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JD-TWINS

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Everything posted by JD-TWINS

  1. JD-TWINS
    I do not see any sound reason to trade Larnach either…….everyone wants a new shiny toy …….. bored with .289/.379OBP & 129 OPS+……. makes zero sense. He’s the perfect DH & occasional OF for ‘27, v. RH pitching. He’s 29 & in the middle of a player’s prime……although ”he’s old” here at TD. “Bring up Emma……bring up Roden…..” Emma is never healthy & available to play and he strikes out at a high rate……… we’ve seen Roden, he’s not bad but he doesn’t move the needle enough to justify trading Larnach either - right? Jenkins isn’t going to play more than one OF spot at a time whenever he’s ready. To me, after drafting Lackey, the Catcher position is set for numerous years. Didn’t have Tait at this time last year ……… he can be traded w/o affecting any grand plan! Roden - Emma - Tait - Mendez ……. all can be traded for NOW help as a starter/reliever/worthwhile position player - whoever is deemed a helpful addition. I would like to hang on to Gonzalez & obviously, Jenkins, Culpepper, & Houston …… Lackey. Anyone else can be traded for some potential impact player. Luis Arraez makes sense! I live in Cincinnati and most times I’ve seen Speer play since ‘23 I’ve wished he was still with the TWINS. He can play 5 positions and is excellent at 1B - decent in LF & 3B - 2B & RF are seldom seen. He was voted Team’s MVP in ‘23. He’s been hot and cold for stretches since then but his flexibility is used so the Reds can get other bats in the line-up & those other bats only play 1 position - not because he doesn’t hit well enough……. he’s got a .770 OPS & 16 HR this year. …… it’ll be his 4th straight year, starting as a Rookie, that he’ll have 20 HR or more & he’s averaged about 85 RBI in his first 3 years……. he strikes out more than he should.
  2. JD-TWINS
    IF Team has to throw Ryan & Bradley last two days v. Texas to get in, absolutely! Scary, but absolutely!
  3. JD-TWINS
    He’s streaky, correct? ……… had -.8WAR 6 weeks ago. He’s been hitting great for 5 weeks or more. Value is high and streaks come to an end. Jeffers & Caratini & Jackson……… one of the first two should be DHing.
  4. JD-TWINS
    Bell MARKET: Pirates …….. O’Neil Cruz went to the 60 day IL. Bell & Roden for a middle of their PEN guy. 🤞
  5. JD-TWINS
    Just saw O’Neil Cruz is on 60 day IL for Pirate Team that’s 3 games over .500. ………. Roden & Bell to Pirates for some decent, middle of Bullpen type of guy……,
  6. JD-TWINS
    Exactly, hence “the need for a good feel”……… he stole 30 last year and has 18 in 91 games played this year……pretty sure he’s in bottom 10% in League for speed……he’s got a feel for sure!
  7. JD-TWINS
    France & Santana are height challenged …… last two Gold Gloves…… one can play well or one can’t play as well. Steve Garvey was OK at 1B. Arraez & Solano could HIT better than any other options so 1B becomes the default spot for guys w/o range and swinging a good bat.
  8. JD-TWINS
    I hear ya - for sure! However, Josh Naylor stole 30 bases last year (no speed)…….. can be done if you have a good feel…….last night he got thrown out being tagged 2-3” from the bag …….. stealing 2nd with two outs to get in scoring position for Martin…… I can live with that one. You’re right, he doesn’t seem very proficient in the running game.
