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Who's going to trade a good reliever in early May? Nobody. Very unlikely. The front office completely blew the offseason, and it can't fix it right now. I can't claim to have predicted the pen would be THIS bad, but it wasn't hard to predict the pen wasn't going to be good enough.

If we cannot have good relievers to shore up the BP how about a different strategy. Piggly Back starters all the way. Have a second starter ready every game - drop the relievers, call up good arms and see if we cannot fill the game with two pitchers rather than the assembly we have now. Sorry Saints but you would get the BP arms and we will steal your starters.

Sign Greene. Promote Law and Smeltzer. Demote Theilbar and Waddell. IL Colome. Make Robles the closer, Rogers a fireman, Duffy and Alcala 8th inning guys. And pray.... a lot.

I think part of the solution, as @ToddlerHarmon gets at, is letting Maeda and Berrios pitch deeper into games. Happ, Dobnak and Pineda if they are breezing.

Yesterday, Rocco in response to question about using Waddell: "Y'know, he's here for a reason." Today: Waddell to St Paul.

The most frustrating thing about Rogers is Rocco's insistence on using him on back to back days. We have 3+ years of data now that says Rogers is a diminished pitcher when pitching on zero days rest. 2018 Without rest--12.2 IP, 10 k/9, 6.4 bb/9, .7 hr/9, 3.55 ERA, 4.05 FIP With rest--55.2 IP, 10 k/9, 1.1 bb/9, .3 hr/9, 2.43 ERA, 1.75 FIP 2019 Without rest--15 IP, 12.6 k/9, 4.2 bb/9, 3 hr/9, 7.20 ERA, 6.03 FIP With rest--54 IP, 11.5 k/9, .7 bb/9, .5 hr/9, 1.33 ERA, 1.49 FIP 2020/2021 Without rest--5.1 IP, 8.4 k/9, 0 bb/9, 3.4 hr/9, 5.07 ERA, 6.10 FIP With Rest--26.1 IP, 10.9 k/9, 1.7 bb/9, .7 hr/9, 3.08 ERA, 2.23 FIP The trends are quite clear--with the exception of the 2020/2021 SSS, Rogers' walk rate explodes on no rest. Even in the 2020/2021 SSS, his HR rate explodes on no rest. This is supposed to be an analytical team that believes in the benefits of rest--it baffles me that Rogers can even be considered an option on no rest.

"B: Trade for a bad team's best reliever" Psst....but WE are the bad team (don't tell anyone...)

I rip this team a lot for not spending....but I'm not sure who they could/should have signed this off season other than one good SP, rather than two cheap ones. But, so far, Happ has been quite good..... They actually spent a lot of money on Colome.... There is not one non-pitcing position where, given this roster and the minors, that you'd bring in a player other than SS, which they did. That leaves the bullpen and SP.....They weren't signing Bauer. Not sure who else you'd sign after signing Happ. As for the bullpen....which expensive RP was a realistic sign? Maybe they are leaving space to sign Buxton and/or Berrios? But, really, there weren't a lot of players that were realistic at all, that they have space for. I guess you could argue C, but I doubt any FO gives up on Garver after last year's short season, not with Jeffers in the minors.

He pitched ball one and ball two to Calhoun to begin the ninth. I was watching a minor league game or something, at that moment, so I don't know whether those two pitches were unlucky. The home run that followed did not beat him, but if you reconstruct the inning it seems very likely that no runs at all would have scored despite a couple of unlucky turns of events, had Rogers managed to retire Calhoun instead of giving up a dinger. Sometimes you make your own luck.

There are about four relievers who are somewhat trustworthy: Duffey (who doesn't look nearly as dominant as last year) Robles Rogers (who got horrifically unlucky last night) Thielbar Then there's the rest. Alcala has promise, but he just gets hammered by lefties, which is why he wasn't usable last night. I'm not sure the solution there, besides hoping for the best, or having him develop a pitch against lefties. Stashak, I don't know. Great strikeout numbers, but if he's not striking someone out, he's getting hit hard. His walks are way up. His BABIP and FIP suggest he's getting unlucky on batted balls, and the Twins are using him that way, but he's not a high leverage option. Colomé, I mean, what else is there to say? You've got to start working him into low leverage situations and hope that he figures something out. But it's untenable to keep him around all season as a nearly useless arm. Eventually they need to decide he's turned it around, or cut bait. So at this point, the Twins have to be kicking the tires on Greene. But they also should be aggressively cycling through their AAA options to see if anyone can stick. Law looked good in the spring, and I'm surprised they haven't tried him yet. Ryan Mason looked good in past minor league seasons, he could quickly emerge as an option. But the Twins need to get aggressive.

