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JD-TWINS

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Everything posted by JD-TWINS

  1. JD-TWINS
    Needs to release Outman & Clemens to get things started.
  2. JD-TWINS
    Let’s make it simple, where do you think Lee should play? He’s not going anywhere. He’s not a DH. Where?………..I’m talking about in the future, not next week.
  3. JD-TWINS
    You have Zero idea how good he would be at 1B. He’s slow as hell at SS, given, hence the reason to move him. I watched former 3B, Harmon Killebrew play 1B for a decade - Lee is certainly every bit as capable defensively as Harmon. Nobody said 1B is easy (don’t lump me in with “others”) …….:nobody said 1B doesn’t matter! If Ty France can win a Gold Glove at 1B, our current SS should be “able to maintain” at 1B! He’s got the foul line to protect him to his left……..pretty sure he could figure it out with some focus between now & next March. ……. I specifically said he can’t make the move this year.
  4. JD-TWINS
    EVERYONE wants better bats through a whole bunch of the positions. Lee will be on the roster for a few years ……. I DON’T want him playing SS, even in a reserve role. Carlos Santana - Ty France - Kody Clemens - Josh Bell - (anyone in the minors) - Brooks Lee……… who (which of these cloned) would you prefer at 1B for ‘27-‘29? ………..they have nobody obvious in the pipeline and refuse to spend on a first baseman! The vague, “I’d like somebody that hits better…..” - me too! Maybe, maybe with less pressure with the glove every inning/day, he settles in at the plate. Definitely has 25 HR power with 600 AB’s……….he’s arbkeast at least a Rhys Hoskins level guy at 1B, IMO.
  5. JD-TWINS
    Pitching is NEVER going to be good enough to carry the load if Team scores 2 runs. Will lose 90-95 of contests Team scores 2 or less. Buxton’s big swings in variability have always been frustrating - too many strikeouts are often a problem. If healthy, he’ll still hit 30 HR and play decent centerfield, at a minimum. Getting his average above .250 is always a big plus………it’s April 24th……. Byron has a bunch of games to get squared away!
  6. JD-TWINS
    “Gold Glove, gold glove …. who’s talking about Gold Gloves??” …. in my best Jim Mora voice! He’s got MUCH better range for 1B than he does at either SS or 2B ………Clemens/Bell/Caratini don’t exactly scream “range”. Trying to figure out where he has most value with his, realistic, skill set. As you well know, sometimes it’s a process of elimination before one finds the right fit. …….. he can’t pitch/catch nor play OF………. then you get to the four options on the dirt.
  7. JD-TWINS
    Slowly - encouraging for Lee! With Culpepper - Houston - Keaschall in the middle, apparently, going forward……..is it plausible to move Lee to 1B, (future) Sound glove there - mobility isn’t an issue - better for his back, possibly - he appears to potentially have 25 HR power. If he can maintain OPS above .725 going forward, 1B might be his spot? I think Buxton likes leading off - better for Team to get him in an RBI spot …….. completely agree on XBH v. RBI ratio being “off”.
  8. JD-TWINS
    Kriedler can play OF better than Kody Clemens. He can play 2B better than Kody Clemens. Kriedler has more value than Outman due to flexibility on D and having a pulse in the batter’s box. Gray isn’t going anywhere. There are no hard fast rules about guys coming up and never going back down. None. Wallner fixed himself in AAA in both ‘23 & ‘24, to then help the Big Club for significant parts of the season…….Lee as well was up & down - back when he was the “next star”. Lee is NOT the long-term SS - for sure. He could hopefully play 1B in the future - not in ‘26. He’s competent at 2B or 3B………Lewis has his spot locked up (short term) much more than Keaschall has. Lee’s gotta move ultimately, just want to start the transition to benefit the Club. ……..then hope for Keaschall to force his way back on the roster with some SUCCESS in St Paul.
  9. JD-TWINS
    He’s beat up (mentally) having to play everyday, IMO. His lack of ability to drive the ball, even occasionally, is a concern. He brings nothing positive defensively to off-set SLOW start offensively. His OBP is extremely low at .245! He’s got 4 XBH in 99 AB’s. His OPS+ is 42. Somebody comes up when he gets optioned. You are right, Gray - Krueger - Clemens offer no upside. Culpepper to SS & Lee to 2B helps up the middle defense, frankly, reduces pressure on Lee and gets Culpepper’s glove in the game while allowing him to get his feet wet - ALL while Keaschall finds himself over the next few weeks……btw, Lee is a better 2nd baseman. It’s a Major League Sports Team not some grade school activity group! Other Teams send guys up & down all the time looking for the right spark. It’s not a punishment - he’s not being banned - it’s for his own benefit! Also, it may help Team WIN more games……to paraphrase Herm Edwards.
