Week in Review: Not Good Enough

[Nick Nelson]

It was a winning week for the Minnesota Twins, but not a particularly impressive one. Once again, a step forward was immediately followed by a regressive stumble, with the weekend's deflating series loss against Kansas City erasing positive vibes and progress from a sweep over Baltimore.

At this point, it's hard to escape the conclusion that the perpetually underperforming Twins are what their record says they are.

Weekly Snapshot: Mon, 5/24 through Sun, 5/30
***
Record Last Week: 4-2 (Overall: 21-31)
Run Differential Last Week: +2 (Overall: -22)
Standing: 5th Place in AL Central (11.0 GB)

Last Week's Game Recaps:

Game 47 | MIN 8, BAL 3: Rare Late-game Surge Pushes Twins Past O's
Game 48 | MIN 7, BAL 4: Lineup Comes Through Again with Seven Runs
Game 49 | MIN 3, BAL 2: Michael and Miguel Lead Minnesota to First Sweep
Game 50 | KC 8, MIN 3: Royals Cool Off Twins in Deflating Loss
Game 51 | MIN 6, KC 5: Twins Fend Off KC Rally and Hold On
Game 52 | KC 6, MIN 3: Fading Twins Drop Another Home Series

NEWS & NOTES

This is the ninth Week in Review column we've filed this season, and it's the first since Week 1 – when the Twins won their season-opening series in Milwaukee, two games to one – that we're reviewing a winning week. 

As winning weeks ago, however, this one was remarkably uninspiring and unfulfilling. They really needed to go 5-1 at least in these six games at home against bad teams, but instead came away with just four wins, and might've been lucky to get that.

The Twins required a late-game rally to beat Baltimore on Monday, and barely eked out a one-run victory on Wednesday to clinch the sweep. In a three-game weekend series against the Royals, Minnesota was twice beaten handily, and scraped out a one-run win in the other. This is not a great team dominating bad competition. This is a bottom-dweller with its hands full facing the same. 

On the health front, it was another week of bad news and foreboding developments for the Twins. They lost two more key pieces to the Injured List, with Luis Arraez (shoulder) and Max Kepler (hamstring) hitting the shelf after trying to play through their respective ailments. There's a belief that Kepler could return soon after his 10-day window expires, but Arraez is looking at a lengthier absence, as his shoulder injury appears to be more serious than initially thought.

Meanwhile, Kenta Maeda is also facing an extended period of unavailability. Rocco Baldelli said on Sunday that the right-hander's groin issue has been resolved, but the team wants to give Maeda extra time off due to "general arm soreness," which may help explain his extremely lackluster results up to this point. 

Adding to the fun (not): Byron Buxton was not able to start a rehab assignment as hoped this past weekend, because he's still not moving around at 100%. Three weeks removed from suffering his hip strain, Buxton's timetable remains in limbo.

On the bright side, the Twins did get Michael Pineda back from IL, and as we'll cover below, he looked great. In the bullpen, Cody Stashak was swapped out for Juan Minaya. Dakota Chalmers was DFA'ed to make room on the 40-man roster for Minaya.

HIGHLIGHTS

The return of Pineda was more than welcome for a rotation that's been receiving some uneven performances and is now missing Maeda. Pineda's been the underrated steady rock of this unit, and looked the part again on Wednesday. 

In a series finale against Baltimore where the offense didn't quite show up the way it had in the first two, Minnesota needed a high-quality pitching performance. Pineda delivered, firing six innings of one-run ball. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out eight. 

Pineda's 16-7 record with the Twins stacks up as the best winning percentage in franchise history, and it's reflective of the reality that he gives them a good chance to win just about every time he takes the mound. In all but one start this year, he has pitched five or more innings and allowed three or fewer runs. 

The lineup is getting help from some unlikely sources. Hardly just a novelty act, Rob Refsnyder has been a key contributor; last week he went 7-for-22 with a homer and four RBIs to deliver some much-needed production at the bottom of the order. With Kepler and Buxton both sidelined, Refsnyder is essentially the only center fielder on the roster. Baldelli's made no secret of the fact that he'll be riding Refsnyder hard in the short-term, and the manager will have to hope his opportunistic 30-year-old can stay hot (and healthy).

Refsnyder's recent success bodes well in the short-term. But the breakout performance of Trevor Larnach alongside him in the outfield bodes much better for the long-term. He's looking every bit the advanced, impact hitter that his minor-league numbers and top-prospect accolades suggested. Larnach went 5-for-14 with two home runs and five RBIs last week, and while he's shown the ability to absolutely obliterate baseballs, his plate discipline might be the most promising aspect of his early play.  

