bobs

I actually would like to hear a lot more of Roy Smalley. He is smart, insightful and can actually teach a listener a little bit about baseball. Morneau as well. I'd also be curious to see how Cuddy would do in the booth.

The unfortunate reality is that guys like Busenitz, Duffey, Curtiss, Reed, Jay, Anderson, Bard, etc. are kind of a dime a dozen. The hope has been for 2-3 or more of those relievers to develop into guys they couldn't afford to lose. To my untrained eye, that hasn't happened. The list used to include Chargois, who was with the Dodgers for a bit but really has never developed into that lock down reliever.

As a player, this guy was Christian Yelich before Christian Yelich was Christian Yelich. The injuries were so unfortunate. He was a talent. Now, let's hope he's the right guy for this job. He certainly sounds like it. Talent still wins, however, and when you watch teams like Boston and Houston you see just how far the Twins would have to go to be a WS contender. First, let's just get them to being an AL Central contender.

I've followed baseball most of my 51 years. With the game in a state of major change, I now know less than I ever have about what it takes to be a successful manager. I'll admit, I WOULD like to see a manager that sees that in this analytics-driven age, there still is a time when a sacrifice bunt IS a good idea! There still is a time when stealing a base is worth the risk and that sometimes it's not ok to strike out with a runner on 3rd and less than two out!...lol. If I had to make a call here, I think it's a combo of Shelton and Baldelli as manager/bench coach. Not sure who fills which seat.

Maybe not "serious" problems. But I agree that Max Kepler is not the problem with this team. Plug him in RF 155 games and let him play.

All the advanced metrics. Kepler is 26, not 28 or 29. 2019 will be a big year for him. There is just so much to like about him, I'd hate to see the Twins give up on him. He seems very coachable and appears to be a hard worker. I sure don't want to see him blow up in a Yankee uniform like Aaron Hicks did. I guess I've always felt he's a kid you keep running out there and let him figure it out.

I want to believe this is possible for the Twins. I really do. I really, really do. But, I live in Minnesota. I grew up in Minnesota. And besides the improbable titles in 1987 and 1991, Minnesota sports fans just don't seem to get "nice things". Hope springs eternal and I'll always be hopeful. Forgive me for being slightly jaded by the past failings of our beloved sports teams....LOL

People have been saying for a few years he may be better suited for 2B. What are we waiting for?? I'd rather see them bring in an Iglesias to play SS and move Polanco to 2B than leave him at SS and have a Forsythe-type playing 2B.

Oh man, I would LOVE David Ross!! But I don't know if he'd be a good manager. But MAN he would be a great interview!! I like the idea of Alomar. I have no doubt it'll be an outside the box choice...no obvious choices, no retreads.

If the FO doesn't feel Polanco is the SS going forward, I'm 99% sure he'll be the 2B.

I thought the FO did a terrific job last offseason filling gaps. Most "experts" agreed. Read their offseason referred to as a "home run". Things didn't work out, but that's baseball. It's going to very interesting, and telling, who they pursue. It will say a lot about what they think of younger players like Buxton, Sano, Kepler, etc..

So, in other words, this is a big offseason for Falvine. First, they need to get the manager right. I love Mollie, but in this age of "bullpenning" and needing to be able to manipulate your 'pen, I felt that was his biggest flaw. And, since I'm 51 I hate to say this, I think his age made it difficult to relate to today's player. Whether that's a knock on him or "today's player" I don't know....

He just has not proven to be good enough, or durable enough, to put up with this crap. Hope he enjoys riding the bus at AAA.

I usually think with my head. But my heart says a mixture of Mauer, Austin, Sano, Escobar would work for 3B/1B/DH.

Fan favorite? Yes. Can he hit? Yes. The real question about Astudillo is can he be a platoon/#2 catcher. From what I've seen, the answer is yes, with the possible exception of his throwing. Seems like he calls a good game. Guess here is he'll be in AAA next year to start, with Castro/Garver back as the top two on the 25-man.

My guess is there will be a press conference, but that it won't happen until probably November.

Perfectly said Ted. Thank you. As a dad of two boys who watched those boys grow up with Joe Mauer as one of their "heroes", it certainly is sad to see that they are now 22 and 19...and that we all feel this is the end of what has been a great road. For ten years, Joe's Fathead hung on the wall of the bedroom they shared. I feel as a lifelong Twins fan I owe it to Joe Mauer to watch these final games, just to remember that for 15 years we have watched greatness. Greatness both on and off the field.

Boy that 2011 draft was something....

Glorified AAA lineup for Tigers yesterday, but Gonsalves still looked much better. He and Stewart both seem to be improving with their command. At this point, we'll take any signs of positivity we can get!

How do you spell hope??....Kirilloff, Lewis, Rooker

"Leadership Quotient"....say hello to the next analytic stat

Instead of looking it as one good season in last three, I prefer to look at it as development. Gibson has been good since the AS break 2017. He is a different pitcher. I think this is who he now is. I wouldn't have a problem with a 3-yr extension for him. HOWEVER, in today's baseball climate, he'll likely have to sign a one or two-year deal after next season.

Bottom line folks......PATIENCE

Agree. I would also add that the FO was lauded for the shrewd moves made to bolster team's chances in 2018. Duke was good. Rodney was good. Odorizzi has been exactly who he's always been. Morrison was terrible. Lynn had a terrible April then was solid. All the FO can do is put pieces together, it's up to coaches to coach and players to play. Even the trades...the only guy who would have been with them next year was Pressly. They stocked the lower minors with prospects they could now either a) develop, or trade for a piece later. This season has surely been frustrating. It's frustrating having to watch Field, Giminez, etc. instead of getting a look at Nick Gordon, Byron Buxton, etc., but I do think this organization is in much better shape than it was two years ago.

I think it takes longer than two years to completely change an organization. Most of this organizations players/prospects were inherited. Terry Ryan's FO had a lot of success in the 2000's, but it was severely outdated. This much change will take time. The philosophical changes, I assume, are being implemented in the minor leagues and it may take another couple years before we start to see the effects of that with the big league club. I think the Buxton decision is the best example...not calling him up was, no matter how Falvine tries to spin it, purely a business decision. There was no "follow your gut", no thought on relationships, no thought of someones feelings. Whether that's good or bad I don't know. We will find out I guess. In 2022 or whatever, we may be singing their praises b/c they didn't call him up and lose that extra year.