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LA Vikes Fan

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Everything posted by LA Vikes Fan

  1. LA Vikes Fan
    Wallner needs to show 4-6 weeks of consistent hitting before he gets called back up. While he was decent in July and August and very good last year in September 2023, he was brutally bad in the playoffs, lousy in Spring training, and just horrendous in all of 2024 in the bigs. His MLB slash line in 2024 is .080/.273/.240(.513) with 17 SOs in 25 ABs, 28 PAs, for a SO rate of 60.7%! That's beyond just bad. HIs AAA slash line so far is .214/.278/.429 (.707), That's not recall worthy. Add to that the fact that he's not much of an OF, albeit with a good arm, and he goes only so far as his bat takes him. Right now his bat is taking him to AAA and leaving him there. Something's off and he needs to show that he can consistently it AAA pitching before he can be recalled. The Twins do need OF help, particularly defensively. Keirsey is the much more deserving candidate if a recall is in play. I'd like to see them put Topa on the 60 day DL and elevate Keirsey to the 40 man. Buxton replaces Martin, I'd call Keirsey up to replace Kirilloff, who also has lost his plate Mojo and has become a liability in the field.
  2. LA Vikes Fan
    I think you have the right swap set except I think Keirsey maybe the better person to bring up since he could play centerfield. Margot apparently can’t and we have to have someone who can for all the days Buxton is off. Also, Keirsey is hitting better, plays better defense, and has shown more speed. He can get on the 40 man when the twins DFA Jackson, something that’s likely to be happening soon. I think Wallner’s fate is tied to Larnach and Miranda. If those two continue to hit well at the MLB level, there really is no place for Wallner unless he completely tears up AAA. Wallner Just doesn’t provide you much defensive versatility. Also, he was so bad at the MLB level this year that I think the Twins will need to see a consistent 4 to 6 weeks from him in AAA before he gets a chance back at the MLB level. A good week or two just isn’t enough for him given how inconsistent he was last year and how bad he was the first few weeks of this year.
  3. LA Vikes Fan
    It’s early, but Margot is the one most likely do not succeed. A lot depends on whether Buxton is out for a period. If he is, that actually may work against Margot‘s interest in staying on the team. Martin will be brought up if Buxton goes on the IL, and will assumedly play at least 50 to 60% of the time in centerfield, probably more. If he handles the position well defensively and even gets his OPS up to 700, he would be the person to keep when Buxton comes back. The person to lose would, obviously , be Margot. Same issues going to arise in the infield when Lewis is ready to come back. You would think Miranda could go, but he actually is the best hitter on the team right now, or maybe second behind Jeffers. It is a small sample size but if he continues to hit like this, I don’t see how you can send him down. That’s when guys like Farmer and Castro get at risk. If Buck is out for a longer period and Lewis comes back, Margot is traded or released, and Castro becomes more an outfielder than an infielder. Bottom line, as I hope we actually act rationally this time. We have a chance to transition two more young, cost controlled hitters onto the team this year in Martin and Miranda. Let’s not lose that opportunity to keep a used up veteran like Margot and a marginal at best performer like Farmer on the roster, guys who will definitely not be on the team next year.
  4. LA Vikes Fan
    This. I subscribe to the Athletic but don’t read the comments on the Twins articles because every thread becomes a “Polhads are cheap” narrative, followed by the commentators calling each other names. Pretty brutal and pretty pathetic. The commentary is much better and more knowledgeable here. I know we live in a polarized society but let’s keep it out of our sports talk. Let’s stay positive. There’s a lot to be excited about this year.
  5. LA Vikes Fan
    Agreed, but let's not forget this is his first time up in the bigs. He may improve his hard hit rate next time up when he has a better idea of how teams will pitch to him. You're right though, the big problem is he turns a mistake pitch into a single or a double, not a home run. That makes it hard to draw walks since pitcher can go right at you without worrying about being hurt too bad. Hard problem to solve if yo don't hit the ball harder more often.
