Milwaukee-Jeff

This year is a weird one, especially for the AL Central. The White Sox have improved (when you're on the bottom, no place to go but up) and everyone else is mediocre, including the Twins. Still, the Twins have outperformed what most people expected. The trade deadline selloff last year was demoralizing for fans so most expectations coming into '26 were justifiably low. Will Tait and Abel (from the Phillies for Duran) become regulars, even stars? Same with Rojas and Roden (from the Jays for Varland and France). Would the 2026 Twins be better if Duran and Varland will still around? We'll never know. I would keep Ryan until at least the offseason. IF the Twins manage to sneak into the playoffs, it would be a morale boost for the players and the fans. I assume that some of the prospects now in AAA will get a call up this season. That might be further cause for optimism. Fans want to see the likes of Jenkins, Culpepper, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and possibly Houston. Baseball is a business. If Tom Pohlad wants to make money, he needs to invest in some FA talent to make/keep the team competetive. The only was to put people back in the seats if for the management to show commitment to winning,

I looked at the Saints roster and stats for alternatives to Wallner. What about Fedko in the OF? And Rodriguez should be cleared to play again soon so he should be given a shot.

It's going to be a season where .500 will be considered "exceeding expectations." I'd like to see some player movement - and soon. Bringing in arms like Topa and Garcia can't inspire confidence in anyone. Woods Richardson needs to go to the bullpen. It's hindsight, of course, but what they did at the trade deadline last year was a disaster. They could at least have kept Varland.

In close games, little things matter. The baserunning goofs in game 3 vs Baltimore were inexcusable. It made the successful ABS challenges by the Orioles even more damaging. If this team is going to compete at the .500 level, they need to be sharper on defense and running the bases. Three games in, it's difficult to say how low the bar is for the season but if Buxton and Lewis can stay healthy and perform at high levels. that will be a big plus. Personally, I hope the potential future stars now in AA and AAA get a shot, soon. The Twins need a major jolt or the fans will stay away.

It would be fun to see ERod out there as the #1 backup. I think the fans would like that. Martin has no pop - not a great choice for a corner OF. It seems Larnach is the starter by default unless Shelton has other ideas, Roden and Outman - meh.