What was Rocco Baldelli Thinking?!

[h2oface]

I agree with all the OP's 3 questionable moves. Especially taking Donaldson out of the game. I was even more disappointed to hear Baldelli say he would do it again in the post game. Live and not learn. Process. Bend the Knee to the Almighty Process. The forces where slapping him in the face with the consequences, and he is not listening.

 

As for Colome (and Robles, too)...... since the signing(s), I have been hoping it would not lose us too many games. I fear it will. Watching Baldelli keep going to Colome is like watching Molitor keep putting Perkins in that September of 2015. You can quote all the career stats you want. Last season.... the last two seasons.... whatever. Be my pest. When it's over it is over. The White Sox saw it, apparently first and wouldn't resign him, and the 28 other teams passed too, but not us. Got him on the cheap. Seriously, nobody wanted to see Baldelli manage the pen so that Colome became his "only option" at the end of this game. It didn't have to be, but he made it be. Just because the FO gave him Colome doesn't mean he needs to keep putting him in to lose games. When it's over it's over. It seams clear to everyone but Baldelli, who like Molitor with Perkins, just keeps putting Colome in the situation to lose the games. And in this case, forget about the 10th. He should have done his job in the 9th, when he hit the first batter he faced, and that was the runner that scored and blew the lead to close it out in regulation! But alas, he cannot do the job anymore. Colome is toast.

[jimbo92107]

Fire up the merry-go-round between Twin Cities. Alexander Colomé should get bounced to St Paul immediately, with any power arm coming up in his place. Until Colomé finds his mojo, he's almost guaranteeing a loss. 

[shimrod]

"There is a massive difference between "Rocco is bad at his job" and "Those two plays weren't his fault". Massive."

 

If two fielding plays were the only issues with this club we wouldn't be trailing in the ALC and there wouldn't be so much angst in the comments. 

 

 

 

[h2oface]

 

"There is a massive difference between "Rocco is bad at his job" and "Those two plays weren't his fault". Massive."

 

If two fielding plays were the only issues with this club we wouldn't be trailing in the ALC and there wouldn't be so much angst in the comments. 

 

Trailing in the ALC? That is kind. How about last place in the American League, and 1/2 game from the worst record in Major League Baseball!

[Monticore]

His monotonous, oleaginous post-game remarks are insipid. He's like a wind-up doll who only utters cheery platitudes. He is a woeful failure in playoff games. He frequently gives the impression he has dopey set rules, no matter the way the game is playing out. There has to be somebody better out there. Someone not afraid to show a little emotion.

[Westcoast2]

If the Twins right the ship, fine.  If not and they miss the playoffs, Rocco could be on the hot seat. Most of what has happened may be out of his control, but when has that ever made a difference.  When a team under performs dramatically, the front office cannot fire the players.  So the manager gets the blame.

[T_J]

They need to play the game on the field and NOT on a spreadsheet somewhere that says something. I agree analytics are a great tool but it can't be something that is used 100% of the time.

[ScrapTheNickname]

I hate this as much as anyone. I hate it. I couldn't even watch the second half of the game yesterday. Why go through misery when I could do something else?

 

With that said, look at who is in last place in each division in the American League. Yankees, Astros, and Twins. The three teams predicted by most to finish atop their divisions. So ... it's early.

 

I shall watch them again. If they don't perform better, I shall not watch. At this point they are unwatchable. Things change. Or things can change. Things often change. Even that big ship in the Suez Canal finally got turned around!

[VivaBomboRivera!]

The entire relief strategy after Maeda's breakdown is mystifying. If you trust the bats, how do you position the arms to get through a very long afternoon?

• Duffey enters with score 4 - 7 in 4th; 1 IP, 4 batters, 11 P, 1 BB
• Score is tied in the bottom of the 5th - it is a new game, 15 outs long, next day is an off day
• Duffey is already committed and half the A's batting order hasn't seen him yet - unless there is an incredibly bad matchup, why not ask him for another three outs? (rule of thumb - dance with them that brung ya)
• Instead, Dobnak faces 3 batters in the 5th and retires them on 10 pitches
• Bottom of the 6th, 10 - 7: Again, barring a bad matchup, why not ask The Driver to hold that lead when there are still 12 outs needed? If he allows runners on base, the high-leverage arms will be there; if he doesn't, those arms will only be needed for 9 outs (same applied to Duffey)
• Robles gets only two batters before running into trouble; now two arms (three with the unused Alcala) remain to get 10 tough outs

Bottom line: Can't be a good end game if without a better middle game.

[shimrod]

The one excuse I haven't seen yet that might actually fly is the loss of the former bench coach. I don't know what that interaction looks like in practice, but if the manager typically receives opinions from other coaches (bench, bullpen, pitching, etc) and decides which opinion to implement I can see the sudden loss of that coach having a big impact on his performance. We had a traumatic disruption to the staff before the season and that could explain a lot. 

