Swing Batter-Batter

I was thinking something similar. Of course, I could have missed it but, has he played yet this spring? Has he had even one at bat?

Unless I missed it, Rocco didn't say anything about changing how he handles both starting pitchers and the bullpen. That could be the key to the entire season. IMO...he gets an "F" for last year.

The best line up is the one that Rocco does NOT change every game.

I noticed that as well. Setting expectations so low that anything will seem like a major achievement.

Gallo's batting average is less than .200. Arraez is over .300. Who gets on base more? You can't score if you don't get on base.

Agreed. Everyone keeps saying the Twins need to add a top notch starting pitcher. What pitching "ace" would want to play for Baldelli? Answer: None.

When you don't have the speed, not stealing bases is understandable. What I don't understand is the base running mistakes. The Twins had a ton of them. Is it poor fundamental coaching or no coaching at all?

The NEW Miguel Sano.

I was just going to say that. Baltimore picked him up off the waiver wire today. The debate on whether to bring him back or not, is over.

I could not possibly agree more. There were times when I did not think Baldelli was even watching the game. I mean why would he? The "plan" was devised before the team took the field and it's the 5th inning so, pull the starter. He wore out the bullpen before June 15th. They had to go out and replace half the bullpen, just to make it through the season. Baldelli has no game managing skills and ability to deviate from the "plan". They should just set up a laptop in the dugout and have the players refer to it every inning for their instructions. Who needs a manager?

Although he tried.

They need a pitching coach, a strength and conditioning coach, a 3rd base coach.....and fill the vacant manager position. That would be a start.

Yes you are . LOL

In my opinion, Rocco has mismanaged the pitching staff from day one. Pulling starters too soon, completely wearing out the bullpen before July 5th. Inserting pitchers in the absolute wrong situations. Not ever adjusting to what is actually happening on the field and instead, deferring to "the plan". I agree with you 100% that, a playoff win will never occur under Rocco and at this point, I doubt we will ever even see a playoff appearance while he is manager.

I find myself imaging where we would be without Rocco. My guess 8 games over .500.

I agree with every point made here. Baldelli pulling Varland when he did was 100% predictable. First guy coming out of the bullpen giving up the lead was too.

EXACTLY. Baldelli pulls the starter, while we are ahead, say 3-1, 2-1, etc. All because the dreaded third time through the order is coming. Then, the first guy out of the bullpen gives up 1 or more runs and our lead is gone. How is this intelligent baseball? I would like to see the data on the bullpen, from the FIRST time through the batting order.

I agree completely. Miranda, rookie mistake? Gordon, not so much.

Regarding Cave. I found myself saying almost exactly that, as he walked to the plate with 2 out, top of the 9th, the bases loaded........and having already struck out 3 times. Pathetic.

Apparently, any opponent of the Twins is very tough........well, except for KC.

This is all Rocco. He started using the bullpen too early in week #1 of the season and never changed his approach. He has worn out the bullpen. Can you imagine how bad it would be, if they had not went out and got 3 new arms for the pen?

Given Mr. Baldelli has a huge tendency to pull the starter after 4 or 5 innings, I can easily see 2 or 3 of these guys falling into a long relief role. Just as an example, let's say Gray, Mahle, Ryan, Maeda and Paddock are the 5 starters. I can see Ober, Winder and Dobnak all in long relief roles. If you want to switch out Paddock for Winder or Ober, fine but, the premise is the same. This should take some of the pressure off guys like Theilbar, Lopez, Duran and whoever else is in the pen and allow them to pitch just one inning and not be used night after night.

EXACTLY and this has been going on all season, almost from game #1. Rocco wore out the bullpen before we got to mid-June.

When your starting pitchers rarely go longer than 4 innings and the bullpen rarely has anyone go longer than 1 inning, your bullpen will breakdown. The bullpen wasn't terrible in April and May but, the same guys sure are bad now. Rocco wore them out.

Just say NO, to SaNO.........and move on without him.