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LA Vikes Fan

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Everything posted by LA Vikes Fan

  1. LA Vikes Fan
    Wow, I didn't know he was that lousy against LHs. My concern is that we will keep him since he can opt out and not keep Funderburk up. I agree that if we are only keeping 3 LHS, lose Chafin and keep Funderburk. I would prefer to see a bullpen of Rogers, Banda and Funderburk as LHs with Sands, Topa, Orze and 2 of Kent, Altavilla, and Hendricks as RHs. Maybe Hendricks will be willing to go on the IL or start in AAA for a month while we sort all of this out. I just don't want the less experienced players to lose out on valuable playing and learning time for guys like Chafin (age 36 season) or Hendricks (37). I think we have enough experience in the BP with Rogers, Banda, Topa, and Sands - we don't need more. Give Funderburk (29) and Orze (28) a real shot. They ain't young but at least they will be around for the next 3-5 years. I'm hoping Klein, Festa, and Lawyerson get a real shot this year too.
  2. LA Vikes Fan
    I was reacting to the note in the article that said about Chafin - "Over the past three seasons, righties have posted a .243 batting average and a .714 OPS against him." To me at least, that isn't bad even for a RH pitcher against RH hitting. Your post only talks about last year, so I guess the question is what is more likely to be repeated - last year where he pitched 16 innings or the average of the last 3 years where he pitched a total of 104 innings. I would look at the last 3 years as a better barometer, especially for a reliever who didn't pitch a lot last year because of injury. You may disagree. I think the point still stands. The concern is that we can't have 4 LH relievers in the bullpen because none of them are usable against RH hitters. If, in fact, Chafin's track record suggest that he is likely to "hold" RH hitters to a .243 BA and .714 OPS, I think he is usable against RH hitters. Overall, I think we bring up the 8 best relievers even if 4 are LH, especially if Funderburk is the one on the bubble given how well he pitched the last 2 months of the 2025 season. Moreover, this team needs to get younger and give younger guys a chance to build a new core. Funderburk might be part of that. Same for Bradley, SWR, Abel, Mathews, Keaschall, Roden, Martin, etc. This year isn't about using guys over 30 or guys who have proven they are average at best or more likely below average, all to try to squeeze out a extra 2-4 wins. He needs a shot and I hope we can give him one. I just don't think the concern about having 4 LHs in the BP is warranted under the circumstances the Twins are now in. If getting guys their shot that have earned it that means 4 LHs in the BP, so be it.
  3. LA Vikes Fan
    This could get ugly out of the gate. Ober may have to go on the IL to start the season to see if he can find a way to get 2-3 more MPH out of his fastball. If that happens, it's Ryan, then Bradley, SWR, Able adn Matthews. Lots of innings for the bullpen in that rotation. How much is Giolito again and would he come to a team this bad?
  4. LA Vikes Fan
    Given that Chafin has decent stats against right handed hitters, why is it so bad to have four lefties? I agree if both are better than the fifth best right reliever, they should both stay. I think they’re both better than Kent. The problem is, I think Altavilla is better than both of them. I look for both of them to be on the roster and one of the other guys to be on the IL, probably Topa. Then, by the time he’s ready to come back, one of the others will be either completely ineffective or hurt.
  5. LA Vikes Fan
    It will be interesting to se how they handle the back end of the rotation. If this is a true "start from scratch" competition, Abel is the front runner, followed by Bradley, then SWR, then Matthews. If SWR and Bradley were guys who had to pitch poorly to not make it, then Abel has a clear lead over Matthews for the last spot. I hope they open with Abel in the rotation and send Matthews to AAA as the next man up. He'll get plenty of starts and he has things he needs to work on.
