DocBauer

A good list, and good arguements. Rodriguez should be ahead of Miller, despite him being a CF/OF. Roughly the same age but was killing it before his knee injury and should be more dynamic of a bat/player. Giving Balazovic ALL THE CREDIT for his arm and potential based on a couple nagging injuries. The ability and potential hasn't gone away. Sands is getting untracked and looking good again. His future might be in the pen, we'll see. I'd keep he and the young Raya where you have them. Same with Festa for now. Festa may warrant being higher when the year is done. SWR is fair based on age and experience. Tons of potential, but very young and his "schedule" has been advanced and weird. Not exactly where I'd place him, but I'd place Wallner higher. Looks like the bat may be for real and he should be at least OK in the OF. Sorry, can't give Balazovic allowances, and Enlow...deservedly so IMO...and then downgrade Canterino. He's never been hurt until last year and now, but neither injury seems surgical. May just mean, unfortunately, he's a RP and not a starter. Disappointing if true. But he could be as good as Duran in the pen and maybe that's just, reluctantly, where he ends up. But he could be a stud there! Shouldn't Varland be higher? Not sure who he'd bump, but I think he's better than where you have him. HUGE fan of Povich. Is Hajjar just behind him if healthy again soon and his BB looking better? Soularie is on the upswing and very talented, but where he should be for now. Same with Rosario. Helamn is probably right for a super-utility player. Don't apologize for Julien being fairly high and being another super-utility type at this point. The skills and talent are there! But Sabato is out of my top 30. Cavaco is near the bottom until he sparks at some point.

Agreed. Which is why I make the comparison IF you knew/really felt that was the kind of bat you were drafting. You know, if your crystal ball was working. Otherwise, as stated, I'm passing on Berry.

While he was a late bloomer development wise, and not a switch hitter, if you could draft Nelson Cruz out of college with the 8th pick, you'd do it. It would be foolish not to, regardless of his being strictly a DH. (Though to be fair Cruz did play OF initially). Drafting an almost position-less player like Berry, you are basically saying you believe you are drafting a Cruz type bat, hit/power/OB. That's an awful lot of expectation to pick a 1B/DH only at 8. I just wouldn't do it. Catcher or best bat actual position player available. Why is it I keep liking Neto more and more even though he's ranked out if the tip 10? Good chance there is a surprise in the first 7 selections and someone falls to us at 8. But, a 2B only position player with a bat, or a toolsy OF with questionable hit tool frustrates me. I want the best, most balanced player I can get at 8. Starting to wonder if someone outside of the top 10 isn't the safest and smartest selection.

I do? Miranda the past 30 days: .315/ .344/ .533/ .877 w/ 4HR and 16 RBI and trending Kirilloff the past 15 days, barely back: .260/.278/.420/.698. Krilloff the past 7 days, barely back: .333/ .370/ .542/ .912 w/ 1HR and 12 total RBI and trending. Larnach as of June 15th had 13 doubles, 5 HR, a .246 AVG and 124OPS+. Didn't have access to monthly numbers. Not sure he wasn't already suffering from injury on June 15th. TOP prospects getting first chance or coming back from injury and looking good, or looking good before injury in the case of Larnach. AK was RAKING at AAA before his promotion. Wish I had the full numbers of Larnach month to month, and his BA against LHP. Three of our TOP prospects all trending upward.

