chpettit19

In general, I'd like to see guys like Festa who are putting up good games get to stretch it out more and get some experience going deeper into games, but I can't be too upset with him being taken out in a 1-1 game after giving up an unearned run and having the heart of their order coming up with a lefty taking over to face their back to back lefties with a runner in scoring position (Tigers game). Or him being pulled after he gives up 2 singles and hits a guy in a 0-0 game with Juan Soto coming up and being replaced by a lefty who then gets a double play ball (Mets game). The White Sox game was the game he left while handing the bullpen the best situation and Sands was pretty awful. Festa had a 2-run lead and walked a guy and gave up a single before Sands came in and him and the defense let Festa down. Festa has been really good for 4 innings but has struggled from there. That's his next step as a pitcher. Be more efficient through 4 to be able to get deeper in games. It's a vital part of his development if he wants to be a major league starter. But the suggestion that he hasn't looked like a major leaguer is pretty aggressive in my view. Even last year he had 77 Ks in 64.1 innings. He's not a finished product by any means, but there's a lot to like in what he's shown so far.

Before this start Festa had given up 2 earned runs in 13 innings with 15 Ks and a 2.38 FIP to go with that 1.38 ERA. Not sure what else you're looking for to "look like an MLB pitcher" in that small of a sample size.

This may be his peak value, but I don't think it's the best time to make a decision on being a buyer or seller. I don't like (that's the very mild way of putting it) doing nothing at the deadline. Make moves. Buy or sell, don't sit by and watch. And definitely don't fake buy by getting Trevor Richards types to pretend you did something. I'm always open to trading anyone and everyone if the deal is right. If the Twins are blown away by an offer they should take it. But this team is too unpredictable right now to know what they should be doing in terms of trades (assuming they aren't getting some Chris Archer deal). Need to get to the end of June at least to have a better feel for what this team should be doing in terms of being a buyer or a seller.

The Twins decided Ronny wasn't good enough after only 31 innings. Was that "going crazy over nearly 30 innings pitched?" 31 innings with a 1.161 WHIP and 2.90 ERA. 4.02 FIP isn't anything outrageous. Alcala turns 30 in July, Ronny is 25 at the end of June. They gave Ronny 31 major league innings before he ran out of options and they had to make a decision on him at the age of 24. I don't think any strong statements should be made about Ronny yet, but his first 60 innings in the majors (roughly 1 season for a reliever) has him at a 2.56 ERA with 64 Ks and 3.73 FIP. Sounds like a major league middle reliever to me. The Twins mismanaged him in terms of roster decision pretty significantly. In the name of running out the Jay Jackson, Josh Staumont, and Trevor Richards of the world.

I think their spots on the 40-man and being pre-arb and/or arb1 next year at least gives them a chance. I don't think Will Holland has much of a realistic chance of ever even getting a chance to stick. The Twins clearly don't believe in McCusker yet and he's hitting better than Holland. Holland has the much better glove, though. Which is a factor. They don't believe in Fitzgerald's breakout. I'm not arguing whether they should or shouldn't, just pointing it out. Not a lot of guys at the age of 27, 28, etc. getting real chances to stick. By virtue of simply being on the 40-man, and not being meaningfully more expensive, Julien and Miranda are ahead of Holland, Eeles, Prato, Morales, and Fedko. Those guys aren't "real" prospects. As much as I love Eeles and really want to see him and McCusker hitting back-to-back in an MLB lineup at least once, he has extra hurdles to jump to get a chance to stick simply because of the roster rules in major league baseball. McCusker was up for a week and the Twins clearly didn't think he could hit MLB pitching. The Twins scored 2, 6, 1, 3, 5, 1, 2, 4, and 0 runs in the games he was up for and had both of their catchers in the lineup more often than not. If they aren't going to give a guy doing what he was doing in AAA a shot when they couldn't score more than 2 runs in over half the games I simply can't put any of these other non-prospects ahead of Julien or Miranda. A whole lot can change in a year, but until I see different I'm just not going to believe the Twins will give an extended look to guys like Holland, Eeles, Prato, Morales, or Fedko over Jonah Bride types or Julien and Miranda types. 40-man spots mean a lot. I hear ya on the catcher thing, but I just don't think they'll take a chance on any of those guys. Not in terms of truly "sticking." Short-term, 10-day IL stint back-up role where they get 2 games? Sure. But real playing time? I don't see it. I think they'd swing a trade for some veteran Vazquez all-glove, no bat clone or sign one off the street. If the criteria we're talking about is "sticking" on the 26-man, I don't see anyone in the Twins system that they'll go with.

