LanceJS

And Jupiter aligns with Mars... (although it is when the moon is in the 7th house...)

While I realize it is only two games so far so we can't call Ryan a star or even a lock for the rotation in 2022, I would like to hear from all of those who were complaining that the Twins didn't acquire any "major league talent" (or similar snarky comments) for Nelson Cruz.

Sorry, but even if Ryan turns out to be at least a serviceable starter (or better) AND if the Rays win the championship, no, the Twins didn't "fleece" the Rays. Not only is it too early to tell if Ryan will be good, it is also to early to determine if the price TB paid for Cruz was worth it, as they are going for it all this year. And I ask the same question here that I ask with every trade - why does every trade have to end with a "loser" and a "winner" like the games? What's wrong if both teams get what they wanted from a trade?

While nothing to do with this article - does anyone else notice in the first picture that the fans in excellent seats are ALL paying attention to something else other than the game? Except maybe the two fans in the front row if the batted ball was hit toward left field. e

I've said this for years and will continue to do so - I always defended the departure of Ortiz. He was not going to be the player he became in Boston because a) he wasn't well liked by Kelly and coaching staff, b) the styles of developing and using players between the two franchises was very different and c) Ortiz found better PEDs in Boston. I know many go crazy when I say C but c'mon was he really that different than Bonds, Clemens, Pudge Rodriguez and others? He just was so well liked by media and fans that he was a "good guy" and therefore clean whereas the poor personalities of Bonds and Clemens in comparisons cost them PR, which meant HOF support.

I do wish there would be some let-up on the constant criticism of Buxton's injury history. For example, the reason he is currently on the IL - a broken hand when hit by a pitch. Now, would any other player be criticized for being too fragile for an injury like that? Maybe Donaldson, but for anyone else that would just be bad luck or timing. But no, because its Buxton, he's fragile. Or his crashes into the wall - if he doesn't try to catch those, then he's criticized for not trying. I am not trying to minimize the frequency of these injuries, but if he wasn't so "fragile", he would be criticized for being "soft"

"It's hard to win a trade with the Rays." - I absolutely HATE statements like this. Why is it so important to "win" a trade? Why can't a trade work out well for BOTH teams? Okay, with that off my chest, now about the article. The three reasons to love it far outweigh the reasons to hate it - all three "love it" are about improving the team while two of the three "hate it" are about emotion. Yes, Nellie was loved by all but there is a point where that player will not be back. What's the difference if it is now, October, or 2022? C'mon, we'll get over it. Geez, I hated the way the Twins dumped their most iconic player way back in 1974 and guess what? We all survived as well as the team. That will happen with this trade as well.

Even though he's had only one truly good year, I have thought that there would be interest in buyers precisely because of his team-friendly contract. Also given the plethora of OFs the Twins have, this would not surprise me at all.

Could it be there are still some hard feelings about his anti-vaccine status and the subsequent team outbreak in Anaheim? I agree that his on-field performance has lived pretty much up to expectations, but there certainly could be more to this (and his expiring contract) on why Simmons is on the market.

Is Gray really off the table or could the Dodgers be showing him off to potential suitors, like the Twins, if they are going to demand a king's ransom for Berrios? Which I agree with doing. As many others have said, start negotiations at a price that no sane person would touch and go from there.

Another unlikable Twins player - and this was both on-field performance and team bonding was Ron Davis. Those of us who followed the team in the '80s don't need to relive his blown saves. There were plenty of stories from teammates about his surliness. He's certainly more un-likable than Donaldson. Maybe he's not liked because of his contract?

I agree - people love those who called out the Astros, like Aaron Boone, or those who shame PED users, but Donaldson does the same to pitchers and he "might be one of the most un-likable players"????? Criticize Jose Altuve but give a pass to Lucas Giolito and criticize Donaldson for saying something?

My take - after this 9th loss in 10 games, I am very interested to see what Baldelli and the coaching do to make some adjustments. This is the first stretch of bad baseball that a Baldelli-led team has played. Yes, he and the coaches didn't give up the walks, make the errors, etc but as leaders they do have to do something different.

One more thought - why is a 3 game losing streak in May, June, July or even August no big deal but in April, it's the end of the world as we know it?

But how many in '87 already had a ring? Not a meaningful comparison...

Or, and I would hate to think this, is he complacent now that he has signed a long-term contract?

If there is nothing else, this was a good offseason. Hoping to bring back Odorizzi to top it off...

Being a Twins site, think of this, for those who don't know: Harmon Killebrew, who retired 4th on the all-time HR list and was hitting most them in an era when pitching dominated, had to wait until his 4th year of eligibility to get elected. So yes, I understand why a player can be on the ballot longer than just that first time.

As for the other news - I was very happy to see the signing of Simmons. HUGE upgrade defensively and if Polonco can come close to his 2019 offense by playing wherever he has to be plugged in, so much the better.

Even more than Schilling falling short (and yes, he may have some questionable traits - not politics, but attitudes.) I get tired of the rejection of the all time HR king and one of the best RHP ever simply because they "cheated." Get over it. #1 - if it is that important to keep out anyone who is suspected, then why are Pudge Rodriguez, Piazza and Bagwell in? #2 - any reasoning for keeping them out was invalidated when their enabler Bud Selig was inducted. #3. David Ortiz is eligible next year. He should not be inducted either. After all, a) he failed as many drug tests as Bonds and Clemens (all of them failed zero), he had a sudden body change and dramatically increased production (always felt he just found better substances in Boston than Minnesota) and c) he was named on the Mitchell report. Yes, he claimed innocence and vowed to get whomever implicated him. How's that search going? About as well as OJ Simpson's search for the real killer of Nicole Brown. But of course, Ortiz will be in easily - so no, this isn't about "cheating", PEDs or anything like that - it's about personalities, period.

While yes, the White Sox are making moves and the Twins aren't, isn't is a bit risky to make bold predictions based solely on WAR?

Living outside of the viewing area, I will do the same thing I have done for years - MLB.tv

Consistency like this from the rotation is what I have felt all along is what is needed in order to have a good team capable of making a deep run. For all those who were complaining about the Twins not acquiring either Cole to get that ace (and his team didn't go far either) or spending to get someone like Wheeler or Ryu - I think this proved that isn't needed. Neither playoff loss to Houston can be attributed to the starting pitcher. Agree with the point of this article - starting pitching is a strength of the team now.

Can someone explain to me why on earth the Padres would use ELEVEN pitchers in a 12-3 blowout that eliminated them?

Has it become so ingrained that "bunt" means "giving up an out" that the mere thought of laying one down on the side where there is one infielder will cause managers to get migraines and laptops will immediately start emitting blue smoke because they figure out the concept?