A very interesting article/OP! And despite a TON of data, even I can follow most of it, lol. The just of everything, broken down to the most simple terms that I see are as follows: 1] Like the Dogers, have enough pitching talent and depth that you have the luxury of pulling guys when you want, say an inning early, and simply not risk an extra time through the order, and make your back end starters that much more effective. You have a couple studs at the front of the rotation you can run with, but still have the luxury of pulling them on a not so great day. Obviously, that is optimal. Also not a formula that works for most teams as they don't have or can't afford as many quality, front of the rotation arms. 2] More like the Ray's, you still need good arms for the rotation. But you might only have 2 guys who are comparable, but not 3. Perhaps your 4 and 5 are solid, maybe close, maybe not quite as good. So your OVERALL rotation scores is a 6-7 vs a Doger's score of 8, more or less. So now you're needing a good 2, maybe 3, that can come in to pitch 2-3-4 innings and bridge the gap to what still needs to be a good 3-4 quality back end arms. I see what the Twins are trying to do, more along the Ray's way of doing things. It's also clear it's not working that way due to talent available, as well as injury. Regardless of MLB messing with defensive rules, baseballs, and 3 batter rules, the 2 biggest changes in baseball are probably expansion and the lack of rotation depth across the board, and the change of offensive approach to power and launch angles and the such. The power approach has been building for the past 25+ years due to the evolution of analytics as well as changes to conditioning and weight training. Back to the OP: The Twins have a pair of very good SP to lead their rotation. Arguably, comparable to most any contending team. One proven veteran and one quality rookie/1st year player. It gets a little murky after that. Personally, I think Ober is a really good looking starter who was pitching even better than 2021 before his groin injury. Winder was looking really good in the pen and the rotation before his injury. And he looked really good in his last start. How much more does Smeltzer have to show to prove he's a solid back end arm? Bundy was great, then not, then has looked good again. Archer has been what he's been, which is pretty good for 4 IP, but has been getting stronger and better and stretched out until his last game when control left him. I'm not sure the Twins aren't about to be ready to follow "the plan" as stated in the article/OP. A healthy Ober, and suddenly the Twins have 7 SP of various degrees. HOWEVER you line them up, you suddenly have 5 SP and 2 piggyback/middle/long RP. In Duran, Jax, and maybe Thielbar, (who's season has been pretty good and has good peripherals, and who's overall production has been skewed by 3 really bad games), you have a few arms at the back end of the pen you can generally count on. It doesn't help the Twins' plan that a potentially important arm like Alcala has been out for the season thus far. It's very debatable how much the loss of Stashak might be, or the loss of the hard throwing Megill who was showing some life, or veteran journeyman Coulombe, looking at least solid. But if you take that initial 10 man group and make trades for a couple solid, capable veterans, you are suddenly looking at the Ray's version of the plan almost exactly. Add Moran, who's looked pretty good, who has potential, and needs to be kept and not yo-yo'd up and down, and you have a 13 man staff that SHOULD WORK, and could work well. And while not great, options like Minaya, Cotton, Sands and others are available to fill in as needed without having to be pushed in to high leverage situations. An arm, probably two, should have been added, especially after the trade of Rogers, even though it was probably too late to add the 2nd arm. Maybe Pagan COULD have been a middle guy? But it's not too late if the FO can just add a couple solid guys, hopefully SOON. Now, Maeda back next year, Paddack back June or July, the continued development of Winder and Smeltzer, etc, things look potentially even better in 2023. Toss Alcala in the pen and a more experienced Moran, etc, and, again, 2023 is looking even better. But for NOW, everything presented can WORK with a pair of good arm additions. The FO can bring in a couple of solid rentals, with the ability to re-sign if wanted. They could dig a little deeper and trade for a couple arms with control, maybe eating some $. They could split the difference. But Winder back up, Ober back healthy, a pair of solid additions, the staff is set up to do exactly what is being presented here.

Preferencing my comments by stating that while frustrated by Sano's cold starks and "streakiness" during the balance of the season, I have largely defended him and what he brings to the lineup. Now, unless he's in "hot" mode, I've never liked him in the 3 or 4 spot in the lineup. I've always liked him better 5-7, knocking guys in that are hopefully OB, and his cold spells don't impact as much. And his power and production DOES and HAS added to runs and wins over time. But the simple truth is, he's not part of the future and it's very doubtful he is back next year. And he's been passed on the roster by younger players with good ceilings who are just better overall in Kirilloff, Larnach and Miranda. Urshela isn't better than Sano, but he's OK and a different type of player with greater defensive value. Steer may be ready by next year, and Wallner may be ready within a year. Now, a long and successful rehab and he looks like his "hot" self and there is an injury, he could, potentially, provide real value in August and September to close out this year. He can DH and play 1B and just be dangerous as hell. Let's be honest, he could crank out 10-15 HR and another 10-12 doubles with 25-30 RBI over that 2 month span. He could also struggle to hit .220 with hardly any contact or power or production. I just don't see a DFA. But I also don't see room unless another good bat is demoted or someone is hurt. But as is often said, these things often take care of themselves. He just might help still. Other teams aren't stupid. They know who and what Sano is, and isn't. The best case scenario would be a hit rehab, and a team, preferably in the NL, who is hurting for RH power and would either trade a rental BP piece they feel they could afford to give up, or a milb BP arm knocking at the door and seemingly ready for a shot. He could also be part of a deal for said ML BP arm.

