Minnesota Twins Talk

122 games 69 runs 122 hits 22 doubles 25 homeruns 68 RBI .260 average 4 errors on D 30 years old (Stats before today's doubleheader) After hearing his name mentioned forever in trade rumors, I think it's time to admit that Brian Dozier deserves a new contract with the Twins, and he's earned it. Ok- I admit it. I've done a complete 360 on Dozier. But seriously, how hard would it be to replace these stats? It's looking more likely that last year was not an aberration. He's a team leader in a team devoid of leaders. He's a great p.r. guy for the organization. Put Brian in the picture long-term and the offense looks set for years, with the exception of DH and catcher, and …

MLB Run Differential per Game, last 30 days (dating back to just before Twins-Dodgers series): 1. Dodgers +1.80 2. Red Sox +1.68 3. Indians +1.50 4. Cubs +1.30 5. Twins +1.21 Reassuring.

Currently leads the team in B-Ref WAR and is fourth in Fangraphs WAR behind Sano, Dozier, and Rosario. We don't need to turn this into another WAR discussion, but it's crazy how little he has to hit to be a very valuable player.

That sucks.

Michael Cuddyer was inducted yesterday into the Twins HOF? Yes, he was a very good player, a great clubhouse guy and high character guy who is still working for the organization. Still, the Twins have not yet inducted Johan Santana into their HOF. Johan won TWO Cy Young's for our club (Cuddy was an all-star once). He was a dominant pitcher during his time here. . He has an outside shot at making it to Cooperstown. IS there bad blood between Johan and the Twins??? Even if there is - IF Chuckie Knobbie can make it, surely the Twins can make the call to Johan. That invitation is long overdue!!!! I'm starting to think that the Twins will induct Corey Koskie an…

There has been a great deal of debate and conversation over the past several months/year concerning Mauer, Dozier, possible trade of Dozier, DH, the future at 1B, the Twins infield depth, etc. I have stated in various threads before that I believe a real solution for Dozier, and 1B with the Twins, as well as an "assist" for DH comes down to Dozier as the Twins future 1B. I think it's a good time to really look at this possibility. Follow me here, please. Reality: 1] Mauer is an outstanding defensive 1B. Mauer is not an outstanding offensive 1B. But there are a lot of ways to build a roster...power here, power there, sometimes at or from unexpected places. It's the c…

I think he should be the starting SS until we are out of the wild card (maybe longer). He is a really good fielder and has hit pretty well. His defense over anybody else is noticiable.

Coach Birmingham tweeted it, Gail Garver -- Mitch's mom retweeted it. http://zonecoverage.com/2017/twins/report-twins-to-promote-mitch-garver/

I haven't heard much talk of this year, but I have lost track of how many times in the last week and a half or so that Sano has struck out on the exact same pitch. Put a curve ball just off the plate away just below the knees and Sano will go for it every single time. Sano is a big part of our team this year and pitchers have figured him out. He needs a steady diet of curveballs in BP until he can recognize that pitch, I'm a bit worried about how long that is going to go on

Per ESPN Perk has been activated. They list the corresponding move as Enns going.on the DL. Didn't think he was on the 25 man roster.

Looks like Slegers will be called up as the 26th man, and Berrios will be held out until the weekend. http://www.1500espn.com/twins-2/2017/08/twins-shuffling-pitching-deck-aaron-slegers-will-make-mlb-debut/

What are the odds that Joe Mauer will look to continue his career after his contract finally expires after 2018? The reason I ask because the other night they showed that Kirby Puckett is the all time Twins hit leader with 2304 & currently Mauer is 383 behind. With Mauer never having a 200 hit season ever he would almost have to play through 2020 to pass Puckett. I can't see the new FO wanting to even think about keeping him around even at a huge discount after 2018.

I'm sure he's a great guy in the clubhouse and it's great that he took the ball a few times. But he hits .190 and is average (at best) defensively. Meanwhile, Garver has been overdue for a call up for a month. I know everyone here already know this, but can anyone who carry's the FO's water tell us what the holdup is?

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=32521

What might we expect? Gonsalves & Romero on the mound. Garver behind the plate. Gordon at short. This would give us the lineup we've been anticipating for a while. Would certainly be an interesting intro to next year. Would also cause some issues. I'd move Polanco to 2nd where he belongs and then do what with Dozier? Put him to first? Molly would be in a tough position. Playing players to observe them and probably lose some games at the same time he's playing for his life.

Rosario just walked against Tillman so his OBP is up but a few minutes ago it was .273. How long is the leash? We love having an outfield that catches everything so you need to replace his defense. Would Zach Granite be an option? He has less power than Rosario but reports say that the defense is very solid, he could fill in at CF and he is really fast. How about bringing up Palka and then you play Grossman as the primary LF? Defense goes down but OBP goes way up. Is Lamonte Wade out of the question?

