April 23, 20197 yr Hey guys, John told me to continue to share my work here, and so to do it in a minimally obtrusive way I'll just have a thread here with comments as you all see fit. I really do enjoy the interaction, so please feel free to chime in here. Here's the first one -- my chat with Tyler Duffey on how he's a completely different pitcher this time around: https://t.co/zs4ItLdTkY
April 23, 20197 yr Author This is the latest Q&A I did. https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/askbw-4-17-rainy-day-chatter-bullpen-help-roster-questions/
April 23, 20197 yr Author ...and this is what pitchers and Rocco Baldelli think of having Byron Buxton on their side: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/ask-a-twin-whats-it-like-to-be-byron-buxtons-teammate-as-a-pitcher/
April 23, 20197 yr That Tyler Duffey article is very interesting. Thanks! I want to be optimistic that this changed approach will turn him around, but I will have to exercise caution. The results for the ten innings he has across AAA and MLB this year are positive, and if you concede that the AAA walks may have been a continuance of fine tuning the approach during ST, then they look even better. Maybe he'll get the call in Houston today and can keep building. I'm ready to applaud. He'll have to show it over a larger sample though.
April 27, 20197 yr Author Here's how I see the Twins being able to address their bullpen woes: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/warne-how-can-the-minnesota-twins-address-their-relief-woes/?fbclid=IwAR3tkKVyLyjiPzMLBie8sJuhjyLPMwkKVf-gG6od316K0LqcaQEM7bh1rs0
May 2, 20197 yr Author Latest podcast episode is up -- Odorizzi vs. Verlander, chatting about the minors and bullpen fixes: http://midwestswing2.libsyn.com/may-1
May 2, 20197 yr Author Latest piece is on Jake Odorizzi's offseason training regimen at Florida Baseball Ranch: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/front-page/offseason-of-work-at-florida-baseball-ranch-appears-to-be-paying-off-for-odorizzi/
May 23, 20197 yr Author Been neglecting this. Many apologies. Here's the latest mailbag: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/askbw-5-22-openers-bullpen-help-what-would-buck-get-on-the-open-market/
May 23, 20197 yr Author Here's my column on how the Twins took a frigid offseason market and turned it into a winner: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/warne-twins-capitalized-on-unusual-offseason-marketplace-to-build-a-winner/
May 23, 20197 yr Author And the latest podcast was a fun one, as we had KQ legend Mike Gelfand and Ryan Turnquist on: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/midwest-swing-twins-mailbag-w-mike-gelfand-ryan-turnquist/
May 26, 20197 yr Author How would you power rank the current 25-man roster? I took a stab: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/warne-out-5-26-power-ranking-the-current-25-man-roster-of-the-minnesota-twins/
May 27, 20197 yr How would you power rank the current 25-man roster? I took a stab: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/warne-out-5-26-power-ranking-the-current-25-man-roster-of-the-minnesota-twins/I'd put Rosario ahead of Buxton. Keep up the good work!!! \m/
May 28, 20197 yr Author I watched the best and worst of Devin Smeltzer's starts at Triple-A to write up as much about him as I could learn in one day: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/the-promotion-devin-smeltzer/
May 28, 20197 yr Brandon on the beatBrandon on the beatBrandon on the, Brandon on the, Brandon on the beatNow slide, dropHit dem folks, don't stop, aye
August 5, 20197 yr Author I need to be better at updating this. You all saw Esky take Dozier deep. I asked players in the Twins clubhouse about their reactions to it. Fun piece: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/featured/twins-clubhouse-reacts-to-escobars-homer-off-dozier-on-saturday-night/
August 5, 20197 yr Author Twins sweep Royals, Devin Smeltzer allows ZERO runners to even reach second base. Recap: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/front-page/obersvations-as-the-twins-complete-a-sweep-of-the-royals-behind-smeltzers-gem/
August 6, 20197 yr Author What a thriller -- Twins beat Braves 5-3 on Miguel Sano walk-off. Recap: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/sanos-walk-off-homer-helps-twins-steal-win-over-braves-in-series-opener/
August 6, 20197 yr How would you power rank the current 25-man roster? I took a stab: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/warne-out-5-26-power-ranking-the-current-25-man-roster-of-the-minnesota-twins/Brandon you should redo the Power Rankings! 3 pitchers have since been DFA'd and are no longer part of the Organization. Nelson Cruz didn't make the initial list.
August 6, 20197 yr Author Brandon you should redo the Power Rankings! 3 pitchers have since been DFA'd and are no longer part of the Organization. Nelson Cruz didn't make the initial list. Cruz was on the IL last time I did them. Will do again soon.
August 6, 20197 yr Author On the latest podcast, we open with.....feral hogs? Me oversleeping a 2pm podcast recording? What the heck? https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/midwest-swing-devin-smeltzer-royals-sweep-feral-hogs/
August 15, 20197 yr Author Deep dive on how the rotation has stayed healthy: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/despite-recent-turmoil-twins-rotation-has-provided-immense-boost-in-strong-season/
August 15, 20197 yr Deep dive on how the rotation has stayed healthy: https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/despite-recent-turmoil-twins-rotation-has-provided-immense-boost-in-strong-season/I had to look up the two references to "Hef": Jeremy Hefner, assistant pitching coach. It would be useful to see an expansion on what his duties are with the team.
August 26, 20197 yr Author Should the Twins consider trading Eddie Rosario this winter? https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/the-case-for-trading-eddie-rosario-this-winter/
August 26, 20197 yr Should the Twins consider trading Eddie Rosario this winter? https://zonecoverage.com/2019/twins/the-case-for-trading-eddie-rosario-this-winter/The Twins should absolutely consider this. I was actually thinking the same thing about Polanco. Different situation entirely, but a signed Polanco, controlled for 4 years at 5M per, after this AS year would, IMO bring back alot more than Eddie. I also think Eddie is more important to the clubhouse than Jorge. Eddie is a vocal and inspirational leader. Eddie brings swagger and attitude. I like that quality for a championship club. We have a nice situation in both the outfield and infield with close to the majors prospects. This winter is the winter to sign the other 4 core pieces,(Rosy, Sano, Berrios, Bux) - Rosario is the most likely of these 4 to get moved rather than signed I agree.
August 27, 20197 yr Yes, they should deal him, but I doubt they get MLB ready pitching back. I'd deal him for low level guys with big upsides. That money will be needed, and they have replacements (likely a small step back next year on offense, but they can handle that if they spend money on REAL pitching).
August 27, 20197 yr I'd love to know how much he's injured right now. How much (if any) is the ankle inhibiting him at the plate or in the field. It seems it has been to my eyes. But maybe not...maybe this is as good as Eddie's going to get. Despite some very hot streaks...his offensive performance over the last three years has actually been very consistent...between 803 and 836 OPS. And he's trending back to being that guy that is absolutely unwilling to take pitches out of the zone....less than 4% walk rate this season...and a 304 OBP over the last calendar year (last 365 days). I'd guess the Twins signing priorities would be Berrios, Buxton, Sano, Rosario...in order. But should it be? I don't think it's easy or obvious that that is the order of future value that each will end up achieving. It's just that organizational starting pitching is so thin, you probably have to over-spend for Berrios. And corner outfield is one of the only positions where the Twins seem to have prospect options that are near major-league ready. Buxton and Sano still seem to have unanswered questions (availability/consistency)...and Rosario could end up being the better over-all player. Still, I'd go with the priorities above (maybe flipping Sano and Buxton)...and consider parting ways with Rosario based on other needs and near-term priorities for money.
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