arby58

Why not? He's 6'2" so would have the size you prefer there. He hits, he plays, right?

How is it 'a disaster for the Twins to this point?' CES wouldn't have contributed anything to the Twins last year, and anything he is doing now in spring training is irrelevant, unless he ends up on the major league roster this year - which is unlikely. I'd call it an incomplete grade for both teams. If Mahle is a contributing member of this year's starting rotation, it might end up being a reasonable trade for both teams.

You could say that about any relief pitcher, since their innings pitched are a smaller sample size than starters. That said, the data across the board is solid - and ERA is really not the stat to rely upon, particularly for relievers.

That's correct, based on last year. I think the hope is that the shift restrictions help Kepler (I think that is a sound assumption) and Gallo returns to prior form (we'll see). That said, if they aren't hitting particularly well but are great defensively, they'll see some time. That is certainly the best feature of Taylor's game (granted, he was far better offensively than either Gallo or Kepler last year).

It's complicated. Nelson Cruz, Jim Thome, Chili Davis, etc. were not a 'wasted cog.' As has also been pointed out, if a player is a negative defensvely (as Arraez was, and Miranda probably will be), it'd be better to keep their bat in the lineup and put a better defender in the field. That's why my long-term bet (if he hits and doesn't improve defensively) is on Miranda as a semi-regular DH.

I tend to agree, especially with Kepler and Gallo, as a big part of their value is as defensive outfielders.

Still possible they move Kepler, which frees up a spot for Larnach. I like them getting a right-handed bat for first base, as Kiriloff hit .167 against left handed pitching last year (granted, a small sample size).

Gallo is primarily in outfielder (and a good one defensively). Solano is primarily an infielder. Gallo bats from the left side, Solano from the right side. Those don't sound redundant to me.

Lee played a handful of games at AA last year, and that was also the level for Julien - neither of them has even played a game at AAA, so calling them 'ready' is a stretch. Meanwhile, using healthy in the same sentence as Lewis or Kiriloff remains to be seen, and in Lewis' case probably won't be known for several months. The move is solid - the Twins have more depth on this team than any in a long time.

The good news is the Twins are pretty well set in the infield in 2023, so even if he's doing well, there isn't an urgent need to move him up (knocking on wood that injuries don't pile up ala 2022).

If both Lewis and Lee 'make it' while Correa is slotted at SS, Polanco at 2B, and Miranda is at 3B, there's a bit of a log jam there. My guess is if this transpires, Miranda becomes primarily a DH. If Lewis' mobility is reduced but he can still rake, he could also become an option at 1B. Of course, if they both make it, it's a good problem to have (and makes a player like Farmer expendable).

Not a chance - he is untouchable. Comparisons with Mike Trout if he tears up high-A (Trout played at Cedar Rapids at 18) wouldn't be out of place.

If you compare Julien's numbers at AA with Arraez, there really is no comparison - Julien's power and speed are far more impactful. Yes, he's older than Arraez was at AA, but if he hits anywhere near that at AAA, the Twins will find a place for him, and a DH who hits for average, power, and can steal bases is far better than anybody else they will trot out there.

I'm having a hard time understanding your definition of 'a good baseball player.' If being below average is 'good,' ok, I'd agree with you, but I'd expect more. Last year ,the league average OPS was .706; Kepler's was .666. Last year, the 15th best right fielder in terms of OPS came in a .694, meaning from a hitting standpoint, Kepler was below average. Sure, he plays a good right field and he can run a bit, but he is definitely below average as a hitter. You can justify that for a catcher or shortstop or centerfielder, much harder to do for a corner outfielder.

The Twins traded Carew in 1979.