stringer bell

Both guys have barely been big leaguers and I think it's a lot to ask to throw them into a tight game in the late innings. Further, Acton allowed one (1) hit and all runs against him were unearned. The tenth inning is on the defense ten times more than the pitcher IMHO.

Not really a place for this, so I'll put it in the game recap thread--today marks Taylor Rogers official ten years of service time. The players all seem to pay an inordinate amount of attention to this, so it must be a really big deal. Buxton reached the threshold earlier this month and Josh Bell will go over ten years late in this season, although who knows if it will be with the Twins.

It was my understanding that the Twins have been grooming Morris for multiple innings out of the bullpen. I wouldn't think the multiple innings would often be the eighth and ninth. He's got okay velocity, but his fastball hasn't been his out pitch in the minors. I was stunned when Shelton sent him out for the ninth. I know that Sands and Funderburk had pitched two day in a row, but there were other guys who could throw the ninth (Orze, Acton and Banda). I'm currently speculating that Banda is either going on the IL or getting a DFA, but Orze and Acton were rested (Acton had warmed up earlier) and the following day (today) is a day off. I have consistently said that I thought moving SWR to the bullpen would be a waste since he doesn't have overpowering stuff and his strength is mixing three or four decent pitches. However, his struggles the second and third time through a lineup might indicate that he would be better in shorter outings as a reliever. Still not totally convinced of that.

Expecting Gray to be anything more than a replacement player long-term is pretty much like expecting Kody Clemens to be a big league regular. Gray has looked okay at the plate and done a lot of damage with runners in scoring position, but that is an incredibly small sample size and there's not much to suggest he will sustain the good hitting he has done. The reason I didn't think Gray was a real candidate for the utility role was his defense. He made a key error yesterday and he looks to lack range and arm for both third base and shortstop. Kreidler has the bona fides as a defender, but he's never hit. If we purely want defense, Kreidler should be playing somewhere, but he's probably no better than Outman as a hitter.

More than a chance. It would seem that Rojas will be in the bullpen and rested. In the three games, he should get a shot to pitch. It would be nice to have him throw with a nice cushion, but he might come in for a higher leverage assignment. Prielipp's status is murkier. Is there a pitcher who has an injury concern? Are they planning on sending someone (Morris most likely) down? Is there a DFA in the offing? Banda hasn't pitched since the 15th and wasn't brought into the game yesterday after Morris threw 27 pitches in the eighth. He could be a candidate for the IL or maybe they are at the point of DFAing him. He has been hit hard his last three outings and frankly hasn't been impressive all season. His velocity has been down several mph from his past two seasons with the Dodgers.

Lee has hit better, but the hoped-for defensive improvement hasn't happened. He is still below-average as a hitter even with the improved hitting the last two weeks, so at this point if he is moved off of shortstop, his role would more likely be utility than having a full-time spot at third or second base.

Yup, E-Rod will strike out, probably a lot, but he can run and field better than Wallner. Wallner’s last demotion turned him around, so maybe try it again?

Both Rojas and Prielipp are going to NY. Apparently Rojas will replace Funderburk and Prielipp is on the taxi squad. I expect someone else will be. demoted or placed on IL.

BTW, I think the term should not be “recall” since he’s not been on the active roster yet and he’s not coming back to the majors since he hasn’t been there in the first place.

Dan Hayes is reporting that Prielipp is going to New York with the Twins. For now, he’s on the taxi squad, but that could change.

I am not opposed to change. The soft spots on the team are apparent to most everyone. That said, it isn't as simple as "bring up the kids". There has to be a place to play. It would appear shortstop would be available after watching Lee flail I don't know if Culpepper is better or if he's ready, but it probably would be worth the risk. The position for Jenkins, Gonzalez, and Rodriguez would be corner outfield, and that's a bit more complicated. Larnach has hit well, so has Martin and to be honest, neither Jenkins or Gonzalez has done close to enough to show they can help the team. Rodriguez for Wallner and/or Roden for Outman look like moves to be made, but it looks like Roden is injured.

As usual, fair and accurate analysis of the Twins. Thanks @Nick Nelson. Off the charts hitting with runners in scoring position and excellent starting pitching covered the Twins' biggest flaws, but Cincinnati exposed their problems and the hitters regressed to the mean. Twenty-two games is a small sample size, but at some point the faces need to change. There are alternatives for the bullpen, but they appear no more appetizing than the current residents. As for position players, just about everyone has been below average on defense and one of the few who rates well (Martin) made a crucial error today. As far as promotions from St. Paul, whoever gets a shot with the Twins needs to be a better defender than the guy they are replacing. As much as I hate to admit it, the biggest problem is shortstop. Lee will never have plus range, so he needs to turn almost every ball he can reach into an out and he really hasn't done that. HIs offense has come around a bit, but he's really hurting the team. Wallner has been the regular right fielder and he has also hurt the club with his defense much more than he's helped the offense. Bell and Larnach should usually DH and they are on the field far too often. I don't envy Shelton.

Tough weekend for prominent ex-Twins. Polanco, Bader and Durán all were put on the Injured List.

I'd hate to see the Twins trying to protect a one-run lead for three or more innings.

Three challenges in one half inning. All went the Twins’ way.