DocBauer

Baseball gods willing, we have Buck, CC, and Wallner All back in a couple of weeks. That trio is going to be missed, but they, along with Larnach, Lee, Jeffers, and Lewis heating up we can have a really solid lineup the rest of the way. And Keaschall back in July? Knock on wood!

I'm just curious to toss out a general question as to the offseason in regard to FA, the draft, and the signings of UDFA. Is there a position group where you DON'T FEEL the Vikes haven't addressed need? Opportunity and $ available is dwindling. But is there a position group you feel they should still try to add to? Or have they made any mistakes in their additions they still need to correct? As an example: I'm not saying not drafting a CB was a mistake, but it was on many draft pundits lists for the Vikes to add. They re-signed Murphy. Our own defensive coordinator pounded the table for Rogers as a CB ready for starting duties. (Hard to dismiss his opinion). Blackmon is coming off surgery, but was scheduled to be a probable starter in 2024. Okudah was a TOP prospect and selection in 2020. He's flashed, had some injuries that curtailed his career, but could be a steal if he's healthy and ready to prove himself. Ambry Thomas was a 3rd round pick by the 49ers in 2021. He played in 42 games and started 11 but a broken arm eliminated his 2024 season. And then there's McGlothern who earned his way on to the roster as an UDFA. A similar prospect in Vaughn from Utah flashed some in rookie camp. Is this enough? At this point, especially with a re-built DL, I'm trusting in Flores and his staff that his belief in Rogers and others are correct. Are they wrong? I think it's the perfect time before additional camps begin to start debating the roster and if they got it right or wrong at all positions. Your thoughts?

So I'm not a caretaker at this point, but I understand the OP enough to make some comments. I always liked Sands's breaking stuff. The velocity wasn't where I thought it needed to be, and the command came and went. His move to the pen is very reminiscent of Jax when you look at them as former starters. Unfortunately, both Sands and Jax have been a little snakebit to begin the season. Jax's peripherals show how good his stuff really is, as does his past success. He's been much closer to his normal self lately, and I'd expect that to continue. Sands's K rate is down somewhat, and his BB are somewhat up for the season. But his ERA and FIP remain solid. And his last 5 appearances include 0 runs allowed, 3 hits, 0 BB, and 4 K's. So it looks like he's looking much more like his 2024 self. Duran has remade his mix and is still dominate, but in a different way. Jax, Sands, and Stewart are all rounding in to form. Varland, despite still having a bit of a HR issue, has been very good. How good has Coulombe been? Topa has been solid. Alcala has been up and down, but his last 4 appearances have been quite good. How you want to rank each RP is debatable, but the ARMS are there. When Topa and Alcala...with his pure stuff...are your 6th-7th arms, you've got a hell of a good pen. The mix is a bit fluid between Varland and Sands and Stewart right now in relation to Jax in regard to the 7th and 8th innings, but this isn't a bad problem to have as everyone is rounding in to form. HOPEFULLY the IL stint with Coulombe is exactly as has been reported. He simply has a sore forearm muscle that needs a little rest. If that's true, this pen has been COOKING lately. And Sands getting back on track is part of that. Do we include the development of Duran, Jax, Sands, and Varland as part of the pitching pipeline? I do.

I agree with letting him play. He's hit both RH and LH pitching in the minors, had tremendous power, we need offense, and with Buxton and Wallner both out, what do you possibly have to lose by NOT playing him for a while? I'd accept 30-35 K% and hit around .235-.240 with a handful of BB and watch him tee off on the balls he makes contact with. Were I Rocco...and I realize this is simplistic to the point of being almost silly...I'd sit him down and say: "Look, you're here to play and you're going to play. You're not here to save the season. Swing at what you honestly believe to be in your zone. Lay off the high stuff best you can and don't be tempted. And despite your reach, you KNOW pitchers are going to throw stuff low and outside to you. I'd rather you K letting something low and outside nick the corner than than have you open yourself up too much. Now go and make some contact where you can and let your natural power just drive the damn ball." I know that's ridiculous in presentation. But I'd just like to remind him he's got a bit enough zone as is, don't expand it for ML pitchers.

