LA Vikes Fan

Dylan Carlson or Lane Thomas are two allegedly available guys we might want. That package seems about right for Thomas, a little heavy for Carlson. The Cardinals want pitching and have enough OFs so you'd probably have to substitute SWR and Varland for Laranch and Wallner to make it work. Frankly. Washington might require a pitcher plus the OF instead of 2 OFs. Here's a question - would you trade one of our "near MLB ready" pichers and Wallner for a Dylan Carlson or Lane Thomas? How about Larnach? Think better pitcher needs to go with Larnach, say Varland, while a lesser or younger pitcher can go with Wallner, say SWR, Festa, Canterino, or Raya. I would actually really consider trading Wallner and SWR for Carlson or Thomas, and would even add in a mid level pitching prospect in a package for Thomas. I'd consider Festa instead of either of them in a package. Would you? I wouldn't trade Varland as part of a deal for either guy.

Much rather have Carlson. I think the jury is still very out on whether ONeill can hit at the MLB level. Carlson is the better player. The issue is that Carlson costs us something like Canterino and Wallner, or Canterino, Woods-Richardson, and another mid-level guy since the Cardinals want pitching, not more OFs. Maybe we get O'Neill for just one of the better AAA pitchers (Varland or SWR) and a mid-level prospect if its SWR. Not sure I'm willing to pay the price for Carlson, don't want O'Neill enough to pay what he costs. Bottom line, is I would make the deal for Carlson if we only have to give up one of Canterino, Varland, or SWR plus a prospect other than Wallner, maybe Larnach. I'm not sure that gets it done so I probably don't make the deal.

Like the idea, but I've read that the Cardinals are not willing to part with Nootbar. They are wiling to trade Tyler O'Neill and maybe Dylan Carlson. They want pitching close to MLB ready pitching. Willing to part with Woods-Richardson, Canterino, Raya, or Festa? If you think baseball trade rumors is even remotely accurate, Canterino will get you O'Neill, Wood-Richardson plus Enlow or Headrick also will. Carlson will cost Canterino, Woods-Richardson and Enlow or Headrick at least. Willing to make any of those deals? Nootbar probably costs all of those guys plus a lot. Realistically, a trade for Nootbar costs us someone like Ober, or Ryan if they throw in a quality reliever to go with Nootbar. Nootbar's not available and waaaay too expensive even if he was. My thinking is a hard no on O'Neill but maybe on Carlson. Would rather have Lane Thomas from the Nationals, but he probably costs Canterino and Wallner, or Wallner and Woods-Richardson, plus some AA or A+ guy with potential. Interesting, but expensive. My bottom line is that the only OF worth trading real assets for is one that has at least 2024 control when we need OFs with at least Gallo and maybe Kepler gone. That kind of player is going to cost a pretty penny. I'm prepared for the team to either do noting or do a Gallo plus decent prospect for Randal Grichuk kind of deal. Meh, but maybe moves the needle a little. Frankly, given the apparent pricing, I'm fine with a no or meh kind of an approach.

Interesting that Buxton isn't playing. It may be that he's just going with the same group that scored 10 last night or it may be that they're contemplating something or have something in the works. Kuechel's opt out date is Friday so there may be some roster juggling coming. Polanco also has to be close to returning, and maybe closer if he could DH when he got back with the Twins. Probably nothing, but one never knows.

BTW, Baseball trade Values says Lane Thomas is worth Canterino, Woods-Richardson, Wallner, and Gallo. Gallo is a 0 so he's just a throw in to balance the roster; you can pretend he isn't there. Carlson is worth Wallner, either Woods-Richardson plus or Canterino or Raya, and Gallo. If you go from Wallner to Larnach you have to add another pitcher like Raya or Festa and maybe get a lottery ticket or expiring contract guy from the Cardinals. Not sure I'd make either deal, maybe the Carlson one. Wallner, Canterino and Gallo for Carlson? Also, the Cardinals want pitching. Canterino, Raya and Gallo for Carlson? Not so sure about either of those.... All this just shows me is that getting a quality RH OF is very expensive and probably not worth it. Also makes me wonder if trading Wallner when his value is so high is the right thing to do before the deadline. His value is higher now than it's ever been.

