stringer bell

Wow, the back end of Cleveland's rotation isn't much is it? Masterson (sp) and Ubaldo are erratic but great when they're on. These three--well let's just say that it will be disappointing if any of them pitch in the sixth inning this weekend. OTOH, the Tribe is putting up pretty big offensive numbers. If the Twins hold them to four runs a game, they should win two and maybe all three games.

Except, Logan, that a partial season at this point will cost NOTHING, either in terms of arbitration eligibility or free agency. I think a tour around the league and the player "getting a taste" of his future team is worth it. He's certainly got a higher ceiling than anyone in the rotation and he's almost 26. Edit: I didn't see Brock's posting about service time. Sorry for the redundancy.

Diamond had 1.016 in service going into this year. As I understand it, he would need to be down for three weeks to fall below the years threshold, but I'm not exactly sure. As far as Super 2, the way I see it is that if he logs another month this year plus the full year of 2014, he would be eligible for arbitration. It would not surprise me if that entered into any equation on the demotion of last year best starter. However, I see absolutely no reason to delay Gibson's major league debut.

Do the Twins need Morneau and a .730ish OPS playing first base 140-150 times in 2014 and beyond? I really don't think so. While Parmelee's struggles mean there is no obvious successor, there are internal options who could put up comparable numbers (Colabello, Parmelee, later on Vargas, Plouffe) and there needs to be a place for Mauer to get at-bats when he is not catching. Despite the homer on Wednesday, I don't see anything that screams we'll see the "old Morneau" and the clubhouse dynamics are there where the manager will be compelled to bat him in the middle of the order and play him every day, which IMHO have hurt the team a bit this year and will continue to cost the teams as many wins as any decision when to pull a starter or any other lineup construction issue.

I like Diamond and I thought he would regress a bit, but still be the Twins' best starter this year. He just hasn't been close to the pitcher he was last year. Far too many crooked numbers.

Diamond started the season on the DL, but was expected to be the Twins best starter. He has had some good appearances, but his overall numbers are the worst of the current starting rotation in the month of June. Is it possible that the Twins could send him down to Rochester and promote either Albers or Gibson?

Good article. Obviously, not all of the tradable players will be moved. I do hope the Twins realize that their chances of contending are still remote. They are getting as many wins as they could hope for, but the pitching staff isn't good enough and they have holes in their everyday lineup.

Check out Gibson tonight. I guess he's not consistent??!!

Dozier has drawn three walks and was hit by a pitch and hit two homers in the last two days. His OPS has increased to .670 while his BA remains in the .230s. Is this just a flukish stretch or is there really some hope that Dozier can be a functional hitter?

Stick a fork in him, he's done!

Something else to consider about moving Morneau: #7 is under contract for a long time. I'd rather a guy with his athleticism is not a DH when he isn't catching. I think Mauer should play as many as 60-70 games at first next season, especially if Pinto is up to being a major league catcher with a decent bat.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'll try to find middle ground here. There has been a giant failure for two years--players let go that should have been kept, players brought in that don't belong in MLB, and I think the Twins acknowledge this. I was OK with putting a few bandages on in 2012 and they mostly worked, at least among the position players (Willingham, Doumit, and Carroll), but the pitching hasn't been addressed satisfactorily from outside the organization. I am not confident that Ryan has bought into the new proposition that values live arms above almost anything else, so much so that guys like Sabathia, Kershaw, Price etc. get huge long-term contracts. Many big contracts fail, but many work out. Ryan has been unwilling to pay what it takes to acquire top-tier (or even middle tier) major league pitching. Eliminating that avenue puts more pressure on developing good pitchers and lately, for whatever reason, the Twins haven't done well there either. As evidenced by the 2012 offseason, I think Ryan can patch the holes in the lineup. The Twins have the resources to get better pitching, without trading any blue chips.

Agree that of the three veterans (Morneau, Doumit, and the Hammer) that Willingham should be the one to keep for now. Doumit because of health, position scarcity and relatively robust production, may have increased his value for the deadline, Morneau is not earning his keep now and I can't see a scenario where he will do so for the Twins.

I'll try to find middle ground here. There has been a giant failure for two years--players let go that should have been kept, players brought in that don't belong in MLB, and I think the Twins acknowledge this. I was OK with putting a few bandages on in 2012 and they mostly worked, at least among the position players (Willingham, Doumit, and Carroll), but the pitching hasn't been addressed satisfactorily from outside the organization. More later.

To Wong Foo--Thanks for everything! Julie Newmar Never saw the movie, but I did like Julie as Catwoman and a robot.

Pretty much, just like Cappsie!

Nice job, Devil Eyes. Now, trade him for a pitcher and a middle infielder.

Let's add some more controversy to "Dozier or Florimon?"

21 pts. in the first qtr, 21 in the second, 21 in the third, and guess how many in the fourth?

Yes, this is team #4 vs. team #5. It sure looks like it.

Single Wing or Winged T?

Son of Sal would have snared both of those alleged wild pitches! BTW, Fien pitched his way into real trouble and pitched his way right out of it.

Nice outing for May!

Santana has an even 20 errors at short for the Rock Cats. While we all know that errors aren't the be-all and end-all when it comes to defense, a high error total is a red flag. Santana's offense hasn't been great, either. The BA is around .280 last I looked, but not a high OBP or Slugging. Just like everyone else, he has more than half a season to make a mark. I wonder if the Twins would consider moving Dozier back to SS, or using him in a utility role. He doesn't have the arm or Florimon or Escobar, but I don't remember many instances when his arm strength cost bases or outs. I saw Polanco in person in CR, and he made two plays in the hole where he couldn't get the runner. Jim Crikket commented on one throw by saying that is why he had been playing second (I'm paraphrasing SDB), so perhaps he isn't a candidate for shortstop.

I think Hicks will be okay as a center fielder, but he might not hit enough to be a corner. If so, Buxton pushes him out of the organization when he gets to Minnesota. Plouffe's versatility should serve him well if Sano becomes the regular third baseman.