
Otaknam
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Everything posted by Otaknam
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Week in Review: Late Inning Fireworks
Otaknam replied to Nick Nelson's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
My dissatisfaction w Rocco is that he is too analytics driven and never seems to deviate. Case in point: Ryan was dominating on Friday, seven innings, 89 pitches, one run two hits and a walk. So naturally that means he has to be replaced with a less than stellar BP. I know that the third and fourth time thru the order is more difficult for the pitcher, but baseball history is filled with 1000’s of examples that don’t support this. Even Brad Radke had a lot of complete games and won 20 games without dominating stuff. And relying too much on the BP wears them out too.- 9 replies
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- byron buxton
- jose miranda
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Twins Daily Twins Pitcher of the Month: June 2022
Otaknam replied to Theo Tollefson's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
A sad commentary on the state of Twins starting pitching when a guy who can’t given you even five innings as a starter is the pitcher of the month. He has shown some bulldog and I like his energy on the mound. And I know the philosophy for SP has changed across baseball. Still, if a starter cannot get through six innings it will tax the BP eventually.- 8 replies
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- jhoan duran
- griffin jax
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Twins' Bullpen Needs Some Fresh Faces
Otaknam replied to Cody Pirkl's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
You make a valid point. Late inning relief has been a dumpster fire and the trade with San Diego has been a disaster, weakening the BP with a Ron Davis version in Pagan the only thing left. Scrap heap BP pitchers is not working so why not give Henriquez a shot at short relief. Winder has shown that he can succeed as a starter Sands has struggled similar to Jax did so a transition to BP makes some sense for this year.- 33 replies
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- josh winder
- ronny henriquez
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Minnesota’s Return for Berrios Continues to Look Better
Otaknam replied to Ted Schwerzler's topic in Twins Minor League Talk
No surprise that Berrios is struggling. His history for five typical starts is two good starts and one of them may be dominant, two mediocre starts (I.e. 5 innings, 7 hits, 2 walks, 4-5 earned runs, 105 pitches), and one clunker start. It all adds up to a number three starter at best. He’s not the guy you can count on to get you the big win you need, such as a Verlander.- 69 replies
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- jose berrios
- austin martin
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Can the Twins (realistically) make a trade for Nelson Cruz?
Otaknam replied to RedneckRay's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Why post an article that is clearly not going to happen? Unless Cruz has become a 97 mph closer since they traded him there are no at bats for him with this team.- 61 replies
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- nelson cruz
- washington nationals
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If they can sign him for a team friendly 2-3 year contract extension they should do it. He’s got a bulldog mentality that I like. And Rocco will even let him throw 100 pitches and face the lineup a third time. Go figure!
- 24 replies
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- sonny gray
- steven matz
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What Happened to Jose Berrios?
Otaknam replied to Ted Schwerzler's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Berrios is a number three starter capable of consistent 15-17 win seasons on a good team. His track record w the Twins over typical five starts: two excellent starts, 2 mediocre starts, one absolute clunkers, not necessarily in that order. All adds up to maybe two quality starts over that timespan. Not sure that’s worth $20 million per year but good for him.- 25 replies
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- austin martin
- simeon woods richardson
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I can see Kepler moved under that scenario and keeping Kiriloff, who I think is destined for .300 with 40+ doubles, 25-30 HR, 100+ RBI.
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Minnesota’s Not-So-Secret Postseason Bullpen Weapon
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Now that the September call up rosters are limited I doubt that Maeda will pitch this year. The team will need pitchers who have innings this year. -
If the team has a sudden collapse then trade him. But if they are in the playoff hunt keep him. The problem is the Twins will never be a WS contender until they have a legit number one starter or 2 number twos. Since they won’t pay a top free agent pitcher the only option is to develop one. Let’s hope they do.