A full bakers dozen of wins! What's been amazing is the contributions offensively from so many sources. Some might call that luck. Maybe so. But sometimes luck is just the result of being prepared and focused. During the poor begining to the season, the Twins had a lot of bad luck. Some of that bad luck was due to poor mistakes. So less mistakes, luck takes a turn and balances out. You play better, you don't make mistakes, luck turns your way. It sure doesn't hurt that the good arms the Twins have on hand are pitching to their talent. It also doesn't hurt that Larnach, Bader, France, Jeffers, Lee, etc, are suddenly raising their games, or at least just being solid. I hated Lee being thrown out at home, but it took a tremendous, perfect throw to get him. I appreciate the aggressiveness, and the Twins have been pretty aggressive on the basepaths this season. Alcala has looked great his last 2 appearances, and has been good 4 of his last 5. The whole pen has really settled in. I don't know if the offense can continue what they've been doing minus Wallner, CC, and Buxton for at least another week or two, but if they don't put too much pressure on themselves, and just keep playing solid baseball, they can keep winning series, as the winning streak will end eventually. Is Lewis about to break out? He's looked better, but still isn't the Royce we all know he can be. Imagine June 1st with Lewis being Lewis, Correa, Buxton, and Wallner all being back. Keaschall back sometime in July? I just keep fantasizing about McCusker batting .235 with a .300 OB% but hitting 4 doubles and 3 HR in 2 weeks of work, making just enough contact to make a difference in a surprise debut. I mean, if Clemens can run in to a hot streak, why not McCusker? (Fingers crossed).

I don't think service time was an issue here. That's just a possible bonus depending how the rest of the season plays out. Festa is getting a respite due to some arm fatigue. It happens. Matthews is a high end prospect having a good season and his turn to pitch is up. It's a pretty easy call. SIDE NOTE: It's been reported Festa has been throwing his 2 seamer much more as of late and is getting good results with it. Despite some poor numbers/results when he debuted in 2024, Matthews did show some flashes of his stuff and potential. But when you begin the season at A+ and finish in a MLB rotation, there's going to be an adjustment period, especially if you're hitting a high IP total. The added velocity absolutely helps. Better command of his secondaries and the ability to place the ball outside the zone for chase are part of that improved command. You can't ALWAYS be in the zone for ML hitters. I don't know what to expect from him in his start, but I'm looking forward to at least a solid performance. I believe Festa and Matthews both have higher upsides than SWR. But less we forget, Sim is still only 24yo I believe, saved the Twins butt in 2024, and while his innings were nursed a bit to begin with, he was actually showing improvement and greater confidence as the season went along, before he hit a wall. He's lost some control and has to do a better job of finishing off hitters. He's got a lot of potential still. And this is much about a reset for him as a deserving opportunity for a young hurled. But as has been pointed out, how great is it to have 4 veterans locked in in your rotation and you're rotating through 3 good young arms instead of replacing a burned out veteran, or bringing up another borderline veteran from your AAA staff?

"Go get 'em kid!"

I admit to being a little torn on this topic. I have no skin in the discussion as I respected Rose as a ballplayer, but can't say I was ever a fan. Despite being a Christian and person that does his very best to be moral in everything I do in life...the best I can...I think there is a definite distinction between FORGIVENESS and opening a door to a reward. Rose deserves to be in the HOF as part of MLB history. And it's my understanding that he is represented as such. Therefore, in some capacity, he is already "imortalized" in the Hall. But regardless of off the field incidents and a general belief and acceptance of him just not being a good person, the fact is that as a PLAYER and MANAGER, he violated the #1 cardinal sin of MLB. Whether he was a gambling addict or someone who just believed the rule didn't apply to him, he repeatedly broke that #1 rule. He is already enshrined in history, but he doesn't deserve to be enshrined in that special way in which he's ELECTED in to the Hall. I DON'T want to derail the thread! But the steroid issue has been broached already, and has some similar bearing on this discussion as a result. I don't like liars or cheaters. To this day, I'm a little unclear as to the actual rules in place when the steroid controversy became uncovered. On a strictly personal note, I'm fully in favor of HGH and steroids to be used for MEDICAL purposes for ANYONE, including professional athletes, to recover from injuries or medical conditions. I am NOT in favor of such treatments for enhancement for performance! Only for medical recovery. I can only speculate without proof that will undoubtedly never be uncovered, but in cases of steroid and HGH players such as Bonds and Clemens, will we EVER know when they started? They were so good, and so dominate, their early careers were probably HOF worthy. Did they always use? Or did they only use in their mid 30's to prolong their careers when they might have already been legitimate HOF inductees? Again, we're probably never going to know. And IMO, it does create a gray area that I don't have an answer to. I wish I did. But until someone can provide any answers, or a better arguement for induction, I guess I have to follow those players down the Rose path. They get their mention in the Hall as part of history, without receiving the actual ELECTION to the hall. It's really a shame brought on by themselves. Because a couple of these guys might have been elected due to their performances when "clean".

