Article: Twins Playing Over Their Heads, But That's OK

[Mike Sixel]

I think you are dreaming on Vargas, but we'll see.

 

My more ideal than today OF/DH/C world:

? in LF (not willingham, wish it was Rosario, but not likely at all)

Hicks in CF

Arcia in RF

Pinto DH 45% of time, Vargas or Willingham 55% of time (occassional Mauer)

Suzuki c 45% of time, Pinto 55%

 

Fuld, and, ummm, on the bench. (maybe Kubel, but I have my doubts about his future)

[jokin]

Compared to last year... I've been much more entertained. It got pretty frustrating last year watching the team lay down and I think they layed down in 2013.

 

Station to station baserunning... Average effort pursuit of baseballs. I really felt nobody was getting their money's worth.

 

This year... It's been better... I'm seeing Plouffe get dirty... Dozier of course being a gamer... I'm seeing Mauer effort at first. I'm seeing some clutch hits... More contact and putting the ball in play.

 

It ain't perfect yet... We still have OF defensive issues... And the base running is still more careful then I personally like... But it's getting better.

 

In 2013... I didn't think they gave full value for the price of a ticket. So far in 2014... I'd say they are exactly the value of a price of a ticket.

 

Ummm Upper Deck Ticket.

 

Find a postgame picture after the walk-off. I've don't think I've ever seen an after-game dirtier 1st Baseman's uniform than Mauer's- last night he was the very Gardy definition of "gettin after it" in the field.

[Beezer07]

I think you are dreaming on Vargas, but we'll see.

 

My more ideal than today OF/DH/C world:

? in LF (not willingham, wish it was Rosario, but not likely at all)

Hicks in CF

Arcia in RF

Pinto DH 45% of time, Vargas or Willingham 55% of time (occassional Mauer)

Suzuki c 45% of time, Pinto 55%

 

Fuld, and, ummm, on the bench. (maybe Kubel, but I have my doubts about his future)

 

I hear that that ? fellow has got some serious potential

[kdrupp09]

I think you are dreaming on Vargas, but we'll see.

 

My more ideal than today OF/DH/C world:

? in LF (not willingham, wish it was Rosario, but not likely at all)

Hicks in CF

Arcia in RF

Pinto DH 45% of time, Vargas or Willingham 55% of time (occassional Mauer)

Suzuki c 45% of time, Pinto 55%

 

Fuld, and, ummm, on the bench. (maybe Kubel, but I have my doubts about his future)

 

What about Parmelee?

[Circus Boy]

Complete collapses are a lot less likely when you have two pitchers in the rotation that are above average. IMO, that's the big difference between this year and the last two seasons.

 

Yep, that do make a difference.

[Circus Boy]

It ain't perfect yet... We still have OF defensive issues...

 

In 2013... I didn't think they gave full value for the price of a ticket. So far in 2014... I'd say they are exactly the value of a price of a ticket.

 

Ummm Upper Deck Ticket.

 

Would love to hear some theme music when we take the field on defense. How about "I Don't Want to Lose Your Love Tonight," by The Outfield?

[zchrz]

They are like the opposite of the Timberwolves who were the phythag kings last year yet couldn't actually win a close game.

[Dantes929]

"have to believe that at least one of them will end up being a significant improvement over Correia and possibly Gibson" At the moment insert Nolasco in place of Gibson. Not that Gibson has been a world beater but his ERA is one and a half runs better than Nolasco.

[tmerrickkeller]

Romero/Fuld for Kubel would be fine with me. I think the best chance at sustained pretty-good-or-better comes when we have a rotation of Nolasco, Meyer, Hughes, May and Gibson, move Deduno (love him but you know that the best you can hope for is 5-6 innings per start) to the bullpen to replace Guerrier.

 

Yes, I also hold out hope for some position player advancement later in the year, but I think we're pretty tapped out right now for position players in the high minors ready to help. But with Mauer, Dozier, Escobar, Plouffe, Hammer, Hicks, and Arcia, Suzuki and Pinto, with bench of Romero/Fuld, Parmelee, Santana, and Nunez....we could stay relevant.