In an ideal situation, the Twins repeat basically what they did in 2019 and bring in a pair of solid vets for a top 30 prospect, or two, and a couple lower A toss ins. This time, they get a pair of arms that are BOTH healthy. Then, there is at least the possibility of either Maeda and/or Alcala being healthy and available to add and really ramp up the depth and options. I'm not betting on either, but we're talking limited innings for the rehabbed Maeda, and Alcala showed late in 2021 that he might have been turning a corner. But again, I wouldn't be counting on them, just optimistic they might factor. I'm not sure how Ober fits in if everyone is healthy and ready to go. I wasn't surprised Winder was sent down as he wasn't going to be available for 4 days no matter what. I do think he will be up very soon as, frankly, he's a better arm than at least 2 or 3 arms currently in the pen. Of course, he further complicates the rotation issue as its very arguable that despite being a rookie, he's one of the teams best 4 SP. But so is Ober. In 2021 he got better as the season went along. He was throwing just as well, if not better, here in 2022 before his groin injury. No, he didn't look all that great in his couple of starts when he came back, but clearly he was just settling in again, or not 100% as he ended up back on the IL again. But he is a fine, young, good looking young SP who is part of the future, unlike Bundy or Archer, in all probability. Having 7 potential, good/solid SP is a GOOD problem to have. I don't know if a 6 man rotation works as the staff is only 13 right now, and has already been...well...what it is. If Bundy keeps pitching as he has been lately, can you pull him? Archer is looking better and better and has been going 5 innings lately, except for his last start. Do you pull him? It almost seems at least one of the 7 has to go to the pen, which helps there, and offers up the long piggyback option that is probably needed. I don't know how this is going to work out, glad I don't have to make the decision, but Ober is a quality arm and an important part of this team and it's future, and that should be remembered.

As Dman mentioned, and I referred to yesterday, you can almost feel like you dodged a bullet with TJ surgery already "out of the way". I don't know the numbers, but I suspect repeat surgeries are a pretty low percentage. The Twins drafted a pair of good looking young LH arms last year, plus about 4 more. So while they refused to publicly admit it, they were concentrating on an organizational weakness. Prielipp adds a tremendous amount of additional port side potential to the system. His injury doesn't bother me. It's the lack of IP. Just who does he truly project to be with a ton of talent but so little history? Still...I'm tempted at 8 unless someone falls in to my lap. I believe the FO is OK taking chances, but risk adverse. As tempting as it may seem for at least a couple of the best arms in the draft, 8 just feels risky. History says there will be a surprise in the first 7 and someone good will fall to us, so discussions about pitching may be a moot point. But if it's another questionable defense bat first option at 8, I don't know that adding a pitcher with high upside wouldn't be the most prudent move.

Darkly humorous, absolutely. Made me laugh to be sure. But equally sucks in reality. For the 2nd year Larnach has had an injury that is curtailing his development and his contributions to the lineup. Grrr. I just don't want to re-examine the Urshela vs Miranda debate yet again. I really like so many things about Urshela and am kinda hoping there's room for him on the 2023 roster in some capacity. But it's very, very easy to so Kirilloff, Miranda, and Larnach in some 4-6 combination for 2023 and going forward. And yes, I left Kepler out of that group. As good as he has been at times, as good as he's been this year, seeming to really change his approach at the plate...hitting LHP again like he had done a few times previously in his career and may be growing as a hitter...I'm slotting him lower than the other LH bats of AK and Larnach FOR NOW. He could easily prove this year is not an aberration and jump in to the 4-6 discussion. It's all on him. But I'd be ecstatic if the others were so good, expected and projected good, that they would force him to be a tremendous bottom of the order AB with his great defense.

To add to this, Rocco stated early in the season Winder was one of their best arms and wasn't going anywhere. Unfortunately, injury happened. He was brought up due to the double header. He's "unusable" for a couple of days and had to be sent down by rule. Unless they are determined to stretch him out further...which I doubt...he's probably up in a couple of days.