 

That said, it's still on Rocco to turn it around. 

[D.C Twins]

My concern is that Rocco just doesn't seem to have a feel for in game decisions.

 

It's almost like he has a predetermined algorithm for each game when there are just way too many in game variables to do that.

 

Many unanticipated adjustments are needed.

 

I don't think that he is dumb or bad or lacks competitive fire or is not passionate about the game.

 

But I DO think that he is ill equipped for in game management which is of course SUPER important.

 

I think he would excel much more as a bench coach or in the FO helping with analytics and PRE-GAME prep or both.

 

He will not be a long term manager, nor manage again for another team after the Twins, but he will have a long and successful career in baseball in another position.

[Dave The Dastardly]

"Bottom of the 6th, 10 - 7: Again, barring a bad matchup, why not ask The Driver to hold that lead when there are still 12 outs needed? If he allows runners on base, the high-leverage arms will be there; if he doesn't, those arms will only be needed for 9 outs (same applied to Duffey)"  VivaBombaRivera

 

The Driver - I like that!

 

And your argument makes a lot of sense.

[Nine of twelve]

 

Rocco should be fired immediately.

And replaced with whom? Firing a manager is easy. Choosing a superior replacement is far more difficult and far more important.

[Nine of twelve]

 

oleaginous

I'm not going to say whether I agree or disagree with this post, which is why I erased all but one word. But I wish to offer my compliments for excellent verbiage!

[Nine of twelve]

 

baldini is a millennial puke!!!!! we need an olds school manager!

I always respect a cogent, thoughtful analysis.

[Danchat]

 

They need to play the game on the field and NOT on a spreadsheet somewhere that says something. I agree analytics are a great tool but it can't be something that is used 100% of the time.

If Baldelli was truly using analytics 100% of the time, there'd be no way in heck that Colome should be throwing pitches in the 10th inning. His usage of Colome as the closer no matter what despite the "we haven't named a closer" statement is quite the old school move and it's costing him. 

 

Baldelli's moves constantly imploding like this reminds me of Molitor in the 2016 Total System Failure season. Decently high expectations followed by a season filled with bad play, bad managing, and some bad luck (don't misconstrue this, it was mostly bad play), the team had an abysmal season. Fans criticized him for being behind the times, using the bullpen poorly, and failing to show passion like Gardy did. And he did have a much worse roster than Rocco's got, I'll give you that. But I'm seeing some comparisons here.

 

Let's not forget that Molitor got two more seasons after the total system failure... Gardy had 4 90+ loss seasons in a row. This FO may be different, but Rocco is their guy. He ain't close to being fired.

[tony&rodney]

Rocco is fine, a decent manager and makes mistakes like everyone. People should relax a little. Perhaps Twins fans have become too used to the likes of Tom Kelly, Ron Gardenhire, and Paul Molitor, but in time Rocco will make a name for himself as well. There are two division banners already and this squad still has time to correct its early struggles. Marwin and Ehire were very special players and we miss them, but it is time to move forward because they are gone; those decisions are past. If the Twins can evade too many injuries their season will turn out fine and Rocco will keep us guessing.

[bobs]

Title could have also read "What Was Baldelli (Over)Thinking?!"  The pinch running thing was asinine.  Blankenhorn isn't any faster than Donaldson and removing JD severely weakened the IF defense....and it bit 'em right in the arse.

[lukeduke1980]

Did Shelton contribute more than we realize, and will he school Rocco this weekend (?)

[rv78]

A lot of comments here about the use of the bullpen are spot on. When your starter has a short outing you should be following him up with your long-relief guy. If that is Dobnak then he should have got brought in next, not Duffey. Then you let Dobnak pitch for as long as he is effectively getting guys out. What does this do? It gives you less innings needed for guys like Duffey, Rogers, Robles and Colome. It makes NO SENSE to only use Dobnak for 10 pitches then have your closer throw 49. So far, Colome has lost 2 games and blown 3 Saves. He is not Closer material for any team. Stop using him as such. If this is analytics at it's finest I am done watching Twins baseball. 

[Dr. Evil]

You try with all your resources and effort to win the contest you are currently participating in. Until you show a willingness to do that your squad will be complacent and lack urgency.

 

Go ahead and tell them to not worry about today's performance and focus on the process. That's a great way to earn a certificate of participation.

[Dr. Evil]

And a post game juice box.

[Channing1964]

Well I can't say much since my free speech rights are basically taken away on this site, but I will say some key points with tact. I drove to Anaheim from Phoenix to see the entire series.

What the hell was Thorpe doing starting any of those games? That's on Falvine not Baldelli. We all know who calls the shots. Ok, what the hell is Dobnak doing on the roster if he isn't going to make those spot starts. Their defense was Crap last friday night....Thorpe against Trout, Rendon, Pujols, Upton, Fletcher, and (do they have any left handed hitters at all?) They weren't ready to play and they embarassred us all.

