DocBauer

Nowlin! Wow! I honestly hadn't paid attention to him when drafted. My initial reaction was "meh, probably an interesting BP option in a few years". But then I heard Seth mention him once and have been paying closer attention since. My goodness does he look interesting! Tons of velocity and K's while not being very big. Just have to wonder about his arsenal and is there makings of a true SP there.

Headrick and Enlow for sure. Headrick to get ready for AAA and possible ML help, and Enlow to get innings and get back on course like he was beginning to look before TJ. I've got Festa on my list. He seems to be a surprise and fast riser. Perfect choice, unless there is an IP concern in his first full year. And while just promoted to AAA, I've got SWR. He actually pitched little in 2021 and is very young. A good AFL sets him up well for 2023. Would they send a 5th arm? Can they? If so, it's a scramble between Bentley, Gross, Olson, etc, etc. Sabato is an easy choice. Despite being young, just promoted to AA, possessing tremendous power and high OB, and only in his 2nd season of play, he already looks like a potential bust and 2023 could be huge for him. Despite looking like his bat may play tomorrow, I'm thinking Julien is a perfect choice. Keep his momentum going and work hard on defense, including LF. Martin makes so much sense I don't even have to comment. The Twins HAVE to send at least one catcher. Are Isola and Williams 1B/DH bats who can actually catch? Need to know. And can Carmago eventually hit enough to have a ML career? I hadn't even thought about Holland, but it would make a lot of sense. He was a high pick, athletic, and didn't actually see the field until 2021. He hasn't put up anything close to good numbers but was recently promoted/challenged. Maybe he's just beginning to bloom? Dark horse: Does Helman go back again? He's capable of multiple positions, is having his beat season, and he's the only RH OF available right now not named Buxton or Garlick. A boost to get him ready for 2023?

My thoughts, FWIW: 1] There is a tightrope to walk in regard to veterans and sticking with them. For arguement sake only, let's say the Twins had Nathan, or equivalent, and he slumps. You stick with a guy like that and let him work it out. Not going to debate how long the Twins stuck with Colome in 2021. We know the results. But he was proven and coming off one of his best seasons ever. You give that guy a little time. Now, did they give him too much time? Well, we saw the results, although truth be told, he was pretty good from June on, too little way too late. Moving on from Duffey and Lewis was good. Should have already moved on from Pagan. You just can't stubbornly hold on to someone that long with such poor results! 2] Monitoring your SP IP is fine. Building them up is fine. But at some point you have to examine diminishing returns. Is a 6th IP, maybe an out or two more, worth the "risk" of facing a lineup a 3rd time actually worse than brining in a RP at that point? Well, it might be if you can trust all 8 guys most days. If you have a strong back end but nothing for middle relief, then you are inviting trouble no matter which way you turn. I do believe we have a couple of arms that can be trusted for a 6th IP at least some days. What I just can't understand is how we, as amateur GM's, have recognized all season the Twins needed at least one quality middle/long-ish guy. We had it briefly with Winder until injuries hit. (And let's be honest, they hit pretty hard at times). Rocco finally spoke up a few weeks ago regarding this need. Right now, for the most part, the Twins seem to have a solid back 5. But is Sands ready to be one of those bridge guys? Megill looks like a diamond in the rough. But can he go 2? And do we really trust Pagan to do anything other than just the occasional 1 IP without damage?? It's the middle 3 spots now and next year that really concern me. 3] If you are a mid market team with financial considerations that the big market teams don't have, the one place where you can cheat a little is the pen. But that doesn't mean you ignore it! This is where a couple really good arms are needed but you can use talented young arms like Duran and Jax and others to fill a void. You can build a good looking backend like the Twins seem to have NOW, post deadline additions and what's on hand. But again, you can't just ignore those middle inning transitional guys. The Twins have addressed the pen during their offseasons. They just haven't addressed it very well, too often banking on fliers to fill roles in the backend. Once in a while you need to sign an actual good arm, or two, and look at fliers who can find success as the bridge guys. Right now, looking forward to 2023, I can see a pen that might not need a lot of help. Assuming Fulmer is back, I can see our final 5 looking the same and being damn good. Megill offers some potential. Moran does the same. There are a couple guys like Sisk and others who might provide depth. But they simply can't approach 2023, or any season again, without making sure the middle innings have a certain level of competency and ability regardless of your backend.