I was/is one of Kepler's bigger critics but I agree for now. He has hit .267/.330/.522 over the last 30 games/90 ABs and probably saved his job for this season. I really doubt the Twins trade for a 3B with Lewis back in 2-3 weeks and Polanco back in a few days. They have to have some way of playing Polanco and Julien together. One of them at 3B is one of the short term options. Stewart should be back in a few weeks and Theilbar a little sooner. Maeda may wind up in the bullpen so Kuechel can come up and start by 7/31 or he'll opt out. With all that happening, I don't see them paying premium deadline prices for a reliever. I think the only realistic upgrade is to bring on a RH hitting OF and then, that player is probably a part time player absent injury. The likely (and perhaps only) way to get Polanco, Julien, Lewis and Kirilloff in the lineup is to either put Buxton on the bench, long term Il or in CF (all unlikely), or put one of those 4 in LF. I see the lineup when all are back around 8/10 is Lewis at 3B, Correa at SS, Polanco at 2B, a Julien/Solano platoon at 1B, Kepler in RF, Castro/MAT in CF, and Kirilloff in LF. Farmer the IF UT with Castro and Solano also doing UTL duty. Gallo is a prt time OF?IB?PH who sits more than he starts. Trading for Lane Thomas or Dylan Carlson - both of whom I'd love to have for 2024 when Gallo and maybe Kepler are gone - requires losing Gallo or an injury and probably costs at least a top 15-20 pitching prospect if not one in the 7-10 range. I agree that the only options are a RH LF and maybe a BP arm. I don't see the Twins paying much for either one unless it's for a longer term controllable piece, i.e., Thomas or Carlson. My guess is the price will be too high and what we see is what we got. The quote will be "getting (Lewis, Polanco, Stewart, Theilbar) back is just like a deadline trade upgrade without the cost."

Dylan Carlson could be a good get if we can't get Lane for an affordable price. Young, switch hitter, can play center field, .845 OPS against LH pitching this year (only .664 against RH pitching), arb eligible in 2024, FA in 2027. Would rather have Lane but Carlson might be a decent fall back. Lane and Carlson only work if we lose Gallo though so they can get some ABs. Turner is ok and has the right pedigree but where do you play him once Lewis comes back? You don't want to play Turner at the expense of Lewis, Kirlloff, or Julien (by forcing Polanco back to 2B). I just don't see how he fits unless Buxton is done for the season. Teoscar Hernandez is the classic boom or bust guy. Hard to find a place to play him a lot unless Gallo is gone, and even then it limits your options. If he's available for a mid level prospect or an A ball lottery ticket, ok I guess if coupled wiht losing Gallo, but I wouldn't give up a real asset for him with the roster where it is. Hard to see a place to play him without limiting the young guys we have who have earned time - Julien, Kirillof and Lewis - and that's something I really don't want to do. Lane or Carlson combined with losing Gallo - sign me up. Turner if Buxton or Lewis will be gone into September or for the year? Ok. Other than that, just not seeing the value here.

