cHawk

It’s an interesting question who provides the most value at leadoff. Normally you would put a high-on base hitter in that spot. Thus, Arraez or Kirilloff (not Simmons, he hits 9th). However, as you mentioned, Kepler has had a lot of success at leadoff. Although I don’t think Kepler is a leadoff hitter. Mainly because, outside of 2019, he’s been an average hitter throughout the course of his career. I’d go Arraez or Kirilloff. On a side note, please no more La Tortuga. As I and many fans have said, he has no business being on the roster of a contending team. He’s a subpar defender wherever you put him and he can’t hit. I know PECOTA and ZiPS think he can - he can’t. Projections like that mean absolutely nothing. He should be no more than a third-string catcher or third-string infielder or third-string outfielder.

I’m a bit worried about the offense - I know that if it doesn’t improve from last year we are going nowhere.

The main reason IMO that the bullpen got wrecked in the big games last year and in 2019 - it was overtaxed. Used too much. Gassed. Mainly due to starters leaving early. A lot of times Rocco was pulling them too early. Too many bullpen games (last year in particular). I think this bullpen could be very good - IF it isn’t overused.

As ugly as his .222 BA looked last year, one must learn that Batting Average is a highly inaccurate way of rating a hitter. He had a .362 wOBA and a 129 wRC+ (above average).

Let’s all hope you are right. The question is if Garver is fully recovered from said Intercostal Strain.

If he can prove he's a #1 or #2 this year, lock him up, if not, then consider trading him or letting him walk. Let's all hope it's the former.

This team needs another star player or two to go along in the lineup with Nelly and (maybe) JD if they want to go far in October. Buxton has all of the potential in the world to be a star player. He’s been a great fielder who has began to put up above average offensive numbers. (.345 wOBA, 118 wRC+ in 2020) Please do it.

Speaking of deep October runs, what do we think about moves have been made this offseason and whether or not this could/will translate into playoff wins? Berrios remains pivotal, yes. Is he a #1 Starter or a #3 Starter? That remains to be answered. Has the FO done enough or does more need to be done? If they need to go “all-in” at the trade deadline (in July), what do they need most?

Are we certain that Robles is an improvement? We can’t be sure that he is going to bounce back and be like 2019. This bullpen could be very good or very weak. Unfortunately, I have a feeling Rocco will burn it up by July. (I hope I’m wrong)

Is Garver the player we saw in 2019 or in 2020? If it’s the latter our catching rotation will not be pretty.

“When something like that falls in your lap you can really build an avalanche of pain and perfect grief,” said the source. “If They play this right, the agony promises to be even more exquisite than last year’s playoff exit. Play it wrong then, please.

The Twins win this by a country mile. A+ (He's shown no signs of slowing down)

Hopefully Dobby has a good day, unlike Berrios yesterday.