I've never predicted #1 status for him. But then again, I've never really predicted that for anyone. It takes time to refine your stuff, your approach, and gain experience at the ML level. But i do love a lot of things about him and his approach. Last year, when he debuted, and early in the season this year, there was a lot of talk about his slider, and how good it worked with his FB. It does appear said slider has either lost bite, or command, or both. And maybe the missed time weakened him, or threw off his mechanics, or both. But he does need to figure it out again. I'm willing to bet he does. Talented, smart kid with a bulldog mentality. Have to remember, he's still a rookie. He's still learning. How could he could be is TBD. But there's room to learn and grow. And I'm OK with that. I think he's going to be a very good part of the rotation for years to come, even if he "only" settles in as a very good #3 type.

I indeed did. A rushed post and a poor mistake on my part. Thank you for the correction! There, fixed!

Never really studied his delivery time, so can't comment on that. And I don't think releasing him is just about Detroit or KC nabbing him, though it's an interesting point for sure. It just seems like they are so mystified by his "good numbers" and moments that they just can't seem to see the big picture. They just seem to believe they can "fix" his issues, despite what history shows, and have something and are afraid someone else will get the suddenly "reliable" Pagan. Dont get me wrong, I'm always glad when the Twins win and someone has a good day. But those "good days" with Pagan simply don't outweigh the bad days and the damage done. Nor does it address the needs of the pen. (Sigh).

Every team has injuries, no doubt. Could it be argued the Twins have taken too many chances on a couple guys traded for? Hmmm....maybe. But Maeda was even better than hoped for and will probably be good again. A year from now, we might all be talking about extending Paddack beyond 2024. But CRIPES, I can't believe any team in all of MLB has had more TOP prospects have early injury woes. I mean, we could go all the way back to Kubel and Mauer, but just the past few seasons we're talking Kirilloff, TWICE, and Larnach, and Lewis, TWICE as well, and now Canterino and maybe...hopefully not...Winder. Wow! I'm sure I'm probably missing someone. It's almost like every top 10 prospect in the system is 40/60 to have some major injury/setback. And we're not talking guys that were drafted with an injury history. And let's not even get in to concussions! Off topic I know, but man have the Twins been snakebit!

I like this move. He's an under the radar arm who's had some success and has experience. He helps St Paul and might do a fill-in job with the Twins if the injury bug isn't done with us. I also liked the Peacock addition for the same reason. Almosr every year you try to have 1 or 2 guys at the end of the 40 man who might help, but you can risk losing to clear a roster spot. You also want a couple guys like Minaya and Coulombe who can get invites as milb FA who could surprise and fit in at some point. Truth is, I'm not sure the Twins haven't done better on the milb invites than they have on the fringe 40 man guys. Getting a couple of these guys now just might give a leg up on brining them back for 2023. Hoping Sanchez might be one of those guys. Looks like a completely different pitcher since he came to the Twins.

You NEVER apologize for winning a game, much less a series. This Miranda kid looks like he might be pretty good. Gordon keeps doing things to make me like him more and more. Did the time away from the Twins re-energize Celestino? I know it's early, but I'm kinda wondering if the Twins didn't unearth a real find in Megill. Just a tremendous job by the bullpen all series, no matter who they were playing. I know he didn't pitch today, but watching Sands Tuesday night I kept thinking: "Yes! Keep doing that! You've got a real future if you can just keep throwing like that!" I don't want to sound like a jerk, but, are we glad Pagan had a good day?