It is weird because you feel like there need to be some changes but the available players don't project as clear "upgrades" either. Is Aaron Hicks better than Joey Gallo? Maybe, maybe not. It's very hard to see anyone who is available or allegedly available in trade as a clear upgrade to who we already have unless we're willing to pay a significant prospect price. I actually think some of the upgrades we need will come as a result of guys returning from injury. Lewis is a clear upgrade at 3d and will upgrade the lineup playing every day and hitting in the 3-6 holes. Polanco is additive on offense in the top 6 spots once we figure out how to play both him and Julien every day (hint, give Polanco some innings at 1B and 3B in the rehab, and put Julien at 1B with Kirlloff in LF a couple of times this week to see how it works.) Stewart and Theilbar should be upgrades in the bullpen over Sands and Pagan/Balazovic when they get back. We've got to put Kuechel on the roster by 7/31 or lose him - is he an upgrade over Maeda? Can Maeda go to the bullpen? I think the best way for the Twins to upgrade is to play the guys they have and keep the young productive guys like Kirilloff, Lewis and Julien in the every day lineup once everyone is available. That may mean losing Gallo (I think Kepler's .267/.330/.522 over the last 30 games/90 ABs saved his job), and it may mean either sending Wallner back down or choosing between Castro and Solano unless someone is hurt. Still, hard to see any other way to upgrade without a huge prospect cost. It looks to me like that's a cost we can't afford after last year's trades.

Very difficult decision to handle properly with a prideful guy who has been a good player until this season. I that's why I like the idea of putting him on the IL. That gives you the option of sitting him down and telling him that the team just wants him to take the time to get himself right so he can help the team later in the season during a playoff drive and in the playoffs. The Twins can make him feel good about his place on the team long-term. Between the IL stint and a rehab in AAA, you probably keep him out until early to mid August. That gives you a chance to see if Wallner really can play at the MLB level and hopefully confirm that Julien and Kirilloff belong the Bigs. Also gives you a chance to see if Polanco can stay injury free. You open up a spot at the end of the month by losing one of Kepler or Gallo hopefully, and also have someone in the background in case you have another injury. It's tough when Lewis is ready to come back but that's the problem for another day.

This kind of an interesting idea. You put Polanco or Julien at 1B, with the other at 2B. Kirilloff plays LF/1B, with Wallner/Kepler/Gallo at RF and DH. That puts a strong left-handed bat on the bench every game between Julien, Kirilloff, Wallner, Kepler and Gallo, with the other four in the lineup. Polanco, Kirilloff and Julien play almost every day. Solano and Farmer hold down third-base for now with Castro in a CF platoon with MAT. Could be tough against left-handed starting pitching, but then you bring in Solano and Farmer and sit two of the left-handed hitters. My view is to keep playing Kirilloff and Julien as much as you can even against left-handed pitchers. Against right-handed pitching, either Solano or Farmer plays 3B, and the other can potentially can be the DH if you wanted to sit two of the left-handed hitters. Key is it does require Buxton to go on the Il to make room for Polanco. If yo want to balance a little more between right and left hitters, or even just do the right thing, trade or release Gallo and call up Chris Williams (my choice) or Andrew Stevenson. Now you have plenty of right-handed hitters if you want to do more platooning and help the team against left-handed starters, the current biggest weakness. Effectively, take the same roster we have now, put Buxton on the IL, move Gallo out, and replace them with Polanco and Williams.

Easy answer. Yes, a thousand times yes.

Well, that's interesting. And perhaps a refreshing change. Just a night off for Buxton or a harbinger of a more permanent move to the IL?

Agreed, and you could have Julien to LF over Gallo. He's the one that should go first IMHO. Plus, LF is easier than RF for a guy who has had TJ surgery.

