I would like to see Miranda and Whitefield up to AAA first. Pitching has been the main concern, move up WInder, Cano, Moran, and Hackimer to AAA. Hope Twins are more aggressive moving up players this year. I believe Miranda, Whitefield, Moran, and Hackimer are all rule 5 eligible, move them up to AAA at least if they succeed great, if not move on.

2 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I think MLB changed the rules for this season and you can only promote players to the MLB club from AAA so any AA players would have to be moved up for a day or so. Other than that, I like the ideas except Miranda. I think you have to stay with Donaldson at 3B and give Sano some time because he is starting to turn around. Sooo, with that modification...

Trade: Simmons (Dodgers?), Happ, Shoemaker (if anyone will give you anything, if not to BP)

Release/Demote: Law, Anderson, Theilbar, Cave

OF: Kirilloff (OF/1B), Larnach, Kepler, Garlick, Refsnyder (OF/2B), Whitefield - one of last 3 go when  Buxton comes back. Merit based. Kiriloff plays every day in OF or at 1B. Kepler in CF until Buxton returns, then 4th OF. 

IF: Donaldson (3B), Polanco (SS), Arraez (2B/LF), Sano/Kiriloff (1B), and Gordon (2B/UTL)

Catcher: Jeffers, Garver, Astudillo (C/UTL) 

SP: Berrios, Maeda, Pineda. Dobnak, Thorpe   

BP; Rogers, Duffy, Robles, Colome, Alcala, Vasquez, Cano, plus Farrell, Shoemaker or Stashack 

 

We're in basic agreement. Funny I wrote this Tuesday AM and in the afternoon see that Ober has been called up. They must have read my blog post!

I like OP's thought process and 70% behind the ideas. I would just like to say one more time...Falvey. Levine, Baldelli and Johnson were not smoke and mirrors past 2 years. Yes, we were hoping a budget bullpen would be good enough counting on better defense and solid offense to win more games than not. Obviously that did not happen. I just don't like knee jerk reactions to situations we as fans are not privy to. Off my soapbox

I like most of the ideas as a general rule with a few exceptions. I just can't see Polanco at SS. He just doesn't perform well enough there--especially in the late innings. If that means keeping Simmons, so be it. Donaldson's here to stay, so let's just live with it. I'm tired of waiting for the improved Kepler to surface...it seems like I have been waiting far too long. I'm much more patient with Sano because despite the awfulness, there is always that speck of belief that he might really turn into the monster hitter we all expected. The upside is just too high to throw away. I would actually look to trade Polanco. He is going to have trade value and we could land some very nice prospects from a trade at the deadline. Arraez, if he can stay healthy, will be a far better performer overall (IMHO).

Quote

Plus his 2019 body of work was deceptively above average for a second baseman, with 29 doubles in 292 AB and he slashed .298/.342/.459.

Keep in mind, 2019 was the crazy rabbit ball year at AAA. Gordon's 2019 performance, relative to league, was only a 102 wRC+. A lot of uninspiring AAA teammates posted much higher wRC+ marks that year:
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/minor-league?pos=all&lg=2,4&stats=bat&qual=0&type=1&team=16&season=2019&seasonEnd=2019&org=&ind=0&splitTeam=false&players=&sort=19,1

Gordon is certainly off to a good start in 2021, so hopefully he is taking a step forward right now. I think we could give him more than 6 games at AAA to show it's a real improvement, though.

11 hours ago, spycake said:

Keep in mind, 2019 was the crazy rabbit ball year at AAA. Gordon's 2019 performance, relative to league, was only a 102 wRC+. A lot of uninspiring AAA teammates posted much higher wRC+ marks that year:
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/minor-league?pos=all&lg=2,4&stats=bat&qual=0&type=1&team=16&season=2019&seasonEnd=2019&org=&ind=0&splitTeam=false&players=&sort=19,1

Gordon is certainly off to a good start in 2021, so hopefully he is taking a step forward right now. I think we could give him more than 6 games at AAA to show it's a real improvement, though.

I thought that he showed the game changing dimension he can bring to the team in his game with the Twins. I was honestly surprised that, having seen a glimpse of offense, defense and speed that Gordon offers on a last place, bitterly disappointing team, they sent him back down. I’m the first to admit, I’m high on Gordon and think the Twins would be making a mistake not to give him a real shot at 2B. 

On 5/21/2021 at 9:55 AM, LA VIkes Fan said:

I agree that a shakeup in necessary. Focusing on Gordon, if you play him at 2B what do you do with Arraez and Polanco? Both are established MLB hitters at a decent or better level. They need to play. Polanco is stretched at best at the SS position and I just don't think we can live with him as the everyday SS. He and Arraez are the 2B or UTL guys.

Bottom line - if Gordon wants a shot this year it will have to be at SS. The chance will be there because Simmons will be traded, the only questions are when and to whom.  I say trade Simmons and give Gordon a Shot at SS this year. We aren't going to the playoffs this year so let's not flounder around as a mediocre team, let's prepare for next year by seeing what we have. To me that means Larnach and Kirilloff in the OF every day with Kepler as the 4th OF, Sano at 1B, and Kiriloff getting some 1B time. It also means Gordon getting an real shot at SS, Dobnak and Thorpe in the rotation (or Thorpe in the BP if he falters as a starter), and Vasquez in BP. Soon. Later, Duran, Balzovic and Ober get their shots to pitch, Miranda gets a shot to hit. Happ and Shoemaker go to make room in the rotation,   Colome and Thielbar go in the BP. Re-sign Robles if you can, otherwise trade him. Let's spend this year productively by giving prospects a chance. Then, we'll know a little more about what we have and can more intelligently plan this off season. Plus, it will be a lot more fun to watch. 

 

I like your ideas!!!