DocBauer

The offense is starting to click, for the most part. Who do you remove on the roster to make room? A little more time to make sure the wrist is not only 100%, but to make sure Kirilloff feels fully confident himself that he's 100% and ready to go.

My philosophy is pretty simple, win more games than you lose. Sometimes you perform great and dominate. Sometimes you play great and win a close one. Sometimes you win an UGLY game, but you still win. 1] Lopez wasn't very sharp his last turn, though not awful. A bad weather day and a couple bad bounces, it wasn't pretty. Today, after a couple hours delay, still in bad elements, he was better than the Royal's starter. What I look at is not final numbers after a game like today. What I look at is the first 5 innings. 2 runs, a few hits, no walks, and 6 K's. Delay, bad weather, whatever, Lopez was solid through 5. Final numbers won't reflect that. 2] The bats are coming alive. Even the bats in the 3rd game of the NY series had us scoring 6 runs! STOP beating up on Larnach! He leads the team in RBI, plays solid defense except for one horrible play, and is starting to learn how to beat all the offspeed stuff he's seeing. Miranda and Correa are heating up. 3] Pitching depth is being tested earlier than I hoped for, or expected. I still agree with giving Maeda his due, as well as skipping one start. His first 2 starts were a solid 5 and 6 IP. And he can't be blamed for a liner off his ankle. Age and injury recovery seems to indicate an IL stint. Unless I've missed something, Mahle's recent early pull was precautionary. But he was still very good through 4. Is there cause for concern? ABSOLUTELY. But no need to panic just yet. I believe it was the Dodgers...last year?...who set a modern day record for using only 8-9 SP for a season. It just doesn't happen like that. How many teams, including the Twins for the past 10-20yrs, wouldn't have had Ober and Varland in their opening day rotation? The depth has been built up for a reason. And beyond Ober and Varland, there remains SWR as a young, top prospect hopefully ready to fill a role. Headrick has impressed me so far as another option, though I think he's destined to be a really good BP arm. Digging even deeper, we're talking about Sanchez and Rodriguez as 10th and 11th options! Unfortunately, Balazovic is being brought along slowly at this point, which makes sense, and he's not a rotation option at this point. The Twins won an ugly game. They were the better team. They beat the Yankees. They beat the Astros. The offense is heating up. While early, they are on pace for 90 wins even though everything isn't clicking at 100%. They have pitching depth that we haven't seen in years. I'm having a lot of fun right now!

I liked him as a re-sign. I hope he sticks around realizing he's got as good an opportunity here as about anywhere. Everyone needs depth, and uses that depth. The Twins showed that last year with him, and probably will at some point this year.

Kepler is a great defensive OF. He runs the bases well. He does a lot of things well, we all know this. He's a solid player and I love that, for the most part, they are finally batting him lower in the order. And his $10M due for keeping him next season is not outrageous or a burden. I fully recognize Max had a good ST and has looked pretty good since he came back from his brief IL stint. And that's great! But the truth is, since his 2019 season, he's been on a downward trend every year. In fact, his combined OPS has been lower than his full seasons pre-2019. I think it's fair to say we all hope he has a good 2023 no matter how things turn out. And losing him, and probably Gallo, after this season gives pause. But Larnach has been producing, adapting to all the slow stuff he's seeing, Kirilloff may be ready soon, and Wallner is a top 10 prospect having another good season so far at AAA. We can debate about Julien, and Martin, and even Lewis, Celestino, and maybe even someone like Helman, in the OF to one degree or another. But at some point, don't you have to make room for the less expensive, cost controlled, and younger players with talent and potential? Conceivably, Gallo having a good season, and liking it here, COULD be a re-sign, pretty much costing the combined salary of his 2023 deal and the cost of Kepler. Not saying I see that happening, but I could see it. I can also see Kepler sticking around for 2024 at $10M just to make sure the depth is still there. On top of that, Taylor is a FA as well, I believe. Just how prepared...as the season goes along...do the Twins feel about all that young talent while potentially losing 3 veteran OF? That's where I see a roster crunch for this season not being quite as much of a crunch for 2024. I do agree with the premise that Kepler is not long for the Twins. The question remains just exactly HOW LONG based on all of these factors I've mentioned. It's up to all the younger talent to force the issue. They shouldn't, normally speaking, just be handed a job based solely on projection. But again, at some point, don't you have to trust in that talent and potential to let them perform and potentially shine? Kepler's time with the Twins is short. I'm just not sure how short, even though I'm fully on board with sticking with the kids at some point. And there a LOT of OF options to work with.