  6. LA Vikes Fan
    Who knows if this is going to work out, but you have to be cheering for the guy. He's recognized his limitations and is trying to improve. None of us know if he can get to average or above in the field or at the plate. One thing we should all recognize is that he's relatively early in his career and far from a finished product. Let's not fall into the trap of assuming a 25 year old with a total of 659 MLB ABs and 803 innings at SS can't improve. It sounds like he know that he's got a guy coming up from behind in Culpepper and this is his shot. Let's give Lee the benefit of the doubt with at least half a season as the everyday SS and then see where we are. We need younger core players and we need them bad. Let's give him a real chance to be one of those players. If he doesn't perform, we can move on to the next, but let's not assume that answer until he has his shot. Same for Martin, same for Roden, same for Lewis and Keaschall. As the season progresses, same for Culpepper, Emma, Jenkins, and GG . Hey, it's not like we're going to contend any way so let's use this season productively.
  7. LA Vikes Fan
    There seems to be a narrative here that Wallner is either an everyday RF or an everyday DH. Why can't we have 4 guys covering 3 OF positions and the DH spot - Buxton, Martin, Wallner, and Roden (some might want Outman as a true backup CF in there). Personally, I think Wallner is a mediocre OF at best and would have in the field no more than twice a week, DHing 3 times, but others may disagree. To me, we need to improve our OF defense. That means more time in the OF for Martin and Roden, more time at DH for Wallner. I get the idea that Larnach "has to play somewhere". My idea? Trade him and clear the logjam. This is a tryout year. Let's find out what we have. We have to find a way to get at least 400-500 ABs for Wallner, Martin, and Roden unless they completely crap out. Same for Lee, Lewis and Keaschall. Larnach doesn't seem to be part of the long term solution so let's move him on.
  8. LA Vikes Fan
    Agreed, but I would change the order another way. Wallner is a DH/4th or 5th OF, not a starting OF. My view is that the starting OF should be Buxton, Martin, and Roden, with Wallner and maybe Outman behind them. Larnach should be elsewhere.
  9. LA Vikes Fan
    Why not break camp with Buxton, Martin and Roden as the starting OF, Wallner as the primary DH/4th OF (OF 2-3 days a week), and Outman or Clemens as the 5th OF? Give Martin and Roden 4-5 days a week of playing time and see if they can make it. It's time, In an ideal world, I would trade Larnach and Outman for whatever you can get, or trade Larnach and stash Outman in AAA (not sure he would clear waivers after his hot spring, not sure if I care). We have Clemens and Keaschall who can play OF if needed and a lot of guys in AAA deserving of a shot some time this year. We don't need 5 primary OFs on the 26 man roster. I think this whole idea of having to open DH ABs for Bell and Caratini is way overblown and frankly, a terrible concept. Guys, Bell is the everyday 1B 4-5 days a week with Clemens at 1B the other days and Caratini will play C 2-3 days a week. That's plenty of playing time for those guys, They can both play at 1B/DH against LH pitching with Wallner on the bench to get extra days. We do not need to hold back young players so those two over 30 guys and/or Clemens can get extra ABs. Give those ABs to Martin, Roden, and later GG or Emma by making Wallner a primary DH. Keep running them out there until they fail. Don't give those ABs to Bell and Caratini, or to Larnach for that matter,
  10. LA Vikes Fan
    I also appreciate these updates since I don't watch or follow the ST games. I have a couple of questions for those who follow this more closely. 1. Does it look like Abel might break camp as the #5 starter over Matthews? The stats suggest so , do they match they eye test? 2. Topa sounds bad. Does it look like an injury, so he could open on the 15 or 60 day list? Opening there for Kent or Altavilla? 3. What do we do with Roden, Martin, and Outman all hitting in ST, with Wallner and Larnach scuffling? Any chance of opening the season with the former 3 plus Wallner and Buxton in the OF with Larnach gone or in AAA? 4. Most important question - now that regulars are playing longer, the scores make it look like the team is a little more competitive. Is that accurate or am I just dreaming spring dreams?
  11. LA Vikes Fan
    I admit I haven’t been following the spring training results that closely, but I did see that Outman has good statistics. I think the current Twins hitting coach was one of the Dodgers hitting coaches when Outman. had his big year in 2023. Has he looked good in CF? Maybe he’s playing his way onto the roster, much as I don’t like the idea. If he is, how do you fit him in if you still have Larnach and Wallner without sending Roden to AAA? Bell at 1B every day. Roden in RF, Martin in LF, Wallner a primary DH, with Outman a 4th OF? They have to sort this out and it sure looks like on of the LH OFs needs to be traded.
