DocBauer

Sorry, and you can call me an optimist if you like, but IMO, the FO only made a SINGLE mistake this offseason when putting the pen together. Despite other candidates since sent down, or released at the end of ST...and I would have tried harder to keep Coulombe, but whatever...Duran, Lopez, Jax, and Thielbar was a very good 4 to rely on. There was nothing wrong with believing in Moran and Alcala as 5th and 6th options based on stuff and previous stuff. And the 8th and final spot is always going to be a rotation from AAA for a fresh arm to eat innings as needed. It allows the team the ability to not only cover those innings, but also allows ML experience to a young arm to be introduced to MLB. IF either Alcala or Moran underperform, they have options to be sent down for a time. Now, Moran has looked much better of late. The problem with Alcala, IMO, is he's looked pretty damn good for 1 IP. His issue seems to be going out for a 2nd inning, and that's when he seems to allow a big hit, even if he K's a guy or two or gets someone out on weak contact. Coming back from missing almost all of 2022, I would have just used him for ONE INNING until his confidence and control came around. So I don't think he's been used correctly to this point. Moot point right now as he's out on injury. Losing Winder and Henriquez to injury hurt options early on. The MISTAKE made was brining back Pagan as one of the top 7. Period. And this is not simply due to his horrific meltdown against the Dogers. He has the worst Wins Probability for a Twins RP in the last 20yrs. And he's got the highest ERA and worst WPA in all of MLB for 5yrs based on something like 30IP per season! Those are absolute numbers that an organization who is so tuned in to numbers they should recognize! My one big problem with the FO is, at times, underselling some players that should get a shot, and being just blind to the lack of performance of others. Is it hubris at times? They HAVE dumped arms at times, but have an unbelievable blindspot in regard to Pagan. It's silly, and unrealistic, to just go out and sign a collection of bullpen options for $ to fill your pen. And even the best RP will allow runs, and lose games. Period. It's reality. But I argued months ago that a smart and "plugged-in" FO SHOULD have been smart enough to move on from Pagan and used his $3.5M plus a little more to single out someone to not only replace the obviously hapless Pagan, but to provide insurance for Alcala in case he needed a little more time. I understand the RP FA market is always a bit of a crapshoot. But sometimes you take that shot vs keeping, LITERALLY, one of the worst RP in all of MLB. The FO had a hell of an offseason. But Pagan vs opportunity for someone else was their one, singular, big mistake. I appreciate the Twins approach, right now, to consider the St Paul rotation arms for bullpen help. Stewart looks like a great find, a former ML SP who lost 3yrs due to surgery and recovery only to reinvent himself as a higher velocity arm with different/better breaking stuff. He just needs to get his BB under control. But knowing they have a legitimate, contending team in place, they aren't afraid to bring up an arm for the pen, even if it might strain St Paul. For this season, as well as the future, it would be a mistake to make any permanent move for SWR, Headrick, or the suddenly viable Balazovic to the pen. They need to remain stretched out for NOW, as well as the future. But I agree with the FO seeming opinion that all hands are on deck to help NOW. I DON'T agree with the comment/idea that someone like Balazovic is being "prepped" for limited innings at the ML level when needed. Was that just a bad comment? I'm sure hoping so. You keep SP stretched out, and use them however you need them. IMO, despite his recent great start, Headrick should have been brought up while Thielbar was out. He's looked good and promising. He can always go back when Thielbar is ready. I like the idea of plugging guys in when you need them. It's how baseball works. But crap happens. Jax has been just fine, with only a few games where he didn't have it. He's had a few games where horrible luck and defense let him down. You stick with an arm that's done right previously. But you should also be smart enough to jettison an arm that is just BAD. Pagan, GONE! Jax will be OK. Headrick should be up until Thielbar is ready. Rotate a few guys and trust in your arms on hand to remove mistakes and comp for injury but don't dismiss future potential by moving someone to the pen permanently. The Twins have a few weeks, maybe a month, to have Thielbar back, Jax at his previous self, and a couple nice arms at the ready to make a run. They have time and opportunity to make this pen work.

