LA VIkes Fan

Wow, offensive explosion. Good thing we got rid of that Lewis guy . . . Seriously, I now remember how much different this lineup looks with Correa in the lineup, even better with Correa and Buxton...

I think we play Lewis 3 times a week at 3B (instead of Miranda/Urshela), 1-2 times a week in LF (instead of Gordon or Garlick), and once a week or so at SS to give Correa a DH day. You can add a DH day for Lewis. I really don't think this is that hard. I don't see Urshela as an everyday 3B even with his great glove. He had a .720 OPS last year and has a .610 OPS so far this year. He was better in 2019 and 2020, but 2019 is the year of the juiced baseball and 2020 is 150 ABs/174 PAs. The Yankees saw him as a high end utility player. I frankly think they're right. Now, the plan may be for Lewis to get some reps at 3B and LF in AAA and return to the Twins in 2 weeks when the roster composition changes. I don't like that plan but I would understand it. The idea of playing him for the rest of the year in AAA to get SS reps makes no sense to me.

Well said. I just don't see any particular reason why Lewis can't get the "experience" he needs at the other positions at the MLB level. He isn't displacing any particularly good player. At 3B, Urshela is an outstanding glove who simply cannot hit very well. He is the utility player the Yankees thought he was. In LF, both Gordon and Garlick have severe limitations at the plate and neither is a particularly good outfielder. We also don't have a full-time DH so we have places to get at-bats for players either Lewis displaces or for Lewis himself. Bottom line, play the guys who have earned playing time. Lewis has earned playing time on the Twins. Urshela, Gordon and Garlick have not. I'm not including Miranda because my assumption is that the moment Larnach is ready to play Miranda will be in AAA and until then he will rarely, if ever, see the field other than maybe at 1B against LH pitching, Urshela and Gordon are utility players, Garlick is a AAAA player, and Miranda is a AAA player (at the present time). Lewis at least looks like a MLB starting caliber player in his small sample size. He should be getting a larger sample size until he proves himself to be something else. This is just dumb and not well thought out.

I can see where you and I differ - it's Lewis v. Urshela at 3B and Lewis v. Gordon/Garlick in LF. I agree that Lewis is not an upgrade from Correa by any stretch of the imagination, he's a downgrade. I think he's a slight upgrade from Arraez because he can hit same sided pitching and Arraez can't, and Lewis can actually competently play in the field, but I wouldn't waste Lewis at 1B. The big disconnect for me is why isn't Lewis playing 3B instead of Urshela and/or LF instead of Gordon or Garlick? He should be able to play close to as well or better in the field and he so far has shown himself to be the far superior hitter and athlete. No scholarships. Either Urshela, Gordon and Garlick produce or they sit or get cut when someone else produces. Lewis is producing, all three of them are not. They sit or, in Garlick's case, get DFA'd and sent to St. Paul since it isn't likely anyone else will want a 30 year old OF who is a liability in the field and can't hit RH pitching. Why would we need to protect Gordon's playing time in the OF or keep Garlick around for those 20 – 30% of overall at bats that are against Left-handed pitching instead of keeping up a player who has shown the ability to hit, field, and run? Winning organizations find a place for that guy; they don't send him to AAA because it might be difficult to find him at bats. They find the bats at the expense of players who are not performing as well. That's what we should be doing. Now this entire rant may go out the window if they send Lewis to AAA for a couple of weeks, have him play a couple days a week in the outfield and a couple days a week at both second and third base, and then bring him up and wind up playing him five days a week in some combination of shortstop, third base, second base, and left field. This is what winning teams would do to get an exciting player who improves the team on the field. Actually, winning teams would do this at the MLB level but obviously that's not going to happen. As I said earlier post on the subject, what this tells me is that the Twins are not committed to winning this year but are looking at this year as a developmental year for next year. If that's really the situation, and it sure is beginning to look that way, time for me to go back and follow the Dodgers and Angels this year and I'll check back in with you guys next season.