  12. LA Vikes Fan
    I would love to see Roden, Buxton, and Martin as the primary OF this season with Wallner or Larnach as the 4th OF/DH. We don't need a 4th OF who can play CF if we keep Martin and Roden since they are at least passable there. Requires us to trade one of Wallner or Larnach so this may just be a pipe dream. If Martin or Roden fail, next man up is not Outman it's Emma or GG. Let's get the one pipeline we have on the OF moving.
  13. LA Vikes Fan
    I think we may learn a lot about Altavilla and maybe Hendricks from the World Baseball Classic. Altavilla is playing for Italy and should get some meaningful innings before they're eliminated. Let's not forget Altavilla had a 2.48 ERA/1.17 WIP/0.8WAR last year in 28 appearances, 29 innings, with 21 SOs. There very well might be something there. Hendricks is on the Australia roster but I'm not sure if he'll pitch for them unless they make it past the elimination round. If they both pitch well, Kent is the obvious choice to create some 40 man space. Interesting to see who else would be out. Less chaff on the 40 man than usual depending on how you feel about Wagaman, Jackson, Gray, Kreidler, and Outman, all position players. I don't see a lot of obvious DFA candidates on the pitching side after Kent (who, to be favor, I know nothing about and who might turn out to be good).
  14. LA Vikes Fan
    I think the true Plan B at 3B is Brooks Lee. The infielder coming up to the system is Culpepper who is a better fielding SS than Lee. Should Lewis suffer another unfortunate injury that puts him on the IL for an extended period, the smart move is to move Lee to 3B, and to bring up Culpepper to play SS. This all assumes that Culpepper starts off well at AAA and that the injury isn't until at least May or June. I think this also aligns with the long-term plan or at least what I think that plan should be. Lee is headed to being either a UTL or to the right side of the infield in combination with Keaschall (hard to say who plays second and who plays first). The issue is Lee's bat. If he can hit as well as we hope can, he's a starter either at second base or first base. If he continues to hit like he has so far, he's the infield UTL because he can play shortstop, albeit not at a very high fielding level but good enough to cover for an injury that takes a starting SS out for a few weeks. All of this is of course dependent on Culpepper being what we hope he can be but that is surely a better bet than any upside from Urshela, Gray, Kreidler, or Arcia. So bottom line for me is that if Lewis gets hurt, Lee moves to 3B, and Culpepper comes up and plays SS.
  15. LA Vikes Fan
    I like the projection, but see a couple of changes: 1. I still think either Larnach or Wallner will be traded, probably Larnach. The trade will net prospects, not MLB talent (because neither is really worth much MLB talent). Roden gets the vacated OF spot. 2. Dan Altavilla will make the team probably at the expense of Funderburk since he has an option remaining. 3. The rotation is a tough one as well as Abel is pitching. I wouldn't be surprised if Ober goes for an extended Spring training or on the DL to build up innings and Abel starts out in the rotation. I agree that Ryan, Bradley, and SWR are locks and that Matthews will get every chance at the MLB level. Not a great team. 75-87 with a lot of those wins coming in non-competitive games towards the end of the season. Jeffers traded at the deadline for prospects.