The only one on that list that MIGHT sign is Correa. And that's only if he and his family really want to stay and he is OK with a 5yr front loaded deal. I try to be a realist, which is why I expect Correa gone, and his $35M being plugged back in to the budget. The Twins will have both money and opportunity to actually spend on a solid/good FA SP to deepen the staff, despite what's on hand now and a couple nice looking arms like Ober and Winder. It's a unique opportunity to add without blowing up the current or future payroll for a 3-4yr type of deal. Dman listed a few of those arms. A couple may come with a QO, but I don't know that losing a 2023 pick would stop the FO if they could add a really nice piece to the rotation. The pen has a nice foundation, especially if Fulmer is brought back. And the Twins aren't devoid of young arms to help fill the last 3 spots or so in the pen with Moran, Megill, and some starters converted to middle relief. And they HAVE to re-think their BP approach to be something other than a collection of 1 IP arms. Rocco has even spoken up about this, FINALLY. Still, why not drop a few $M for one more BP arm to go along with said FA SP? After that, IMO, and being a realist, I'd be looking for a couple 2 or 3 bats. Do they bank on AK being back? Or do they spend to find a solid 1B/DH bat? Garlick is an OK, solid RH bat who fills a role. But how about a better option that costs a little but doesn't break the bank? Gordon and Celestino can cover CF and provide some offense and have some potential still. But competition wouldn't be a bad thing would it? And we have to find a partner at catcher with Jeffers. It wouldn't be crazy to have Sanchez back, but I'm hoping for a better "fit". Not sure who that might be at the moment. In short: NO to any of the names above. YES to: 1] A quality FA SP. 2] One quality, reliable BP arm and probably Fulmer back as well. 3] A Garlick replacement, or at least competition. 4] A quality catcher to share duties with Jeffers. Doesn't have to hit LH, but it would be a bonus. OTHER POSSIBLES: 1] 1B/DH bat since there are questions about AK. Doesn't have to be an All Star, just a quality bat/player. 2] A possible fill in SS to compete with Palacios since Lewis won't be ready. 3] MAYBE an inexpensive OF option to compete with and push Celestino but really, probably just a depth signing on the milb side of things. That's 4 musts and a couple strong probables. And there will, of course, be a couple raises across the Twins payroll, but nothing outlandish. It can be tantalizing to think about mega-bucks spent on a star player. But I prefer to look at reality. I think there's an awful lot to like how this team is set up for 2023, though there remains some injury concerns. Correa off the books, along with Sano, Rogers, and Sanchez is around $55M. That money can go a long way to add a solid/good SP, add to the pen, bring in a quality catcher to share the load, and at least one decent RH OF bat. It probably wouldn't be enough to cover the 1B/DH option I mentioned. That would require a little stretch of the current payroll if done. I think the foundation, right now as is, looks pretty good. You make those adds, you're still around middle of the pack in total payroll, and have yourself a really good, competitive and potentially dangerous team. I just think the money could be better spent to fill holes as a TEAM vs investing so much in ONE guy.

