Do the Minnesota Twins Have a Right-Handedness Problem?

Pretty good balance with Kepler, Arraez, Rosario all left handed. Polanco has more power left handed. Back ups are Avila, Cave left handed and Adrianza, Gonzales switch hitters. IMHO roster well balanced. 

I don't consider guys with a career OPS in the mid 800s versus right handed pitching a problem. That's still really good production and coupled with the left handed bats (and switch hitters) the Twins offense will be very dangerous no matter who is on the mound.

I thought perhaps Stu had changed his handle but the joke was not as cleverly written.

To be honest it was something that had crossed my mind as well but after looking into it, it didn't seem to be much of an issue.  I thought you made a good point and one I hadn't considered about the playoff pitchers we will face.  That does make it more of an issue when and if we get to that level but it does seem minimal compared to our potential pitching issues. In the end I think there is a healthy balance in this lineup and we might have lefties on the way by the end of this year if things go well on the farm for the top prospects.

If the biggest issue we have is that our batters are worse against righties than lefties, and that the "worse" is still coming in at a 800+ ops I'll take it everyday of the week and twice on Sunday

Remember this year relievers have to face 3 batters or until the end of the inning.  So you cannot run into a bullpen in a big situation (like bases loaded and 0 outs) where the oppenent could play matchups with a superior pen.  Twins have a nice problem to have.

If the biggest issue we have is that our batters are worse against righties than lefties, and that the "worse" is still coming in at a 800+ ops I'll take it everyday of the week and twice on Sunday

The end of your comment reminds me how much I miss Sunday double-headers!

What's your solution, cut Cruz, Donaldson, Garver and Sano ...or trade them for left handed batters ..

well, their best two hitting prospects both swing from the left side, so if this actually emerges as an issue there may be some in-house options to adjust the formula.

I'm not too concerned about it, because while Cruz & Donaldson do have a noticeable splits, they still hit righties very well. Garver & Sano have smaller splits and again, both still hit righties well. This isn't like Kepler having a career OPS of .680 against lefties and needing to protect people.

The end of your comment reminds me how much I miss Sunday double-headers!

"And on the 7th day God said, 'Let there be rest...Except for those who play 18 innings.' And it was good."

As others have said, the Twins left-handed (and switch) hitters are no slouches.

Non-issue.

Here's to hoping JA Happ starts two games against the Twins in their next playoff series against the Yankees.

Non-issue. Lineup is well balanced. Our left-handed and switch hitters can also hit major bombas.

Not a problem.

But I do think we need an upgrade at SS.

Not a problem.

But I do think we need an upgrade at SS.

I agree with you and mentioned that in the article. The point I'm making is that their 4 best hitters are right handed which could come into play when games matter the most. Sometimes it's the slimmest of margins that can make a difference in games, and handedness could end up being a factor.

The issue in your article is that you state "what really makes the difference for them in their worse performance against left-handed hitters is that their best hitters are right-handed".  Based on the OPS stats you provided, all four of the Twins best hitters not only in 2019, but for their entire careers have been better against righties than the Twins collectively were last year.  The Twins were worse against righties because they gave 600 PA's against lefties to Gonzalez, Rosario, Polanco, and Arraez who all OPS'd below .800 against lefties, compared to 1,761 PA's against righties to Buxton, Cave, Adrianza, Schoop, Gonzalez, Astudillo, and Cron, all of whom OPS'd below .800 against righties.

Having 4 guys who are merely very good against righties in contrast to being death against lefties isn't the problem--the problem is the bottom of the order needs to be better.  A full season of Arraez and Kepler (.887 and .845 OPS against righties) will help, as might a late season call-up of Rooker (1.024 OPS against righties) or Kiriloff (.816 against righties in a lost season), or possibly even a trade for a left-handed corner outfielder, should injuries mount.

I appreciate the conversation.

 

I'm not denying the fact that Sano, Cruz, Garver and Donaldson still hit really well against RHP. But being elite and being really good are two different things, and with the rotation the Twins have it might require elite offense against RHP to make a run.

I don’t follow your argument. Are you saying the Twins need to upgrade their already really good lineup? How do you propose they do this?

One thing not mentioned is Target Field plays well to right handed power and the Twins are appropriately constructed.