bobs

When you have a projected lineup that is set up to be top 5 in the AL, expectations are high. Take Polanco, Buxton and now Sano out of it and the ceiling for the lineup drops considerably. Yes, Buxton and Sano struggled early (as usual), but we also know that the current version of the lineup is likely not capable of much more than they are getting. Biggest problem lately is the inability to add on from about the 5th on.

Grossman's defense never was good. But now it has deteriorated to the point where his typically high OPS (though not so high through 27 games) can't balance it out. May as well bring Granite back, let him fly around CF and get on base at a .280-.300 clip and then use his speed.

So much for Romero coming up in August to boost the bullpen. This should not have surprised anyone after how he threw in ST.

Phil Hughes has always seemed like a stand up guy. I think he has worked extremely hard to try and come back from injury so he can earn that payday. It really is too bad b/c he was terrific in 2014 and just has not been healthy since then. Ideally for the Twins he would retire. But at some point, I think they just need to cut their losses and let him go...paycheck and all.

....this is not on the FO. Falvine had a terrific offseason. Experts agreed. The big elephant in the room is why SO many players are struggling. Also, it doesn't help that Sano has hammy issues (for about the 10th time) and that bad luck struck Buxton (for about the 10th time). We haven't even talked about Erv....

It's pretty simple. Name the players who have exceeded expectations. Go ahead. Pressly? Escobar? Now....name the players who have not met expectations. Go ahead. Exactly.

I wouldn't say "quietly" struggling. I don't know if I've ever seen a hitter, esp a lefty, swing and miss as much as Jason Castro. Gotta hold out hope that there is a regression to the mean of his career.

Ditt. O. Why does this team always seem to leave its big boy pants at home when they go to NY?

Kinley does not belong in the bigs. We all know that. The FO took a swing and appears to have missed. However, Tyler Kinley isn't the problem right now. What happened to Taylor Rogers? Trevor Hildenberger? Tyler Duffey? Addison Reed is going to continue to be terrific. Fernando Rodney is exactly who he is. But if those other guys don't turn things around quickly, this bullpen is going to be a mess. Again.

Good to see Twins be part of the Puerto Rico series...power outage and all. Was great to get a picture of that island and it's truly unbelievable baseball heritage. Weekend at the Trop? Well, let's hope that come September we'll be saying "remember when they got swept at Tampa?!" when the Twins have about locked up a playoff spot. It's still April people.

...as in, get Zach Duke out of the 7th inning role and to a lefty specialist. Rogers, Pressly, Reed, Rodney can be a very good back end of the 'pen.

8+ is a very small sample size, but he appears to be getting closer to what his potential always was. B/c he threw upper 90s our expectations may have been unfairly high for a Rule 5 pick. With Hildenberger not as much of a mystery so far in 2018, Pressly could become an important part of the bullpen.

Ditto

Good heavens he was good last night. No, great. Happy for him to be able to do that in Puerto Rico. Future Cy Young!

Cedar Rapids is going to be a destination for Twins fans this summer!!!

OH. And anyone who considers themselves a true Twins fan, which obviously everyone on this site is, HAS to appreciate a guy who ranks in Twins history with names like Killebrew (times on base) and Carew/Puckett (hits).

Couple years ago a lot people talked about Mauer and said "If he could just be...". We all knew he wasn't a power hitter. Now, with his gold glove caliber defense, he has become just as valuable as guys who hit 30 HR but are not great on defense. I'd say the the last year-plus, he has certainly become that "If he could just be..." player. Hit .300. Get on base. Get clutch hits. The defense. Show young players what a professional at bat looks like (I'm talking to you Miguel). Show young players how to carry themselves as a pro. Provide a great role model for young kids in our state. Thank you Joe.

Three words. He. Is. Healthy. Carew, Pucket and now Mauer. Pretty good company for the local kid!

Was in KC August 2016 for Twins/Royals. Watched Berrios LABOR through about 3 innings. Seemed like every hitter was 3-2. Kept hearing "he needs to trust his stuff". What a difference 2 years makes. This kid is special. Don't overanalyze him folks, just enjoy him.

All true. What I was getting at is that I'm just really glad we don't have to see him 4-5 times a year like when he was in Detroit.

Pressing, I agree. Seems like he's fouling a lot of balls off. Lost? Sano looks lost.

WAY too soon. If he has 9 games like this in July and the team goes 5-4 we aren't even having this conversation. We'd call it a little slump and move on. I do agree with idea of pushing a bunt here and there. Why is it major leaguers can't bunt? I coach middle school kids who can!

I have never in the entire 50 year history of my life (so, about 40 following the Twins carefully) seen anyone swing and miss as much as Miguel Sano. There. I said it

Great gut check win for the Twins last night. At 5-4 with little consistent production from anyone not named Dozier, Mauer or Escobar is solid. Let's hope that as the temps warm, so will the young bats.

Justin Verlander looks REALLY good in an Astros uniform....and NOT in the AL Central!