It’s the start of the summer season, and the Minnesota Twins are eight games behind the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, so every game from here on out will be crucial.
Despite a significant deficit, the Twins still have a 71 percent probability of making the playoffs. We all got a taste of how dominant this team can be on Wednesday, when Minnesota defeated Colorado 17-9 in a historic victory. For the third time since 1961, every Twins batter recorded an RBI.
Not everything was perfect, though, which has been a recurring topic for the team this year. Good moments are chased or clouded by negative ones, and the squad will need to solve this sooner than later.
If the Twins want to actually contend this season, they may need to part ways with a handful of failing players before it’s too late.
Three Twins players’ jobs are in risk if they do not improve soon, including
Caleb Thielbar
This could be due to a bit of recency bias, as Thielbar had about the worst outing a pitcher can have in back-to-back games. He wrecked Louie Varland’s strong start against the Colorado Rockies, allowing four runs without recording an out.
Less than 24 hours later, he failed to record another out, allowing three runs on 22 pitches.
Thielbar’s current record is 2-2, with an 8.04 ERA, 2.11 WHIP, and -0.9 WAR. These statistics show that nothing is working for the 37-year-old right now, and the Twins would benefit if he was removed from the roster.
Given the facts, Thielbar should be given the shortest leash possible because while you’re fighting for a playoff spot, you can’t afford players that lose you games, and Thielbar isn’t a quality MLB pitcher right now and cannot be trusted.
Manuel Margot
was acquired this offseason as the Twins sought to reduce cost and replace Michael A. Taylor.
After a solid season in Tampa Bay, the 29-year-old has struggled in his first season with the Twins. Margot is slashing (batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage).228/.299/.309, which doesn’t assist the Twins’ already struggling offence. Furthermore, Margot has the lowest WAR among position players, at -0.5.
These metrics show that unless Margot can turn things around soon, the Twins should let him go because, despite his outfield versatility, his roster spot is harmful to the team’s postseason hopes.
Alex Kirilloff
This is a move that the Twins have already undertaken, as Kirilloff was relegated to St. Paul following Wednesday’s victory against Colorado. It was a long time coming, but it doesn’t make witnessing him get demoted any easier.
Kirilloff, formerly one of the Twins’ best prospects, has showed flashes of his promise, but he has been in a protracted slump this season and risks sliding below.200.
Kirilloff, who batted.270 in 2023, has yet to find a method to improve in 2024, and is now slashing.201/.270/.384. He has a negative WAR of 0.4, as do Margot and Thielbar, and if he doesn’t break out of his rut soon, the Twins may be forced to move on.
Kirilloff, on the other hand, is only 26 years old, left-handed, and has had a successful season with the club in 2023. Because of these considerations, he should have some trade value, and the Twins might use him in trade negotiations — if he can start turning things around — as they attempt to improve this season.
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