Minnesota Twins Talk

I usually "bury" these in the long thread...but what the heck, we all need good news. It also shows that prospects can be valuable, and lots of good ones is a good thing... https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eddie-rosario-has-surpassed-his-peers/

A NINTH bullpen arm is necessary despite an off day on Monday.

Red Sox DFA'd Hanley, Thoughts? https://www.mlb.com/news/hanley-ramirez-designated-for-assignment/c-278245918

I just got an email from Julian Loscalzo, who runs trips to see Twins games once or twice per year, and he says he still has room on the bus for this weekend's trip to Chicago. I was tempted, but I'll pass along in case someone else if feeling spontaneous. BLEACHER BUMS XXXVIWindy City HiatusJune 28–July 2, 2018Quad City Bandits/Kane County Cougars/Twins/Cubs (3) Enjoy a long weekend in Chicago with four nights at the fabulous Palmer House. Toss in three Twins/Cubs tilts at Wrigley Field, a minor league game, brewery stop, and plenty of free time to explore the town. Grand Slam! This one is filling up so hop on it ASAP!$1195 (dbl.) ($400 deposit/person)$1160 Full Pay E-…

Jurikson Profar was hit three times yesterday and he was apparently hit the 3rd time because he stole a base in the FOURTH INNING! It is inappropriate to play hard in the fourth inning of a baseball game? Players are supposed to ease up on the pedal in the fourth inning of a ballgame? According to Paul Molitor they do. "It's the fourth inning," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "We're still playing baseball. He stole second base in that situation that I didn't think was an unnecessary situation, in my opinion. There's still a lot of game to be played." Twins manager Paul Molitor had a different view. "The thought process between the unwritten rules of the game is n…

I did not understand the organization’s thinking when they picked up Matt Belisle from the Indian’s trash heap. Honestly, I was even more astounded that there wasn’t significant outrage on TD. To his credit,I believe Seth actually did question this decision in his uniquely polite manner. For me, when there were several younger options available in Triple A relievers who had earned this promotion, the decision was highly questionable. Moreover, the pickup required roster manipulations that left them without a backup infielder. Thank God they found this stud Motter to solve that problem! I was at the games yesterday and today, and today observed an appearance by Mr. Belisle…

This is the guy they should be pursuing. Not gonna be cheap in prospects, but worth it, imo. Vhttps://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/jt-realmuto-trade-request-rumor-marlins.html

How much longer is the team going to continue to trot out a 35 year old catcher hitting .138? It makes zero sense and I get that there is almost no catching talent in this organization from top to bottom, but lets start by giving Willians Astudillo a shot. He is hitting in the minor leagues, with a career AAA average of over 300 and has hit 7 home runs this season. He can't be any worse. If he fails then lets give someone else a try. I have absolutely no concept why the team continues to play some of the non-entities it does.

Long ways to go. We play a lot of AL Central teams so we could bounce back but it’s clear this team is a step below the competition Should we go in seller mode? Could we get something decent for Dozier? Lynn? Dare I say Mauer?

I enjoyed the article linked below about Buxton. As you can see, the Twins and lots of other folks seem to think that he could be a hall of fame level player, but he has a lot to prove, especially at the plate. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2777166-byron-buxton-has-99-mph-arm-21-mph-speed-448-foot-power-and-a-lot-to-prove?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/82052/verlanders-domination-of-the-dodgers-looked-like-an-astros-audition Best possible combination of help in 2017 and help in the next couple years, right where the Twins need it, at a reasonable cost and not for the 6-7 years it'll take to get a similar pitcher over the winter. Verlander isn't quite what he was, but he's still very good.

Not going to get in to the debate again as to what truly makes a SP qualify as a true ACE. I think there are truly very few that are the type to truly dominate night after night. The kind of guy you expect to start the All Star game. When you look at a Verlander or a Kershaw, you just nod your head and say, "Yep. That's an ACE right there." But a high performing, reliable, quality #1 starter on most any team is still often referenced as being an ace, at least in the context of that team. And I think that label is inexact, but generally fair. Right now, that pitcher for the Twins is Berrios. And he deserves the title. But I think an argument could be made the Twins have …

How it works: Post a classic Simpsons image along with a Twins related (or baseball related, but lets keep in most Twins related) caption. The winner (chosen by me) at the end of August will win a pair of Twins tickets to a September game (They will be nosebleeds FYI) Examples: Pictured: TR with his prospects in their original packaging, talking trades with other GM's. http://theswca.com/images-misc/RALPH3.JPG Pictured: GM Terry Ryan asks Jim Pohlad for permission to add payroll at the deadline. http://oi58.tinypic.com/2gue72e.jpg Pictured: Chuck Knoblauch getting ready for his Twins HOF ceremony. http://stuffpoint.com/the-simpsons/image/72991-the-simps…

Wow. Front office sending a message to the big man. I love the move, but real surprises they pulled the trigger on it.

