Minnesota Twins Talk

To make room on the active roster for Jake Odorizzi, the Twins have DFAd LHP Adalberto Mejia. It will be interesting to see if he clears waivers and is outrighted, though they may also try to trade him. I'm still one who believes in his stuff. We've seen it in short stints and I do think that the bullpen is a place he can succeed. I also think that this was the right decision for the Twins.

I've been thinking of the Target Field blues lately. What do you guys think is the main reason why the Twins have struggled at home this year as well as in most of Target Field's history? Honestly, for as long as the ballpark has been open, I can only think of a handful of good memories made in the park and it has always been an ominous place to play. When the Dome was open, I felt really good when we were going back to the Dome for a homestand. That feeling has never been there for me in Target Field's history. I'm sure our record was pretty good in 2010 at home and last year's home record was decent but I generally do not know the records from the time it has opened. Al…

With Billy Hamilton DFA'd by KC today should we claim him to be our 4th OF/ speed off the bench? This would allow our OF defense to be at its best with Buxton out and that could be a big boon to our pitching staff. Also it would improve team base-running late in the game when Hamilton could be called on to pinch run. Cave is the other option when he is hitting he is the same as a regular. Hamilton has no power and has a low on base percentage. So the question is who is better for the playoff run Hamilton or Cave?

When the Twins have seemed most dominant to me has been when they have put a huge number up on the opposing team early in the series. By dropping 14 on the Sox tonight, we’ve disabled their bullpen tomorrow. We just need to survive their starter tomorrow and then finish off the series with another win. By running up the score early in the Texas series, the rest of the series became easier to keep the momentum going. Unfortunately this type of warfare will be muted in the post season when more days off and rest are available. Also, it seems to me this strategy also worked against us in the Yankees series. Just some thoughts as I prepare for bed. Goodnight TD!!

BEHOLD MY POWER

According to mlb.com https://www.mlb.com/news/nelson-cruz-reinstated-from-injured-list, in the process Zack Littell was sent down to Rochester, Cruz should be in the lineup tonight against the Whitesox.

I think he needs it. He is getting shelled right now. Velocity down on his FB, breaking stuff lacks bite, command suspect at times. Issuing more walks. I know we are in a division race right now and you want your best guys going, etc. But he just doesn't have it right now. I think skipping 1 or 2 starts for him right now might make a world of difference for him down the stretch. Also, he really isn't giving you the greatest chance to win right now anyways. Thoughts???

The thought of a true 'fireballer' coming to the Twins pitching staff is indeed very exciting. But pitching takes a lot more than just throwing hard. Just saying that there's a very high likelihood that Graterol will have some issues when he makes his debut and his first several appearances. There's a great chance he will not whiff the majority of batters he faces. Almost all pitchers struggle during their fist big-league go-round. I may be just stressing some patience and that we extend Graterol some room for growing pains that are expected of all rookies. Granted, his ceiling is higher than most and with that comes upped expectations, but I suspect his first time …

More of a info than thread.. Our N.y.y. beat cleveland again 6-5 , 2 of the Yankee h.r.,s had 4- would of not been out in majority of parks- 3rd and 4th row of the right field bleachers, Thank you Yanks

The minor league report says that Devin Smeltzer has been optioned back to Triple A. It would seem that the Twins will add a pitcher to the active roster, but which one? My best guess is Lewis Thorpe, who has worked out of the bullpen for the Twins, is left handed and who has been optioned for more than ten day (eligible to be recalled).

Willians Astudillo is start a rehab assignment tonight with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

He was just DFA'd by Arizona today. He was one of the 20+ relievers the TD writers featured in July at the trade deadline. Now there's an opportunity to acquire him on the cheap.

The Orioles just announced that Ryan Eades has been claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. No surprise he would be claimed by the first team that could.. Twins roster at 39.

I say it all the time... it's fun for me to see top picks and top prospects work their way up the ladder... but it is a ton of fun to see the low draft picks get a shot... Randy Dobnak wasn't drafted, but he signed two years ago (ok, two years and one week)... Per several reports (and I have been able to confirm)... today he heard he is being called up to the big leagues. What a great story! Get to know a little more about him in this interview (starting at minute 23... it's about 17 minutes... some good stuff). https://www.blogtalkradio.com/minnesotasportsweekly/2018/03/06/seths-twins-on-deck-podcast-episode-9

https://www.mlb.com/twins/schedule/2020-03/list Sort of. Days and teams. Most of the starting times TBD. Not sure if that’s a new time zone they are experimenting with or what.

I'm shocked by the prevailing winds around here. Pennant races are like horse races. Every year there is a back and forth, just like the race track. Leads often change hands, distances are shortened and then lengthened or lengthened and then shortened. It doesn't end until the finish line. No one knows what is going to happen. The Jockey who flipped was Ron Gardenhire riding his horse "Tiger".

