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JD-TWINS

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  1. JD-TWINS
    They signed a Free Agent Catcher and paid him $10M/year (3 years) so both he & Jeffers could stay fresh and to minimize injury & performance drops due to fatigue. The FA, Vazquez, failed to HIT to his career norms but he was good/better behind the plate. The Manager manages the players/resources he has in front of him……his limited Catching duties allowed Jeffers to be in the line-up as DH as well.
  2. JD-TWINS
    If you can figure out how to get Diaz - fabulous!! I live in Cincinnati and have watched Andujar carve up LH pitching for the last 2 months - excellent! But that’s it …….DH or PH & 25% or so of pitchers are LH. Kody Clemens can’t be a 70-75% platoon guy at 1B, not on a competitive Club. I guess all this is moot if there’s no idea what the spending plan might be. I don’t get the Arraez hate though? If it’s just the money - I get it. If it’s hitting .262 v. LH pitching and “that sucks” I don’t get it…….his OBP was .327 and he hit .294, so he walks 3 times out of 100……..Wallner has OBP of .311 and he hit .205, so he walks 10.5 times out of 100. Arraez struck out 21 times in 675 PA’s. Wallner struck out 114 times in 392 PA’s. Not being able to advance runners nor drive RISP in is a hole in Twin’s line-up. Arraez had 61 RBI (64 over 162) and 42XBH in ‘25……….Wallner had 40 RBI (62 over 162) and 41 XBH in ‘25. Arraez OBP from ‘22 - ‘25 is .375 - .393 - .346 - .327………….Byron Buxton’s OBP from ‘22 - ‘25 is .306 - .294 - .335 - .327 ………things fluctuate year to year. Arraez, however, plays 93% of games.
  3. JD-TWINS
    Agreed. Gotta have ability for sure but Killebrew played LF at one point before 3B & 1B……..it’s not crazy. Surely, it’s not a good move for everyone & I assume someone in Twin’s organization has had the thought that 6’3” & 6’5” slow outfielders should be considered for a move to 1B, haven’t done it for baseball reasons……..lack of capabilities maybe?!?!?!!
  4. JD-TWINS
    Matt Wallner hit .202 in ‘25 Matt Wallner hit .177 with RISP in ‘25 Matt Wallner hit .195 v. RHP in ‘25 Why would anyone think that Wallner learning how to play 1B is of any benefit to the Club? He hit 22 HR’s and Kody Clemens hit 19 HR’s. Kody can play 1B - 2B - RF - LF. I’m not trying to promote starting nor even keeping Clemens - just pointing out how truly disappointing Wallner’s year was. If he was from Stevens Point instead of Forrest Lake he would be run out of Target Field. ……… Potential, sure! Eddie Julien also has potential …… as well as a dozen other guys that have washed out in past 2-3 years. I thought he’d be a Top 3 hitter on the Club in ‘25………was woefully mistaken! btw - Luis Arraez hit .294 in 2025 ……. .287 with RISP ……. .304 v. RHP ……… ..262 v. LHP …… Lead N.L. in hits last 2 seasons and had 203 hits in 2023. He played in 154 games in ‘25…… 150 games in ‘24. IMO, sign him for 3 years at $40M total ……. & bat him 5th in line-up every day.
  5. JD-TWINS
    Seriously, your argument is based on a half dozen Post Season games? How did Wallner do in ‘23 post season? Oh, he was 0-8 with 5 strikeouts - shocking! The fact that Wallner sucks AND can’t stay healthy speaks volumes. My point is, let Arraez hit in the middle of the line-up v. the Top 2 spots when fewer guys are on base. He would have 80 RBI w/o issue if batting 5th…….also, these would be “real & not projected IF he played”. Matt Wallner was out at least twice this past season, maybe 3 times. Arraez played in 154 games - that’s a knock on Arraez? In ‘24 Wallner was in the minors for 8-10 weeks because he was so bad after his first 19 games they had to send him down. Arraez had 200 hits ……..obviously, Matt’s a better guy to have in the line-up.
  6. JD-TWINS
    Logic - refreshing!! I can’t believe you don’t think that “……they can just practice some grounders this winter & next spring, and then be good to go…..” Yes, there are “baseball people” evaluating guys for years and they are not idiots, regardless of what those here at TD seem to think. ……..Moving Wallner or Larnach to 1B to “maybe” be on a similar level as Eduard Julien, is not the answer.
  7. JD-TWINS
    They were going to pay Carlos Correa $35M or close to it, for years, as of 6 months ago. Buxton’s contract was signed in November of 2021. Arraez made $14M in ‘25. Lead N.L. in total hits in both ‘24 & ‘25 ……..he had 203 hits in 2023………then 200 & 181 the last 2 seasons. 42 XBH in ‘25. Played 144 - 147 - 150 - 154 games last 4 seasons…….he’s 28 as of today. I don’t see a “decline”. If they can’t pay something north of $10-$11M for an offensive infusion then the Team & fanbase should punt. Can’t budget $100M for 2026 and be competitive!