The disappointing thing about this move is that it shows you what the FO and manager think about this year's team – that it isn't good enough to be competitive. Sending down Lewis is justifiable IF your primary goal is to position the team for NEXT year and you want Lewis to get reps at SS to be the SS next year. It isn't justifiable if your goal is to win THIS year unless this is a short term 2 to 3 week situation to play him at 3B and LF in AAA so he can come back up as an every day super utility player like Chris Taylor is with the Dodgers. That's my hope; but it doesn't look like that is the plan. I find this very disappointing in part because I live in LA and watch a much better run team in the Dodgers who position themselves to be competitive every year. Hate them if you will because they have money, I get it, but that is in the main reason there always competitive. The main reason is that they do a very good job of balancing short-term success and long-term planning. They're probably the best in the MLB at doing that. There is zero chance that the Dodgers would send down Lewis in this situation. They would either making creative trade to open a spot for him, think trading Urshela for a non-40 man prospect or two, or they would bite the bullet and DFA someone who is unlikely to contribute to the long-term success of the team like Garlick. They would then find the at-bats for Lewis to keep him on the field at least four days a week as he learns his trade at the MLB level. That is what we should be doing and we are not. That should tell all of us is that the FO and the manager does not believe in this year's team. I frankly suspect that lack of belief is going to filter down to the current squad. The players know who should be on the team and who should not. Doing things like this is not the way to keep players like Correa from exercising options to leave or keep the other players happy and productive. I will take all this back if in fact the plan is to have Lewis down in AAA for two or three weeks, bring him back when the roster composition shifts to 13 pictures and 13 position players, and they then find him a place to play every day either at 3B (Urshela simply doesn't hit well enough, looks like the utility infielder the Yankees thought he was), or LF with Larnach the primary DH. Or if they sign Correa to a longer team contract so Lewis is going down to AAA to learn to be the team's primary third baseman, or anything else that gives Lewis a chance to play most days and learn his craft at the MLB level. If not, frankly it's time for me to turn my attention to a better run team in the Dodgers or, unbelievably, the new management for the Angels who actually seem like they're competent enough and are turning that team into a contender.

I understand the decision but can't agree unless the idea is for Lewis to spend the next 2-3 weeks getting some reps at 3B, and maybe some at 2B and LF. I'm ok with the idea that he would come back up in a couple of weeks to play a super utility role, ala' Chris Taylor of the Dodgers, Otherwise, this doesn't make sense to me unless we're playing for next year rather than this year.

Guys, the question is do we want to win this year or use this year to position ourselves for next year? I think we can do both. We can actually win the division this year (or get a wield card) and maaaaybe even a playoff series. At worse, we should contend for the playoffs. To me, that's better development time for the young guys than more time at AAA. To win more, you keep your best players. Here, it's 11 guys plus 2 catchers. Lewis is one of our best 11 players; hell he's one of our best 8 or 9 players. So are Celestino and Larnach. They stay. Miranda is not. He goes. Garlick? Probably not. He's a RH DH/corner OF. Least important spot on the team. He's at risk. Urshela? Close to the line but ahead of Garlick because he can actually field an important position. This should be a meritocracy. Lewis, Larnach and Celestino got an earlier than expected opportunity and they've performed pretty well, Miranda, not so much. We want our minor leaguers to know that if they get an opportunity and perform, they can make the club. We can find 5 games a week for Lewis at 3B, SS, 2B, LF, and DH. If that's at the expense of Garlick or Urshela or Gordon or kills Sanchez' DH at bats, so be it. Play the guys who have shown they can play. Those 3 have so far - get them on the field in MLB, not AAA.

Bundy for Cotton makes sense, Correa for Miranda makes a whole lot of sense. Miranda isn't ready. It's that next move that's tough. I think Lewis has earned the right to stay up on the big club and I would start him at 3B 3-4 times a week, SS once, and move Urshela to the more UTL role he was going to play with the Yankees. He can also be the RH hitting 1B. I also think sending Lewis back is what will happen with the idea of bringing him back up later in the season after a trade, injury, etc. Who would I send down/DFA? I think the answer is Kyle Garlick. He's a one trick pony and not part of any sort of long term future. Celestino and Lewis have shown that they are ready - let's keep them up and play them regularly. Gordon helps the team as much as Garlick does in a different way. The only other answer I see is losing a pitcher, maybe Cano or Smeltzer although both looked good in their last appearances and given our lack of length from starters we sure could use as many pitchers as they will let us carry. Maybe a trade of Urshela/Garlick in the offing?

Agreed. I think the roster crunch most likely gets resolved by an injury or two but if we're lucky.... could be an issue. It really effects the limited players - Garlick who can only hit LH pitching and is a detriment in the field and Sano whose hitting challenges are well documented and who also is a problem in the field. Those are the two guys at risk of being gone when and if a roster crunch occurs. BTW, the one plae I disagree is the assumption that Sano will ahve a stron 1/2 a season (all that will be left when he is eligible to return in July.) I honestly think that he is regressing and we've seen the best he has and it's all downhill from here. Hope I'm wrong.

Well said, Mike.

