strumdatjag

Maybe I missed this thread (but I don’t think it’s been discussed). Part of the experience about being at the ballpark has been lost - No more vendors walking through the stands. From the beer guy with umbrella hat at the old Met (who would respond “Milk for you son” when my juvenile friends and I would order a beer in vain), to Wally the Beerman at the Dome to the hotdog guy with a flair at Target Field, and more, the vendors have been part of the experience. But there is no more din of “Hey Hot Dogs” to “Get Your Frosty Malts”. All we have is some guy hustling raffle tickets. Maybe the view of a big play won’t be blocked by a vendor, but I’ll still miss this part of the American baseball experience. Hasta La vista.

I love the State Fair. But - bring back Zambora the Gorilla Girl to the Midway (the version where the Gorilla escapes - not the sanitized version). Meanwhile, the Twins could have a better exhibit (I don’t even know if they have one!).

I remember Eduardo Escobar who was a utility player who progressed into an everyday player with the power to hit 25 plus home runs. Gordon isn’t as muscular as Escobar but he is versatile and has speed. As noted, he is developing some power too. But maybe the better analogy would be Cesar Tovar, who once played every position in a game. I could see Gordon doing that, if he can play Catcher. He has already pitched for the Twins in blow-outs. Tovar was just inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame.

Correa has to think he can produce better than this year’s production. And that will lead him NOT to opt out. He’ll play for $35 million and look to earn more in FA after next year if his production improves. He may be happy to collect v that amount for all three years.

So - as I wrote that, Kirilloff gets some additional love here.

Everyone is leaving out someone - Alex Kirilloff. He will be back with what we hope is a successfully repaired wrist. AK is the likely First Baseman. That puts Arraez as a Super Utility guy, Miranda will be at 3B and a likely spending much of the second half at DH when Royce Lewis returns (and plays 3B). Polanco is at 2B (backing up SS with Gordon and Lewis). Correa will not opt out and will be the almost everyday SS. I don’t see a place for Urshela. He has had some nice moments, but there is no urgency to cram him into that mix.

Making up road game rainouts is going to be a real problem with the “play every team” schedule.

He needs a better nickname than SWR. If he develops a good curveball and his other pitches have movement - I suggest “The SWeRve”.

As someone more critical of Kepler, I agree that the corner outfielders must be above average batters. Kepler is not one of those this year. I’m not saying Mark Contreras is the answer. Ultimately, I look to Trevor Larnach, Royce Lewis, maybe Alex Kirilloff and and even Luis Arraez as potential outfielders who could have better bats. Despite the opinions of others here, I think Nick Gordon has the talent to improve to be both a plus defender and offensive player. By the way, 2nd Base is another position where a better than average bat is needed. Good defense can justify a lesser bat at Catcher, Shortstop and Center Field.

Yes he looks good in the outfield BUT - I watch Kepler bat, while the opposing team puts on the obligatory shift AND I think - Just bunt the ball to the empty 3B. Please just bunt the ball to the empty 3B. After a few successful bunts, the shift won’t be as obligatory.

It’s Miranda!!! And all of you who disagree should exercise your right to remain SILENT.

What is the latest report on Kenta Maeda. If he is ready in September, he could provide the 2 innings when necessary. But when is he ready?

All kidding aside, it was great to see Max hit the other way. Be less predictable and good things can happen.

I’m taking credit for Kepler’s 3 hit night tonight. He needed to have a fire lit under him. My negative Kepler post starting this thread is the thing that lit that fire tonight. Your welcome!!!!

The lure that he is an impressive physical specimen is also a trap. Alejandro Kirk is no physical specimen but he can see the ball and hit the ball. Max seems to have lost this skill as he has gone from bad to worse. He should be the new Tyler Duffey for TD (with Emilio “Graven Image” Pagan as runner-up). I’ll give him this, Max may have more value left than Tim Beckham.

The Twins are on the hook with struggling Max into next season. Then they can buy him out for 2024 for $1 million. Looks like Max is destined to be a reserve defensive outfielder but only when Jake Cave is injured. They can’t play him when he looks this lousy and they probably won’t dump him when he is under contract for 2023. Is it as hopeless as I describe? Or - Do they just take an $8 million hit next year if he struggles in Spring Training?

There is an article in today’s STRIB that is more of a eulogy for the ultimately disappointing Twins career of the former can’t miss prospect. Once many of us worried Miguel would go elsewhere and become another David Ortiz. Now it’s Chirp Chirp.

I suspect Correa will opt in for another year in anticipation of a better performance in 2023. Best case scenario is the Twins getting that performance next year and then Correa opts out of his third year and seeks a big long term contract elsewhere.

I looked at the 2021 stats of Mahle, Gray and Luis Castillo with the Reds. Overall, Castillo had the best numbers but Mahle’s numbers look better than Gray’s. We will see how this pans out over the next two months but I suspect the top 3 will be in this order: Mahle, Gray, Ryan.

Sanchez has been a good addition, and Minnesota has given him a good welcome after the sour treatment of Gary by the New York Press and Fans. If I was a negative guy, I would say that I hope the students “swing for the fences” but strike out less frequently than Gary. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Which light hitting Butera? Sal or Drew?

Jharel Cotton pitched three nice innings last nite. Aaron Sanchez had a pretty nice start too. And in less than 24 hours it’s ta-ta. Baseball can be a tough biz. I like the moves today if it leads to some post season success. Losing Steer and Encarnarcion-Strand hurts a bit.

With the addiction of Jorge Lopez, the addition of an effective Maeda and/or Alcala transforms the bullpen from a liability to a strength.

Agreed - my suggestions were downgrades from Mincher and Power. But I would still prefer Doug Mientkiewizc (Hope I spelled that correctly)

This is the type of move I wanted the Twins to make. The big question is whether Lopez can continue his success. It’s a risk worth taking