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Catch up on all things Minnesota Twins from an insider's perspective without the added slant.

Entries in this blog

Is Paul Molitor Defensible For The Twins?

After 103 losses, a franchise worst for the Minnesota Twins, the organization has cleaned house. Well, they have almost cleaned house. Derek Falvey has been brought in as the new Head of Baseball Operations, a new General Manager will be appointed, and Minnesota will look to turn the page on the debacle that was 2016. Owner Jim Pohlad has stated that his manager, Paul Molitor will return in 2017. At this point, is that comment, or the manager himself defensible?   The short answer is no, and the
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

12

Season In Review: 2016 By The Numbers

With the dust now settled, the 2016 Major League Baseball season has come to a close. The Minnesota Twins mercifully can close the chapter on what was a franchise worst record, but focus on making improvements in the year ahead. Before the Postseason kicks off, I want to take a look back at the good, bad, and ugly that is the numerical values for Minnesota in 2016. Brian Dozier launched 42 homers for the Twins in 2016. That total was the highest mark for a Twins hitter since Harmon Killebrew hi
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

Revisiting The Twins Swaps In 16

During the 2016 season, it was apparent nearly from the get go that the Minnesota Twins would need to be sellers. Now sure, that's a bit unfair, but an 0-9 start never got better, and now sitting at over 100 losses, this team struggled in all facets of the game. The organization did make a couple of swaps that likely had the future in mind though, so how do they look now?   Remember, during the middle of the year, long time General Manager Terry Ryan was relieved of his duties. Assistant GM Rob
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

2016 May Define Lost Season For Twins

With just a week of games left for the Minnesota Twins this season, Paul Molitor's club has already eclipsed the 100 loss mark. This group has gone from playoff contenders a year ago, to seemingly lost without a purpose this September. If you are trying to define a lost season as it relates to a pro sports franchise, the 2016 Twins are it.   This year, the Twins had playoff hopes coming into the campaign. While those in Minnesota were likely higher on the club than that of national pundits, this
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

1

2016 IBWAA Season Awards Ballot

As the 2016 Major League Baseball season comes to a close, award season begins to rear its head. While it's been a tough slate for the hometown Minnesota Twins, the year has produced plenty of great performances. Being a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America as well as the Vets Committee, I have the privilege of turning in a ballot for Season Awards each year. For 2016, IBWAA president has set a cut off date of October 2 for ballots to be place. With most teams having ri
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Bottom Line Brings Twins Changes

The Minnesota Twins have just over a week's worth of baseball games left in 2016. As the season draws to a close, Paul Molitor's troops are certain to lose 100 games, and they may end up posting the worst record in team history. Although we've seen Jim Pohlad move on from long time General Manager Terry Ryan this season, the reality is that it's the bank account that reigns supreme.   Here's what we know right now. In the middle of the summer, the Twins gave Terry Ryan his walking papers. They w
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

5

Phil Hughes' Incredible Record Could Fall

The 2014 Major League Baseball season brought Phil Hughes to the Minnesota Twins. He was signed, and then extended, on a free agent contract and ended up being among consideration for the AL Cy Young award. The former Yankees first round pick had an incredible debut with the Twins, and in the process, set a record that didn't get much notoriety.   As has always been the case, Phil Hughes is a guy that simply does not walk many batters. He's never been a real serious strikeout threat, and it's pr
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

1

Could 2016 Be A Mirage For Byungho Park?

Heading into the 2016 Major League Baseball season, the Minnesota Twins shocked the sport as they won the bid for Korean Baseball Organization slugger Byungho Park. The most fearsome hitter in the league was headed to a team in Minnesota that was expected to hit a lot of home runs. While his position only complicated things on the Twins roster, his power potential remained certain. As the story has unfolded, the results couldn't be more disheartening. That said, maybe there's more to it?   Prior
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

7

Brian Dozier By The Numbers

At this point in the season, there's enough doom and gloom surrounding a Twins team with over 90 losses to go around. Arguably the most perfect way to overlook all of that is simply by understanding just how impressive the season Brian Dozier is currently having is. Having gone from non-prospect to elite slugger, Dozier is rewriting the record books in 2016.   Rather than go into any further analysis, or try and wrap my head around exactly what Dozier is doing this season, let's let the numbers
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Does Top Pick Territory Salvage Season?