Yes, we're talking prospects. And not all of them turn out, and we know this. Which is why things remain fluid, amongst other situations/issues. But it's also no hard to look at top, talented prospects doing well at the upper levels and predict a positive outcome. Personally, I've never thought Lee would be up this year, no matter what he does. He was in college this time last year. He's got good players ahead of him. But the tools and instincts are readily present to see. But he's part of the future, arriving some time in 2024. So that's why I list him as the future, not the now. Julien will probably never be great defensively anywhere. But he's not a poor athlete. In his 2yrs of college, and his first year in the Twins system, he's played 1B/3B/LF. He's a somewhat different version of Arraez, better athlete, more speed and power, not as good of a hit tool. But when the bat/offense plays, you find a spot. I can understand the FO sticking him at 2B right now so he can just relax. But I think it's a mistake for him to not being given time at 1B. As to whether he can play some LF? IDK. He doesn't have a great arm, which is why I dismiss 3B. But he should be able to cover LF on an "adequate" basis here and there to increase his versatility in the lineup unless he just demonstrates he has lousy tracking skills. But how many average to poor LF with good bats do we see across MLB? Over the last 20yrs, the Twins themselves have played Young, Willingham, and others in LF due to their bat. And again, if Lewis moves to the OF, where he would probably be very good, it frees up 2B for Julien. I'm a fan of Miranda, and a believer, despite his rough start to this year. I like him as a RH bat to play both corners and DH. But if everyone else is who we think and hope they are, he might be "crunched" out of the Twins plans IF Buxton continues to be a primary DH going forward. At least being a "sometimes" OF creates more room. Hey, it's a lot of spitballing in regard to Buck's future. But it sure is nice to have him in the lineup instead of out of it. He's a pretty special player, even at DH. And I think that gets missed a lot in various discussions. And I didn't even mention Wallner, as I was mostly concentrating on the INF. I think Wallner has a chance to be pretty darn good, based on power, an incredible arm, way better speed than he's given credit for, and consistent improvement that he's shown coming up through the system. And I believe he will get his opportunity. But the defense needs to improve. And while he will always K a lot, he needs to prove he can continue to hit a little and BB at the ML level like he has at the milb level. I certainly haven't written Wallner off.

So I'm late to this OP, but anyway: 1] SUPER ENCOURAGED by what he's done so far this year. Yes, the BB are too high, but the velocity is back, the K's seem to be there, and he seems to be looking like the top prospect he was entering 2022, and not the nightmare he was last season while struggling through his ankle and delivery issues. 2] NOT going to predict how good he might become, but you simply DON'T take a top SP prospect and move him to the pen this soon when he's looking again like the top 100 prospect he was entering 2022! As good as he's looking right now, as pointed out above, he's still getting his legs under him after missing all of ST. He ABSOLUTELY needs to stay in the rotation and keep building up and harnessing his command for the future. 3] The Twins have commented that they are sort of "grooming" him for a potential spot in the pen this year to help. They HAVEN'T said they are removing him from a potential SP role in the future. And this makes sense to me. At the drop of a hat, ANY SP from AAA can be brought up to throw 1-4 IP if and when needed. When you are a contending club having a good year, all hands are on deck and the AAA club having to fill in is just a circumstance they have to deal with in order for the parent club to have the best arms available to WIN. 4] I think point #3 also applies to Headrick. He doesn't have the pure stuff of Balazovic. But BOTH are possible rotation pieces for the Twins this season due to injury, or even double headers at some point. Personally, I have a gut feeling Headrick is destined to be a quality BP piece, but I always believe in keeping SP prospects as starters for as long as possible. And the needs of a contending parent club come first. So keep them BOTH stretched out in the Saints rotation and use them as necessary. 5] Right now, the usage of Alcala is a moot point as he's on the IL. But I've watched him a lot. He's usually looked pretty good for 1 inning. He seems to lose control, or allow that 1 big hit, when asked to go 2 innings. Coming back from a missed 2022, what is wrong with using him for just that 1 inning for NOW while he gains confidence and control? THAT has been a big mistake, IMO.

I know we got kind of off topic with the whole "future lineup" issue here, but I have to throw my $.02 in here. NOW: (Lewis off the 60 day) Farmer is doing a great job. And I know he's worked on some things to hopefully hit RHP better. But Lewis is special, and part of the future. For now, he stays on the dirt playing 3B and maybe some SS. He's happy, his agent is happy, the Twins are happy, and OF can be revisited next year. Farmer plays a ton, but as the excellent utility player he is. THE FUTURE: The future is hard to predict as it comes with questions about Polanco being kept...who I love and is a great ballplayer...and what happens with Buxton. I don't like having a full time, or near full time DH, unless they are pretty special. In his first POTENTIAL shift to primary DH...I think he'll still play a little OF going forward...here's how Buxton projects as of now: .236/ .341/ .493/ .834 quad slash. 112 R/ 35 Dbls/ 4 Trips/ 36 HR/ 84 RBI/ 16 SB Obviously, RUNS and RBI could shift depending on where he bats most often. That's a pretty special DH! Lee, Correa, Lewis, Kirilloff is the very best INF as I see it playing out. But no room for Polanco, and Julien might be limited (unless he can play a passable LF to increase flexibility), and not sure there's enough AB to go around for Miranda or not at 1B/3B/DH. Now, if Buxton ends up being at least a part time OF, suddenly the DH spot opens up more for Julien and Miranda, and others, as the DH spot becomes a little more flexible. If Lewis moves to ANY of the OF spots...and he's got the tools to play all 3 if his wheels are still intact, including CF...then 2B opens up for Julien, and there's much more room for Miranda on a regular basis. The infield defense drops slightly, but the lineup is deeper and better. Still no room, as I see it, for Polanco past 2024. And Martin, if and when he's healthy and ready to take the next step, moves to the OF, IMO, and can be a starter in LF or CF...possibly with Lewis...OR, a utility OF who can probably help cover 2B/3B as necessary. There's a lot of moving parts here, dependent a lot on Polanco and Buxton's future. But it's a hell of a lot of talent to plug in wherever best and create one hell of a team/lineup! But I don't think most of this will have answers until 2024. So for NOW, Lewis in the dirt for 2023 and we'll see how things begin to shake out next year.

