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Penthang

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Everything posted by Penthang

  1. Penthang
    I would say go out and get one of those guys, whichever one the R&D staff thinks can be improved. Hopefully the twins are able to retain Odorizzi & Pineda. Hopefully the twins are able to sign one of the top four free agents. That along with the Berrios and one of the young guys fills the rotation until Pineda’s suspension is done. At that point the problem would probably sort itself out.
  2. Penthang
    So I have been saying for a while now that the Twins need to improve there infield defense. They can either do that through player acquisition, coaching, or advancing better defense of players from the minors. This would be a signing that would improve their defense, as well as improve their offense. If he were to seriously entertain offers from the Twins this would be a good fit.
  3. Penthang
    I can see that there is still potential for Gordon and don’t believe that the Twins should just give him away. That said, if they can get decent value with him as part of a trade package they should. If they can’t get value for him they should absolutely not just throw him in on a trade, they should keep him and start giving him reps at all 4 infield positions and maybe the outfield corners as well…before they want to move him around in the majors. He is a potential replacement for Adrianza, who the Twins might not retain this offseason and probably won’t next year.
  4. Penthang
    Matthew, it’s a pleasure to have you writing here and I’m really enjoying this series. Thanks
  5. Penthang
    A lot of folks in this thread mentioned that pitching needs to be the Twins off season focus. In the first part of this series that was what was focused on. Also, a lot of people take issue with Sano being moved off third. Well he does have a green arm, and is very good at coming in in the ball, his side to side range is limited. Taking that into account and Polanco at short being limited and Arraez at second being below average the infield defense was not good. At first Sano’s arm doesn’t as often come into play, but his ability to come in on the ball still matters and Polanco would very likely be much better at second. Arraez could be a utility guy with Gonzalez holding third until Royce is ready. That leaves short as an off-season target. They also need a fourth outfielder who is defensively better than Cave. Occasionally he makes a stunning play, sure, but that is negated by the more often bone headed plays. Wade might be that answer, but the brain trust didn’t include him on the ALCS roster so maybe not. Regardless of what you think of the individual players the point of this article is solid and an important part of taking the next step forward…the Twins need to improve defensively, period.
  6. Penthang
    This is going to be very interesting to watch. My guess is that someone will be using that last 40 man slot but what will be more interesting is any 40 man turn after that slot is filled. There will be some tough decisions in that regard this off season, the movement on it could start this weekend.
  7. Penthang
    I am personally a fan of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” sung by everyone. It reminds me of my Dad taking me to games when I was a kid.
  8. Penthang
    While it’s probably an uphill battle both the numbers he could put up by seasons end and the exposure he should get from being on a first place team and being seen on a playoff run could help his case. He’s very consistent so I don’t see his line fading, some of his competition may. It will be fun to watch.
  9. Penthang
    Right now I’m feeling like Gibson is the guy you move to the bullpen when you shorten the rotation for the playoffs. I think at this point most people would agree that Berrios and Odorizzi are games 1 & 2 then it’s between Pérez and Pineda. Pineda has really come on lately and Pérez has surprised most of us despite a string of starts where he wasn’t great. If the Twins can bring in someone who can vie for on of the first two game spots great, then that pushes Odorizzi down a slot and probably Pérez to the pen (I just can’t picture Pineda coming out of the pen). Gibson + Pérez in the pen for the playoffs? Maybe that’s a good solution? It still revolves around getting a front of the rotation guy.
  10. Penthang
    This was a little disheartening because bad defense is not something we see from our team that often, and to literally throw the game away after a great rally…just no fun. It’s a good thing that we have a game this afternoon to put this one behind.
  11. Penthang
    With every game Arraez is making it harder for them to send him down when everyone gets healthy and it looks like Gonzales has found his swing. Great night for those two.
  12. Penthang
    While I guess it makes sense that the top 10 guys have all made appearances on the major league roster this season I am hoping some of the honorable mentions make a case for gaining the next open spot soon. While I have no complaints about the overall performance of the the team there are still a couple of fringey guys on the pitching staff that either need to improve or be upgraded to make me comfortable that they can maintain there lead on Cleveland and do this against the Yankees…or whoever, in the playoffs. With as strong as Pérez and Odorizzi have been Pineda has some leash to work back into the pitcher the front office was hoping to get. He has shown flashes and I’m hoping that Jim Katt was right and he just needs to pitch himself into shape. Most of the close to arriving guys are starters and that may not be where the Twins need help most but it’s hard to imagine that they won’t need some starts during the season from those guys. Didn’t they set a club record last year for the number of pitchers to start games? Anyway, nice read. Thanks
  13. Penthang
    Against one of the best pitchers in baseball I would have liked to see them run out their A lineup instead of bench guys including Astudillo at third until Gonzales heats up. I understand Castro behind the plate to give Stewart the best chance but would have preferred Garver’s bat anyway. I consider the strategy they went with disappointing despite the pitching mismatch the lineup they put forth did not give the team the best chance to win. Guys do need rest days, and bench guys do need to play, but rest your best players against other competition that the best team in baseball sending out there best pitcher. I’m glad that the game was blacked out on MLB TV(stupid blackout policies) where I live, it saved me a frustration filled evening.