Larnach presents a challenging match-up for opposing pitchers because he doesn't chase much outside the zone, and can capitalize once he gets his pitch. As Aaron Gleeman notes, Larnach is tied for third-most walks in Twins history through his first 20 games. His five walks (vs. four strikeouts) last week included one with the bases loaded, forcing in a key run.

Alex Kirilloff continues to rake (8-for-23 with two doubles last week), and Jorge Polanco is showing some pop despite the bad wheel (two doubles and a homer in his five starts). But the biggest bright spot on offense right now has got to be Mitch Garver, who suddenly looks like his old Silver Slugger self. 

Taking on a more regular workload with Ryan Jeffers and (until Sunday) Ben Rortvedt in Triple-A, Garver has rediscovered his rhythm at the plate. In four starts last week and one late-game sub appearance last week, he went 5-for-13 with four doubles, a home run, four walks, and just two strikeouts. 

Garver was slashing .151/.196/.321 with a 25-to-3 K/BB ratio through his first 17 games before a breakout two-homer night in Cleveland on April 28th. Since then, he is slashing .300/.432/.683 with 18 strikeouts and 14 walks. In 2019, he slashed .273/.365/.630. 

LOWLIGHTS

While young bucks like Larnach and Kirilloff have been stepping up to carry much of the load offensively, the highly-paid veterans that Minnesota depends upon are coming up short.

Nelson Cruz is wrapping up perhaps his most underwhelming month in a Twins uniform. Following a 2-for-14 week, he's slashing .232/.315/.378 in May with three home runs and just six RBIs in 23 games. Is age finally catching up with Cruz? He started the season on a scorching tear, but has looked like a very ordinary player for the last five weeks or so. Then again he's still hitting the ball hard as hell, so maybe it's just a matter of time before he catches fire again. Here's hoping so, because the Twins will at the very least be reliant on Cruz as a key trade chip in July.

Even more concerning are the ongoing struggles of Josh Donaldson, who for better or worse is going to be around for a while The Twins spent big on Donaldson two offseasons ago, envisioning him is the final puzzle piece for a power-laden lineup with championship aspirations. Donaldson was largely a non-factor in 2020 due to injury, and while he's been able to stay on the field this year, he's making more headlines for his drama-stirring tweets than for his standout play. 

Last week Donaldson went 3-for-21, dropping his slash line for the season to .226/.325/.394. His double off the right field wall on Sunday was his first extra-base hit in 12 days, and he hasn't had a multi-hit game since May 8th. Donaldson is still taking good ABs and drawing walks at a solid clip, but there's only so much value in having one of the slowest dudes in baseball putting himself on first base a handful of times per week. They need JD crushing drives all over the field. He's mostly just hitting pop-ups when he makes contact, and is on pace to finish with 15 home runs. 

And then there is the ever-streaky Miguel Sanó, who flipped the switch back from red-hot to ice-cold with a 2-for-21 week that included one walk and 11 strikeouts. Granted, one of those two hits was tremendously impactful – a sixth-inning three-run homer on Wednesday that essentially turned a loss into a win – but he was a black hole otherwise. 

Between that trio – Cruz, Donaldson, and Sanó – you've got three critical cornerstones of the lineup, all hitting in key spots and providing almost nothing. They're killing rallies, rather than powering the offense with clutch knocks and dramatic blasts (with one exception). 

The pitching hasn't been very good but ultimately this team is built to outslug opponents and should be mauling staffs like Baltimore and Kansas City. To score only three runs in three of these six games, at home, is reflective of a dysfunctional lineup being let down by its supposed leaders.

When I look back on this incredibly disappointing season, I will very likely zero in on this past week, when the Twins desperately needed to go on a run against bad teams to salvage their contention hopes and the three highest-paid players on the roster – Cruz, Donaldson and Sanó  make a combined $50 million, accounting for more than a third of the total payroll – went 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position. 

TRENDING STORYLINE

In happier news, the arms are cooking down on the farm. Last week in this space we celebrated the sterling debut of Jhoan Duran for the Saints; in his second start on Thursday, Duran tossed four shutout innings with one hit allowed and eight strikeouts. He's on the fast track and could be a real difference-maker for the Twins' staff this year. But he's not the only pitching prospect making a strong early impression.