I'm sure I'll get pushback on my opinion, but I largely agree with Ted on this one. And I'm NOT referring to Berrios. He's gone, that ship has sailed, and being a fan of his I hope he rights himself and gets untracked. Everyone, myself included, is tantalized and optimistic by a very talented prospect and really wish we would see those top prospects just fly through the system and make an impact in just a few short years. But, I'm sorry, development and readiness are part of a process. SWR is only 21yrs old and is at AA looking at least solid, if not good, overall. He didn't pitch in 2020 and had his 2021 weirdly curtailed with milb, Olympics, then some milb again at 20yrs old. Just how ready should he be to make a ML impact? As far as Martin goes, I'd like to make a correction from the OP that he was a SS. Unless I am simply mis-remembering, he played very, very little SS in college. It was the Jay's who moved him there to see and the Twins followed initial hopes. He's a 2B/3B with all the skills to be a fine OF...probably LF and can at least cover CF decently. The Twins have stated as much. And sorry, I don't care how good his college career was, or his draft status, he also missed all of 2020 after being drafted, was put at a mostly foreign position, and then put straight to AA after missing an entire season post college. Again, what was expected of him? No insult intended to anyone, but I found thoughts of him arriving in 2022 as pure fantasy fueld by hype and prospect status. It's OK for the Twins to just admit that despite being a very talented athlete, he's just not a SS! Let him continue to play some 2B and 3B, positions he's far more experienced and comfortable at to increase his versatility for the future, but otherwise, stick him in the OF and pretty much keep him there. Time, work, adjustments, natural ability, and far less pressure, he'll probably start to take off. Highheat referenced Martin as being a potential comp to Whit Merrifield. And I actually think that is, potentially, a very accurate evaluation. And I'd be crazy happy if that holds true. But I've always seen him as a comp to another Royal, former Husker Alex Gordon. (Go Big Red. Sorry, couldn't help myself). Gordon was an All American and top draft pick 3B who could pretty much do it all. For some reason I still don't understand or comprehend, he apparently couldn't "do it all" at 3B for KC so they moved him to the OF. I see Martin as another Gordon, a stud LF with maybe a little more speed, and able to cover CF at times. He should develop his power and the hit tool will improve. When you have that great of an OB tool, you know the zone. It's just learning to balance patience vs aggressiveness better. He's got everything to be very, very good in all phases of the game. Who cares if he isn't some monster 30HR basher. What if he never turns out to be a consistent 20HR performer? (Though I still think that's possible). How about a great AVG, keep his OB ability, stroke a bunch of doubles, steal bases, and play a great LF with the ability to help in CF. Wouldn't that make him a great ballplayer? Two very, very talented young prospects with a world of talent still developing at AA ball after missing an entire season and being pushed a good level above what "usually" happens in the normal course of development. Neither achieving greatness yet, but neither stinking. If hopeful impatience is a "thing" , then these kids are underperforming at this point. If hopeful patience is reality, each of these kids could explode over the next 12-18 months.

I'm late, so anything I post is probably on deaf and frustrated ears. But it will make me feel better to vent a bit, lol. I liked Thielbar and still do. Three bad games have skewed his ERA and impressions, but he's been good otherwise. I had real hopes that Alcala, Duran, and Jax would help and maybe turn in to something good. I wasn't sure Moran was ready, but was crossing fingers foe him come the second hald. Two have done great, one is out, and we can only hope he will make a difference before the year is out, and Moran has actually pitched better for the Twins than the Saints. Having Minaya and Coulombe back on milb deals was gravy and depth. So I had hopes. But what was really needed was another quality, proven, dependable arm to join Rogers. They didn't get one, and then traded Rogers. And I fully understand the "value" of the trade, but still wouldn't have done it. The sacrifice for 2022 was too great. As someone who generally supports the FO, I believe they blew the assembly of the pen for this year. As to Rocco, he's a bit hamstrung by what he has. But I can argue his usage. Against Cleveland on Wednesday, despite it being a close game, I would have used Pagan before Jax. I understand "what if he stinks and the game gets away from us"? But I would have used him in a lower level situation and trust my lineup to do what they did. It would have saved Jax and Duran for an inning later. The same principal applies to the two blown games last week. Hope someone like Pagan can hold it together in a middle inning with less pressure. I know that's not always the right way to approach things, but with the pen the way it is right now, it's the way I would have gone. I think Winder's up in the next couple of days. I hope Megill is back, because at least he was looking decent. Thornburg is nothing special. But he's got experience and has had a decent career. He's pitched OK in his brief Twins tenure. But to sit him for a week and not let him pitch...letting Pagan implode over and over again in high pressure situations....I'm not sure what anyone could/should expect after he had to pick splinters out of his backside. And if you distrust him that much, then why is on the roster vs IDK...anyone else? Blows my mind to think a couple of OK journeymen in Minaya and a healthy Coulombe in the pen these past 7-8 days might have given us another 2-5 wins. (Heavy sigh)