  10. JD-TWINS
    If Keaschall & Wallner were optioned for Culpepper & Emma with Outman released: Lewis - Culpepper - Lee - Bell (infield) Martin - Buxton - Emma (outfield) (Catchers) Larnach (DH) Gray - Clemens - Caratini - Kriedler (bench) ……. first 3 guys play semi-regularly at 1B & DH, etc. and Kriedler is late inning D, pinch runner, ……guy that can bunt. Near-term “Step in right direction” offensively & defensively - right? Hopefully, Keaschall & Wallner are back in 3-6 weeks to push Clemens & Kriedler off roster……or Culpepper, if things aren’t going well.
  11. JD-TWINS
    Scoring 8 runs in a loss (Thursday) can be misleading for run production totals, particularly sandwiched between 2 runs on both Wednesday & Friday. Pitching is what, I assume, most expected …… a bunch of “OK”, 70/80% of the time with some great and some terrible 10-15% on either side. Typical, “OK staff” in MLB. Defense is pretty much what Team and fans would have expected. Only real Average to above average defender is Buxton. Everyone else is hoping to “attain average” and most are incapable of that happening. Maybe Lee could at 2B ….. maybe Lewis could - Martin is average to be fair. That’s it though. Difficult to be effective offensively with 4 guys really not contributing in any key situations with any consistency. Scoring in Baseball is hard enough with good hitters 26% - 30% success rate with hits & mediocre success 8-10% of the time with walks. 65% failure rate at the plate is norm for “good players” Outman - Clemens - Wallner - Keaschall (BA & OPS+) respectively (.091 & -15)-(.170 & 63)-(.195 & 72)-(.202 & 42) OFTEN, 3 of these guys are in the starting line-up. Team needs to make AT LEAST 2 roster changes upon returning to Minnesota………personally, I’d like to see Culpepper at SS (to address the 29th in defense issue) ….. Lee at 2B (also helps defensive profile) Emma in RF with Wallner being optioned (better defense) …….. Keaschall being optioned with Kriedler adding defensive depth infield/outfield. They don’t burn Clemens and Outman via DFA until a couple other guys get some exposure & prove themselves OR Keaschall & Wallner find themselves over the next few weeks - month +. Gotta help defense & can’t hurt offense!
  12. JD-TWINS
    Likelihood is they throw more strikes & he needs to swing more……… BA may drop to .260 …….. Walk rate may drop to 10-11% ……… still a .365 OBP. That works for sure!!
  13. JD-TWINS
    He was drafted as a SS - moved to 2B - then moved to OF to fill the void in RH hitting outfielders. I don’t like jerking him around either but Keaschall needs relief from somewhere! Either bring up Culpepper and move Lee to 2B OR try Martin back at 2B. He’s not replacing a gold glover at 2B. He’s a better fit there than Lewis & that was considered last summer.
  14. JD-TWINS
    Martin at 2B - Keaschall optioned (Kriedler back) - Wallner optioned - Emma in RF. Could use the two “optioned guys” back in June/July or whenever they are ready!
  15. JD-TWINS
    They are “trying” Morris & Rojas …… to me, a step in the right direction. No INSTANT success in the Show, not very often at least. Understand the bullpen angst! Cannot though, repeatedly state that there are no really good options and then get down on Shelton for using Banda. Banda retired 3 straight on Tuesday. Very FEW games are won when a Team gives up THREE unearned runs. Every run counts and this one is not entirely on the PEN.
  16. JD-TWINS
    Clemens being called on often, with his ceiling, IS a sad thing! Clemens 1/2 the time and Keaschall 100% of the time ….. Luke’s hitting .202 - his walk rate is about 5% - he’s got 4 XBH - his OPS+ is 43. His OBP is .245 - brutal!! Martin to 2B - option Luke & Wallner and play Emma every day in RF. It’s a thought.
  17. JD-TWINS
    Agreed. A second “Cole Sands type” may be a better use of him, per the results so far over 3 outings. 1 inning & 1+ innings every second or third outing. He’s an asset if they can get his usage squared away.
