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Everything posted by LA Vikes Fan

  1. LA Vikes Fan
    This is the answer. In the right deal any of the LH Of bats should be available. Don't trade any of them just to make a trade, well except for Gallo, trade him if you can get anything, but none of them are untouchable. I would just want a controllable asset back if we trade Larnach, and a higher end controllable asset wif we trade Wallner. Trade Gallo for anything of value, Gordon can go for a solid rental, and Kepler is tradable for a solid controllable asset or a high end rental.
  2. LA Vikes Fan
    They've activated Floro and Polanco, Sands down. Going with one fewer bullpen pitcher. Interesting. I guess with a day off yesterday and a day off Monday, they're hoping the bullpen can get through 3 days in KC with 7 guys in the bullpen instead of 8. Lots of machinations 3 days before the deadline.
  3. LA Vikes Fan
    This is uninspiring but probably correct. Today shouldn't be a big day - it's easy to get Polanco on the roster by trading or DFA'ing and then trading Gallo. Laranch has to stay in St. PAul for 10 days barring injury any way since he was optioned. The harder moment comes when Lewis is ready to come back. Until then, there really is no crunch. I could see trading Larnach if we get something other than just a rental guy back. I've rad that the Nats are scouting AAA - maybe a move for Lane Thomas and/or Kyle Finnegan is in the works.? Both controllable for multiple years. Larnach plus a blocked lower level guy like Severino for one or the other? Larnach plus Winder or SWR for both? Probably not enough but maybe . . .
  4. LA Vikes Fan
    SImply put, No. Pagan is not an 8th inning guy or a 7th inning guy. He is at best a decent middle reliever who can go 2 plus innings and who will give you 3-4 good performances followed by a clunker that will cost you a game. That guy is in most team's bullpens so I'm not upset that we still have him, especially since we don't have anyone else better. Still, we need another late inning reliever in a trade and the return of Thielbar and Stewart. Then the acquisition, Duran and Jax can handle the 8th and 9th innings, Florio, Balazovic and Stewart the 6th and 7th, Thielbar can be the fireman/late inning fillin, and Pagan can be traded or the long man. Moran stays until both Thielbar and Stewart come back, if they both do, and then either beats out Pagan or he goes back to AAA and is the injury replacement guy. I vote we acquire Kyle Finnegan from the Nats or even Weems for that acquisition role. Wouldn't be adverse to Barlow, Bard, Stratton, or Cisneros (although I don't see KC or Det trading with us), or even our old friend Trevor May from Oakland as the guy we pick up. May was awful early but has been better lately.
  5. LA Vikes Fan
    We have to keep 2024 and beyond in mind when we talk about Larnach. Next year's OFs are Buxton, Castro and . . . .? Gallo is likely gone. MAT can't hit and is 32 so he's not a long term solution. Castro is a nice UTL, but he is not a starter on a good team. Kepler is streaky and do we want him at $10m next year? Tough swallow. I'm ok with trading Larnach as part of a deadline where also get a young OF from somewhere like Dylan Carlson from the Cards or Lane Thomas from the Nats. I'm sure there are others. OR. . . . if the thinking is to play Lewis in LF next year with Polanco at 3B AND keep Kepler. If we not going to do one of those two things, we need to keep Wallner AND Larnach around. I say AND because we're at least one season away from knowing if either of them can cut it as a full time starter at the MLB level so I'd rather have both to increase the odds. Don't trade Larnach for a rental reliever, only trade him for something good and only as part of a deadline that brings back a young replacement.
  6. LA Vikes Fan
    That's a deal I think many of us would have made. Unfortunately, it would not have been enough to get Castillo. Seattle gave up a better return. They gave Cincy 3 of their top 5 prospects from a more highly rated system. From us that's a Lewis or Lee, Wallner, Winder, and Festa or Raya type package.
  7. LA Vikes Fan
    Agreed. Larnach alone won't even get you Finnegan from Washington or Barlow from KC, IMHO. Unfortunately, the bloom is off of that rose. To get value for Larnach we will need to package him with a pitcher like SWR at least. Is Finnegan worth that? Maybe. Barlow is not. Hader is off the market and we can't afford the prospects necessary to get him any way.
  8. LA Vikes Fan
    Cano has given Baltimore a lot more than we got from Lopez, but I'm not sure I'd love to have Cano back now. He is slowly regressing to his mean that we once saw. Just blew a save last night; 4.05 ERA in the last 7 games, 3.77 in the last 15. Strikeouts per nine falling, now down to 7.84. He is looking more and more like a half season wonder who is regressing back to a solid middle reliver/iffy late inning type guy. Still better than Jorge Lopez gave us, that's for sure, but Cano isn't looking like a long term all star type.
  9. LA Vikes Fan
    I live in LA. Local media is saying that this trade makes sense IF the Angels are planning to really make a run at re-signing Ohtani and think they can re-sign Giolito. Also increases the chances of a rise in franchise value if Moreno is willing to sell the team. Giolito is from LA and the Angels have a real chance of keeping him. The new GM actually has done a much better job of promoting younger players in key spots like Neto so they might have some money. Now if only someone would take Rendon's contract off their hands...
