Here we go!

Took em long enough! The FO is sure good at wasting time.

And Kepler has been injured for how long? Why does it take this organization sooooooooooooo long to make moves that need to be done immediately? (Answer: Poor Management).

 

Sorry to ask the tough, but legit, question: will we see Kepler in a Twins uniform again?

Broken toe -> Leg contusion -> Wrist sprain

This training staff needs to go.

3 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Sorry to ask the tough, but legit, question: will we see Kepler in a Twins uniform again?

Supposedly they made it retroactive so he could be back this next weekend. I have zero faith in the Twins trainers or evaluations right now, though.

Took way too long to make this move, but I'm glad its finally been made. I don't expect Wallner to light the world on fire for the rest of this season, but a big HR or 2 sure would be helpful right now. No big mistakes in the OF paired with competitive at bats, and I'll call this a successful first stint for Wallner.

Also nice to get his feet wet this season in anticipation of him being needed next year.

I've been saying it all season long.  The Twins use the IL to try and manage their roster moves.  Unfortunately, they can't do that right, IMO.  A little more transparency on the part of FO and field management may make things a little more tolerable.

We just don't know what goes on behind the scenes. Kepler has seemed (body language/facially) unhappy for some time. This doesn't mean squat really but the communication also seems lacking because Max has been on the roster and unable to contribute in any fashion for some time, more than 10 days. What's up? I don't know, but the guy with a million dollar smile hasn't cracked one in a long while. 

24 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Sorry to ask the tough, but legit, question: will we see Kepler in a Twins uniform again?

Kep is due 8.5 mil next year plus a 1m buy out on his ‘24 10m option.

what would you give up for 1 year of Kepler at $9.5m?

As much as I know the FO likes scrap heap relievers, I bet we see Kep again next year 

30 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Kep is due 8.5 mil next year plus a 1m buy out on his ‘24 10m option.

what would you give up for 1 year of Kepler at $9.5m?

As much as I know the FO likes scrap heap relievers, I bet we see Kep again next year 

Great question. Probably not much. Now cue the TDers who think Max will bounce back with the outlawed shift. Still, $9.5MM is a lot of capital to have available to fill holes. 
 

Sano, Kepler, Polanco. Three great signs at the time, but really only one looks like it might pan out over the full life of the deal, let alone on a follow-up deal. Sad.

35 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Kep is due 8.5 mil next year plus a 1m buy out on his ‘24 10m option.

what would you give up for 1 year of Kepler at $9.5m?

As much as I know the FO likes scrap heap relievers, I bet we see Kep again next year 

Don’t get me wrong though. Max is a superior defender and one of my favourite Twins. He has value for sure. I’m just not sure at the price he fits our needs best. But, you are probably right - back next year. 

With the ban on shifts next year, that could be a real plus for Kepler offensively. Hard to say, though

First, about damn time. Carrying Kepler as a cheerleader for a couple weeks was...suboptimal.

Second, Kepler will be in RF to start 2023. What are they going to do with him? I don't think he's tradable. They're not going to eat $10.5m. He can't be sent to AAA.

 

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Kep is due 8.5 mil next year plus a 1m buy out on his ‘24 10m option.

what would you give up for 1 year of Kepler at $9.5m?

As much as I know the FO likes scrap heap relievers, I bet we see Kep again next year 

Ask Kepler if he accept pay cut.  

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Sorry to ask the tough, but legit, question: will we see Kepler in a Twins uniform again?

How many more years in his very club friendly contract? Two, maybe?  That could give him some trade value; and he is a good right fielder. But what a disappointment he's been. Apparently 2019 was an outlier.

9 minutes ago, chinmusic said:

How many more years in his very club friendly contract? Two, maybe?  That could give him some trade value; and he is a good right fielder. But what a disappointment he's been. Apparently 2019 was an outlier.

One more year. Plus a club option on 2024.

Kepler is a solid starting RF. He's already produced 2.1 bWAR and 2.0 fWAR this year. He's ranked 11th of the top 30 right fielders with 350+ plate appearances this year.

I remember all the whining and complaining about Kepler from earlier this year when his detractors were convinced there was no way Kepler was going to reach 2 WAR this season (2.0-3.0 WAR is where a full season Kepler lives year in and out). Well, he's already there. Kepler is an average to above average every day right fielder. He's valuable as a trade asset because he has surplus value over his inexpensive contract, and if the Twins keep him, he's not the problem for the team's struggles.

1 minute ago, bean5302 said:

Kepler is a solid starting RF. He's already produced 2.1 bWAR and 2.0 fWAR this year. He's ranked 11th of the top 30 right fielders with 350+ plate appearances this year.

I remember all the whining and complaining about Kepler from earlier this year when his detractors were convinced there was no way Kepler was going to reach 2 WAR this season (2.0-3.0 WAR is where a full season Kepler lives year in and out). Well, he's already there. Kepler is an average to above average every day right fielder. He's valuable as a trade asset because he has surplus value over his inexpensive contract, and if the Twins keep him, he's not the problem for the team's struggles.

Lol.

 

This says all one needs to know about WAR.

10 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Lol.

 

This says all one needs to know about WAR.

Sorry, I couldn't find a more relevant statistic for a REAL ballplayer like chew spit distance or creepy mustache length or pissed off face stare/intimidation factor.

I know everyone is down on Kepler and rightfully so over the past 2 season but with the shift ban next and Kepler ability to strictly pull the ball and put it in play all the time he is going to go from a .215 hitter to a .285+hitter!  Maybe the power never comes back but he will be a productive hitter and one of the most influenced by the shift ban.

Yup, Kepler will be back, but his near-total lack of power this year has to be a big concern. He should collect some more hits with the shift limits, but only 9 HRs and 18 2Bs in 446 PAs is embarrassing (.666 OPS!).

20 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Yup, Kepler will be back, but his near-total lack of power this year has to be a big concern. He should collect some more hits with the shift limits, but only 9 HRs and 18 2Bs in 446 PAs is embarrassing (.666 OPS!).

The OPS of the DFA!

37 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Yup, Kepler will be back, but his near-total lack of power this year has to be a big concern. He should collect some more hits with the shift limits, but only 9 HRs and 18 2Bs in 446 PAs is embarrassing (.666 OPS!).

That’s it, he’s a league average to below league average hitter at an offense first fielding position.

4 hours ago, High heat said:

I know everyone is down on Kepler and rightfully so over the past 2 season but with the shift ban next and Kepler ability to strictly pull the ball and put it in play all the time he is going to go from a .215 hitter to a .285+hitter!  Maybe the power never comes back but he will be a productive hitter and one of the most influenced by the shift ban.

He's been in MLB since 2015 and has managed a .250 BA once.

It's not just the shifting. 

5 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Kepler is an average to above average every day right fielder.

The German Jason Heyward.

Kepler's regression is mostly his inability to adjust to the shift.  He's got himself so convinced he can beat the shift, and more often than not, he's not even a challenge.  What makes a guy ignore something so obvious?

Pagan going for an arbitration audition, tonight.

The only positive for today, was the Gopher's 49-7 win.

Pagan becomes a spectator, doesn't cover home plate. Unbelievable.  That's on Baldelli.  It's  basic baseball .