Sano is an easy no. If the Twins want to add a 1B/DH bat, that $14M could almost assuredly be put to better use for someone who may or may not be as dynamic in regard to pure power, but would be probably be a lot more consistent. Gray is an obvious yes. I have to admit I'm a little torn on Bundy. While not great, he's surprised me for being solid and generally consistent. And as someone else pointed out,,,sorry forgot who now...he's really only had a couple of just AWEFUL games. Maeda gets the end of this year, the offseason, and ST to shake off rust. Will he be as good as he was in 2020 and as good as he looked during ST 2021 before his arm blew up? Very possibly. But even if not quite as good, he's probably a legit, solid part of a 4 man staff along with Mahle, Gray, and Ryan. As good as Paddack looked early, he won't be ready until mid season. I really like both Ober and Winder a lot. On paper, the rotation is set with depth provided by a collection of the Ober/Winder "loser" as well as, possibly, Dobnak, Smeltzer, Sands (if he doesn't move to the pen), a rebounding Balazovic, (I still have faith), Varland, SWR, and an inevitable flier such as Sanchez. But injuries happen. As much as I like Ober and Winder, the Twins very likely will have the $ to add another FA. I'd rather have guys "pushed out" of the rotation than be short. I don't know that Bundy's $11M can actually bring in someone as good or better, as some have stated. But that $11M could be PART of a larger deal for someone definitely better, if not much better. And I think that's the direction I'd go, saying no to Bundy. Now, if the Twins feel really good about Ober and Winder's health, and want to invest in another pen arm and a bat, or two, I could maybe see Bundy's option being picked up. I just think they could do better, especially if Correa does as expected and opt out. I haven't seen the progression with Archer I'd hoped for, nor what I think the Twins hoped for.

I would have let Pagan go some time ago, but certainly after the deadline when the re-shuffle took place. His stuff looks great but he's a tease. Every other time out he pitches a good, solid middle inning. Next time out, or a second inning, and you all but guarantee at least 1 run. There is nothing close to consistent with him but failing to get the job done on a consistent basis. I don't want to sound mean, but it's the truth. The Twins need 3 guys they can depend on to handle the middle innings. Pagan is not one of them.

Hey, I've been a follower and fan of Max from the day they signed him. I've been rooting for him and been trying to make others realize how good he is even without ever realizing the potential of what we all hoped he could be with all of his talent. He's a really, really good and valuable ballplayer for everything he does. And I want him back in 2023 and I hope he has a great season, raises his production without the extreme shifts, etc. I am in no hurry to dismiss him or want to get rid of him. Period! But even in SSS due to injury EACH of the past 2 seasons, even as a fan of Kepler, I can see Larnach as a better hitter. Larnach will never have the range of Kepler in RF, but he's shown enough he isn't bad defensively, and has a great arm. The power is still building/coming. But the power is there. He's also not embarrassing against LHP. Over the next few years, I'd take less range, a great arm, and better hitting and as much or more power and production. And this from a fan of Kepler.

Super late to this, but have to comment anyway. Surprised by the Holland and Sabato promotions. Numbers say they don't deserve the promotions. Both have been, frankly, disappointments. But age and talent seems to indicate a new challenge. (Not to mention additional moves, promotions, and the influx of draft picks). I'm 100% at this point with both players being challenged. They are both college players, high picks, and talented. Time to show up guys! I remain STUNNED Julien isn't already at AAA. I know there are defensive/best position issues, but his game is ready. NICE to see Lee raking at A+. I expected that. And I'm OK if he stays at CR to finish the year because it's STILL an indoctrination to pro ball and playing daily. He's got about 4 weeks left in this year. I don't see a need to go to AA unless it's to help with the playoffs. He'll go to IL, and probably be at AA Wichita to begin 2023. As to a previous comment about him immediately transitioning to 3B, why would you ever do that this early? Unlike Martin, he's not being asked to learn SS, he IS a SS. Not every good/great SS was a smaller, speedster type. My goodness, current Twin Correa is an example and there are many others. Let him play SS for now and see what happens over more than a couple of weeks. In regard to Enlow, very possible he pitched in a game instead of throwing a bullpen. Also very possible he's now on an every 6th day starting rotation just to monitor IP to finish the season strong. You want to build up his arm. But with the way the milb system works, you only get 1 start a week, and 2 only every few weeks. (6 game schedules). So why not make his bullpen an actual game appearance between starts? Not uncommon, and I like the approach.