Keaschall, Martin, McCusker, Miranda, Julien, Rodriguez. It's a tough question because I wouldn't be surprised if nearly half the guys on that list make an appearance on the MLB roster between now and 6/1/26. But that's different than being counted on as real contributing members of the roster. I'd actually like to add Jenkins to my list, but I just can't trust him to stay healthy at this point. Multiple months missed with a sprained ankle from the beginning of ST? That's not a good sign. I'm not a Dr by any means, but that's a lot of missed time for an ankle sprain. Miranda and Julien never coming back would be shocking if only because injuries will open the door for them many more times. I have 6 on my list for guys that will be moderately counted on between now and 6/1/26 because of injuries. That's a lot of time. Keaschall is a guarantee. He'll be counted on as soon as he's healthy again. Martin, Julien, and Miranda will get a shot again. The only 2 that aren't essentially guaranteed (in my opinion) on my list are McCusker and Rodriguez. And it's a numbers game. They're both on the 40-man. At some point they're both quite likely to get a shot. I don't think the Twins go with any of their internal catchers. Gasper is probably the most likely to get a short-term look as the backup this year if there's an injury to Jeffers or Vazquez, but the Twins aren't going into next year with anyone from the system on the MLB roster.

Since his blowup games April 16 and 18 (a month and a half ago) he has 19 appearances for 18 innings. ERA of 1.50. 31 Ks. FIP of 0.86. I think it's time to give up your "Jax is struggling!" crusade. He's back to being one of the most dominant relievers in baseball.

Are we now complaining about Brooks Lee getting an off day? The guy with a .613 OPS? 71 OPS+? .541 OPS and .219 BA for the month of May? I assume you weren't upset with Jonah Bride or Christian Vazquez being on the bench, so the only other option left with Buxton today was Lee. That's our big complaint for the day? The guy who isn't hitting well sat for another guy who isn't hitting well in the 9 hole?

There isn't a realistic deal to be made for Skenes. By any team.

Own a camper van so that'll be part of the adventure. I have a few different itineraries mapped out, though.

I have not, but I will!

Interesting! 30 days is real aggressive. I'm going to take my sweet time and use the whole summer. Well, at least most of it. Will definitely be sharing my adventures! Will probably start by looking for opinions and ideas on the best foods to try or must sees in each park from folks around here who've already been to different places. Will also put together a bit of a checklist to keep track of certain things at each park to compare them all and will get some input from the TD gang on what they would find interesting for that, too. Then I'll report back as I go.

You're only middle aged once! Also going to hit up the World Baseball Classic (that's why I chose next year) and some Spring Training games. Should be a nice little summer of baseball. And, technically, it'll only be 29 MLB stadiums because of those other disdainful owners out in California (soon to be, but not yet, Las Vegas). Really putting a damper on my plans.

I may have access to free tickets to every park, actually. And then they really won't get any of my money. But, in general, the idea is just that I won't "let my disdain for the Pohlads ruin my enjoyment of good baseball."

You're welcome.