  16. LA Vikes Fan
    I'm going to repeat what I've said before - a roster without Auston Martin on this team is pure insanity. Not only should he make the team, he should be playing EVERY DAY to see if he can match last year's .284/.374/.365, 3 OOA in LF, and 11 SBs in 15 attempts. If he drops off in the first 2 months, you send him down. The idea that he should be left off of the 26 man roster in favor of a 29 year old Eric Wagaman, he of the massive .674 OPS last yar in almost 500 ABs with poor defense, or so we can keep the 29 year old Kody Clemens who hit all of .213 last year, is just crazy talk. Neither of those guys offer much upside beyond what we've seen. Martin, on the other hand is good enough to be a regular on a decent team now and if he can raise that SLG to even .400 while keeping his OPS above .360, he's an every day player for years to come. I hope this is just the Cody's attempt at humor or spitballing and isn't based on any inside information. Sadly, though, he may be right about Funderburk. That's pretty unfair given how well he pitched the last two months of last year. It does bother me to send him to AAA so that 35 year old Chafin can make the team. Guys, this team needs to move on to the next core. I can't tell you who will be on that core but I can tell you with great confidence it won't include Eric Wagaman, or Andrew Chafin, and probably won't include Kody Clemens. It might include Austin Martin, Alan Roden and Kody Funderburk, but not if we don't give them a chance to play. This is easy. Trade one of Wallner or Larnach and make the other a 4th OF/DH. You now have room for Martin AND Roden to start most days, improve your defense, and back up CF when Buxton needs a blow. Even better, Kreidler can back up CF if he makes the team. Clemens can be the 5th OF since all three starters can play at least a passable CF. Funderburk is tougher because of the other 3 LH relievers but I would start with 4 LHs in the bullpen if they are among the 8 best relievers and I think they are. BUILD A TEAM in 2026, don't play a bunch of mediocre vets to win 2-3 more games. Sheesh,
  17. LA Vikes Fan
    Clemens is not a starting 1B on anybody's decent baseball team. He is at best the strong side of a 1B platoon on a bad team. I have to remind you that his stats against RH pitching are .219/.286/.496 (.782) and has a .486 OPS(!) against LH pitching. In other words, so far he's shown that he doesn't really hit RH pitching well enough to even be a regular platoon bat, with some HR power, and he can't hit LHs at all. He's a bench guy. Josh Bell was brought in to play 1B, not to just DH. I give that idea about a month before we see that he just can't handle the position in the field well enough to be there regularly. I agree with the poster who suggested we should get a real SS and move Lee to 1B. The problem is we don't have that SS and there isn't anyone available to play 1B unless you want Wilmer Flores. How about trading Larnach for Ryan Mountcastle? Ugh. Just not a good way out of this mess.
  18. LA Vikes Fan
    I can definitely see that order with Martin in the 9 hole to start the season. I'd still like to see Larnach (or Wallner) traded so that there is an opening in RF/DH spot for one of Roden, Emma or GG. I just think that the improvement in our OF defense in the corners from Wallner and Larnach to Martin and Roden or Emma would be a real boon to the pitching staff without a huge offensive drop off.
  19. LA Vikes Fan
    I have to disagree with some of the OP comments and I hope they are not based on inside information from the team. Here are the issues as I see them: (1) Wallner and Larnach are both DHs/5th OFs, not every day OFs. One will be traded, probably Larnach although frankly at this point he is arguably the better hitter but with less upside. (2) Martin starts the year as the everyday LF. Why? 2025 stats - .284/.374/.365 (.739), 3 OAA in left field, 11 SBs in 15 attempts, that's why. He won a job. Raise that SLG to even .375-.400 and you have an above averaging fielding, above average hitting, above average running player. Why on earth would you make him a short side platoon bat or a bench player on a below average team, particularly so you can start a plodding, poor fielding guy with an average bat? Insanity. Note that Martin lead off and played CF yesterday and had 2 hits in a 3-0 win. We will see that again. (3) Assuming #1 and #2, there's spots for two OFs. If he hits in ST, Alan Roden gets one because he hits LH and can play CF. He and Martin are the backup CFs (plus Kreidler if he makes the team). The last OF spot goes to Clemens over Outman to start the season with GG or Emma next up once enough time passes that this year doesn't count towards FA. Might even be Emma if he can beat out Jackson and Wagaman. (4) Last SS spot goes to Gray over Kreidler but could go the other way. Both have a shot to beat out Lee over the first couple months of the season if they hit because they are both Much better in the field. Roster/Batting order (w/o pitchers) - Martin (LF), Buxton (CF), Keaschall(2B), Bell (1B), Lewis (3B), Larnach/Wallner (DH), Jeffers (C), Lee (SS), Roden(RF). Bench - Caratini (C/1B/3B/RH DH), Gray/Kreidler (SS/UTL), Clemens (IF/OF UTL (no SS)) Jackson (C). Jackson. Emma, and Wagaman are now playing for the 26th spot depending on who hits better, how much they like Caratini at RH DH, and whether they think they can find 3-4 days a week for Emma to play. My bet is Jackson makes the team so there's a Catcher when Jeffers starts and Caratini plays 1B or DH, Wagaman passes through waivers and is in St. Paul, and Emma starts in AAA but is up by mid-season.
