Article: MIN 11, TB 7: Dozier Grand Slam Ends Wild Game, First Half

[Nine of twelve]

So the Twins and/or Rodney couldn't afford to charter a lear jet to Miami for the hearing? And the only commercial flight available left in the middle of the afternoon? Just doesn't seem like the story is quite right.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Oh I'm sure the umps have it right, it just seems incredibly complicated. If the goal is to not have injuries, it seems like the easiest thing is to say that (a.) until the catcher has the ball he can't be in the base path and (b.) the runner has to slide and can't barrel over a catcher.

I think that's basically the rule, but you can't judge part "A" until the runner actually gets to the plate. Here's the frame of the video where the ball enters Sucre's glove:

 

 

If you use your guidelines as a strict rule, you'll wind up with some silly outcomes. Which is why MLB specifically clarified the role of the ump's judgement for these situations:

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-clarifies-home-plate-collision-rule/c-93914144

 

You're not going to eliminate all injury risk at home plate, just like you can't at second base on steals, etc. But you can at least remove the "extracirricular" contact (where the primary goal isn't tagging the runner or the base), and the current rules seem to do that.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Belisle's spot would be first in line for that purpose, and I'm not sure we have enough useful arms to rotate two roster spots.

Sure, Belisle's spot could (or should) be used for that purpose instead. But given that it's not, using Magill's is the next best thing. I'm not going to give them a pass for mistakes involving Magill just because they are making another mistake with Belisle.

[Shaitan]

Sure Magill hasn't been very good lately. I bet he's a better pitcher than their emergency catcher. 

 

All I can really say about this game is that it's a textbook example, on both sides, of how not to manage a baseball game.

[yarnivek1972]

Regarding Magill, I think it is important to note that he is typically coming in to games where the opponent has scored a lot of runs and a lot of people are having good days at the plate.

 

I have no illusions about Magill being a key contributor in high leverage situations, but I do think he’s a better pitcher than Belisle and I definitely think having both is unnecesary.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

All I can really say about this game is that it's a textbook example, on both sides, of how not to manage a baseball game.

Cash's managing was more annoying than it was incorrect, though. They held us to 1 run over the first 6 innings with a pretty suspect group of relievers. Interestingly, the relievers that ultimately blew it (Castillo, Romo, Andriese) are supposed to be the better ones. And don't forget the boneheaded throws by the Tampa 3B and 1B...

[dbminn]

What Fernando Rodney is doing today.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Paul Molitor decided to use Fernando Rodney to finish out the fifth inning today.

 

 

What Fernando Rodney is doing today.

 

"Give me your setup men, your closers, your huddled masses of relievers yearning to pitch free" (of rigid bullpen roles)

[USAFChief]

 

What Fernando Rodney is doing today.

CONGRATULATIONS Mr Rodney!!

 

 

[Nine of twelve]

 

CONGRATULATIONS Mr Rodney!!

Strongly concur! But I still wonder why arrangements could not have been made to allow him to stay for the whole game.

[LeatherAntenna]

I hope I'm  wrong, because Bull Dozier is one of my my favorite players on the 25 man roster, but BD's recent surge has not only helped the Twins win games in July, but his surge has increased his chances of being traded soon. To quote what Falvey may be saying in response to teams inquiring about Dozier's availability: "Make me an offer I can't refuse".

All the Dozier bashers, Brian is on his 2016 HR pace, and ahead of last year’s pace. I knew he would get here, it’s simply his pattern. And the best of luck to him with a new contract with whoever ends up with him, he is both deserving and appreciated.

[Danchat]

I just read that Fernando Romero is being optioned back to AAA. I'm thinking Ervin Santana might be getting activated... but I also think this means Belisle isn't getting axed yet (I imagine Motter is DFA'd to get him onto the 40 man roster).

[yarnivek1972]

I just read that Fernando Romero is being optioned back to AAA. I'm thinking Ervin Santana might be getting activated... but I also think this means Belisle isn't getting axed yet (I imagine Motter is DFA'd to get him onto the 40 man roster).

The Twins won’t need a 5th starter until the 24th. So, I would say maybe a position player or a reliever will be added until thst date. No idea who. The only healthy position players on the 40 man not active are Sano, Motter and Granite.

[Mr. Brooks]

The Twins won’t need a 5th starter until the 24th. So, I would say maybe a position player or a reliever will be added until thst date. No idea who. The only healthy position players on the 40 man not active are Sano, Motter and Granite.

They'll want Santana to start first out of the break though, not fifth. That way he gets 3 starts before the trade deadline.

[Riverbrian]

 

Getting the most out of a team, by timing the usage of the mediocre players, so that they only play when they are hot and then sit when they are not, is a magical skill that no one has over the long term. The lucky rabbit's foot seems to disappear at the most inopportune moment. I'll take well-chosen matchups over the hot hand every time.

 

I'm not asking the impossible here. 

 

You are making it seem impossible by implying that I'm saying a manager should know when a hot streak begins or starts and manage accordingly.  

 

That isn't what I'm saying but apparently the impression I am leaving behind because it is what I'm always defending and I'm not saying it.  

 

Do we really have to wait until July before a manager realizes that Logan Morrison is not performing? 

 

Do we have to wait until June to determine that Sano shouldn't be in RF. (I was supportive of the move until I saw the results of the move). 