I am going up with my family this weekend and we do have tickets for the Saturday and Sunday games. We might be in town early enough on Friday that I might try to go with my son to that game. What is the best way to get tickets the day of the game? Scalper? Online from Stubhub/SeatGeek? Just curious how others go about it. Thanks for your response!

So, overall this year, Matt Belisle has pitched 45.2 innings in 47 games. He's got a 4.34 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Now, he's had four HORRIBLE games: April 26 - 0.2 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 2 BB May 7 - 0.1 IP, 6 ER, 4 H, 2 BB May 29 - 0.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 1 BB June 11 - 0.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 BB So, we all know that you can't just pick and choose which games to count in numbers, but just for fun, I thought I'd do it anyway. So, in the 43 games that Belisle has pitched in (not counting the 4 above), he has thrown 43.2 innings. He has a 0.82 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP! That's pretty crazy! Those four games... 2 IP, 81.00 ERA, 8.50 WHIP. Also, pretty crazy! He hasn't given up an earne…

I wasn't really sure where to put this but I thought it was a good article on Sano and some of his tragedies and triumphs he's gone through in his career so far.

Michael Rand wrote about the Twins playoff hopes changing since Jul 30. http://www.startribune.com/twins-played-their-way-again-into-a-fun-awkward-position/439423223/

I'm trying to catch up with the Twins after being too darn busy to catch more than a few innings most days. I took a few minutes on a cloudy Sunday morning to look at some statistics. It occurred to me that for the first time in quite a while, the Twins have a player at each position who could be considered a "regular", although calling Grossman the regular DH is a bit of a stretch. Anyway, I took the time to compare each Twins regular with the rest of the American League at their position using OPS and WAR as the two measuring sticks. Here are the results: DH--Robbie Grossman 6th in OPS, 3rd in WAR (11 qualified) C--Jason Castro 10th in OPS, 4th in WAR (…

I have been having a REAL hard time with Molitors short leash on rookie pitchers. When I heard Enns was getting the call I wondered if he would get 3 innings in. We saw this with Mejia (and others) but I just don't believe a rookie should be pulled after giving up 2 runs in their first MLB game. this more than anything else he does makes me question Molitor. Explain to me why I'm wrong...

Guys (and gals) Can we just admit at this point that Jaime Garcia must be a clubhouse cancer? First he was with the Atlanta Braves and we all know how their season has gone. Then when the Twins get him they go 1-4 but are 8-4 without him. The Yankees are 5-7 after acquiring Garcia. Good riddance! Of course I'm kidding. It would be great to have him on the mound instead of Enns or Gibby. Oh well, hoping we can keep the hot streak going!

Well, according to Lincoln-Way Central baseball on Twitter, Dietrich Enns will be called up to the Twins. Likely to take Adalberto Mejia's spot in the rotation. I like it. Call him up, see what happens... Opportunity!

http://www.startribune.com/twins-fire-wayne-krivsky-a-former-front-office-executive/439712033/ He gone.

Doogie just said that there have been no contract talks between Molitor and Jim Pohlad or the front office. As his current contract is up at season's end, and we're already into August, this makes things pretty clear. So if Molitor is indeed not retained, who would you want to see at the helm?

Morneau turned around a high Zumaya fastball and essentially turned the tide of the division race. The Twins were still 10 games behind Detroit at this time but to me is the defining moment of that memorable season.

It seems like the Twins will have an unusually high number of pitchers coming back from injury who could help them in 2018: Perkins, Santiago, Hughes, May, Chargois, Burdi . . . Whether a pitcher successfully bounces back from injury will be based on the nature of the injury, and the quality of talent and effort from each pitcher. So who is likely to be washed up and who is not. Here is my somewhat uncertain take on three: Perkins: May be a LOOGY next year (even the new regime may show loyalty to local boy), but still unlikely. Santiago: Gone! May: Will contribute in the bullpen for most of the season - maybe we'll get more.

See, bunting totally works. To successfully score after a bunt, all you need is an overly energetic runner at third, a twitchy pitcher on the mound, and a balk call. Happens every day.

According to Sportsline, the Twins have a 14.8% chance of making the playoffs and a 7.8% chance of winning the AL Central. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/sportsline-mlb-playoff-race-projections-al-and-nl-wildcard-picture-gets-clearer/ Sportsline also computes a .3% chance of the Twins making it to the World Series. I find this moderately encouraging, considering the expectations at the beginning of the season. Let's not read too much into this. Such predictions are subject to question, but also at least slightly interesting.