Buxton should have been signed 2 years ago, when it was feasible. At the latest, thus past off season. Whatever window there was to get it done is almost certainly closed. If the Twins are out of it by late June, they should absolutely trade Buxton. Probably Berrios too.

Another option, which the late minor league start has complicated: Use one of the starter prospects, probably Duran, as a short reliever for this season. Yes, I know it has risks. But it alleviates the crowding of the 40-man and of the bullpen with unusable arms. And it's better than trading them. Starting pitching depth was supposed to be a thing we have, right? We always intended to need more relievers. Well, it's not convenient, but time to see what Law, Hamilton, Gibaut can do. And another thing: not all analytics-driven strategies work. Pulling your starters when they struggle in the fourth or fifth may need to be re-evaluated. Especially when the quality of pitcher available is so far below the starting corps.

With no one to trust due to failure after failure in high leverage spots, why not bring Alcala in and see how he does? His stuff can result in strikeouts, which would help significantly with the runner-on-second rule. I would rather see what Alcala is made of and lose than see Waddell ever take the mound for the Twins again.

On a brighter note...........we need that don't we after ANOTHER blown game, other than the Saints loss at Omaha our other 3 affiliates all won tonight!! Wichita (AA) beat Springfield (STL) 2-0------scoring 2 runs in 8th. Josh Winder with 4.2 shutout IP with 6K's and only 1 BB allowed. Headed to Springfield tomorrow morning to see the next 2 games for the Wind Surge. Hoping to see Cole Sands and Dakota Chalmers pitch the next 2 nights. Our CR Kernels broke out the bats with some early runs and coasted to a 7-0 win over the Peoria (STL) Chiefs. And finally...... our low A- Fort Myers Mussells came back with a 4-run 9th inning (imagine that...it is allowed to score in the 9th inning!!) to overcome a 3-2 deficit to beat Bradenton 6-3. At this point-------this is where my attention and investment will be.

Berrios pitched the second game of the season, and it was 6 no-hit innings. Donaldson has been worth .5 WAR in 17 games--That's 3 WAR in 102 games, which is worth $30M on the free agent market, and we paid $23M, so seems reasonable. He has an OPS over .800, a wRC+ of 127, and has accounted for 2.8 UZR in his 329 innings with the Twins. He is absolutely not the problem with this team.

No one will make that trade right now. Cave is essentially valueless at this point.

Everyone saw this result coming once Rogers blew the save and they showed Waddell leaving the bullpen for the 10th. We can't afford to have two relievers in the doghouse (Colome and Alcala (despite looking better lately)) plus having the AAA project in the pen. And that's with Rogers, Duffey, Thielbar, and Stashak having their own issues. They've got to at least try to fix the pen and not pretend everything is fine. Call up Law and sign Shane Greene, and if they fail, well, I will give them credit for trying.

If the starters keep going 5, 51/3....the team will lose 90 games. Can’t throw Rodgers and duffey every night. There’s just not enough even mediocre pitchers in the pen

What team have you been watching???

If you are going with Brandon Waddell in the 10th inning of a tie game that you really need to win while playing catchup to just .500 baseball, here are some names that would be more interesting and are old enough that you don't have to worry about the "years of control" or "available options". Jovani Moran Tom Hackimer Ryan Mason

In most seasons yes but I think because of the shortened season last year teams are looking for ways to limit innings somewhat to prevent fatigue/injury. If they pitch deeper in games now does that mean missing starts later in the year? Tough call.

In unrelated former prospect news - watched Huascar Ynoa pitch last night for the Braves. Kudos to Seth for touting him several years ago. Threw a great game (and he takes a healthy cut at the plate as well).

I said 2 months ago the bullpen wasn't going to be good enough, and I got quite a bit of pushback. Well? What say youse guys now? As to this game, plenty of blame to go around, as has been all too common, but I'll point a finger at Rocco for sending Rogers out for the 9th. Not only back to back games, but a second inning as well. Stupid, although I admit the alternatives aren't that attractive. I'm afraid it's probably too late. You can't rebuild a bullpen in April/May from outside the organization, and there's no help in St Paul.

