DocBauer

Did they dodge a bullet by not signing Maeda? Yes. Did they dodge a bullet by not signing Gray? Yes and no. With Ryan out, I'd rather have Gray in the rotation. But he's slipped a bit expertly and isn't getting younger. And he's still owed some good $ the next 2 years. While we certainly miss Ryan at the moment, having SWR in the rotation has been great, and will pay future benefits at a low cost. Further, Festa and Matthews are getting great experience at the moment. So I'm going to answer yes and no. The problem is a general inaccuracy in regard to the "savings" being re-invested on the team in any way. Completely false narrative unless we begin to see changes in 2025 and beyond. Just ONE proven, trustworthy pen arm and a better RH 4th OF with any "savings" could have really helped. Maybe another 3 to 5 wins at this point? So yes...and no...and a PLEASE.

Which is why I mentioned I THOUGHT there was an opportunity to just keep Varland when Ryan went on the IL. Again, I could be wrong.

Not trying to distract from the OP as I think there might be some NFL and NBA references to be made, but the Rangers from DC is different from the Twins move. Where do the Senators go bankrupt, not play, and then are bought and moved to MN? And even if they DID go bankrupt, even for a season, isn't that the franchise bought by Griffith?

Read everything. Liked a couple of posts. Doesn't really matter because as a fan, I'm actually pretty emotional about Kepler. (Not that I haven't been about many past Twins) Since the day he was signed he grabbed my attention. Maybe it was my German background. Maybe it was a kid from Europe instead of Latin America. Maybe it was his parents story. I just fell in love with a kid/prospect that I had hopes for. Coming up through the system, I truly felt we were going to see multiple All Star appearances. He could run a bit, play defense, and had one of the sweetest LH swings I've ever seen. Over the years I've argued, "look at his background" compared to American HS kids. I've often stated "just wait and see when he really catches up". In 2019 I really thought we were finally seeing what Max could become. Just being honest, even as a fan, I was ready to move on in 2023 when he continued a downward spiral. When the 2nd half of 2023 happened, and he "opened" the possibility of K-ing more but hitting the "damn ball hard" I felt I FINALLY saw the Kepler bat I'd been waiting for for years. Now, he was always solid and generally productive, but never what I envisioned or believed. I actually thought he'd carry that over to 2024, on his Twins farewell journey, toward another ACL flag and playoff appearance. Alas, it really hasn't been a journey I thought I'd see. I will always remember how great he was in RF, and that's going to be hard to replace. And I'm going to remember more than a few walk off moments, including this season, that Kepler gave us. He's a quality young man, has been a quality Twin for years, and I'm hoping for a few more quality moments before 2024 is over. The PRACTICAL side of me sees not only finances and talent coming up, but talent already here. While Kepler is a quality defender, offensively, Larnach and Wallner have better OB% and SLG% as younger, cheaper players. Wallner moves well once he gets a couple steps under him...Larnach similar...and has a tremendous arm. Spending so much time in LF, it might take a while for either/both to understand RF in Target. I think we'll be OK overall, though we're going to lose some range vs arm ability. I'm just being practical, not emotional. Wallner in RF will be the more productive player overall. Based on ability, potential, and only slightly SSS that seems certain. None of this means I'm not still a fan of Kepler and his service to the Twins over many years. But like Polanco, there is a time for a team and player to move on. And I will wish Kepler the best of luck going forward as a fan, except when he faces the Twins. *cue the traditional RPR dislike and comment I will ignore.

