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Lee-The-Twins-Fan

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Everything posted by Lee-The-Twins-Fan

  1. I don't think Blankenhorn makes my top-15 list. Maybe top-20. he's got a lot to prove yet.
  2. I sure hope Romero starts at AA. I understand your concerns about innings pitched, but he has already dominated A+ pitching IMO. He's ready to start at AA. He might not get to the majors in 2017, but he should get enough innings to be ready for 2018.
  3. Adrianza may become the Twins' regular SS, or he could just backup Polanco. Last year, in 35 PA, Adrianza hit .353/.353/.500/.853 vs. LHP. Granted that's a very small sample size, but... Polanco also hits LHP well, a little better that RHP. I think Danny Santana will be released this spring, freeing up a needed roster spot. There'll be a lot of shifting around, depending on how the players do this spring. It's not over yet.
  4. I'm on the fence about Vargas... I am a huge fan of versatility, and I don't see it in him. Players who can do more than hit – who can field well. I don't think Vargas has shown he can field all that well. If he's up with the Twins, they could split time with him and Mauer at 1B, which makes sense. I hope he's a better 1B than he's shown. On the other hand, I cannot deny his power. 10 home runs in 47 games is very good. His walk rate improved last year (as did his HR rate), but his BA fell. He's been inconsistent with the bat, and since that's his biggest asset as a MLB player, it's hard to peg whether he should be a full-time DH, or a PT 1B. I'd like to see how he does in ST before making any more evaluations.
  5. Taking all five players as a group, I would say "tempered enthusiasm" would best describe them all. I really think Justin Haley will surprise some people this spring – he may make the 5-man rotation.
  6. OK, this scenario basically suggests Sano will not be adequate at 3B, and will therefore be moved to 1B. I don't buy that; I think he will get better; he showed up at the TwinsFest in very good shape, if you saw any pics online. He's almost always played 3B, except for the failed tryout in RF last year. He'll be acceptable at 3B. But if not, you have a point. Short-term, the Twins would probably use Escobar there. Some suggest Polanco, but some suggest he can't play SS; if his arm is not suitable for SS, it won't be for 3B, IMO. I'd be looking at Ehire Adrianza for either SS or 3B, if Sano goes down. he would be a poor man's (low hit) 3B, but it could work. I think he's better suited for SS. Oddly enough, I think the solution – if you need to move Sano to 1B – would be to move either Dozier or Mauer to 3B. Dozier would make some sense, as he was brought in at SS and moved to 2B. Then Polanco could move to 2B, leaving Ehire Adrianza at SS. If Vargas fails at DH - which I view more likely than Sano failing at 3B – Park could be brought up to play 1B and DH.It could be: 1B - Mauer/Sano 2B - Polanco 3B - Dozier SS - Adrianza DH - Park/Sano/Mauer
  7. Take a look at this video clip - career highlights of Adrianza
  8. Just found this: Worth a look. Adrianza's highlights
  9. I like this move. I think it puts a few players on notice - succeed or you'll be sent down. I am anxious to see if Adrienza is as good a fielder as advertised. If so, he'll stick at SS. As for Grossman – yes, he hit well last year, but not as well in three prior years. For sure I'd give him a chance, but if he reverts to his Astros norm, he should be gone, with his defense. Interesting stat: Grossman played 190 games for three years with the Astros, hit .240/.327/.341/.668 with 11 home runs. In 2016, he hit 11 home runs in 99 games, hitting .280/.386/.443/.828. Does he really like the food at Target Field, or what? Bottom line: Grossman should be on the MLB roster on opening day, but we cannot RELY on his 2016 hitting line. Give him a chance to prove 2016 wasn't a fluke, but don't just stash him on the roster for the whole year.
  10. I think you're pretty close, but... Justin Haley will get a chance to start. If he does well in ST, and Hughes struggles or has to go on the DL, Haley could get the fifth spot in the rotation. Otherwise, I think you're spot- on.