I agree. Panic. But what good is panic? I personally plan to take up Tai Chi instead of watching the Twins.

A 20 million a year contract would be called a team friendly contract if he makes it through the year without more injury time. Considering Donaldson is shy of 22. prime years of Buxton should be worth more, That is if healthy.

I cannot comment on the BP - that has been covered - but isn't it time to say thanks for the memories and bid Jake Cave adios? Couldn't Larnach, Rooker...do as well or better than cave? And I have seen snippy comments - yes I said snippy - about Astudillo, but look at what he has done this year. He is actually one of our bright spots! Lets hope Arraez is better quickly, that Polanco is moved to Utility, that Cave is sent down, that Kiriloff starts every day - some where.

Please explain Waddell and not Alcala. Or actually, ROGERS and not Alcala

Not much changes from the original plan. Sano plays 1B primarily, Kirilloff plays LF primarily, and Arraez fills in elsewhere around the field. When it’s all said and done, all 3 will look like they played almost every day.

After yesterday's game thread, i think i'll go for short and sweet, so as not to think so hard. Fifth day of the fifth month... that's like... 5 squared, or 25. Is that Buxton day? Yes, but that's a trick question, 'cause every day is Buxton day. It is also el Cinco de Mayo, or Mexican Independence day. I claim no Mexican wisdom, but i support Independence for all! I'm not sure i would trust the accuratcy of much in the video, but i bring it up for the catchy music, animation style, and determination not to compromise. And i hope the last aspect rubs off on the Twins! We welcome Sano back to the roster, and hope he picks up _right_ where Kirilloff _left_ off. It is also good to see Thorpe take the mound, and how he is getting along. I think he has a real chance of earning a spot in the rotation! Rangers: 0. Hyeon-Jong Yang ( L) P 1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R ) SS 2. Nick Solak (R ) 2B 3. Nate Lowe ( L) 1B 4. Adolis Garcia (R ) LF 5. Joey Gallo ( L) RF 6. Andy Ibanez (R ) DH 7. Charlie Culberson (R ) 3B 8. Jose Trevino (R ) C 9. Eli White (R ) CF Twins: 0. Lewis Thorpe ( L) P 1. Byron Buxton (R ) CF 2. Josh Donaldson (R ) 3B 3. Nelson Cruz (R ) DH 4. Kyle Garlick (R ) LF 5. Mitch Garver (R ) C 6. Jorge Polanco ( S ) 2B 7. Max Kepler ( L) RF 8. Miguel Sano (R ) 1B 9. Andrelton Simmons (R ) SS Go Get 'Em!

Didn't he used to be our closer? He can hold this -2 run lead, i'm sure of it!

Remember when the consensus was how shrewd the Twins were for signing Kepler, Sanó and Polanco to extensions?

So can we expect him to pull his weight?

As it turned out, a straight steal of home would have been a better call.

He ain't no Rube.

This is my first time commenting... I was there at the game in right field with my kids (Larnach gave a ball to the kids), and you can see me running up the hill trying to catch the ball. The ball was crushed. It hit the top of the hill and went down the other side. I think he'll be up before too long. Best, David

Kyle Garlick, clean up hitter, just like we all envisioned during Spring Training.

None of the above. I read most of the winter, and frankly over the last 2 years how deep our farm system is. Let’s try them out first before paying a premium for a reliever we’ll probably regret trading for in a year.

You're right, there were no good options. That includes Rogers, who due to pitching on Monday, was also not a good option. So maybe Alcala, or Thielbar, or Colome blows the lead just the same, but at least then Rogers is available tonight. As it is, we have now pitched Duffey and Rogers two days in a row, so our good options tonight are...Robles? This bodes ill for our chances in a close game tonight; those chances would be better if Rogers was available, but instead we used him in a situation in which it was predictable he would not be good. The upshot is that we traded tonight's potentially good Rogers appearance for last nights predictably bad Rogers appearance. Seems less than smart.