I think Kepler has real value as an excellent defensive OF who performs about league average offensively. And with his contract, he's worth keeping around for 2023 no doubt. While defenses will continue to shift and shade in 2023, I would bet his numbers do improve without the exaggerated shifts. What's so frustrating is a lack of adjustment. I agree that early in the year it sure seemed like he WAS making adjustments and was actually spraying a few balls to center and left and it was refreshing. Did he suddenly forget how to do what he was doing? I'm actually wondering if something else has been bothering him before the broken toe as he just wasn't looking the same. I've said for some time now that's he's more than acceptable as a good/dangerous hitter lower in the order who plays great defense and should sit once in a while against some LHP. The problem is Larnach and Kirrilloff, while potentially better and more complete hitters, have been battling injuries during their ML introduction which has really killed the lineup at times. It's a shame Kepler hasn't reached the production hoped for because he's got all the physically ability you'd probably wish for in your RF. But I have believed for a while now that Kiriloff will be the primary 1B, while still playing some corner OF here and there, and Larnach would become the primary RF where he has to cover a little less ground and has more than enough arm. I initially thought Martin would become the primary LF and be very Alex Gordon-like out there, but with a little more speed and SB ability. And that might still happen. I'm starting to wonder now if that player in LF might not be Julien. He has some experience there and definitely has the wheels. The bat plays exceptionally there with AVG/OB/POWER and good speed. Random thoughts, but thoughts I think are accurate. I haven't given up on Kepler, and I sure hope he can help down the stretch this year. And I'm looking for SOME improvement in 2023 as a lower in the order bat to make room for better above him. Despite being relatively young still, I'm not sure he figures in beyond 2023.

Julien has played 1B/2B/3B/LF previously. It would be nice if he could continue to do so as his bat could stay in the lineup daily without having to necessarily have ONE spot in the lineup. Past rumblings about his defense make me wonder if he's better at a single position (or 2), of that means he's actually better served moving around? I know that bat is going to play and he could be a real force at the top of the order with Arraez.

Not directed to anyone in particular, just in general. Mahle looked great! Ran in to some trouble in the 6th and got out of it. Great start! So many complaints about 4-5 IP...mostly about only 4 which I totally get...and we can't be happy with an outstanding 6 inning performance? There are but a handful of pitchers in ALL of MLB that consistently toss 7 full innings in a game, much less average that per. Like it or not, the game has changed. For decades RP were like fill-in guys and long guys. Then RP became LOOGY'S and set-up men and closers. And then the entire "closer" mentality changed to having FIREMEN for high leverage because a 3 run lead save against the bottom of a lineup didn't mean as much as first perceived. Forget the steroid era for a moment, though it had a pronounced affect on pitching changes. Today's ML position athlete trains and lifts weight and works on hitting year round. There is technology assisting batting stance and swing and upper cuts and exit velocity, etc, etc. Pitchers throw harder than ever, but the game has changed. Option and basic power I football has changed in college, and we're decades beyond 3 yards and a cloud of dust in the NFL. I do believe, 100%, that there is room in baseball to "retro fit" the game somewhat to integrate speed again, and to greater value the high BA/OB player. But the game has changed. 5-6 quality IP is the norm now, not just the Twins. Little birdie of Rocco to a Gleeman comment offered recently was something to the fact that with "crunch time" coming that monitoring innings to this point may allow more free reign going forward. We'll see. The starters still need to produce. But I'd take a solid 6 IP most any day. The occasional 7 only helps mitigate the 5 IP starts, and helps the pen. Interesting that Baldelli has commented just recently about the need for a "length" arm or two in the pen. IMO, he's not talking 3-4, but rather, a good TWO innings arm or 2. Fulmer and Lopez add and deepen the pen. But the issue is the middle 3 spots, not Mahle, Gray, and Ryan throwing 6, with the hopeful occasional 7. And believe it or not, Bundy has lead the team in IP most of the year thus far. Hopefully, it's time now for Archer to start delivering 5 IP each time with health, experience, and savy. But it comes down, a lot IMO, to those last 3 spots in the pen. I DON'T like sticking with Pagan as a 2 IP option because we just know how that turns out. I don't know that Sands is ready. I think Moran is needed. Injuries are really cramping options right now, and that imits and stinks. We don't need stud 6-7-8 arms, though that would be nice and the objective. But with injuries factored in, the question/problem is what is the best 1-2-3 the Twins can find over the next month and a half to fill the 6-7-8 spots in the pen?

