Twins 2022

I think it might be a safe bet at the end of the season to look at these last two weeks’ worth of games against Cleveland and identify it as the key point in the collapse..

stout93 wrote:

I think it might be a safe bet at the end of the season to look at these last two weeks’ worth of games against Cleveland and identify it as the key point in the collapse..

They would have the same answer as they did the past three seasons. They failed to address it each year.

I don’t even need to ask:

They would have the same answer as they did the past three seasons. They failed to address it each year.

You got that right, No kidding…….

Well they certainly keep it dramatic. Miranda wins it again.

Flashes kid can play a little bit.

Dutchboy wrote:

Flashes kid can play a little bit.

They’ve gotten way more out of him than I thought they ever would.

Offense was sleep walking through that entire series. They got lucky with the walk offs and good pitching believe it or not. Should be a wild series with the Sox. Probably a lot of bad baseball but it’ll be entertaining as usual.

Twins clearly could benefit from a quality arm for either the bullpen or starting rotation in the second half. The following three players are good but not superstars. Would their replacements be that much of a drop off if traded for at least a quality reliever?

•Polanco (replace with Gordon/Arraez)
•Urshela (Miranda/Arraez)
•Kepler (Larnach/Kirilloff, Celestino)

Gotta give up something to get something…

None of those guys will bring you a #1 or #2 I don’t think. Also they have Polanco & Kepler on very good contracts. After watching Sano for all these years I’m fine with Urshela.

Send Sano, Larnach, Celestino to Miami for their #3 or #4 and we would be ok.

FryDog62 wrote:

Twins clearly could benefit from a quality arm for either the bullpen or starting rotation in the second half. The following three players are good but not superstars. Would their replacements be that much of a drop off if traded for at least a quality reliever?

•Polanco (replace with Gordon/Arraez)
•Urshela (Miranda/Arraez)
•Kepler (Larnach/Kirilloff, Celestino)

Gotta give up something to get something…

Kepler would be the first to go in my opinion. I wouldn’t move on Polanco just yet. The guy gets almost all of their clutch hits and he’s better defensively at second than Arreaz. Also can play short when needed.

I don’t understand all the hate Urshela gets. He’s been very good in the field, and has produced as much as Donaldson did when he was manning third base. Which actually wasn’t bad at all. Your other option at third would be Miranda who as much as I love the kid, should be your DH.

They will need to give up prospects to get pitching. Or Kepler. I would also consider trading Nick Gordon while he is worth something. Larnach is also dispensable now that Kirilloff seems to be back to normal.

I think you guys are overlooking Keplers defensive value.

None would bring a #1 or #2… thinking a plus arm as a more reliable second half reliever most likely. Gotta eliminate the late inning meltdowns. And there are too many guys that need at-bats right now and not enough innings. Or, you send Miranda or Celestino to AAA now or when Larnach comes back. Or trade your surplus…

Yes, the 3 I mentioned are all on team-friendly contracts but their replacements listed above are even cheaper – and would it be that far of a drop-off in terms of overall talent to get another much needed pitcher?

No hate on Urshela, I think he’s one of the better overall 3rd basement Twins have had in recent memory. Not irreplaceable though ~ the team needs quality pitching more than anything..

There are 30 guys in the majors that play defense as well as Kepler and can hit 230.

I don’t think Miranda will be sent back down. He’s hitting something like .360 with 4 HR’s and a pile of RBI since his last callup.

Celestino would’ve been sent down if not for his CF play. He’s bat has fallen off a cliff over the last few weeks.

I still say you keep Gordon, his versatility and athletic ability are there. If you traded an outfielder like Celestino or an infielder like Polanco, he could fill in either spot maybe permanently or at least as a utility player. If the Twins didn’t already have Buxton, you’d hear about his speed even more..

0-4 for the future comeback player of the year today in his first rehab game down in Ft Myers.

FryDog62 wrote:

I still say you keep Gordon, his versatility and athletic ability are there. If you traded an outfielder like Celestino or an infielder like Polanco, he could fill in either spot maybe permanently or at least as a utility player. If the Twins didn’t already have Buxton, you’d hear about his speed even more..

I don’t know, he really doesn’t look as fast as everyone says he is and he is terrible at stealing bases. He just doesn’t do it for me. He has held his own for almost a full season now which Celestino hasn’t and I think that would carry a lot more trade value.

mahtofire14 wrote:

0-4 for the future comeback player of the year today in his first rehab game down in Ft Myers.

Don’t hear much buzz about the rotund one at all anymore… that’s a good sign ~

https://playersbio.com/best-right-fielders-in-mlb/

I’m not diminishing his fielding skills. They are good. But I feel like he could be replaced without much hesitation.

He has a WAR this year of 1.6. Larnach’s is 1.2 and he’s a much less capable outfielder and was hitting similar. I just don’t think the difference is much with Kepler or without.

Darn it Dutch, you got me using analytics now.

Anybody watch the ball clank of Celestino’s chest over the weakend?
I’m not playing Kirilloff in the outfield so you better convince me the Twins have a better right fielder.

Did you also see the great grab up against the wall he made a few innings later and the guy he threw out at home with an absolute laser?

I did but he isn’t better then Kepler or Buxton and probably not Gordon either.

Dutchboy wrote:

I did but he isn’t better then Kepler or Buxton and probably not Gordon either.

He’s better in the field than Gordon. Jury is still out at the plate.

In other news, I just read that Sano’s plan is to rehab a few games in FL and then head to Saint Paul. Sounds like a great plan to me.

Fat kid will solve all the debate. Rocco can send Celestino down, play the fat kid at first and move Kirilloff to the outfield. He can then alternate Sanchez and Jeffers at catcher and DH. That will help us get over how terrible the bullpen will be.

He better have to earn a call up. He’s gotten a free pass from his one good month a season and now he better have to earn it.

The guys up now will need not to be demoted. Unless he’s traded, terrible or gets hurt he will be up after the all star game.

Keep a eye on the game for me tonite against the White Sux, I got rasslin to watch.

Kepler never makes a play look easy.

Dutchboy wrote:

I think you guys are overlooking Keplers defensive value.

He should have an auto-inflatable that goes off when he approaches the warning track. That might make him more comfortable approaching the wall which he is afraid of.

I’ll take Celestino any day as a defensive player.

Dutchboy wrote:

Anybody watch the ball clank of Celestino’s chest over the weakend?

I saw the replay just before it hit him. I heard it was a knuckling line drive. If that’s true, misplaying them can happen.

mahtofire14 wrote:

Did you also see the great grab up against the wall he made a few innings later

I did and that’s a play Kepler never makes.

Looks like Bad Bundy is here today. Has grooved about 4 meatballs in the first inning and a third and finally got hurt by one. Could be a short start if doesn’t start locating.

By all means lets get Celestino in the line-up. Send Kepler to St. Paul.