Got a lot to say here. SURPRISE! LOL. 1] Varland still has a CHANCE to be a good ML SP. He's OK-ish right now. Solid for 4-5 innings with a chance to be better. His offspeed stuff is probably the biggest issue. Bit it's OK to be a really good RP as well. Like Jax, why can't he work on honing his other offerings to make him a great RP instead of a mediocre SP? 2] I'm OK if the Twins move him to the pen ASAP. I think it's where he belongs, and he can thrive there, and only get better. Again, Jax as an example. But it's OK if they keep him as a SP option for a couple more weeks until we see if someone hits a wall. For all the talent and future possibilities of the kids in the rotation, it's a very real possibility SWR, Festa, or Matthews just hit a wall or get figured out. It's OK to give Varland a couple more weeks, and see what happens, and have him in reserve for those couple of weeks. 3] I KNOW this won't be popular, but if the Twins needed ANOTHER SP option, and Varland were in the pen tomorrow, I'd honestly rather give Dobnak a shot before anyone else. He's having a good season, and past performance and by his own admission, he's never been comfortable coming out of the pen. I hope ANOTHER starter isn't needed, but I'd rather see him than anyone else at AAA for the next month, if needed, again, Varland in the rotation. 4] I might be incorrect in how the timing worked, so forgive me. But wasn't there an opportunity when Ryan went to the IL that the Twins couldn't have kept Varland up along with Festa and Matthews? I swear there was a window with injury and double header where he could have stayed. If I'm correct, he could have stayed as a pen option who could piggyback anyone if they ran in to trouble, or, to throw 2-3 innings and lengthen the pen, thus keeping himself stretched out. Again, forgive me if I'm wrong, but am pretty sure that window was open. I'd keep Varland at AAA, for now, as @chpettit19 stated, until mid September if possible. I think he then moves to the pen, and he should be there going forward. Again, why can't he get even better ala Jax? I don't care if he's wild, he's got better stuff and a better future, I'd find a "tired arm" with Okert and bring Funderburk back when healthy. While wild, he has better stuff and can actually get RH batters out. IDK if what we saw of Winder is real or not, but I'd like to see if he can follow the "Sands" model and actually help. For the NOW, I'd like to see what Henriquez can do. His final line against the Padres Wednesday was skewed by a horrible play from Margot. Here's hoping Paddack can come back and provide another high velocity arm like he did last year. But for Varland, I'm HOPING he can remain stretched out "just in case" for another couple of weeks and then make a permanent transition to the pen.

Payton Eeles has been getting quite a bit of ink over the past few months since his signing out of Independent Ball. And rightfully so as he's been an interesting surprise. And I thought a separate thread might be due, even though the season at AAA isn't done yet. He attended Coastal Carolina for college. While not a Blue Blood program, the school has built up a pretty respectable athletic department over the past several years. The baseball program won the CWS in 2016. I believe that was their first appearance there? For his career, Eeles produced a quad slash line of .381/ .445/ .489/ .934. He never had a great deal of power, but he did flash some speed in SB success. As one might expect from a college player, he moved around the dirt some, but he was primary at 2B...127 games...and SS...72 games. While he didn't produce power, and didn't have a 1.000+ OPS, his quad slash line was pretty impressive. So why wasn't he drafted? I can't speak about his defense, but he was trusted enough to see a fair amount of action at SS, so he must not have been a butcher. But when you don't have a lot of power, only stand 5' 5", and the draft is only 20 rounds, you tend be an afterthought when the draft comes along. There's been a lot of fair discussion as to how he ranks as a prospect in the Twins system when the dust settles and the smoke clears on the 2024 MILB season. After all, what he's doing hasn't been seen...at least in these parts...since Randy Dobnak skyrocketed straight to MLB as a pitcher from the Independent Leagues. Now, I'm not comparing the two...for goodness sake one is a pitcher and the other is an INF...I'm just saying his journey so far is rather unprecedented. So far, in 2024, at THREE different stops, he has a cumulative quad slash line of: .315/ .431/ .482/ .913. He's produced 27 XBH so far, including 7HR, which is only 3 short of his college career. That's not to say he's suddenly tapped in to power, but it's interesting to see what he's done in 270 AB between those three levels. He's also flashed some SB ability going 30-9 in attempts. Ironically, his worst numbers so far...while still good...came in his brief stay at A+. Despite where he came from, or the journey he's on, the question is: "Is he an actual prospect"? Well, his numbers are very impressive in regard to AVG/OB/and OPS, despite not being a real slugger. And he's only 24yo until November, and is producing well at AAA ball. IMO, despite such great success so far, and not old by any means, he's still "new" to pro ball. (No offense to the Independent Leagues). He doesn't have a track record of facing teams, and pitchers, at any level multiple times. There's got to be a reality check that holes in his swing/approach haven't really been diagnosed yet, yes? Further, despite some decent XBH numbers so far, and carrying a reported 180lbs on his 5' 5" frame, questions about actual pop/power must be asked. The days of simply being a "punch and judy" hitter are gone in MLB. What I find of great interest is the Twins decided to not only promote him very quickly, but they also chose to skip him past AA entirely after a rather brief time at Cedar Rapids. That tells me he's of interest, as well as being too advanced for anything AA or below. I see him as a good contact, high OB, scrappy hitter who can spray the ball with a few liners and rappers to keep the opposition honest. He should be able to steal a few bases. If he can play a solid 2B/LF and "emergency" SS he's got a chance. Goodness knows he's going to have a small strike zone to frustrate pitchers, LOL. But before we get too excited about a great story, let's remember he needs to show he can CONTINUE to perform with the bat when he stays at a level more than a month, and sees teams/pitchers more than once. Further, can he spray the ball and continue to show some XB ability? If not, ML pitchers and defenses will eat him up. Aldo, less we forget, some guys like Lee might be ahead of him at 2B, as well as Julien...who might end up playing some 1B...and Keaschall is right behind as an additional 2B option...though he might end up as a dangerous, utility player. I don't say any of that to be a downer on a kid that is a tremendous surprise! If he were drafted in 2022 and performing the way he is, and already at AAA, with ALMOST 2 years under his belt, he might already be a top 20 prospect. I'm only trying to take a realistic approach to a very different player, in a very different situation, who is performing particularly well, but is in a unique situation. What are your thoughts and opinions on Eeles going forward?

