LA Vikes Fan

I'm with August. Nothing against Kepler or Gallo, they are what they are. They're unlikely to improve by much if at all over the course of the season. Occasional good games aside, neither is really helping this team have a chance win on a consistent basis. More of ten than not, they are getting in the way of winning. I would at least lose one of them so Wallner can get a shot. Frankly, if Rocco is willing to treat Kepler as a 4th OF/defensive replacement, start 2 games a week guy - which is what the really is - I would prefer to lose Gallo.

Fun win tiday, Ryan was outstanding. Here's a thought - can Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff, or Julien play LF? Or better put, can Polo or Julien play LF, and will they let Lewis go to the OF (probably not) I'm looking for a way to give regular ABs to Lewis, Julien, Kirilloff and Polanco when Polanco comes back in a couple of weeks. I'm also assuming Julien is still hitting well enough to warrant MLB ABs and Buxton is the DH 5-6 days a week without playing in the field. How about moving Julien to 1B in a platoon with Solano, moving Kirilloff to LF, and playing Polo at 2B? Alternatively, put Julien in LF, leave Kirilloff at 1B and Lewis at 3B. Don't think moving Lewis to LF helps unless we think Polo or Julien can handle 3B. This requires either Kepler or Gallo going with the other riding the bench a lot, both going to get Wallner up.

Like it. I also think this is it. We otherwise roll with what we have unless someone offers us a solid prospect for Farmer or Solano which seems unlikely. Open up OF ABs for Wallner, Larnach, and Castro, play Lewis, Julien and Kirilloff every day, and see the results.

Well, that went a long way.

Wow, an we bottle the bottom of the 3nd for later use? Aggressive baserunning, clutch hitting, actual smart baseball. Quite the refreshing change.

I actually think the FO had been doing a good job until this year. They inherited a poor team with no pitching to speak of and not a lot of good prospects. The Twins are now competitive until the last stretch and the starting pitching is a strength. I think things went south at the trade deadline last year when we decided we were only a player or two away from being a real contender. We weren't. the Mahle trade has turned out poorly, and Jorge Lopez has not performed while the guys we traded look pretty good. The FO compounded this fallacy by adding Joey Gallo and not trading away Max Kepler. All of these moves made sense at the time -hell, I was in favor of all of them - IF we had a solid foundation and these add-ons could take us to the next level. It's turned out neither of these things are true - we didn't have a solid foundation and the add-ons have flopped for the most part, Brock Stewart excluded. We're left with a team that can't score runs because they can't hit consistently enough and can't hit situationally, with a bullpen that was thin and now is becoming more and more unreliable because of injury and poor performance, and a rotation under so much pressure because we can't score that it is now starting to break down. I don't know the solution. It seems to me that Kepler and Gallo should be gone, replaced by Wallner and Larnach (or maybe Stevenson instead of Larnach). No platooning Kirilloff, and play Lewis and Julien every day to see what you have. If that means fewer ABs for Farmer and Solano that's what it means. If Rocco isn't on board with that, trade the players away so he can't play them. I'm not sure what else they can do now. I think it's the apparent lack of recognition of where the team really stands as evidenced by the lack of change that is the most frustrating. This team is 19-26 since the end of April. It isn't likely to get any better if we keep doing the same things over and over again.

Right on point. This team isn't hitting well because we don't have enough good hitters, and Buxton and Correa not hitting just turns a mediocre lineup into a bad one. How do we get better? We might not be able to with the talent we have, but at least let's stop running out the same lineup hoping for a better result. They've finally stopped playing Kepler, thank God, so let's finish the job by moving or releasing him. Call up Wallner and play him. Move Gallo, call up Larnach and play him. The OF should be a combination of Buxton, Larnach, Wallner and Castro, with MAT playing twice a week. In the IF, Play Lewis, Julien, and Kirilloff every day. Sit Farmer - he's a 32 year old reserve for goodness sakes. Play Buxton in the OF so Solano, Julien, etc. can DH. Try SOMETHING to shake up this lineup. This is just too painful to watch.

