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JD-TWINS

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  1. JD-TWINS
    I don’t get the assumption by Doc, (paraphrasing) “everyone deserves endless opportunities……”. IT’s PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL not church league softball!!! Kiersey - Miranda - Julien & on & on have had numerous “opportunities” and repeatedly are way worse than sub-par! How did Sano not have enough opportunities? He was in The Show for most of 7 plus years and then went away offensively. In his last full season he struck out 183 times - 34% of his trips to the plate & 39% of the time when he didn’t walk. That was his SEVENTH SEASON in MLB………gotta have some personal responsibility by then! “It’s the philosophy” - “it’s the coaching” David Popkins may get (if there is such a thing?) BEST POSITION COACH in all of MLB this year in Toronto!!! Do I think he’s special? No. Do I think the TWINS PLAYERS sucked in ‘24 and his coaching had nearly zero to do with the huge decline & inconsistency? Yes. Blue Jays have 3 guys above .300 - another above .290 - 6 regulars above .265…………Ty France is hitting .320 in 81AB’s with Toronto and their INEPT hitting coach (Popkins), after being jettisoned from Target Field. I think it might be the Player’s responsibility for their performance.😉
  2. JD-TWINS
    It’s hard, and a lot to deal with between the ears……..his best shot is somewhere else with a fresh start and w/o Royce Lewis squarely in front of him. I wish him well but his steep decline from the guy that went 12-12 in the middle of last summer has washed his chances with the Twins.
  3. JD-TWINS
    All makes sense until the Outman piece (don’t disagree that he may be cooked?) since the Manager/GM don’t need to explain the plan to get someone back on track. This is competitive professional sports and not some politically correct forum. The player acquisition was a flier with some upside potential. Gotta play him to see where he’s at and whether he has tools to continue to work with going forward. Same thing they are doing with Funderburk and Topa in new situations. The organization gave up on “winning” being the driver for balance of ‘25 over a month ago. Outman needs some steady AB’s to see what he can do…….can he show signs of improvement?
  4. JD-TWINS
    I get that Martin’s Season Totals aren’t great nor what Team needs going forward. Maybe it’s because of the mediocrity on the roster now that surrounds him, but I think he’s playing better baseball! He looks competent in the outfield and he’s much more refined in his approach at the plate (has matured?). He’s not going to be a star but he’s definitely a capable #12-#13 guy on the roster. I think Gonzalez, with a few more months of progress, probably displaces him next summer but if Martin progresses just a bit more he’ll stick. To me, Rodriguez is overrated not because he lacks talent to be capable at MLB level but his durability is terrible. Jenkins, to me, isn’t considered to be in the Show until at least June/July. These two guys push Wallner & Larnach to elevate their games or they are pushed aside. A combination of Martin/Lee are the replacements for Castro, IMO. I’d like a quicker & more athletic SS from our system to take that spot in ‘26 on the regular. Need a FA 1B! …….Lewis at 3B - (farm system guy at SS) - Keaschall at 2B……..Lee behind all 3 spots. I still consider Keaschall at 1B & Lee at 2B. Go ahead & sign Castro for 2 years at $9M /yr …….. he’s a know commodity and affordable. So many possibilities if the just spend $140M!!
  5. JD-TWINS
    CORRECT! If Ober was injured, he wouldn’t be in the 26-man in September. Most guys hurt some nearly every day after May……every year. It’s professional sports. I have hindsight here and know he pitched well against a hungry line-up that’s traditionally given him problems. I think he’s probably nicked up a bit but he’s pitching for personal $$ and the Team would like to see more than one consecutive good start from him. He’ll keep pitching another turn or three in September.