I talked to a UPS driver at work today who is a baseball fan, who is close friends with a driver for Fed Ex, who let it be known that a truck with engine problems resulted in a too late delivery of "Yankee/Judge balls" that were supposed to be used in the recent series. Further rumor has it that the "ball boy" has an uncle who is a Yankee fan and has a few debts to take care of and said balls were supposed to be passed on to Twins pitchers to help better balance the series, and it's outcome. It's unclear if any umpires were from the NY area, or directly involved. But then again, it's all heresay.

From HS, through the minors, to his all to brief ML time...when healthy...I don't think Kirilloff's bat has ever been in question. He has a real HIT tool and power to all fields. Defensively, I've seen enough of him in the OF to believe he's solid there. But he looks very natural at 1B and there have been a lot of opinions expressed that he could/should be excellent there. There ARE potential roster crunch issues, but not just for AK. There are, and/or will be, regarding Farmer as well, and Julien at some point. And let's not forget Lewis at some point this summer. But it's an awfully good problem to have! Truth is, a lot of these things tend to work themselves out, witness Maeda vs Ober at the moment. But even still, at some point, the Twins ARE going to have to make a hard decision or two. But if you have someone not producing, and perhaps not part of the future, are such decisions really that hard? But again, a lot of these things tend to work themselves out. But to me, what remains most important for Kirilloff, and Lewis for that matter, is the long game. There is nothing so far that indicates AK is having any issues or setbacks. The fact that he's seldom played games back to back, to me, is just a cautious approach. The Twins offense appears to be heating up, with the exception of Correa so far, and Gordon very obviously. I'm not saying he should or shouldn't be optioned to St Paul once his rehab assignment is done, but I can understand the idea. It might allow him to continue to build confidence. Not in his ability, but in his belief in the strength and healing of his wrist on more of a daily basis. I am VERY HOPEFULL as to the early returns and results. And I can't wait to see him up with the Twins. But I'd be OK if he got a few more weeks to keep raking and prove to himself that he's all the way back and 100%.

I think Cody hit all 4 points perfectly. I just love the potential of Julien, but the thing is, no matter how great he's looked with the bat so far...with questions about his defense...he only played TWO years in college, missed 2020 after signing too late to make an appearance in 2019 after being drafted, and has only TWO milb seasons coming in to 2023. All that to say that no matter how great he's looked, he's still a young player and a work in progress. He appears to have an average arm. But he's a solid athlete, if not a great one. No question he has the ability to play 1B and 2B, taking turns at DH as well, of course. I really have no idea how he is at tracking balls as an OF. Is it telling he hasn't played any OF since 2021? Or has the concentration at 2B been more about just getting more comfortable there and letting him relax? He doesn't have to be great in LF, just decent/solid to increase his roster/lineup flexibility. And at some point, it would only be prudent to play him there again and work with him there. Yeah, 1B and 2B are crowded now and in the future. So might be DH. And that doesn't mean there isn't room for him. But if he CAN be decent/solid in LF it really makes things more flexible in the future.

100%! Where is it written that a pair of middle relievers on your squad are bad arms? Just because they might not be able to...at this time...hold down one of the back end spots doesn't make them no valuable. On the contrary, they can be VERY VALUABLE as a bridge between the starter and that back end of the pen. And there WILL be some days where your non high leverage arms are going to have to be used in a high end spot. It's just baseball, and a never ending series of games. I'm impressed with the early results of Headrick. I like Winder. But I also have a lot of hope for Lawyerson and Henriquez, and really think Sands has a shot for this kind of role as well. There is room, at times, for a long man. Honestly, I care about the first 7 in the pen and can live with the 8th spot being a rotation area for solid journeymen, or youngsters earning their way on to the roster. In regard to Balazovic, I'm sure he can help in a shorter role. And that's how he's being used now. And it makes sense after essentially missing all of ST and fighting to keep on weight and strength through protein shakes for several weeks. But I fully expect him to be stretched out again at some point. You don't just give up on a potential starting arm that was top 100 a little over a year ago this soon.

