Article: Second Half Storylines

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The second half of the season kicks off on Friday. The Twins have used a recent hot stretch to propel themselves to only 20 games out of first in the AL Central, making up three games on the Indians over their last ten games.

 

So it goes without saying that the playoffs aren't what we fans have our minds on. So what should we have our minds on?In the order in which they'll be answered (hopefully):

 

Friday's signing deadline - The Twins have nearly a quarter of a million dollars - SIXTH ROUND MONEY! - to throw at any single unsigned player. The problem is that they've already signed 33 (of 42) picks and there aren't any great (deserving or affordable) options left. There's a very strong chance the deadline comes and goes and the Twins didn't spend every last dime in their pool and, while that's ok, fans will likely be very upset. When asked recently about it, a Twins source told me they "would try" to spend it, but that kids just don't think $250K is that much money anymore. <insert crying Jordan emoji here, I think>

 

(Sidenote: I offered to take $125,000, play as a feel-good story in the GCL for the rest of the summer and accept being cut the day the season is over... I'm still waiting for the team's counteroffer.)

 

Byron Buxton - Last we saw of Buck, he's was being wheeled off the field on a John Deere. Is he healthy? Can he build on his recent still-not-great-but-not-terrible-either streak? I really hope so.

 

The non-waiver trade deadline - Pushed back to August 1st this season, the Twins (and all other teams) have one extra day to negotiate trades that don't involve players clearing waivers.

 

Ervin Santana will likely be the Twins most appealing trade chip. From where I'm sitting, I'd have a hard time betting on any players beside Santana and (fingers-crossed) Kurt Suzuki getting moved in the next two and a half weeks. Fernando Abad would have made a great addition to the list had he not, you know... sucked as of late.

 

Jorge Polanco and Jose Berrios - I need to see both of these guys get extended major league looks. Can Polanco be the next Danny Santana (and by that I mean, "the next Ben Zobrist")? Give him some run everywhere but first base.

 

Jose Berrios is going to be in the rotation for the better part of next year. Let's get him acclimated to the big time. If all that's standing between him and stardom is better results (sounds funny doesn't it?) - he's the most confident pitcher in the system - he's going to be a star.

 

The other trade deadline - The month of August, assuming he can come back, is going to be huge for Trevor Plouffe. Miguel Sano is the future of third base. Trevor Plouffe's future is likely elsewhere. He would certainly clear waivers, but the question is: How good will he be?

 

Could the Twins look to move any of their other guys in August? Ricky Nolasco maybe? (I'm looking at you, Dodgers.) Would Joe Mauer consider waiving his no-trade to play in the playoffs again? (Short answer: No.)

 

Roster expansion - Maybe a bigger deal to me than most, but I love to see who the September call-ups are each year. Will we get to see Adam Brett Walker's or Daniel Palka's power? Will Nick Burdi (or JT Chargois or Zack Jones) finally make the Target Field radar gun touch triple-digits for the hone team? Will James Beresford get that major league cup of coffee?

 

The Little Things (that might be really Big Things) - What's up with Byung Ho? And opposite of that... what's up with Kennys Vargas? Is Max Kepler going to keep this run going? Eduardo Nunez can't be capable of this all year... can he?! Who's the real Eddie Rosario? 2015 Eddie or first half of 2016 Eddie?

 

Who's going to lead this rotation? Kyle Gibson has to continue to move forward, right? Will last year's Tyler Duffey return? Trevor May.... starter or reliever? Please tell me the bullpen doesn't forget how to strike people out.

 

As we turn the page to the second half, what are you most anxious to see?

 

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[Vanimal46]

(Sidenote: I offered to take $125,000, play as a feel-good story in the GCL for the rest of the summer and accept being cut the day the season is over... I'm still waiting for the team's counter-offer.)

Counterpoint: If the Twins want to offer $120,000 to a 26 year old RH knuckleball pitcher who once topped out at a whopping 74 MPH in high school, I'm available. 

[HitInAPinch]

I'm watching progress, more than anything.

 

Any moving of veterans may not happen this year.  I think the highest sought after Twin may be Suzuki.  Teams will over look his defense after his new found offensive surge. E. Santana has had one really great start.  In a few more, he could be highly sought after.

 

Between now and the end of the season, I'd like to see another rush of MiLB'ers for audition:  who's close to ready, who needs more time.  I could really care less about this season's record.  I want to see progress and that will need to come from the MiLB.

 

[High heat]

Why do people think Nunez should not or will not be traded? He has had a very good yr at the plate and can play multiple positions. That is perfect for a contending team. Get what you can for him while he is having a career year and replace him with Jorge polanco. I'm not saying give him away but if you can get even one decent prospect take it. Santana should be moved and should bring you a top 200 prospect in return just based on so few decent starters being available and so much need.