I hear the calls to fire Rocco, and I'm not far off. I wouldn't start there, though. This has just become a very flawed roster. We cannot play Kepler and Gallo in the same game and adding Buxton would just make it worse. Both Kepler and Gallo are automatic outs at this point, usually by strikeout. Even worse, now with Lopez out it's even harder to get rid of Pagan. What to do? Dump Kepler AND Gallo, call up Larnach and Wallner. Not sure if it will be that much better, but can't be worse. The return? Not important really; simply release them if you need to. Varland back to AAA, Maeda up to start or De Leon or Headrick if Maeda isn't ready. Louie is a nice story but he isn't a consistent MLB starter yet. Needs more time at AAA to get better control and consistency. I beginning to think it's also time to put Buxton on the IL again and leave him there until he's right physically. He's hurting the team trying to play. Also, this time give him a week in AAA to ramp up. Change the hitting coach and let Rocco know that he's next if things don't improve. This team is not good. It isn't going to get better by doing these same things over and over again. My suggestions may make things worse but at least there's a chance things could get better.

Just saw that Larnach has been optioned back to St. Paul. there wasn't a mention of a corresponding move, but I have to assume it will be activating Buxton. I'm hoping this means Kepler is now the 4th Of since Buxton will be the DH. You put Gallo in RF, Kirilloff in LF, Solano at 1B, Julien at 2B, and Buxton at DH. All of them should be playing over Kepler.

06/14/23 Minnesota Twins optioned OF Trevor Larnach to St. Paul Saints.

Lineup looks good for 5 spots at least. Hard to see Kepler and Gallo back to back unless you guys need a breeze out there... I was kind of hoping after last night that Kepler had been relegated to the bench but no such luck, I guess.

I agree completely. This is the year to turn over the lineup and luckily we can do so while still having a real chance to win this very lousy division. Adding Kirilloff and Lewis as every day players and Ober as a regular in the rotation is a good first step. The next is to find a spot for Julien to lead off even when Polanco is back. It's also time to give Wallner some run, probably as a replacement for Kepler. I think Miranda will be back in July as a 1B/DH. On the pitching side, keep Varland in the rotation or try him as a late inning reliever when Maeda comes back. I would also try Headrick or Balazovic in the pen. Yes, that limits our options if we have a starter go down but I think it's a risk worth taking. Bottom line, this is a year to move up prospects, not trade them for short term vets. The only move I would make would be to trade guys at the A or A+ level for a decent reliever if we can do that. Otherwise, let's move some guys like Kepler, Pagan, or even Gallo, Solano, Farmer, or Larnach to create space. Play the guys we have on the way up.

While I agree that the main reason we lost yesterday was Varland's inability to pitch well with a five run lead, you can't really compare him with Pagan. Varland is a young starting pitcher who has the potential of being a solid mid rotation starter. He is now going through some serious growing pains right now and his inability to even give us five innings with a big cushion is the reason we lost yesterday. He may still be a year away from staying on the roster all year long and will probably be replaced in the rotation when Maeda is ready. Still, he is part of a future Twins rotation. Pagan is not part of anybody's future. He is at best an overpaid low leverage reliever who has shown time and time again that he cannot handle high pressure situations. He should be sent out either by a DFA or as part of a trade package to a bad team like Oakland or Washington. I don't think there is much in the trade market for him and the FO doesn't like to admit mistakes, so I suspect he will be on the roster all season.

I live in LA and I can tell you that Adell isn't going to get a DFA. The Angels are committed to him longer-term as either a trade asset or they will simply keep him in the system. I think they would be open to trading him because they have a number of core outfielders already and Trout is eventually going to have to the corner. I don't think corner outfielders what they want in return; they are always on the lookout for pitching and need another catcher. I don't think a Wallner and Pagan package would be too enticing. More like a SWR or Festa, or maybe a Headrick plus a AA guy type package would be required.

