LA Vikes Fan

I agree. He’s 26 and this is basically his third year in the bigs. He hasn’t hit enough to stay, but sometimes guys don’t show what they have until they’ve been given some run. Frankly, he is hitting the best on the team right now outside of Kirilloff. I say let him play another week and see what you have. Maybe even consider leading him off. I doubt if we are going to catch lightning in a bottle, but one never knows.

I don't think we need to go out and get an OF discarded by another team for the MLB roster. I think we've found the temporary platoon CF in Willie Castro. Kepler can also go out there temporarily if Taylor's bat requires an IL stint. For now, I think Castro is taking over Gordon's spot as an OF first super utility guy. And, by the way, he's earning it with his play over the last week. If we want to see if Aaron Hicks has anything left, sign him and send him to AAA for evaluation. He's unlikely to get a MLB shot with his performance the last 2-3 years. so he might be willing to take that kind of a deal. If he won't, no big loss.

Here's his chance. I'm not sure if Julien will start tonight against a LH starter but he should get the 2B ABs against RH pitching. We also need a leadoff guy, at least until Lewis can be recalled. He should get 25 ABs or so over the next 10 days. Hope he shows us something. If he does, he can stay ahead of Garlick. Heck, I would dump Garlick now and let Wallner get his ABs once we get past these 2 LH starters.

Many of us called thi s lineup "2 bats hort" in the pre-season, and that is what it's turned out to be. Someone said we're a leadoff and cleanup hitter short - I couldn't agree more. I also don't think we have the prospect depth to trade for any big bat that might become available. It's more likely that we'll trade for a mid-level bullpen piece. I think what we have now is what we'll run with this year. I do think there's hope. Lewis could become that front of the order/leadoff spark, Correa getting back to normal would be a good #2, and Kirilloff is looking like a #3. Can Buxton be the cleanup guy? Yeah, I think he can. If that works, now everybody else gets to go where they should go - Polanco in the 5 hole, Gallo, Larnach and/or Kepler hitting 6 and 8, Famer at 7 of we can get Buxton into CF or Taylor if not, and the C 9. That lineup can work IF Lewis looks like last year, Kirilloff is the bat we think he can be, Correa, Polanco. and Buxton hit like we expect based on track record, and the rest just are what they've always been. Even better if Larnach or Wallner has that breakthrough this year. I'm cautiously optimistic but there are a lot of IFs.

Not that you or I would know about that from any personal experience..... Just heard about it.

By the way, Ron Coomer was an All-Star in 1999. Yes, the rule than was that every team had to have one player picked, but still - Ron Coomer, American League All Star, 1999.

Generic Viagra. Yeah it works, but it's kind of depressing that you both need it and you have to be price conscious when you buy it. And, who knows what's actually in there.

I agree with that. THis offense needs...something. Kirilloff is helping quite a bit as did Polanco before him. We still need at least one more bat, really 2, and some speed. Maybe Lewis is that bat/speed combo? Maybe Laranch (or Wallner, Miranda, or Julien) is that other bat? I see this as the offense we're going to have. Don't see us sacrificing any more of our less robust depth for a bat. Now, trading MiLB depth for a relief pitcher? Maybe...

This isn't the time for Wallner. Garlick will be up for this series until Kepler comes back Monday and then will go back down. Wallner's time comes when either Gallo gets hurt, Kepler gets traded, or they decide he's a better bet than Larnach.