  6. LA Vikes Fan
    We probably have to give Farmer ABs because the roster crunch is coming, maybe as early as later this week when Correa is ready. The Twins have to decide if they will keep him and, if not, showcase him for a trade later in the year. My prediction is that Julien plays against the LHs, Santana instead of Kirilloff, Farmer at 3B instead of Miranda, Martin instead of Larnach in LF, Margot instead of Kepler in RF or if Kepler plays Margot as DH, and the open question is who is the 9th man - Kepler, Miranda, or Larnach. My guess is Miranda as the DH with Kepler, Laranach, and Kirilloff on the bench. I'd like to see them play Larnach every day, including against LH pitching but not at the expense of Martin. Those two need to play so we can figure out what we have. I'd also like them to showcase Farmer as a SS - that's the only way anyone will take his contract in trade, if they become desperate for a SS. Tonight - Margot in RF, Larnach as DH, Martin in LF, Miranda at 3B, Famer at SS, and sit Castro, Kieilloff and Kepler with Jeffers catching. Regular lineup Sunday meaning Santana, Margot, backup C and eotjher Miranda r Frame r on the bench. On Sunday, DH Buxton, move Martin to CF and Larnach to LF, play Kepler in RF, and play Castro in the IF at 3B instead of Miranda or at SS instead of Farmer.
  7. LA Vikes Fan
    I think the choice is going to be Farmer or Miranda when Correa comes back. Julien is hitting .333/.375/.600 against LH pitching in a very small sample size. That won't last but it shows that he can and probably should be an everyday player for now, not a platoon player. Julien's defense has improved such that he is at least as good as Farner if not better. We also have Castro and Martin who can play 2B and both are much better hitters than Farmer. No reason to keep Farmer to be a 2B option. It also looks like the Twins have decided we don't need him as a backup SS. Castro has apparently own that job since he's playing there every day. The only thing left for Farmer is to be the backup 3B for Lewis, starter until he comes back. That's an important role since Lewis is an injury risk and will probably see some significant time as a DH. Either Farmer or Miranda will get that job and Miranda starts in the lead since he offers much more as a DH/PH when Lewis is on the field. Farmer may be a better 3B, but he isn't a gold glove type and 3B is an offensive position especially next to a gold glove type SS like Correa. Hard to see a fit for Farmer on this roster if Miranda hits and Santana stays. Frankly, might be smarter to pull up an OF from AAA like Wallner or Kiersy even if Miranda doesn't hit too much to improve the offense by improving the DH options, send Miranda down and trade or DFA Farmer.
  8. LA Vikes Fan
    Who goes when Duran comes back? Funderburk due to his option? Who then for Topa? Okert and Jackson look like the weak links but neither has remaining options iirc. I don't think Bowman has any options either. I think Alcala may stay in AAA until there is an injury.
  9. LA Vikes Fan
    Thanks for the updates. Question - is Keirsey not in the top 20 prospects? It would be great to be able to follow his daily performances since he appears to be the most likely next one up to the MLB team when we need an OF.
  10. LA Vikes Fan
    Agree except I think Okert will get it together and Jackson is what we're seeing now. Henriquez goes when Duran is ready to come back next week. Topa probably ready the week after. Who goes than, Bowman, Funderburk or Jackson? Tough choice. Probably will be determined by an injury or the fact that one has options and the others don't. Still, on merit, Jackson is the one to go.
  11. LA Vikes Fan
    The White Sox may have lefties in their bullpen but I'm sure they will be scared to death to use them for fear some of our left-handed hitters will be replaced by the mighty Manuel Margot, Jose Miranda, or the right hand hitting versions of Castro and Santana. I guess we can put Jeffers in for Kirilloff, but that's basically it on the right hand side. My apology, but I have a dumb rules question. If we wanted to bring Jeffers into the game, could we put him at the DH spot and move Kirilloff to 1B, thereby benching Santana? Or is Kirilloff effectively out of the game as long as he is not the DH once he starts in that role? I guess we can put Jeffers behind the plate and move Vasquez to IB or put Jeffers at 1B if the goal is to get Jeffers in and Santana out. Just curious if we can do it the easier way.
