Hosken Bombo Disco

I don't think there's a requirement for how many pitchers are carried on the 40-man roster. So, no, I don't think the Twins would necessarily have to part ways with Julien, or Lewis, or Miranda, and so on, to carry Steer or Encarnacion-Strand this year. They could look to one of the pitchers on the 40-man. For example Sands or Headrick, maybe would be good candidates to get cut. Pagan is a fan favorite. Keep an eye on the first players passed off the 40-man once the season starts, and there would be your answer.

No I'm following! This thread is about Christian Encarnacion-Strand. I just happen to want to talk about the other pieces in that trade. 🙂

That's kind of a false dilemma.. i've been in these discussions in the past about how to build a pitching staff, but not lately, and 've stopped trying to figure out what their approach to pitching is. I had no opinion on the Mahle trade that I can remember. But if you are asking me to choose between Mahle or Archer/Bundy, then I will choose Zack Wheeler or Jose Berrios. 🙂

That other poster is talking about the 40-man, not the 26-man.

But then, maybe it's not those things. 🙂

Frankly, with the two ill-advised trades (in my strong opinion) combined with the infield injuries this spring, Steer might have been in the opening day lineup. As I said a moment ago, there might be a new rule in the new CBA about 40-man roster requirements.

There is a new CBA as of last year and maybe a new rule about the number of pitchers a team must carry on the 40-man roster. I don't know.

what about pitchers? please let me know if there was a rule change @Heiny @Steve Lein @Squirrel @chpettit19

footwork, cutoffs, developing a rapport with the pitcher and catcher on pickoffs, with the pitcher and second baseman on ground balls... some guys can make it look like a cakewalk if they are not tested for a while. Here is one example of what getting your wires crossed up, looks like:

There are two sure things in life: Falling off the Human Being Bandwagon, and taxes. 🙂

My speculation is that Polanco is going to be extra cautious with his knee, and will miss too much playing time this spring to be ready for Opening Day. The interesting angle is whether his vesting option is also a club option; absent a confirmation from one of the two sides, do we really know for sure? If Polanco were to become a free agent after 2023, would he fetch more than $22 million over the next two seasons? He probably thinks so and I do too. Polanco would have to miss about a month for 2024 not to vest, and even if he comes back within 30 games of the start of the season, say before May, he would be a candidate for days off (load management) as the season goes on. If Polanco is not ready for the start of the season, that would put the Opening Day infield at something like: 1B Miranda, 2B Solano, SS Correa, 3B Farmer. So the so-called infield depth would already be pressed into action.

Tyler Mahle's shoulder is a concern, but the other risk is that Cincinnati sold high on him. Remove the fluky 2020 season from Mahle's career log and his overall career will look less impressive. Instead of deciding whether Mahle is a #2 or a #3, I will call him a 2.75, a tick better Jake Odorizzi, who was gotten for much less. If Mahle can give the Twins 30 starts in 2023 with a 129 ERA+ like Odo gave the Twins in 2019, and the Twins are competing for the division this year, then bazinga.

I think it's fair to start asking for reports on Buxton and Polanco at this point. Neither were in the lineup today and tomorrow is an off day. The season starts three weeks from Thursday.

I would like to hear you argue, Major League Ready, that with two blue chip shortstop prospects on the Major League doorstep, and with a dire need for pitching every year, that allocating $200 million to Carlos Correa over the next six years was a terrible mistake. There are very few of us on this board willing to take this unpopular position and we could use you here. @Major League Ready