Pretty much agree with the rankings as Seth has them. And I agree with placing Varland on that list as he's almost certainly going to be in the pen at some point. The question is when? I'd love to see it done now, but if anyone else falters or gets hurt in the rotation, you're turning to Dobnak as next man up probably. So I don't see Varland in the pen until the last wee or two of the season. But I do see it. While it's easy to blame ownership for the current situation, I can't bring myself to blame the FO for depth issues. Topa might have been a realnhelp, but out for the entirety of the season thus far. Duarte showed real promise...out for the season early. Moran...out for the season. Winder...slowed foe about half the year. Weiss...never got started until just recent who knows if he MIGHT have surprised. Stewart has barely thrown all season and is out until next ST. Staumont was a cheap flier that offered upside but didn't pan out despite some solid early results. Just a couple less injuries and the pen is in better shape. Even better if we could move Varland to the pen now and have Funderburk back instead of Okert. I was OK with Okert for most of the season ad a 2nd LH, but he's been pretty bad as of late. Funderburk hasn't exactly arrived yet, but he's got some great stuff. SSS for Henriquez and Winder, but I'm interested in them as my 7th and 8th arms. When Varland does make the move, we might be 5 deep. IF Paddack makes it back this season, he'll be in the pen. We're even deeper then. If Funderburk does makenit back, I'm wondering if they'd trust the stuff vs the not performing vet? I don't hate the potential post season pen. I am worried about how we finish the regular season with the current pen, however. I'd get Winder back up ASAP to see if his earlier glimpse is for real. And I'd like a good, fair look/opportunity for Henriquez as well. His numbers against the Padres in the 3rd game were skewed by a blown Margot play.

All due respect to the man and career that is Carlos Santana, he's defied father time for TWO rebound seasons now, and even if he's willing and wanting to come back for the same $5M ish deal in 2025, would the Twins be smart to bring him back at 39yo with fingers crossed he can beat the aging process for a THIRD season? I mean, anything is possible, but it's pretty doubtful. And I don't believe the Twins will take that gamble. That being said, you can almost ink in 11 guys for 13 spots next season, with Martin written in the erasable ink version. (Is that even still a thing?) 1B is the biggest, solo hole with Miranda able to play there, but who else right now? I have a lot of faith still that Julien's talent is going to win out and we're still going to see a really good producer there. But I don't want to go on to 2025 guaranteeing him a spot at this time. And while I'm begining to think Severino MIGHT turn out to be a solid ML 1B, the jury is certainly out still. I'm not saying Kirilloff is any kind of solution for 2025. But he's going to have an option left. And if they were willing to spend about a $M and a half for a questionable pen arm, they'd spend $1.5-2M for a soon to be 27yo LH OF/1B, who has produced when healthy, on the hope that 2025 might be the magical season where he finally IS healthy. Now, I think it's 50/50 he's traded to another club who thinks along the same lines, and moves their RH OF or pen arm they're disappointed in for a mutual "disappointment/bounceback" kind of deal. But 1B IS a question mark right now and it's not going to be dealt with via a big $ deal for anyone, so more options are better. A healthy AK can be part of the 1B equation, or the last man on the bench who can play 3 spots...if only average at best...and DH/PH. He can also be removed at any time without crippling the team financially in any way. It just makes sense for a $2M gamble for one more year...unless he's part of the previously mentioned "make good" trade scenario.