I think it's too early to say he's being moved to DH on a permanent, or semi-permanent basis. Over time this season, and going in to next year, the "time off" from playing the OF just might get the knee and hip feeling really good and we see him there again. But I don't know that he's ever going to be a full time CF again. Is that such a bad thing? I've always preferred the DH to just be a rotating spot for a deep and talented roster. I've only liked a full time DH when he was a special bat, think Molitor, Ortiz, Cruz, etc. But couldn't Buxton make a "Molitor like" move to DH and be special? He's not "used" to being one at this point. And most quality DH have stated there was an adjustment to be made both mentally...staying sharp...as well as physically...keeping your body warmed up. And not everyone can make that transition. But what if Buxton can? He's got a hell of a dangerous, powerful bat. He runs the bases well. If DH keeps his legs fresh, he can not only leg out tons of doubles and some triples, but could even potentially steal a key base here and there. In an ideal world, of course, I'd love to see Buck as the primary CF for another 4-5yrs. But reality says that might not happen. And again, having a full time DH does limit your roster and lineup some. But that's also OK if you have a special bat there. If Byron can make the mental and physical adjustments needed to embrace that role, the roster and lineup could remain excellent, while still providing opportunity for a deep and versatile roster/lineup at the other 8 spots. Again, I have to think about Molitor. He was a special player who, like Buxton, had a series of injuries that kept him off the field all too often. Could Buck make a "Molitor move"? Without a major trade or FA move, SHOULD Buxton move to DH, Taylor could be brought back. Lewis and Martin could be long term solutions. A healthy Celestino, being allowed to get a good AAA season under his belt to realize his potential, is a solid 4th OF/CF alternate who might be a dark horse starting candidate. I wouldn't be shocked at all if Helman has a great 2023 and surprised people with a future roster spot. And there's a couple kids lower in the system that might eventually contend for the CF spot as well, but I can also see the likes of Taylor, Lewis, and Martin taking over that spot short and long term. While it's certainly a disappointing outcome to not see Buxton as the primary CF, his embracing the DH role and a group of potentially very good players taking on 2B, all 4 corner spots, and Correa at SS could still be very, very good.

Agree 4 is a very short and arbitrary number. I take the term "core players" as being good ballplayers who have several years of team control. The 4 listed are good, core, and quality. But those 4 aren't going to bring home anything by themselves. Barring some unexpected change, very good players such as Gray, Gallo, and Taylor all play important parts, but aren't probably here long term. The Twins have a very good Vazquez and Polanco for another 2yrs, potentially. I might call them core players as well. The Twins are in a nice position at the moment with some very good "short term" players to help win now, and a rather vast collection of young and younger players just proving themselves, just arriving, or getting ready to arrive. This list includes...but is not limited to...Ryan, J Lopez, Jax, Miranda, Larnach, Kirilloff, Julien, Lewis, Wallner, and Lee. And I'm not even listing more than a handful of others. Nor am I looking through a longer lense for the likes of Rodriguez, Prielipp, etc, who could jump to the forefront relatively soon. 4 core? Like them a ton, but I look deeper than that. I think the Twins are opening a new window after a couple disappointing seasons that could be great fun, and very interesting, as well as rewarding. And not everyone will be great, or even turn out. But when you have a great foundation, and a large number of "possibilities" to work with, your chances to be deep and good vastly increase.

I like this move. I don't expect him to be a late inning, shutdown arm by any imagination. But he's got experience. He's been through the injury and DFA wars in his career. He's now throwing harder than ever and off to a great start this season. Who knows, he just might be a RH version of Thielbar. I have high hopes for both Moran and Alcala still. Both have good/great stuff. Alcala is getting a reset at AAA right now, and after basically missing last season, maybe that's for the best. But I also didn't like how he was being used, especially with the time missed. At least for now, I think he's a 1IP guy and they seemed to keep asking to go 2. Maybe Moran needs a reset as well? But I don't know if he's not better working with the coaches at the ML level to iron some things out. I don't think he, or Alcala, really have anything to prove at AAA. I think they just need some time and growth. I've been really impressed from what I've seen from Headrick between ST and his SSS at the ML level. He might ride the shuttle to and from St Paul a couple times this season, but the early returns are exciting. The last spot in the pen will be a rotation of a long man between many arms, including Sands and Winder, eventually. Where does that leave Pagan? Oh yeah, gone, as the FO finally realizes their misguided attempt to make him something he's not.