 

It is going to take Buxton, Sano, Rosario, Vargas, or some FA help before we really turn the corner and turn up the juice on Target Field.

[LaBombo]

"have to believe that at least one of them will end up being a significant improvement over Correia and possibly Gibson" At the moment insert Nolasco in place of Gibson. Not that Gibson has been a world beater but his ERA is one and a half runs better than Nolasco.

For better or worse, Nolaco's contract buys him a loooong leash, barring injury, 'injury', or complete Blackburny collapse. And Gibson is still perceived to still have upside, small as it now may be.

 

And not only is Correia the only clear bubble guy, the Twins may feel they only have one starter ready for the majors. While Meyer has been dominant and clearly has higher upside than May, his walk rate is still hovering around a batter every other inning. The Twins, being the Twins and all, may feel that he needs to lower that rate before being promoted, no matter how successful he is in Rochester.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Not that Gibson has been a world beater but his ERA is one and a half runs better than Nolasco.

 

I don't think xFIP is perfect - or anything close to it - but Nolasco has a 4.22 xFIP while Gibson has a 4.68 xFIP.

 

Nolasco has been a mixture of mediocre, kinda bad, and unlucky. Gibson has been a mixture of mediocre, bad, and a bit lucky, as evidenced by his meager 5.5% HR/FB rate.

[DocBauer]

Playing above their heads? Yes. Perhaps. At least at times.

 

Kubel and Colabello provided a huge lift for the first month. An unexpected lift, and compensated for early injuries to Willingham and Arcia. Now they are back, Colabello down, and Kubel gone soon. Wonder if he will accept an assignment to Rochester with the idea of trying to find a little more magic left for a late season call up? Regardless, Fuld will take his spot soon. If not, probably Romero, who I said in ST not to fall asleep on.

 

So many great posts here, I'd love to just copy and paste to make the perfect commentary. Lol

 

This team IS interesting, and fun to watch most days simply because unlike so much of the time the past 3 years, they are actually competitive and in games. Winning and a chance to win is a good thing!

 

The bad is obvious, starting with injuries in the OF. Mauer not yet hitting like Mauer. Correia and Pelfrey regressing and not pitching like last season or expectations, Hicks' struggles, the SS situation. Nolasco being inconsistent so far.

 

The good is actually pretty darn good. Dozier improving and proving himself. Plouffe is really starting to grow up. Pinto is the real deal, just needs Gardy to put him in the lineup 80% of the time and C a little more as the season goes along. Suzuki, healthy, a change of scenery, playing about every day, even with expected regression, is doing a great and clutch job. Escobar, finally getting his chance, is proving he's a solid ball player. Despite struggles, Hicks is still better than last year, is maintaining a surprising OB, and with work and a change to only batting RH, might be worth watching over the rest of the season. Santana is really intriguing! No doubt the kid has things to work on, but he's been a spark and breath of fresh air who actually seems to have an idea at the plate, doesn't appear lost, and is anything but intimidated. Hope nobody reminds him he's a rookie and isn't supposed to be playing like this. And playing is a key, like Punto, he needs to play.

 

Hughes is throwing the best of his career. I'm not sure we should be surprised, but what a great story. Gibson has been good, occasionally excellent. A few growing pains sure, but that's to be expected. Deduno is back where he belongs, has looked solid, and will probably be even better as he stretches out. Nolasco has shown flashes, won tonight, and betting he begins to turn the corner really soon.

 

With injuries and some disappointments and inconsistencies, the team has still been decent and playing .500 ball. Not saying we're going to make a playoff run, but with Arcia and Willingham back, SS settling down, four solid to good starters, Mauer hopefully clicking the way Mauer does hopefully soon, Dozier, the youngsters growing up...yes...this is an interesting team to watch.

 

Health, a couple moves that still need to be made, this team has a very good chance of finishing above .500 in my opinion.