I can enjoy this team without giving the Pohlads any of my money (or at least very little, indirectly). It doesn't have to be one or the other. I don't have to go to Target Field to enjoy the team. I am enjoying the team without paying the Pohlads a dime. It's a lovely situation for me. I know it's not possible for everyone, but it is for me so that's how I'm doing things. I'm able to stream the team without paying for it and I had no problem canceling my season tickets and not attending games in person. I can enjoy the team from my local drinking establishment, a boat, the softball fields, walking my dog, or my couch just fine. I don't think anybody needs to fan the way anybody else fans. Go to games if you want to go to games. Pay for Twins.tv if you want to pay for Twins.tv. Listen on the radio if you want to listen on the radio. Don't watch or listen to a single pitch if you don't want to watch or listen to a single pitch. The Twins make decisions and we get to make our own decisions. They made a business decision after 2023 and I've made mine. They right-sized and I've right-sized. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about how I choose to spend my money or not spend my money. How I choose to be a fan is my business. I'm not hurting anyone and I'm enjoying the team plenty. I don't need to enjoy the team in the same fashion anyone else enjoys the team. I don't need to buy a jersey or go to games just like some people don't enjoy reading articles online and discussing the team on forums. We do and it's why we're all on TD doing it. Some of us enjoy talking about the decisions ownership makes. Some of us enjoy talking about the decisions the front office makes. Or Rocco makes. Or other teams make. Or swing mechanics. Or base running. Or fielding. Or any number of things. Be a fan however you want to be a fan and let everyone else be a fan how they want to be a fan. It's nobody's business how I enjoy the Twins. I'll fan how I want to fan. It's not my job to help them sell the team. And if they never sell it it's not my responsibility to ever pay them a dime to own the team. They'll get a little of my money next season (if they still own the team) when I go to all 30 parks in a season. It's a trip I've wanted to do for a while and my thoughts or feelings on the Pohlads won't stop me from doing that. But I don't need to go to Target Field more than that to enjoy the Twins. If they end up owning the team for the foreseeable future and earn my business back I'll return to Target Field more frequently. I'll get season tickets again. A month of winning games after a month of losing games doesn't a "contender" make. (I don't know what "contending with conviction" means, but they weren't even limping through the central for the first month of the season). An offseason of not slashing payroll, but also not adding any real talent doesn't make up for an offseason of slashing payroll after winning your first playoff series in 2 decades. They've made their choices. They've run their business poorly and they're paying for it. It's not my job to bail them out. But they have a fair chance to earn my business back. They haven't done it yet. But I can still enjoy the team by watching the games on my TV, computer, or phone. I don't have to be at Target Field to do that. You're welcome to enjoy them that way, though, if it's how you choose to enjoy them.

Oh, I took it as you meaning it. But you then immediately followed it up with believing I'm "strongly personally biased" without any basis for that belief which undercuts your original statement. But this article isn't about Mickey Gasper so we can just leave it here.

Interesting argument here as you make the argument both for and then against metrics once you get to the bottom and start claiming you have any meaningful metrics available for Mickey Gasper behind the plate. His 15% caught stealing percentage (according to b-ref) is not "adequate," and is mostly about the pitcher. 15% in the majors would put him in the 33rd percentile. What are his wild pitch metrics? You've provided passed ball numbers, but not wild pitch. The expectation for major league catchers is that they can block pitches and prevent wild pitches. I didn't even know Mickey Gasper existed 6 months ago. I have nothing against him. I've hoped he was a possible answer behind the plate since the day I found out he was a real life human and he was a new member of the Twins organization. I've wished he was the answer to finally getting rid of Vazquez since the day they made that trade. I have 0 bias against him. In fact, if I had any it would've been towards to positive like for every other Twins player/prospect that you call me out for being too positive on. When I disagree with you too positively I'm drinking the TD koolaid and turning them into superstars unrealistically but when I disagree with you negatively I'm "strongly personally biased" against that player? Or am I just "strongly personally biased" against you when I don't agree with you? The bias I have for Gasper is I wish he'd take Vazquez's spot. But I don't think he can. My bias towards Gasper is the opposite of the bias you're claiming I have. I want him to be good. I've wanted him to be worthy of being the backup since the trade. I didn't even know it was him catching the first game I watched until about the 3rd inning. I'm sorry I don't think he's good. Feel free to actually watch him some time and form your own opinion instead of going off the insanely limited "metrics" you can dig up. But it's all a balance. Especially when it comes to the defensive metrics. It's a mix of "eye test" and metrics. The computers are better at measuring some things than others. Defensive "stats" and metrics are WAY behind the offensive side of things. Pitching is in the middle. But no team does, or should, use just numbers or just their scout's eyes. They all find a balance. Then they cross check. They see what their numbers say and what their scouts say and see if they match up and discuss why they might not match if they don't.