All good points but who comes out? Wallner can only play a corner OF spot (barely) or DH. I would love to put Buxton in CF and open up the DH spot but that doesn't appear to be the plan any time soon. So, Wallner would be coming up and competing for time with Gallo and Larnach. You and I might disagree here, but I think Gallo has actually played pretty well for us. To me, he's any every day player. Larnach has had his moments and I think he may develop into what he can be at the MLB level - a .250-.265/.340-.350/.450+ kind of hitter. Plus, he's a better defensive OF than Wallner. And that doesn't even count Kepler who I think is really at 4th OF/trade candidate on whom the org has a bit of a man crush, Our underperforming players aren't so much Gallo and Larnach, it's whoever is playing CF while Buxton DHs, Vasquez and Correa, Wallner doesn't help move out any of those guys. All of this changes if Buxton plays CF most every day, Gallo has to go on the IL, or Kepler is traded. Then there's a spot to give Wallner ABs at least 3 or 4 times a week in the OF or at DH. The other possibility is to demote Larnach again, give Wallner his spot, and use him the same way we now use Larnach. I guess my bottom line is that we have one spot for a LH hitting corner OF/DH even after Kepler comes back now that Gordon is hurt. I would use that spot on Larnach for at least the next month before considering Wallner unless we have another injury, Kepler is traded for relief pitching (my personal favorite), or Buxton goes back to CF close to full time.

Garlick's not my favorite call up either, but there isn't really anyone else who makes a lot of sense. Remember, this is for 4 days until Kepler assumedly comes off the IL and whoever is coming up goes back to AAA. We are facing 2 LH starters in the next 3 days and Ohtani on Sunday. Garlick seemed to be able to hit LH pitching the last 2 years so he makes sense for tonight and tomorrow. He'll be subbed out the moment a RH reliever comes in, and sent back Monday or Tuesday. Wallner needs to play every day and he won't if he comes up, and Miranda isn't hitting in AAA nor is he an OF. I'm not a fan of Garlick but as a RH bat for literally one series, which is all we're looking for, he does make at least some sense. Now if Polanco or Gallo have to go on the IL, then there's room for a Wallner or Julien.

Agreed. If the Lewis from last year appears, I like Lewis at 3B and leading off. No question that that Farmer has been good in the field and at the plate, but it's unrealistic to expect him to continue at a .283/.353/467 (.820), OPS+ 126, when his career line is .253/,313/396 (.709), with an OPS+ of 86, and he'll be 33 in August. Farmer can go to the role we had hoped for early on - an IF utility who plays 3-4 days a week at all 4 positions plus DH and starts most games against LH pitching. He's only played a few games in LF or at 1B but you have to think that he could learn 1B if he can play every other IF position, and same with LF.

I couldn't find any studies either. I just think I wouldn't want to be the guy who made a decision to put him back in CF and he got hurt again. The key thing is to get his bat in the lineup, let him fix our "lack of a leadoff hitter" problem, and add some hitting and speed. All of this requires him to perform like last year of course...

Add the drop in velo to his performance and I get an idea? Maybe his shoulder or elbow is starting to go. How about we IL the guy for 15 days, and then rehab him in AAA for 20 days. Things may sort out with the present AAA guys to see if we have a replacement over the next month. Just a thought.

I think the issue is the injuries and the additional leg stress from playing OF. I Suspect that the organization, player and agent are aligned in thinking that Lewis starts in the IF. Maybe he can move to the OF in subsequent years, but after tearing his ACL in CF last year, I'd really be surprised if he went back there this year. I've had ACl tears in both knees and you never come all the way back to 100% of what you were, and you get more strength and flexibility over time. I just can't see taking a guy who tore his ACL this first game he played CF after coming back from an ACL tear (if I remember right) and putting him back out in CF. This team is ultra cautious with injuries and rehab so I can't see them taking that risk. By the way, I think keeping Lewis in the IF is the right call.

Thanks, Brock. I suspected that was the answer but wanted to check. Too bad. He looks ready now but more time won't hurt.