Letting Hoffman go after flashing in ST when the other arms kept had options was a huge mistake. A mistake that made no sense then, and even less now. Blewitt is having a solid year for the Saints, and he may have room to get better, but he's not exactly dominating with more hits than IP. I'm more interest3d in seeing Henriquez sustaining good performance for a time. Possibly even Winder...when he's eligible to come up again...if his latest stretch is believeable. Nothing against Blewitt, but being good, not great, at AAA doesn't make him another Hoffman simply because they have a similar pitch mix, IMO.

SWR was pretty good except for 1 pitch. A little disappointed the offense didn't add an additional run or two. I think I would have brought Alcala in instead of Sands who doesn't seem to do nearly as well with runners already on base. Santana has produced WAY above my thoughts and predictions and I've been pretty honest in that. My biggest concern for Saturday isn't who's starting, but Jax and Duran not available. But then again, Texas has gone to their pen a bunch as well. Next 2 games might be slugfests

His age is actually about right for AAA overall. He's a late bloomer with a solid set of skills who's never gotten his shot yet. Were he a RH hitter, he probably would have been up already. His biggest issue is being a LH hitter. At some point, you can have too many LH bats. Now, recently, that hasn't been an issue due to injuries and the such, to be fair. I don't know about his arm. I've read and heard reports that he's a legitimately good defensive CF. Margot is average at best these days. Martin is below that. He's made some good plays, but probably as many poor plays out there. Right or wrong, there IS a concern with the Twins...and a 13 man roster...of having enough RH bats to face LHP about 25-30% of the time. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Margot HAS produced WHEN facing LHP at a slightly better than league average. I doubt anyone has another GG caliber CF just sitting on the bench to replace someone like Buxton when he's out. You fill in best you can. Martin, unfortunately, hasn't produced much with the bat, more has he been particularly good defensively. And he's actually been worse against LHP, surprisingly. Castro is needed at SS right now due to a pair of injuries, so he can't really help in the OF. Keirsey might play very good defense in CF. But can he hit at the ML level? We don't know yet. Personally, the way the roster is right now, I think having both Margot and Martin handcuffs them and I also would have given Keirsey a shot. Especially since Martin simply hasn't taken a step forward in any area. Right now, the OF has 3 LH batters and a single RH one in Margot. But with Farmer back to help the INF, and Martin producing next to nothing, again, I'd just say "the hell with it, get Keirsey up here to play defense and hit 9th and let's see what happens". FWIW #1: The even older Helman is having another excellent AAA season, but keeps getting injured. FWIW #2: I'm not going to disparage the young Martin who might, and hopefully will, take a step forward next year...BUT...this only goes to show the absolute need for ONE, solid, well rounded, but affordable and not great RH OF needed for 2025. Think Margot, but better in CF, and not a disaster against RH pitching. Through trade or FA, that SHOULD be a priority for the FO. Think someone who can have a .680 OPS against RHP, but .720 against LHP with a little pop and the ability to play across the OF. Not a stud, not an All Star, just a good, solid OF who doesn't have to play daily, but who can if you need him to without embarrassing himself or be a black hole in the lineup.

I'm going to disagree. And I like the kid! I was hoping they'd hold back, put him on the roster, and then put him on the IL so he might get some practice reps come December. I guess they don't feel he'll be ready enough to do that. And I'm pretty sure his IL designation now mean NO field time, even if he's a quick recovery. I think he's in a perfect situation in regard to coaching, system, and talent. And I know some guys come in and perform very well their rookie season. But I've just seen too many 1st round kids come in and get eaten up by the speed and talent of the game. And with all due respect to McCarthy and his skills, he wasn't in a system in college that was centered on the QB and the passing game. I think he can continue to learn a lot from the side, and get ready for 2025. It's not just learning the offense, it's learning the speed of the game and what NFL defenses bring. Missing actual practice time STINKS! But I believe he can continue to learn and get ready for next year.