I don't dislike Pagan because he allows runs to score. I mean, every RP allows rubs to score. Our own, amazing Duran has allowed a couple HR this season. Even the very best allow runs and have bad days. Just recently, before being places on the IL, I was really liking what I was seeing from Alcala DESPITE giving up a couple HR in his last few appearances. Because I saw some nasty pitches and Ks and good outs surrounding those HR. Also, it seemed all his runs were scored on his 2nd IP, not his first. So I was feeling encouraged by what I was seeing from Alcala despite the final results. And I absolutely will admit that Pagan has been about ML solid, average since his early April blow-up. My problem is...and yes, this dates back to last year as well...he can ONLY seem to perform in low leverage spots. And even with an 8 man pen, each and every guy in that pen is going to be placed in to a higher leverage position once in a while. It's OK if they aren't great in them. But they shouldn't just look fragile and fall completely apart. And when Pagan loses it, he loses it BIG TIME with BB and grooving pitches for big innings. I didn't want him back. I thought they could have done better with just a little more investment. I'll admit he's been OK in his low/lower leverage spots this season. But I've seen enough last year and this year to know I don't want him on my favorite team unless he can only be used in low leverage situations. And that just doesn't exist. Again, everyone gets tougher spots at certain points and has to try and get through it...no fall to pieces. The problem right now, unfortunately, is Winder has looked bad. Henriquez is still ramping up. Do we want Headrick and Balazovic out of the AAA rotation right now? Sands appears to only be a long man at this point, though I hope he might grow. I'm just not sure who is available to bring up that's better. But I'd sure rather give a couple younger arms with a future a look see rather than maintain the Pagan merry-go-round. I'm just not sure there is room to remove him at this time.

