All posts by sean

2023 Game 25: New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins

Domingo Germán
vs
Kenta Maeda

Maeda somehow didn't break anything or sustain anything more than a big ouch from stopping the comebacker with his ankle. Bailey Ober is back with the Saints and Maeda is back in the rotation to finish off the Yankees.

Going back through all the Twins-Yankees season results, the last time prior to 2001 the Twins won a season series was 1992 when they went 7-5. They did manage to tie 5-5 in 2000. Go back another year and you will find the last time the Twins swept a three game series with the Yankees. June 11 through June 13 and September 6 through September 8. They finished 10-2 against the hapless 71-91 Yankees. 1993 and 1994 both had two game sweeps if you want to count those too.

2023 Game 18: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox and other games

First up in Minnesota men's professional sports, the Twins vs Red Sox.

Joe Ryan
vs
Corey Kluber

Kluber stopped being Klubot last year, maybe 2021. His strikeouts are mostly back this year but he's walking a ton and giving up plenty of home runs to a 6.70 FIP. It's a good game to get back to the scoring frequently thing.

At 8:30, possibly after this game ends, the Wild begin their second game against the Stars. The Wolves follow 30 minutes later.

2023 Game Log 12: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins

Lucas Giolito
vs
Sonny Gray

Rubber match and final game of this homestand.

Giolito was very good in 2021 and not good at all in 2022. So far after two starts, it's been more 2022 than 2021. He's averaged almost two his per inning.

Still no Correa and still Buxton not in the field. Julien makes his MLB debut. He's been great in his nine games with the Saints so far.

Lineup:
Solano, 1B
Buxton, DH
Miranda, 3B
Gordon, LF
Jeffers, C
Larnach, RF
Farmer, SS
Julien, 2B
Taylor, CF

2023 Game 6: Minnesota Twins at Miami Marlins

Pablo López
vs
Jesús Luzardo

López returns to his original park right away this season for a rematch. We will see how well the Marlins remember his repertoire versus López adjusting his pitches this spring.

The Twins did a lot to increase rotation depth and after one turn through, it shows. The starters have a 1.03 ERA after five starts with 10.6 K/9. The relievers too have been great with a 1.53 ERA. The same has not been true for the batters. It was great to win two 2-0 games but I don't recommend it as a long-term strategy.

Build A Team: 2023 Minnesota Twins

Another disappointing season for the local nine. Free agency starts on Thursday so it's time to build a team that can do more than win low 90s in a weak division.

Team roster

I've tentatively written in the more prominent players from 2022 still on the roster. Mix and match as you see it.

Position players (13)

Catchers (2): Jeffers, ??
1B: Arraez
2B: Polanco
3B: Miranda
SS:
DH:
Utility/backups (2):
LF: Gordon
CF: Buxton
RF: Kepler
Backup outfielder: Celestino

Pitchers (13)

Starters (5): Gray, Ryan, ...
Relievers (50 8): Duran, ...

Here are the players under contract right now. Roster information from RosterResource.

Guaranteed contracts for 2023

Player 2023 cost (millions)
Byron Buxton $15.143
Sonny Gray $12.5
Max Kepler $8.5
Jorge Polanco $7.5
Kenta Maeda $3.125
Rodney Dobnak $1.5
TOTAL $48.268

Arbitration-eligible players

All figures estimated.

Player 2023 cost (millions)
Gio Urshela $9.2
Emilio Pagán $3.7
Tyler Mahle $7.2
Caleb Thielbar $2.4
Jorge López $3.7
Chris Paddack $2.4
Luis Arraez $5.0
Cody Stashak $0.8
Jorge Alcala $0.8
Kyle Garlick $1.1
TOTAL $36.3

Not yet arbitration-eligible, on 40-player

Some of these players were on the 60-day IL and will go back to start 2023.

  • Jordan Balazovic
  • Gilberto Celestino
  • Mark Contreras
  • Jhoan Duran
  • Blayne Enlow
  • Nick Gordon
  • Ronny Henriquez
  • Griffin Jax
  • Ryan Jeffers
  • Alex Kirilloff
  • Trevor Larnach
  • Royce Lewis
  • José Miranda
  • Trevor Megill
  • Jovani Moran
  • Bailey Ober
  • Joe Ryan
  • Cole Sands
  • Caleb Thielbar
  • Louie Varland
  • Matt Wallner
  • Josh Winder
  • Simeon Woods Richardson
Category Amount
Guaranteed $48.268
Arbitration $36.3
Minimum to fill roster (10, $720k each) $7.2
TOTAL $91.768

Estimated final payroll for 2022 was $142 million. Estimated current 2023 payroll is $91.8 million. That's $50 million or a little more to spend to fill holes. What trades do you make? How will you spend the Pohlads' money?

2022 World Series Game 5: Astros at Phillies

Justin Verlander
vs
Noah Syndergaard
7:03 p.m. on FOX. I appreciate the slightly more reasonable starting times. I believe they used to start closer to 8 Central a decade ago so starting at 8 Eastern now is convenient.

What a game last night and what a game the night before. I'm pleased this series will go at least six games now. A couple more close games should cement this as a solid Series overall.