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JD-TWINS

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Everything posted by JD-TWINS

  1. JD-TWINS
    2 hits and a walk over 6 innings v. a AAA team would be a good outing…….doing this v. The Saux was really nice to see!! He showed good stuff in earlier outings just a lack of a good plan and command that seemed optional at times. He spoke after the game about connecting with Jeffers prior and going into the outing with confidence. A lot of parallels to what Lopez would say after games last year. Should have gained confidence to take forward! His stuff plays - just gotta control it and mix it and he could be a BIG surprise.
  2. JD-TWINS
    Lots of problems that aren’t real.
  3. JD-TWINS
    The TV issue seems to be a National Issue. Not saying the FO is blameless or has no ability to influence positive results but they are not alone in having issues with TV. To me, the Pitching Coach leaving was a money grab for him & kind of a low character move in Major Sports & reflects badly on him!! Doubtful he’ll be hired back in MLB any time soon. ……,that said, capitalism is what we all profess so if LSU lured him away (to be their pitching coach) for 2X $$ he has the right to make that move! I just wrote 10 sentences above on the Cincinnati trade and the sorrow about that as a resident of Cincinnati & a Twin’s fan. Tough one - it happens.
  4. JD-TWINS
    I live in Cincinnati - been here since ‘91 but grew up in Red Wing and will always be a Twins fan! I really, really hoped the trade for pitching with the Reds would yield Castillo (now a Mariner) & NOT Mahle. Mahle’s injuries have nothing to do with my opinion. He always tried to strike guys out and nibbled when ahead and then threw too many pitches - then HR’s. The upbeat thought was that once he left Great American he’d yield less unfortunate HR’s and be really good. First outing at Target - 3 HR’s. I get to see on the news daily the new heart of the Reds line-up Spencer Steer (‘23’s Club MVP)……,after April, being chased down by DeLaCruz! Also, I hear about the upside, hitting talent, & inevitable contributions to soon be seen by Encarnacion-Strand. Can’t be bitter!! Things don’t work out sometimes. Not everything goes as planned but the ability to have multiple moves that CAN work out and to be able to absorb the tough ones makes a good organization. I think the Twin’s FO put together a solid club with nice depth in ‘23 & on paper thought/think the same for ‘24. Paddack gave up 1 walk and 2 hits over 6 innings last night. Bullpen has been very good & they absorbed Duran being out the first month………he seems to have healed. Contributions from all different spots in the line-up and the ability to be back within 1.5 games of first place by May 3, with 3 other teams in the Division thriving, is a big deal. Looking forward to the rest of May. Hopefully, by first week of June they’ll have Buxton & Lewis back and once healthy they grab ahold of the Division lead! FO has set up the Team for success! Glad to see them getting some validation from their peers.
  5. JD-TWINS
    The latter - & me too!
  6. JD-TWINS
    He can just catch balls and advance on bases at a better than average basis. He doesn’t need to be a “show”. He needs to be in the line-up! Above average CF & 10 XBH in April w/o really getting going. That’s what we need.
  7. JD-TWINS
    Maybe crazy in May…………If Wallner doesn’t rebound - it may be worth considering for up to 2 more years. He’s gotta hit for more than 10 games though. He sure looks confident. He SURE IS producing!
  8. JD-TWINS
    Jeffers is obviously deserving! …….about 5-6 different guys behind him that could be considered #2. Miranda & Larnach have been up for 10-11 games so they really don’t qualify for me. Kepler has been on fire since returning but he only has maybe 14-15 total games. Correa same deal with lots of missed time. Kirilloff carried Team through some games early and if he keeps the same level through the year with a 127 OPS+ he’ll be the guy everyone wants to see. Could use to get his BA & thus his OBP up 15-20 points and he’d be ideal. Not a lot of pop yet but warmth and long fly balls are coming. Julien has been all over the place…….he too needs to get his average up to .250 or better to get his OBP to .380 or better. He’s shown lots of pop in bursts. He’s projecting to hit 35 or more HR on the season. His OPS+ is very respectable at 132. For me …….Kirilloff and Julien tie for #2 spot since they have been line-up fixtures most of the year! Both have faded a bit over last week so I hope to see them turn it up during home stand!
  9. JD-TWINS
    Only so much room on the roster, can’t keep everyone …….only so many guys with options. In Jackson’s case, he can’t be optioned so he’d have to be released. I see them having him eat innings and pitch when well ahead or at least a little behind. If he gets better he’s around for long haul - if just average, they may try to package him in a trade in July. They have Varland & a couple other options as a back-up for bullpen late in the year.
  10. JD-TWINS
    To your point - Castro & Santana could have been in discussions for DFA material 2 weeks ago………since Santana has homered in 4 separate games……….Castro has his average up to .273. Waaay early.
  11. JD-TWINS
    Exactly!! Buxton is OUT for a bit. Can’t displace Margot with anyone from the minors with any level of confidence. Martin will take Buxton’s roster spot. Margot is a depth guy and will be kept into July as that piece, at a minimum. Farmer is clubhouse glue and the new defensive replacement everywhere on the dirt with Castro in CF - very likely anyway. I do think if Castro keeps playing near where he’s at today, he’ll be around in ‘25. Switch hitting veteran that can play 6 positions……with a good arm & speed. Sounds like the definition of the Utility Guy.
  12. JD-TWINS
    Whether CF is Castro’s BEST position isn’t the question. Martin has Zero power and was hitting .226 in his first stint. Castro isn’t displacing Larnach or Kirilloff in LF v. RH pitching so Martin can start in CF. Not happening unless it’s a must need rest day. Castro was hitting .150 11 days ago but is now up to .273. Not necessarily a model of consistency - he did hit around .258 last year. I’m not a huge believer in the Miranda project either but he’s starting to soften my opinion with his bat & his defense. What’s desired and what makes most practical sense is my argument. Martin doesn’t hit well enough right now to play every day CF, particularly with Castro as an option.