The next two games got postponed because of what? The 10.5 million dollar defensive savior tested positive for Co-Vid 4,5,6, or ten players got infected subsequently. Everyone or a vast majority lambasted me for criticizing him for being three weeks late for work...hmmmm never heard an explanation for that...now he wont take the vaccine....hmmm okay then.

There's enough blame to go around to be sure....I was against letting Rosario go, I was against letting Adrianza go, and I have always loved Marwin Gonzalez. Those dudes played defense and were tough outs...Everybody wanted to change everything. I know Gonzalez would have taken a pay cut to stay. Are we really better off? I doubt it.

The bullpen will be fine, The rotation will be okay. The lineup has a glaring hole out in left field. As injury prone as this team is we may have a repeat of 2018....or even 2016. If that happens I wonder how many geniuses will be singing the praises of the Falvey administration then? We should be worried about winning two in a row, not beating the Yankees in the playoffs. What a joke.

[Channing1964]

My concern is that Rocco just doesn't seem to have a feel for in game decisions.

 

It's almost like he has a predetermined algorithm for each game when there are just way too many in game variables to do that.

 

Many unanticipated adjustments are needed.

 

I don't think that he is dumb or bad or lacks competitive fire or is not passionate about the game.

 

But I DO think that he is ill equipped for in game management which is of course SUPER important.

 

I think he would excel much more as a bench coach or in the FO helping with analytics and PRE-GAME prep or both.

 

He will not be a long term manager, nor manage again for another team after the Twins, but he will have a long and successful career in baseball in another position.

You make it sound like he calls any shots or something....He does not. He doesn't need a bench coach, and all the moves ARE pre-determined by Falvey and Levine. Thats why they need 2,ooo office workers...so they can micro manage every on field decision. Whatever happens is on them not Baldelli. They will have their mugs on tv to take the credits and make Baldelli take all the blames.

[Channing1964]

They need to play the game on the field and NOT on a spreadsheet somewhere that says something. I agree analytics are a great tool but it can't be something that is used 100% of the time.

Wow and i have been saying that ALL ALONG

[Channing1964]

If Baldelli was truly using analytics 100% of the time, there'd be no way in heck that Colome should be throwing pitches in the 10th inning. His usage of Colome as the closer no matter what despite the "we haven't named a closer" statement is quite the old school move and it's costing him. 

 

Baldelli's moves constantly imploding like this reminds me of Molitor in the 2016 Total System Failure season. Decently high expectations followed by a season filled with bad play, bad managing, and some bad luck (don't misconstrue this, it was mostly bad play), the team had an abysmal season. Fans criticized him for being behind the times, using the bullpen poorly, and failing to show passion like Gardy did. And he did have a much worse roster than Rocco's got, I'll give you that. But I'm seeing some comparisons here.

 

Let's not forget that Molitor got two more seasons after the total system failure... Gardy had 4 90+ loss seasons in a row. This FO may be different, but Rocco is their guy. He ain't close to being fired.

yeah lets hear it for analytics...way to go FO!!

[Huskertwin]

As others have mentioned, I also was surprised when Dobnak only pitched the one quick inning midway through the game.

It seems to me that Rogers doesn't do his best when coming into the middle of an inning with someone else's runners on base (and this goes back a couple of years as well). I think Robles would agree with me. It was nice to see Rogers pitch two clean innings after that, and I didn't expect him out their that long.

Rocco has gotten burned many times over his tenure by not having a pitcher warming up at early signs of trouble. It seems to be a situation where he wants to go inning to inning with one pitcher at a time, whether the pitcher is going well or not.

 

[Trov]

In terms of the pitching move, I would more so question not letting Dobnak pitch more than 1 inning, which left you with limited options later in the game.  I have little issue with using Colome in 10th, although I am not a fan so far of him this year at all.  If we remove him and the new guy gives up a hit an we lose, we would question the choice to bring in someone else.  Colome got the job done over all by getting to ground outs that were not completed.  

 

The move to take out Donaldson I agree is much more in question.  It is not like Blackenhorn is a speedster.  I know Twins do not want Donaldson to push things based on leg issues, but taking Donaldson glove out of game proved to be a huge issue.  I have always been huge on having good defense.  This game showed how much defense can impact a game.  Not just the errors, but Buxton made amazing play to keep the lead earlier in game.  

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I don’t have an opinion on taking out Dobnak after one inning, but he did give up loud contact in the inning he pitched (107.4, 98.0, 103.1 EV for those of you scoring at home)

[Wercor]

 

Didn't they win the division the last two years?

Yes they have, in which we barely won last year. With the amount of talent this team has there is no reason they shouldn't be running away with the division and making some loud noise in the playoffs. This team is built to win now, entire team is aging. buxton sano kepler berrios not young anymore so no excuse for not living up to the potential they should be. Something has drastically happened with the hitting the last two years and getting no development out of our pitching throughout minor leagues