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RJA

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Everything posted by RJA

  1. RJA
    Agree, but that was not the case in 2021 as he played 1B, 2B, 3B and LF across two levels. Hopefully, they stick with the 2022 plan.
  2. RJA
    These things always work themselves out in spring training. Whoever is sent down, we all know there will be injuries, so many roster changes will be forthcoming during the summer. Honestly, aren't we all happy that there is not enough "room" for everyone? Boy, I remember down years (and last year during the injury pandemic) when we had guys on the roster that should never have been here. This will be a fun spring training.
  3. RJA
    Like others on this site, I have been a fan of Julien's potential for a couple of years. I know it will be difficult for him to crack the lineup absent an injury, but if he tears up St. Paul like he did AA, he will be here this year. I think with Correa, Polanco, and Miranda, and hopefully a healthy Kirilloff, plus Julien, Lee, Lewis, and Martin if the Twins let him be himself, all on the horizon, I would not be surprised if the Twins spring a trade, at least by the deadline. I do wish they would stick Juien at one position and let him get comfortable. Correa was right, the young talent on this team is much better than many believe. This will be a fun year both at the major league and minor league level.
  4. RJA
    Great piece. This guy is special, truly a generational talent, and more importantly, a generational leader. With he and Buck, the clubhouse is in good hands for many years to come.
  5. RJA
    This is the only kid in the system with true superstar potential, and the first since Buxton I would say (some would add Lewis but I don't think he showed as much early as this kid). I can't wait to see how he progresses. He is the number one minor league player I will be following this summer. Should be fun.
  6. RJA
    Outstanding work. My three favorites: always my first choice, match Maeda in heaven, and you Rocco my world. What about Falvey--I'm Falvey in love with you.
  7. RJA
    The FO may be right that the bullpen is fine, and I certainly hope that is the case. But, I suspect Twins fans will get restless real quick if Pagan and Lopez come out and blow some games early. Hopefully, they both start out strong and Duran remains other worldly in his performance.
  8. RJA
    Great talent. I think the bat is so good that they will find a place for him sometime this summer or next year. I sometimes think that moving guys around the diamond in situations like this may not be the answer. It may work for players who are blessed with great athletic skills--like Lewis--but I question if it helps players who are not quite so naturally gifted athletically. Maybe it would be better to give him a primary position and work his tail off at that position to make him better ala Corey Koskie. Part of improving defensive play is giving a player enough reps at a position to generate some confidence, and give him a "feel" for the position. In any event, the bat will carry him one way or the other.
  9. RJA
    Good point on home run record, however I disagree with your historically overrated take. As for being historically overrated, the 2019 team had the second best winning percentage, .623, in the Twins 60 plus year history, with only the 1965 Twins winning percentage of .630 being better. In fact, if you add the Senators history to ours, in the 120 year plus history of the franchise, 2019 winning percentage rates the 4th best. How can a team with the 4th best record in the 120 plus year history of the franchise be historically overrated?
  10. RJA
    I think you need to judge each team based on the results of that particular year. The Bomba Squad won 101 games and set a major league homerun record. Yes, the ball was juiced, but it was juiced for everyone else as well. Every other team faced the exact same conditions as the Twins. For the conditions of that particular year, the Bomba Squad was not overrated. They had some success in 2020, but then the roof caved in. Just because the team did not become a dynasty, does not mean they were not exceptional in that particular year. Let's forget the 3 game sweep by the Yanks in the playoffs as that is the obvious result of some kind of curse:).
  11. RJA
    SWR is the opposite of Salas and Prielipp. Salas and Prielipp were rated where they were based on potential rather than a track record, while SWR is rated where he is based on a track record at AA and AAA rather than the overall quality of his offerings. He seems to be a bit of an overachiever. While I don't think he will be a front of the rotation type guy, his poise and demeanor, and the likelihood his stuff is likely to improve as he works on his pitches, will make him a solid mid rotation type guy. It will be interesting to see how he develops this year.
  12. RJA
    I know I sound like the Grinch after questioning where Salas was placed (Law has him 5 in his ratings, and Gleeman 8-12 in his ratings), but I have to make the same argument here. This rating is based only on potential and comes after a major surgery. I LOVE this kid's potential, but boy there is zero track record. Still, I hope and expect he will do well.
  13. RJA
    Nice prospect, but I guess I am not as high on this kid at this point as some, and would not have him in the top 10. I don't think the combination of performance and potential justifies this high of a placement on the list. He does have some defensive issues, his power has yet to manifest itself in a meaningful way, there are questions about his arm, and he is still early in his career. If he blossoms this year, as he might, he could very well earn this spot, but for now I think it is a reach. I am not saying I don't like this kid, I am just saying it is too early to put him this high. Personally, I would put him lower in the 12-15 range.
  14. RJA
    Great article, Nick. I like Varland, and I am pulling for this kid. One thing I like about him is that he seems coachable. We see so many young pitchers with great potential struggle and flame out, including some Twins picks in recent years, that it is refreshing to see someone who lacks overpowering stuff be productive and effective. Some players outperform their analytics (Varland), and some underperform their analytics (Pagan). It much like the NFL Combine--some players put up otherworldly numbers, but never make a huge impact, while others have more modest basic skills and become All Pros. It is one of the reasons that prospects are so much fun, you never really know what you have until they step on a major league diamond. That being said, until Varland has been around the league a bit and players see him more, we won't know for sure how his stuff plays in the long run.