If you're still following along with the Twins, you've nearly made it through the 2016 Major League Baseball season. Just 19 games remain, and Minnesota needs to win 10 of them to avoid 100 losses for just the second time in franchise history, and first since 1982. To be sure, a year full of losing is far from fun, but does a top pick in the upcoming draft make it feel any less gloomy?   Baseball is a different beast than basketball and football. While the top pick in the draft holds immense val
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

10

Tim Tebow Isn't The Problem, The Narrative Is

Today, the New York Mets became the team to sign former Florida Gators and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow to a minor league contract. The assumption is that he'll head to either the instructional league or the Arizona Fall League. From essentially the news of a Tebow tryout broke, there have been feelings on both sides of the fence. When considering my stance, I simply can't get over the ridiculousness of the message both the Mets and professional baseball is sending.   As of today, Tim Tebow is a 29
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

3

If This Is It, Thank You Trevor

Recently, Paul Molitor announced to the media tasked with covering the Minnesota Twins that Trevor Plouffe is dealing with both a strained oblique and an intercostal strain. The unfortunate reality is that he'll need at least a handful of weeks before feeling back to playing condition. With just 22 games left in the 2016 season for the Twins, Plouffe's 2016 could well be over. That also means it's worth wondering if we've seen the last of him as a Minnesota Twin.   Signed to a one year, $7.25 mi
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

9

Deciphering Dozier's Market

Brian Dozier is in the midst of an all time great season for a Major League second basemen. He's right on top of the 40 home run mark, and he's doing it with an increased batting average to boot. For the Minnesota Twins, Dozier has gone from fan-favorite to legitimate superstar. The next front office in Minnesota will be tasked with deciding whether or not the club makes him a part of a trade however.   While the excitement Brian Dozier has provided has been nothing short of extraordinary, it's
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

14

Breaking Down The Twins 40 Man

As the 2016 Major League Baseball season comes to an end, the final month of the season sees big league rosters expand. This season is different than last for Paul Molitor's club though. Instead of adding pieces for a stretch run, the Twins are looking for the losing to end and simply calling up a few guys who've already been with the big club. Outside of James Beresford's Major League debut, the September names weren't anything new.   Over the past few weeks, Minnesota has been forced to shuffl
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

6

Buxton Back, But Why?

As Major League Baseball allows big league teams to expand their rosters to 40 players come September 1st, it was probably a good bet the Twins would recall Byron Buxton. He was a consensus top prospect in all of baseball, and is absolutely vital to the Twins turning the corner. In calling him back up to the big leagues though, you have to wonder what the plan has been for the Twins as it relates to Buxton.   2015 was a tough debut season for the Twins centerfield phenom. He played in 46 big lea
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

5

Why Do Twins Doubt Themselves?

In 2016, the Minnesota Twins have been among the worst teams in baseball. While that's far from an ideal situation, the reality is that it's provided an opportunity for the organization to get a look at a lot of different players. In too many cases though, they haven't taken it. Why not remains a realistic question.   You can almost take your pick as to which players you may want to shake your head at getting significant time for Minnesota. Danny Santana has played in 75 games this season, Juan
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

5

Who Gets The Call In September?