Josh Winder, whose ascending velocity has opened eyes and earned him a spring training invite, struck out seven over five innings of two-run ball for Wichita on Saturday. He owns a 1.48 ERA and 30-to-6 K/BB ratio through 24 ⅓ frames in his first stint at Double-A. Matt Canterino is currently pitching at Cedar Rapids, but could soon join Winder in Wichita because he's putting up flat-out silly numbers against Single-A hitters. After striking out 10 in four innings on Friday, Canterino has a 1.50 ERA and 35-to-3 K/BB ratio in 18 innings for the Kernels.

In another bit of encouraging news pertaining to the pitcher pipeline, Jordan Balazovic plans to throw in Fort Myers on Monday. If that goes well, it sounds like he'll be heading to Double-A, where the rotation could soon feature him, Winder, and Canterino. More like Pitch-ita, amirite.

Duran is closest out of these names, but any of them are realistic possibilities to pitch for the Twins this season. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The "Or-royals" segment of the schedule rolls on in the coming week, as the Twins will travel to play both clubs on the road after going 4-2 against them at Target Field. If Minnesota can't find a way to go 6-1 or 7-0 in the upcoming games, they're going to look back at these two weeks as an unaffordable missed opportunity to make up crucial ground. 

They'll be returning home to face the Yankees and Astros afterward. If they play those opponents the same way they played this past week and, really, for most of the season, it's going to get ugly.

MONDAY, 5/31: TWINS @ ORIOLES – RHP Jose Berríos v. RHP Jorge Lopez
TUESDAY, 6/1: TWINS @ ORIOLES – RHP Michael Pineda v. LHP Bruce Zimmermann
WEDNESDAY, 6/2: TWINS @ ORIOLES – RHP Randy Dobnak v. RHP Matt Harvey
THURSDAY, 6/3: TWINS @ ROYALS – LHP J.A. Happ v. LHP Kris Bubic
FRIDAY, 6/4: TWINS @ ROYALS – RHP Matt Shoemaker v. TBD
SATURDAY, 6/5: TWINS @ ROYALS – RHP Jose Berrios v. RHP Brad Keller
SUNDAY, 6/6: TWINS @ ROYALS – RHP Michael Pineda v. LHP Mike Minor
 

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[mikelink45]

I am trying to think of something positive to write here.  Well we are playing the Orioles again!  That is all I can do. 

[D.C Twins]

We need Pineda to stay hot and Cruz and Simmons to ramp it up so we can maximize return at the trade deadline.

Pray that Berrios does not get injured so we can maximize return at trade deadline.

(Tears rolling down cheeks) Pray that Buxton gets back healthy and showcases to maximize return at trade deadline

Pray that Sano.... Just kidding...giggles...no contending team would put him on their 40 man for free much less give up anything for him (can you imagine giving up that many AB for free in the playoffs when each bat is magnified?!) Giggles!

[Dman]

11 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

We need Pineda to stay hot and Cruz and Simmons to ramp it up so we can maximize return at the trade deadline.

Pray that Berrios does not get injured so we can maximize return at trade deadline.

(Tears rolling down cheeks) Pray that Buxton gets back healthy and showcases to maximize return at trade deadline

Pray that Sano.... Just kidding...giggles...no contending team would put him on their 40 man for free much less give up anything for him (can you imagine giving up that many AB for free in the playoffs when each bat is magnified?!) Giggles!

I feel the same way. Hoping our guys continue to do well and Twins can maximize trade value to boost this teams wave 2 of players and field young hopefully star players that can get us where we want to go.  Also the young pitching looks very, very close.  It might be an up and down 2022 if they go young with the pitching but could pay huge dividends in 2023 as the hitters and pitchers should be ready to gel at the same time.  Hopefully the trades can help accelerate building a young team with star players.

[ashbury]

There is talent on this team. Some guys, most of them really, need to be looking in the mirror for solutions.

[theBOMisthebomb]

41 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I am trying to think of something positive to write here.  Well we are playing the Orioles again!  That is all I can do. 

I am deeply in the denial stage of this pig show of a season. The weather hasn't turned yet in Minnesota and this club is too talented to be this bad and already be out of contention. Whatever, right... Just enjoy the game and detach from the outcome. 

[AceWrigley]

Wow, how quickly our core of signed young "stars" that would form the core of the new Twins dynasty are turning into trade fodder. Something is amiss in Targetfieldville and I'm not sure a couple of trades is going to exercise the demons of losses and uninspiring play.