  9. JD-TWINS
    Buxton back soon - Keep Jeffers and make QO. I guess Keaschall in RF or CF (as needed) is here to stay. If Jeffers accepts QO (doubtful) so be it ……. overpaying one guy for one year is fine to have run at playoffs for 2 years. In comparison Lopez is making $22M and won’t throw a pitch in ‘26. The payroll this year is $106M …… should see some moderate increase going forward. If Jeffers declines we get a pick that’s as good as anyone in trade this month! I seriously consider keeping Jackson and playing him every 5th day. Caratini can play a little 1B to spell Lewis (seldom) & DH some. Jeffers can DH when not catching as well. Trade Bell? I think so - tough on Clubhouse but anyone leaving now would be. Roden doesn’t move the needle. Gray is a stretch but probably starts 25% of the time going forward……….obviously, would love Culpepper for Gray ASAP……maybe August 1st? Culpepper for Gray and somebody else for Roden would be welcomed. Bell & youth arm back to Washington for Zach Littell (depth), an innings eater and potential PEN guy??
  10. JD-TWINS
    Keaschall had a .500 OBP in July (I think that timing is right?) and he went 2-3 with a walk last night. Eventually, with his arm, he seems like the everyday guy in LF for a few years!! Really lifted his play over last 6-7 weeks. Lopez out for year - Ober down for a few starts - Abel gone after a handful of starts - Buxton has missed 23 games - Jeffers missed 60 games - No Festa at all ………. Wallner sucked and is essentially gone - Lewis had to be sent down………. a hell of a lot of adversity since Spring Training started!! Tied for 6th playoff spot and .500 after 98 games. Lead AL in runs scored. Five+ runs/game on the road! They “are in it” and there’s no reason to assume anything but 2-3 games over .500 after the next 12 games. ……. gotta play the games but the last 6 of those 12 are v. A’s & Royals, at home. I know it’s not going to be positive every outing but Bailey Ober getting guys out with the “crafty” approach is great to watch!
  11. JD-TWINS
    So, I get your thinking but there probably needs to be a filter on the potential trade candidates from around MLB. Mason Miller to the TWINS is not happening w/o the likes of Jenkins. Hunter Greene isn’t going anywhere…….. I live in Cincinnati and Lodollo has a blister issue, on the IL again to try & determine what to do…..he’s “not available”. There are some guys it makes sense to pursue in your group! ….. I like innings eating Littell from Washington…… he’s starter/reliever & again, can throw innings.
  12. JD-TWINS
    You are right. ….. but, trying to get to Post-season though, so you roll the dice & start him one more time and then he goes to PEN with Prielipp back. Maybe there is an acquisition or two by end of the month & then he’s considered to put at AAA?
  13. JD-TWINS
    Agreed on Paredes and Kreidler. Lewis upside at the plate is tough to ignore …… Caratini had a career month, that’s what Royce is being compared to here. I let Royce play nearly every day. I do not move him around in the infield unless there’s an injury. He’s the guy at 1B. Jeffers probably should be traded, with logic in play, due to the contract situation. IF the organization prefers him to be the bulk catcher for remainder of the season, they need to trade Caratini quickly, at PEAK value. Caratini, because he’s under contract through next year, could probably bring back more than Jeffers. I trade Jeffers & Bell ……. need Caratini for ‘27 season …… for continuity with staff. Team won at slightly higher than .500 with Caratini & Jackson behind the plate. Bell & Jeffers combined salaries total $13.7M for ‘26………..Luis Arraez makes $12 M in ‘26. Make a BIG swing and work out a deal with the Giants! He moves to 2B everyday - Clemens can then play essentially everyday at LF - RF - 1B - DH. With Bell gone, Larnach moves to DH v RH pitching …. Clemens starts in LF v. RH pitching. Caratini can DH v RH pitching when not behind the plate ….. still needs real rest days as well. Keaschall can DH some & Arraez could DH some. Bell might hit .215 for remainder of season & worst case, Arraez may hit .290. Arraez OPS+ is 132. He’s playing a very good 2B. At this point, he’s got 3.1 WAR for the season. His acquisition could offset any Clubhouse letdown from one of the Catchers being traded as well as Bell being traded. Trade Jeffers & Bell to try & attain at least one decent relief arm & trade for Arraez. Arraez can slot behind Lewis (to provide protection) or Buxton.