Good. We need Larnach's bat in this lineup if he can hit like he was before he got injured. I vote Miranda down.

Arraez needs to play 1B to get into the lineup - there isn't anyplace else for him to play. Count me on the team that says when Correa comes back, Lewis goes to 3B 3-4 times a week, and Arraez and Urshela become a tandem 1B/3B/UTL entry. I don't think Lewis needs to play SS everyday but I agree he should play every day. I think it should be at the MLB level. Why? Because he is one of the best 6 or 7 players on the team and has earned a spot. He needs to devlop at the plate as well as in the field. Arraez goes to 1B against RH pitching, Urshela or Kepler plays there against LH pitching. Lewis plays 3-4 days a week at 3B, 1 at SS, maybe DHs one. Larnach plays LF or DHs every day when he comes back, Celestino plays CF, LF or RF. Gordon and Urshela are UTL players with Urshela in the lineup more often than not. Best lineup we presently have.

What's the ETA for Larnach? That's when the decsion time comes. Garlick for Contreras, Correa for Miranda, Laranch for . . . Cotton? Lewis (hope not)? Cano? Smeltzer?

Thanks, this is a good explanation of Miranda's troubles. This might be as simple as him being over eager in his first trip up to the MLB level. Unfortunately, it looks like he needs a little more time at the AAA level. I expect him to go back down when Correa or Larnach is ready to play. Good first look, but just not ready yet.

Hs to be Contreras for Garlick. He's traveling with the teem to Oakland. Correa is traveling but not yet ready for activation.

After today, Lewis is looking strong in the field and hitting .286, albeit with limited power (.333 slg, .619 OPS) and no walks. Admittedly, very small sample size of 21 ABs. Conversely, Miranda is hitting .128 with a .427 OPS and not looking so great in the field. Urshela is hitting .222 with a .562 OPS and looks very good at 3B. Kirilloff is hitting .172 with a .398 OPS and is looking very average in the OF, a little better than that at 1B, and completely lost at the plate. Once Correa and Larnach are back next week, you can keep 2 of the 4. Hmmm, maybe the better answer is to keep up Lewis and send down Kirilloff and Miranda. Both look like they could use more AAA ABs and in Kirilloff's case, a lot more. Play Lewis at 3B 2-3 times a week and SS 1-2 times a week. Larnach is the regular LF with Celestino the 4th OF playing 3-4 days a week in LF and/or CF so Buxton can DH 1-2 days a week. Correa DHs at least once a week to let Lewis play SS. Urshela splits time at 1B with Arraez and 3B with Lewis - best bat wins. DH is a mix of Buxton, Correa, Larnach and Sanchez with an occasional half day "rest " day for Polanco and Kepler. Lewis plays 2B when Polanco DHs or sits, Celestino plays RF when Kepler DHs or sits. Looks like the best lineup to me.

Well, this is ugly. I guess running our our AAA best isn't going to cut it against a good team. Who knew? BTW, where is that great pitching depth I keep reading about?

I agree that the Twins should at least contend for the division title. Frankly, a wild-card spot might be tougher to get this year. I hope the team took notes last night because the Astros showed you how to play. They advanced runners and took professional at bats against a starter who was only just a little wild. The scored at least some of their runs on a ground out, a 2 out single after a player walked and stole 2nd base, and a sacrifice fly. Combine that with a pitcher how threw strikes and made the opposition put the ball play into an elite defense and you have a real recipe for winning baseball. It is also the recipe that would work best for these Twins. We don't have the offensive talent to bludgeon anyone to death nor can we expect ace stuff from the rotation, We need to play smart situational baseball at the plate, good defense, and get pitching that requires our opponents to put the ball in play. Just like the Astros last night.

I agree that the baseball is deader and suppressing home runs - that's exactly what baseball intended to happen. Baseball as an entertainment product is trying to deal with 2 negative issues (1) almost all games lasting longer than 3 hours, and (2) a lack of action in those games. This causes baseball to appear "slow" and "unexciting" when compared to a 2 to 2 1/2 hour basketball or hockey game that has a lot of scoring and excitement during that time frame. Football lasts just as long but there's excitement or least potential excitement on every play. Not so in baseball. By deadening the ball, baseball hopes that the trend towards the 3 true outcome layer is reduced in favor of more athletic, contact oriented types. Think more Gilberto Celestinos and fewer Miguel Sanos. This is going to take a while to play out, probably more than just one season. Teams that were built based on slower power types have to adjust and you can't just do that overnight. I expect that we will go back to the day where each team has a lineup of 2 or 3 power/homerun/strikeout guys and 6 or 7 contact oriented/single/doubles guys rather than the other way around which is what many teams have now. That should mean more players on the bases, more high stress situations, and more pitch to contact pitchers. Pitchers will be less worried about guys hitting home runs on mistakes since many of them will hit singles or doubles on those same mistakes, nor homers. The end result is theoretically a more exciting game because of more runners on base and a faster game because of fewer strikeouts, which is what baseball wants to make it a better entertainment product. It is far from certain that any of these changes are going to happen or that any of this will work in practice the way it "should" work in theory. I think this season is the test. Baseball is losing popularity or to basketball in particular and it felt like it had to do something to improve the entertainment product. We'll see if this works and whether we like the result. Pretty unclear right now ...