[theBOMisthebomb]

8 minutes ago, Dman said:

I feel the same way. Hoping our guys continue to do well and Twins can maximize trade value to boost this teams wave 2 of players and field young hopefully star players that can get us where we want to go.  Also the young pitching looks very, very close.  It might be an up and down 2022 if they go young with the pitching but could pay huge dividends in 2023 as the hitters and pitchers should be ready to gel at the same time.  Hopefully the trades can help accelerate building a young team with star players.

So, the Twins window of two seasons is now closed and we must slog through the next two and a half seasons to hope to be competitive in 2024? Man, how I hope this isn't true. 

[SanoMustGo]

There was never a real window for this team, other than the 307 home run season of 2019.  That will cover whatever weaknesses the team had.  Last year, it was pitching that led the team to a 36-24 record.  Twins dropped from 2nd to 18th in runs scored last year, but the pitching was so good it covered the offensive regression. So far this season, the Twins are 10th in runs scored, but we have seen all their failures in key situations.  Add in a serious lack of pitching, defense, and the intangibles winning teams display, and we have what we have.  We have seen good things from Kiriloff, Larrnach, and moments of promise from some of the other young guys.  But, this team has no chance if Donaldson, Sano, Cruz, & Buxton don't produce.  Taken as a group, they, for many reasons, have not.

[LA VIkes Fan]

I think you hit it on the head- this team is what their record says they are. Time to rebuild/ reload this season woth a focus on 2022/2023. Lets not wait and see if this season will turn around; it won’t. It’s already too late. Let’s maximize the trade value of Cruz, Simmons, Happ and Shomaker, to the extent that’s even possible. Play Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, and Rortvedt as much as you can. Find a few starts for Duran, Jax, Ober, Winder and maybe even Caterino, opportunities for Vasquez, Cano and Sands, and at bats for Miranda. Rooker, Weil, and Celestino. Let’s see what we got. Does anyone really care if we win 70 games or 81 games? I don’t if we’re playing youth snd trying to get better. 
 

[Aerodeliria]

15 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I think you hit it on the head- this team is what their record says they are. Time to rebuild/ reload this season woth a focus on 2022/2023. Lets not wait and see if this season will turn around; it won’t. It’s already too late. Let’s maximize the trade value of Cruz, Simmons, Happ and Shomaker, to the extent that’s even possible. Play Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, and Rortvedt as much as you can. Find a few starts for Duran, Jax, Ober, Winder and maybe even Caterino, opportunities for Vasquez, Cano and Sands, and at bats for Miranda. Rooker, Weil, and Celestino. Let’s see what we got. Does anyone really care if we win 70 games or 81 games? I don’t if we’re playing youth snd trying to get better. 
 

I really agree with your overall assessment. Let's see what we've got in the minors. I doubt we can get much (if anything) for Shoemaker; maybe we can get a flier minor leaguer for Happ? I think we should shop Polanco, Cruz and even Kepler. They have value but are expendable in the long-run IMHO. They'll be a push to shop Simmons, but I want to keep him around because I think he does a lot of things at SS that go unnoticed. He hasn't played up to his potential (has anyone?), but if we get rid of him, we go back to square one at SS (unless we are thinking Gordon there once again).

[Twinfan603]

They need to rest Cruz some more so his wrist can get right. If they're still hopelessly out of contention in 2 weeks, go to him and inquire about trade destinations. It's the classy thing to do if he wants to win a ring.

If on July 1st the team isn't within spitting distance of .500, then let the mass trade off begin. No sense deluding yourselves into thinking 2022 is a contending team when we've seen all the major pieces regress/inch closer to FA. Trade Shoemaker and Happ for a couple bags of balls. Trade Berrios to the highest bidder. Let Dobnak/Ober/Thorpe show what they've actually got; we're already losing, so how much worse could it get in a 1.5-year window?

See if anybody wants Simmons. Pray Kepler gets healthy and explore what he and/or Buxton might bring back.

If Kirilloff is ok, 2023 starts looking real bright, since it's about then that Falvey's pitching pipeline will start to bear real fruit if he actually knows what he's doing.

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I think you hit it on the head- this team is what their record says they are. Time to rebuild/ reload this season woth a focus on 2022/2023. Lets not wait and see if this season will turn around; it won’t. It’s already too late. Let’s maximize the trade value of Cruz, Simmons, Happ and Shomaker, to the extent that’s even possible. Play Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, and Rortvedt as much as you can. Find a few starts for Duran, Jax, Ober, Winder and maybe even Caterino, opportunities for Vasquez, Cano and Sands, and at bats for Miranda. Rooker, Weil, and Celestino. Let’s see what we got. Does anyone really care if we win 70 games or 81 games? I don’t if we’re playing youth snd trying to get better. 
 

