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JD-TWINS

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Everything posted by JD-TWINS

  1. JD-TWINS
    Agreed - Sands isn’t bad though…….2 guys on & no outs……..better to hold them to 2 instead of the 3, for sure. Bader is doing what he does against RH pitching. Really don’t get him not BUNTING 2 different times against RH pitching with no outs and guys on base……seems to be a strategic error!
  2. JD-TWINS
    Keaschall - at least 1 hit in all 5 games played in the Show along with 5 stolen bases. Making things happen!! Jeffers has had 2 really good offensive performances in past 3-4 games. Larnach 2 consecutive games with HR’s - that’s good to see. Very due! Julien keeps slowly improving in the box. Even Lee contributed. Buxton’s dinger gave some breathing room. Correa really looks rough ……. maybe when Lewis comes back he sits a couple games and Lee or Castro play short? Building some momentum to be ready for more competitive clubs coming soon.
  3. JD-TWINS
    Reds could make playoffs this year or next - 3 good starters & 6-7 decent everyday players. I get your point though. Pretty sure the Reds have as good a shot as the Twins in ‘25 - right? ……..Pittsburgh chooses not to spend and continually trade their future away…..hard to feel bad for that franchise. The Top of the stack of teams is where the problem lies……..Dodgers - Mets - Yankees are all spending at 2 plus the rate of Twins. This going unchecked into the future can create such an imbalance that young fans won’t ever be drawn to the game with competition as the core attraction.
  4. JD-TWINS
    He did - a handle flare on to the right field grass………….he’s now 3-21…… not exactly must see!! Couple decent plays at 3B Wednesday night through 4 innings. As of today, Keaschall - Julien - Castro - Lewis - Correa - France seems to be the infield of the future, in ‘25. Wallner - Larnach - Bader - Buxton - maybe Castro? Lee or Kiersey? ………gotta use Castro in OF and keep Lee up to back up Lewis.
  5. JD-TWINS
    IMO - Alcala needs to go down. I know everyone thinks it’s bad to move a starter out of a normal rotation spot ……… Alcala is all over the place with a 10+ ERA …..guys are hitting Festa at a .167 clip first time they see him…….seems like a good 2 inning plus reliever. I’d prefer to see Paddack in the Pen but that’s doubtful after his last 2 starts.
  6. JD-TWINS
    Agree with Fatbat, that even after a looping base hit fighting off a pitch & 2 walks on Monday, Brooks doesn’t seem to be ready for MLB pitching yet - maybe he grinds through? In the short term it seems like Keaschall & Julien at 2B and Lewis at 3B with Castro behind all 3 as needed…….Brooks back to St Paul……..Correa to at least the #7 hole until something changes. Ober battled - not a great line-up so not overly excited. Duran pitching “backwards”, starting hitters with breaking stuff and then having to throw fastballs to get back in the count is not the way to go…….establish 100 mph in the zone and then work off that.
  7. JD-TWINS
    Wins & Losses are what tells the story, IMO……if Team was winning, people would be at The Park! Public opinion would be a complete 180.
  8. JD-TWINS
    I agree - his book hasn’t been written! He needs a more significant change of speed IMO as his “change-up” sits at 90-92mph. To me that’s an off-season/spring training grip adjustment or NEW grip. Either the sinker or cutter would be the typical variation off of the fastball arm motion. He does need a 4th pitch for some additional deception for the hitter’s heads, if nothing else.
  9. JD-TWINS
    I gotta mildly disagree on whether one can alter or develop a pitch at AAA level that will be a confident change at the MLB level. Guys can find pitches - new grip - arm slot, throwing on the side in the Bullpen w/o a batter present. Sure, at some point you have to take it to the mound in competition. Guys don’t typically experiment on the mound at MLB level - seeing if their new grip will get guys out.
  10. JD-TWINS
    Agreed. Not perfect but who is? I live in Cincinnati & I saw this morning that the Reds have scored 3 or less runs in 11 of 23 games. Nobody here is calling for Terry Francona to be relieved of his duties. Starting from first full season at 21, Baldelli hit .290 over his first 3 seasons with an average WAR of 3.0. You’re right, he knows the game & is not inept. A Managerial change wouldn’t be terrible but until the better players are healthy and they also start performing, the Team’s not winning.
  11. JD-TWINS
    The Team is for sale - GM getting fired in this potential transition period just isn’t happening. I can finally see that if things do not change into the right direction by May 9-10……..that’s enough time for Baldelli to make whatever adjustments he can try…….. that would be nearly 3 months of baseball malaise since last August 17. Tough to expect Team results with Correa doing ZERO & Wallner getting put on IL & Larnach doing ZERO & Lopez getting put in IL & Lewis on IL and perpetually doing ZERO. Alcala & Jax with double digit ERA’s. I guess the sum of those issues warrants the firing of the Manager……??
