moonslav59

They might have worried that calling him up and seeing him slump might damage his confidence, but I've never been big on that type of thinking. It seems they did not like what they saw of KC at 1B, or they know they are adding a 1Bman, this winter to a long term deal.

I thought Mayer and Anthony were better opening day choices, but KC had been tearing up the minors at every level. To me, they all looked ready- more ready than Narvaez, Early, Tolle and Dobbins- other rookies that ended up doing well. This is not an easy choice to make, and I'm not sure we can easily say out organizational player development assessment protocol is flawed, because one guy slumped badly after his first 20 games or so. The reason all these guys didn't get an immediate show was the vest already in place. Yes, Mayer could have been chosen over KC at 2B, but I think they wanted him to play more games and play at SS, because Story was still a big question mark, if not just on his health questions. Anthony doesn't play 2B, and we can already see how his great start has forced the trade Duran issue to the forefront. Narvaez got his shot, in part because Wong got hurt. Dobbins, Tolle and Early were not really expected to play in the bigs. They made it by injury attrition. I totally agree that the experience gained by these rookies, some just brief stints has enormous value to them and the club. There aren't as many looking to break into the bigs, next season, except maybe Perales or limited roles by Sandlin or Romero. (Romero will not be on the 40.) We still have more to learn about KC, namely his position, and Jh Garcia. We need to see how Mayer can hit lefties, and how strong his arm looks after the wrist injury. We'd like to see if Anthony's power can increase, and how he looks on defense over a full season. We'd like to see if 2025 was a fluke for Narvaez, Some of us want to see Tolle and Early get plenty of starts in the bigs, and maybe some want them on the opening day roster. It was good they got a taste of the bigs without any harm to their egos. If Campbell is to be set up for LF, I'm not sure there is room for Jh Garcia, perhaps even if Duran is traded. I wonder if DH is the best spot for KC, but we have Masa and maybe Casas as the DH, the latter for sure if we sign Alonso or another 1Bman. (Alonso might also be a DH type.)

They may not be considering 1B as an option, because they know they will be adding a 1Bman, this winter. In a vacuum LF seems like the most likely fit for KC, and with all the talk of trading Duran, ir make sense to give the RHB'er a shot there. The problem is we already have Anthony LF, Rafaela CF and Abreu RF and a decent RHB prospect in JH Garcai who looks MLB ready, too. I'm wondering if we trade 2 OF'ers, bring back Ref and plop KC in LF w REF as a reinforcement. Otherwise, he plays LF in AAA until needed FT in the bigs in LF or at DH. Another choice is to trade KC. His $7.5M may not be an overpay, but it would allow for an upgrade on an intended signing. Trading Duran and KC, probably in separate trades to add pitching and/or an infield bat makes some sense.

It's the one year of control on Bubic that turns me off- not his skill level.

It will take more than Gonzales, but he would not say no to something like Gonzales, Clarke and Sandlin, IMO.

This would be ny rankings- not the projected one: 1. Ohio St. 10-0 2. Indiana 11-0 3. Texas A & M 10-0 4. Georgia 9-1 5. Ole Miss 10-1 6. Texas Tech 10-1 7. Oregon 9-1 8. Oklahoma 8-2 9. Alabama 8-2 10. Notre Dame 8-2 11. BYU 11-1 12. Vanderbilt 8-2 (Utah probably is placed here.) _____________ Have a good shot, if they win out: Utah 8-2, MIA 8-2, USC 8-2, VA 9-2, MI 8-2G Tech 9-1,

Man, he had nasty stuff! How often have you seen Bubic. His main issue is limited time as a SP.

This is the equation: Anthony > Duran in LF Ryan or Lopez > Crawford or Dobbins in the rotation. Ryan or Lopez >>>>> Duran

No damage to KC. No damage to the pitchers, either. No damage to Mayer or Anthony. No damage to Narvaez. I'm glad they took off the kid gloves.