What about Pineda?  I would think he would bring a decent return, especially this year when teams are running out of pitching.  The guy we need to get it together is Robles.  There is a past version of him that would bring back a decent prospect.  Same is true of Colome.  

I am with you in the sense of I don't care if we win a few more games.  The focus now is giving the young guys a shot as well as maximizing the return between now and the deadline.  I would add that watching all the new guys will be more fun to watch then the current product.

[Mahoning]

To win 90 games they would have to go 69-41 the rest of the way. That is not going to happen. The best people can say about Donaldson and Sano is that they "get their walks." Whew. Time for a sell-off. And, why is Gordon on the bench every day? The commenter who advised us to "detach from the outcome" is on the mark.

[bighat]

Next week the Yankees and Astros come to town for 6 games. Yikes.

Twins will probably go 4-9 over the next 13 games (2 wins in Baltimore, a win in KC and one win against either the Yanks/Stros).

Season's over. It's been over for a while now, but I think even those wearing the rosiest of colored glasses need to admit that 2021 is toast. Time for the narrative to shift to the trade deadline. Who stays? Who goes? What do we get in return?

On the positive side, we can look forward to watching Kirilloff and hopefully Larnach develop. Can Kirilloff get hot and maybe win Rookie of the Year? When will we see Jhoan Duran?

Royce Lewis picked a helluva year to slip on the ice. The guy would have come up with Larnach and there's a place for him to play every day in this lineup right now. Twins can't even use 2021 to develop their #1 prospect who is MLB ready. Just brutal.

 

[USAFChief]

6 hours ago, Aerodeliria said:

I really agree with your overall assessment. Let's see what we've got in the minors. I doubt we can get much (if anything) for Shoemaker; maybe we can get a flier minor leaguer for Happ? I think we should shop Polanco, Cruz and even Kepler. They have value but are expendable in the long-run IMHO. They'll be a push to shop Simmons, but I want to keep him around because I think he does a lot of things at SS that go unnoticed. He hasn't played up to his potential (has anyone?), but if we get rid of him, we go back to square one at SS (unless we are thinking Gordon there once again).

Simmons is on a 1 year deal. Might as well deal him too, if there's a market.

[ashbury]

15 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Simmons is on a 1 year deal. Might as well deal him too, if there's a market.

Bold prediction: Simmons does not get an acceptable major league contract offer in 2022, and likely retires at age 32 unless he is willing to accept a minor league deal.

[Major League Ready]

35 minutes ago, bighat said:

Next week the Yankees and Astros come to town for 6 games. Yikes.

Twins will probably go 4-9 over the next 13 games (2 wins in Baltimore, a win in KC and one win against either the Yanks/Stros).

Season's over. It's been over for a while now, but I think even those wearing the rosiest of colored glasses need to admit that 2021 is toast. Time for the narrative to shift to the trade deadline. Who stays? Who goes? What do we get in return?

On the positive side, we can look forward to watching Kirilloff and hopefully Larnach develop. Can Kirilloff get hot and maybe win Rookie of the Year? When will we see Jhoan Duran?

Royce Lewis picked a helluva year to slip on the ice. The guy would have come up with Larnach and there's a place for him to play every day in this lineup right now. Twins can't even use 2021 to develop their #1 prospect who is MLB ready. Just brutal.

 

IDK ... Larnach looks just as capable of being the ROY as Kirilloff.  Those two will give us something to watch the rest of the way.  Could not agree more about Lewis.  Man, does that suck.  It would be ideal to deal Simmons at the deadline and bring him up.  I guess giving Gordon a shot will at least be interesting.  We can all hope he steps up with the opportunity.  The biggest leap towards a retool vs a rebuild would be if a couple pitching prospects were to come up an impress.  Move Shoemaker and Happ for whatever you can get and give those spots to Duran / Winder / Ober and Balzovic if he is ready.

[roger]

A week ago we all thought that for the Twins to have any chance of getting back into the race later this year, they would need to go 10-3 or at least 9-4 during this two week stretch against Baltimore and KC.  One week is behind us and they went 4-2.  Yes, both 10-3 and 9-4 are still possible, but listening to them play KC this weekend tells me it sure isn't likely.  Should they again sweep the birds, they would need a 2 win split at KC to get to 9-4.  But their play in the wins tells us this is a season we all are going to want to forget.  Yes, I know they have lots of key injuries, but so many important players are playing absolutely horse .... baseball.