I think it's very unlikely that Lewis plays in the OF. That's where he got hurt and his agent's comments that he'll be playing 3b and SS resonates with me. I would be very surprised to see Lewis in OF with any regularity at any point this season unless injuries force our hand. It's too bad he isn't available now because he would be the best call up to replace Gordon. Farmer is playing well at 3B, but he'll be playing 2B while Polanco recovers. Farmer can then be the RH hitting UTL since he can play OF in addition to IF. What I see by June 15 is a regular IF of Kirilloff, Polanco, Correa, Lewis, with Farmer playing 2-3 days a week backing up all 4 positions, and 1-2 days a week in LF/DH. The issue then becomes is Castro is the #2 UTL and Solano gone so we can keep Kepler, Gallo and Larnach, do we trade one of those 3 (or demote Larnach) based on performance/redundancy, or do we pick offense in Solano over defense and ability to play multiple positions in Castro. The answer? Somebody will get hurt and that will determine who stays or goes. If not, my guess is that when everybody is healthy Castro will get sent down unless Solano stops hitting. If he does, he gets the DFA and Castro stays. Should be an interesting next 3-4 weeks on the roster. Question - can we take Lewis off the 60 day list and bring him up now or is he once on the 60 day, have to wait the full 60 days?

Ugly for Gordon. Out for awhile. Interesting to see if they 10 day Polanco. Kepler out until 5/25(?). Still too early for Lewis (?). Garlick up for Gordon.

Hopefully Lewis will be back on June 1. I think he should be playing 3b every day and I would consider leading him off. Teh comments of his agent suggest pretty strongly to me that he won't be playing in the OF. Lineup something like this against RH pitching - Lewis 3B, Correa SS, Kirilloff 1B, Buxton CF/DH, Polanco 2B, Larnach LF/DH, Gallo LF/DH, Vasquez/Jeffers C, Kepler RF. Same against LH pitching, except Farmer either goes in Larnach' s spot playing LF or Kirilloff's playing 1B and they either hit one of Kepler/Gallo/Larnach 9 in RF, or they put Buxton at DH and Taylor in CF. Gordon and Castro or Solano ( whichever stays when Lewis comes up) are utilities.

Really? It's barely dinner time here in LA. By the way, tonight is Mookie Betts bobblehead night at Dodger stadium. Don't know if that helps or hurts, but the place will be full.

Lots of positives but two potentially worrisome negatives - bullpen depth and lineup depth. The Twins desperately need one more solid late inning bullpen piece. Duran and Lopez are good, high end late inning relievers. Jax is good as a 6th/7th inning guy but not as a late inning guy. Stewart and Pagan seem ok as middle relievers - I can't believe I just said that - but both could have a 6+ ERA month any time now. Thielbar coming back will help but we need one more guy. It doesn't look like Moran or Alcala is that guy nor is there anyone at AAA. Trade? I think if Kirilloff is the real deal then the lineup is only one guy short - a good speed/on base/leadoff hitter type. Is Lewis that guy this year? He might be. Add in Miranda by July as the RH 1B once Lewis takes over at 3B and the lineup could be pretty good and pretty deep. Yes, too much swing and miss. Yes, I would love to trade in Kepler and/or Gallo for a quality RH hitting corner OF but that isn't going to happen. Add Lewis on June 1 at 3B, get the 20221-22 Thielbar back, trade for a solid late inning reliever, and avoid injury, and this could actually be a 90-95 win team. Yes I know, the Easter Bunny could also turn out to be real but a guy can dream, right?