[Twinsoholic]

I hope Ryan can trade E. Santana, Suzuki, Nunez and maybe Kintzler. The Twins have no chance to win a wild card spot. Trade Plouffe in August if possible. The future is, tautologically, in the future as far as competing for at least a wild card spot.

 

Speaking of spots, there are bright ones on the current 25 man roster that orient some optimism: Sano, Kepler, Duffy, Rosario, even Vargas of late. Throw in Escobar and Tonkin and even the lefty reliever from the U of Kentucky whose name escapes me at the moment (Gibson and Dozier have value as well to revitalizing the Twins). There are bright spots in the minors that also suggest that the Twins could be a be a much better team in a couple years. By then, though, Santana and Suzuki will be in their mid-thirties and much less likely to help the Twins compete for at least a Wild Card spot, so move them now rather than counting on them to be productive over the next year or two.

 

 

 

[arboreal]

Here's the problem with trying to trade Trevor Plouffe—past, present and future:

 

"Third base may be the strongest position in the majors right now. It is thick with superstar talent—Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado—and not one of the 25 qualified third baseman in the majors is below replacement level."

 

(Cliff Corcoran, SI.com)

[Winston Smith]

The problem with trading Plouffe is that he isn't very good. Most teams trying to contend trade for good players that will help them. Its hard see Plouffe helping any contending team.

[birddog]

I am just anxious to see more games like the last 10 and nothing close to the first 70+ games. If the trades don't happen at the deadline or in August, they had better happen during the off season.

[big dog]

What I'm anxious to see, but unfortunately don't expect to see, is Polanco getting 200 at-bats in the second half.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Polanco has no where to play as long as Nunez is around.

 

I like Nunez, but there's probably never been a better "trade high" candidate then him right now. Can TR actually pull the trigger before he misses the chance and overpays with an extension.

[tobi0040]

The really frustrating thing is we were out of the race on about April 25th, yet for two months and a half months it has been constant "when are we going to see Berrios, or Chargois, or Polanco, May in the rotation".

 

In business if you have a terrible employee who has no idea what he is doing, You fire him. You don't ride out the next four months while he continues to screw things up further.

[big dog]

 

The really frustrating thing is we were out of the race on about April 25th, yet for two months and a half months it has been constant "when are we going to see Berrios, or Chargois, or Polanco, May in the rotation".

In business if you have a terrible employee who has no idea what he is doing, You fire him. You don't ride out the next four months while he continues to screw things up further.

 

In business if you have a terrible employee who has no idea what he is doing, You fire him. You don't ride out the next four months while he continues to screw things up further.

If that is true, why do I keep running into so many terrible employees (including at my own workplace)?  I agree with your sentiment, but it isn't nearly as true in business as it should be.

[Danchat]

Berrios and Chargois need to be up and playing immediately. There is plenty of room for them, just DFA Ramirez and Milone. Polanco needs to play now, but the Twins will have to make a move first. Getting these three playing time should be of utmost importance to this team.

[Shaitan]

Tough call on a couple trades. Nunez and Kintzler are cheap and controllable, and E Santana could be useful to the team still. Plouffe and Suzuki have no future in MN.

 

Is Abad controlled after this year?

[troyhobbs]

I'm most excited to see how they trim the fat. TR disappoints me every year in that regard but I find this time of year most interesting none the less (seeing as they don't ever make the playoffs and all). Was slow to come around on the notion of trading Nunez but think I'm on board now. I'd be interested to see what Dozier could bring in too.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Is Abad controlled after this year?

 

Arbitration-eligible once more before free agency.

[Mike Sixel]

I feel like I'm waiting for Godot, while waiting for Berrios and Meyer and May to be in the rotation.....

[Hrbek70]

Where is Nunez at with free agency? Personally would rather keep him than the inconsistent Dozier and let Polanco play 2B. Twins don't need to do a total tear down, just get value for guys that will not be part of the future. Suzuki, Plouffe(if he is ever healthy this year), Millone, Nolasco, Abad. Santana is probably the fourth or fifth best SP available and should bring a very good prospect in return. Hope they keep Santana though

[jimmer]

 

I feel like I'm waiting for Godot, while waiting for Berrios and Meyer and May to be in the rotation.....

Don't forget Jay and Stewart.  Powerhouse rotation coming.  Just wait.

 

Hey remember the debate last year about Gibson and how so many thought he had turned a corner and we'd see great things this year?  Yeah, about that.  But hey, he's still young too.  Patience.