Not a bad list but Winder OR Ober would work for the pitching side, for me. But Garlick is a huge miss right now. Even with Larnach back, we could really use his RH bat against LHP, something we are strangely dominated by. We're too LH heavy in the OF, and despite his HR against the Angels, Celestino isn't exactly an ideal "platoon" partner with Gordon or Cave.

As to the OP, going to repeat what I said in another thread. You always try rehab first as it does work, though obviously not all the time. And despite medical technology being what it is today, you still don't cut in to a body for surgery without trying something else first. In retrospect, yes, maybe Canterino and the Twins and doctors should of, could of, just moved to surgery sooner. For him...and yes the Twins because I'm a fan...I'm glad he's having the surgery. Having zero chance to make MLB and fulfill your dream vs actually getting healthy and having a chance to make it and fulfill those dreams is a much better option. His pure stuff and ability rivals Duran's. If he makes it later than hoped for, he's still got a chance to be a good/great starter or good/great reliever. Being 26yo is no death sentence to having a quality career. May not be the career you hoped for, but it can still be a good to very good one. Here's hoping he comes back ASAP, healthy and strong!

Not thrilled slipping out of 1st place due to a recent bad stretch. Not happy at all. But if you told me the Twins would be in 1st place August 1st after the disaster that was 2021, I'd be thrilled just knowing that. So I'm going to remain positive/optimistic that a losing stretch will reverse itself and the Twins are going to win the ALC and get that pennant and have a shot to win at least the 1st round playoff series, 3 games at home. To quote the immortal Nuke LaLoosch: "Man, I F-ing love winning. It's like, better than losing, you know?". But specific things I'm looking at: 1] Arraez winning a batting title. 2] Watching the rotation to see if it finally gels. Mahle, a healthy Gray, and a still learning/growing. A little interested to see if Archer ratchets his game up a notch after finally being healthy for the first time in years. Is there more to unlock? Bundy? Just be solid and give the team a chance, all I ask. 3] Really want to see Miranda and Gordon continue to improve. Miranda is part of the future, a big part. Can Larnach, and maybe Jeffers, come back healthy and finish strong? 4] I want to see Duran finish strong and Jax get back to being as solid as he's been before a recent slump. 5] For a playoff push, and getting ready for 2023, I'm VERY interested in the final 3 bullpen spots. Megill has actually flashed a little and has some stuff. Can he find some consistency? Can Moran establish himself as a big part for the stretch and the future? Do the Twins finally give up on "fixing" Pagan and just audition someone who has a chance to actually succeed? Do they commit to Sands as a middle/long guy? Is there any chance veteran Sanchez...horrible with Washington but surprisingly solid since joining the organization...maybe re-inventing himself after injuries and bad years to find a role in his late 20's as a successful mid/long man who could make a difference? Really interested to see how the Twins figure out those ,ast 3 BP spots because they're also important. 6] September call ups are now limited to just a couple guys. Not sure who might come up as prospect wise, who else is ready to come up that hasn't already got a shot? But whoever does, I'm going to watch the choices, whoever they might be to see if they might be part of 2023. 7] Not Twins, but the entire milb system. Who finishes strong? Who just got promoted and how do they do? Even SSS, how many draft choices debut, and where, and what do they do? 8] And this is a BIG ONE, I'll be in the Cities for the Vikings preseason game against the Niners with my father and see the stadium for the first time. Whether it's the Friday night before, or Sunday, we're going to catch a Twins game against the Rangers and I will be able to see Target Field in person for the first time! Maybe we'll run in to someone. Friday or Saturday night, we're planning on exploring Forgotten Star Brewing. Again, maybe we'll run in to someone. Should be a great weekend!

