Twins

The Twins acquired lefty Jaime Garcia from the Braves on Monday. That night, the Twins lost their second straight game. They lost the next two in Los Angeles as well. Garcia finally made his Twins debut on Friday night in Oakland. He had some shaky moments, but he showed an ability to get big outs, and ended his night with a quality start. More important to the Twins, he ended their losing streak at four games.

The winds of change are in the air. Major League Baseball could be nearing an expansion to 32 teams which would signal a large shift in the baseball world. One of the biggest changes would be dissolving both leagues as baseball would shift to a four-division system.

There would be plenty of other changes to make a new system work. Are fans, owners, and players ready for this type of radical change?

The Twins have lost six in a row. The pitching has been generally not very good for the last week. The starters haven’t been able to provide innings, and the bullpen has not been very effective, outside of Addison Reed and Ryan Pressly. The offense has been frustrating to say the least, again with some exceptions. As much attention as Logan Morrison and Robbie Grossman are getting for their awful starts to their seasons, Jason Castro is quietly off to a very slow start as well.

Lance Lynn was pitching well, the Twins held a 4-2 lead and they were playing the White Sox in the sixth inning. What could go wrong? Lynn opened the bottom of the sixth by slipping while trying to field a weak grounder in the grass, and from that moment forward the Twins just kept on slipping.

Jose Berrios is one of very few Twins players who has actually taken a step forward so far this season. He should be the least of our concerns, but you can’t ignore what’s been a continuing downward trend of late.

The Rangers hit three home runs off Berrios, as he gave up five runs and lasted just four innings in a loss at Texas Saturday night.

Friday Updates will be added under each player's section as we hear news of signings or dollars exchanged.

As you recall in November, the Twins had to decide whether or not to tender 2019 contracts to their 11 arbitration-eligible players. CJ Cron agreed to terms, signing a one year, $4.8 million contract. Ehire Adrianza agreed to a one year, $1.3 million 2019 deal. Finally, they decided to non-tender Robbie Grossman.

That means that they now have to work with eight players and their agents on the arbitration process. By Friday, the two sides need to agree to terms, or they will have to exchange numbers. At that point, the sides can work together to try to avoid going to an arbitration hearing. Often they will meet at the midpoint. The two sides could also work on a long-term extension, though they can do that any time.

On this Across the Meadow Podcast:

- Reviewing all that has happened over the last week.

- Was sending Cron the right move?

- Do Rocco and Wes know what they're doing in terms of bullpen usage?

- Who are the other bullpen options behind the current guys?

- The good and the bad of the lineup.

- Pimping Home Runs.

The Twins left 15 men on base, were 4-for-18 with men in scoring position and committed a pair of errors in the field that led to four unearned runs. Still, despite all their struggles, they managed to make a game of this afternoon’s contest with KC.

The Twins were able to pull off a much needed series sweep against the Kansas City Royals. The pitching was outstanding from Devin Smeltzer and the newly improved bullpen and the offense did just enough for the win. The Twins topped the Royals 3-0 to win the series 3-0.

The 2019 Minnesota Twins have shattered just about every record imaginable when looking back through franchise history. This team will go down as the winningest squad since 1965, and in Rocco Baldelli’s debut season, they’re headed to the American League Division Series. If there’s a narrative that’s stuck all season though, it’s been the power generated from these elite bats and how the longball made us all (not just the chicks) dig them even more.

Minnesota might have to get a little creative if the club fails to sign one of the top free agent pitchers. Gerrit Cole already signed a record-breaking free agent deal with the Yankees, which has left teams like the Dodgers and the Angels scrambling for other arms. If the Twins can’t land a free agent starter, plan B could be to look for a trade target.

The Twins have brought in a few project pitchers despite having several younger arms who appear ready for extended looks. The front office appears to be growing confident in its ability to identify undervalued skills and turn them into value. Is this really the way the Twins should be filling out their roster?