Second Half Storylines

I'm watching progress, more than anything.

Any moving of veterans may not happen this year.  I think the highest sought after Twin may be Suzuki.  Teams will over look his defense after his new found offensive surge. E. Santana has had one really great start.  In a few more, he could be highly sought after.

Between now and the end of the season, I'd like to see another rush of MiLB'ers for audition:  who's close to ready, who needs more time.  I could really care less about this season's record.  I want to see progress and that will need to come from the MiLB.

Why do people think Nunez should not or will not be traded? He has had a very good yr at the plate and can play multiple positions. That is perfect for a contending team. Get what you can for him while he is having a career year and replace him with Jorge polanco. I'm not saying give him away but if you can get even one decent prospect take it. Santana should be moved and should bring you a top 200 prospect in return just based on so few decent starters being available and so much need.

I hope Ryan can trade E. Santana, Suzuki, Nunez and maybe Kintzler. The Twins have no chance to win a wild card spot. Trade Plouffe in August if possible. The future is, tautologically, in the future as far as competing for at least a wild card spot.

Speaking of spots, there are bright ones on the current 25 man roster that orient some optimism: Sano, Kepler, Duffy, Rosario, even Vargas of late. Throw in Escobar and Tonkin and even the lefty reliever from the U of Kentucky whose name escapes me at the moment (Gibson and Dozier have value as well to revitalizing the Twins). There are bright spots in the minors that also suggest that the Twins could be a be a much better team in a couple years. By then, though, Santana and Suzuki will be in their mid-thirties and much less likely to help the Twins compete for at least a Wild Card spot, so move them now rather than counting on them to be productive over the next year or two.

The problem with trading Plouffe is that he isn't very good. Most teams trying to contend trade for good players that will help them. Its hard see Plouffe helping any contending team.

I am just anxious to see more games like the last 10 and nothing close to the first 70+ games. If the trades don't happen at the deadline or in August, they had better happen during the off season.

What I'm anxious to see, but unfortunately don't expect to see, is Polanco getting 200 at-bats in the second half.

The really frustrating thing is we were out of the race on about April 25th, yet for two months and a half months it has been constant "when are we going to see Berrios, or Chargois, or Polanco, May in the rotation".

In business if you have a terrible employee who has no idea what he is doing, You fire him. You don't ride out the next four months while he continues to screw things up further.

In business if you have a terrible employee who has no idea what he is doing, You fire him. You don't ride out the next four months while he continues to screw things up further.

If that is true, why do I keep running into so many terrible employees (including at my own workplace)?  I agree with your sentiment, but it isn't nearly as true in business as it should be.

Berrios and Chargois need to be up and playing immediately. There is plenty of room for them, just DFA Ramirez and Milone. Polanco needs to play now, but the Twins will have to make a move first. Getting these three playing time should be of utmost importance to this team.

Tough call on a couple trades. Nunez and Kintzler are cheap and controllable, and E Santana could be useful to the team still. Plouffe and Suzuki have no future in MN.

Is Abad controlled after this year?

I feel like I'm waiting for Godot, while waiting for Berrios and Meyer and May to be in the rotation.....

Don't forget Jay and Stewart.  Powerhouse rotation coming.  Just wait.

Hey remember the debate last year about Gibson and how so many thought he had turned a corner and we'd see great things this year?  Yeah, about that.  But hey, he's still young too.  Patience.

I feel like I'm waiting for Godot, while waiting for Berrios and Meyer and May to be in the rotation.....

Is Godot a pitcher?

I'm not the biggest Kyle Gibson fan, but over his last 4 starts, he has a 3.65 ERA and 8.8 K/9. I'm looking forward to see if he can stay close to maintaining that for the rest of the year.

I was having the same conversations last year when I was being assured he had turned a corner.  This could be the year, he'll only be 29 going into next season.

Has anyone compared Gibson to Arrieta? Just wondering. Hoping there is something in Gibby that could make him a later blooming Ace like Arrieta or Kuechel.

If Berrios isn't up by the end of July then there is something wrong with the front office. Berrios is just as good as Milone and Nolasco right now. Continuing to trot out Milone and Nolasco in the rotation prove as much that the Twins (much less Terry Ryan) don't care about winning.

Berrios likely should have been up for good last year, and definitely for good this year. 

Kennys Vargas playing every day at first base. Average Joe sitting on the bench until he gets tired enough of it. Park getting hot in AAA and then traded.