  8. JD-TWINS
    First, platooning anyone with Kody Clemens is a bad idea. France/Wallner/Larnach can’t run either. Moving Larnach or Wallner to 1B, if a reality, would have been done by now ……Wallner didn’t grow 5” and lose all his speed in the past 18 months………Larnach, ditto. 2025 XBH ….. Larnach - 42, Wallner - 41, Arraez - 42 ………….. Arraez had more AB’s for sure but he also had 55 & 113 more hits than those two, respectively. I don’t really care how many meaningless walks Matt Wallner draws to inflate his OBP to respectability. A comparable OBP being generated by base hits, with guys on base, has a lot more value than a walk. A ball put in play with guys on base is a lot more valuable than a strikeout! The amount of money is based upon 2026 economics for MLB players salaries. If Twins can’t compete on salary to fill roster holes we should all punt. Maybe the starting offer is $11M? Think the Yankees would rather have had Paul Goldschmidt or Luis Arraez this post-season?
  9. JD-TWINS
    Thanks. Just saw another post with a number of guys listed. I am surprised I had already forgotten about the guy I think can be a Solid RBI guy batting 5th everyday and playing 1B most of the time………a little less $$ than the Top Tier guys. Luis Arraez ($15M?). He lead the NL in hits the past two seasons and the other post said he can’t be played v. LH pitching…….not sure about that? Seems with a guy in that spot that is going to average 175-190 hits the next 3 years…….”producing with RISP”……it makes sense. If they develop someone ant 1B over next year or two, he’s a worthwhile DH. Arraez…….173 - 203 - 200 - 181 hits per year over the past 4 seasons. 42 XBH in ‘25. Another here at TD says “he’s declining” ….. he is currently 28 years old. He’s played in 144 - 147 - 150 - 154 games over the past 4 seasons. He’s traditionally hit toward the top of the line-up and he’s not very quick ……. to me, he would thrive in a spot where he’s coming up with guys on base AND behind someone where he can provide protection. (penciled in at 5th, daily) It’s hard to imagine pitching around someone to get to Arraez and his bat to ball skills!
  10. JD-TWINS
    Any reasonable thoughts that can be shared on potential FA guys at 1B? I’m not in tune with guys other than Alonso & France (big spread there). Have my fingers crossed!
  11. JD-TWINS
    Prior to somewhat of a resurgence at 3B the last 3 months, I loved the idea of Lewis at 1B. I assume he & his management (personal management) would fight this. I think it’s a potentially great landing spot for him. Keeping him healthy needs to be a priority - he’s not a China Doll but he’s not far from that type of fragility. Anyone that can play average defense at 1B and be a positive offensively would be a welcome sight. Santana was a great signing and had nothing to do with Team’s woes, relative to the Playoffs, in ‘24. Lead Team in HR - RBI & won Gold Glove. A great result to a potentially blah signing in hindsight! France, while not a perfect solution at 1B, had a reasonable 4 months in a Twin’s uniform…..need to strive for better than “reasonable”, I agree the bar needs to be higher. Matt Wallner could ………”be better in RF if he was coached better”. I don’t get this, at all? If a guy has been playing baseball for 15 years and he can’t handle the basic fundamentals of playing RF, he should quit. The Team practices regularly and works on fundamentals as a group and as individuals. Playing RF isn’t some deep mystery…….none of baseball is very deep. Executing what you’re coached to do is the tricky part! To me, with just OK skills behind the plate, Jeffers is the guy to move to 1B. He can be the 3rd Catcher on the Roster which provides flexibility and depth. Have him catch 18-20 games through the season to stay sharp. He can DH some after catching to stay fresh - seems like an option. Focus on Catching in free agency or via trade - easier said than done. Larnach, Keaschall, Gonzalez, Wallner, along with Jeffers are alleged internal guys that could make sense at 1B………probably won’t happen.
  12. JD-TWINS
    What I am absolutely sure of about DeShawn is that he can’t bunt………whether it’s bashing or being fair is in the eye of the beholder. To me, if a guy is clearly in the fringe of the roster he needs to be at a minimum, able to execute basics. 3 different times over a 3-4 week span he was called on to help the Team get a run or to advance a runner further into scoring position. Each time he failed - big time. He added very little value in the opportunities he did get which then reduces opportunities going forward.
  13. JD-TWINS
    He did have 500 plus AB’s & he didn’t hit LHP well….,,,I support keeping him and think he has value but it’s definitely only “good” v. RHP. That’s real.
