LA Vikes Fan

I agree with that and think it's perfectly consistent with my earlier stated approach. It's all in how you approach people - the best approach is we have confidence in you so you have should confidence in yourself. I'm not talking about coddling Lewis and Wallner - I think they should both be sent to AAA - It's all about HOW you do that and the message you send. Telling them you're disappointed in their performance or kicking them in the ass on their way out the door is a mistake. It's much more likely to be successful if you tell them that you're giving them the tools to succeed, that you're invested in their success, and that you have confidence they will succeed.

Sending Lewis down to AAA to work on his swing makes sense. I think there is a legitimate concern on how he will adjust to a demotion. His confidence seems a bit fragile. I don't think the team can take that into account in the ultimate decision, but this does have to be handled well so the right message is sent - "we believe in you and are just trying to give you space to become all that you can be". I know some of you will just think the message should be, "grow up and deal with adversity" but as someone who manages Gen Z lawyers, I can tell you that approach is very unlikely to work. Blame us Boomers and Millennials for the way we raised our children perhaps, but the military style jsut send direct orders approach is the wrong way to deal with players in their 20s. He'll go down and the second he gets the chance he'll be gone to another organization AND he probably won't improve. You've got to show him loyalty, support, and commitment or you won't get that back. By the way, all of the above also applies to Wallner. In spades. Don't get me wrong, Both Lewis and Wallner should go to AAA in the next 15-30 days absent major improvement, probably for Culpepper and Emma. Still, the Twins have to handle this right if they expect these guys to improve and be in a position to come back.

I agree with your idea of bringing up more of the prospects for this year. By the way, Wallner has 1 option left so he can be optioned. I've read conflicting things on Lewis but Fangraphs says he has 2 options left so I suspect he can also be sent to AAA.

I think this has to be the plan. Prielipp Thursday for 5, followed by Rojas for 3. The Bradley spot either skipped or given to Matthews Friday or Saturday depending on what works best for Ryan.

I agree with the analysis if we are focusing only on this year but I think that's not the right focus. I agree that it would be good to have Varland this year and he's pitching much better in Toronto than he did for the Twins, but it's way too early to evaluate that trade. Rojas clearly is an electric arm from the left side. The earliest he will be truly ready is next year, although he may provide some value this year. If, and it's a big if, he becomes a middle of the rotation guy or better that trade is actually a win/win, a win for the Twins if he's a top of the rotation arm. The simple truth is that starting pitching is much more valuable than relief pitching. And in this case, Rojas is controllable longer than Varland. Anything Roden provides is gravy and doesn't move the needle much unless he's a multi year high end starting OF - very unlikely IMO. The other one that's hard to evaluate now is the Stewart for Outman trade. It was a lose/lose until now (the Dodgers got the princely sum of 4 innings in 2025 before Stewart blew out his arm again). Now the Dodgers can get Stewart's 30 innings a year in the next 2 months and he'll be back on the shelf by late August. If they do, they win. If he blows his arm out again early or if he's ineffective from the cumulative injury toll, it remains a lose/lose. The Abel/Tait for Duran trade is going to be a win/win unless one of them gets injured long term. Philly gets Duran while their competitive window is wide open, we get 6 years of Abel in the rotation (#3 or better guy), and 6 years of Tait behind the plate starting in 2028 or so, both of which match the next time the Twins have a chance to be truly competitive. Also, Mendez for 3 months of Bader is a steal for us. Overall, not so bad when yo line them all up and consider competitive windows. Take out the Varland trade and it's a B/B+ for the Twins, maybe even an A-. Add in Varland's trade and it remains a B/B+ ONLY if Rojas turns into a middle of the rotation or better starter. Otherwise, B- if he's a good bullpen arm, C if he washes out.

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