  12. JD-TWINS
    Blame per your comment is 80% FO & 20% Rocco…….. Miranda - Correa - Larnach nearly zero results ……. Lewis hurt - Wallner hurt ……… Gasper - Kiersey - Vazquez nearly zero results (literally) ……… Jax & Alcala with ERA’s over 11.00 ………… Ryan, 3 HR’s in one outing …. Ober 8 runs in 1 2/3 innings…… Paddock’s first 2 starts. To me, the guys that are getting paid to actually PLAY the games and affect results have at least 70% of the blame, at a minimum.
  13. JD-TWINS
    Sonny Gray left for money - period. Removing Ryan in a playoff game has nothing to do with bullpen burnout. The Team’s issue from August 17 - today is the absolute ineffectiveness of their hitters. Some have been injured and some just have disappeared (Miranda - Correa - Larnach) and no juggling of the Rotation nor Pen is going to get around this fact. Sonny Gray beat the Blue Jays in playoffs of ‘23 with a fantastic pick off at 2B to get him out of a 5th inning jam………next inning he was replaced and he got a win with 4 bullpen innings. Next start for Gray, he was brutal v. Houston. Him going wasn’t that big of a deal. Ryan getting hurt around August 10 last year was a big deal …….. SWR - Festa - Matthews as 60% of the Rotation was a problem down the stretch as all were fatigued relative to their pro careers, and a big reason for Pen issues (that had any effect) the last 6 weeks of season. Twins have used starters longer in ‘23 & ‘24 than MLB average use of starters. Recall that last year the guy that lead the Team in HR & RBI for the season was a leading candidate (with Vazquez & Margot) to be DFA’d in April ………. Gold Glove winner, Carlos Santana. My point is, things can change without some mastery of strategy in every possible situation that can later be scrutinized.
  14. JD-TWINS
    Average innings per start last year in MLB, 5.24 innings. Twins average innings per start last year 5.26 innings. Our bullpen usage had zero to do with last year’s end result. Regarding ‘25, the 6th - 7th - 8th guys in the PEN just supposed to kick back and watch the games? I don’t get it - at all. There are numerous losses on the road every year. Many, many here at TD complain about the Manager and terrible strategy and misuse of the pitching staff. Last year the same Manager with the screwed up approach had a Team that was 23 games over .500 from mid-April to mid-August. The offense absolutely sucked from mid-August through September. Same deal in April of ‘25. There’s no strategy that’s going to elevate this weak hitting Team. Someone above suggested Baldelli should have guys bunt occasionally to move a runner or get something started. I know for certain that he’s had Kiersey TRY to bunt in 3 different AB’s over past 7-8 games……..he popped out to the pitcher in his first attempt on a ball thrown at his chest……… he tapped the 2nd attempt in a separate game at the opposing 3B on deck circle ……..his 3rd, and probably last attempt, he had the ball hit his fingers and injured himself. The Manager doesn’t play…….. the offense is pathetic & again, there is no strategy to hide that. Recent game, bases loaded and one out, Correa strikes out after taking strike one and strike 2 …….. France strikes out. Bases loaded & the 4/5 hitters can’t put the ball in play - same pitcher that loaded the bases! Inning over. It’s been this type of performance in most games in ‘25.
  15. JD-TWINS
    They were 23 games over .500 midApril to midAugust last year……….Correa - Buxton - Lewis in & out and still winning……. Wallner & Julien in Minors for much of it……..same Manager & better pitching this year…….player gotta hit the ball. Aid people thinking a new voice helps a guy hit or lay off a slider then I guess they should move on from Baldelli. IMO, the players need to be responsible for horse….. offense!
  16. JD-TWINS
    Saying Julien “is spotty at best” isn’t really giving him a pass, is it? Then saying “Keaschall will probably be playing 2B” doesn’t seem to be giving Eddie a pass either. Larnach is not near where he should be. He’s been injured in the past but I’ve heard nothing of poor health. ANYONE, hitting sub .200 that bats lead-off or #3 hole fairly often (even hitting #9) should be seriously scrutinized. These two are both disappointments! Nothing says anyone will ever perform again nor to a level the fans think is acceptable. Of the guys not playing and/or not contributing, Lewis has as good a shot as anyone to be successful. September of ‘24 isn’t his only month in MLB to contrast against. Bader & France are a nice surprise and have been helpful contributors. Historically, Bader for sure & potentially France, will regress. Doesn’t mean I’m not pulling for them or that I think they’ll collapse but it’s more than possible they may drop off at the plate. Brooks Lee is needed because Castro & Lewis are unable to play - after they are able to play I do not see him being needed. He’s HAS proven in more than just a weekend (Keaschall’s exposure to MLB pitching) that he has a hell of a time producing at this level! Completely agree that EVERYONE needs to look in the mirror and up their individual level of play.
