The front office did what they thought was best to win a division last season but I can never understand trading for a pitcher who was on the IL right before the deal. If he has a great 2023 people will forget about what they gave up for him. Let's hope that's the case.
I was looking forward to seeing him play in AAA for a full season to develop, he's never really had a chance to learn and grow without his limitations under the spotlight in MLB games.
The Vazquez signing was a lowkey big win for the Twins, lots of attention on Gallo, Correa, Taylor and the Lopez trade but this signing was a huge upgrade. Jeffers can be a solid backup but they needed a guy like Vazquez.
The difference between Castillo and Mahle is the timing of the injury list stint. One started the season on the IL, the other was on the IL just a couple weeks before the trade deadline.
Mahle had been hurt going into the trade, was on the IL with a shoulder strain on July 6 with the Reds. That should have been a red flag. https://www.redlegnation.com/2022/07/06/cincinnati-reds-place-tyler-mahle-on-the-injured-list-with-a-shoulder-strain/
I watched the replay again and checked where they were lined up in the 4th on the pitch before Gallo and I think you're right if it was hit any softer it probably would have been caught in the shift but this is where the hit in the 5th went through. Probably an out in 2022.
The hit in the 4th would probably have been caught last year if the infielders were allowed to stand in the grass. The hit in the 5th went through the hole between first and 2nd where the 3rd infielder on that side would have played last season.
I wouldn't be surprised but I hope that isn't the case. Between Mahle, Gray, Lopez, Maeda and Ryan, Mahle is the one I think will go down first with an injury that causes him to miss significant time.