I just got an update from MLBTR regarding this signing, it didn't say if it was a major or minor league deal.

I love the strikeouts, all the innings pitched are great, his demeanor on the mound is fantastic. But the best part about him is that as of late he is a Mark Buehrle fashioned wizard. Game time: 6/1: 2:39 5/27: 2:18 5/21: 2:35 5/15: 2:24 I think he wrapped up today's game start-to-finish over my lunch break.

Twins are on pace for a 68-94 season and a top 7 pick. They're 6.5 games out of first and 10 GB of the wild card. And it's only June 1st. Mauer, Lynn, Dozier, Escobar, Duke and Bobby Wilson are all potential free agents at the end of the year and Santana and Morrison have an option. So, since this is essentially another lost season, the FO should make a few moves in the next six weeks. Mauer and Santana aren't going to be traded. Morrison probably sticks around and Wilson has no trade value. My guess is that we do a few things. 1) Trade Dozier and bring up Nick Gordon. When Polanco comes back, the Twins will get half a season to see how those two fit into 2019 plans. …

https://www.twincities.com/2018/05/31/concussion-symptoms-return-for-twins-joe-mauer-im-not-there-yet/

With yesterday's series opening loss to the Angels, The Twins moved to 7-14 in series openers in 2018. In all other games, the Twins are 20-19. When you drop the opening game of a series, you're playing under duress for the rest of the series. Game 1 is the most important game in any series, and the Twins are dropping them at an alarming rate. Unprepared? Unmotivated? Unlucky? All of the above? To me this is on the manager and coaching staff. Players are certainly accountable, but when teams are losing this type of game at this pace, whoever is in charge of preparation should be evaluated. Thoughts?

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23708727/10-hyped-players-running-become-stars No surprise that 2 Twins are listed here. At least Buxton and Sano are younger than several of the other candidates.

A good depth addition with Jason Castro out for the year. Darren Wolfson broke the news, here's a link to the MLB Trade Rumors post. Rupp, 29, played 105 games for the Phillies in 2016 and is a career .234/.298/.407 hitter (.705 OPS).

I missed the play but just saw the replay. Did Molitor do anything at all to stick up for his player there?

Has there been any announcement/discussion as to who will get the 26th-man job for the doubleheader June 5? Here's what I'm seeing in Rochester: May 29: GonsalvesMay 30: SlegersMay 31: EnnsJune 1: MayJune 2: LittellJune 3: GonsalvesJune 4: Off dayJune 5: (Would be Slegers if staying in order, though Enns would be able to go on his normal five-day rotation.)

His rehab assignment is done. Going back to see another doctor. Was topping at 88 in Fort Myers.

On baseball-reference there are 20 players in franchise history with 100 career stolen bases with the team including the time spent in Washington DC. In Minnesota it appears that number is 7 maybe 8 as there are a few players i never heard of. There aee quite a few on the list who fell just short.....Nick Punto with 89, Denard Span at 90, Matt Lawton at 96...but we do have someone on the team who can either make it to 100 or just miss it. Dozier is at 92 career steals. If he isnt resigned this offseason, then this year is his only chance to get to 100 career steals as a Twin. 100 career steals is not the biggest accomplishment out there but as a Twin its pretty big. …

Let's try to take our biased hats off and think of Buxton's value as a fan of a different team. Last year he made several "Trade Value Player Ranking" lists like SI and Fangraphs... Can his potential still be sold 1,000+ PAs into his career? If teams outside of the Twins buy into his potential, what would the return look like?

Looks like he’ll be in the bullpen? Anyone know what the corresponding move is? https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-aaron-slegers-recalled-wednesday/

They got a bag of balls (21 year old catcher still in Rookie ball). They also had to give up the 74th overall pick and cash. Hope it’s not a lot of cash

https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-mauer-placed-on-disabled-list/c-277417504 Nick err Jake Cave up

I found a new way to follow the Twins: check the box scores in the morning. No longer do I watch every pitch and every inning in reverence to my favorite team. It’s too draining, too emotional watching game after game with no signs of improving. Last night’s game, again featuring no offensive production, was the proverbial straw that broke the camal’s back. But I have an idea why this happens nearly every game. The Twins have sorely missed their suspended SS Jorge Polanco. His presence in the 3rd spot in the batting order not only balanced out their lineup, but his production in the second half was one of the reasons our boys sprinted to the playoffs, albeit only one game…