Makes sense. 1 of 3 different 60 moves they could have made. Funderburk sticks around for today and Saturday, and goes down before Sunday to make room for, reportedly, Matthews. Could still be Festa, but Gleeman reported he got a little rest due to a "tired arm". Not unusual this point in the early season, so will probably be Matthews. Buxton still being evaluated. It did look like Correa got the worst of the collision. If Buck goes on the IL, things get interesting. The EASY move is to bring up someone already on the 40 man like Gasper, Miranda, or Julien. But would that be the SMART move? Miranda and Julien need to play daily for St Paul, and does Gasper really fill a need? It feels like the Twins are holding McCusker back to let his K and BB % level out a bit. But this team needs someone who can provide some potential offense right now, if Buxton is also gone. He might not do great, but he might run in to a couple doubles or HR that could make a difference.

Considering beat up the team is currently, the lineup.makes sense. Fully agree Lewis remembering who is can help offset the injuries. This would be a good time! But Clemens has been somewhat warm lately monitor makes sense to have him slotted higher. It also breaks up thr RH bats some. Vasquez has shown SOME signs of life lately, so I'm curious about him hitting 9th behind Keirsey. I'm thinking if Keirsey gets on base it might allow a SB opportunity, or a bunt or productive out from Vazquez to move him over. It's going to be up to the top 4 to score runs, and get anything you can from 5-9.

I don't expect a lot from his bat, but I'd at least expect a professional approach. That means he might hold his own, but probably won't be any kind of impact hitter. What i saw defensively in ST i really liked. I thought he looked really smooth with solid range and arm. I thought he might be a potential call up not only to versatility, but it means Lee doesn't HAVE to play SS. So it allows him to still play 2B/3B as needed. But with all due respect to Fitzgerald, I hope he doesn't get to play because CC checks out OK today.

Very interesting and makes some sense as to how the draft could actually unfold. However, 3 college guys to start off just feels wrong to me. Two and 1 HS kid would make more sense in the real world.

I watched several ST games this year and was impressed with Fitzgerald's defense. No clue if that means his defense is really as good as I saw, but I liked what I saw. Despite raking at AAA, I have no great belief he's going to bring much with the bat. And I like Lee just fine as a fill in at SS. But if they DID bring up Fitzgerald, it would allow Lee to keep moving to all 3 spots. And it's possible we need Castro more in the OF now depending on CC and Buck's injury situation. They'll probably bring up Gasper instead as it's a smoother roster move. But we're also not sure about Bader at the moment. Hopefully it's just a couple days off issue and he'll be ready the next couple of days. But this also might mean McCusker coming up depending on the OF situation. As to the 40 man, there are a couple 60 day moves they can make to add whoever they want. But again, Gasper is the "easy" move to make for 1 spot.

The SWR that we saw for the bulk of 2024...nursed along a little to begin with...was pretty good and seemed to get better until he ran out of gas to end the season. While he didn't pitch great so far this season, I don't recall any blow ups until his last start. I don't know that that bad inning would have necessitated the Twins sending him down at this time. I think they would have sent him out to the mound another turn or two before making a move. But the rainout really scrambles the rotation for the next week. And since SWR has options, he's the logical choice to go down and bring someone else up rather than move everyone else up a day. Personally, I feel Sim has a solid future ahead of him as a good back end SP. But I'm not so sure Festa and Matthews don't have better pure stuff and brighter futures. This gives him a chance...deserved or not...to get in a groove, stay sharp, and come back in the near future as needed. But the depth of having an arm like Matthews now gets a shot. Sim will be back. He has a future, and is young enough to continue to improve. But he's not throwing exactly great right now, and a move like this keeps the rotation on track. I'm excited to see what Matthews does.