  10. LA Vikes Fan
    Lane Thomas could be a good get depending on who we have to trade and I would love to see them target Kyle Finnegan for the bullpen. To get a pcakage like that takes something like Larnach, Varland, and Winder according to BTV. Finnegan alone costs Larnach plus someone like SWR. Both a little rich for my blood. I would trade Larnach, SWR, and either Headrick or Winder for those two or maybe Thomas plus Jordon Weems. Willing to add in another lower level pitcher other than Festa or Raya to get Thomas and Finnegan. Don't forget, Gallo, MAT and maybe Kepler are all gone next year so we need OFs, although I suspect Kepler will be retained. Thomas makes a lot of sense and Finnegan or Weems could be the bridge we need to Duran this year. Both Finnegan and Weems have multiple years of control left as well. I just would want to hang on to Varland, Festa, and Raya.
  11. LA Vikes Fan
    This is the right way to look at things. Trading for Lopez didn't work out. Sunk cost. The worst thing you can do in any kind of business is chase your sunk costs; once they're gone, they're gone. Movning on was the right call and Florio might be an upgrade. We still need a BP upgrade unless we're convinced that Theilbar and Stewart are going to be effective coming back. The suspect part of the bullpen is breaking down. Ortega is just a back of the bullpen guy, Moran is inconsistent and Pagan is well, Pagan. I don't have a great deal of confidence in Winder as more than a mop up/long man. That leaves Jax and Balazovic in a lot of high pressure situations as the bridge to Duran. Florio probably doesn't help us a lot there. Still need somebody.
  12. LA Vikes Fan
    Sadly, I actually think this is a pretty even trade for 2023. Florio has a 2.78 FIP/4.54 ERA, Lopez is a 5.09/5.94. Lopez has another year of control left. Tells you the Twins don't think they can repair Lopez going forward.
  13. LA Vikes Fan
    MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that Jorge Lopez is being traded to the Marlins for Dylan Florio,. Report says that it is unknown if there are any other components to the deal. Stay tuned. View full rumor
  14. LA Vikes Fan
    MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that Jorge Lopez is being traded to the Marlins for Dylan Florio,. Report says that it is unknown if there are any other components to the deal. Stay tuned.
  15. LA Vikes Fan
    Are we showcasing Gallo for a trade? Sorry, I couldn't say that without laughing. He has a good game, maybe we get a full bucket of balls for him rather than a halt bucket
  16. LA Vikes Fan
    Agreed and a key point. The Twins need to think about their 2024 OF in making any kind of deal. Right now, that OF is .... well, Castro, Wallner and Larnach with Gordon and Stevenson in reserve? Gallo and Taylor are on expiring deals - Gallo can't hit, and Taylor is 32, fields well but also can't hit. Kepler has a $10m option that the Twins may or may not pick up. The Kepler of the last 30-40 games is worth $10M; the Kepler of the first 50-60 games isn't worth $2m. Buxton is signed but may not see the OF in 2024 either. A lot hinges on Kepler. If we're going to pick up the option or negotiate a 2-3 year deal at a lower AAV with Kepler, Wallner or Larnach is available. If not, we should be in the market for a Lane Thomas or Dylan Carlson so we have a young OF for next year who can play CF if we need him. Frankly, we might be in that market even if we keep Kepler. Lots of moving parts here, all of which we have to keep in mind before making any deals.
  17. LA Vikes Fan
    None of thee guys are very exciting except for Robertson and maybe HIcks. MLB Trade Rumors says that St. Louis is negotiating with Hicks to get to a long term deal so he might be unavailable. Robertson is having a very good year but he's 38 and a 2 month rental, so price is key. Is he worth a mid-level prospect? Sure. Is he worth more? I would say no and I think he may cost more than a mid-level prospect. I suspect the Twins will get a Fulmer type at most and perhaps nothing. Despite last night's implosion. the bullpen has been decent. The big question is whether Thielbar and Stewart are really coming back and could then displace Ortega and either Moran or Balazovic. If they are really on track to come back at full strength within the next 2-3 weeks, I could easily see the team deciding to wait for that rather than overpaying for a quality reliever. If that's not the prognosis, I expect the team to be active in getting someone higher end than a Fulmer type. I think we'll learn a lot about Stewart and Thielbar's 2023 prognosis form how the twins act in the next few days.
  18. LA Vikes Fan
    Love the thought on Jordyn Adams but he won't be available unless we're willing to give up starting pitching that can pitch at the MLB level now - think Varland at least. The Angels are thinking the same way about Adams the poster is and will not trade him except for a major return. I share your concern about next years OF. I am not yet sold on wither Wallner (no defense, too many SOs) or Larnach (low BA, too many SOs). Gordon is also a real question mark. I expect Kepler to stay after what he's shown in the last 30-40 games. .286/.343/.541 over the last 30 games. Your 2024 starting LF right now is a Gordon or Castro/Wallner or Larnach platoon. Not exciting. Given the pitching cost though, I would much rather spend a little more and get Lane Thomas or Dylan Carlson if we can. I still expecting a minor trade for a Randal Grichuck type at best, though, and the Trwins to roll with the guys they presently have in 2024 in the OF. Any FA money will be spent on pitching.