So for me, I will be focused on how specific players are performing over the coming weeks.  Some with an eye on getting the maximum in a trade, other young pups with an eye on their development and what we can expect next year and beyond.  Hopefully, this FO will have the guts to make Tampa type decisions and move on from this core and build a team that will be competitive for years to come.  Looked at the league standings yesterday and saw that Tampa was leading in the East.  It really is amazing how they do that year after year with what I assume is one of the smaller payrolls in baseball.

[umterp23]

On the offensive side of the diamond and when I mean offensive, let's talk Sano.  Why not try and move him at trade deadline?  What you get is freeing up some money and some minor league talent.  Sano isn't a quality hitter at all, yes occasional bomb but the K's keep mounting up.  

Now some folks will thing I have lost my mind but Buxton who can't stay healthy and is a stud at times, he would be interesting trade bait as well.  So will miss at least a couple more weeks potentially, so while he was explosive in April, can you rely in the guy to stay healthy for at least a half season at this point?  I would float him out there and see who bites.

Next puzzle would be Astudillo.  Versatile and can play in a pinch, but hasn't had many at bats this week, so the writing is on the wall for him.  Kiriloff at 1b and Sano is your platoon guy there.  He isn't a back up catcher so pretty telling that Rortvedt was recalled to hit .170 and get spot playing time.  Flash Gordon is your backup middle IF.  Maybe he gets an at bat here or there at 3rd base, but the cute story book is ending soon.

Last is put Cruz out of his misery and send him to a contender as the Twins aren't it.  Hell, if Pujols can get released by Cards and quickly go to a contender in Dodgers for spot starts, Cruz can do the same for a chance to chase a ring. His clubhouse leadership and mentor for Sano, isn't that valuable in his very late stage of career.  He deserves a chance as his window is closing to be on a top club.  What you get in return is some minor league prospect(s), which you need to back fill the eventual youth movement coming

[Whitey333]

it's time to let the kids play!! We are in last place, deserve to be there, and going nowhere.  It's time to see what they can do.  At this point wins and losses don't matter.  Just ask the underperforming veterans in the lineup.  Wins and losses doesn't seem to matter to them.  Let's dump some of them and try something new.  Maybe some younger players will bring some enthusiasm to the park.  There isn't any there now anyway!!

[denarded]

14 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

We need Pineda to stay hot and Cruz and Simmons to ramp it up so we can maximize return at the trade deadline.

Pray that Berrios does not get injured so we can maximize return at trade deadline.

(Tears rolling down cheeks) Pray that Buxton gets back healthy and showcases to maximize return at trade deadline

Pray that Sano.... Just kidding...giggles...no contending team would put him on their 40 man for free much less give up anything for him (can you imagine giving up that many AB for free in the playoffs when each bat is magnified?!) Giggles!

Let's not trade Buxton. We wouldn't get maximum for him. Otherwise, spot on

[denarded]

3 hours ago, bighat said:

Next week the Yankees and Astros come to town for 6 games. Yikes.

Twins will probably go 4-9 over the next 13 games (2 wins in Baltimore, a win in KC and one win against either the Yanks/Stros).

Season's over. It's been over for a while now, but I think even those wearing the rosiest of colored glasses need to admit that 2021 is toast. Time for the narrative to shift to the trade deadline. Who stays? Who goes? What do we get in return?

On the positive side, we can look forward to watching Kirilloff and hopefully Larnach develop. Can Kirilloff get hot and maybe win Rookie of the Year? When will we see Jhoan Duran?

Royce Lewis picked a helluva year to slip on the ice. The guy would have come up with Larnach and there's a place for him to play every day in this lineup right now. Twins can't even use 2021 to develop their #1 prospect who is MLB ready. Just brutal.

 

I hate to quibble. We'll be 6-7. And yes, I've jumped ship

[strumdatjag]

Who would trade for Sano, unless it’s another struggling but promising player who may benefit from a “change of scenery”?   This looks like a tear-down.  Twins should start aiming for 2023 or even 2024.  Trade veterans for prospects.  This is frustrating. 

[se7799]

I agree with above assessments.  My question is do we want Rocco bringing in the next wave of talent?  AK, Trevor, rest of the young guys?

[dbminn]

A fine wrap of the week, Nick. Your writing is better than the subject matter.

I'm glad the minors are back in action. The pitchers you named give a guy some hope. Also cheering for Miranda and Celestino.