First of all, I don't believe Vazquez is going anywhere. In the grand scheme of things, his $10M isn't back breaking even for a team pinching pennies. There's also not an obvious replacement for him as a CATCHER, and what that implies, and they'd probably have to eat part of his deal in order to move him. They'd end up, probably, with negative value overall. Vazquez is an excellent catcher, Jeffers a solid one. Jeffers is the better bat, Vazquez is what he is, an OK enough bat...generally...to balance his defensive value. Let's look at what this duo has done to date, with about 40 games left. Jeffers has a .761 OPS despite highs and lows. That's not only above league average, it's WAY above average for the catcher position. Despite horrible lows and some recent highs, Vazquez has a .620 OPS. COMBINED, they have accounted for 22HR and 78 RBI. Yes, some of Jeffers production comes from some DH appearances. But not enough to completely mess with the overall numbers. If both simply keep producing at their current pace, with 40 games to go, they would project to 29HR and 103 RBI. That's AMAZING, even when you swipe away a couple HR and RBI from Jeffers spending some time at DH earlier in the first half. What the Twins are getting, even with some hot and cold streaks from both catchers, is solid defense and game calling overall, and production from the catcher spot that few teams can probably come close to. This works!

"Don't click, don't click, don't click....DANG...I clicked!" Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, Paddack all locked in right now. Varland might just move to the pen full time and begin as a 2 inning option with the potential of being special. That STILL leaves Festa and Matthews as the 6th and 7th arms ready to go. Right behind them will be Morris, Lewis, and Culpepper not far behind. Maybe Nowlin as well? (He might jump to the pen and make it quickly as a result). Where does Disco fit? IF Paddack is moved to clear his rather small $7M deal, that $ could be better used for a better version of Margot...instead of just trusting enough improvement from Martin...and/or a solid BP from either side. Vazquez isn't going anywhere, and he shouldn't. This is just such an obvious NO it's hard to believe an OP was even written about the possibility. But sure, as others have said, if he wants a MILB deal to rehab and prove his worth with a split deal that offers him $4M if he makes it back, why not. But that's it.

Agreed on Margot being used more than expected. But you have to expect and anticipate things like that happening, right? So that RH bat you have as a reserve should be acceptable against RH arms and Margot just isn't. Also agree with Castro as being one if those RH options. And he'll continue to play OF as well. Total agreement there. But I see him as a super utility player, the 10th man so to speak, and not just an OF. Right now, that job next year probably has Martin's name on it. But how much will he improve both with the bat and the glove between now and then is the question. I'd really like to see another option brought in. Not sure at this moment who that might be.

As a RH hitter who has been solid against LHP? He's been just fine. Even very good at times. He's actually made some quality plays in the OF, but also made some very poor ones. So defense is a wash. Getting him for only $4M, and a solid prospect back in return, has been just fine for 2024. Not great. Not exciting, but just fine. I'd really like to see the Twins shoot higher for 2025 though. I'm not sold on Martin to be that guy. I have hopes. I mean, he's still only a rookie feeling his way. He could turn a real corner for 2025 and be THAT GUY. He has the range for CF...LF of course...but for every quality play he's made in the OF, he's probably made 2 bad reads/routes that have lead to big hits for the opposition. Ditto at 2B, though he's looked better there lately, IMO. He's not really hitting, has displayed little to no power, and has an OPS about 50 points below league average. What's most concerning is that for THIS SEASON at least, he's actually performed worse against LHP. Margot has been solid. He's actually been a benefit against LHP no matter how frustrated some fans been with him. But he won't be back in 2025. But somehow, FA or trade, the Twins really need to come up with a RH OF who can beat up LHP, and not be embarrassed against RHP. Just betting on Martin making major improvement does nothing for next season's roster/lineup.

PART 2: While there is something to be said about the OPS at certain positions, 1B being among them, I think we need to start changing out perceptions of a player being "wasted" at a position die to their talent. I mean, if I have a PAIR of All Star 1B but I need to play one of them at DH to get both in the lineup, am I really "wasting" one of them? As previously stated, I'm not of the opinion Lewis needs to, or is going to, move off 3B any time soon. But let's just say it turns out Lee is a superior 3B defensively and the fine offensive player most believe he will turn out to be. Meanwhile, Correa is at SS, and 2B is manned by a rejuvenated Julien, or perhaps Keaschall back 100% at some point in 2025 and ready to go, or looking even further ahead, Culpepper destroys milb staffs and is ready in no time. What would be wrong with Lewis at 1B? A few years back, the Angels had a 2x All Star, 3x GG winner, and a 1x SS award winner in Darin Erstad splitting time at CF and 1B. 2x All Star, 1x MVP, 1x GG winner and 2x SS winner, and NL ROY winner Cody Bellinger also split time between Caf and 1B. Why? Because they could! I want the best starting 9...counting DH options...and a solid bench. I don't care who plays where if they can play "where" successfully. IF the very best lineup the Twins could put on the field come 2025/2026 and beyond meant moving Lewis to 1B, or Correa at some point, or Keaschall, or Culpepper, etc, I don't care. I just think we need to recognize that MLB is becoming more and more about the best players on the field and in the lineup on a daily basis. The idea ISN'T about IGNORING defense. You don't WANT a butcher in the field anywhere. But you do want the best overall athletes and productive players on the field and in your lineup daily.