  13. JD-TWINS
    I agree - not thrilled with a .242 average but it’s slightly better than his declining career average. He hit .205 or something last year, with no legs under him. Gotta assume, even though it’s a real drag, that most here had to be just waiting for Byron to suffer some issue with health! I have no problem with his performance this year - been available - a spark at times (involved in scoring with Kepler’s help twice this week late in games) - 10 XBH in April translates to 60 for the year…….decent production. He had a .8 WAR for the first month - translates to 4.5 - 5.0 for the year. SOLID! Hope he’s back sooner than later!!
  14. JD-TWINS
    Why would it matter if he’s playing CF 600 innings or LF & CF 300 each? He hits from either side. Seems continuity is good for him and others around him - right? Margot - Martin can play right & left. Kirilloff - Larnach - Kepler LF & RF. With Correa back - Miranda hitting well for now and remaining on roster at least until Lewis is back & Farmer/Martin available for 3B/2B platoon……….it seems Castro is the natural choice in CF.
  15. JD-TWINS
    Castro has a great arm - he’s got good speed - he’s fairly durable - and after today’s game his BA is at .273 for the season. He’s as good as they come for a depth guy. 295 innings in LF & 265 innings in CF in ‘23. Correa is back (no need for Castro in infield) - Miranda is hitting and will play 3B a bunch now. Farmer will get some off days now v. RH pitching. Should be OK……..Kirilloff in LF - Castro in CF - Kepler in RF with Larnach at DH v. Right Handed pitching. Byron’s out 3-8 weeks after what it looked like this afternoon. Martin back up Friday I guess.
  16. JD-TWINS
    Completely agree on the offensive mediocrity shown. He had 4-5 peaks in there that helped them win a few and be competitive in others. Defensive flexibility is good! Looks like he may be back up Friday with the injury to Buxton’s knee this afternoon. What a drag to see him pull up and then complaining about right knee soreness. Cannot imagine this is a rest and ice kind of injury. Expecting something in the 4-8 week range. He may need another meniscus clean up? He didn’t twist it so it seems something popped or tore in there. Not a physician but have terrible knee and this looked serious - unfortunately!!
  17. JD-TWINS
    Nobody mentioning our BEST hitter, maybe don’t want to jinx, Trevor Larnach!! He has been solid and has started good innings and has some clutch hits to keep things rolling in others. .394 BA & 2 Hrs through 10 games…. nothing but solid so far! Didn’t get the author’s comment on Buxton’s pop out when pinch hitting & saying ……”it’s been his struggles at the plate that have kept him out of the line-up on a daily basis more than anything.” ……..Buxton has been in 27 of 29 games so far and I’d estimate he’s started 24 of those 27. He’s on pace for a 5.0 WAR and his power has been minimal to date. I’m ecstatic with the fact that he’s playing CF more than 50% of the time (I thought lofty goal) and running the bases with speed and his usual aggression! I’ll take Buxton at .242 BA - 10 XBH per month - starting in CF 70% of the time!! His power will come - 15 HR is just fine ……his value is being in the line-up 80% plus of the time. Huge step up over ‘22 & ‘23 so far in ‘24.
  18. JD-TWINS
    He threw 65-70 times last year……….. high leverage guy on a really good staff…….. Stewart threw 30 plus innings in ‘23. Neither have years of success but both were pretty good last year. Funderburk - Alcala don’t have lengthy track records either but I have confidence in them to have a role in ‘24 if needed.
  19. JD-TWINS
    Nice depth!! Bowman is gone DFA’d - Winder threw competitively the first time yesterday after coming off 60 day IL. Never heard of Wittigen?? Funderburk - Alcala - Staumont after Topa is activated is what my assumption is for Next Up.
  20. JD-TWINS
    Saw in Athletic this morning……Kepler, since coming back on April 22…… (.417/.490/.625). He’s had 5 successful AB’s getting an RBI with 2 outs. Big Sac Fly last night after going 1-3. He sure seems motivated……..whatever works between his ears, contract related or not.
  21. JD-TWINS
    I wasn’t completely clear. Varland is the 6th starter! My point was, after a BRIEF uptick from Sands, the fans shouldn’t anoint him The Guy to fill the potential void in the rotation. He’s having some success & IMO, he should be left where he is to try and build on that success. If, after another 45 days, he’s still looking good………the Pen will have many options and Sands could be moved to stretch out for a month. Still available for last 10 weeks as a potential starter. To me, they aren’t getting through the season without 7-8 starts from Festa. Continue to lengthen him out through May. He could spot start as soon as June to provide some rest for the rotation guys. No hurry for any changes on May 1, IMO.
  22. JD-TWINS
    So, related to Sands, and his success this year. Are there many of us that think Varland, if used in 3-6 hitter stretches, out of the Pen, wouldn’t excel? He too may have a sub 2.00 ERA through 14 innings or whatever Sands has thrown. Not throwing shade on Sand’s efforts but he’s not the “let’s stretch him out” answer for the rotation any more than Varland.
  23. JD-TWINS
    ………AND if he didn’t shake off Vazquez twice and then threw fastball on 0-2 count that got drilled into the OF, nobody would have any angst about last night. Luckily, next batter he got to 2 strikes on - he stuck with the Deuce - game over! Even with good stuff - can’t fix stupid.
  24. JD-TWINS
    Keep progressing - stay healthy! Will check back in July.
  25. JD-TWINS
    Way to be upbeat!
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