  15. RJA
    I think we really won't know what we have until the kid plays more. It is not unusual for a prospect, even a college player, to come out of the gate a bit hesitant. He has potential, so let's see what the second year brings.
  16. RJA
    I always wonder why teams try to change a hitter's approach when what he has been doing has been working. In this case, it reminds me of Buxton, and all of the attempts the Twins staff made to change his approach at the plate. Finally, he just chucked all the advice except Oliva's--see ball, hit ball--and regained his confidence. I suspect there are many success stories of players who changed their approach and were more successful, but sometimes I wonder if they outnumber those cases where attempted adjustments mess up players. This kid is an on base machine (career .391), like Arraez, and like Arraez, will likely never hit with power. I don't think that is a horrible thing. We need contact hitters as well as the Joey Gallo's of the world. I would vote for letting the kid play his style at St. Paul and see what happens. I think it will be a good result.
  17. RJA
    I love TD but I am now at the point that all the speculation is wearing me down. Let’s get to spring training and see who is healthy, who is looking sharp, and who surprises. It is time for the rubber to hit the road so we can see what we have.
  18. RJA
    I agree 100% with your premise. If you don't develop your own, and refuse to sign talented free agent starters, you are left with trades as your only source of pitching, and that is not sustainable over the long haul. It is critical that Varland, Winder, Canterino, Prielipp, and the rest become talented starters, or the Twins will not be able to sustain any level of success. Trading prospects and players for pitching is a well that will run dry.
  19. RJA
    They must have something else in the works, as the outfield situation is untenable with way too many players for spots--Buck, Kepler, Taylor, Larnach, Wallner, Gallo, Gordon, Celestino, and maybe Martin coming up, and possibly Kirilloff if they decide to give Miranda a little time at first when Lewis is ready, and Farmer available as well. Giving Celestino more AAA time is not a bad idea, but I am not sure parking Wallner there does that much for his development. And, even with Arraez gone, the infield is going to be pretty crowded later in the summer with Kirilloff, Miranda, Polanco, Correa, Lewis, Gordon and Farmer, and with Julien, Lee and Martin on the cusp of the bigs. It has been awhile since Twins have had this much competition on the roster. Where is Gordon going to fit in on this roster now that Taylor, Gallo and Farmer are on the roster?
  20. RJA
    Correa was his teammate for years at Houston, so I suspect our "assistant GM" is lobbying the FO to add him as an experienced player with championship experience. I don't think that is a bad idea IF a 40 man roster solution is found, and IF the Twins perceive that his bat speed is still ok. He had a horrible year in 2020 and rebounded in 2021, so maybe he still can deliver in a parttime role. Even in last year's horrible year, he was pretty decent against lefties. He also was much better against power pitchers last year which might indicate his bat speed is still ok. He won a Gold Glove in 2021, so he can hold his own at first base. I am not saying I would do the deal, but I am saying I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand as some might advocate.
  21. RJA
    I don't see him bringing any significant value to the Twins. Either get a right handed hitting outfielder who can be a difference maker, or keep what we have. Also, you might want to update article given Arraez trade.
  22. RJA
    Four thoughts. First, trading Arraez hurts emotionally for me and many, but he is also an on base machine. We now have lost Arraez and Urshela who were two of our best OBP players last year. Hopefully, Gallo or one of the young guys steps up this year. Second, it does appear that the FO is trying to make us more athletic in adding the two youngsters. That is a good thing as Miranda, Larnach, Wallner, and Kirilloff are not really "athletic." Third, I would have preferred one of the other guys with more control and upside, but I suspect the asking price was rich. We need to get our pitching pipeline going as trading for pitchers is way too costly. Finally, I think more is coming.
  23. RJA
    I think the pandemic year really hurt Urbina. He had a good first year, and then had to sit for a year before he was aggressively placed in Fort Myers by the Twins. Then, last year, he was late getting started and only had part of the year. Development isn't linear, especially under these circumstances, so I would not be surprised at all if he did have a breakout year. Like all of baseball, the Twins are depending more and more on international players, and by the look of the top 20-40 prospect lists, we have a lot of young guys that will soon be joining Polanco, Correa, Miranda, Arraez and others in the bigs.
  24. RJA
    I don't think it is weird they considered his opinion, but to agree to the contract they did pending a physical already knowing this guy had caused the SF deal to be nixed, and then not get another opinion makes no sense. These facts certainly raise the issue of whether they agreed to the contract knowing they were going to negotiate his price down, in which case I question their good faith. If they sought another opinion, and it was the same, and then took the stance they did, it would be more understandable. As for doctor's opinions, whether he is "the" guy or not, his opinion is just that an opinion, and experts are often wrong. IMHO, the failure of the Mets to get another opinion demonstrates they were playing games.
  25. RJA
    Yes, Ted, we need to look at other options. Lopez is not a top rotation guy and only has 2 years of control. He doesn't move the needle that much. Cabrera or possibly Luzardo both have potential to be better than Lopez and have more years of control. If we are going to trade for pitching, let's make sure we get years or control and someone who can lead the rotation even if it costs more. If that doesn't work, keep what we have and add to the bullpen, or a right hand bat for the outfield.
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