I also like Prielipp better than Rooker, partially because he's LH, as I have love to have one of your top rotation arms being LH. (Shades of Viola and Santana). They are quite possibly the hardest thing to find. And while I have no knowledge as to Rooker's medical, I still find it alarming the Mets, with all their financial resources, balked at signing him. And while it may be a foolish arguement, Prielipp has already undergone surgery. So if he's looking good, you've sort of dodged that bullet already. I also am not in favor of drafting HS RH pitching early. And it seems teams have begun to, generally, push those guys down the board unless they are really elite. Petty was a bit of a gift for the Twins at 26 last year. Five years ago, he's probably in the early to mid teens. But when you have a pair of HS arms like Lesko and Porter with a pair of pitches already 60-70, man, it's hard not to be tempted by "what could be". I think teams have to at least give pause in regard to risk/reward with those two I still think the Twins follow current MO and select a position player. But I really don't want a position less bat again, or a "toolsy" player who doesn't already exhibit a solid "hit" tool.

Here is where it gets cloudy, and perhaps a little more interesting. Philosophically speaking, the FO is prone to position players/bats early as they feel the cream of the crop is a shallow pool, whereas there are many more arms capable of progression and improvement later on. Also, while this FO is not adverse to chances, they do seem adverse to big risk. While we're talking 2 very different FO's, they've selected a HS pitcher only 6 times in this century. But you have 2 awfully good ones in this class. Are they good enough for "risk" at #8? Could a healthy Lesko really be the #1 player available? Can you afford NOT to take hum, if you're the Twins or anyone else? Prielipp is very tempting post surgery, and Rocker might be even better. But is Rocker an injury just waiting to happen? I think the Twins follow normal MO and ger the very best position player they can. But I just have to wonder if this is the year they really surprise and take the big risk for a potentially big reward.

Unfortunately, repeating comments I made a few weeks ago, there is this baseline belief he was seeking a 10yr deal. Was that because someone else got one? Was this his idea? Regardless, even if that was a benchmark, he's playing this year at $35M so we're talking about a 9yr deal now, theoretically. The world went FA SS crazy last year for everyone but Correa. Why? Not because he's not an outstanding player surely. Only one team was willing to go 10yrs, and they did, and for someone else. So this while 8-9-10 year debate may just be a moot point. I think the Twins would go 7yrs. But I dont know they could still afford those last 2-3yrs unless they front loaded the contract. They can afford to do that while maintaining greater flexibility down the road. I just done see it coming together. But I never saw this deal happening either. Were i a betting man, I'd bet Steer/Palacios/Gordon to begin 2023 and the question is if a 1yr place holder is brought in.

High 5er to Dman for stealing my exact thoughts. Great post! If the stars line up just right, Collier or Parada for me and I'm very happy. Assuming those 2 are gone, everything about Neto just scream "pick me". He just seems to have a great balance in all areas athleticly. Not going to be disappointed in Susac as a nice consolation prize for missing out on Parada, and I've come around a bit on Berry. I don't like a 1B that high, but if he reaches projections, he could be an All Star hammer for years to come. That's worth a #8 selection, 1B or not.

