his shot. Bottom line moves - Out - Outman (DFA), Clemens (DFA), Wallner (AAA). In - Emma, GG, Arcia or Kreidler Bench - Lewis

A lot of talk about Wallner the same day that there was a very good article about wOBA as a measure of hitting value. wOBA basically takes the same stats that make up OPS and add in the situation in the game. We all know a bases clearing double is more valuable to the team winning than a bases empty double the next inning, for example, so the bases clearing double gets a gagster weight in wOBA. Before some of you guys complain about "more nerdy stats", I think this stat works well and I'm as old as most of you and grew up in baseball in the 1960s. So first, here ae the parameters to tell who's good: Elite - .400+ Excellent - .360 to .400 Above Average - .345 to .360 Average - .332 to .345 Below Average - .315 to .332 Poor - Below .320 The best 5 in 2025 - Aaron Judge - .463 Shohei Ohtani - .418 George Springer - .408 Cal Raleigh - .392 Kyle Schwarber - .391 Juan Soto - .390 Hmm, maybe this is meaningful. The Twins who play regularly so far this year 2026 wOBA/2025 wOBA: Bell - .344/.324 Buxton - .326/.377 Caratini - .309/.318 Larnach - .393/.317 Wallner - .283/.334 Keaschall - .255/.363 Martin - .431/.333 Lewis - .334/.292 Jeffers - .377/.333 Lee - .280/.286 Clemens - .288/.307 Interesting stuff that frankly seems to be borne out by the eye test. Buxton is above average to elite, Bell average to above average, Caratini isn't much of a hitter, etc. This does tell us that our best hitters this year are Martin, Larnach, Jeffers and Bell, with Buxton likely to join them. It also tells us that Clemens can't hit, Lee can't either (at least so far), and Lewis hasn't been great since 2023 after a wOBA of .370 in 2022, .393 in 2023, and .317 in 2024. In other words, Lewis has been a below average hitter by this measure and most others now for 2 plus years which coincides with his most ABs. Not good. Wallner is interesting because he was average last year, horrible this year, but was excellent in 2023 and 2024 with an wOBA of .385 and ,377 respectively. It makes sticking with him understandable but also his regression downward over the last two years when he has gotten to play more is very concerning, much like Lewis. Let's face it, if Wallner doesn't hit he provides negative value to the team because he's a below average OF at best (I would say lousy), and he can't run. At all. Wallner and Lewis have been unmasked with regular playing time (and injuries, in Lewis' case). They are in "prove it" years. If they don't hit this year at ages 29 and 26, their odds of a long term MLB career take a huge hit. I think you give Wallner until about May 15 to June 1 to pick it up this year. If not, time to try someone else. Lewis is younger so maybe he gets the season but if he doesn't hit this year we should understand that he is very unlikely to be a middle of the order guy at any point. Also, for Gosh sakes, bench/DFA Clemens, play Bell at 1B against RH pitching, and get Martin in the frickin' lineup almost every day!

Looks like we get to see Rojas next. Decent work by Prielipp. Deserves another start.

We will find out how much rope any of the rotation has with Prielipp starting tonight and probably at least 2 more times before Abel is ready to come back (if we're lucky). Prielipp is really the only starter at AAA that has made a case for being promoted to the MLB rotation so far. If he's good, SWR and Ober may have a shorter leash. If he isn't, those two get lots of time since there's nobody to replace them.

Agreed. Martin should be playing at least 5 days a week. That may mean Bell has to play 1B, or Wallner or Clemons sits. So what? Play your best 9 regularly. Martin is easily one of our best 9, probably one of our best 5.

As it turns out, this was all for naught. CES was traded to the Orioles for that always exciting payer "cash considerations".