Get off my lawn!

Very, very hopeful Lewis' rehab and healing will be outstanding and he will be ready to resume his career very quickly and have the kind of career he's capable of and everyone hopes/believes he can. Also very, very hopeful Rodriguez will be ready early in 2023 to resume his development. Kid looks like might be special. I'm very torn on Canterino. You just never want to see anyone injured, and you never want to see anyone have to go through surgery. But something wasn't right going back to last season. And I totally understand and agree that surgery should always be the final resort if rest and rehab don't work first. But I'm glad he's having the surgery. His arm is probably every bit as good and electric as Duran's. But he had zero chance at a career the way things were going. Now, while there are never guarantees, a healthy rehab can allow him to pursue his career again. While he's going to lose time, he will still have the opportunity to become a good/great pitcher in the rotation or the pen. Debuting at 26yo stinks due to said lost time. But it doesn't mean he can't still have a nice career and fulfill his dreams. And a chance to do that is better than no chance. In retrospect, you almost wonder if it shouldn't have happened sooner, but hindsight is just that. Here's hoping for a healthy and speedy recovery for him.

Too much starting pitching? No. Some very good starting pitching? Yes. Some potentially good depth? Yep. Need to add more? Mmm...debatable. Let's just get this our of the way first and foremost, there are some health issues that need to get settled. Maeda needs to be 100? Winder needs to get figured out with this re-occurance shoulder issue. Ober needs to get right. It would be nice to see Dobber also get right. In the minors, how about Canterino gets figured out and Enlow just keeps building up the rest of 2022 and at least the first part of 2023. And IMO Balazovic IS STILL a good prospect. You aren't a very good prospect and keep climbing the ladder and are then suddenly dismissed because of one bad year. Is it physical? Is it mental? He's still a prospect until someone happens to prove he's not. No way I'm bailing after 1 yr. Mahle, Maeda, Gray, and Ryan is a great start and a fine 1-4. Mahle is at the age where stuff and experience meet for potential growth, as I've often stated, and is already good. Ryan is already good, but a rookie, and has room to grow. Paddack won't be ready until mid season, but is young, looked good in the rotation, and can be the equivalent to a mid year addition. Winder or Ober would be the 5th starter looking at things today. Smeltzer, and yes, even Dobnak, could provide depth. So could a couple of the kids, though I'm starting to think Canterino is going to the pen. Just thinking his arm might respond better there. Sands? I think he might still stick as a SP, but I'm also seeing real opportunity in the pen. There is depth, and opportunity for some young arms if we don't have another "bottom falls out" year. But if WE KNOW you can't just trust health and what's on hand, you know the FO understands as well. I don't know there's enough to make a trade for a "top of the rotation" starter, even though I like our system still, without starting to "deflate" the system more than the FO, or anyone, wants to see happen. I could see a FA of at least some significance. And I think someone better than the Shoemaker/Happ type, and probably better than Bundy. I still don't see a 6-7yr deal for anyone. But they don't have to go that big or long to get someone who is still good to really round things out. Darkhorse? We've been tied twice to Rodon now. A 3yr deal if/when he opts out? Could happen, especially if Correa were to leave. Might even do it if he sticks around considering current payroll and some more $ coming off the books. Side comments: 1] Ease up on Dobber. He was solid in his 2019 before being thrown to the wolves in the playoffs. Healthy, he's a potential solid depth piece. 2] Ober was good and got better in 2021 and looked good to begin 2022. Don't forget about him. 3] There aren't a lot of SP across the league who consistently go 7 innings. The game has changed. That horse has mostly rode out of town. 5-6 is the new normal with more an "every now and then" occurrence. Its eliminating the 4 IP games that's important.

