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Very interesting conversation, John. Thanks for posting this. What is shocking, at least to me, is that the Mets seem to have some interest in acquiring Donaldson. Whether we gain some salary flexibility or get a reasonable prospect in return, getting out from under the long term impact of his contract is a win, in my opinion. As I read the above, my thoughts on next year are changing. It seems to me that with a little luck health wise and a couple players having very good years and/or decent years following a dismal 2021 (I'm looking at you Max Kepler and Miguel Sano), the Twins lineup could/should be solid and able to compete. That's especially true with the likelihood that with their rookie season behind them both Larnach and Kirilloff could become studs in 2022...or certainly one of them. So it isn't a total tear down and rebuild. Rather, what is needed is pitching, pitching and more pitching. Anything they do this July and next offseason must address that need. If shedding dollars from Donaldson's contract helps them get one of the at least four top pitchers (1 very good starter, 1 solid starter, 1 very good reliever, a second good reliever) needed, fantastic!

If Buxton is telling the Twins he is going to test free agency and will sign with whomever writes the biggest check for the most years, knowing that isn't likely to be the Twins, why are you done with the Twins? It is approaching the point where Buxton is in complete control of his future. If the preceding is the case, we don't know it is, then the Twins are making the smart decision to trade him. What is variable is when?

Are Miranda and Winder the Twins hitter and pitcher of the week tomorrow? Really good following those two in an otherwise dismal summer.

Count me among those who do not want to rush Winder to Target Field. Let him settle in for at least the full month of July with the Saints, then see how he does on the big stage. Always good to see Urbina's name in the write up. Yes, the kid is hitting just under .200, but he has a lot of walks and stolen bases. Considering he turned 19 the week before the season started and hadn't played in over a year, I like this kid's future. As one who truly misses Eddie Rosario, may have to start checking the box score each day to see how this new version of Rosario is doing. Heck of a nice day yesterday. And I am sorry, I really want to call that league the Florida Coast League, not whatever it is.

When looking for starting pitchers to replace Happ, Pineda, et. al., no one is considering Player A. With all the trading the FO should be doing over the next four weeks, there should be at least one pitcher coming back who is close to the major leagues. Say someone on a similar schedule as Winder and either is ready for a promotion to AAA or recently promoted. Or maybe someone that was called up for a game or two earlier this season and is back at AAA. That's Player A, who following the trade joins the Twins rotation for the remaining two months of the season. With all the guys potentially leaving, if they can't get at least one good pitcher who fits the above description, then put the guys in the front office on the same boat with the Manager and ship the whole bloody lot off for wherever.

Again, seeing most of this group are high school kids, really hope that one of the three college pitchers is available when they have their Comp pick. I don't care if he ends up in the bullpen, as long as it is in the next two eyars.

Thanks, I love his music. Sure as heck a lot younger George Strait in that videa, eh?

Thanks Matt. The most exciting result early this season, well one of them for me, is Javier's bat getting back on track so he can again be considered a top prospect. Gotta believe he has been more disappointed in the last seven or eight years than any of us. Couldn't be happier for him, and the Twins should he keep it up.

And I forgot to mention I just loved your comment, "Amarillo by Morning." That is from a song, isn't it? Can't remember which one or who sang it. And anyone that has ever driven I-40 across eastern New Mexico into the Texas (or the other way from Ok City) panhandle sure as heck understands what is meant by Amarillo by Morning. The biggest surprise I had the first time I made that drive was the number of windmills on both sides of Amarillo. Seems solid for something like 10 miles each way, probably more than I have seen anywhere else in America. Didn't expect to see that in Texas.

Thanks for the report, David. If you click on the Wichita box score it takes you to Wednesday's game. Yes, Fort Myers lost, but that pitching staff just keeps getting it done nearly every night. Gonna have to get to know some of those guys better, a lot better. Nice move up to AA for Steer, eh? And Palacios and Whitefield also keep getting their names in these daily reports.

Thanks for the report, Lucas. I do have a couple points, however, one that really bugs me. With both Gross and Shulfer you indicate that MLB may not be in their future because they already are or soon will turn 25 years old. Are you saying that if a player doesn't reach MLB by the time they are 25 their dream is over? Sure seems to me that is what you are saying. And basing so much on any age limit, especially after a year in which no one played an inning of minor league ball is foolish, at least in my opinion. I have watched several of the games Winder pitched this month and in the Midland game the Midland announcer raved about him being the #1 pitcher in AA ball. I assume he was speaking of only the Central Division of AA ball, yet, that sure as heck should mean he is hands down one of the Twins Top 10 prospects. I personally believe, together with the injury to Duran he has made himself into the Twins #1 pitching prospect with Balazovic nipping at his heals, somewhat due to his late start to this season. You referred to his fastball as being in the low to mid-90's, touching 96. In the games I saw, he was consistently 94-96, touching 97 a few times. The Midland announcer spent a lot of time talking about the work this former VMI student put in during last year's lost season, arriving at the fall instructional league with a fastball much faster than he threw in 2019 It seems that the data you referred to wasn't the most current insofar as his fastball is concerned. As for June's top pitchers, I am eagerly awaiting Winder's first few starts at St. Paul hoping he will continue to dominate at the AAA level so we have a chance to see him pitch on the biggest stage come September. I also understand that may be wishful thinking because of the limited innings he has and the likelihood that he could be shut down by Labor Day. I also try to watch Wichita's games when Schulfer is pitching, as he is from Wisconsin. I expect like many of us, we are pleasantly surprised with how dominant he has been and want to see it continue for the rest of this year and beyond. After all it seems the Twins have a current need for some big time pitchers.