What's interesting about the comments by Williams is that he was really impressed by KOC and the Vikings and really wanted to go there. This is him being impressed by KOC and the Vikings BEFORE the draft took place. So really, Bears fans shouldn't get on him for that. But if I read it correctly, his father made the comment about QB going to the Bears to die. That could provide a lot of vitriol headed Williams's way.

Guess I just answered my own question with a quick search. Sounds like 7 day IL if a concussion is confirmed. A move to the 10 day is warranted if they don't pass certain tests. So looks like both could be out 7 days minimum depending on initial test results this afternoon/evening. Hopefully...for their sake as well as the Twins...both were just badly shaken up. But there's a decent chance either or both are out for a week or so.

Just want to add that CC and Buxton are in concussion protocol, doesn't mean they necessarily have concussions. Hopefully we know more tomorrow. Does anyone know how the protocol works? They wouldn't have to go on the IL would they? Do they just get an exemption for a few days until cleared? Never thought I'd ever say this, but having some position flexibility with Bride and Clemens at least allows to have a bench and actually start 9 guys. She's what a mess! I really don't want to bring up Miranda or Julien as I'd rather see them playing daily at St Paul. Does Fitzgerald or Holland get moved to the 40 man temporarily and come up? I think they might promote Gasper again. But does this get McCusker up for a look see? IF CC and/or Buck are out for 7 days that really hurts.

Great game! Great streak! Awful collision! (Hope are A-OK!) Hmm....I thought Paddack was supposed to stink and have no upside?

Would they send down SWR for a pen arm at this point? Adams up for a couple of games and then Festa or Matthews up for Sunday? The rainout does mess with Ober's spot in the rotation for sure. I don't think they WANT to send SWR just yet, but maybe they need to to keep the rotation on schedule? Or could someone...again MAYBE Adams, maybe not...for the start on Sunday and do a bullpen game? A lot to consider here. The pen was taxed a bit today, but everyone also got 2 days rest before today as well. But they also don't have an off day until next Thursday.

I actually think the homestand against the Dirty Sox and Angels was the turning point. They didn't play good ball against the Sox, but still won 2 of 3. They just looked better against the Angels. And despite losing 3 of 4 against Cleveland in very disappointing fashion, it still looked like they were playing solid baseball. (Games in Cleveland have been like a cursed wasteland for the Twins the past few seasons). While the pitching is carrying the team, the offense has been at least a little better, showing signs of some life, on the winning streak. I'm a little worried about the pen, but 2 days off before today should help some. Kudos to Alcala today looking more like the arm we need and think he can be. When a team feels good about itself, and doesn't make major mistakes, you get winning streaks like this. And contributions come from unexpected sources at times, like Clemmons. You can't bank on players like him for the long haul...you need your top players to stop floundering or come back from injury...but contributions can come from everywhere if the team is feeling good about itself. I haven't given up on SWR, but he is starting to worry me a bit. I'd give him at least 1 more start. But I'm starting to wonder if he needs a re-set at St Paul with Festa or Matthews getting a shot.