  18. JD-TWINS
    Ryan was rough - Jeffers dropping 3rd strike and allowing 2nd BIG inning to occur seems to have gone unnoticed. PEN is going to give up runs, just like starters……..gotta reduce walks though! Martin to 2B - thoughts? I know it’s a risk to move him and disrupt his offensive mojo. He can play defense as well as Keaschall! Gets him in the line-up everyday. Allows Emma & Roden to have everyday opportunities in the corner OF spots. Wallner seems to be on the edge of being optioned. Martin started in front of him v. RH pitcher last night. 3-4 with a walk. KEASCHALL (everyone loves him - me too) is struggling!! Last night he ended the 1st - 3rd - 5th - 7th & lead off the 9th with a K. He needs a break to gather himself……… he’s had ZERO Slug all season and now can’t make loud contact ………. I’d guess 25% of his hits are “infield hits”. Gray, not perfect, but certainly a better bat v. RH pitching than a few other common options used. Let him play a bit more. Unless they go off in Tampa (😂) I would expect some roster changes when they get back to Minneapolis🙏🤞🙏🤞! There’s a finality in any moves with Outman & Clemens! Egg on the face of Wallner & Keaschall to option them as well! Gotta due something though.
  19. JD-TWINS
    Why would anyone be opposed to adding to PEN ………. from where & how? Nobody is offering up solid relievers - particularly in April. Gotta figure it out from within.
  20. JD-TWINS
    3.29 ERA coming into last night - a bad outing AND good scouting/plan by Mets. Sky is yet to start falling………..
  21. JD-TWINS
    Rogers did the same thing on Wednesday night walking the LH hitter with a .207 BA - no way to pitch in a short stint! Both pretty disappointing………… Bichette got a tough pitch to hit and drilled it…….bummer!
  22. JD-TWINS
    OBVIOUS! ……. I think this will happen with Emma & Roden once they return home. Sure hope the rumors about Roden being an option at 1B are real. This would possibly allow a move with Clemens as well. Started Martin tonight v. RH pitcher instead of Wallner v. RH pitcher. Martin responded by going 3-4, with a walk. This may sound crazy ………. Martin has to get some consideration in the near-term at 2B. With Roden & Emma up, the corners are fairly covered 75% of the time. Keaschall made the last out tonight in the 1st - - 3rd - 5th - 7th - and struck out to lead off the 9th……….nobody wants to hear it but he’s a problem in the line-up and Martin can play a comparable 2B at worst. Only reason not to move Martin to 2B is because nobody wants to mess with his current offensive vibe with stress of a new defensive position. Would prefer Culpepper to SS & Lee to 2B. ………gotta give Luke some time to find himself in St Paul……..he has NO Slug and is really struggling overall.
  23. JD-TWINS
    Larnach entered the game on Thursday night with a .468 OBP. He had a walk and a base hit tonight. Martin started in RF instead of Wallner v. a RH pitcher tonight. He went 3-4, with a walk. Outman has 2 hits, is batting .091…….his OPS+ is -14 (how?) and a WAR of -.300. I don’t care how much speed he brings off the bench. Clemens is hitting .178 and has an OBP of .275 with a -.100 WAR. Wallner is hitting .190 …… leading A.L. in strikeouts …… his OPS+ is lower than Clemens & Lee. He has a WAR OF -.700. Why Larnach is discussed in the same realm of Outman - Clemens - Wallner ….. I do not understand!
  24. JD-TWINS
    “Choke Artist” usually refers to a guy getting it done regularly and then doesn’t in a tight situation. Unfortunately, Keaschall isn’t getting it done very often, in any situation. Getting down in the Coaching Staff is just ignorant. What is Hawkins supposed to do with Rogers (10 yr vet) to get him to not walk a left handed banjo hitter with 2 outs and nobody on base? ……. that’s not in coaching. Topa gave up a flare to RF - stuff happens…….. ZERO to do with coaching. Matt Wallner - Kody Clemens - Brooks Lee - James Outman - Royce Lewis were all well below Par Hitters last year - Coaches don’t actually step in the batter’s box - players play!! Also, it’s the games through April 22 ……. deep breaths.
  25. JD-TWINS
    Wallner’s defense does not bother me - he’s big and slow & that’s not changing. He’s in love with his arm and is not sharp with getting rid of the ball quickly but with different expectations and better effort, that can change. He’s not supposed to be (expected to be) a good defender. HOWEVER, he’s supposed to be an impact bat and he’s not! …….Killebrew played LF and was limited there ……. this approach is nothing new. Lee is essentially the same. Slow, mediocre defensive skills. Not going to change. HOWEVER, he’s supposed to be a positive offensively. He hits a dozen slow rollers to 2B for every XBH - Marek Houston can do that while playing MUCH better defense. Rogers cannot walk a LH hitter (.207 BA) after picking off Soto for 2nd out and after a positive Jeffers ABS challenge. He threw 3 straight, non-competitive balls…….deserved to get hung with the loss! Topa gave up a flair hit - it happens……….. The PROBLEM is the offense putting up 2 runs - cannot win with that type of run production. Bullpen gave up 1 run in 5 innings - it was a disappointing run but Twin’s offense cost them the game.
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