Article: Running On Empty, But Running

[John Bonnes]

How the hell is this Minnesota Twins team still competing? That’s not rhetorical. I’m seriously wondering. Consider:

 

The Twins four highest paid pitchers – Ervin Santana, Rick Nolasco, Phil Hughes and Glen Perkins – have all missed significant time this year, and three of them are not available right now, in the midst of the playoff race.The four most productive veterans in the lineup – Joe Mauer, Trevor Plouffe, Torii Hunter and Brian Dozier – look like the walking wounded. None has been put on the DL all year, but if you doubt their status, consider: NONE of them have a higher OPS since the All-Star Break than Shane Robinson. Shane. Robinson.

 

Aaron Hicks has had two stints on the DL. Miguel Sano looks like he needs a walker to get around the bases. Several guys in the bullpen are on the verge of being overused, and that’s not counting Brian Duensing and Casey Fien who haven’t looked right all year.

 

I’ll ask again: how the hell is this Minnesota Twins team still competing?

 

The answer is both pleasant and encouraging: the youngsters have been carrying this team. In the rotation, 27-year-old Kyle Gibson leads the team in innings with a respectable 3.87 ERA. 28-year-old Tommy Milone came back from a short stay in Rochester and is now posting a higher strikeout rate and lower walk rate than at any time in his career. He’s contributed a 3.54 ERA over 19 starts. And 24-year-old Tyler Duffey has been perhaps the Twins best pitcher down the stretch, posting 2.67 ERA in the five starts since his recall.

 

Everyone knows the impact that 22-year-old Sano has had on the offense, but he’s not alone. 25-year-old Hicks carried this team for a month and looks like he’s having his breakthrough year. Ditto 26-year-old shortstop Eduardo Escobar, who is only behind Sano and Dozier in OPS on the team. And while Eddie Rosario’s strikeout/walk ratio continues to scare me, he’s continued to hit, providing a potent left-handed bat.

 

The baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint, the cliché goes. A number of the veterans look like they’re entering Mile 26. This team may be running on fumes right now, but it’s still running, fueled by some younger, fresher legs.

 

Download attachment: 2015 Twins Post ASB.jpg

 

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[Rosterman]

And, you know, we can't count out Vargas as getting his act together.

 

Yes, it has been amazing trying to figure out how the Twins have stayed where they are for the majority of the season, and just have hopes that they do finish the year with a winning record, which would be...amazing...considering the bodies on the DL, no pitcher winning more than 10 games, and the solid yet not spectacular seasons from the vets on the field.Sheesh!

 

[Winston Smith]

A lot of mediocre teams this year and a lot of luck!

[Badsmerf]

Suzuki also has an ops over 800 this month, and didn't have a terrible August either (673). This injury came while he has been hitting his best.

[twinsnorth49]

A lot of mediocre teams this year and a lot of luck!

Same applies to everyone else though.

[woody knows all]

Maybe the manager has a bit to do with this.

[USAFChief]

Ain't baseball grand?

[theBOMisthebomb]

That's why they play the games. Some teams win when they aren't necessarily the 'best' team. Too much reliance on advanced metrics can sometimes blind you to reality. These Twins are hanging in there on luck, grit, determination, manager, and Sano. I don't think the stat geeks can validate this season's success yet.

[Thegrin]

and they have done this with a lousy manager and an average pitching coach.  Thank God for Bruno!  

 

[dougkoebernick]

I think the Yankees are going to fade and not make the playoffs. The Twins just have "it" right now.

[Eris]

In part, the Twins are doing this by playing better defense.  In 2014 their team DRS was -73, 2nd worst in the majors.  This year it is -10 (ranked 20th).  Still not great, but that is a 63 run differential.  The data is from Fangraphs.  This should translate into a better record in close games (but I don't know how to find that data).  With DRS the worst players on the Twins are D. Santana (-15 and no longer playing regularly at SS), Hunter (-8) and Dozier (-7).  The DRS on Dozier doesn't match the eye test as he seems better than a slightly below average defensive 2nd basemen.

[stringer bell]

 

In part, the Twins are doing this by playing better defense.  In 2014 their team DRS was -73, 2nd worst in the majors.  This year it is -10 (ranked 20th).  Still not great, but that is a 63 run differential.  The data is from Fangraphs.  This should translate into a better record in close games (but I don't know how to find that data).  With DRS the worst players on the Twins are D. Santana (-15 and no longer playing regularly at SS), Hunter (-8) and Dozier (-7).  The DRS on Dozier doesn't match the eye test as he seems better than a slightly below average defensive 2nd basemen.

Great point. Defense, especially outfield defense is much improved. I'd like to see a defensive upgrade at catcher, but everyone is at least capable, with the three fast outfielders having a chance to be elite.