Agree on the QO. Might give one to Mahle and Gallo as well. I like Gray a lot. And I love his role as a leader for the staff. And rumor has it he wants to be a FA for the first time in his career, and who can blame him? And considering some of the crazy numbers we saw this last offseason, your idea of 4 and $100M isn't exactly crazy. But he's had various injuries throughout his career and will be 34 next season. Despite some naysayers, I think he likes it here. So I think 3yrs and $60-65M still might get it done. I don't have the numbers in front of me, and am frankly too lazy at the moment to look them up, lol, but I'm not so sure a $60-65M number wouldn't equal or even exceed his career earnings. But we also have a long season still ahead of us. And I still think the hope was for the younger Mahle to start taking a step forward and be the "other" extension they really wanted to go along with Lopez.

Always felt the Twins would try hard to extend one of their FA SP after this season. Thought they might approach Lopez at some point, but would think about someone else to keep since Lopez had another year of control Pretty hyped about the Lopez signing. I just had a gut feeling that Mahle was going to be the guy who would step forward and be the one they really wanted to keep, beyond Lopez. But Gray is looking like the smart move at this point. I know it's a long season and who knows what will happen over 162 games. But even with a bit of an injury history, Gray, last year and this year so far, he sure looks like a 3yr and $18-20M extension candidate if he'd go for it. Great win! Bats come alive! We play better ball against better teams? Need to find better consistency if that's the case.

I disagree with the OP 100%..at this time. Later in the season, OK. Maeda has had a very solid ML career as a SP. FOR THE RECORD....yet again...he didn't go to the Dogers BP due to small contract numbers, but because they had so much rotation depth and limited BP depth they moved him there. And he WAS good there. Despite no wins, Maeda had a couple good starts before he got hit on his ankle. They say he's ready to go. I'm trusting in that. I'd bet nobody in baseball has a 6th and 7th SP pitcher better than Ober and Varland. And so far, the Twins are "protecting" Maeda by giving him a day off here and there to use Varland and Ober. So far, it's been a way to use a 6 man rotation without actually doing so. What's wrong with that? They've been very smart and had actually planned, per rumors, to do so at this point with a long stretch At some point, the Twins, even with good health, will need 7 or 8 SP. And they've used 7 so far, but smartly, and not out of desperation. At some point...and it's only April...they will need a couple more. Does anyone believe Ober won't get at least 20 GS before the season is done? But we are to believe that barely 4 weeks in the key to the season is to remove rotation depth for the pen? Umm...NOPE. CRAP is going to happen. We need the rotation depth. Ober and Varland are going to get chances. Despite mixed results in a bad loss, I'm pleased that SWR got a chance to throw at the ML level. I love sticking with Moran because I don't think he's going to get better at AAA. I'm kinda pissed at Alacala being sent down because I'm not sure he was used right. He is a 1 IP, but asked to do more. And that wasn't right. I appreciate having the LAST spot being a long reliever, even though we've seldom needed that so far. Sands took a few, so did SWR, and that might help them in the future. But in SSS, Headrick has surprised me. Maybe he's part of the top 6? Even then, with Alcala getting his stuff together, who else would you trust? I'd toss him a few IP and get him right back up. I'd then dump Pagan ASAP, and he NEVER should have been brought back, and use that last spot for the "rotation" spot in the pen. But it's a LONG SEASON and NO WAY I'd be looking at Maeda in the pen until mid season, despite Ober and Varland, only because I know how this seems to ALWAYS work out. At some point, someone always gets injured. And even IF...for some crazy, miraculous reason...the rotation somehow stays intact...Maeda can be moved to the pen in August. The FO blew Pagan and adding ONE QUALITY BP ARM that was way better than him. But no way I'd move Maeda at this point.

