MLB: ***2025 Minnesota Twins***

[clone52]

Was at the game yesterday, and thought to myself "wait, do we like Max again?". Clutch 2 out homer and 2 out single for 4 RBIs. Buxton had 4 very hard hit balls as well. Bats are starting to come alive (albeit against a terrible Royals pitching staff)

Gives some hope for the rest of the season. If everything goes right, the team could be dangerous in the playoffs with the pitching they have. Kepler, Buxton and Correa have heated up a bit and if they can keep it up, the lineup becomes dangerous. The Lewis injury really hurts.

Also need the bullpen to get healthy, but if Thielbar and Stewart come back, that would help. Maybe Balozovich can keep it up too.

At this point, if I think the turnarounds are real, I'd maybe try to find another RP on the trade market. Probably wouldn't do much on the offense, unless something falls in their lap. I'd probably look into Goldschmidt. I think I'd be okay having Larnach or Wallner be the centerpiece of a Goldschmidt trade. I'd maybe also look into a 3B via trade. Insurance if Lewis's injury lasts a long time. Even if he comes back, Lewis could play CF if they found a 3B via trade.

 

[Iastfan112]

Was at the game yesterday, and thought to myself "wait, do we like Max again?". Clutch 2 out homer and 2 out single for 4 RBIs. Buxton had 4 very hard hit balls as well. Bats are starting to come alive (albeit against a terrible Royals pitching staff)

Kepler is what he is, well above average defensive corner outfielder but below average offensively(but not as dreadful as he was early this season) who is eminently replaceable. Now that he's rebuilt at least some semblance of trade value I'll be pretty annoyed if he's not gone before the trade deadline so Wallner and Larnach can get real extended looks.

I'd feel different about keeping him around if he was willing to play CF at least some as he'd be a pretty natural partner for Taylor in CF and has proven in the past to be solid at the position.

 

[JM4CY]

Gives some hope for the rest of the season. If everything goes right, the team could be dangerous in the playoffs with the pitching they have. Kepler, Buxton and Correa have heated up a bit and if they can keep it up, the lineup becomes dangerous. The Lewis injury really hurts.

Also need the bullpen to get healthy, but if Thielbar and Stewart come back, that would help. Maybe Balozovich can keep it up too.

At this point, if I think the turnarounds are real, I'd maybe try to find another RP on the trade market. Probably wouldn't do much on the offense, unless something falls in their lap. I'd probably look into Goldschmidt. I think I'd be okay having Larnach or Wallner be the centerpiece of a Goldschmidt trade. I'd maybe also look into a 3B via trade. Insurance if Lewis's injury lasts a long time. Even if he comes back, Lewis could play CF if they found a 3B via trade.

They won’t do that with Brooks Lee on the way I think.

I trust them zero to with a RP trade. Find some guy that’s an adequate rental to add depth. No reason to give up any valuable assets for one. A cheap low level minor leaguer for a couple months of decent relief pitching is perfect to me.

 

[JM4CY]

Was at the game yesterday, and thought to myself "wait, do we like Max again?". Clutch 2 out homer and 2 out single for 4 RBIs. Buxton had 4 very hard hit balls as well. Bats are starting to come alive (albeit against a terrible Royals pitching staff)

Bux has been hitting the ball hard as hell for over a week. It hasn’t always shown in the box score. Even in that game in Atlanta when he came in to PH and K’d, he hit one down the LF line just foul i think off the facing of the second deck.

 

[AuH2O]

Kepler is what he is, well above average defensive corner outfielder but below average offensively(but not as dreadful as he was early this season) who is eminently replaceable. Now that he's rebuilt at least some semblance of trade value I'll be pretty annoyed if he's not gone before the trade deadline so Wallner and Larnach can get real extended looks.

I'd feel different about keeping him around if he was willing to play CF at least some as he'd be a pretty natural partner for Taylor in CF and has proven in the past to be solid at the position.

I really don't understand this resistance to play CF. He was fine when he's played there in the past. He does understand he's already cost himself at bats, and ultimately may cost himself money, doesn't he?