It's a balancing act isn't it? Buxton is a streaky player...and all players have streaks...but he's showing what kind of a difference maker he is when in the lineup. Correa is looking much better as of late, but certainly not the Correa we've seen before when 100%. Is he hiding an injury? Or is his swing really just that messed up? I think we'll know come end of May. Lee has also been pretty solid, but not great, and is NOT a finished product yet. As I've said before, keep playing him daily for his glove and the offense he's providing, and don't be surprised to see a better, more productive player in the 2nd half. I've always been a believer in Jeffers, even though he's also streaky at times. But then again, everyone has good and bad runs. I think this is the real Larnach based on potential and his 2024. Lewis has done nothing so far. But we know the talent and previous production. Imagine his switch flipping soon...for as long as possible. (Come on baseball gods! He's deserving of some good health!). I don't see Bader continuing to do what he's done for a whole season. I believe he's going to slip. That doesn't mean a healthy Bader can't still be a solid, contributing player. While he's NOT a dynamic or difference making player, France has been solid, taken professional AB, and has been clutch at times. All of this to say it's still a TEAM game, and guys WILL run hot and cold at different times. So while I can't disagree with the OP...and it is about maintaining decent production until the return of Wallner and Keaschall...I still think it's about not EVERYONE tanking AT ONCE, which was the case to start the season. Wallner is one of the Twins best 4 players. Getting him back makes a difference. The SSS of Keaschall just isn't sustainable. That doesn't mean he's not ready for MLB and can't make a difference for the 2nd half when he returns. There's enough talent to keep the offense afloat before Wallner and Keaschall are back. There's enough potential in the lineup to be solid and productive now, and to be better when those guys return. But it still remains for everyone to contribute here and there. Two or three guys alone can't carry the offense.

Just an FYI on a couple guys if anyone missed it. The Vikes signed 2 guys who were auditioning at the recent rookie camp. (I was very disappointed CB Tommi Hill from Nebraska didn't show enough to get signed). OLB Matt Harmon from Kent State is about 25yo and played SEVEN years of college ball. Good size but pretty average production in his career. I'm guessing he's athletic enough to show some potential, despite his age, but he's a bit of a surprise IMO. But the guy to watch is DL Elijah Williams from Morgan State. He was listed on a couple draft sites as a top 30 ish draft prospect. And he was an All American on the small school level and a standout at the HBCU combine. (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). He's 6' 2" and about 294lbs. He's done 30 reps at 225 in the bench and measured 29 1/2" in the vertical. I swear I saw a 40 time in the mid to upper 4.7 range but don't take my memory as gospel there. In his 4 yeae career he produced 52 TFL and 31 sacks. He had 15 TFL and 11 sacks in his 2024 senior season. He appears to be a fairly athletic small school DL with some tremendous numbers production wise. He might be a sleeper PS candidate who develops and pushes for a spot in 2026.

Lewis NEVER said he wouldn't play 2B. He stated he didn't want to change half way through the season as he was afraid of letting the team down by making a major error/mistake while moving there at that time. In fact, he did actually play a couple games there. And in this past offseason he spent his time working out at BOTH 3B AND 2B so he was prepared wherever they wanted to play him. The Twins announced just as ST began that he was going to concentrate on 3B. This ridiculous narrative of Lewis being some malcontent just needs to stop!

The draft profiles on Amick's bat were pretty universal: big power, solid contact, chases out of the zone too much. His defensive profile had him with a strong arm and questionable at 3B to decent and improved in his year at Tennessee with the potential to stay there. Most profiles held with the latter opinion so there's no reason to move him off 3B permanently yet. He might be average there. McCusker might be a late bloomer who makes it, or he just might not have that "something" that let's him succeed at the top level. But he has shown continued improvement since the Twins signed him. And it's fine if we want to say the IL is a hitters league with inflated numbers. But let's just say we take a .100 points off his AVG, his OB and SLG %. to adjust for the ML level. Hed still be hittibg .233 with a .300 OB and .558 SLG. That's still a highly powerful, and solidly productive player. I'd sure like to see him get his chance at some point this season.

Coulombe is basically throwing the way he has the previous 2 seasons. He's doing what I hoped for. I liked the signing a lot. I liked France at 30yo and coming off an injury...but good 1st half in 2024...a lot more than Rizzo and a few other 1B once the top couple options were signed elsewhere. Doesn't mean I was crazy about the move, I just liked it a lot better and felt he might be a legitimate rebound option. So far so good. He's looking a lot like his 2022 All Star version. I never liked or hated the Bader signing. I was pretty neutral. I wanted a more powerful RH corner bat and let Keirsey, Castro, and Rodriguez back up CF. I thought the power bat made more sense. But Bader's enthusiasm and defense have been wonderful, as have some SB and HR/XB. But can he keep this up? It would ABSOLUTELY be his best season EVER if he could, or keep it even close to his current production. Still, he's done the job so far.