  14. JD-TWINS
    $11.6M of supposed worth in ‘24 - &1.8M of supposed worth in ‘25. “Potential” contract for ‘26 at $4.7M. If he is used more as a strict Platoon bat at DH & OF maybe 20% of the time, it’s reasonable to assume he could/should have a line in this area: ……. .270/.335/.765/.425 ……. nothing inflated there as his career OPS is .768 v. RH pitching. ……..in ‘25 while facing LH (more) somewhere around 20+% of AB’s, his line was the following: ……. .250/.323/.404/.727 with 42 XBH in about a 71% of the potential AB’s for one line-up spot. His strikeout rate was 21.5%. Counter his AB’s v. LH Pitching with Gonzalez or like RH option. Gotta have a clearly better option before just letting him go, IMO…….to me, the $$ saved is a ridiculous argument and if $2M additional spend is that precious to the Organization then our rotation is going to get traded away as well.
  15. JD-TWINS
    Twins make him a compromise offer at $3.2 - $3.5? He’s got a .765 OPS for career v. RH pitching - ……no deep dive here, from what I believe I’ve read. On a Team starved for offense, typically, rolling the dice with Roden/Outman seems ridiculous to me. He had 17HR & 24 doubles ……use as more of a straight platoon and his BA - OBP - OPS all go up considerably in ‘25. - right? I know he plods around in OF but he doesn’t butcher a bunch of plays - I don’t see Wallner making fabulous plays, he’s got a better arm but throws the ball all over the place. I can’t see letting relatively known offense/experience go until guys (Rodriguez - Jenkins - Gonzalez) are actually deemed “ready” in early summer. Could trade Larnach and another body to some team with injuries & a need. Bottom line is, v. RH pitching, he’s a (the most) productive guy in the DH spot unless they go out and sign a star. To me, trying to save $2 -$3M each with 2-3 guys doesn’t make sense IF trying to win. The Club either trades Lopez and sheds real money or they try to compete and budget $125-$140M for the total spend……….saving $7M on 3 guys isn’t going to help any serious $$ concerns.
  16. JD-TWINS
    Lots of good thoughts - I like Keaschall or Jeffers moving to 1B ……. get that “need” behind Team & don’t let it linger. Maybe Gonzalez is focussed at 1B over the Winter and in the Spring. Would prefer moving Lee to 2B if Keaschall vacates. Roll with Culpepper or best young option by end of May at SS. I’d try to have Matthews in the PEN to handle the former Griffin Jax role. Maybe bring Thielbar back home - similar stats to Coulombe in ‘25, I believe? Spend $7-$9M on somebody that can close. Roden - Outman - Fitzgerald ……to me, these guys are gone, at least by June 1. Maybe one of the OF hits there way in the Team but am not holding my breath. I saw Santana & Liriano make the Team as relievers & then evolve……… to me, Prielipp & Rojas should be close to being viable PEN options coming out of Spring Training…… probably Morris as well. Abel & Festa are the “starter depth guys” to start.
  17. JD-TWINS
    I just don’t see anybody trading everyday position player talent (with real value) to Twins nor anybody. The pitching we have may net us a AAA catcher or 1B but again, if the Catcher was of value he wouldn’t be getting traded. A first baseman in an organization could theoretically be blocked & thus traded for pitching. I’m personally done with reaching for more “prospects”. Team needs to move someone internally to 1B or they need to acquire one via FA. Catcher could be covered with what we have, theoretically………I have no problem with Jeffers moving to 1B for 70% of his starts. He could catch 20 games through the year to stay viable (as the 3rd catcher) and DH after catching if he needs the break. Spend $$ on a 1B &/or DH!!!! OF is covered with what’s on roster and, hopefully by June, the other guys, (Gonzalez - Rodriguez - Jenkins) 1 or 2, will be ready. …………….. Obviously, could use 2 FA’s for PEN. Thielbar had a good year …. going forward though??? Devin Williams may have shaken Yankee’s confidence in him ……. he may have lost confidence being in NY? Better small market fit? These 2 guys, or like arms for a total of $10-$11M could be a nice fit. Have Topa - Sands - Funderburk as 3 competent guys returning. Add 3-4 young guys to the mix from organization & the PEN isn’t the mess it seems to be. Seems that current $95M salary total + another $35 - $40M gets them in a very competitive position…….. IMO.
  18. JD-TWINS
    I don’t understand the logic of people here when discussing how talent needs to be “developed” by the Manager? People sight failures of players to blossom and stick at the MLB level under Baldelli. EVERY team I’ve paid attention to in MLB over past 50 years (at age of being able to comprehend the details) PLAYERS COME & GO. How many guys came up in ‘72 or ‘78 or ‘83 or ‘94 or ‘22 that were guys that “had great promise” ……”4 tool guys” ………. “power guys” and only baseball geeks even remember them. This happens in every organization. Do some organizations have better “teachers” at Manager helm? Sure! Do many develop better through their Minor League system? Sure! Do some draft better? Sure! ………… The % of guys that come up with Twins and wash out or do not meet their potential, to me, is the same thing happening in nearly every organization - every year. It’s cyclical, lack of development working out & if no $$ are spent it gets worse & worse from the bottom up.