Here's the problem with those numbers, and I'm NOT picking on you, anyone's opinion, or the players. This is about NOW as well as the FUTURE, even though it's early in 2023. First of all, Kirilloff has parts of 2yrs, and has an OPS of .693, so a little higher than Larnach or Gordon. But all 3 are relatively close in OPS over the past few years. But not only does Gordon have more total AB's, but his OPS is skewed higher due to his sudden 2nd half surge in 2022, while Larnach and Kirilloff are both skewed the opposite direction after performing well before still playing through injury before eventually hitting the IL. And if we want to play the numbers game...all 3 guys relatively young and no more than Gordon's max of 653 AB's...shouldn't we also look at the larger scale results of milb numbers? I mean, isn't that only fair since all 3 have been top rated prospects both in the Twins system as well as from MLB as a whole? CAREER MILB OPS: Kirilloff: .903 Larnach: .824 Gordon: .716 Is Gordon a different type of player than AK and Larnach? You bet. But OPS is about all around production, not just differences in power. So if we look at ML OPS numbers that are very close, for 3 previous top prospects, all similar in age and not that different in ML time, 1 who has numbers skewed by a strong half season and the other 2 skewed by playing through injuries, the milb OPS of these players weighs heavily toward Kirilloff and Larnach, and future, potential contributions. In regard to Kepler, ignoring his 2019 OPS of .855, his 2016-2018 seasons produced an OPS of .732. Not great, but OK, to go along with great defense. Since 2019, however, his OPS has been .694, and been on a downward trajectory of .760, .719, .666, and .629 early in 2023. Is there hope for Gordon and Kepler? ABSOLUTELY. But at some point, you have to look at NOW as well as the FUTURE. And despite Larnach being mediocre after his hot start, I believe he's 2nd on the team in RBI thus far. Is he really going to learn to hit ML breaking balls better at AAA? I doubt it. And he's actually showing some production and improvement so far. At some point, you HAVE to stick with the younger talent. While it stinks for Kirilloff to have to play the waiting game, similar to Ober and Varland from the pitching side, sometimes you have to play the waiting game for opportunity. AK just MIGHT have to be optioned to give him a little more time to just feel 100% confident in how he feels, OR, just to be ready when there's a roster spot open. But EVENTUALLY the Twins WILL have the roster crunch talked about in the OP. That might buy a little more time for Gordon and Kepler to get untracked. But again, who is part of the future? Gordon and Kepler are very questionable when you look at the young talent available, and coming up. Wallner, AK, Larnach, Julien, Lewis, Lee, and a couple others who might jump up, including a healthy Martin. To think there is a chance that the very solid, quality Farmer MIGHT NOT figure in to 2024 shows how much young talent is near ready is crazy good. So to debate a SSS from a couple of guys who MIGHT rebound is fun! But to argue FOR Gordon and Kepler to "hold back" the future in case they can figure it out" is a strawman arguement for me, unless they ACTUALLY do so over the next few weeks. There's just too many, young, talented players ready, or near ready, to argue FOR Gordon or Kepler to be kept simply for love and hope. And this comes from a fan of both players, which I've stated repeatedly. At some point, the numbers are what they are. The performance is what it is. And building the best team is what's most important.

I agree with Mike Sixel on why Kepler was kept, and have previously stated pretty much the same thing: with questions about a Gallo rebound and Larnach and Kirilloff health, and lack of assurance that Gordon's half breakout in 2022 was for real, and was Wallner readybfor full time dity,you keep Kepler for depth, and MAYBE, a turnaround himself. I have been a fan and proponent for both Kepler and Gordon for some time. When many stated previously and early 2022 that Gordon was an easy cut I defended the decision to keep him and give him some more time. And HOPEFULLY the last half of 2022 can be the real version of him. But even still, where does he fit long term on this team? Larnach, AK, and Wallner all have equally as good and very probably better offensive profiles. While final ML numbers have been skewed due to playing with/through injury, Larnach and AK have flashed when healthy. They have milb numbers Gordon could only ever hope for. Ditto for Wallner. And again, I'm a Gordon fan who's been rooting for him for a some time and argued his value. But with powerful players with higher ceilings than him, and with an infield of AK, Julien, Polanco, Lewis, Correa, Miranda, Lee, and an INF/OF possibility of Martin, where does Gordon fit? Where does Kepler fit in the OF future with all the above mentioned names, plus kids like E Rodriguez coming up, possible INF to OF conversions, and then needs for solid reserves such as Taylor, Celestino NY the end of this year maybe, etc. I can like a player, wish they would do better, bit still realize they simply aren't producing, don't seemingly have a long term fit with the team, and are probably replaced fairly soon one way or another. Now, if anyone wants to send down the talented, and far more productive Larnach to keep Gordon a little longer to see if he gets in a groove, I might not agree with you, but can at least see your logic. But at the same time, I'd have to argue keeping someone that doesn't fit long term is a good idea why? To increase trade value? Meanwhile the better player is sitting at AAA? Again, I can like a player and feel bad they might not fit any longer or may be on their way out. But when a guy continues to struggle and someone who appears to be better now, and a fit for the future, really hard for me to not see the writing on the way.