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Rocco Baldelli: suffering from success
Otaknam replied to Jack Griffin's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Agree that “ despising and hating” Baldelli for managing in a way you disagree with is pretty harsh. I don’t like the now popular managing by computer method myself, where analytics seems to drive every decision. Once in awhile go with your instincts and how someone is playing. For example, a player like Buxton goes on a torrid hitting streak of 10 for 15 with 5 home runs. The next day he is sitting out because that was scheduled a week in advance. Or a starting pitcher is dominating through five innings but the analytics drive the decision to take him out when the lineup turns over for the third time. Wonder what Rocco will do if a SP has a no hitter through 8 innings and has thrown 110 pitches? Let’s hope we get to find out. -
Three Minnesota Twins Being Overlooked This Season
Otaknam replied to Ted Schwerzler's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
From a previous comment, I’d be ok if they moved Kepler in a package that doesn’t include Kiriloff for an actual upgrade in SP. But though Gordon has done well in the outfield, we all saw with Lewis how putting a player out of position is risky. So trading Kepler because Gordon can play outfield, even on a part time basis, isn’t a great idea IMO.- 26 replies
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- max kepler
- royce lewis
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Minnesota’s Second Coming of Rod Carew
Otaknam replied to Ted Schwerzler's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
So happy Arraez didn’t get traded in the off season. He is clearly the offense catalyst an All Star this year. His enthusiasm is capturing fans, kind of the anti Sano from that stand point. While he doesn’t have a specific position he has shown the ability to play first, second, third, and outfield in a pinch. They need to sign him to a long term contract.- 46 replies
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- luis arraez
- rod carew
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The Potential Cost of Acquiring Pitching in Trades
Otaknam replied to Sherry Cerny's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Do not include Kiriloff in any trades. I agree that he is going to be a special player. The Twins need to develop a legitimate number one starter since I don’t think an ace can be acquired in a trade.- 42 replies
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- austin martin
- tyler mahle
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Nice thought about adding a top starting pitcher, but not if Kiriloff is included. I think he’s going to be a 30 homer, .300 hitter with 40-50 doubles. He’s a keeper!
- 15 replies
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- alex kirilloff
- tim beckham
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Royce Lewis vs. Alex Kirilloff: Who's Next in Line?
Otaknam replied to Nick Nelson's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
It’s time for both to be in the big leagues. The simple solution is to send Miranda down to regain his stroke since Lewis and Kiriloff, as a pair, can handle first and third. The offense is struggling right now with Buxton always a step away from another injury. -
Are the Twins an Experiment in Action?
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Hoping it all holds up and the depth proves to be solid. Am really curious to see if the young SP arms hold up and a couple prove to be legitimate. Arraez is proving to be a major reason why they are doing well. He may win a batting title.- 38 replies
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- luis arraez
- jhoan duran
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The Twins' 3 Biggest Weaknesses
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
I am tired of retread starting pitching that doesn’t get the job done. The easy way out is to complain about management. Baldelli was MOY two years ago so he hasn’t become inept since then. SP needs to get them more innings, especially Archer and Bundy. Four innings from starters time after time won’t cut it. If thats what Bundy and Archer continue to get I say let’s bring up Balazovic, Canterino, or Woods-Richardson to see if they can help.- 56 replies
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- miguel sano
- alex kirilloff
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It is clear to me that they want Lewis to play SS every day in anticipation of Correa leaving after this year. Maybe give him a few games in left or first base but let him play shortstop. I think he’ll get plenty of ABs in the big leagues this year with injury issues to the roster. The Kiroloff injuries have left first base bereft of talent. That’s probably the easiest position to move people to, yet they have no one at AAA who can fill in.
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Why suggest trading a player we no longer have, I.e. Donaldson for Price. Montas would be the best SP on the Twins staff so that would make sense. But I’m encouraged by the pitching pipeline and would only make that trade if I the team looks like a serious candidate to win it all. Without a real Verlander type ace and a reliable closer I don’t see that happening this year.
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- luis castillo
- frankie montas
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It’s about health and starting pitching. If they can get healthy and the starters hold up it should be a fun season. If Winder keeps pitching well it looks like Archer is a candidate for long relief. And of course Buxton and Correa need to be healthy. The silver lining with the injuries is that some young prospects are getting some experience, which will help down the road. And we’ll find out about Miranda and Lewis’ ability to play 3B and SS in the bigs.
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3 Reasons to Believe in These Twins
Otaknam replied to Nash Walker's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
I don’t get the Baldelli criticism, which claims he has no discernible managerial skills. Apparently he lost those skills from two years ago and now his managerial tool box is barren?- 15 replies
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- joe ryan
- chris paddack
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Let's Cut Miguel Sanó Some Slack
Otaknam replied to Matthew Taylor's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Stow the “advanced metrics” on Sano. He is lost at the plate AGAIN. And he will be lost again and again this season while mixing in a hot week here and there to give his apologists hope. That’s who he is, an all or nothing guy. The Twins just have to decide if they can keep tolerating it or if they have a replacement who is better. -
Has Luis Arraez Earned a Starting Role?
Otaknam replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Arraez’ calling card is that he is an old school on base machine who plays with enthusiasm but lacks speed and plays mediocre infield defense. Given that Miranda and Lewis are close to the ML Arraez is an interesting trade chip, which I believe the FO will use at some point. Gordon plays well enough to be the utility guy and he brings speed too. -
My take is that it’s more difficult to build a strong rotation than a strong bull pen. Most teams never have too many starters. Paddock has some success already and they believe he has an upside. They are also looking to save money in the next few years, where they’d have to pay Rogers around $30 million over three years. They must believe they can develop a closer from the current roster.