  19. JD-TWINS
    The “feel”, to me, is like reading a bunch of resumes that are all “what you are looking for” on some level(s) but then when you meet the right candidate in the room it makes sense to hire that one. Baldelli not being at fault but needing a change for the Team is like a congregation needing a new priest or minister, nothing wrong with the present one, but you need a new voice. Hiring a guy that hasn’t coached or managed is a big risk but if a guy like Morneau were available, would many at TD balk? Shouldn’t matter what the guys stats were……..who he played for ………gotta be a rational thought choice, not emotional, can’t be “to draw fans”.
  20. JD-TWINS
    To me, it’s the 4 guys from last year in the rotation (Looez-Ryan-Ober-SWR) along with Bradley. Matthews to the PEN in a Griffin Jax, high leverage role. Can throw hard in short bursts and would only need 2-3 effective pitches & there’s a big hole. He has options if they need to adjust on the fly. Abel, on paper, is the 6th rotation guy…….Festa being next if healthy enough? Matthews - Sands - Funderburk - Topa - Roya - Prielipp - Morris - Adams - Lawyerson & couple FA’s in the PEN mix.
  21. JD-TWINS
    SWR is a solid rotation piece. Martin has settled in at the plate with a better plan and pitch recognition - a real probable contributor! Clemens had maybe 4 games where he stood out - he’s the 13th guy due to position flexibility and his ability to run into one every 20 AB’s. He did have a double & 3 HR’s in one game ………..that’s 11.5% of his XBH in one game. His problem is he’s not clutch as he hit .216 for the year (.284 OBP) - he can be flashy and that gets fans excited. Again, he’s the 13th guy until somebody younger is ready……he’ll be 30 next season and this past one was his best by a considerable piece. Agree, Funderburk has matured and his consistency through a tough final two months proved he deserves a spot.
  22. JD-TWINS
    To me, this year, the difference is the Twins gave up. When Cleveland was 15 1/2 out of first place Minnesota was 14 games out. If the Twins add a guy at the deadline & still move Paddack & Dobnack ……… maybe Stewart if they felt compelled. With same roster and 58 games left, they had a shot to get to 87-88 wins……even with the mediocre results to the end of July.
  23. JD-TWINS
    The “clutch hitting” element is the magic elixir for a “good Manager”, as Players play - defensive capabilities for individuals isn’t Managed into guys (it can be a point of emphasis) as the players need to make the plays (pick up the ball & make good throws - hit cut off man, etc.). Players need to run bases correctly and with enthusiasm and hustle - players need to HIT in the clutch. 90% of Managers speaking on the topic of “their success” will state that “Good Players make Good Managers”!
  24. JD-TWINS
    So, Baldelli had some blame with scheme in situations or he just had players that weren’t competent to do much else? He plays percentages - A.J. Hinch, in Detroit manages the same way …….. they bunted 5 times all year and he pinch hit for Riley Greene the other day and he’s got 36 HR and is his leading RBI guy. Hi inch didn’t like the lefty v lefty matchup in the 6th inning - sound familiar? Falvey having “questionable trades” is just baseball as the same general statement can be applied across 30 organizations when generalizing the specific. He’s had some OK trades and some not OK trades - same with FA signings. OWNERSHIP & lack of a clearly communicated $$ approach to the FO is a huge % of the organization’s problems. Teams that spend less than Twins have had success but that’s with a specific approach in mind over many years - extreme spending cuts in payroll can’t be sudden and then have the expectation that the FO will make up for ANY & ALL issues associated with roster. Can’t extend Lopez & sign Correa (combined $56M/yr) and then CUT PAYROLL from $154M in 2023 down $20-$30M and act like it’s an easy work around. If Team spends $135M in ‘26 they’d be back to 2022 spending and they’d have a competitive Club. Can’t trade starting pitching - couple guys need to perform at expected levels.
  25. JD-TWINS
    So I agree that the Players play and if guys like Lewis, expected to be offensive positives, don’t perform…….the Manager can’t get that to change. Players, in many, many comments here at TD have little or no accountability. Toronto had a “down year in ‘24” and then they hired David Popkins after the Twin’s players went into a tailspin in ‘24 that got Popkins fired. Oddly enough, Toronto has 7 guys hitting .265 or higher and 4 guys at .300 or better. Either he’s a miracle worker OR the players in Toronto were able to execute ideas and approaches Popkins via coaching. That said, I don’t see how Baldelli had much of a hand in Buxton’s very successful season. Players play!
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