Jorge Polanco Returns to Saints Lineup, Hopeful for Twins

I want the 'rehabbing Twins' to make sure they are absolutely right before returning.

There is absolutely NO reason to rush them back and risk further injury for this season. 

The goal should be to be as best positioned as possible going into a 2023 that holds promise IMO as the younger core matures. 

Polanco is a WARRIOR, as is Buxton. You practically have to drag them off the field to put them on the IL. I really, really hope each, along with Larnach and Jeffers, would come up, healthy or relatively so, in the next week to lead the Twins to an ALC flag and the chance to win a 1st round playoff series and "break a curse" and set the table for 2023 with a positive 2022 finish. 

But it's probably just too late. Even with a strong finish, Cleveland just has too soft of a finish for the Twins to make a move unless their depleted roster can surprise the next few games. 

Too late. Too far behind and we will not win out and Cleveland is not going to have a big slump. 

Again a shot at Gary Sanchez, who has always been a better hitter than Jeffers across his career.

Since 8/1
.237/.306/.392 OPS .698 wRC+ 101

Not sure why people keep thinking Jeffers is good at hitting.
2021 = wRC+ 84
2022 = wRC+ 93
 

Jeffers has not been as good as Sanchez, whether one uses metrics or the eye exam. Jeffers could easily eclipse Sanchez as soon as next season, but he is still in the learning stages. I expect Jeffers to start in 2023.

Sanchez came into this year as a long ball threat at the plate and with a reputation (earned) as one of the poorest catchers in the American League. I was not a fan of Sanchez. What have we seen? Sanchez has been in the lineup often and is a tough guy. At the plate, the bat has slowed down and he struggles any time he gets behind in the count. Lately, we have seen Sanchez using right field less frequently than he usually does. In any event, Sanchez at the plate is no longer the feared bat that the Twins hated to face when he played for the Yankees. Surprisingly, to me, Sanchez has been improved behind the plate. He is still not stellar but he has had his best season as a catcher. There have been fewer moments where he bungled pitches. Overall, I would say the Twins have received more from Gary Sanchez than they could have expected.

What does this mean going forward? Jeffers will get the job and Sanchez will be looking for another team. The Twins will continue to have problems behind the plate, but we can hope that Jeffers improves enough to be average.  I am skeptical that the Twins will prioritize an acquisition of a frontline catcher, if one is even available.

I am very concerned about Jorge Polanco, Byron Buxton, and Alex Kirilloff. One has never proven anything really but his career, with all of its promise, is quite uncertain. Polanco has been the heart of the team, playing through some difficult pains the past several years. Byron has struggled to stay on the field. Both Jorge and Byron may have reached a point where their injuries are no longer going to allow them to regain past promise or performances. Neither of their contracts are debilitating to a team but their loss in the field and in the lineup is huge. The 2022 Twins never changed course from the expectations built in to having these two in the games. A 2023 team will need to plan for a team that does not include all three of those injured players and be delighted if they can play. Right now, either they play or put them on the 60 day IL and let someone else have an opportunity.

Looks like Polanco may still not be close to 100%.  Let him and Jeffers heal fully.  If not in time to help this year at least we have them healthy for the start of next year.

As for Jeffers, he needs to work big time on his throwing out base runners or it's going to be a long season next year.  With the enlarged bases and the emphasis on running his weakness will be even further exposed.  That throwing arm is about the only thing I liked about Sanchez.