Depends how you group them. If you say a #1 is 1-30th, #2 is 31-60 and so on, he's been a 2 or 3 slot pitcher. He's not really getting worse as he ages. He's got the 37th best fWAR since 2022 (170+ IP). 33rd best since 2023. 45th best since 2024 35th best in 2025 (150+ IP) He'd probably be a #3- maybe like Bello.

I'm pulling for the other 3 teams.

How does he put up numbers like that?

As much as I dislike Oklahoma, seeing them beat Alabama was nice! OK was #11, so maybe they jump up, a lot. A & M pulled out another close one. I'm still not convinced they are this good. Some outside borderline teams kept pace: 15 MIA won big. 16 GA Tech barely beat Boston College 17 USC beat 21 Iowa 18 MI barely won 19 VA won Navy beat 24 So FL, perhaps helping ND's strength of schedule

Big day for Love & the Domers. A&M came back from way down vs South Carolina and has the lead, late. Some teams below #18 are close to losing and ending any hopes of making the top 12.

So, basically, you cant take the best 6, not counting Anthony & Crochet and acquire Witt.

I suspected it might come to that. Even if you include Duran, you can't eliminate Crochet.

He had a decent first 2 seasons in MLB and then one right before he signed with SF, but yes, that seemed like a significant overpay.

If Anthony is not in that deal, it would have to start with Mayer, Campbell, Tolle and probably Early or Arias, too. What does BTV say on any deal for Witt without Anthony, Duran or Abreu? Am I close?

He's still just 23 and this year was his 4th year in pro ball. He hit very well at all levels until MLB, His gangbuster start was a bit deceptive, because he was so great in the first 9 games that he was still at .900 after 29 games and .800 after 34 of his 67 game season (that's over half.) Here is the breakdown over 9 game samples: 1.211 first 9 .900 next 9, still great .856 next 9, still doing really well Then, KAPOW! .391 in 4th 9 game sample .428 next .483 next .699 last 12 games (was he starting to snap out of it?)

You know me: I'm always hoping we give 3 good players instead of 2 better ones. Campbell and two from Clarke, Eyanson, Phillips, Sandlin and Mullins. (I'd try to avoid Witherspoon, Valera or Fajardo, but if it meant keeping Early & Tolle, okay.)

2023-2025 ERA 2.71 Bubic (just 163 IP) 3.32 Ragans (322 IP) FIP 2.69 Bubic 2.79 Ragans ERA- 64 Ragans 79 Bubic Here is an eye-opener: 200 MLB pitchers with 130+ IP as a SP'er since 2023 rankings: ERA- 5th Bubic (tied with Yamo & Woodruff) IP is low 28th Ragans (Top 30 can be considered as #1 quality) FIP 4th Ragans (just ahead of Crochet!) 7th Bubic (just below Crochet & Yamo!) ERA: Bubic 6th and Ragans 29th No excitement, now?

It really is quite amazing how "straight" his heaters are.

ATL has always been willing to make deals like this.

I've heard some talk on Ryan and Lopez. Google Pablo Lopez available and it lists the Braves, Dodgers and others. On the "Twins Digest" they suggest he is "more available" than Ryan, and for obviou$ rea$on$. The Joe Ryan available google nets more nuances links- more speculative than hard facts. Their owner even hinted that he's not available, but I have to think they'd say yes to the right offer. Waiting for the deadline might be their thought. One article suggested Arias and Witherspoon. It also mention using players from this group: Romero "blocked" and a 1-2 pitchers from Phillips, Eyanson, Monegro & Clarke, but I think it takes more than 3 from that group. I'm not even sure Arias, Witherspoon and Phillips/Monegro/Eyanson is enough.

Agreed. Maybe the injury-prone label is unfair, but I have to worry, if next year it's the other wrist, or knee, or hammy, or.... I'm pretty certain his hit tool with make him a plus-plus player. Last spring, I felt KC had a better hit tool and Mayer a better D tool. Now, I see Mayer and KC as kinda equal on hitting, but his splits are worrisome.