Max looked pretty good in the Os series as well. He's not going to be 2019 Kepler, but if he can be significantly better than 2020-2022 Kepler, that would greatly help.

 

[clone52]

They won’t do that with Brooks Lee on the way I think.

I trust them zero to with a RP trade. Find some guy that’s an adequate rental to add depth. No reason to give up any valuable assets for one. A cheap low level minor leaguer for a couple months of decent relief pitching is perfect to me.

Won't do what with Brooks Lee? Trade for a 3B? If they do trade for a 3B, I'd expect it to be a short term thing.

 

[JM4CY]

Won't do what with Brooks Lee? Trade for a 3B? If they do trade for a 3B, I'd expect it to be a short term thing.

You would be willing to give up Larnach or Wallner for a short term 3B? Or what would you give up for that?

 

[JM4CY]

I really don't understand this resistance to play CF. He was fine when he's played there in the past. He does understand he's already cost himself at bats, and ultimately may cost himself money, doesn't he?

Max looked pretty good in the Os series as well. He's not going to be 2019 Kepler, but if he can be significantly better than 2020-2022 Kepler, that would greatly help.

It’s beyond odd. Supposedly, he completely refuses to change his swing also. I don’t know if he’s just a quirky dude with a mental block or a stubborn arrogant butthead.

 

[Marcelason78]

You would be willing to give up Larnach or Wallner for a short term 3B? Or what would you give up for that?

Wouldn’t get much, but I’d only package Pagone, Kepler, and Gordon. Need to keep Larnach and Wallner.

 

[clone52]

You would be willing to give up Larnach or Wallner for a short term 3B? Or what would you give up for that?

Wallner or Larnach for Goldschmidt to play 1B (Kiriloff to LF). You'd get a year and a half of him.

I certainly wouldn't do that for a short term 3B.

 

[cytor]

Wallner or Larnach for Goldschmidt to play 1B (Kiriloff to LF). You'd get a year and a half of him.

I certainly wouldn't do that for a short term 3B.

How about bringing back Gary Gaetti for the short term?

 

[cytor]

Lopez was on tonight. 100 pitches, 0 walks, 12 strikeouts, complete game shutout.

 

[moores2]

Wouldn’t get much, but I’d only package Pagone, Kepler, and Gordon. Need to keep Larnach and Wallner.

for what? a PB & J sandwich?

 

[Marcelason78]

for what? a PB & J sandwich?

‘Wouldn’t get much’ is slightly better than a pbj sandwich.…

 

[JM4CY]

‘Wouldn’t get much’ is slightly better than a pbj sandwich.…

Idk, man. PBJ are pretty tasty sometimes.

 

[jcyclonee]

Idk, man. PBJ are pretty tasty sometimes.

PBJ with this is terrific.

 

[FLYINGCYCLONE]

Crunchy Peanut Butter? I like strawberry rhubarb jelly.

 

[kurimski]

Wouldn’t get much, but I’d only package Pagone, Kepler, and Gordon. Need to keep Larnach and Wallner.

Larnach can be moved. The book is out on him. He can’t hit a major league breaking ball. If the Twins can trade him for anything that can contribute do it. Otherwise he will just rot away on the bench and in the minors the next couple of years.

 

[clone52]

Larnach can be moved. The book is out on him. He can’t hit a major league breaking ball. If the Twins can trade him for anything that can contribute do it. Otherwise he will just rot away on the bench and in the minors the next couple of years.

That's pretty much the book on Wallner, too. One or both of them might figure it and and become a stud, but I wouldn't make them untouchable.

 

[kurimski]

That's pretty much the book on Wallner, too. One or both of them might figure it and and become a stud, but I wouldn't make them untouchable.

Larnach has had chances to prove himself in the majors though. Wallner hasn’t had an extended run yet. I’m no Wallner believer, but I’d prefer him over Larnach. If the Twins could get a good reliever for Larnach right now I’d do it and not think twice.