I like the idea of Larnach for Adell. Both might benefit from a new environment. The sticking point is that the Angels don't need an corner OF and Ohtani clogs up their DH. They either want to keep Adell or trade him in a package for pitching. There may be a 3 way deal in there somewhere. I think where we disagree is not on whether Wallner deserves a shot - he does - but on what this team's needs are. We desperately need a competent leadoff hitter who can get on base and add some base stealing. Julien isn't perfect for that role because of his defensive inadequacies and he isn't going to remind anyone of Ricky Henderson, but he has been an on base machine in MiLB with some base stealing ability and has shown signs of that in his brief MLB work. Wallner has also shown signs of a good power hitter who plays an adequate corner OF. He's a #5-7 hitter. We have more than enough of those guys already so Wallner has to be a replacement for a similar profile like Gallo, Kepler, or Larnach. At least 2 of those guys need to be gone or at the end of the bench before there's really a spot for Wallner. Also, Kirilloff may need to play OF so we can get Polanco in the lineup at 1B and protect his legs while still playing Julien. That moves Wallner farther down the list for this year. Kepler and Gallo are likely not on the Twins next year so that's when he's likely to get his shot. Injuries can change all of this of course. You're right about the bottom line. Julien is getting his shot now. He has a couple of weeks (?) to play his way onto the team. If he does, that probably comes at the expense of others like Wallner.

I tend to agree with you on Larnach. He needs to go to a team that isn't contending where he will play every day and maybe figure it out. Right now he looks like a guy who will hit .220 with 20 HRs and a 33% SO rate. I wonder if we could get a solid controllable relief pitcher from Oakland, Colorado, Washington or the Cubs for him? I would include KC but I don't want him in the division in case he does figure it out. I think it's more likely he stays because there will be openings in the corner OF spots next year when Gallo and Kepler likely are not on the Twins.

Here's my take. I see this year as a chance to turn over the roster and still win a lousy division. This team as constructed is not a WS contender but could go someplace with a youth injection (or could tank, but worth finding out). If the team were to so what I think they should do I think the variability would go way up - higher upside, higher downside. Those things are - DFA/trade Kepler and Pagan, send Larnach to AAA. Play Lewis, Kirilloff, and Julien 5 days a week. Put Maeda in the bullpen to replace Pagan (adjust his contract), Gallo replaces Kepler, just as good in the OF/better offensive production. Buxton replaces Larnach while Julien stays because we need a leadoff hitter more than another power hitting, hitting strikeout corner OF. Polanco replaces Garlick. Typical lineup - Julien (2B/DH), Lewis (3B), Kirilloff (1B), Buxton (CF/LF), Correa (SS), Polanco (2B/DH), Gallo (RF), Jeffers/Vasquez (C), Castro/MAT(LF/CF). Bench - Solano (earned it with his hitting), MAT/Castro, Farmer, backup catcher. First men up from AAA - Wallner, Larnach, Miranda. IF we want Wallner up and can find him a spot to play, Solano gets traded. I just don't see a spot for him to play if we keep Gallo or Kepler and want to play Julien. Trading Gallo and a DFA/trade of Kepler both have to happen before Wallner gets called up. I think Julien is the guy who rates the longer look right now. If Julien or Lewis fails or Castro goes into a deep funk, then it's time for Wallner to get a shot.

This Twins team has the feel of an 84-86 win group. I voted for "make the postseason" because I think 85 wins will win the AL Central. I don't think Maeda will come to rescue the rescue - I think he'll replace Varland in the rotation. Varland has looked bad the last 2 starts, has a 4.70 ERA, and is on the cusp of pitching his way back to AAA. I see them breaking in Lewis and Kirilloff as every day starters, and have hope that they will find a way to get Julien into the lineup most days (I'm beginning to think Polanco"s leg issues may be chronic and he may fight for DH ABs, hope Buxton can play OF). My prediction is that Wallner will not get a long run this year unless someone has a season ending injury, and that Kepler and Pagan will both be on the roster in September, and we won't trade for a bullpen piece other than a mid inning type. I think this is the group they are going to ride with for the season. And this group is a slightly better than .500 club overall. I predicted 88-74 at the start of the season. If the rules allow me to revise my prediction, I would revise it to 85-77 - good enough to win the AL Central by 2 games over Chicago and Cleveland. First round series against Baltimore or Houston, lose the series 2-1. By the way, if the team were to so what I think they should do I think the variability would go way up - higher upside, higher downside. Those things are - DFA/trade Kepler and Pagan, send Larnach to AAA. Play Lewis, Kirilloff, and Julien 5 days a week. Put Maeda in the bullpen to replace Pagan (adjust his contract), Gallo replaces Kepler, Julien replaces Larnach. Typical lineup - Julien (2B/DH), Lewis (3B), Kirilloff (1B), Buxton (CF/LF), Correa (SS), Polanco (2B/DH), Gallo (RF), Jeffers/Vasquez (C), Castro/MAT(LF/CF). Bench - Solano (earned it with his hitting), MAT/Castro, Farmer, backup catcher. First man up from AAA - Wallner, Larnach, Miranda. IF we want Wallner up and can find him a spot to play, Solano gets traded. I just don't see a spot for him to play if we keep Gallo or Kepler and want to play Julien. I think Julien is the guy who rates the longer look right now.