I think you're right Mike on what the Twins will do. If the question was what the Twins should do the answer to me is pretty straightforward once we know one thing we don't know - Buxton's actual physical condition. If his physical condition is such that he could be put on the 10 day IL, followed by a rehab stint in AAA, to me that's the obvious choice. Gives him a chance to get healthy or at least healthier, opens up some at bats for people like Wallner, Polanco and Julien once Polanco comes back, and probably gives us the best chance of having Buxton available and productive for the last six week of the season (and hopefully the playoffs). If he is not "injured" enough to go on the IL then I think you have to move him down in the order to at least the 5 or 6 hole until he starts hitting. Frankly, I would say the seven hole, although that is going to mean that against left-handed starters we are going to have to play some of our left-handed hitters. I think we should be doing that anyway, particularly Kirilloff and Julien. We will never find out if they can adapt to hitting left-handed pitching at the MLB level until they get a chance to do so. One thing is very obvious, the Buxton as the permanent DH experiment is just not working and now we have enough data to suggest it's not going to work. I don't know whether that's because he's hurt or because he can't hit as well when he's not playing in the field. There are a lot of guys you just couldn't adapt to the DH slot and were much more productive when they played in the field, however badly. To me that opens the third possibility - play Buxton in left field. Again, opens up the DH spot and should be less of a strain on his legs and playing centerfield. Doesn't really solve the problem because someone's got to play center but it might help Buxton which I think is or at least should be the primary goal.

Did you see Souhan's Strib column today? He cites "private conversations with members of the organization" that revealed "deep frustration over the direction of the season". He sys that's why "the atmosphere around the ballpark and in the clubhouse is so tense". This sounds like ownership using the time-honored method of communicating displeasure to management through the sympathetic local columnist. And they're communicating that they aren't happy. I this is true, it's a good but not great thing. The gist of the article is that Falvey and Baldelli are under pressure to succeed now (good), have the rest of the year to get it right (not so good), and that failure will have consequences (very good). It will interesting to see if any changes are made or if they hitch their wagon to the current group playing better. I vote for the former but expect the latter.

Excellent point. The failure to call up Larnach in particular, and also Wallner, would say volumes about the FOs view of the two players. This is particularly true given the offensive futility of Gallo and Kepler not just this year but the last 3.5 years for Kepler and the last 1.5 years for Gallo. Maybe you could make the defensive argument when they were younger, but they're both over or pushing 30 and their defensive value is decreasing fast. The evidence shows that the idea that the we are going to get the 2019 Kepler or the 2020-2021 Gallo in the second half for more than an occasional hot streak is just a fantasy. This all really does make one wonder if the FO just doesn't believe that Larnach and/or Wallner can cut it at the MLB level. Larnach is 26, Wallner is 25. They are at least a basic version of what they are - Improvement now will most likely be incremental. If the FO doesn't think they can help the Twins, trade them now while they still have some value. Oakland or KC might be willing to give up a solid to better relief pitcher for one of them. Whatever you do, don't let these 2 guys just rot in AAA. Have these guys help us by playing at the MLB level or trading them for guys who can help us.

Cody is right. Yes, improvement by Buxton and Correa is the most important thing to improve the lineup. That shouldn't stop the Twins from improving where they can, or at least trying to do so. You hsould never let the desire for the perfect solution stop you from making improvements. Are Larnach and Wallner better than Gallo and Kepler? I'd say it's probably a 55/45 proposition on the "yes" side, maybe 50/50 or 60/40. To me, that's worth a shot. Moreover, there's very little downside . It would tough for them to be worse and if they are, throw Kirilloff and Castro out there every day, make Solano the full time 1B, and/or call up Andrew Stevenson and things still improve over what they are now. This is a no brainer.

I wonder about something that I think is germane to this topic. We all want the team to DO SOMETHING so we will get better! There seems to be agreement that giving Wallner consistent ABs in the OF is one thing we should do, and also keeping Julien in the lineup some how. Some want to trade for a BP piece or a bat (including me on the bat), all the while recognizing that kind of a trade will be a small upgrade at best. We're not getting a high end producer in a trade because we don't have anything left to trade that will get us a high end producer. Is there really anything else? What is it? Maybe that's why this is such a frustrating conversation. We want the team to do something but there really isn't much we can do. Hey, I'm all on board with bringing up Wallner and losing either Gallo or Kepler (I would lose both and bring up Wallner and Larnach with Stevenson in reserve) and/or a trade for a veteran RH outfield bat or bullpen piece. But that's probably it is in the realm of possibility. And I know in my heart of hearts that even doing all of those things is unlikely to get us above 85 wins and a first round playoff exit unless Buxton, Correa and/or Polanco start hitting like superstars. So the frustrating part is that it really is a waiting game on those three players. It is broke and we can't fix it from the outside, we can only hope it heals itself.