I hated losing Povich, Hajjar, and CES because I think we lost 2 good arms who will be solid ML SP and high quality BP arms at worst. And the system is now, again, short on LH arms. The recent drafting of Priellip covers their losses to a degree because he may be as good or better, drafted just a year later. I keep wondering if CES doesn't turn out to be a "special" bat at 1B/DH. But even still, he's not proven yet, of course. And while Lee is a different type of player, his addition also adds a sort of "replacement" for him as well. A couple teenage foreign signings who MIGHT turn out 4-5yrs from now just don't factor in. What they got back is absolutely worth what they sent out. Especially if Fulmer is re-signed. He and Lopez are new to the pen, and should continue to be good. Even if Lopez regresses some, he'd still be very good. Fulmer, also new to the pen, could not only maintain but maybe even improve. He's an easy re-sign potentially. Just a ton of smart and aggressive moves.

I'm assuming we are talking about finishing the season strong and not the playoffs. A lot of things change once the playoffs happen. But different discussion for a different day. So weaknesses as of NOW: 3] You can't "fix" something as abstract as clutch hitting. Those kind of things can vary so much week to week, month to month, season to season based on everything from hot streaks to opportunity to lineup protection. I believe what you CAN do is present the best lineup possible. Correa is just so good that you have to believe he will get hot again. Keep him in the top 3 with Arraez and Polanco, most days, and Miranda and Kepler probably "platoon" at the 4th spot. Let Buck hit around 5 or 6 at this point as a dangerous hitter. Hopefully, we get a healthy Larnach back to finish the season doing what he did before he got hurt. If not, we have to get the best we can from Gordon, Celestino, and maybe even Cave in the bottom 3rd of the lineup. A healthy Garlick could really help against LHP. If he can't get back, is there anything left to pick up that could help??? In other words, weakness is OF right now. Have to hope for health. Otherwise, while you won't re-invent anyone at this point, you can at least "practice" some bunting and contact situations. 2] NOT going to get in to a SP debate. Minor injuries and covid has affected Gray and Ryan. I can see watching their IP to a degree to keep them strong at the end. Losing Ober hurt the rotation. Losing Winder, at least for now, hurt the rotation. Mahle changes the entire complexion a TON. Bundy is what he is, which is solid and gives a chance most days. Archer is what he is. There is SOME hope he might yet move to 5 IP daily at this point. Talking playoffs, just for a moment, they might be a 1-2 punch piggyback, maybe even before the playoffs. Good health and IP monitoring might just see Mahle, Gray, and Ryan start to consistently throw 90+ pitches and lengthen out. We're not perfect, but we are improved. And a return to health for Winder or Ober, (Not betting on Ober), could really help. 1] The pen still needs assistance. The back end is not great, but vastly improved. I have real confidence in our last 5. Yes, I even feel good about Thielbar, who has generally been very good after a few bad early outings. Youth in Jax and Duran might be the only real weakness here. The problem remains the last 3 spots and middle relief. That's all the more with the back end of the rotation. Haven't heard about Pagan's status. I never want to see anyone getting injured. But his "loss" might be a blessing for the pen in the long run. I believe Moran has a chance to help the pen in 2022 and beyond. He's still a rookie, but early returns are good and his future is potentially bright. There is room and NEED for 2 guys to successfully fill a middle innings role. Is Sands ready for that? How about Smeltzer? A healthy Winder? Despite a very poor start to 2022 with Washington, Sanchez has pitched well for St Paul and looked very good in his one start. Could he be a guy? Lopez and Fulmer were great additions! And they deepened the pen. But the staff is 13 men and all can and are important. And right now, despite the additions/improvements being great, they need to make the middle 3 spots GOOD, and not just questionable. That's why Duffey was released. Short: 1) Adjust the lineup for best results, hope for Kepler. Larnach, and Garlick. MAYBE check out the waiver wire but is there really anyone worthwhile? Never too late to spend some time working on bunts or contact plays. 2) Find a middle of the pen that is good and reliable because it helps BOTH the rotation AND the pen usage.