  19. LA Vikes Fan
    Love the idea but no way do we get Thomas for Wallner, Larnach, or Miranda unless that pitching prospect is named Varland, Festa or Raya. Even SWR isn't enough plus Wallner probably isn't enough. And Wallner is worth a lot more than Larnach right now so putting him probably means 2 names from that list.
  20. LA Vikes Fan
    O'Neill had good years in 2018 and 2019 in limited ABs (less than 175 ABs each year), and a very good year in 2021. He has been pretty poor since then. Even if you throw out 2020 as just too weird a year to learn much (he hit .173/.261/.360 (.621) in 2020), he was pretty weak in 2022 - .228/.308.392(.700) - and even worse so far this year at .229/.308/.333 (.641). I can see the reason to think he might come back but I sure don't want to spend much capital hoping for that possibility to manifest. I'd rather have Carlson than O'Neill for the same price.
  21. LA Vikes Fan
    Everything you read says that Nootbar isn't available, Carlson may be for the right pitching package. Assuming that's right, the question is would you trade Varland AND SWR or Festa for him? That's what it will take, not Varland OR SWR. Even then we might have to add in a lower-level prospect. You might be able to keep Varland and sub in Festa or Raya. Price is going to be pretty steep, but St. Louis wants MLB ready pitching, not longer term prospects. Tough issue because let's not forget that the Twins are losing the alleged "glut" of MLB OFs next year. Gallo will not be back. MAT will be a free agent and Kepler will be a tough choice at 10m so he may be gone. Buxton in CF? Hard to bank on that at this point. We may be down to Willi Castro, Wallner and Larnach in the OF next year. Not pretty. At the very least, we will need a LF and we may need a CF and a LF. Carlson could fill that hole. I would trade for Carlson - or Lane Thomas for that matter - if we don't have to include Varland, Festa or Raya. Every other MiLB pitcher is available in my thinking, including Balazovic and Moran. Unfortunately, that probably doesn't get it done so I'm guessing Carlson and Johnson are out of my price range.
  22. LA Vikes Fan
    Well, we have the answer for how to play Julien and Polanco at the same time. Polanco is going to play 3B during his rehab. If that works out, where does Lewis play when he comes back 2 weeks thereafter? LF?
  23. LA Vikes Fan
    Two step analysis. First, is the player additive to the team this year and beyond? I would say Carlson definitely is. Remember, no Gallo and maybe no Kepler or MAT next year. I'm not sanguine that Wallner AND Larnach will be solid MLB players next year. Maybe one, but probably not both, and maybe neither. Carlson could really help in 2024 and is controllable through 2027. Would be a good get. The second step is the tough one; the cost. St. Louis is clear that they want at or near MLB ready pitching. Wallner or Larnach alone will not be near enough. Nor would Varland or SWR alone. I am not willing to trade Varland because I think he's part of next year's rotation. Here's a trade thought - Twins get Carlson and reliever Jordon Hicks. Cardinals get SWR or Matt Canterino, Wallner or Larnach, and Headrick or Henriquez. BTV says Carlson and Hicks for Canterino, Wallner, and Headrick or Henriquez is about even. I'll change it to Carlson and Hicks for Canterino, SWR, and Larnach. That trade I would make. If you change out Wallner for Larnach, I then would want a prospect in addition from St. Louis but then I would make the trade. Would you?
  24. LA Vikes Fan
    I am not a huge fan of the Teoscar Hernandez, but I do think it would be a good deal if we could move Gallo plus a mid or low level prospect for him. Doubt that will do it though. He is a butcher in the outfield, so wouldn’t make sense to trade Kepler for him.
  25. LA Vikes Fan
    I agree with you on Varland. I think he stands a good chance of being in the 2024 rotation. I also agree that SWR has a chance to be an MLB starter at some point in 2024 and beyond. I disagree on the value of Lane Thomas and Carlson because of our needs for 2024 and beyond. I sincerely hope that Gallo does not return; he's not what we need. I'm 50/50 on Kepler because I'm not sure that the last 6 weeks of Kepler or even 90% of that is sustainable, and I question whether Buxton will return to full time OF duty. I'm lukewarm on Wallner's long term future anywhere but DH and I'm tepid at best on Larnach. That takes from a glut of OFs to a shortage next year. A young, controllable OF who is league average or better now with upside has real value to the 2024-2026 Twins. Are Carlson or Thomas better than Gordon and/or Castro? Right now, Thomas looks a lot better and Carlson looks at least close to the same with more potential. To me, getting one of those guys is worth SWR plus Wallner or Larnach. Not worth Varland, Festa, or Raya. For Thomas, I would even consider giving up Wallner, SWR and a decent but not high end prospect. My thinking is that helps now and could really help in 2024-2026.
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