The Minnesota Twins have played a lot of bad baseball in 2016. With the worst record in the American League, 49-81, the lone team below them in all of baseball is the hapless Atlanta Braves. In a matter of days though, we could see an influx of prospects from the farm as big league rosters expand. For a team looking for something of interest, this could be it.   For the most part, the big names Minnesota Twins fans have been clamoring for have made their debuts. Byron Buxton has gone back and fo
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

8

Paul Molitor and Twins Do In Berrios

Jose Berrios made his major league debut on April 27, 2016. He now has made nine starts for the Twins, the latest of which came today against the Detroit Tigers. As has been the case more often than not, he wasn't good. This time though, it resulted in Jose Berrios being demoted to Triple-A Rochester.   This is the second time Berrios has been demoted by the Twins this season. The latest occurrence though highlights a culture of ineptitude at the big league level. Everyone from Paul Molitor on d
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

16

Pitching In 2017? Twins Don't Need Any

Over the past few days, it seems the talk of Twins starting pitching has reared its head again. I talked about how bad it's been recently, and it probably can't be overstated. Right now, Minnesota has the worst ERA in the big leagues and it's not particularly close. They don't strike anyone out, and it's just not a great situation. A year from now though, they don't need pitching either.   Now before getting all up in arms, let's take a step back. It's nearly guaranteed that the Twins will lose
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

14

Dozier's Dazzling Numbers For Twins

If you've been reading Off The Baggy at all this season, there's been no one I've been more all over the place on than Brian Dozier. From wondering if he's selling out too much, or becoming defiant in his approach during his down swing, to marveling at his uptick, his season has been a roller coaster ride. Since May 25 however, he's turned it on, and the results have been incredible.   At this point, you know what Brian Dozier is. He's a pull hitter, although doing so less often than in 2015 (ju
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Building The 2017 Minnesota Twins

There's no denying that 2016 has been a colossal disappointment across Twins Territory. Even if you weren't among the group of believers thinking this club could be a playoff team, you likely didn't see this level of disaster. That being said, it's probably past time to begin looking at next year. When doing so, maybe the most important factor is what names fill up the 25 man roster.   Here's some stipulations for this exercise. I won't be using trades to acquire anyone. First, I'm not a great m
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

12

Starting Pitching Remains Twins Biggest Mystery

Now with the 2016 Major League Baseball season quickly racing to a close, the statistical output for teams has a solid base. When looking at team compiled numbers, no longer is there such a thing as a small sample size. For the Twins, that spells disaster once again on the starting pitching front. As has been the case plenty in recent years, Minnesota has failed to get out of its own when way it comes to getting games off on a good foot.   In 2016, the Minnesota Twins own a major league worst 5.
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

11

In Minnesota, Target Field Still Reigns Supreme

On Friday night, I found myself attending one of the first events at the recently opened US Bank Stadium. The new home of the Minnesota Vikings has been long anticipated, and was shown off to a soccer crowd, and a handful of concert goers prior to its intended debut on Sunday August 28. My unfortunate reality is that I wasn't at all prepared for what I experienced during what can only be described as one heck of a party put on by Luke Bryan.   Let's start with the positives. US Bank Stadium has
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Jorge Polanco May Be What's Wrong With Minnesota

In 2016, very few things have gone right for any extended period of time for the Twins. Whether it be losing, injuries, or mismanagement, the group has not had a good showing coming off of a near playoff year (flukey as it may have been). There's one guy, and his situation, that may embody most of the shortcomings for Minnesota this season, Jorge Polanco.   Now, before you go leaping off the deep end, Jorge Polanco has been arguably one of the best players from the Twins in 2016. He's absolutely
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

12

Trevor Plouffe Has A Home With Minnesota

Coming into the season, arguably one of the most head-scratching decisions the Minnesota Twins made was to load up on first basemen and designated hitter types. There was Miguel Sano, Joe Mauer, Trevor Plouffe, and then the acquisition of Byung Ho Park. Given the scarcity of at bats to go around, more questions than answers were present in regards to how it would all work. Now nearing the end of the 2016 campaign, it seems the most likely to be moved of the bunch, may have a future role.   Trevo
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

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