Astros are playing solid situational baseball and its given them 2 runs without much hitting. Verlander looks the same as always. Tough night for the home squad.

Larnach is the 3rd OF/DH, Krilloff or Miranda is the odd man out. Larnach is hitting .313/.351/.48 (.813), and that's after having a couple of home run balls die 400 feet out and being caught. Celestino is hitting .324/.390/.405 (.795). Those numbers may drop over time but even a 5-10% drop leaves both players hitting well. By contrast, Kirilloff is hitting .091/.130/.091 (..221) and looks even worse than that at the plate. When Laranch comes back and he should play every day in LF or as the DH. Celestino should play 2 days a week in LF and 2 days in CF to give Buxton half days off whiel he sits or DHs. Celestino is definitely the 4th OF and looking good at it so far. Garlick may be the 5th OF/RH DH or bench bat although that limits the play time for the excess IF guys. The next question who goes Arraez and Garlick are ready to play. Godoy is first back to AAA and I suspect that Kirilloff is next. Arreaz and Miranda can play 1B and Kirlloff adds no defensive value in LF and can't hit right now. The big question is when Correa is ready to goo every day, where does that leave Lewis? Does he stay in the bigs and play 3B with an occasional day at SS? What about Ursehela? Is it better to send Lewis to AAA to play SS every day so he's ready for next season? Hard to do when he looks ready now. If he stays, what happens to Gordon? There's room to keep 4 of Garlick, Miranda, Gordon, Lewis and Kirilloff on the 26 man roster until Sano comes back. Right now I think it's pretty clear that on performance the guy that goes down is Kirilloff, with Mirnada not far behind, unless they're not wiling to bench Urshela for Lewis or want him on the field every day playing SS some where (like AAA). I'd really like to see Lewis get a nice long 40 plus game look playing every day even if that means that Urshela watches from the bench or DHs.

Great to sweep the As when half of the starting lineup is out. Think about it, of the 8 positions only 4 positions had starters in or available the lineup for more than one game this weekend - Polanco, Kepler, Miranda/Urshela, and Jeffers/Sanchez. Pretty amazing we could beat anybody 3 straight. Great seeing Lewis and Celestino perform well, and Miranda is close. Pitching is really carrying us but the young guys are making a contribution. The only real disappointment is Kirilloff. He looks bad. I'm guessing a lot of it is phycological with the wrist as much as it is physical. Godoy is probably the first one to go back to AAA when Arraez is ready but Kiriloff has to be second when Garlick or Larnach can come back. Sad to see, but Kirilloff needs to go back to AAA and really show he's ready before he should be on the 26 man roster. I hope that when Correa is ready to play full time in about a week (DH until then), that Lewis stays to play 3B/DH with Urshela, Miranda stays to play 1B with Arraez and Celestino stays to be the LF/DH/4thOF tandem with Larnach. Bye bye to Garlick and Sano (60 day injured list) and option Kirilloff.

How tall is Winder? He looks big on TV.

Could be a win-win depending on how Lewis plays. It's interesting that they called him up even though Correa isn't going on the IL. I guess they're down to a few guys on the 40 man roster to call up without DFA'ing someone but still, it shows that they want to be aggressive with Lewis. It wouldn't surprise me if he stays if he hits over the next few games, maybe in place of who? Miranda, Gordon, Larnach, Celestino? We've got a few guys playing for jobs in the next few days while Correa is on the shelf. . .

6 weeks, Ouch! Well, I guess that's right about the perfect amount of time to see if Lewis is ready to play and can handle MLB pitching. We'll know a lot more about this team by the end of June after Lewis and Miranda have each gotten 100-150 ABs, and Larnach has another 150 under his belt. Add to that 6-8 more starts apiece for Ryan, Ober and Winder and as they say, the future is now. Scary but could be exciting.