Having a hard time with some of this. So Falvey gets credit for helping Cleveland build a pitching pipeline. But a number of the arms acquired were done so via trade from other teams, not to mention several that were mid round draft choices that were developed beyond initial expectation. But acquiring Ryan from the Rays as a milb pitcher...even though he's been better "developed" since joining the Twins...is NOT part of pitching development. The development of Ober...who has very respectable if not excellent numbers...is also not noteworthy as he could suffer an injury setback at any moment. Umm...isn't that true for ANY pitcher? His rebuilt mechanics allowed him to throw ALL of 2021 and develop, even though he was nursed a bit. He was great early and late in 2022, surrounded by a lower body muscle injury...hernia? Not sure I ever heard....and looks healthy and great this season. Varland...the 2 time Twins milb pitcher of the year...has an average ERA as he's been bit some by the HR ball. But he's averaging 9+ K per IP at the ML level with an acceptable 1.22 WHIP and OK .255 BA as a ROOKIE with 9 GS, 5 of which are on the road I believe, including 2 at Yankee stadium. What's not to like in his brief career and the stuff and potential he's shown so far? And, of course, we just won't talk about trades and development for arms like Duran, Jax, Thielbar, and some other young arms just beginning their careers or who haven't reached the ML just yet. So let's go back to the OP. I LOVED the Petty draft selection. And he might turn out to be a good/great ML arm. But unless you have a crystal ball that sees in to the future, how could anyone predict greatness from the most volatile of draft selections, a HS pitcher, vs adding a top of the rotation arm in Gray? He was excellent in 2022 when healthy. He's been even better this year. The only knock on him is being 33yo and needing too many pitches sometimes to get his high K numbers. But I'd love to have him for another year or two. Guy is good, and a leader as well as a performer. Graterol for Maeda? I'd do that all day long. Graterol is young enough to improve, but his career numbers are those of an OK, solid BP arm. The Twins got a Cy Young worthy season in a great, fun 2020. I'd make that trade any day of the week. Just stinks his elbow gave out as his ST in 2021 had him looking as good or better. Pablo Lopez is not some run of the mill arm. He's pretty damn good. And he's got room to be even better. And it cost us a fan favorite and great hitter in Arraez. And you won't find a bigger fan of Luis than me. And I miss him. But Miami isn't exactly raking with him in the lineup. And the Twins were going to have to trade at least 1, if not more, of their infielders in the near future. Again, I'd make this trade over and over again. Mahle was a talented, relatively young, quality SP who's numbers were better outside of Cincinnati. It was a smart trade. I say that really liking all 3 prospects sent out! I thought Steer might be a great super utility player. I thought ECS had a chance to be a really good DH and backup 1B. I liked Povich better than Hajjar, but I liked his potential. Mahle, lest we remind ourselves, had ZERO issues with his shoulder after multiple doctor exams and a couple MRI's. And he looked just fine to begin this season. He even looked good in his 4 innings before being pulled out due to "discomfort". Who knew his elbow would blow out like that? They traded 3 solid prospects with a future for a really good arm who hadn't reached it's full potential yet. Prospects that might have been behind other equally talented prospects. This may turn out to be a loss, but it was a good and smart move at the time. Paddack and Pagan vs Rogers and Rooker. I wouldn't have made that deal. I wanted to keep Rogers and add an arm to work with him. This didn't turn out right for anyone. Crap happens. Paddack looked great before his elbow gave out. We know what Pagan did. Rogers, like Paddack, was great early. Rogers, unfortunately for him, looks like a shadow of his former self. And while I still don't trust him, Pagan has actually looked pretty damn good past his initial 6 run blow-up to begin the season. And PLEASE, no more "Rooker was a mistake" arguements after he washed out with 3 teams before a good start to 2023 with the hapless A's. This trade comes down to a full recovery from Paddack. If he does so, even as a mid rotation SP, ultimately, the Twins "win" this trade, for whatever its worth. So here we are at last. The Twins have one of the best rotations in all of baseball as we reach the quarter mark. And they've done so already losing Mahle, and Maeda...at least for the short term...and we have a potential roster crunch in regard to prospect player depth. And we BEGAN the season 7 SP deep before injury. And in all of this....STILL having player depth despite trades...we have to ask if we've found value in trading for pitching talent? The FO hasn't been perfect. But they've done a hell of a job to put this together, without seemingly sacrificing the future. I'm just knocking on wood for no more serious arm injuries and just letting all the pen arms fight it out for dominance. We get a proven 6 or 7 deep with the 8 spot being a rotating piece, this staff will lead us to 90+ wins.

You might get your wish come this time next year, if not before. Festa just might be on the top 100 at some point next year if he continues his amazing ride. But he has to maintain what he's doing and continue to improve. Raya is being brought along slowly as he's had a couple minor tweaks here and there after being drafted in covid 2020. But he appears to be the complete package, given a little time. And Prielipp is also being nurtured carefully after he's thrown so little the past year and a half. But a healthy, strong 2nd half this season could see either, or both, contending for a top 100 spot fairly soon. Without going in to needless details at this early point, there's a handful of arms in A and low A that could surprise in the next year or two.

He was one of my "pick to click" players last year and I got that right. Yeah me! LOL. But I've been on his hype train for a while now. The K % is a concern, no doubt. And while these things are very fluid, his milb career slash line is: .271/ .354/ .463/ .816 This tells me...by rough standards to be sure...that he might always K more than anyone would like, but he has the ability to still "hit" as well as take some BB. I can live with a 30% ish K for any batter if he can also just hit the damn ball once in a while, and take some walks to get OB, while providing XB and HR power. A 3 outcome player can still be a very good and productive one. But no question the BA and OB could nosedive if the K % keeps rising. So he still has to keep progressing and developing. I was worried he and Helman might be rule 5 picks this past offseason. Helman is older, a late bloomer, and maybe not a starter anywhere, but could be a great super utility player for someone, if it doesn't happen for the Twins. I didn't expect a proposed 2023 contending club to look at Severino, but I thought a Detroit, or KC, might look at him as a talented, "not quite ready" 2B/3B/DH to stash. Was very pleased when that didn't happen. Only slightly surprised Severino didn't begin the year at St Paul. Think they just wanted to build on his half season at AA a little more. But I'd bet both he and Lee are at AAA by the start of the 2nd half. He's got to continue to improve, of course, or it's a moot point. Long term, I'm not sure his potential fit when you look at all the position player talent in front of him. Does he potentially convert to the OF? But I'm pretty sure he's going to force his way on to the 40 man this next offseason.