I'm not saying it isn't worth it to kick the tires on Greene, but a guy who struck out less than 7 per 9 last year, had an xFIP- of 107 (tied for 120th out of 173 relievers last year, not for nothing, but Sergio Romo in 2020 was at 110, ranking 129th), and a SIERA of 4.51 (tied for 131st; Romo was at 3.82, ranking 79th) isn't going to move the needle on this bullpen. After all, if we were told we could add 2020 Sergio Romo to this pen right now, would any of us be excited about that? Add in that Greene will probably need 2-4 weeks minimum to get ramped up to game shape, and I don't think Greene does anything for you that you can't get from someone in St Paul. What will actually make this bullpen work is to have either a bullpen alpha (to handle every 9th inning), allowing Rogers, Duffey, and Robles to handle the 7th and 8th. Failing that, we need 2-3 guys at the Rogers/Duffey/Robles level, and I'm not sure Greene counts as one of those.

So no superstars unless we luck into a deal in which the player gets the short end of the stick. I think they better rethink this strategy.

It's not about one arm fixing the bullpen single-handedly. It's about finding someone to fill a leverage role and bump everyone else down, so you're not forced to pick between Brandon Waddell and Jorge Alcala in the 10th last night. Obviously they're going to need a few guys already in the bullpen to turn around their poor play, but I fear that won't even be enough on its own.

Cool! If only this new platform also included a couple of reliable bullpen arms.....

asking JA Happ to go longer wasn't, isn’t, and won't be the answer. The Twins got more than what can reasonably be expected from Happ last night...1 run in 5.1 IP. You might get 6 on a couple good nights, but you'll get less than 5.1 some nights too. Everyone in the dugout, and front office, knew that when Happ was signed. You're PLANNING on 3 to 4 innings from the pen almost every time Happ takes the mound when you ink him to a contract. The failure is with not having a good plan for that, rather than for expecting more from Happ.

Baldelli's insistence on limiting how long the starters pitch contributes to the implosion of the bullpen. It's a team effort -- if the bullpen pieces aren't working, the starters can stay in for another couple of batters if their pitches are still working. Happ would rather go to the playoffs than have his 2.00 ERA protected through September. It's OK to use your eyes and ears to see if a pitcher needs to be pulled instead of a pitch count.

An incompetent GM could sign him easily. There is no art at all to asking him "how much do you want?"

I can just tell from that Jeffers batflip after his HR that he's playing pissed off after being sent down. Good to see some fire.

Well, at least we have the minor league report now that their season has started. Nice diversion from this same play reel.

Agree 100% with all of your comments. After 45+ years of following this team day to day, I'm at the point, I can't/won't invest my time into this group. The "stat" that goes a long way into showing how BAD this team is with their bullpen and offense was mentioned by Bremer after Rogers coughed up the lead in the 9th. The Twins have been outscored 17-1 in the 9th inning this year. Not a misprint. 17-1. Making things even worse-------like we need that-------when you factor in the 6 extra inning losses with the Twins being outscored 11-2 (just in the 10th inning) they've now been outscored in the 9th and 10th inning 28-3. Yes, 28-3. Where is Falvey's accountability in this fiasco? His decision to bring Colome in. His decision to do NOTHING to upgrade bullpen by bringing in a quality LH RP. Please don't tell me Thielbar and Thorpe are the answer. Other than the dumpster dive signing of Robles, who's had his ups and downs, Falvey's offseason work is worthy of a FAILING grade.

Even a casual Twins fan knows that Rodgers has struggled pitching two days in a row even when he was at his best..... but Ruminating Rocco you ask? No...no he does not know that It seems obvious to give Alaca the ball in the 10th (who did not pitch yesterday) instead of Waddell (who did and got shelled). This is not hind sight being 20/20; there were people who time stamped this opinion on the game thread live time. Yes the FO should have done better with the bullpen and the lineup should hit more, but Rocco simply not a good manager. He's just not. A nice man and a smart person I'm sure, but that alone does not make a good manager.

Waddell needs to be gone. He is not a major league pitcher. And Rocco deserves that “ovation” given to him. His managerial decisions have contributed to an 11-17 start to what should’ve been a series we were supposed to compete for a world championship. He needs to right the ship, and now. Not convinced he’s capable of doing it. From the game thread, any sort of relief help is a must. Shane Greene and Oliver Perez might be able to help. Call up Derek Law and NO. MORE. WADDELL.