Edited July 14, 2016 by jimmer

[Mike Sixel]

I do think this the best batch of arms they've had in a long, long, long time. I don't understand why Berrios is using his limited number of pitches in his arm in AAA at this point. I hope Meyer is ok. I have no idea why May has not been stretched out......but none of those three decisions temper my belief that the minors are in the best SP shaped they've been in in a long time (even if that wasn't a low, low, bar to clear, I'd still be hopeful).

[troyhobbs]

 

Where is Nunez at with free agency? Personally would rather keep him than the inconsistent Dozier and let Polanco play 2B. Twins don't need to do a total tear down, just get value for guys that will not be part of the future. Suzuki, Plouffe(if he is ever healthy this year), Millone, Nolasco, Abad. Santana is probably the fourth or fifth best SP available and should bring a very good prospect in return. Hope they keep Santana though

I'd rather see Dozier go than Nunez too but think they should deal Santana and hold on to Nolasco since he's non-tradeable. He might actually not be a bad #5 pitcher, certainly not worth his salary but there won't be many SP options to choose from in the off-season so he'll have to do.....

[Winston Smith]

 

I feel like I'm waiting for Godot, while waiting for Berrios and Meyer and May to be in the rotation.....

Is Godot a pitcher?

[bluechipper]

 

Hey remember the debate last year about Gibson and how so many thought he had turned a corner and we'd see great things this year?  Yeah, about that.  But hey, he's still young too.  Patience.

I'm not the biggest Kyle Gibson fan, but over his last 4 starts, he has a 3.65 ERA and 8.8 K/9. I'm looking forward to see if he can stay close to maintaining that for the rest of the year.

[jimmer]

 

I'm not the biggest Kyle Gibson fan, but over his last 4 starts, he has a 3.65 ERA and 8.8 K/9. I'm looking forward to see if he can stay close to maintaining that for the rest of the year.

I was having the same conversations last year when I was being assured he had turned a corner.  This could be the year, he'll only be 29 going into next season.

Edited July 14, 2016 by jimmer

[ashbury]

I was having the same conversations last year when I was being assured he had turned a corner.

Yeah, I've kind of lost hope on him too, as being any kind of impact player on a contending team. Players need to be judged in two main ways: 1) what's his ceiling, and 2) how often does he reach that ceiling. There are a lot of ways the latter question can be answered disappointingly, without it reflecting on the player's character. But, if you never know if you're going to see the Good Kyle or the Bad Kyle on the mound for you, well, maybe a .500 pitcher is an improvement when you are trying to avoid a 100-loss season, but not an asset when you are ready to shoot for 100 wins. I'm sure Kyle understands all this, but for whatever reason, he can't find the week-to-week consistency that is required.

[Han Joelo]

Has anyone compared Gibson to Arrieta? Just wondering. Hoping there is something in Gibby that could make him a later blooming Ace like Arrieta or Kuechel.

[FormerMinnasotan]

If Berrios isn't up by the end of July then there is something wrong with the front office. Berrios is just as good as Milone and Nolasco right now. Continuing to trot out Milone and Nolasco in the rotation prove as much that the Twins (much less Terry Ryan) don't care about winning.

[jimmer]

 

If Berrios isn't up by the end of July then there is something wrong with the front office. Berrios is just as good as Milone and Nolasco right now. Continuing to trot out Milone and Nolasco in the rotation prove as much that the Twins (much less Terry Ryan) don't care about winning.

Berrios likely should have been up for good last year, and definitely for good this year. 

Edited July 14, 2016 by jimmer

[Dr. Evil]

Kennys Vargas playing every day at first base. Average Joe sitting on the bench until he gets tired enough of it. Park getting hot in AAA and then traded.

[tobi0040]

If Berrios isn't up by the end of July then there is something wrong with the front office. Berrios is just as good as Milone and Nolasco right now. Continuing to trot out Milone and Nolasco in the rotation prove as much that the Twins (much less Terry Ryan) don't care about winning.

After his first 3 relief apperances here were the numbers on Carlos Rodon:

 

6 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8k.

 

He was moved to the rotation.

 

Start 1: 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8k

 

Start 2: 4 IP, 5 ER, 6 BB, and 5 k

 

Start 3: 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K.

 

Total 22 IP, 4.09 ERA, 19 BB, and 25 k. He proceeded to stay up and pitch 139 innings that year.

 

Berrios through his 15 IP had a higher ERA at 10.2 driven by his last 7 ER start, but his k rate was better (20k in 15 IP) and his BB rate was lower (12 BB in 15 IP). Back to the farm kid.

Edited July 14, 2016 by tobi0040