I missed the first few innings due to work. But the numbers Lopez posted and the couple "low lights" I saw on replay argues against him having "good stuff and command". But again, I didn't get to watch him live. This game may have flustered me more than Friday's loss. Grrr, to both. BULLET POINTS: 1] Smalley made a comment that the Nat's seemed to be laying back and just waiting for off speed stuff. If true, why didn't the Twins see this and make adjustments? 2] I think Buxton, Correa, and Miranda are starting to heat up. Thank goodness! 3] Larnach is getting a steady diet of nothing but breaking balls and off speed pitches. To his credit, and intelligence as a hitter, it sure looks like he's starting to adapt. Just a little more patience to avoid some swings and misses, he's going to PUNISH the opposition. 4] I think Popkins is a pretty good hitting coach. Several players have commented on his teaching and approach. But at the end of the day, it's still up the players to produce. I don't feel Popkins is the offensive issue. 5] Power and OB and OPS for Gallo are all fine. And I get why they put him in the #2 spot today. Trial and error and whatnot. Especially with Polanco just coming back. But he's more dangerous, and fits better, IMO, somewhere between 5-7 in the lineup. 6] I actually really liked most of what I saw of SWR today. I wasn't a fan of his previously, and didn't understand all the platitudes he received as a prospect when drafted and with his trade to the Twins. There wasn't any great pitch or outstanding velocity that made me think he was worthy of the hype. Then he had a pretty good 2022 after being "messed around with" due to a fast track promotion and the whole Olympic ordeal that interrupted his development. But I'm seeing the delivery, and the potential now. I'm starting to see what he might become. He flashed at times today. I don't think he's quite ready yet, but I'm starting to see the potential. 7] Dinks and ducks and seeing eye singles happen. Weird crap happens in baseball. We won 2 in NY and should probably won 3. Stuff happens. Lost a game in Boston where weird stuff happens. It's baseball. But the Twins are way more talented than the Nationals overall and losing this series just shouldn't have happened. 8] This homestand is a time to WIN SOME GAMES and make a statement. The Twins should end up with AT LEAST 6 wins, if not 7, over said homestead. Being down 2 games right now is just not right. GO TWINS! GET IT RIGHT!