I think it's a fair list, regardless of their actual rankings. I mean, personally, I'd have Lewis higher but I understand the setbacks he's had. And by next season...knock on wood...he will have graduated off any prospect list. I am as high on Lee as anyone, and can't wait for him to develop and reach the Twins. And despite a recent mini-slump, I think he's right where he should be. I think he's just making adjustments to the league, as they make adjustments to him. I think there's a reasonable chance he reaches St Paul at some point this year. But am I the only one who smiles and shares his head that he'll be in Minnesota soon? That infield has Polanco, and Correa, and Lewis pretty soon. Then there is Julien, and a hopeful bounceback from the pretty talented Miranda. Lee can, of course, force the issue, but I don't see him added to the 40 man and in a Twins uniform until sometime in 2024, after the season begins. It's just natural development time and numbers. The entire Cedar Rapids team is basically a collection of really young players being pushed to that level. I don't have numbers, maybe someone does, but by age and professional experience both, it has to be one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the league. We have to remember how young Rodriguez is, and he didn't even get a full season at Ft Myers last year. I wouldn't be disappointed at all if he spent most or, or all of, this season at A+. Not saying that as a negative...kid had tremendous talent and power and a natural feel for the game...he just needs to stay healthy and gain experience. I have a bromance with Julien as I like his story and think his hit tool and offensive game is LEGIT. And I can't wait for him to be a fixture with the Twins, probably at the top of the lineup most days. Problem is room for him, even when ready. I seldom disagree with the FO, but sometimes I do and don't understand their process. I can "get" him focusing on 2B to just "settle in" and grow his bat. But he needs to play 1B as well. And if he just isn't any kind of 3B option...which he's played previously... I get it. But unless he's just a butcher with no tracking skills at all, he should also be worked in to LF. All he has to be is decent/average, or at least "acceptable" in order for him to be versatile enough to be in the lineup almost daily SOMEWHERE. I mean, AK at 1B most days, Polanco at 2B...unless moved...Lewis and Lee, eventually, and Miranda getting his act together again. Gotta find ways to get Julien in the lineup when ready.

I also felt Lewis was a luxury initially, and would be happy to see him in July. I still would be. But it sure looks like we might see him come June 1st. Like Kirilloff, he's a super talented player who can make a real difference. And I'm still not certain where his best spot will be, though I suspect he will begin at 3B once back. He could move to make room for Lee in the not to distant future. He'd be one of the best 2B in all of MLB, and I'd love him there long term. But what about Polanco, and even Julien, who needs to be fit in somewhere? Lewis could also be a hell of an OF! There is nothing wrong, generally speaking, with a lineup in today's game being built around power and solid OB% hitters with a large number of K's. But you ALSO need those guys who can just put the bat on the ball and HIT. You need a mix to counter all the various pitchers and their different approaches. Otherwise, you get the feast and famine games we've seen for a couple years now from the Twins offense. Correa, Polanco, Kirilloff, Lewis, and potentially Lee and Julien and even Martin, one of these days, provide those kinds of "hitters"...while still having power themselves...to go along with the dangerous power plant kind of bats like Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Miranda, Gallo, etc. We still have Gallo for this season. I have real hope for Larnach, and some for Miranda...who I like a lot but worry about roster crunch..and even Wallner as a Gallo clone. I still hold out hope Gordon will prove his 2nd half of 2022 was real, as he could be very useful and his speed might still be better utilized going forward. And I fully appreciate Farmer, and would love to find room for him next season, but he's not a full time starter on a championship team, especially with all of these options ready or near ready. Even in today's game, you need the "hitters" who can make contact in addition to the big power bats. And I think the Twins are pretty close to putting together a killer of a position player roster. Still need a couple young guys to put it together. But even now, AK, Polanco, and Correa are 3 guys who fit that role. Things are going to get really interesting the 2nd half of this year, and going in to 2024.

Getting 2 or 3 solid, quality ML players out of any draft is considered a victory. Not just guys who make it, and get a cup of coffee...although that in itself is quite an accomplishment...but 2 or 3 honest to goodness contributing members of your team for at least a few seasons. Lewis still has a chance to be pretty special, and I believe he will be. Ober looks very good and should be part of the rotation for at least a few years to come. Enlow started a little slow, but not bad. He was starting to flash when his elbow gave out. He was pretty mediocre in his first season back in 2022. Right now, still only 24yo, he's starting to look like he was pre-injury, and like the HS pitching prospect they hoped he might be. If he continues on his current trajectory, he might finish the season at AAA. That puts him in discussion as being one of the top 8-9 rotation options for some point in 2024. That's a start! You have to get there before you can stick there! Enlow makes it, in whatever capacity, and sticks, the draft looks even better. He'll probably get a shot, and the rest is up to him. But it's just impossible to predict the future when SWR, Balazovic, and Festa are also factored in, not to mention FA and trades and re-signs. But he's back on track to potentially make it.