Sooo many thoughts. But will have to bullet point them. 1] Every inning matters, as does every mistake or lost opportunity or grandeous moment. Game 1 was not lost by a lost fly ball in the sun. Crap happens for the other team as well as our team. And I absolutely don't mean to pile on, but let's face it, Pagan didn't perform yet again. Seriously, he's got a live arm. Does he have an options left? I doubt it. But if he does, he needs some kind of re-set because a live arm who can't perform is someone who can't perform. I'd rather give his innings to ANYONE ELSE in the system who also has a "live arm" who might perform and grow given a chance. 2] Smeltzer again performed. Do we finally dismiss SSS and just recognize that he's a solid #4-5 SP at this point? 3] Winder was OK the first couple innings and then outstanding. Rocco stated late April, early May that Winder was one of their best arms and was going to stick around. And he did. And he performed. Then he got hurt. And, IMO, there was a bunch of BS about service time as he was sent down to St Paul after his IL stint. I don't understand all the parameters of service time and promotions, but I think it was clear they wanted him 100% healthy and stretched out for today and going forward. I believe he's 100% in the Twins plans going forward, even if he has to be temporarily sent back to St Paul. 4] I'm just not going to post numbers or get in to some extended debate about adding a SP at this point. But a healthy Gray is a stud. So is a healthy Ryan. Ober is out, unfortunately, but he was throwing as well or better than 2021 before his groin injury. Archer keeps improving. Bundy was great, stunk pre and post covid, and has suddenly turned in his best couple of games recently. Then you have Smeltzer just "performing" beyond most expectations. And then Winder comes back with a super impressive outing today. Is the rotation an issue? I say no. 5] I appreciate Winder being pulled after 6 IP today. Don't push him if you don't have to his first game back. And I MIGHT argue letting Duffey pitch an extra inning on only 12 pitches. If there is ANY CHANCE that he's figured something out, with a big lead, I would have given him a shot at an extra inning. 6] Moran looked good. Why is it, not great but good, he's looked better with the Twins than the Saints? After a couple IP today, does he get sent down again? I sure hope not. Maybe he's just ready? 7] 5-4 against the Gaurdians. Should be 8-1. Should have won the Yankees series 2-1. The absolute mitigating factor is not the rotation or the offense, who will always have bad days. Its the pen. There ARE a couple good arms you can work with. But duct tape and bailing wire and not spending SOMETHING on the pen only gets you so far. This team is just a couple dependable BP arms from having another 4-8÷ wins to secure the ALC and be ready for the playoffs. I don't want to wipe out our milb talent, but we have enough depth to make a move ot two, hopefully soon.

I just don't buy in to every single analytic or peripheral number that's available. I mean, how many are out there to prove so and so is great, or bad, or unlucky? I know there is real value to some of those numbers, BUT AT SOME POINT, there is STILL performance. Case in point, Thielbar has actually been as good as he's ever been except for 3 appearances, if I have it correctly. That's understandable for a RP. You have a couple really bad games, you look awful, it skews things like ERA or W-L and the such. So there is room, to be sure, for a guy who is good to very good 85-90% of the time, but who's numbers get skewed for those few bad appearances. I get it. But still, bad numbers are bad numbers and good numbers are good numbers. Trevino could be a steal on a cheap deal with real upside. But he's only a secondary thought, IMO. HIS team might stink, his defense might stink, but if he's really got good stuff, he should be able to overcome at least some of that. He's a 2nd arm in trade with upside that should come cheap or pass and look elsewhere.

I am NOT being negative, only observant, in regard to some of the tremendous pitching at both A clubs. The Twins philosophy in regard to pitching is smart, and we've been seeing the results last year and this year. They HAVE drafted HS pitchers here and there early they like. They have been adverse to college pitchers in round 1, and they have explained their reasoning, which is, basically, unless there is someone they just can't pass on, there are college pitchers with projectible frames and at least one great pitch and the such, that they feel just aren't fully developed yet. But TOP bats disappear quickly. Said college pitchers SHOULD do well in low A ball quickly and it wouldn't be out of line to be pretty good at A+ as well. The key is how quickly they advance to A+ and how quickly they move to AA at age 22-23 and still perform well. Right now, from Winder at the ML on down, the question is how many of these young prospects are going to advance, and how quickly. When you have this many options, at least a couple will prove true. A couple will switch to the pen. And others will, of course, just not make it. But the quantity is there to create quality, and that's what excites me. And Wallner...sorry Wichita and your second half...but he needs to be in AAA really soon.