Greg's OP is 100% on target. The Twins have, overall, one of the best duos at catcher, defensively and offensively. They have a 2 way STUD at SS who's off to a slow start. They have a tremendous defensive CF in Taylor who is no better, generally, offensively than average, despite his hot start. Now, maybe, a change in teams and hitting coaches, and out of Kaufman stadium, might raise his overall production. And nowhere has he, or anyone, stated that Buxton doesn't have value in CF. And I won't dispute that Buxton in CF doesn't allow for a better option at DH. Maybe Julien? But the OP is 100% correct that the 4 corner spots are the issue. Correa will be fine. Buck is streaky, but history shows tremendous production when healthy. Gallo will never be a great "hitter" but looks like he's found himself again as a great OPS and productive hitter. But I sure like him better in the OF and finding a better option at 1B. And stalwart, very productive, and mainstay Polanco hasn't even played this year yet. I maintain that part of the issue is guys we EXPECT to produce have struggled, or been inconsistent over the first 3 weeks. The other issue is a collection of young talent that offers high potential, that hasn't fully established themselves yet, some due to injury. Miranda needs to step up, no doubt. And he started slow last year. But do we really not expect him to step up? He had a great ST. Larnach had a great ST, flashed to start the season, slumped, but had a couple decent games recently. Does he really "get better" at AAA vs working through struggles? At some point isn't he better working through any issues at the ML level? I'm not sure he has anything to prove at the milb level. Kirilloff, like Larnach, has flashed but has had his career and development interrupted by injuries. He LOOKS like he might finally be healthy. But if he comes up and flashes, or struggles, or both, do we give up? Or, like Larnach, with their talent, and tremendous milb production, aren't they, and the Twins, just better letting it ride a little bit to see what they can do? Do a few slumps mean demotion? Or do you ride it out for not only 2023, but the future? Julien looks like a STUD, but might bounce a little bit between ML and AAA just based on the roster. But he's a keeper. Wallner still has to prove himself, but a quick look at talent and development season to season in milb tantalizes with potential. But PROSPECTS do usually take a little time to settle in and figure it out at the ML level. And Julien, Larnach, Kirilloff, and Wallner are still all in the "prospect" range due to experience. There is so much talent, and so many options, that a little time could provide huge improvement to the offense overall, the future, and the remainder of 2023. I've thought for months now the offense was a question mark based on development and opportunity. I've also thought the offense was about a year away from potentially being pretty damn good. I'd run with Larnach, Kirilloff, Julien as far as I can, while embracing Gallo and Miranda, and the return of Polanco. Not only could we see the kids make a difference, and others cranking it up, but Lewis might be ready late June or early July. I'm not trying to be a fatalist, but unless Kepler suddenly figures it out, which I still doubt, and Gordon proves his 2022 wasn't a mirage, the FO may have to make a couple hard decisions. At some point, you have to trust in potential and future vs mediocre or poor offensive players. I have optimism the offense could still be pretty good with veterans heating up, and a return of Polanco, and some of the kids continuing to get opportunity.

I've had my eye on Prato for a while now. He doesn't seem to do anything particularly great, but seems to just do everything well. That in itself is quite a skill. I picked him recently in one of the TD articles that was about players to watch at each level, IIRC, or similar. Frankly, I was a little surprised he didn't begin this season at St Paul after having such a good AA year in 2022. The Twins are looking at a rather large influx of prospects this year and next between Julien, Lewis, Lee, Severino in the INF, and Martin probably in the OF but with some INF capability. The OF might still end up a little crowded with Larnach, Buxton, Gordon, Wallner, Celestino, etc. So even though Prato can play on both the dirt and the grass, he might still face a numbers crunch. But if he keeps playing good defense at multiple spots, keeps hitting, keeps making contact and getting OB, keeps popping some XBH and stealing some bases, he could be a great 26th man on the team.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. A single, horrendous outing should never spell doom for anyone. But Pagan has been doing this since the Twins acquired him. He had a couple decent but tightrope appearances to begin 2022 and a couple decent appearances to begin this year. If you just look at the scales of performance, they tip very heavily toward "not good". I don't know who should replace him, but almost anyone could/should at this point. Moran hasn't had a great start to the season. But I'm not sure if he has anything to prove at AAA and might be better served working with the Twins coaches. Sure hope Maeda is going to be OK. Good news nothing is broke and he was walking around on his own in the clubhouse without any support. But swelling and soreness might still be a lingering issue for a few days. Ober time?

Yes, please!

A great game. Ryan did what we hoped for. Headrick looked far better than I had hoped for, despite a little trouble in his 3rd IP. Where did that velocity come from? His stuff looked pretty legit. The offense took advantage. Correa remains a stud at SS. Larnach broke out of a brief slump. Anyone ready to demote him? Gallo is looking like his previous MVP runner up self. How dangerous might this team be with more stable offensive production?