LISTEN, THE TWINS LOST BY 11 RUNS. THEY STILL HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL BUT OBVIOUSLY, THINGS ARE FALLING APART. THE BULLPEN IS A MESS, PEREZ IS A FLUKE, AND BUXTON IS HIDING AN INJURY. fill in hot takes below

with wrist strain. Stashak back in the pen. http://www.startribune.com/twins-put-nelson-cruz-on-injured-list-recall-cody-stashak-from-rochester/530673561/

I just became a new member and had to choose a "nickname" as part of my new profile. I aptly chose the name "weneedjackmorris". I think this says it all. The division IMHO is all but lost. It's clear our pitching (for the most part) is running on fumes. And despite all the talk about breaking offensive records left and right, the Twins (again IMHO) will be in a fight for their wild card lives before the season is over. It's unfortunate, but simply part of playing in a 162 game season. No one gives out awards for a fast start to the season if you're packing your bags when the playoffs start. So, where is Jack Morris when we need him?!! Oh, the good ole days...

Hi everyone - I’ve started a little side project (learning to code in R), and to make it more fun I decided to analyze some baseball data! I posted what I found on this Twitter thread: If you find it interesting, I’d appreciate a retweet. Go Twins!

Luis Arraez seems to not look at all like a rookie at all at the plate. He has such a great idea of the strike zone and seems to be able to hit the ball where he wants to. You would think he would be a great lead off or #2 hitter.

Within the next 24-48 hours, the Minnesota Twins will pass the 1961/1963 Twins for the most home runs in a season. I should feel impressed that we get to watch a 57 year old record break! However, I can't help feeling that it isn't real, and not remotely comparable to the conditions the 1961 and 1963 team faced... Patrick Reusse recently wrote about this and asks if we are taking the time to appreciate this? http://m.startribune.com/twins-historic-home-run-prowess-doesn-t-happen-often-so-savor-each-blast/526330522/ I've gotta say I'm not appreciating it yet, for one reason... The new baseball. It's hard to get excited about records shattering with the new baseball.…

Here are Jorge Polanco's batting splits: 2019 against RHP's: Splits: .308 - .379 - .548 - .927 Stats: 56 runs - 25 2B - 4 3B - 14 HR - 39 RBI - 35 BB - (312 ABs) 2019 against LHPs: Splits: .266 - .305 - .381 - .686 Stats: 5 2B - 1 3B - 3 HR - 16 RBI - 5 BB (139 ABs) (Stats per 312 ABs: 11 2B - 2 3B - 7 HRs - 36 RBIs - 11 BB) 2018 against RHP's: Splits: .317 - .387 - .457 0 .844 Stats: 13 2B - 3 3B - 3 HR - 29 RBI - 21 BBs (199 ABs) 2018 against LHPs: Splits: .233 avg - .259 OBP - .369 SLG - ..628 OPS Stats: 5 2B - 0 3Bs - 3 HRs - 13 RBIs - 4 BBs http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/position/ss/sort/OPS/order/true Jorge Polanco, against left…

As of right now, the Twins are on pace to finish with 99.5 wins. But is that the pace they are really on? No, and here's why not. On June 2nd, the Twins were 40-18, and the Indians were 29-30. Since then the Twins are 30-26 and the Indians are 39-16. So, considering the pace on which teams have been on since June 2nd, the Twins are actually on pace for 95.7 wins, while the Indians are on pace for 102 wins. A hell of a slide, and quite a comedown, right? But naturally this can and will change as the season grinds, or marches, or trips on its own two feet, or flies like a headfirst dive safely into second -- going forward.

MLB Trade Rumors is saying Rob Antony stares Graterol may be in the Twins bullpen by September. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/08/twins-brusdar-graterol-could-earn-promotion-soon.html

He's done. Barely #5 starter material since June 1. I'm not sure I want him in the bullpen either if the cutter isn't working.

per Falvey On WCCO’s Sports Huddle

Got to say I find it amusing watching Sano & Nelson Cruz with their home run celebrations when they get back to the dugout. Looks like Nelson Cruz seems to be a great veteran leader for this club. Sergio Romo also has been great for what he brings to the team as well. Always nice when you can have veterans on the team for support and to keep everyone loose.

Missing in action?

Before play today (Monday, August 5), the Twins have the third best record in the AL at 69-42. If the playoffs started today, they would be an AL playoff team along with the Astros, Yankees, Indians, and Rays with the Athletics just a half game out of the wildcard picture. The Twins record agains the AL playoff teams (not including the Athletics) is 16-13, which trails only the Yankees (20-13). The Astros are next with a sub-500 12-13, and they are trailed by the Indians and Rays at 10-13, and 13-19 respectively. Obviously, the teams have changed (particularly the Astros with the addition of Greinke) since many of these games were played, but the bottom line is that …