For whatever reason, this club's fundamental play has been headed south for several years. Those of us who recall those Twins teams managed by Tom Kelly are shaking our heads.

Yes, but I hope like heck that magic is aimed at 2022.

What can you say. Wanted to take a look at the box score to see what the ERA's were for the Omaha pitchers. I thought Omaha was in first place and a good team. The starter had a high ERA, but 8 runs in 2+ innings last night certainly elevated it. The rest were all 4+ or so, so not the best, but certainly ok. A month until the trade deadline should give him time to continue hitting as he was at Wichita and be all set to join the Twins. Now let's see Winder put up a great start whenever he gets his first outing later this week. Always check to see how Javier is doing. Was 1-3, plus a walk. Another solid night...keep it up young man. Now let's see Balazovic get back on track tonight.

Thanks Sielk. Have the link in my favs to check every morning.

Thanks for the update, Seth. Sure is lots of information to digest. I guess if you are going to be a coach of the FCL (gotta learn to not type FGL), you had better be fluent in Spanish. the four kids that I want to see have immediate success are the two teenager pitchers from Venezuela, Raya and Rodriguez (the outfielder). Also remember Wander Valdez and Rhodery Diaz from two years ago in the DSL...thought they were solid prospects. Hopefully, box scores will be available and tied to the MiLB site so we can learn more about this group. Remember the GCL roster's were limited to 35 players? This group has 47. Are there any limits? Assume many don't dress for every game. Is this the first time that both of the Twins Players of the Week were immediately promoted? Will be good to watch Saints games and actually see a few good prospects. I don't know if it should be a surprise, but Schulfer sure has been getting it done for the Wind Surge. You know more about his 'stuff' than any of us, is it good enough to hope he could become a solid big league starting pitcher in a year or two? Is your memory the same as mine about Rooker being much better the second half of his past season's of pro ball than the beginning?

Thanks for the report, Andrew. Is interesting as the draft is kind of sneaking up on us. There is no way that I want to talk about any specific player as there is no way to know which of these guys will be available and what the Twins are going to do. What I hope, however, is that they DON'T pick a college power hitter who strikes out a ton and doesn't have a defensive position. I also hope they don't pick more than one high school kid in those first three selections. If they want to get back into the thick of the hunt in a couple years, drafting kids who MAY make it as we approach the next decade ain't gonna help. Will second DMan's thoughts above and hope like heck that the first pick and at least two of the first three are college pitchers. Maybe if they throw their line into the pond twice, they will catch one nice one.

I think that is optimistic for Cleveland. Way too many injuries to their starting pitching. In either case, the Twins need to get to around 88-90 wins to have a chance. That's an awfully big hill for them to climb. And thanks, Nick, for the report. Yes, it is a lot better reading after a winning week.

Watched the Saints game yesterday because my son and his wife took their 4 year old daughter to her first baseball game. He sent a picture showing her sound asleep by the third inning. But the third inning in Columbus was around 3pm, which is her normal nap time. Really aren't a lot of prospects on that team. Does anyone know if most of AAA are teams filled with players who are older with a little bit of MLB time? Interesting to see the Clippers play with both Reyes and Perez on rehab assignments. Has anyone else taken notice of how Whitefield has been hitting of late? His average is well over .300 and he hits the occasional four bagger. With his speed and defense, he has a good chance of playing for the Twins or another team next year or beyond. Also great seeing Javier follow up his two hit game with a 1-4 game. When I looked at the Fort Myers score I thought their usually stellar pitching let them down. Then saw that Varland had another top start, it was the bullpen that dropped the ball.

Read in the Strib about Donaldson's pregame talk to the team. Yes, they play Chicago ten times in the coming weeks. Win 7 and there could be hope. But if they don't win 7 or more, hopefully, that will be the final deciding factor for management to get to work on the phones. The best news that came out of Sunday's game for me was the fine start by Happ. Another game or two like that over the coming weeks and he just might have created some value.

Confused by the last sentence of your write-up about the Kernels...Steer and Gray were joined by Gabriel Maciel for two-hit evenings. You mentioned earlier that Javier scored two runs. If the box score is correct, Javier had a double, triple and walk and should have been mentioned instead of Gray, who had one hit batting in the spot ahead of him. This young man needs all the confidence he can find to get back on the fast track to Minneapolis.

I think Baldelli usually has Arraez near the bottom of the order versus lefties and leading off against righties.

Checked the Strib over breakfast and saw he had a 2-hit game last night. Didn't say what type of hits, will see about that when I read last night's minor league article above. But two hits puts his little slump of 0-fors behind him. This kid still has the potential to be one of the two-way stars of the next great Twins team...come on Wander, get it done.

Very interesting and I agree with much of what you are saying. But in the end, you are calling for a total rebuild. Granted, if they can get a few players back who are close to big league ready, the time until they are competitive may be short...say a couple years. And don't misunderstand what I was saying, a total rebuild may be what is both needed and best for the Twins.

Thanks for this piece, Seth. The biggest surprise for me this year is his power. Never expected to see him hit four home runs in a week like he did. Now he needs to make certain this slump doesn't extend for weeks and get back to consistently getting on base. Although it is taking longer than his friends, hopefully, he can join them at an all-star game four or five years from now.