  12. LA Vikes Fan
    Well said. There is room for one of them tp play regularly with the Twins. It's harder to make it work with both since they are similar types of players and neither brings a lot of defensive value to the table. We may be witnessing a fight to the death to see who will remain with the MLB roster. After last year, it sure seemed clear that Wallner was the winner. Right now, Larnach is now back in the lead because he is hitting well in an incredibly small sample size and Wallner did not hit at all during last year's playoffs, spring training, or the first 15 games or so of this season. That can all change in a minute through an injury or hot streak. To me, the thought that Wallner is still "developing" into a long-term asset where as Larnach "is what he is" may turn out to be right, but certainly is not supported by the evidence now. Let's be honest, right now I'd rather have Larnach at the plate in an MLB game.
  13. LA Vikes Fan
    Thanks, Very interesting and sounds almost intentional. It would be great if Larnach had two options. Makes him valuable both to the team nd in a trade.
  14. LA Vikes Fan
    This. Polanco didn't have a lot of value to others as an older, poor defensive player with injury issues so there wasn't much value to get trading by him. The mistake was thinking we had a lot of depth at 2B and in the order so getting a high end prospect, a decent reliever and an innings eater made sense for the team. It's not that they traded Polanco for less than he was worth (they probably got more than he was worth), it's that what they got isn't what we needed, and it got worse when DeSclafani crapped out.
  15. LA Vikes Fan
    Some of us were vocal this spring that this was the year to play the young guys, not retreads. This division is down now but Cleveland, Detroit and KC are on the way up so it will be tougher in 2025. What does that mean in practice? Miranda is up and playing every day either at 3B, !B, or DH. .Kirilloff is the primary 1B AND hits some against left-handed pitching. Julian is the primary 2B and hits against left-handed pitching (they are doing this one). Jeffers is the catcher 60% of the time and DH is 20% of the time. Austin Martin is the fourth outfielder, now the third outfielder since Wallner crapped out. SWR gets a shot in the rotation. When he's back physically, Brooks Lee comes up and plays regularly. Yes, I know this means riding with the ups and downs, giving away defense for offenseat some positions, and living with the fact that some of these guys just aren't good enough or are quite ready like Wallner and Varland, at least as a starter. I could live with that, spending the first two months of the season with the guys that are going to be here longer term to see how they react. Then you can try to trade for a few veterans to supplement areas where you really need help. Instead, we assumed the team was good enough to contend for a World Series so we needed veteran backups. That's the huge mistake.
  16. LA Vikes Fan
    My thinking is that Varland looked good in the bullpen last year in the playoffs, so let's see if that can continue. Maybe it's a mental thing where he can concentrate better in short bursts or maybe he's just more relaxed. You're right, the way he's pitched this year an overseas stint might be the way to go. I say let's make him the closer in St. Paul for a week and then give him a shot in the Twins bullpen.
  17. LA Vikes Fan
    I disagree. I think SWR could be a decent mid-rotation starer and will give us a chance to win most starts. Varland is not doing that. Paddack either, but he seems closer to competence. I agree that we should have more in AAA but we don't. We have to play the hand we have.
  18. LA Vikes Fan
    Just joining so I'm sorry if this was already discussed. Do most of us agree that this should be the end of the Louie Varland, big league starter, experiment? I say put him in the bullpen, not back in AAA as a starter.
  19. LA Vikes Fan
    I think his AAA ERA is inflated by one really bad inning where he gave up 6 or 7 runs, 3 or 4 on his own and the rest let in by relief. Overall, he's actually ben very good in AAA other than that.
  20. LA Vikes Fan
    So instead they got 2 gaping holes in the lineup. I might make your choice if the rest of the lineup was hitting and we were averaging 5 runs a game. When the rest of the team is hitting below .200 and we are averaging less than 4 runs a game, you can't sacrifice offense for defense. We're losing because we can't score; not because we can't field. If you cannot hit, you should not play. Santana cannot hit.