  20. LA Vikes Fan
    Agree with you on Martin, He was by far the best of the young players in last year's August/September tryout camp. He should get a shot this year playing everyday to see if his .374 OBP from last year can stay above .350 and he can get his SLG from .365 to at least .380-.400. Add his above average LF defense to that roughly .725-.750 OPS and you have a starting OF, particularly if he can steal 25 plus bases at an 80% plus clip (last year he was 11-15, 12-15 would be 80%). He was much more than a short side platoon bat or 4th OF last year in 50 games/156 ABs. Maybe last year was a mirage, but let's find out. We aren't going to find out if he plays 2-3 days a week. Hit him in the leadoff or 9 hole. Get him out there 5 days a week and see what we got. I don't know why the assumption here is that Larnach is the starting LF. We've seen that movie and it ends badly because he cannot field the position. I get that he was resigned at 4.7M(?). So what? Make him the LH DH with Bell at 1B and Wallner in RF or trade him for whatever prospect you can get. As of the end of last year, Martin brought more to the table IMHO.
  21. LA Vikes Fan
    This is the answer, especially if you are looking for prospect return as compared to quality major league hitting return. It is my view that teams do better in terms of prospects when they trade at the deadline. Teams are more desperate, and the supply of quality starting pitching is much lower than it is now. A guy like Ryan could easily be seen as a piece that takes a contending team into championship contention. I would wait until July, see where we are, and if we’re languishing, that’s when you trade Ryan. The only reason to trade him now is if someone is offering a quality middle of the order controllable bat plus prospects in return. I haven’t heard anything like that.
  22. LA Vikes Fan
    I'm with you, FatBat. I say the Slim Reaper is the closer by mid-season. Has the right arsenal and makes sense with his injury issues. Great nickname for a closer. Add in some walk up music like "The Grim Reaper" by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, or "The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult, or even really heavy metal like "Rock You to Hell" by Grim Reaper or Gursach's "I'm the Grim Reaper" and you have a 9th inning show.
  23. LA Vikes Fan
    While I generally agree with Cody, I would at least look into acquiring Zack Littel. First, Giolito makes no sense. He's older, injury prone, and expensive. The projections I've seen are for a 3.95 to 4.25 ERA, with a slightly better than .500 record. In other words, a solid #3, good #4 on a contending team. Why pick that up for the projected $16-22M a year on a 2 or 3 year deal? Littel is more of a solid back of rotation guy, 150-180 innings of mid 4s ERA work, winning 8-12 games depending on the team he plays for, all for $8-10M a year on a 2 year deal. That isn't too exciting but he comes with the ability to transition into a very good reliever if the young guys work out and gives us some rotation stability to start the season. He's also the kind of guy who would fetch a decent return at the deadline because of his affordability. He may have no interest in coming to MN but he's worth a look at that price. I would look into Little and see if I could get him below $10M a year on a 2 year deal, a $10M 1 year deal even better. Otherwise, enough on the "let's pick up a FA starter or trade for one" talk. Start the guys we have, sort through the mix, and set yourself up for next year.
  24. LA Vikes Fan
    I hear you. Wallner "running" to get a ball in the gap can be very painful to watch.
  25. LA Vikes Fan
    Agree with you on Keaschall, but not so much on the others. It's not just their level of experience, it's also what's behind them coming up. Wallner needs to hit at least .235-.250 and get his SOs below the 30% he had last year (although that was an improvement) and Martin needs to show he can have a .350 plus OBP and hit with a little power (.400 SLG would be nice) because we have 3 OFs with real potential who are going to be ready to play at the MLB level pretty soon. Culpeper is lurking behind Lee and Lewis, Abel, Matthews, and maybe Festa behind SWR and Bradley, and Roden and Matthews are 26 and need to leave AAAA status behind for good soon. My point is that we should give the younger guys a real chance but it's not a forever chance. This team is at the point where it needs to sift through what we have and this is the year to do it.
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