  6. JD-TWINS
    Things were going to get worse after July 31st, that was pretty obvious. I do not like the Team looking non-competitive any more than anyone else……that said, the guys they moved from the PEN do not denote a Salary Dump. They weren’t going anywhere this year so they looked at getting better starter depth, assuming they could put together a new PEN in ‘26. Certainly remains to be seen! (Coulombe - Paddack - Dobnack) these were salary moves and they made perfect sense! The PEN is terrible now & arguably only has 2-3 MLB level guys in the 8/9 player mix. It sucks and is tough to watch. Today’s reality: Coulombe is on IL …… Stewart is on IL ……. as much as I love Louie’s story/path, he has not been good in Toronto (6.91 ERA in 15 appearances)…….. Jax is 0-2 in Tampa with a 7.20 ERA (8 earned in 10 innings with 6 walks) One can argue that Varland & Jax would be better if they remained in MN - it’s supposition. DURAN has been very good & yes, they were probably shying away from paying him $7-8M per year via arbitration. I am hopeful for the ‘26 PEN #7 & #8 slots (currently 2 & 3) in ‘26 are Topa & Funderburk …… #4 slot is Sands. Everyone else is new. Adams could be #8 (one inning at a time!!)? Prielipp - Raya - Morris - Lewis - Abel/Bradley - Festa/SWR ………between these 8 guys and the 3 mentioned previously, there should be 6-7 reasonable MLB options. 2 FA signings (guys with quality upside based on track record) & the Pen is reconstructed. NEED to figure out (probably not easy) the closer role! I don't like the losing either but it was the path forward after moving 10-11 guys in one week. Martin looks like a probable MLB contributor - Keaschall is a solid guy every day - Lewis will be better - assuming Wallner will be better. Fitzgerald - Gasper/Vazquez - Julien - Kiersey - Outman - Roden ………. (Clemens?) will all be freed from the 26 man roster so there are spots for Gonzalez/Rodriguez, new FA Catcher, new FA 1B, etc.
  7. JD-TWINS
    These two are not the answer every 5th day, maybe anywhere? Can’t consider either, even in the ‘26 PEN, IMO. Cole Sands scuffled for 2-3 years and has evolved……I think he may have more physical attributes than either of these two guys……(it’s possible they could get outs one inning at a time?) TWINS released Ronny Henriquez…… their expectations, in ‘26, when it counts have to be higher than Ohl or Adams!
  8. JD-TWINS
    Completely agree on Ober - he’s got some, or had an injury along the way that has affected his delivery/mechanics. The inability to throw at 91Mph, which distinguishes his change-up as a very good pitch, is an issue going forward. His relatively thin margin for error gets magnified. He has to get a real shot in ‘26 as he’s potentially a superior #5 starter in the rotation v. other #5’s around baseball. I didn’t see the game yesterday but with what I read, it seems Topa got a ground ball to first to get out of the inning and Lee butchered the return throw to 1B to complete a double play. Inning’s over and zero runs…….right?
  9. JD-TWINS
    Ryan - Matthews - SWR - Bradley - Ober are the starters for now………assuming they’ll sit Ober by the end of the week with some injury, “tired arm” ……….Lopez will probably start Friday or Saturday?
  10. JD-TWINS
    Don’t think it’s anyone’s intent for Topa to be high leverage………Funderburk came in the other day for the Save in the 9th. Those two guys are #7 & #8 in the PEN up until the deadline. They belong in the #7&#8 slots going forward, at best. The PEN needs to be reconstructed for sure between now & March 1st. Topa can be a 3.75 ERA guy for 5th-7th inning situations for around $1.3M - OK value when considering his experience.