IMO, it was inexcusable he wasn't brought up late in 2022 when the roster was decimated. The starting OF often had Gordon, Cave, and Contreras. And at least 2 of those started games against LHP. Helman couldn't have done any worse, had a good year, and might have sparked a few runs here and there. He wouldn't have salvaged the last month of the year, but he was worth a look see at least. I don't know what his future is like with the Twins. It would be pretty hard to envision him as a late blooming potential starting player anywhere, despite his defensive flexibility. And right now, the team already has a potential roster crunch the 2nd half of this season, and going in to 2024 with Kirilloff, Polanco, Julien, Miranda, Lewis, Farmer, Lee, Larnach, Celestino, Gordon, and Wallner. Did I miss anyone? But there are injuries. There are trades. And some guys won't turn out. But there just might be room for a RH super utility player with a decent bat, power, and speed with SB ability who can fill a role. It's a real shame he was injured during ST and lost a shot to make the team as the last bench guy. And now he hurt his shoulder, slowing any future opportunity. But I wouldn't bet against him getting a shot before this year is done. I'm still a little surprised someone didn't nab him in the rule 5 last offseason. And his future might be with someone else. But he shouldn't be ignored.

The offense is still built for power and potential OB%, but lacking speed and overall contact. Still, it shouldn't be as bad as it has been at times. And the past few days showed it's potential. Kirilloff brings a different approach of better contact and spraying the ball than some of the other hitters in the lineup. That different dimension/approach helps. I think Lewis could help with that as well. But there's little doubt in my mind that a slumping Miranda and Larnach and slow to warm up Correa cast a big cloud over some of the production, or lack thereof, so far. I think, as constructed, this team is probably going to always be a little bit feast or famine. But there's enough talent and potential that we just should never see the kind of week long stretches we have before when scoring 2 runs is max value. But an entire roster going cold at the same time seldom happens either. I think they are going to be just fine. But Lewis, Lee, Julien, and some continued growth by others, will eventually provide this team with a better "contact" approach...while still having power...that I think will give the offense more daily consistency. But no major injuries and just guys hitting to their norms should give the offense more than enough production to go along with this excellent staff.

I've never been one to rush a starting pitcher to the pen if they show any sort of legitimate promise as a potential rotation option. Sometimes all it takes is something "clicking" mentally in their approach, or that one extra pitch that suddenly gets harnessed on a consistent basis, and they are suddenly a legitimate ML rotation option. And let's be honest, even with Mahle out for the year, and Maeda a question mark, the current rotation is still very good. But the depth has been thinned. Right now, if the Twins need another starter, they are looking at Headrick, the talented but struggling SWR, the recently stretched out but not ready Balazovic, the converted to the pen Sands and Winder, who have previously been starters, and a trio of journeymen that includes Rodriguez, De Leon, and Sanchez. Even Dobnak might not be an unreasonable option at some point. Encouraging? Maybe not. Desperate? Not necessarily. But what remains most important is the roster and winning of the Twins. With Thielbar currently out, hopefully briefly, Moran is the only LH in the pen. I believe in the potential of Moran. And he's been looking better recently. And while he's known for reverse splits, he's not bad against LH batters. But should the Twins have Headrick in the pen right now for a second lefty? Again, I don't want to move a potential starter too early to the pen. And Headrick might be a solid starting option if needed. In SSS with the Twins, he's shown some moxy and decent stuff so far. But shouldn't immediate need in the Twins pen outweigh any "what if" scenario in the moment? My question is, with Thielbar out right now, should Headrick be in the Twins pen right now to provide another LH option?

Agree he is no savior and not yet ready. This time last year he was still in college. He's already at AA and looking good. There is no reason to rush him. It would a great season if he can finish the year at AAA and doing well. I've always thought, no matter how talented, no matter how much potential, he wouldn't be ready until 2024. And that is aggressive and just fine with me. Any call for Lee to arrive earlier reminds me of Martin after a decent, but not great 2021. Some called for him to be up in 2022, which I never understood. Before this season even started, some were so excited about the potential of Rodriguez there was speculation he might fly through A+ and hit AA and finish the season at St Paul, potentially. He's awfully young, coming off a shortened 2022, and it would be awesome if he ends up raking and finishing strong at AA this year. On top of simply getting carried away with prospect hope, Lee is, realistically, behind Lewis and Julien on the infield pecking order. Then, there is the hope for a return of Miranda after a re-set, while the solid Farmer is already back. Personally, I'm unusually high on the almost 27yo, late blooming Helman as a RH super utility player who might help in the future. As jkcarew accurately stated, improvement for the offense is going to come from the players on hand...and it's not a bad group at all if they just get going...as well as the recently promoted Kirilloff, and the potential return of Larnach, Miranda, and hopefully Lewis.