  14. Penthang
    I understand everyone’s frustration with the bullpen, but I’d remind you all that Mejia is a starter that they moved to the bullpen because the rotation was full and he was out of options. His is a pitcher that the organization values and does not want to loose. As such he is a guy who should be able to get out both leftie and rightie batters. Also, Baldelli saving arms is not something people should be complaining about, killing the reliable bullpen arms is part of what got Molitor fired. I do have to agree with those wondering why they didn’t let Harper come back in the 8th. I am wondering about Vasquez vs. Reed or Eades though.
  15. Penthang
    I know it’s a still a small sample but I think this lineup needs Astudillo’s bat in it most days regardless of the position he plays on the field.
  16. Penthang
    I know that Astudillo doesn’t have a lot of plate appearances yet but I really feel like the lineup is better with him in it. Also, he makes good, heads up plays. I’d really like to see Baldelli find a way to get him on the field 5 out of 7 days with 2 of those behind the plate. Was it just a coincidence that they had a breakout offensive game the first time he was in the lineup? Maybe, maybe not?
  17. Penthang
    The last thing I could find on Morrison was when he had hip surgery and the Twins declining his option. In one article they listed his recovery timeline as mid April. I’d guess if he wants to play some more he’d have to take a minor league deal.
  18. Penthang
    If Gonzales is passable in the corner outfield spots Cave could be the short term looser in this. With Kepler showing us last year that he’s not bad in center to spell Buxton, Gonzales could take the 4th outfielder roll as long as the three regulars are all healthy. It seems like a lot of folks have written off Granite but going into training camp last year it appeared the 4th outfielder job was his to loose and he did through injury, not performance. While he didn’t perform great when he returned it seems like he was never fully healthy last season. Also, he is the best defensive outfielder in the system after Buxton. I would be surprised if the Twins dropped him from the 40 man. I suspect it will be a pitcher or Austin. I think the Twins are still interested in Austin but are clearly not ready to put a starting job on him and without that, and with Cruz, he has no roll on the 25 man and no options remaining. I think Adrianza still has a role in this team as the backup who is good at short, but with a whole new school coaching staff that will surely use defensive positioning to maximize defensive production Gonzales might be a good enough backup. Whoever gets dropped, I feel there is a good chance they won’t slide through waivers.
  19. Penthang
    When talking about “the two hottest months” of Buxtons career what is being forgotten is the years of pro ball in the minors. Buxton pretty much struggled each time he got to a new level, then adapted and then was the hottest hitter on the team. Those months in the majors could be close to the real Buxton when he is healthy and locked in. That is what I think he will be this year, plus , he is coming to camp feeling like he has something to prove. My hot take is top three in MVP votes after he pulls the team into the playoffs.
  20. Penthang
    This has me picturing an infield of 3B-Lewis. SS-Javier, 2B-Polanco, and 1B-Sano/Larnach/Rooker in a year or two. That could be a really strong group with Gordon as the utility guy.
  21. Penthang
    -On Kimbrel, if the Twins do find a way to land him that makes our bullpen much deeper and probably really good if Reed can bounce back which I expect he will. Loosing one run games late is maddening for me as a fan. I hope and expect better bullpen management from the current coaching staff. While it wasn’t said I think this is a factor in Molitor no longer being here. -I’d love for the Twins to go with a 4 man bench and include Astudillo. As a late inning pinch hitter who can play around the field and you can be sure will put the bat on the ball every time he could be really valuable. Again…those one run games, it’s fun to be one the winning end. Also he could play some at C/1B/3B/DH to give guys days off. For those worried about him not being able to repeat his hitting with more extended at bats, his skill is contact and I believe that plays well for him going forward.
  22. Penthang
    My take is that the front office likes a health Granite because of the elite defense and OBP skills, but he has an option remaining. He will not be the opening day 4th outfielder barring an injury. Cave showed us a lot last year and has the inside track for the job. Reed was an interesting guy on wavers who bats from the right side and my feeling is that they brought him in to get an up close look and to provide some competition for Cave. They will probably try to sneak him through waivers to stash him in AAA if Cave performs as expected in spring training, and if not it will go the other way around. Personally I’d really like to see Granite and Astudillo as bench players for their strong OBP skills that this roster is otherwise lacking, but I don’t believe that will actually happen.
  23. Penthang
    Mikelink45, I strongly agree…there are way too many pieces on this roster with really big question marks. If things break right this could be a really good team but if they break the other way they could end up as a 62 win team. This signing is discouraging to me. It’s possible that the research department has identified something with him that shows upside that’s not obvious, but in the moment I was really hoping for a better signing than this.
  24. Penthang
    Thanks! This was an immensely fun series to read and go through the commments for. I’m sort of hoping Kirilloff reaches the majors this year. With a health and productive Cruz, Buxton, Sano, and Kirilloff along with the good versions of Schoop and Cron and a moving the needle forward version of Kepler this could be a great lineup.
  25. Penthang
    This is the move I was waiting for from the Twins to show us that the plan to compete this year. Going in to the off season I was hoping they would sign either Donaldson or Cruz. Thanks Falvey and Levine … now get a couple of bullpen arms and I think the team is set to make a run at the division, then who knows. Catcher, however is still a question. If Castro and Garver are both ready to play it’ll be ok but if not I’m not sure Astudillo does a lot to help a pitching staff … although he is fun to watch.
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