  11. JD-TWINS
    Certainly bat speed is not overrated if a Team or hitter values extra base hits, chiefly……..but barreling up the ball (regardless of bat speed) has always been king, IMO. Luis Arraez makes a living getting the bat on the ball & putting it in play (can’t imagine his bat speed is very high % v League) ……. personally, I think he (and his approach) has great value for 3-5 guys in the line-up. Arraez at 1B next year OR Keaschall at 1B next year would make me happy! Personally, I see Keaschall as more of a catalyst and in the 1-3 spot in the line-up & would like to plug Arraez in at #5 everyday to produce RBI …….. great guy to protect the 4 hole hitter and a guy that can drive in RISP. Maybe unorthodox with lack of power but I think it’s more effective. Nothing more disappointing to watch & to waste potential WINS as a guy striking out with Zero or One out with RISP. Arraez doesn’t steal bases so having him hit at the Top negates his value of putting the ball in play. Bat speed, in the end, is worthless if not connected to bat to ball skills and high contact rate…….i.e. Matt Wallner. .216 and 20 HR with 36 RBI (close to ‘25 stat line) is a lot less valuable than the potential Arraez would bring with .295 - 6 HR - 75 RBI at this point next year, if batting 5 or 6 in the line-up. Wallner (w/o looking) probably strikes out 8:1 that of Arraez?
  12. JD-TWINS
    Baldelli is responsible for the pitcher’s lack of availability/health??? Lopez - Ober - Matthews - Festa - SWR ALL on IL within past few weeks …….. when they do pitch it’s often a disappointment! How is “his positioning” of starters, other than giving them the ball, in question?
  13. JD-TWINS
    CORRECT! How about the Batting Instructor, David Popkins? For 2 seasons no I stuck up for the coaches and out the ineffectiveness back on the multi-million $$ players. Popkins is in his first year in Toronto and as of Thursday they had 3 guys hitting over .300 & Kirk was at .299………..,Popkins sucks though and the Toronto hitters are just lucky!!!!
  14. JD-TWINS
    Larnach next year ……$3.5M absolute max ……my assumption, haven’t paid too much attention. Career .765 OPS v. RH pitching…… I think I saw that here? Maybe just over a couple seasons? He’s a much better last guy than some of the other options and that amount of money is awfully affordable!
  15. JD-TWINS
    But come on - maybe another team would give up a “multi talented player for Big Matt?” Why not? …….oh, it’s not fantasy baseball, that’s why. He’s got great power with terrible bat to ball skills…..a great arm, but slow and not intuitive…..and he likes to show off his arm by overthrowing the cut off routinely. Sucks in the clutch. Obviously, a guy someone would trade a better, more polished player for in return. 19 HR’s & 32 RBI ……. a nearly impossible feat.
  16. JD-TWINS
    I got lost in the $$ spent: Buxton $15M ……. Lopez $21.5M…….Ryan & Jeffers at $7.5M each = $51.5M Lewis - Ober - Larnach at $15M max. = $66.5M Topa - Sands -Clemens at $5M total 16other guys at $800K is a total of $12.8M = $85M. Maybe I’m missing something - a guy? Maybe you too have the same total - I didn’t see how to get there? My hope is they spend up to $125M and the team is filled out with a couple PEN helpers and a couple hitters, one being a Catcher…….maybe 2 Catchers if Jeffers can play 1B and be 3rd Catcher(optimal to me). Do we think new partners threw in $400M to be bad and not generate positive ROI?…….$125M ……maybe as low as $115M. They spent $154M in ‘23.
  17. JD-TWINS
    I get the frustration but outing pressure on the defense with 2 guys in scoring position isn’t a terrible thing. No responsibility to the players, ever? Larnach is up with one out and guys at first and third - did Rocco direct him into hitting into the double play - again & again & again?
  18. JD-TWINS
    I’m struggling with Abel not being up for tonight or the next reliever (start) slot this weekend ………unless he’s a mental midget and not equipped for the SHOW, I don’t know what else he can do with the Saints?
  19. JD-TWINS
    11 hits & 5 walks …… two guys went 1-3 & four guys had multi-hit games …….. any team would take that daily! ……. Can’t execute in ANY clutch situation - hard to watch!!