Boy did Jax deserve that win after all the weird, crazy stuff that's been happening to him lately when on the mound. A healthy Kirilloff is pretty easily one of the Twins top 3 players. The positive results of his last surgery seem to be growing every day. He also was very deserving of something good happening last night.

I thought Helman had a real shot to make the team out of ST. Heard rumors the Twins were really disappointed he wasn't available to his injury. He can hit, hit with pop/power, and has good speed. And while not saying he's great everywhere, he can play anywhere other than catcher. Being RH doesn't hurt either. The lineup/roster, at this point, is probably better with him, or Garlick, rather than a platoon 1B who isn't hitting and has little power in Solano. Not predicting greatness, but I think Helman is a late blooming, super utility player with potentially nice overall value. Super happy to see Bakazovic healthy and throwing well. Can't wait until he's at full strength and stretched out. As I stated just as the season began, I'm more concerned with his long term future after a bad 2022 and his ruined ST, rather than being an impact arm this year. Still, I can see him providing a legitimate rotation depth option the second half of the season.

I think he's a prime candidate to offer help in the second half, and next season, and beyond. And while I don't want to dismiss Headrick as a SP option just yet, I can see him as another high quality option for the pen from the port side.

Always felt the offense was the weakest part of the team coming in to the season. But I never expected it to be this bad. But to be fair, ALL of the Twins stats were basically middle of the pack 6 games ago. Only 6 weeks in to the season, those numbers can rise and fall quickly, which they just did after the recent road trip. If you look at milb and recent drafts, the Twins are mid change in their offensive approach. The problem is, the CURRENT team is built for power and decent OB with little speed and only a few "hitters" in the lineup. IMO, despite some obvious restrictions, the problem really is the talent on hand simply not performing near to what is expected, by us as fans, or projections. Correa hasn't found any sort of groove. Gordon hasn't looked anything close to what he's shown previously, despite a couple HR. Miranda, also, has yet to look anything like his 2021 or May to August plus 2022 self. Larnach was great in ST and the first week, and then nosedived. Solano was signed for depth and to hit LH arms. He's completely disappeared after a couple of very good weeks. POSITIVE progression SHOULD happen simply due to normalcy of numbers and expectation of talent on hand. But is that enough? I still have faith in Larnach, but he needed a re-set and AK is a power bat and a "hitter" so he just might help. Polanco does everything. He helped carry the team for a week, and will get hot again. Gallo will ALWAYS be a streak hitter, which is why he's best batting around the 7th spot. SOMEHOW, they need to get Miranda straightened out to be the batter he has shown he can be. Farmer can help by just being a pro, and giving some days off to guys, and allow Miranda to play some 1B against LHP. Right now, it isn't earth shattering by any means, but the team would be better eliminating a RH platoon 1B in Solano and adding Garlick back, or, and don't laugh, giving the versatile Helman a shot. Lewis might help by June. Julien might also, but where does he play? Why on earth isn't he seeing some time at 1B and LF? There's limited opportunity if he only plays 2B and DH. And while he cooled the last week, we can't dismiss Wallner as a future option as well as Larnach if he gets his stroke and confidence back. There are no easy answers to fix the offense. It starts with Correa and Miranda getting hot. Polanco will be fine. Gallo will be streaky, but should produce. It's really tough when the entire lineup just gets cold all at once. But you can play around with the fringes of the lineup, and you should. SOMEONE for Salono might help, at least a little. Kirilloff just might be ready to settle in and make a difference. But this isn't fantasy baseball where you can just swap out half your team like an XBOX game. I don't have the answer as to HOW...there is no Redmond walking through the clubhouse naked to shake things up, LOL...but the NEED is for the talented veterans on this club to "be themselves" and do what they do and not trying to do too much. If I knew how to do that, I'd be working for a team and not posting as a fan, LOL. But there is enough talent on this team to just not be this pathetic.

Actually, his extension carries him through 2025. He is scheduled to be FA in 2026 at this time.

