soyouresayingtheresachance

I commented on this site earlier in the season that he deserved everyday playing time. Over time, hes proven me wrong. Possibly still a valuable platoon guy and his outfield defense has actually been above average. Sure, a reset at AAA with everyday play might help but there are others Id send down before him. Starting with Gray. They're not giving Fedko a chance, so presumably him as well. For now, he seems like a solid platoon guy or 4th/5th outfielder on a decent team.

Nice series win on the road! Would really like to see Rojas up. And maybe get a look at CJ Culpepper in the pen. I understand theyre trying to stretch out Rojas for starting but we need effective innings for the BP. He gives us a better chance than most of the current BP guys. Keaschall with the HR! I was so confused, I didnt realize he still hit those 😂 Short but dominant start from Taj. I'll take it. Laweryson and the defense tried to get Houston back in the game. Luckily they failed. Paredes against Cole on friday. Young man has his work cut out for him against the Yankees. Let's get another series win!

Ready for a couple Culpepper sightings at Target Field

Ryan has been really good this year, but not an ace. This team needs an ace. Prielipp has some nasty pitches. Maybe he develops into one. IMO, Ryan is a decent #2 starter - high end #3 starter in a good playoff rotation. But we need him and I hope the team can keep him. Between Sims demotion/trade and the IL, there is currently a full MLB rotation missing. B is a fair grade. Given the insane amount of pitching injuries, that has also hurt the BP. Gomez has been great. Banda was doing very well until the injury. Morris has improved and I almost trust him now. Literally everyone else should be replaced. Theyre either not ready (Adams) or just not good. Defense is straight trash. A dumpster fire. Larnach is terrible but his bat has been needed. Bell is awful but has mostly been DH. Lee was unplayable at SS. Gray is unplayable at SS. Kriedler needs to be there everyday whether the bat stays hot or not until Culpepper is ready. Keaschall has been trash on defense and with the bat. Defense deserves the F

Rough start for Ryan. Let's get the W with Taj tonight!

Larnachs bat has been much improved. The only reason hes not the DH is because Bells defense is somehow even worse. This team has too many bat players. But when theyre the only ones hitting, they gotta play somewhere. I would be trading Larnach while his bat is this hot to make room for a more athletic and younger player, presumably with better defense and unknown bat. Maybe Bell, too? But who's gonna hit when they leave. Buck and Clemens cant do it alone. No guarantee the young guys will hit. Lee has been better but still has his droughts. Im all for trading the poor defenders on the team. That is my stance. But someone will need to step up and hit.

Its been roughly as I expected to begin the season. Young guys coming up showing flashes. Its been MUCH more fun watching the younger players develop instead of all the constant retreads and overcooked veterans stay for WAY too long as in recent seasons. I have a lot more patience for a guy like Keaschall, Prielipp, Paredes, etc than any washed up vet. Kody Clemens has been one of the top players on the team this year. Good to great defense anywhere you put him and the bat has come around. Career year or new norm? I dont know, but its been a heck of a good time watching the energy he brings every day. Buck has been great when on the field. The Rotation is performing about how youd expect with all the injuries. Ryan is showing why he is necessary to the team long term. My hope is the team can somehow keep him in a Twins uniform. The rest are all young and/or rookies. Offense has the most runs in the AL? Or near that. Keaschall has massively underperformed expectations. The move to RF should help his defensive numbers atleast. The BP is bad. Everyone knew that going in. Banda getting hurt after the great streak he was on makes it worse. Gomez has been great. I think if it were my decision, Id be talking to the Red Sox about Aroldis Chapman and trying him away. We'd have our closer. Gomez moves to 8th inning set up. Morris in the 7th. Maybe get another solid arm or 2 and you have yourself, theoretically, an acceptable BP. It would allow you to clear out guys like Funderburk, Rogers, Adams, maybe even Orze. Ober comes back, im hoping its one of them sent down and Paredes can stay up in the pen.

Great start from Zebby! Adams is a 1 inning guy. If they start using him properly, I expect his results would improve. Bell, Caratini, Lewis with HRs. All 3 are performing better than earlier in the season. With even an average BP, this team would be in MUCH better shape.

He's earned a longer look for sure. Atleast long enough to see if the questionable peripherals catch up to him or not. BP needs all the help it can get.

For Chapmans upside and ability, absolutely. Hes still a shutdown closer. He would move Gomez to the 8th inning. Morris for the 7th.

Kriedler and Clemens need to be playing every day. Hope Banda is ok. Don't like seeing players get hurt. He had been pitching very well after his rough start and was one of MAYBE 3 guys in the BP you can trust with Morris and Gomez.

Im not suggesting at a discount. I mean extend him to a fair offer. The team has investors now. Tom says hes trying compete. Prove it. Joe Ryan is a proven commodity and consistent. We need more players like him. Personally, I give Tom this season to make his analysis and then its time to put his money where his mouth is.

Yes he does. Which is another reason I target him. But obviously can only get him if hes made available. I would definitely try though.

My opinion, I think the team should have a mix of buying and selling. Mostly based on control remaining or future fit/current logjams. Also, based on ownership comments of not rebuilding. For Ryan, I am making extending him a priority. He is the kind of pitcher you need towards the top of your rotation to be successful. But what about Pablo? There is no guarantee Pablo comes back and performs at a high level. Ryan stays on my team unless I am just completely blown away by an offer. I dont mean Able and Tait "blown away", either. That was underwhelming for me at the time and even more now. Legitimate franchise altering talent. Jesus Made Type Top 10 talent and more. Aim high. He's that good. Jeffers is one of the best overall catchers in baseball this year. Again, I'd really like to keep him, but its unlikely to happen before the trade deadline given his representation. Historically, Catcher hasn't been worth a qualifying offer and that number is expected to be around 8 million higher than the highest paid catcher. Unfortunately, it might be best to trade him. He could potentially bring back a pretty good haul. Larnach is tough. He has done quite well as a Platoon bat this year. But there is a big log jam in the outfield. If you can get requisite value, he should probably go to clear space for our top prospects. Im keeping Clemens. Affordable. High energy. Good to great defense anywhere you put him. I believe controllable for more years? Great clubhouse guy. What you'd get would not replace what he provides. A month ago, Bell was an easy trade. Now? If his bat stays hot, he might be worth keeping around in that DH role. However, if he is traded, Im not heartbroken. Im keeping Gomez. Best arm in the pen and controllable for a while yet. Rogers can be traded. Im good either way with him. On the buying side, I am trying to get Aroldis Chapman. Still a top closer and throwing heat. If we make the playoffs this season, he would absolutely move the needle. Its also a good PR move to acquire for this season to help be competitive. And then also looking for controllable bullpen arms that are actually good. Unless the team is suddenly willing to pay for decent arms in free agency.

Rough series, but today and Monday were 1 run games and we had chances in both. The LA All Stars are highly paid for a reason. I think their players on the IL might have a higher payroll than out entire team 🤣 It was fun to watch 2 of these games. Short memory. Rest up tomorrow and hopefully the bats wake up again against the Rockies.