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rdehring

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Everything posted by rdehring

  1. rdehring
    WOW! I have previously stated that I believe the decline we saw last year will continue, thus, we will see less home runs this year and another dip in average and OPS. But the fact it is a one year contract WITH a Twins option alleviates much of my concern. Good short-term risk to help this team in 2019. Also read that he may be a good leader/role model for some of our young Latin players, thinking of you Mr. Sano. Would be fantastic if Cruz did perform at a level close to last year and worked well with Sano, who I understand has been working hard on his conditioning this winter. Big question is who will be gone from th4 40-man and how they will accomplish it. I expect it will be one of the outfielders, Granite or Reed. Expect they won't have room on the 25-man for Cron, Cruiz and Austin, although would like to see Austin stick until spring training. Now forward to the playoffs TWINS!
  2. rdehring
    Rosario, Buxton and Kepler could be the best outfield in baseball for the next ten years. The Twins coaches need to find a way to get each playing the way they are capable of. Then management needs to get them signed to contracts that will keep them here. As for Rooker, Kirilloff, Larnach and others. The fact remains that none of them are likely to be better than any of this trio if they each reach their personal ceilings They also are all still in the minors and some won't reach the ceilings we are all hoping for. For those that do, there will be ways to get them into the lineup.
  3. rdehring
    When a pitcher leaves the Twins and suddenly a light bulb goes off and his performance is better, many here and elsewhere begin stoning the Twins coaching staff. Wouldn't that mean that we should be heaping glory on the pitching coach at Cedar Rapids? Wasn't he the reason that Duran made the adjustments needed to take that huge step forward?
  4. rdehring
    Not a clue. But when looking at what we got for Lynn and others this past July, would have to think it would be a couple lower level prospects.
  5. rdehring
    Interesting. But I still prefer to sign Gibby to an extension. If it is more expensive, so be it. As many have stated, the Twins have the space to do it. Hadn't thought of extending Odorizzi, and it does make some sense. If several of the young studs perform as hoped for, he could always be a nice trade piece in July of this year or next.
  6. rdehring
    "Miranda was a solid pick as he had shown a lot of power and just needed to improve his eye at the plate a bit more. I liked him as a breakout guy as well, He seemed pretty underrated for what he had accomplished the year before. He still has a ways to go with the bat but he looks good for his age right now." I see Miranda as the best option as the next Twins third baseman. Will be surprised and disappointed if we don't see him take another step forward this year at A/AA. Is he on their radar as a 2019 break-out candidate?
  7. rdehring
    I think we are going to see something with what I would call 'stacked' starters. Mejia's biggest problem two years ago was getting into or out of the 5th inning. Considering they will be building Romero's innings if he is used as a starter, perhaps something where they each pitch about half a game. Mejia starts and goes thru the 4th and into or thru the 5th. Romero comes in and pitches the remaining 4+ innings. Mejia is a lefty who doesn't throw all that hard. Romero follows up as a hard throwing right hander. Would also give a day off to the rest of the bullpen.
  8. rdehring
    Well that headline sure brought out the whips for a good beat down. But thanks for a good look at three players who have the ability to put the Twins in the playoffs this October. Yes, things need to go better throughout the roster than last year. But 2019 is an odd year and if I recall the last two (2017 and 2015) were both better than those pesky even numbered years. So lets put the whips away guys and get ready for baseball which is only what, 60 days or so away.
  9. rdehring
    You said it much better than I could, Doc, Thanks. We all saw that the strength of the system last year was at Ft. Myers and down. For various reasons, most of those guys aren't at risk in the MiLB portion of the draft. So yes, the system can be strong while losing no one. Next year and the year after may be different.
  10. rdehring
    My fear was that someone would take Jay and he would blossom into an excellent rookie reliever for someone else next summer. Now lets hope he proves the Twins and the other 29 teams wrong, and becomes that big surprise for the hometown Twins. We can dream, can't we?
  11. rdehring
    After everything that went on the last couple years, am glad there isn't room to make a pick this year. Don't know what to think about Jay, other than disappointment. Puzzling is the word that comes to mind when thinking about Reed, both in how the Twins handled him and why he wasn't previously drafted. The other two pitchers you discuss, Seth, aren't on the same page as the first two...at least for me. As for Diaz, will add him to the list of those who have been disappointing. Understand not adding Wiel to the 40-man, but he is someone I am concerned could be lost. I do look for the Twins to add to their minor league talent pool by taking one or two players later this morning. Hopefully, they will find a good one.
  12. rdehring
    Another good article, Nick, and great discussion/read. I expect what often happens in 'waiver' situations is that lots of teams put in claims, heck, why not on proven quality players...which Cron is. They were then surprised when they were awarded the player, Cron. Is picking up a player with both a track record and some talent a problem? I think not. They now have the winter and spring to decide how to sort this all out. Heck, Cron has already delivered one benefit, ie, the 40-man roster is full and they won't be doing anything in the Rule 5 on Thursday. That in itself is good news!
  13. rdehring
    Cruz' production was down in 2018. I see that as the beginning of his decline and expect it will continue in 2019 and 2020. Expect it is likely that Austin will outperform Cruz in 2020 with 2019 a wash.