I agree with the thought but not your conclusion. Trading Cruz for Ryan, big win. Lewin Diaz for Romo, win. Three prospects for Sam Dyson, major rip off by the Giants, but nobody got much value there. The prospects have done very little, although Jaylin Davis is hitting for Boston this year, 3 years later. Berrios for Martin and SWR? Too early to tell what value we got, if any, but not signing Berrios to a long term big money deal was the right call. He's been poor at best in Toronto. Graetrol and Raley for Maeda and Camargo? Win -Win, Maeda good for Mn before TJ, Graterol ok but not as good as hoped for in LA. Petty for Gray? Short term win for the Twins, too early to tell overall. Arraez for Pablo Lopez and Salas - win for the Twins. A solid #2 starter with upside to possibly be your #1 who can then be signed long term at what I would say is a below market price is much more valuable than a very good singles hitter who can't run or play much defense. Add in what appears to be a good SS prospect makes it even better. 4 MiLB pitchers for Jorge Lopez? Right now, win Twins but we'll see how Povich does ( decent now at AA) and Cano is pitching a lot better there than he did in MN. Rogers and Rooker for Paddack and Pagan? Looking better for us now with Pagan actually contributing this year, and Rogers and Rooker no longer with SD. Depends on if Paddack comes back and becomes a solid mid-rotation starter. If he does, win Twins. If not, we lose. Finally (and I'm sure I missed some), Urshela for Hidalgo. Hard to say - Urshela is a singles hitter with no power for the Angels who doesn't play every day and leaves after this year as a free agent. Hidalgo looks pretty good in High A but is a long ways off. Too early to tell, unlikely to move the needle much either way. My point is that the track record is far from perfect but actually is pretty good. We traded away a quality hitter with little defensive value (Arraez), an as of now struggling starter on a big contract (Berrios), a decent but not great reliever (Graterol), a quality reliever coming up on free agency (Rogers), a 40 year old DH who has tanked since he left (N Cruz), a decent 3B who really is a utility guy because of his no power bat and limited fielding range (Urshela), a bunch of prospects who so far haven't really panned out for the teams that got them with possible exception of Steer, CES (hated to lose him) and Cano, and 2 prospects who are a long way away but may be good in Povich and Petty. In return, we got three now #2/#3 starters (P Lopez, Gray, Ryan - the guts of our rotation), a good back end reliever ( J Lopez), three solid starters now hurt who may come back to make a contribution (Paddack, Maeda, Mahle), whatever we want to call Pagan (awful in 22, not so bad in 23), and prospects we still have who may or may not become something (SWR, Martin, Henriquez, Hidalgo). I think it's a little unfair to say this FO's trades are a long line of mistakes. Overall, I think we've done better than 50/50.

Give Lee time. An MLB contribution next year would be a quick advance. He's not a likely answer for 2023. Those answers need to come from the current 26 man roster, plus possibly Lewis, and a return of Larnach and/or Miranda. There's a possibility of someone like Julien, Hellman or another current MiLB player contributing on the hitting side but I think that's pretty unlikely. More likely that we might try to trade for a bat at the deadline.

The whole thing sucks and the trade is definitely a loss at this point. I was in the camp of making the trade for the reasons many have stated. And no, we could not have gotten Castillo for the same package; he would likely have cost us Lewis instead of Steer. Still, it's a loss and a cautionary tale going forward. The good news is we finally have some SP depth and so maybe we won't have to make another more desperate move to get a SP with an injury history. The big question is what do we do now? It's great to have Ober and Varland in the rotation and Paddock hopefully coming back towards the end of the season. That pretty much blew out our depth though. I don't really think Maeda is coming back as a starter until at least July or August and more likely not at all. Ever. SWR, Dobnak, Balazovic, and Headrick are all "maybes" at best. We are going to need at least one of them to cover 5-10 starts for injuries if we're very lucky, more likely one at 5-10 starts and 2 more at 3-6 starts apiece. Things could be very dicey come August. Long term, lets sign Gray to the 3 year deal he probably wants at hopefully less than 20m a year. We need him both to pitch and to continue mentoring Ryan. I would offer Mahle 2 years at around 12-15m total, with a third year option at 15m to see if he can come back from the TJ. Let's also hope that one of the AAA guys or another now in the lower minors like Festa can move up. Finally, let's draft pitching every chance we get. There is no more precious resource in baseball so let's take as many shots as we can.

Yup, you're right. I'd just like to see Gordon get a shot to see if he can replicate last year. The 2022 Gordon would be a hitting upgrade over Gallo, Kepler, and Taylor. Well, at least Farmer is playing. Maybe he can hit some although his track record against RH Pitching leaves one to say the answer is probably not. It looks like the only real potential upgrades coming are Lewis when he's ready and improvement from the core 5-6 guys. I'm hoping they bring up Lewis as soon as they can, put him at 3B, DF Solano or demote Castro, and hit Lewis leadoff.