PART 1: Well, this article sure got the fingers going didn't it? But I really disagree with the premise. Especially the part where it was stated: "feeling confident about Lewis at any one position is nearly impossible". Huh? The early part of the OP remarks about what a great athlete he is, and applauds his hand eye coordination, but we can't feel comfortable playing him anywhere? Excuse me??? Let's retrace a bit shall we? Royce played 3B in HS as there was a quality SS upper classmate ahead of him. He moved to SS as a senior. He was a top 100 prospect as a SS, though there was some concern if he'd stick there full time. I don't recall anyone ever stating he'd be a BAD SS, just maybe not good enough to be a full time starter, but the jury was certainly out. Fast forward past TWO knee injuries and he moved to 3B basically just before he made his ML debut, though he continued to see reps at SS. Maybe I'm forgotten, but wwre there any complaints or articles last season about him not being able to play 3B adequately? I don't recall any. Now that he's struggled with some throws, he's questionable at 3B or anywhere else? He's missed an awful lot of time. Time that allows him to play consecutively for a period of time at 3B. His throwing motion, for whatever reason, had suddenly gotten out of whack despite being a former SS who's also played some 3B. Hmmmm....couldn't he put in some work and get his throwing motion back in line? Wow! An amazing concept! A good athlete who's played the left side of the INF his whole life gets some "yips" but can put in work to correct that? Who knew? Lewis is not moving off 3B any time soon. He has everything in his tool box to be a dangerous hitter and quality defender. He just needs to polish to throwing.

First thing I thought was "OF COURSE!" While disappointing as can be, not only could McCarthy's injury have been worse, or at a worse time, but he was going to sit most of the season no matter what. Once upon a time, your young QB used to sit for a year or two behind a veteran to learn the system and adjust to the league. Patrick Mahomes...arguably the best player/QB in the league...sat for all but 1 game his rookie season. What stinks is the on the field practice time he's going to miss. He can still watch film, attend all meetings, and absorb that way. If he's placed on the IL he's out for the season. And I don't believe he would be allowed any sort of actual "practice" time even if he heals up quickly. If he makes the opening day roster and then isnplaced on the IL, he can be brought back later, if he heals quickly, to at least get some non-contact practice reps around December. Just something to think about.

Taking the idea seriously...NO. A hot streak doesn't improve his career hitting ability or suddenly add speed to his game to help him advance and score. He's an outstanding catcher and he's been hot for a month. Jeffers is a good catcher, a generally better hitter, and capable of exploding again at any moment. And Vazquez is capable of going in to a funk at any moment. The whole idea is a nit laughable, and a borderline insult to Castro. Just, NO, keep him where he's at and enjoy his hot streak.

Right now, he's the #4 starter. Not sure a number even matters. It's about going out, staying within himself, trusting his stuff, and just trusting in that stuff, his catcher, and his defense. Worst mistake he could make would be trying too hard to be something he's not. He's going to have some downers. And he...same with Matthews...has been pressed in to full time duty earlier than hoped for. But that's baseball. Not just for the Twins, but across the league. He doesn't HAVE to shine, just be solid, and continue to grow and learn.