  21. LA Vikes Fan
    Agreed, and as I posted above, this is the year to find out. Give Martin 350 plus ABs and give SWR a minimum of 10-15 starts. There's plenty of room for both to happen with this roster.
  22. LA Vikes Fan
    I think this is the year that we find out what value we got in that trade. SWR will be in the rotation on a regular basis probably within the next month. Maybe sooner than that because Varland is really only one more bad start away from the bullpen or a reset in AAA and Paddack isn't far behind. Frankly, I would put Varland in the bullpen now given that his starts have really not been competitive and his performance in the bullpen last year was impressive. SWR is a logical and perhaps only replacement. If he stays away from injury, I expect him to get at least 10 – 15 MLB starts this year, maybe as many as 20. Martin's moment is now. He's effectively been starting for the last 10 days and I think will continue to start in LF until . . . actually, there is no "until" on the horizon. Kepler takes over RF when he returns and Martin's only competition for LF is Margot, Larnach, and Castro. Could one of them all of a sudden get hot and force their way into the lineup? Sure, but it doesn't seem very likely given what we've seen so far over the last couple years, not just this season. If Larnach is the one who gets hot, he can always be the DH and play in LF occasionally. Castro's a utility guy who has never hit well enough to be a starter and Margot is 4th outfielder in every sense of the word. Wallner may be back this year but it's going to be at least mid June or July before he gets another shot, and that's only if he tears up AAA. I'm an optimist. I think SWR will get 15 – 20 starts this year, win 8 to 12 games, and have an ERA under 4.25 with a WHIP under 1.5. Classic mid to back rotation performance with the very real possibility of him improving over time to be a solid or better #3 starter. I think Martin is going to settle in with something like .265/.340/.400 slash line, steal 10 – 20 bases, and play above average 0F defense, also with the possibility of improvement over the next couple years. Perhaps not a stellar return for year and 1/2 of Berrios, but certainly a solid one.
  23. LA Vikes Fan
    I agree on that. We will see Buxton start to hit when he starts to fly out to right center. This fly outs will become line drive doubles and he'll go on a heater. I think Julien is poised to break out in part because he's hitting the ball to left center. Just needs to swing more. It's like the old days. When Mauer or Morneau were cold and then started to take walks, you knew they were coming out of it because they were seeing the ball well. When Buxton and Kepler start to drive the ball the opposite way, they are ready to roll at the plate.
  24. LA Vikes Fan
    Like it, Kenny. I do agree that we can see the young core coming into focus - Jeffers, Lewis, Kirilloff, Julien, Miranda, Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Duran, and Jax. Add in the veterans Correa, Buxton, and Brock Stewart and you actually have a pretty good core to build around. Martin may be playing his way into that group and Varland could definitely be be part of the group as a late inning/closer in the bullpen, but not as a starter. Who knows, Paddack has talent and he could get there in the rotation. that's actually plenty of talent to build a competitive team. Here's an optimistic thought, let's quit trying to pretend we're only a few veterans away from contending and go for the full-blown "play the young guys" mentality this year. We can do it now while the division is down and who knows what could happen. Jettison the mediocre vets and make sure the guys listed above plus Martin and even Camargo get regular playing time, bring up Keirsey from AAA and let's see where these guys can go.
  25. LA Vikes Fan
    You're right, but I'm beginning to think that time isn't far off. Maybe when Duran comes back we DFA Bowman to create room. Maybe it's time to test the market for a dump of Santana, Margot or Farmer. Maybe now is the time to put Lewis on the 60 day - he isn't coming back before June any way - and give Keirsey a shot. My bottom line - no more significant playing time for Santana or Magot, and same for Farmer once Correa comes back. They are defensive substitutions or "give a starter a day off" guys along with Castro. Play Miranda, Kirilloff, Camargo, Martin, Julien, and I would include Keirsey, and play them almost every day. Let's see what you got NOW. We won't be full strength before June 1. Take the next 6 weeks and revamp this roster. What we tried didn't work. Admit the mistakes, explore your options, and figure out what we got. Do it now, not two months from now when the season is already lost.
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