I understand the desire to fire Rocco; the manager always gets more credit and more blame than deserved. I actually think this roster is performing at or above the talent level with the exception of Correa, Buxton, and Jorge Lopez. Gallo and Kepler aren't very good (to put it mildly), but neither has been very good for the last 2-3 years. We really miss Polanco in the lineup, it stinks that Miranda has taken a huge step back, and it really hurts that Lewis is on the IL again. Other than that, this team is basically what you would expect in the field, better than expected on the mound, and unearthing Solano and Castro is a very good thing. The point of all this is that it doesn't scream Fire The Manager to me. It screams overhaul the roster and do it now, not in the off season. A new manager isn't going to make Correa, Buxton, Kepler or Gallo hit better - a new manager would at most sit Kepler and Gallo IF the FO would call up Wallner and/ or Larnach. I really think that this group wins 82-85 games, may win the Central if the other teams don't perform, and promptly flames out unless we get at least 2 NEW bats in the lineup AND Buxton and Correa have better second halves of the season. One of those bats could be Wallner or Larnach, but one probably needs to come from outside of the organization. Trade for Grinchuk, Canha or even better, Lane Thomas or Teoscar Hernandez if you can get them without gutting the system. Call up Wallner. Make the needed room by losing Gallo and Kepler even if you have to eat salary and/or get nothing but A ball lottery tickets in return. Fire Rocco? Meh. Don't really care a lot because he isn't the problem and a new manager isn't the solution. Make a significant shakeup in the non-pitching side of the roster? I'm all for it.

Get the concept but who are the young guys playing well? Wallner and Larnach, yes, but there isn't much of anyone else at AAA that gets one's hopes up. Andrew Stevenson is hitting in AAA, but is 29 and has had 395 MLB ABs with a .687 OPS. Bechtold has a career .729 minor league OPS. Maybe Chris Williams? He's got good stats, but he plays IB and sort of catches, and he struck out 144 times in 422 ABs in 2022, 75 in 191 ABs this year. In AA, Severino has decent stats except he's struck out 97 times in 268 ABs (298 PAs). Brooks Lee is coming on a little but he didn't hit at all in spring training and it's taken him a while to find his legs in AA. Both need some AAA time before they'll really be ready. The depressing thing about this team is that there just isn't much in the system that could improve the lineup that we haven't already tried other than the corner OFs. I'm all on board with somehow losing or benching Gallo and Kepler (in that order) and replacing them with Wallner and Larnach (also in that order). Getting Polanco and particularly Lewis back from the Il will help, at least some. Other than that, a trade is really the only way to improve things in the lineup in my view (unless we want to trade out MAT or Castro for Stevenson). I'm so desperate for hitting that Nelson Cruz seems possible, but I know it's a bad idea. This lineup's best chance to get better is a much better second half from Correa and Buxton. The rest of the things suggested here are interesting but only represent improvement on the margins. This lineup needs much more than that.

You may be right but there's no reason that has to be the case. The Twins would have no trouble covering 3B without Miranda on the roster. They have Solano, Farmer, and Castro who are equally as adept in the field (perhaps more so), and all of them are hitting better than Miranda. They can play one of those three at 3B and still have two utility infielders on the bench. There's no reason that we have to wait for an OF the be traded, cut, or injured to bring up Wallner unless the issue is that Rocco doesn't want to bench Gallo or Kepler (or Buxton). My point here isn't that this is what I think the Twins are going to do, or maybe even should do, but they certainly can do if we want to check out Wallner before the trade deadline. It does mean consigning either Kepler or Gallo, or some combination thereof, to the bench most nights unless Buxton is going to the OF or the IL. There's absolutely no point in bringing Wallner up unless he is going to be playing at least four or five days a week. Still, at least some folks here believe that adding Wallner to the lineup over either Gallo or Kepler would allow the team score more runs. I have to admit that I'm hopeful but a little dubious since Wallner strikes out so much in AAA. The bottom line is what we may be seeing is the result of the organization's analysis as to whether Wallner can help this lineup more than either Kepler or Gallo much more so than Wallner being "blocked" by some level of numbers game.