I've actually defended Pagan numerous times when he had us on the edge of our seats at times because I saw velocity and some quality pitches and end results and I felt a little more time to settle in, work on his new split change, and we might just have a pretty decent "later" inning guy on our hands. But after so many disasters the past 20+ days....I just never want to see him pitch a high leverage situation again. How about 5th or 6th inning only. (At least until he's replaced by better sooner or later). And if I never have to watch this kind of disaster from a pitcher over and over agian, it will be too soon. I hate to sound harsh....but....damn!

Small correction, I know Enlow is coming off surgery, but I don't believe it involved an arm transplant. LOL. He's not a southpaw.

Remember, the slightly larger bag might give the runner an instant for time to slide in, but it works both ways. The defensive player and his glove for the tag is also that extra inch or so closer to the base runner. Still comes down to the pitcher holding guys on and a decent throw by the catcher. I think more attempts at SB is a reaction to the other forthcoming changes in the rules as well as the natural evolution of recognizing just ONE way of building and offense isn't going to be sustainable.

Personally, I think Urshela is better than average. But that's not the point here. Just to be clear, I don't advocate Miranda replacing Urshela at this time. He has the better bat...period...and is part of the future while Urshela is probably not. And I think we agree on that. In a playoff hunt, I can understand not replacing a good player with one potentially better, but maybe less proven. And again, I'm not saying bench Urshela. I'm just asking for a better balancing act where Miranda gets a little more time at 3B. I mean, have we even seen enough of him to even make a fair judgement as to his defensive potential at 3B? To ramble and digress a bit, I can recall Gaetti and Koskie coming up back in the day, whom I've alluded to previously here and there, as being reported butchers with the glove. Turned out a little time, hard work and experience and they were excellent glove men as well as big bats. Plouffe and Cuddyer are similar examples, to a somewhat smaller degree. A pair of failed SS, one who turned in to a solid 3B for a few years, one who was OK at 3B, but became a much better OF. Of course, there are other examples and other positions. But the point is until someone plays a position and gets a real opportunity, we just don't know how good he might be there. (Or bad). Keep Urshela as the primary 3B for now as long as he's performing. But simply balance today and tomorrow a bit more and let the younger player and better bat Miranda get a few more opportunities at 3B. And keep putting a good bat in at DH, Miranda or anyone else, and not fill a name on the lineup card just because someone is a veteran.

It's not Miranda on pace for 126 games played. It's the way in which he's being used for that 126 games that is being called in to question, IMO. I like Urshela a lot. I've seen him fail to make a few plays, but not that many. And I love the big time, standout plays he's made. And his bat is solid. Not great, but solid. And he seems well liked and a good guy. But Miranda is a top prospect. He has a much better bat and is actually part of the future. I'm all in favor of his continuing to learn and play 1B for roster construction and flexibility, but how does a top prospect develop and show how good they can be when they don't hardly play their primary position? Again, I like Urshela. If he can fit roster wise, I'd like to have him for 2023 playing across the infield, (though I know he's limited in experience at 1B/2B). But he's not good enough, special enough, part of the future probably, to just take up 90% of the time at 3B ahead of a top prospect who can only get better when allowed to do so. Don't even get me started on the catcher at DH scenario

I've stated a few times over the past couple of years, here and there, that these things are cyclical in sports, baseball more so, IMO. I don't think the way of the HR is going to go away. It's still the biggest game changer. But you can't always count on the long ball. An ideal offense would still have a guy or two like Arraez who can flat out hit and get OB to a high degree. Said ideal offense would have a couple of guys who can steal bases on a successful percentage to put pressure on the defense and the pitcher, setting the table for mistakes and good hitters knocking in runs with singles. There are a lot of ways to score runs and win, and an ideal offense would incorporate a variety of ways to do so. I think the bygone days of the 80's Cardinals and other teams who lived on speed are just that, gone. But changes in defensive alignments, pitch clocks, robot umps, all of these things are going to have at least some affect on future offensive approaches. I'm not sure how deliberate the Twins are in this area, but they are certainly looking at players who have athleticism/speed and the SB ability. I wouldn't be shocked, with some more development to be sure, if we didn't see Martin in the OF and Julian as a super utility guy, as part of the regular lineup providing a mix of hitting, OB, pop/power and SB ability.