Article: CIN 8, MIN 2: Berrios Bombs as Twins Drop Series to Cincy

[Pius Jefferson]

Maybe that final two months last year was the fluke for this roster. Not this bad but closer to a 78 win team than a 90 win team.

[Han Joelo]

Now that I think about it, this ugly streak is the price you have to pay to enjoy a month of going 17-5 or whatever.  Assuming what's wrong gets fixed or players just snap out of funks.

[Platoon]

There is truth to the injury bug being detrimental. Getting Buxton back will help the defense, simply because RG will be sitting. And if he hits even .225 it will help this offense. Sano has only missed two games, but I imagine it could be more, and eventually this year he will likely miss even more. But short of an odd HR here and there, his offense isn't missed, since there really wasn't any. Santana is the big one, and that's actually a shame to say, as he is a #3 on a good club. But his return will definitely help this team. As will Polancos offense. This really isn't that surprising. This was built either by design, or circumstance to be an offensive oriented team. Offensive teams run hot and cold, see Texas and Toronto of years past. The pitching was suspect, and the defense is what it was expected to be, mediocre IF at best, and when healthy an excellent OF, with average catching. The Twins will get hot again, and pummel some teams, but the core flaws will remain.

[RaoulDuke]

Pitching needs to get its s*%t together. 

 

Odorizzi is preforming about as expected, Berrios is jekyl/ hide right now depending on his breaking stuff working/ getting called.  Lynn has been a disaster but should figure it out.  Gibson is showing some hope to be a real 4th/5th starter.  Hughes is toast.

 

Rodney is struggling, Reed is a boss, Duke is getting exposed vs RH + struggling  with control, Hildy is lost, Pressley seems to have it again, the rest are struggling. 

 

In the rotation Berrios/ Odorizzi/ Gibson are locks, Lynn should get there assuming he can figure out his control/ command.  Santana should be a welcome addition when he is ready, they have been sorely missing his presence/ contribution.

 

In the pen Reed/ Pressley are the only real positives.  The rest have proven to be less than ideal.  Duke should get there and would benefit from being used in advantageous situations, maybe Hughes is serviceable as a long man.  

 

They badly need consistency from the closer, number 2 setup guy, and long reliever. All those failing is a disaster pen. 

 

 

[Blackjack]

 

 

 

Can Molitor survive this swoon?

My exact thoughts.

[ashbury]

Can Molitor survive this swoon?

In the first year of a new three-year contract, it's hard to imagine the scenario where he's fired after just six weeks.

[youngtwinsfan]

 

 

Can Molitor survive this swoon?

He was resigned because the players loved him. Now it's time for him to show he can get them to play good baseball again.

[Mr. Brooks]

Yeah this team made its bed with the Molitor contract.

Much like Phil Hughes, they aren't eating that money. No way.

We have to hope he's a decent manager because he'll be here for the duration of the contract.

[Doctor Wu]

 

Where are the "pace" posters now? I think, without doing the math, it must be over 100 losses now.... But fear not, pace is just a fantasy, a figment of one's imagination. There is no pace.

Gotta take a break for a week to go up to Fresno and catch 3 just scheduled Neil Young and Crazy Horse shows at a small theater. Maybe I am the bad luck guy, and they will prosper if I don't watch.

Going to see Neil Young and Crazy Horse sounds like the best idea I've heard so far this year!

[Danchat]

 

Yeah this team made its bed with the Molitor contract.
Much like Phil Hughes, they aren't eating that money. No way.
We have to hope he's a decent manager because he'll be here for the duration of the contract.

The Pohlads were willing to fire Gardy with a year left on his deal, but yes, Molitor is going to get all of 2018 and most likely all of 2019 to keep his job.

[Doctor Wu]

The revolving door of player transactions the past two weeks is making my head spin. Where did this new relief pitcher Matt Magill come from and how did the Twins acquire him? Amidst all the other turmoil lately I missed that move. Not it matters much, I suppose. But Is he good enough to stay on the MLB roster and contribute?

[ashbury]

Where did this new relief pitcher Matt Magill come from and how did the Twins acquire him?

Baseball-reference.com answers your question quicker than I could have typed it - though maybe you are a faster typer than me.

 

January 25, 2018: Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins.

 

Or, MLBTR:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/minor-mlb-transactions-12418.html

 

He was one of the raft of minor-league depth signings, like every team does. He was stashed on the Padres AAA team last year and did OK, considering that El Paso is a tough team to pitch for.

 

Oh, and hey! News of this signing was brought to the attention of TD readership by, well, once again modesty forbids me: http://twinsdaily.com/topic/13772-article-trade-talk-los-angeles-dodgers/?p=708281

 

[Mr. Brooks]

The Pohlads were willing to fire Gardy with a year left on his deal, but yes, Molitor is going to get all of 2018 and most likely all of 2019 to keep his job.

And Gardy didn't have the close personal off the field relationship that the Pohlads and Molitors have.

I don't think there is much, if any chance they fire him, but I guess anything is possible.

[jud6312]

 

I think they've already confirmed/announced Hughes as the starter for Wednesday this week, unfortunately.

Ugh. Of course they have.

[bighat]

 

He was resigned because the players loved him. Now it's time for him to show he can get them to play good baseball again.

 

I have never thought of Molitor as a "player's manager", nor have I ever heard that. From what I understand, he got the job because he was a Hall of Fame local guy, and got extended because the Twins made the playoffs in a down year in the AL. Period.

[Platoon]

He was resigned because the players loved him. Now it's time for him to show he can get them to play good baseball again.

I think Pohlad's love of Molitor had more to do with it than the players.

[youngtwinsfan]

 

I think Pohlad's love of Molitor had more to do with it than the players.

 

 

I have never thought of Molitor as a "player's manager", nor have I ever heard that. From what I understand, he got the job because he was a Hall of Fame local guy, and got extended because the Twins made the playoffs in a down year in the AL. Period.

Yeah I agree that was definitely part of it, but I am very certain that I read something about him being very popular among the players and that was also part of the reason. But that also very well could have been a cover up. Just hope is leash is a heck of a lot shorter than we all think because I am not a fan.

[Danchat]

[Blackjack]

 

In the first year of a new three-year contract, it's hard to imagine the scenario where he's fired after just six weeks.

 

After Molitor was named manager of the year, Falvine didn't have much choice. Plus how much is Molitor making a year?? One-two million?? Thats peanuts compared to what Hughes is making, yet people are thinking he should be released. Then add the fact that Molitor was forced onto Falvine, they were told by Jim Pohlad that he was going to be the manager. 

 

I'm not against Molitor or advocating his firing but you can't fire all the players, if the Twins don't start playing better, his job is going to be in jeopardy.  Pretty soon you're going to see articles about managers in jeopardy, the drums start beating and....