Actually, that could work if you make Castro the UTL IF. Wallner plays LF instead of Gallo (unless Gallo plays CF) or you take Gallo, Kepler and Wallner to play LF and RF in some combination every day. Not so great against LH pitching to be sure, but it is a way to get Wallner up before losing either Gallo or Kepler. We really do have plenty of IFs with Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, Solano, Farmer and Castro. That's not a reason to keep Miranda and keep Wallner down. Personally, I would lose Gallo or Kepler sooner rather than later and bring up Wallner for a try. Having said that, there is no real reason we couldn't get Wallner up now if we wanted to by simply sending Miranda down. Farmer, Solano, and Castro can handle 3B with Julien at 2B and Correa at SS until Polanco/Lewis come back. Bringing up Wallner that way and playing him would only require benching Buxton, Kepler or Gallo to give Wallner playing time. I think that's the real issue; Rocco doesn't want to bench one of those 3 regularly so there's no room to bring up Wallner and give him consistent ABs, especially with Buxton an everyday DH.

The last player us are running halfway down right field line after busting it to first base was Barry Bonds his last few years. He did so because he had a bad knee and the abrupt stop caused pain so he shut it down slowly kind of like a drag racer. I've had six knee operations and can tell you that it's the cutting and quick stop and start that causes pain and can reinjure the knee, not the running in a straight line. Having said all that, I do really hope they put Buxton in the OF would soon. I really think that the lack of like playing in the field is one of the things that is significantly impacting his hitting. Also, as a completely amateur diagnosis, I noticed he tucks in his left foot in to act as a fulcrum when he swings. If he were to open up the toe of the left foot and realign his hips rather than closing the toe he would greatly reduce the torque on his knee and also save his hip, assuming his left knee is the bad one. Hey, it worked for my golf game but you do have to realign your hips or it screws up your swing path.

You're right that there is no straightforward path. This offense isn't one stick away at an obviously open position. The Twins are 2-3 hitters away and the ones they do have all play in the IF. In fact, once Polanco and Lewis come back, the only way to play Julien is to move him to 1B and Kirilloff to the OF. Not ideal. Yet even with that, it's unlikely to help much since the vets are not performing. That's why I think the best bet is to do a semi teardown and do it now. Trade/DFA Gallo AND Kepler, bring up Larnach and Wallner who will be competing with each other and with maybe Kirilloff and Castro. Move Julien to 1B and Kirilloff to the OF when Polanco comes back. Play Miranda every day for 3-4 weeks at 3B while Lewis is out and see if his bat comes back. If Buxton can't play some OF, put him on the IL and hope he can in 3-4 weeks while others DH. He is not helping us now. Jeffers is your starting C and Velasquez plays 30% of the games. Give Andrew Stevenson some run in CF. Let Kirilloff, Julien, and Larnach/Wallner hit against LH pitching. They aren't going to get better unless they get a shot. Could this all turn into an ugly disaster? Of course. But frankly, how is that much different than what we are running out there right now? Not only that, it gives the FO insight as to who is ready to play. The current strategy runs out a least one guy who won't even be here next year in Gallo, two if you count Kepler in the unlikely to be retained group (I do), and relies pretty heavily on a 35 year old journeyman in Solano, a 32 year old occasional hit CF in MAT, and gives 400-500 ABs to a nice utility guy who shouldn't be starting for any MLB team in Castro. This makes no sense, short or long term. Change it up or just give up.