stringer bell

I don't think he's strictly an outfielder, but he's (at best) third on the depth chart at shortstop and third base. If Polanco suffered an injury, he might even get regular play at second. Both the eye test and metrics indicate he's not a good fielder at second and short, but he got some play at both positions last year. His best defensive position (left field) is way down on the spectrum of importance and he's league average there.

The idea isn't to ever use Farmer at catcher. It is that there is an option in case the catcher gets injured. The Twins probably used Sanchez and Jeffers 15-20 times in the same lineup and never used a non-catcher. Having Farmer available in a crisis is better than putting a relief pitcher behind the plate, as was the scenario part of '22.

We might also see the scenario of Vazquez and Jeffers in the lineup at the same time, particularly with a guy (Farmer) who came to the majors as a catcher.

Gordon proved to me last year that he was a major leaguer. Perhaps this year he will prove he is a regular. I really am not worried about who starts Game One, everybody will get chances. That is the way modern managers do things. Now, to the nuts and bolts of the roster composition--the present roster has Gordon, Gallo, Kepler, Larnach, Taylor and Buxton in the outfield. Add in that Kirilloff also has played more outfield than first in his major league career and there are too many big leaguers for everyone to their share of playing time and that is especially true of the left handed hitting corner outfielders. I honestly don't see Gordon as the first or second choice at any outfield spot and do remember, he's only played a couple of innings in right field. In the infield, Gordon doesn't look like the number one backup at short or third (again he's only played a few innings at third) and it would probably depend on the handedness of the opponent starter if he was the first choice to spell Polanco. The depth chart looked similar in 2022 and Gordon managed to get his chances and succeed. I wonder how 2023 will pan out.

Kyle Farmer and Michael A Taylor replace Celestino and Garlick and add to the payroll. Worth it IMHO.

Yes, really nice article. I'm sure I'm not the only that noticed he at one point was throwing 99 mph fastballs.

I expect Ober will get plenty of starts and I hope he stays healthy so that he can be a foundation for the ‘24 rotation. He’s got 5 guys ahead of him, but it is a virtual impossibility that all five will stay healthy and productive through the season.

I am on the SWR train. At 22, he may have a bit of physical development left and his pitch mix is already good enough so that he should be in the majors for good sometime this year or for sure next year. I don't see him as a bullpen guy because he has more than two pitches. Finally, it is a crazy world where a low-to-mid 90s fastball is now considered "below average". I hope SWR can stay healthy and make the next step this year.

I think this is all speculation at this point. I do know Rocco has said more than once that Maeda is a “full go” coming into spring training. Reports on Mahle have been equally optimistic. Spring training should reveal a lot. By the way, except for the WBC guys, this will be a normal spring training—a welcome change.

Great minds!!!!

The Twins open on the road in KC. The Home Opener is a week later against the Nats, I believe. So, which is really more prestigious? If I’m the manager, I start Gray in the season opener and Ryan in the Home Opener. The good thing is that there really are four good candidates for either start.

Miranda has primarily been a third baseman in his minor league career. From what I've read, he's never profiled as better than satisfactory there. He did enough last year to be considered a success and be penciled in as a full-time regular. I don't disagree with that. However, before the season is over he could be a man without a position and a logical trade chip. Martin, Lee and Lewis, who are still considered prospects, but any of them could fill his position at third base, so there are a lot of possibilities for making Miranda's regular status at third a one-year or less experiment. If Jose is supplanted at third, he is then in competition with the likes of Kirilloff, Larnach and Gordon for DH at bats and specifically Kirilloff for time at first base. Kirilloff is the better defender and has the better hitting pedigree (limited MLB success) and hits lefty so he may have the edge on Miranda (if he's healthy).

At some point the Twins will start winning more games against the Yankees than the odds say they should. I would like to see it in my lifetime. I would like to see it this year TBH. The projection ends up being about .500 and it wouldn't surprise me if that is what it ends up. I think the Twin win four games (or more) versus New York and Houston, but isn't as dominating against the bad teams.

Compared to other teams that really believe they will compete, the Twins have a far greater level of unprovenness (if that's a word). Gordon had a good stretch last year, but as noted above, he benefited from a high BABiP and shows concerning platoon splits. Kirilloff and Larnach have both had their trials shortened and damaged by lingering injuries. Wallner certainly could benefit from more AAA time. All four of those guys could succeed and make Kepler redundant, but chances are not all of them will succeed. I think it is prudent to have a vet LH hitting corner, two might be overkill. Injuries will probably provide all of these guys with opportunities to prove themselves. Currently, it doesn't look like we'll see the likes of a Contreras, Cave, Celestino outfield, and that is a good thing.

In looking at their spray charts, Kepler had more opposite field singles than Buxton and also more ground ball to the oppo side than Buck. Neither of them had a bunt single. On the other hand, it looks like Kepler must have grounded out about 100 times to the right side with about a half dozen grounders that slipped through the infield.

Agree. Correa is still only 28 years old. Most likely just halfway through his time as a shortstop. The honors and awards are pretty limited--no MVP, only two AS nods--with only the one GG (also platinum that year) as an individual award. He's shown very good value, being very good in all facets of the game.

Remember that there are fewer games within the division and something like 100 inter-division. Pretty reliably, the Twins will face between 25 and 35 percent left handed starters.

I think Willi Castro has a better skill set and major league experience. He would slot in front of Helman, I think and I believe they are the same age. As far as stealing bases, hit and running etc., I hope their personnel is more suited to that game this year. Last year, it really wasn't. Whether they are suited to a running or base stealing unit, I hope there is improvement in base running since it was dreadful last year.

Average health (as measured by man/games lost) would have made the Twins a contender last year and would put them there this year IMHO. I would say the Twins have gambled on questionable health quite a bit during the Falvey era and the results have been less than optimum.

Good point. I couldn't come up with a single catcher who would be promoted. Wolters, Cisco and Greiner all have quite a bit of experience and Cisco was once a top prospect and he's a switch hitter IIRC. I apparently am the only person that has voted for Willi Castro. I think he has a lot going for himself to get on and stay on the major league roster. He is truly versatile--he's played plenty of middle infield and center has played plenty of outfield in the last couple of years. In addition, he adds a bit of speed and will play 2023 as a 26-year old, and he's a switch hitter without big platoon splits.

Yep, outwardly the Twins have addressed depth by having Farmer and Gordon in the infield and Gordon, Larnach, Celestino (at least) in the outfield. For first base they have Kirilloff and then guys slated to play elsewhere. I guess they are really believing Alex' wrist problems will be behind him. I hope so, I really think Kirilloff can be a lineup fixture and potential All-Star if he is fully healthy and I do believe this year is a make-or-break for the former first round pick.

FWIW, Gallo is a clearly superior defender. Offensively, I think you're right, but Miguel seems to have worn out his welcome in Minny. BTW, I don't think it's totally fair. Sano has holes in his swing that seem to have been recognized and exacerbated by the high-velo new normal that has taken over MLB. It isn't because he doesn't work hard or he's too fat IMHO.

Here is the quote, taken from fangraphs:

I don't know if the Twins have been more or less transparent than other organizations. The fanbase is due for success, in particular in the postseason, and so there is less patience for the lack of transparency here. Last season's Buxton "management" was puzzling to me. It seemed a long shot to keep their brightest star on the field and in a limited capacity.

If they can hit! Both Kepler and Gallo have had seasons in the past where they should be in the lineup almost every day, even against lefties. Still, they are overloaded with Gordon, Larnach, Kepler and Gallo all corner OF and DH candidates or adding Kirilloff, six guys for four spots in the order.