  17. JD-TWINS
    Have curiosity about the Topa start as well. I think just trying to mix it up for the guys and they’re near desperation for a spark. ……they need to score! Who starts nor how they pitch means much without offense. Routinely have 3-5 guys/game that don’t reach base ……1-2 get on only by walk…….no punch anywhere up & down the line-up.
  18. JD-TWINS
    You really don’t care if you think New Ownership can’t/won’t be a positive on some level…….. Hitting is not good at all. Lee looks like an overmatched 13 year old………really bad!! Between him & Martin (early first round draft picks) & Lewis (1st overall) being hurt 70% of the time it’s tough to digest. Correa & Buxton 1st & 2nd overall picks as well - these guys need to perform at a League average level at the absolute minimum and right now Buxton barely meets that criteria so far this season - these other 4 guys are non-contributors. Getting swept by a team that entered series with 5 wins is embarrassing.
  19. JD-TWINS
    4 guys with OBP over .300 & 3 of the 4 are barely over .300. Only Wallner is impressive at .374 OBP. That’s “brutal”. Wallner & Lewis & “something” from Correa are all needed to make the offense respectable………..after 14 PA’s Keaschall has 4 hits & a walk. Brief, but encouraging. Buxton is warming but still all over the place from a consistency standpoint. Lee does not look like a MLB hitter ……. not good with his expectations. Julien is spotty, to say the least. Keaschall may anchor 2B soon with Lewis at 3B. These moves help offense on paper going forward. Larnach is going to be difficult to roster for more than another couple weeks with this level of production. He’s really disappointing after his ‘24. Bader & France have been decent to good at times………with a bunch of AB’s they may actually decline going forward. Not good picture.
  20. JD-TWINS
    If Vikings were 1-2 would all of Minneapolis stop breathing? This is where the Twins are at - not pretty for sure! I think the pitching staff is fine ….. the Team needs to score runs. Keaschall, after about half dozen AB’s seems to be a considerable upgrade from Gasper! Buxton was 3-4 with a line out sac fly & fly out to the track in 9th. Castro will play more OF going forward (Kiersey hurt/ineffective) with Keaschall & Julien capable at 2B. Correa hit a HR. Lewis back in another 10-12 games to relieve Lee………Wallner back in another 2-3 weeks……if they can get to .500 by mid June they are in the Central race. Is K.C. done relative to playoffs? They are 8-14. If they are 7 under on July 1st, then maybe it’s time to think about reorganization of roster - Manager………don’t see this as some rose colored glasses point of view, just seems realistic.
  21. JD-TWINS
    Who is overworked in the Pen? Varland has thrown the most innings to date and he projects to 72 innings - Duran is close - everyone else projects to 50-60 innings……or less. These totals, particularly since starters will stretch out and naturally throw more pitches as they get into May, don’t seem onerous at all.
  22. JD-TWINS
    Agreed - maybe it allows the “starter” to ease into the opposition line-up starting the 2nd v. the 5-7 guys? Not really clear other than to get the other Team “thinking” a bit more - maybe just desperation for some new “winning approach”?
  23. JD-TWINS
    As Tony&Rodney stated above - the sun is up! 7-13 in ‘24 as well……went 23 games over .500 over next 4 months in ‘24. There’s still hope. .500 record by June 1st and they are in the mix for Division Title. IMO.
  24. JD-TWINS
    Coulombe - 0.00 ERA …. Duran - 1.08 ERA … Sands - 3.24 ERA …. Topa - 1.35 ERA …. Varland - 2.70 ERA Alcala - 13.50 ERA & Jax - 11.25 ERA ……if the guys that were supposed to be 7th & 8th inning “guys”…….top 2-4 guys in the PEN, if they were even average the Team would have, arguably, the best PEN in the A.L. - maybe baseball. I lm reality, 2 guys are struggling to be consistent and it reflects on the “entire Pen”. 8th spot has been a mixture of 4 other guys with good results from each, as 3 of them have ERA under 2.00.
  25. JD-TWINS
    It was Big Time disappointing Friday night! Jax needs to lock down the 8th. That said, I do not know how you or anyone can say that some eye test would suggest that Griffin Jax doesn’t have elite stuff? He’s electric, when right. His change-up moves left to right at 91-92…….his sweeper can make RH hitters looks foolish routinely……his fastball is typically at 97MPH. His location/command can drift but his stuff is fantastic. He walked 2 guys - gave up a sharp single - gave up an infield hit that easily could have been played differently into an easy out. That’s it for Friday. His performances lately have had brutal outcomes, no doubt. His stuff is still excellent but he’s struggling with command. It’s unacceptable. He’s still very talented with a bunch of probable upside. 72 innings in ‘24 and a 2.03 ERA……..not sure what you saw last year that suggested he was going to be of some small value to the Twins going forward? 65 innings - 3.36 ERA & 71 innings - 3.86 ERA in two previous years ……200 plus innings over 3 seasons of pretty good results.
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