I'd also love to see Gray re-signed on a 3yr deal for around $60-66M. I might even prorate the first couple of years to make the last year more palatable if/when he slides. But absolutely the QO. Huge fan of Ober. Tremendous respect and admiration for Maed, but Ober is the better arm now, and part of the rotation the next few years. Hard to say Varland is better than Mahle, so I won't. But I think Varland has a nice career ahead of him. As of today he's got what, 6 or 7 ML starts and all have been solid to good save one. And two of them were on the road at Yankee stadium. A couple bad 1st innings hurt him this season, but then he settled down after that. I believe that shows maturity. Paddack has a chance to be at least solid, if not good, when he comes back next season. And he's young enough and talented enough to do so. But he could also never be the same. I don't have him written in ink for 2024 the way I do Ober, and probably Varland. All the more reason I'd love Gray back. SWR looks like he's getting pretty close. Headrick has really impressed me, but my gut says solid back end starter and potentially excellent pen arm. Will be interesting to see. And Balazovic has been looking really good so far in 2023, first from the pen, and now in his first start. Enlow and Festa have a really good shot at finishing the season at AAA this year. Any, or all, of those guys provide 2nd half depth here in 2023, even though there are reasons to be optimistic Maeda and Mahle are both back in a couple months, or less for Maeda, to continue to help this year. I kinda like where the Twins are sitting right now, but we'll know more at the end of the season. Is it possible the depth of talent on hand will be enough foe an equally good rotation in 2024 even if Gray isn't brought back? Perhaps. But again, the overall picture will be more clear at the end of the season.

I don't dislike any of our players. I don't even hate the offense because we're still around league average even with horrendous Aprils from Miranda, Correa, and Gordon. Not to mention beginibg the season without Polanco. It's not that we have bad players. And it's not like the keague average offense can't still get better. But they are built for power and some OB but lacking contact. We shouldn't be saying to ourselves; "Oh crap! Bases are loaded! We're screwed now!"

1] Small correction, Gordon is a LH bat. 2] Lewis is playing SS and 3B in Ft Myers, and is scheduled to remain at those two spots for at least the short term. If I am correct, these are scrimmages at the moment, the actual season doesn't start until around the draft. 3] I also don't believe Miranda's long term future is at 3B, and have said so for a while now. He should be a very nice, almost daily, dangerous RH bat who plays BOTH INF corners and DH. Lee or Lewis should be the 3B of the future, and relatively soon, and there are different roster construction options that make sense for either/both to be the 3B. I have a hard time will all the negativity that seems to surround a few of the younger players like Miranda and Larnach. Both have a TOTAL of a little over a full season of games played. And yes, injuries have hurt Larnach, as well as AK, but just because either kid hasn't hit .300 and project to 30 HR their first 500AB/162G there is this sentiment of frustration that neither/no-one is ever going to be good, much less a productive, daily member of the lineup. Who says? How SUDDEN do these young players have to perform at an All Star level before we have confidence in them? And more importantly, if they aren't allowed to fail some, and grow, how will they ever get better? All that being said, the Twins are in an enviable position right now where they have the luxury of almost interchangeable pieces to allow temporary re-sets. AK comes up, Larnach goes down, re-set with the idea of coming back ASAP. (Wallner also fits here, though not previously mentioned). Miranda started slow last season and the light switch came on around this time. Can it again? If not...and while a strong arguement can be made to keep him at the ML level to work through things...he can go down for a couple of weeks also for a re-set, keep Castro for now as the last man on the bench, and swap them again 2-3 weeks from now when Miranda gets on a role. The kids need opportunity to learn, grow and produce at the ML level. But it's an enviable spot for the Twins to be able to roll through a collection of talented youngsters to grant them these opportunities as well as the luxury of re-sets to get rolling again.

I'm a Max fan,and have been so, since the day he was signed. HR ball or not, I thought he turned a corner in 2019 and was finally reaching the ceiling that tantalized so many of us. And I could have dealt with some regression. But his past 3 seasons all show declining OPS season by season. To be fair, I had briefly forgotten he was hitting better in 2022 until his foot injury seemed to derail his year. Also, to be fair, after a horrendous early start this year, and a brief IL stint, he is again performing at least average, if not a touch better. While I have been rather critical of Max in recent posts...deservedly so IMO...I've always done so reluctantly, and have stated as much. And with enough questions to begin the season as there were optional answers, it was probably smart to have him back. But even with Gallo probably gone next year, Max available on the inexpensive side, and still 5 LH bats unproven for the OF corners and 1B, at some point you have to allow those players to succeed or fail. I usually don't agree with simply handing out roster/lineup spots without them being earned. And I'm OK swapping Larnach right now for AK as a re-set for the one, and opportunity for the other. But at some point, doesn't it make sense to remove the 30yo, average hitter for younger, cheaper, higher ceiling players? Or do they all have to hit .300 immediately when they reach the Twins in their 15 day audition before being sent down again with no room for failure or growth? I like Max. I've never been a hater. The fact he never became what I hoped he would be doesn't make me dislike him one bit. I'm not even angry he's still around. But you don't have to dislike him to recognize his limitations or the number of younger, talented hitters available to turn to, roll with, and roll through as necessary, until the right combination is found amongst those talented, younger players.

Brilliant! A HUGE laugh!