My guess would be Monday in Tampa after the Royals and their lefties leave town. He sure looks ready, though. And McCusker sitting on the bench never playing in Minneapolis isn't helping him at all anyways so may as well switch them for today's games, if you ask me.

People who don't actually understand expected stats and then ignore being corrected on this very point multiple times so continue to announce to the internet that they don't understand what they're talking about.

Christian Vazquez started 3 straight games over the weekend and 4 of the last 5 games. Only game he didn't start was the one McCusker did start against the lefty that promptly got suspended after 3 innings. Anytime you're starting both of your catchers in 4 of 5 games there is plenty of room in your lineup. (I will note that McCusker was still in AAA for the first 2 of those Vazquez starts)

Lefty on the mound tonight has paved the way for his first MLB start. Nobody knows what he'll be, but it'll be fun finding out. Hopefully he sends a few into orbit along the way. The odds are against every player who ever picks up a bat, ball, or glove. Carson has made real adjustments in the upper minors and that gives him a chance. To my knowledge, there's never been a player who's proven they can hit MLB pitching while facing AAA pitching. Only way anyone ever proves they can hit MLB pitching is by facing MLB pitching. McCusker is going to get his chance. It's all anyone can ever ask for. He's earned it. Now he needs to earn the chance to stick around for a while.

Aaron Judge is going to be hoping to be Carson McCusker v2.0 by the end of 2025.

A reliever that can only throw 1 inning and can't be used on back to back days doesn't have a career. No MLB team would ever even consider tying themselves to such strict use of any reliever, ever. It's an outrageous idea that ignores the reality of managing a major league team. Either you're good enough that a team would never consider not using you in back to back close games, or (like Alcala) you're not good enough to have your specific ideal conditions being taken into consideration over the top arms in the pen. As you point out, Alcala is no 22 year old rookie trying to figure things out. He's been given tons of chances in tons of situations. He has some very real talent, but hasn't been able to put it all together. Expecting a team to be able to cater to a reliever never being able to throw more than 1 inning or in back to back games is an expectation ignoring the realities of the unpredictability of a 162 game major league baseball season.

How many games of watching Julien at 2B did it take you to figure out he couldn't play the position at a major league level? I'm guessing it was less than 3. Being bad at 2B is less than ideal, but it's not like being bad at catcher. That's how obvious it is that Gasper can't catch at an MLB level. If any of these teams thought he was a legitimate option as a backup catcher he'd have been getting far more reps at catcher. I understand why you're interested in the possibility. My statements aren't "AAAA" related. Defensive skills are far easier to judge than whether or not a guy can hit at the MLB level. When people talk about as guy being "AAAA" they're talking about his bat. They didn't need to call Julien up to see if his glove would play in the majors, and they don't need to call Gasper up as the backup catcher to know if his glove will play. That isn't at all even remotely close to how it works when it comes to defense. You having never seen him play doesn't make my comments "especially on point" about him being "AAAA" because you can tell the difference between Andrelton Simmons at SS and Jorge Polanco at SS well before they reach the majors. Nobody is calling up a AAA player to see if their glove plays. If he can't block Andrew Morris' breaking ball you don't need to call him up to see if he can block Pablo Lopez's. If Vazquez or Jeffers goes down for 2 weeks, Gasper can serve as the call-up to catch a couple games until they're back. But as a legit, months or season long backup catcher he would be a disaster behind the plate.