  14. rdehring
    I recall a spring training game maybe five +/- years ago. Not 100% certain, but I think our catcher was Ramos. I believe we were playing Baltimore and the catcher was hit in the head by bats three times. Again not 100% certain, but I think Machado was the culprit two or all three times. Perhaps that infraction, assuming the catcher is in the area he is supposed to be, should be handled a bit like hockey. Rather than a 2-minute penalty, the batter is ejected from the game. After a second occurrence, he is ejected and must sit out the next game. Three times and it becomes two games, etc. Add that he doesn't get paid for those next games and they would be adding some real teeth to something that is a problem and no one talks about. Now the argument would be where do those dollars go? And I would go so far as to give the teams losing the player the right for a free callup from the minors for those games, kind of like the 26th player for double headers.
  15. rdehring
    Excellent article, Nick. And one which doesn't have an answer and won't, until spring training. We will then learn whether Garver remains a catcher. If he does, expect he can be their starter. If he isn't, I see either he or Austin making the 25-man roster. All is subject to change should there be additional moves over the winter at catcher or first base.
  16. rdehring
    Went thru most of last year with no infielders on the 40-man down at Rochester, until adding Pettit and another guy late in the year. With Gordon and Arraez on the 40-man, but not really ready to be with the Twins, this gives them added depth. Also provides competition for Adrianza. Smart move. Expect they will carry more than 21 pitchers, thus, at least one position player will be departing. My best guess is Granite will be first. Additional pitcher signings will be tied to removing a pitcher from the 40-man, whether by trade or waiving player X.
  17. rdehring
    Count me among those of you who do not want to trade Kepler. Would I, yes. But to pry him away I would want a top return, a return that includes one very good young player who will fill one of the needs for the Twins in 2019. I have always expected that it would take a bit longer because of his background coming out of Germany. I still believe that he has the ability to be one of the best, if not the best, of this young group...Kepler, Rosario, Buxton, Polanco and Sano. I expect him to take another step forward this year and can be a critical part of the 2019 Central Division championship Twins.
  18. rdehring
    Interesting, Tom. Twins best deal would include taking on ALL the salary. Would also have to include either Cron or Austin for roster purposes. What else would Seattle demand....who knows. Would be fine if it were a prospect from the high single digits to mid teens...say #7 to #16. Looking at the MLB prospect list, that would begin with Rooker and end with Diaz. Of that group, I would not include Thorpe or Javier. Normally, I don't like to speculate. But is taking on all the cash, Cron/or/Austin and Rooker too much for Santana? Personally, I wouldn't do it, although Austin vs. Cron is easier to stomach. But some of the others in that 7-16 group would be doable.
  19. rdehring
    Great analysis of a player who does add value to the Twins, plus versatility in the field and at the plate.
  20. rdehring
    Everyone is wondering where the Twins OBP will come from in 2019. Take a look at what Astudillo is doing down in Venezuela this winter. In 160 at bats, he has a .391 OBP. OK, his batting average is .356, but he continues to get on base more than anyone would expect. He also is learning how to take walks, with 7 so far this winter. And that's compared to one strikeout, yes, 1. Almost hard to believe!
  21. rdehring
    No question, Nick, the Twins need to get more guys on base. Don't have a clue how they plan to accomplish that. Expect we won't know until we get past opening day. Hopefully, most of the starters work to do that more frequently in 2019.
  22. rdehring
    Almost always enjoy what you write, Ted. And this is no exception. Have said it about fifty times since mid-season, extend Berrios, Gibson and Rosario, and that seems to agree with your wishes.
  23. rdehring
    What I found most interesting from this exercise, Seth, is the prediction that Grossman would get within a million bucks of what Rosario will. Not saying the projections are wrong, but that just isn't fair, in my opinion. As for what bell tolls for Grossman tomorrow, my guess is that he will be tendered. I see him as having some value. And if the Twins need a 40-man roster spot, gotta believe that Granite gets waived before they will let Grossman go for nothing. The good news is that we will know in another day.
  24. rdehring
    And I have a feeling Kiriloff is going to be as good or better than Royce. So I would have two untouchables.
  25. rdehring
    I suspect the Twins were a bit surprised Cron became available. When a deal wasn't struck with any team, they threw in a waiver claim and were probably surprised when he became an early Christmas present. Like many above, I will be surprised if Cron and Austin are both on the roster come opening day. If they are, they both will have had decent/good springs and will fill out the roster at first base and most games at DH. I also don't understand all the love for Cruz. He is what, 38-39 years old? I understand his production last year dipped, although was still good. Whereas others see him hitting at that level again in 2019, I see 2018 as being year one of his drop off due to age. That means 2019 will be year 2 of his downward spiral. How bad will it get this year? We will know come September. But if it is the same drop off as 2017-2018, his production may not be better than what we could expect from Austin (.225/.300/.780). I for one believe his decline will be signifianct and would have zero interest. I also expect they are done at the DH/1B position. Now, if they can focus the dollars available on a good middle infielder, two bullpen arms and signing Berrios, Rosario and Gibson to extensions, it will have been a good winter. And come spring, we will have a real chance of competing for the playoffs which to a large extent will again depend on what we get from Mr. Buxton and Mr. Sano.
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