The silver lining...because I want to look on the bright side...to Ryan and Paddack getting injured is the opportunity for these young arms. I'm excited to see Matthews, but I'm not expecting anything great. In fact, I'm expecting a mediocre at best debut. And that's not me being a downer on the kid, it's just my expectations for a rookie making his MLB debut after a handful if AAA starts. ASSUMING Paddack is not traded in the offseason, the Twins rotation is essentially set to BEGIN 2025, including this year's outstanding rookie addition of SWR as a full timer. Imagine St Paul with Varland...solid and talented but I suspect and kinda hope a full time pen arm...Festa, Matthews, Morris, and probably LH Nowlin in the rotation. Reasonable chance Cory Lewis is ready as well after starting his season late. CJ Culpepper might be just behind. And remember, Lewis and CJ were the hotshots last year AHEAD of Matthews and Morris. I'm still very excited about both now that they're back on the mound and slinging. Right behind that group is Raya, and...knock on wood...the re-inforced elbow of Prielipp. Plus Kyle Jones, also slowed early in the year, who was drafted higher than most of these guys. Hopefully, Pierson Ohl gets back on track again. Adams and MacLeod both seem to have suddenly turned a corner in July. Dropping down to Cedar Rapids, Hall and Langenberg have flashed and could be ready for AA in 2025 as well. All of these arms come from the 2022-2023 draft, IIRC. Of course, not all will turn out. A couple might join some arms not even mentioned that are already in the pen. Nowlin, for example, is a LH I'm very excited about, but he might debut with the Twins next year if he converts to the pen. Agree with previous comments about years/decades ago when the Twins seemed to have a collection of arms that never made it. The 80's is particularly painful if you followed the system back in those days. But that was also a different time, a different FO, and different coaching/development methods. THIS MANY good young arms...again, some pen arms out there as well...means the odds are you're going to get some guys who make it, and STICK. I COULD go further in to real pen options for 2025, but not going to. Not the discussion here. But who's arrived, who's getting a shot now, and the AT LEAST the depth of talent at AAA and AA for 2025 is VERY exciting.

So much to unpack here! 1] Losing Ryan is a punch to the gut, AND the chin. 2] SWR is ascending, has a couple bad games, then has one of his best performances. The offense lost his game against Cleveland, not him. I don't think he's done yet. 3] I love what I've seen from Festa from day 1. He was OK, then terrible, then good to pretty great since. He's got the stuff and potential. Like it or not, we're going to ride him the rest if this year. He's got the moxie and stuff, can he settle in quick enough to help the rest of the season? 4] Varland hasn't looked bad. Just not great. He and Festa might tax the pen. We might be seeing the St Paul shuttle a lot the next few weeks. 5] Speaking of the pen, losing Stewart is almost the same as losing Ryan. Suddenly, Varland isn't a pen option until October. Winder SURPRISED me against Cleveland. But I'm not betting on him. Can the return of Okert actually help? Thielbar isn't good but 1 inning at a time, IMO. Where's Henriquez? His stuff would seem to indicate he's better than Winder, right? Can Paddack come back to help the pen? Don't blame Rocco, he's using what healthy arms he's got available. 6] The offense lost game 3 against Cleveland, any way you slice it. They let the SP off the hook by swinging at first pitches when we had a chance to do damage. 2-2 isn't horrible, but 3-1 makes a real difference. In case everything I said is too negative: 7] No matter how you look at, Cleveland is a good team. But the losing streak they brought in to this series, and the 2 games they lost, is still an indication they aren't world beaters. MLB is fickle. My goodness, the horrible Dirty Sox have almost owned the Guardians this year. Cleveland has a tougher schedule foe the remainder of the season. 8] Some teams just don't match up well against other teams. Witness what I just said about Chicago vs Cleveland. The Twins " broke through" winning 2. And we still have another series against them. 9] I'd still take the Twins offense, and their record since May 1st, over Cleveland the rest of the season. 10] The Twins are hurting with injuries. So is Cleveland. A month and a half still to go...who will win the ALC? The Twins aren't out of it. 11] Next man up. Correa will be back. Hopefully he'll be 85-90% like last year. The rest of the offense is intact. **NOTE: I've had plan fasciitis. It's HORRIBLE. There is no predictive factor for it. The fact that it's hit Correa TWICE would tell me it's not only FREAKY, but MAYBE due to the physical construction of his arches. He needs to talk to his shoe company next offseason...if not immediately...about better arch supports going forward. 12] The Twins are the best AL team for months now. Let's not panic. We're a virtual lock for the playoffs. The offense is good and trending. It's actually exciting to watch SWR and Festa. We CAN overtake Cleveland still. A month ago we were 6 or 7 games behind. Even with the unfortunate split, we're still only 3 1/2 games behind. We've been trending upward the past month and right now they've been trending downward. I'm not giving up on the ACL, and neither should you. It's not going to be easy without Ryan and Stewart. But Cleveland is starting to suffer the chinks in their armor as well.

Yep. What's so FRUSTRATING is the Twins have been so good about avoiding K's this season and taking good AB, working the count. And for some reason, the last 2 games of the series, they fell in to the trap of swinging at the Guardians pitch. Even with the Thielbar blow up, they should have won 3 of these games.