 

When you say mediocre what is your definition of mediocre? Is Eduardo Escobar Mediocre? Is there anything in past stats that indicate he was going to do what he has been doing this year. Is he still mediocre? Should he be moved back to a bench role when Sano comes back. Polanco is already back so I guess Escobar will no longer have a starting position because a manager shouldn't make adjustments based on how players are actually performing because it's impossible to predict when the mediocre comes back? 

 

I'm not asking the Manager to be clairvoyant and predict streak starts and stops... I'm asking the manager to STOP trying to be clairvoyant and let the players make the determinations for him. 

 

In the past 30 days:

Robbie Grossman is hitting .324/.380/.500

Logan Morrison is hitting ..190/.238./.431

 

 

When Logan comes back does Grossman get bumped? I'm not asking this question after a 4 for 4 day by Grossman. I'm asking it after 30 days of data. Actually in Morrison's case... we can look at the entire first half for data. 

 

Past history from Molitor suggests Morrison will move back into his regular role when he returns. Who gets bumped? Grossman or Cave? Is there room for all to get AB's or is that some kind of unwritten rule that can't be broken? 

 

With Magill... I don't care about Magill anymore. I was taking a cheap shot at the Auto Pilot nature of Molitor with my post.

 

I understand that he has been placed in some sort of 1980's traditional long man role. I'm personally not a fan of 1980's baseball ideology but the bottom line is that Magill isn't getting used and if he isn't getting used... we should let Magill go and get Molitor somebody he will use. If that's Belisle... I disagree with the choice but Molitor will use Belisle and therefore... what the hell. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ashbury]

With Magill... I don't care about Magill anymore. I was taking a cheap shot at the Auto Pilot nature of Molitor with my post.

OK, sounds like I got side-tracked with an assumption about what your beef about Magill was. Not sure where it even came from, now that I look again.

[Vanimal46]

The Twins won’t need a 5th starter until the 24th. So, I would say maybe a position player or a reliever will be added until thst date. No idea who. The only healthy position players on the 40 man not active are Sano, Motter and Granite.

I'm not sure why Granite is still on the 40 man to be honest... He's been brutal this season in Rochester. DFA him and add Wade to the 40.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I'm not sure why Granite is still on the 40 man to be honest... He's been brutal this season in Rochester. DFA him and add Wade to the 40.

He's 25 and it's midseason in a year where half of baseball is intentionally tanking. The front office probably thinks there's a good chance he'll be claimed.

 

Not that I'm terribly worried about losing Granite but he's not the type of guy I give up for no reason.

[Vanimal46]

He's 25 and it's midseason in a year where half of baseball is intentionally tanking. The front office probably thinks there's a good chance he'll be claimed.

 

Not that I'm terribly worried about losing Granite but he's not the type of guy I give up for no reason.

236 ABs, .212 .529 OPS and 4, yes, 4 RBI gives me reason to give up.

[Nine of twelve]

 

He's 25 and it's midseason in a year where half of baseball is intentionally tanking. The front office probably thinks there's a good chance he'll be claimed.

 

Not that I'm terribly worried about losing Granite but he's not the type of guy I give up for no reason.

Any team that intentionally tanks is, IMHO, misguided. The draft is way more of a crapshoot in MLB than it is in other sports. Tanking simply doesn't result in a significant reward and a team with a good scouting department should be able to draft well at any point in the first round.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

236 ABs, .212 .529 OPS and 4, yes, 4 RBI gives me reason to give up.

He could be playing with a nagging injury, he might be scuffling for any number of reasons. I simply don't have enough information to definitively declare what should be done with him.

 

And it's enough of a borderline case where I'm not going to get upset about it.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Any team that intentionally tanks is, IMHO, misguided. The draft is way more of a crapshoot in MLB than it is in other sports. Tanking simply doesn't result in a significant reward and a team with a good scouting department should be able to draft well at any point in the first round.

Yeah... no. The first five picks do not have the same chance of success as the 23rd pick.

 

And the first couple of picks have an even larger advantage.

 

You're right that the MLB draft is more unpredictable but it's not entirely unpredictable.

[Vanimal46]

He could be playing with a nagging injury, he might be scuffling for any number of reasons. I simply don't have enough information to definitively declare what should be done with him.

 

And it's enough of a borderline case where I'm not going to get upset about it.

Unless they start giving relievers pink slips from the 40 man there is very little room and options to call up for position players.

 

Are they going to call up someone with his production this year?

 

Why don't they replace with someone who's doing well in AAA and has a legit chance to be on the 40 man regardless this winter?

[Riverbrian]

 

Any team that intentionally tanks is, IMHO, misguided. The draft is way more of a crapshoot in MLB than it is in other sports. Tanking simply doesn't result in a significant reward and a team with a good scouting department should be able to draft well at any point in the first round.

 

I don't think the high draft pick is the ultimate goal. Right now with the Astros, Cubs, Phillies, Braves as examples... It's hard to argue against the strategy. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Any team that intentionally tanks is, IMHO, misguided. The draft is way more of a crapshoot in MLB than it is in other sports. Tanking simply doesn't result in a significant reward and a team with a good scouting department should be able to draft well at any point in the first round.

The Astros built a WS champion by intentionally tanking.

IMO, a team that isn't close to contending and doesn't tank is misguided.

Drafting high is a huge advantage in MLB, especially because of how the bonus pool is allotted.