  14. JD-TWINS
    Keaschall isn’t an infielder and I think most realists don’t think he will be. He seems to be getting squarely back to where he was last year at the plate ……… I think eventually he is the everyday left fielder. Buxton is in OF somewhere for 2+ years. Jenkins as well. Martin & Larnach(DH) Clemens is an OF option too! Emma - Roden can go in trade with Jeffers and Bell, no problem with that…….young arms too. Need contributors for PEN.
  15. JD-TWINS
    Bell can be traded along with a prospect - sweetens the deal for some positive return for Twins………..I’d do the same thing with Jeffers. The offense worked for most of 65 games w/o Jeffers. Better defense behind the plate or at least as good. Need relief help and need to be aggressive with what they give up to get a reasonable return. I like trades to get relief depth and then go get a bat with more consistency than Bell.
  16. JD-TWINS
    Not sure who “all these supposed prospects…..” are - that deserve to be in MLB? Emma is never healthy for more than 6 weeks at a time - Jenkins is doing OK but he is only 21 and could use some more refinement. Culpepper was probably getting close to a call-up & then hurt. Maybe an option by August. Roden is up. Fedko didn’t look ready for much at the MLB level. All the pitching help they could scrape together has been in the Show. My point isn’t to be obstinate but just to say none of these guys need to be traded if they aren’t on 26-man in near future. Guys that force their way on to the roster are obvious from performance at AAA………haven’t seen a hint of greatness at AAA lately.
  17. JD-TWINS
    I would pursue trading Bell & prospect sooner than later while his value is at absolute high ….. maybe tough on Clubhouse? I would pursue trading Jeffers & prospect sooner than later so the trade partner gets Jeffers for longer period in ‘26 ……. maybe tough on Clubhouse? Target a reliever in both of the trades above……if one guy coming Team’s way works out, it’s all good! Put together some attractive package (Roden - Winokur - young arm) for Luis Arraez. He’s going to be sought after!! He slots at 2B. Playing very good defense this year, hitting .330 with a 136 OPS+ …….. 3.1 WAR at the Break! He can hit behind and force better pitches for either Buxton or Lewis. DH spot shifts to Larnach - Keaschall - Caratini. Clemens floats and starts essentially every day at LF/RF/1B & rests Arraez at 2B a handful of times in 2nd half. Be aggressive, if we want to compete. Consistency day to day would be a big benefit. ……. Arraez, worst case, might hit .290 for the rest of the year …….. Bell might hit .215. I think Arraez into the Clubhouse would be a big plus! IF a floor for spending comes into play with new CBA, there’s a chance they sign Arraez in off season. He can always shift to 1B occasionally as well as DH regularly if Houston & Culpepper need a spot.
  18. JD-TWINS
    Keaschall is definitely bumpy to watch but he’s been ascending offensively & is slowly settling into OF role……… Keaschall - Buxton & Larnach/Martin are a reasonable group if trying to compete. Lee - Kreidler - Clemens - Lewis is an average defensive infield. The offense from this group is probably considered average as well - with Lewis apparently able to hit at a reasonable level - Lee stabilized - Clemens above average (somehow) ………. Kreidler as the weak offensive link is tolerable. Bell - Caratini - Jackson are all at least average to date ……. Bell & Caratini can’t keep up the pace of recent weeks. Offense is good enough….have seen them knock around guys at Top Level ……. Valdez - Skubal - Gray - Crochet - etc …… so, the Playoff capabilities are there, not terribly consistent but that’s baseball. My point is they need to buy and figure out a trade that moves the needle. Jeffers - prospect should bring back some positive contribution. Rojas - Paredes - Sands should help solidify the PEN over next 10 weeks……probably only need 1 more arm. Matthews to the PEN in first round of Playoffs.