  20. JD-TWINS
    Understand the logic, but nobody’s searching for a .215 hitter that may hit 30 HR’s IF he can stay healthy. That’s Rowdy Telez or the like - just doesn’t seem like something to build around. Where’s Emma & better yet, Gonzalez in the potential OF pecking order. To me, Outman has a much better shot than Roden.
  21. JD-TWINS
    1) The Twins/Brewers would play 7 games in each park/city not 14 games at Target. 2) Brewers fans from Madison to LaCrosse to Superior would travel to the Twin Cities for games on the regular from one season to the next. Sure seems to happen now and the Teams are in different Leagues - within same Division the rivalry will grow & thrive. That said, I’d just as soon keep AL & NL discreet. How does exchanging the Royals and Cleveland for Cubs & Brewers address “cross country travel”……….makes no sense to juggle relatively local opponents under the guise of saving money on long haul travel as well as player health & well being improving greatly.
  22. JD-TWINS
    4 walks in 4 innings with two in the first for Matthews (4 innings & 92 pitches)…….next guy, 4 more walks ……… gave up 12 hits between the group with 9 walks. Nobody wins that game with that pitching, including the ‘27 Yankees!
  23. JD-TWINS
    It’s not Rocket Science - typical reaction from TD - Soto is one guy out of 29 mentioned. Whoever the 12th pitcher might be in organization ….. how’s that? Maybe should re-read my slant on pitchers. Can’t have 11 starting Pitchers on the 40-man, IMO. Pretty sure I had 12 guys including Ryan & Lopez as starters now……5 to start year with 2-3 in waiting …… my math says there are at least 4-5 guys that are available to contribute in the Show outside of the rotation, while still continuing to develop in St Paul. Wallner - Larnach/Roden - Buxton - Outman - Gonzalez - Rodriguez ……….Keaschall/Clemens for additional options in corners as well as on the dirt. Lewis - Keaschall - Lee - Culpepper - Houston - Eeles ……..I’d try to utilize Jeffers as 3rd Catcher 2-3 times per month and play him regularly at 1B. Offensive trade & FA targets at Catcher & DH……maybe a couple Pen arms.
  24. JD-TWINS
    Could be an A’s fan…….. I mean, Sacramento fan……. Obviously, not selling sucks but there are some pretty decent players coming 4-6 over next two seasons and 3-4 more just traded for and 7-9 on current 26 man along with Festa - SWR - Lopez all back at some point. They don’t need 9-10 capable starters going into ‘26…….. some body’s getting traded and/or shifted to the bullpen. If they spend $40M of the $70M they will have shed by end of ‘25 they’ll be good next season. I get everyone here likes to be negative so they can “be right” or “pleasantly surprised” in the future………MLB & Player’s Association won’t let them just not spend anything….. will effect revenue share. To me they have 4 position player holes and 2 Pen holes to fill via FA and via youth. Very doable!! Festa - Bradley - Abel - Matthews - SWR - Ober - Morris - Prielipp - Raya - Soto…….have got to cover 3 PEN slots with this group…….10 guys, can’t be that tough. 2 guys in FA for Pen. (Coulombe type plus hard throwing RH - FA) Plus Topa - Sands - Funderburk. Ryan & Lopez plus 3 from list above with 2 in the wings. Staff seems just fine to me, on paper.
  25. JD-TWINS
    Seems to me, similar to what you are intimating, once one looks past the disappointment and angst of fan base …….nobody throws $400M at something that is poorly marketed and whose customer’s are pissed off and walking away……. without some agreed to path to change. It’s not in the minority owners best interest to just turn over a huge amount of $$ to the Pohlads ownership w/o some framework of a plan for success. Can’t just be “we’ll write you a check and then let’s shoot from the hip & hope” ……. gotta expect moves to get the Team competitive in ‘26 to maintain and better revenues…….. only path to decent ROI - right?!?! The ownership is no longer the Pohlad’s in a vacuum and the 2 groups that “invested” are not clueless & carefree with $400M - just not realistic! Gotta expect some positive change.
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