YOur probably right about Larnach as the odd man out unless he really heats up at the plate. What do we do when Polanco is ready if Julien hits?

This is the best lineup we can run out with the players we currently have, although one could quibble that Castro should be playing RF instead of Kepler. Castro has been slumping though so it makes sense to play Kepler after his two hits yesterday. We should have a little more to play next week wehn Gallo is back and replaces I would assume Garlick. Castro can play the RH OF against LH starters role. Any word on Buston coming back or who he'd replace? The choices will start starting to get interesting. Things will get even more interesting if Julien hits while Polanco is out and Miranda keeps hitting in AAA. Both Solano and Castro have played pretty well, although Castro is regressing. It will not be interesting to see what happens if and when we ever get to full strength.

I agree. My only quibble is that I think Polanco can help us this year and next once he gets healthy. I don't think Kepler can, at least not with the twins. He needs to be somewhere else for both his sake and for the team.

It was frank;y good to see Baldelli call out Kepler and it get in the paper. This is after all 3 Strib columnists essentially said it was time for Kepler to go. At least someone is trying to shake up the troops a little. This group needs it. Now it's time to sit Kepler on the bench and leave him there for a few games at least. Whenever a suggestion is made to shake up things, people default to negative stereotypes about the players and manager like, "they are to complacent, don't care..." etc. I don't mean that, I think the players are trying, but that doesn't change the result or what we need. The problem here is the current approach is not working and there has been enough of a sample size to see that it's not going to work with the current group. That leaves two choices -(1) change the approach (don't see how they can do that), or (2) change the players. We have to change the players. There are three obvious moves - DFA Kepler and Garlick, and option Larnach down. One goes for Wallner (Garlick), Kepler goes when Gallo comes back, and Larnach goes for Julien. Why on earth we still ahe Garlick is a complete mystery - he is hitting .192, .158 against lefties. He's 31. He's done. Kepler is right behind him in futility. Larnach is hitting .153 in his last 30 games, .050 in his last 7. Contreras was better last year. Will this help? Who knows but things are unlikely to get worse and a shake up that includes a least one long term untouchable guy could be what we need. Staying the curse is a very bad strategy for this group.

I have to agree with Baldelli on this one. I watched the game and Kepler absolutely should have been on second on that play. They gave him the base by not aggressively covering it. I also wonder of Baldelli isn't also trying to light a fire under this underachieving group by calling out someone publicly. The team isn't playing well, isn't doing the little things or playing smart, and Kepler leads the pack on that score. He's the right guy to call out. It really seems like Kepler isn't "into it" this year. He's kind of going through the motions. Maybe it's because this is his last year with the Twins? He said he went to Paris over the winter to get completely away from baseball and get a mental reset. That suggests he's struggling a little with what he was doing. He may not have gotten the reset he needed. This is complete speculation with no real foundation, but I really wonder if he's kind of checked out mentally right now. He may need some time away.

Agreed. I watched the game and Kepler absolutely should have been on second on that play. They gave him the base by not aggressively covering it. It really seems like Kepler isn't "into it" this year. He's kind of going through the motions. Maybe it's because this is his last year with the Twins? He said he went to Paris over the winter to get completely away form baseball and get a mental reset. That suggests he's struggling a little with what he was doing. He may not have gotten the reset he needed. This is complete speculation with no real foundation, but I really wonder if he's kind of checked out mentally right now. He may need some time away.

06/06/23 Minnesota Twins placed CF Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 3, 2023. Left rib contusion.