  19. JD-TWINS
    “……gotten by pretty cheaply” Agreed - understatement. $106M total player spend in ‘26 ($22M to Lopez & $10M to Correa) and $76M for players on the field. Relative to being able to trade & spend on guys owed money for balance of ‘26 …….. the amount should be $15M at a minimum, IMO. Trying to be “competitive” or not??? I’m not saying throwing money at guys with minimal value or upside for the stretch run makes sense. I’m all for moving prospect types to acquire an arm or two. Jeffers and a prospect should get something of decent value back! I just want to see them try with a move or two………., in addition to what’s been done in the PEN periphery the past few weeks.
  20. JD-TWINS
    Gray has an option left in ‘26……can move him down and bring him back in 10 days if they choose - immediately if there’s an injury. There’s flexibility with him. Your point about keeping Jeffers to get a competitive balance pick is a point well made….it does open the door to keep him. I just don’t see a frugal Team letting inexpensive Jackson go for very little in a trade …….. can’t trade Caratini with Jeffers (97%) gone after season. Roster doesn’t currently work with DH & 1B clogged by two guys that are performing. Almost have to trade Jeffers or just bite the bullet and give Jackson away for some A-Ball kid. Keeping Jeffers is tough to build a logical argument for after the 60/65 games worth of decent baseball played by Caratini & Jackson. I guess, if really think a run can be made, Team could trade Bell while he’s a hot commodity and open DH for Jeffers/Caratini rotation with Larnach mixed in or even Buxton?
  21. JD-TWINS
    Labor negotiating with Owners is a pretty common thing in business …….. both sides ultimately want to make money…….. with the current level of interest in the game, both sides would be nuts to have a work stoppage at all, due to failed negotiations……..worst case a shutdown of 30-45 days. Baseball is going to be played in ‘27 - too much money at stake for everyone involved to not play games! My opinion.
  22. JD-TWINS
    Prielipp & Matthews are certainly in the mix for the #4-#5 slots as well.
  23. JD-TWINS
    It’s a big option IF he gets hurt & is also a big option if the Labor Negotiations generate a “spending floor” for teams across baseball . Joe could be a good use of $$ needed to be spent. The other argument for the extension path is the fact that Lopez is off the books after ‘27 & there would be $22M of budget freed up……….could extend Joe & trade Pablo next year at the deadline……assuming he is generally solid coming back from a year off. Lots of options.
  24. JD-TWINS
    1) $14M to spend is hardly granting “flexibility”. 2) I get other Teams have had success for years while spending at a low rate…… Tampa & Milwaukee are great examples & obvious. To me, the difference is that in those organizations they have made a COMMITMENT to operate that way. I do not think for a minute that in ‘23 or ‘24 not in ‘25 when Team was put up for sale, that the FO thought the budget for ‘26 was going to be $105M. 3) Caratini & Bell were both signed with the expectation experience & a performance floor. Also, they were both signed to play a fair amount of 1B. Caratini as an effective Switch hitting PH. Jeffers hurt - Caratini only catches over next 65 games. Bell isn’t sharp at 1st (as anticipated) and Clemen’s experiment was working at 1B. 4) As you are aware, Bell has been excellent with RISP ……. had a terrible stretch through May……. & has had around .970 OPS for last 5-6 weeks combined. Caratini had a terrible May but he had the 4th highest OPS in the League, in June. Caratini & Bell, IMO, were standard signings in rounding out the Club. Caratini, on a 2 year deal brought some stability going forward, without Jeffers. The problem is there should have been at least $15-$20M more $$ available for relief pitchers, etc. …………. $125M payroll would hardly be in the Top 20 teams in spending.
  25. JD-TWINS
    Don’t disagree but placing Zoll in any negative light with Team’s spending at $105M ……… $50M less than 2023……to me, seems like speculation. No idea what he might pursue if there was a commitment to $135M - $145M - $160M over the next 3 years, so a FO has a chance to execute a plan toward real success….no idea?
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