Krusington

I don't care what the numbers say about him having a "down year", he's still able to bat .270+ and work the count full as much as anyone in the game. He's the best two strike hitter I've personally ever witnessed and his RISP speaks for itself. Not to mention, how is it even possible to spank the ball to the opposite field as often as he does? I know we're heading in a different direction with younger players and would like to see Austin or Rooker stick at first but I don't think either of them will provide as much production as Mauer. He's as solid on defense as they come and I still wholeheartedly believe he was robbed of a gold glove last year. Dudes still an animal on the diamond. Maybe, since he's been paid handsomely already by the Twins, he will come back for a year or two on a dirt cheap contract and provide us with some flexibility. Would love to see him back and that's coming from a big Tyler Austin/Brent Rooker guy. Go Joe.

Field DFA per Berardino. Now optioned (edit).

That's my thing. There are plenty of people capable of going 0-10000 (roughly) like Field and company, let's give some young pieces who can actually be with the team in the future a chance. Hell I'd be more than happy to go out there and strike out 20 times in a row if that's what they're looking for. SIGN ME UP.

I'll be the first person to say I have so far been proved very wrong when it comes to Forsythe. As you mentioned, very small sample size but so far so extremely good for the Twins. I don't think they'd get anything useful back in a trade and if they did get anything, the prospect would probably be a few years from the bigs. I honestly think trying to sign him to a very affordable one year deal makes sense. He plays until Gordon is ready. The Twins also have Arraez who has been performing relatively well at AA and both could get a chance next season but aren't quite there yet. Either way, trading an expiring contract in Dozier, getting back Raley/Smeltzer and an upgrade at 2B (so far) is looking to be one of the best moves of the deadline. Think about it, in almost every aspect (fielding?) he's performed better than Dozier, you also have a top 20 prospect in Raley, and a solid pitching prospect in Smeltzer... I'll take a trade like that 100% of the time.

Looks good to me. If anything, I'd like to get an extended look at Mejia and Stewart or maybe give LIttell a few more shots. That being said, I don't necessarily think that Pineda is an absolute must to force into the rotation the remainder of this year. Per reports, his stuff seems to look almost as good as it did before the injury and surgery happened. He's a proven veteran and I think that you can assume given another off season and a healthy spring training, that he'll be firing on all cylinders to start next season. I'd like to continue to see what some of these unproven youngsters can do in the bigs. But overall, great train of thought, get these guys some innings!!!!

Not meaning double play. One or the other. Sorry for the miscommunication, nobody could've ever expected that. Pablo Sandoval makes it to first if he goes to the bag at third first. Double play in that situation is out of the question for sure.

Stewart had a solid game. Not great, not horrible, simply average, which is honestly more than I expected from him. Noticed right away through the first three innings there wasn't a swing and miss pitch. He reminds me A LOT of Gibson a couple years ago. Decent stuff, not great, but no true swing and miss pitch - there's HOPE people. Adrianza and Austin didn't help his case there. Anybody defending Adrianza must not get out or watch a lot of baseball that's an extremely routine play (possibly even routine enough to be an out at first as well for a solid 3B). Overall I'm encouraged by Stewarts start, I hope he gets another shot or two against even better competition yet this year.

Mid/High 90s fastball is what I've been seeing and reading most places. High risk/reward type pitcher it seems. Lots of Ks but lots of walks as well.

That's fair. And thank you, I've enjoyed the site for some time now, figured it was about that time to put in my thoughts once in a while as well.

I must be the only person terrified by the thought of Berrios being our number one starting pitcher for years to come...

I've thought Hildy has had questionable "stuff" his entire tenure with the Twins thus far. An inning like the ninth tonight will never surprise me when he's on the mound. On the bright side, Trevor May looked fantastic and could find himself a real nice role out of the pen.

Would love to see Gonsalves and Rooker get a little bit of experience at the big league level. Gonsalves has been deserving of a chance for quite some time and Rooker really looks like the power hitter from the right side of the plate the Twins could use in the near future. I think Romero - barring a massive setback - should be a relative lock for the rotation or at least a very good look next year. Austin getting some regular big league time in a low pressure situation would be nice to see as well given the raw power and potential he offers. A couple others not mentioned I would love to see are Wade/Wiel. Both do a pretty solid job setting the table at the top of the lineup and though it's only AA you have to be encouraged by Zanders numbers, especially that average. Other than that, you guys nailed it. Great piece.

I'm glad you can read MILB posts as well. Unfortunately the Twins don't have another internal option besides Gordon, it should be his chance that arrives next at the middle infield position. I've seen players called up to the majors for a trial run on worse stats than what Nick has produced at AAA. Obviously he hasn't been the prospect we all would've hoped for this second half of the year but he's surely a better option than a washed up Logan Forsythe. One word that should help clear up this argument for those of you blindly thinking Forsythe deserves a Twins roster spot - potential. I get we aren't going to cut him given how much he is owed but man, that would be nice.

I would love for our roster to get shaken up a little bit so we can actually start to take a look at different options. The worst thing about the trade deadline was that we brought back Logan Forsythe. In my opinion he takes up a valuable roster spot that Nick Gordon could surely benefit from. I get the market was clearly trending in a negative way for Dozier to be moved but he is definitely good enough to net a return without having to bring back dead weight (you'd think right?). If we don't get a look at players this year, we are going to be tight with the 40 man and looking at different roster options when players no longer have options left. I'd love to see us part ways with Belisle, Morrison, Forsythe, and others but because of the money owed I don't know if that will happen. Losing those three we automatically create room for a Gordon, Austin, Curtiss/Gonsalves type combination of prospects that deserve a shot with low pressure. I'd be thrilled to see the FO make some ballsy decisions and expand our roster before September rolls around.