OH MY GOODNESS! Maeda was a VERY solid SP for a DEEP Dogers staff. They put him in the pen because they COULD, and needed pen help. It had NOTHING to due with a team that matches the Yankees for $ for $! He went to the Twins, made a few adjustments, and was runner up for the CY Young. Yeah, just some bum who should be dismissed or thrown in to the pen. (Extreme satire). Maeda DESERVES a chance to prove he has the ability to be a SP. Even at 35yo, coming off surgery, he's looked OK initially. So his previous numbers and production should be ignored? If you've actually watched the caeer of Ober, you would see a guy who put up video game numbers. But injuries were an issue until the Twins found some delivery changes not only for his stuff, but to maintain HEALTH with his delivery. He was pretty damn good in 2021 and got better, as the Twins nursed him through his MLB debut, mostly due to career IP as well as his development. Unfortunately, he had a groin injury in 2022. But his numbers last year early, and late, were great. And his ST numbers this year were outstanding. But how do you just dismiss a pitcher like Maeda and his career? Because you want to for some inexplicable reason?? Ober and Varland BOTH should be at the ML level right now. And MANY YEARS PAST, they would already be there. But somehow we're disappointed we could have a really good SP just rounding in to form who was previously a Cy Young candidate just a couple of years ago as a potential block? Imagine the horror of the Twins being so deep in the rotation they don't want to jettison anyone in April for the future.

Posting late answers the question of who goes down first and that is Garlick, and what I expected. And it makes the most sense. When Polanco comes up...next homestand?...it's either Julien or Castro. (FWIW, I'm embarrassed that I've either mistyped or had my auto correct refer to him as Cruz once or twice). Julien is SUPER talented and might be ML ready despite not debuting RED HOT. But you also want him playing daily. And with Buxton still at DH, that could be really tough. Meanwhile, with Farmer out, if Castro goes down...and he has an option...that leaves Gordon as the primary backup to Correa at SS. Are we/the Twins OK with that for another couple of weeks, at least? And while Polanco can be a third SS option, you sure don't want to do that right now do you? So I would say Julien goes down to get daily playing time until his next opportunity and Castro sticks. With no options, Gordon still gets time to figure it out and get right. The debate on Kirilloff is interesting, and really, everyone is "mostly" right. If we just rewind a bit and take away the debatable "most of the year at AAA" and just say he MIGHT be optioned for some ADDITIONAL time at St Paul, I think the debate ceases or takes a different turn at least. AK has been a TOP PROSPECT who has RAKED at every level, and flashed at the ML level when his wrist was OK. He has nothing left to prove. But with time missed, I believe he will get every day of rehab time to just get confident and get his stroke back. I have no problem with that. Honestly, I'd probably bring him up at that point. But I COULD understand using his option for a little more time to get in a groove. But I'd still bring him up knowing he could be sent down later if needed. I DO BELIEVE there is merit to patience and belief in his talent and future. He's just NOT old by any means. And the long play for him, and Lewis, both apply. But again, remove the MOST OF THE YEAR from the discussion and I think we're all pretty much on the same page. A BIG PROBLEM in the roster construction is Kepler. And for the Xth time, I've always been a fan. And he did have a good ST that didn't carry over to the start of the season. And yes, he's got a couple hits since his IL return. But the numbers since 2019 are not only poor, they are also below his pre-2019 season. There has been post after post how Kepler does certain things to indicate there is still something left not tapped in to yet. One of those is BABIP. But after so many years of the same, when do we just accept that, unfortunately, there's just ISN'T some. But do you give up on a previously proven ML player in April?? So I can understand giving Kepler time to show he's adapted, learned, and has life left at 29yo. But despite options remaining, you send Larnach down at some point? He's not only very talented, and part of your future, he got off to a fast start after a very strong ST. Then he slumped for a few games. Then he knocks in a run tonight against Boston, and then a 3 run HR as I'm typing this and we want to debate sending him down? Gallo is doubtful to return for 2024 for various reasons. Though it's POSSIBLE in various scenarios. Age, contract, and potential, you ABSOLUTELY don't give up on AK at this point, even IF the Twins decide to keep him a little longer than his rehab time. (Doubt it). Sorry, unless he turns it around, and I don't mean a few games, does Kepler fit long term? I'm not sure i see it. For 2023 at least, Salono is a keeper for his role. So is Farmer, when healthy. And until we see Lewis and Lee IMMEDIATELY ready for 2024, Farmer has a role in 2024 and is under control. Salono and Farmer aren't going anywhere for this year. No way Larnach should be sent out for any reason unless injury or massive slump. He's part of today, and tomorrow. Julien will go probably go down at some point just due to roster crunches and be back up when needed. But at some point, maybe soon, immediacy and the future, Kepler is probably someone who needs to be moved...unfortunately.

Ack! Unfortunate typo or auto correct. I was trying to say Pagan and no clue how Duran's name got there at the end!