  11. It makes sense in a way... before a batter heads to the plate he's in the on-deck circle taking practice swings - with what? One or more heavier bats. Then he picks up his bat and it's lighter. the muscles get used to the heavier bat. Is it legal for pitchers to be throwing a heavier baseball during warm-ups before a game, in the bullpen and between innings? Would they want to? Would it help?
  12. I also like your second lineup, LA Vikes Fan. 2) Mauer, Dozier, Sano, Park/Vargas, Kepler, Polanco, Rosario, Castro, Buxton. But only until Buxton is able to lead off. Then it would be: Buxton, Mauer, Dozier, Sano, Park/Vargas, Kepler, Polanco, Rosario, Castro. I actually like Buxton at lead-off.
  13. I agree about the Indians, Tigers and White Sox, but I suspect the Twins are still a year away from winning 80 games (I HOPE I'M WRONG!!). I think the Royals will take third and the Twins fourth. As you said it's hard to peg this team – they could get anywhere from 70 to 90 wins. (I expanded on your margins).
  14. I also like the series. Thank you for doing it. I believe Haley will be starting for the Twins this year (probably #5) in the rotation. Clearly we have some good talent coming up, but much of it is still a year or two away.
  15. Mike Sixel: I'm not sure who is implying the Twins are "one FA SP from being in the playoffs." I think most posters would agree that we need (or would like to have) one or two new SP in 2017 – whether by trade or free agency or promotion – but the team does have other needs. It needs one or two more (probably FA) relief pitchers, perhaps a 4th outfielder and shortstop (possibly homegrown). Also, since Ryan was fired, the Twins also replaced its starting catcher and made apparent decisions regarding Trevor May (to try him out as a starter) and Miguel Sano (giving him 3B). Changing catcher, and the decisions around May and Sano, might have been different with Ryan as GM, vs Falvey and Levine. Rebuilding is a process. There are a myriad of decisions – by the FO, the manager, hitting, pitching and other coaches - and by the players themselves on a field – which can make or break each game and a full season. If all the Major League teams had 2016 to play over, would the Cubs still be the World Champions? Maybe or maybe not. It's a matter of changing philosophies, changing the culture of a team which can have a positive (or negative) effect on players and winning. Those are some of the reasons, I believe, Ryan was fired.
  16. So Dave: Who would you keep among the present Twins? Who would you release or trade? Who would you acquire – and don't refer to the Dodgers and the Dozier deal. It fell through. What could the Twins realistically do?
  17. Actually, I think this team is built for 2018 and beyond. By then, they'll have Nick Gordon at SS, and Tyler Jay, Stephen Gonsalves and Fernando Romero in the rotation. They just need some good relief pitchers (we have a few, and I expect Chargois and Stewart to be among them. Yes, I am optimistic for 2018 – and even for 2017. I think people will like Justin Haley, and yes, he'll be in the rotation this year. People complain that the FO hasn't done enough to improve the team. But let's face it - there were few good starters to sign, the market for Dozier was less than expected, and there's still time to sign a reliever or two. I fully expect Dozier to be on this team in 2018, when they win the division!
  18. I fully expect Castro, Sano (playing FT at 3B) and Rosario (playing FT in the outfield, in place of Sano) will help fill those RBIs. It's not rocket science. When two players leave, two more come in. And I believe the guys coming in will do better then those they replaced. What can I say - I'm an eternal optimist.
  19. Ditto. He'll be back.
  20. Bold prediction: Justin Haley will emerge from spring training as the Twins #5 starter. I think he will impress everyone in ST. I actually look forward to Haley pitching this spring.
  21. Yeah - there are 40 guys on the Rays' (and Twins') 25-man rosters. They haven't started spring training yet.
  22. Leviathon: Who has De Leon ranked as a top 10 pitching prospect? The 2016 MLB ranking has him at 33rd. It was mentioned in an earlier post that ESPN has him ranked in the 70s. I'm not trying to disagree with you here. I just want to know who ranks him that high?
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