Monkeypaws

We watched it with Perkins, Hughes, Ervin; when they're done, get out the fork.

Nick Gordon has 29 doubles, 14 steals in 18 attempts, a .304 average, an OPS over .800, and is still just 23. He has also spent more time at short than second this season. I'm kind of glad he's still a Twin prospect.

The best part is all those premium prospects will be a year closer to the majors by this time next year, and the Twins kept all of them. The organizational "cup" has been filling these last few years; next year it may start to overflow, which will be a good problem to have.

Not making any more deals doesn't equate to doing nothing. I'm sure the Twins are trying their damndest to get some pitching help, but so is just about every other contender. I'd rather they stand pat than make a desperation trade like Ramos for Capps, or end up fleeced in what looks like a sellers market. I believe a guy like Thorpe could be as good as some of the proven commodities being shopped around out there.

The window is just opening. It could be open for a good long while, especially if there is a steady stream of MLB ready prospects in the pipeline, which is not quite yet the case. Next year it might be, but not if you trade away all the best ones.

Any idea why Clay has never gotten a chance with the Twins? He was drafted and developed for the bullpen, and there are openings I hear.

That sure doesn't seem like much of a return for Toronto.

17 saves. At the least, it takes pressure off Rogers, and puts the 2 inning save to bed. There wasn't anybody else in the Twin bullpen to trust with a save opportunity. Now there is.

Does anybody see Charlie Barnes at the back of the Twins rotation someday?

This type of trade has a spotty track record for the buyer, Archer being the prime example, but Sonny Gray didn't really work out for the Yankees, and there was the famous Shelby Miller for Dansby Swanson debacle. I'm sure the Blue Jays asking price would hurt, especially considering the Twins won't be alone in bidding for his services. It would likely take more than prospects you are comfortable giving up like Gonsalves, Duran, or Gordon.

Echo Willie Joe Garry being fun to follow - he moved from batting 9th to leadoff and came through big time.

As the trade talks heat up, one guy I hope the Twins take off the table is Balazovic. There is an article about him in the Athletic, and he sounds like Berrios 2.0 with the work ethic, but in a 6'4" frame and with an emerging change-up to compliment the mid 90s heat. This guy has future ace written all over him. Sorry if you aren't a subscriber: https://theathletic.com/1080988/2019/07/17/as-trade-deadline-nears-twins-prospect-jordan-balazovic-continues-to-impress/

MLB just posted "5 trade ideas so crazy they might just work," which had the Twins acquiring Stroman and Giles for a package of Graterol, Javier, Jax, Maciel, and Widell. https://www.mlb.com/news/5-trade-ideas-as-deadline-approaches I think the Twins would take that deal in a heartbeat.

I'm pretty sure Matt Lawton was part of the Soul Patrol, with Hunter and Jones.

This would've been a nice time to give Zander Wiel his turn, seeing as he's been playing lots of 1b in Rochester.

Great trade for the Twins: Odorizzi has become an All-Star. Unfortunately for TB, Palacios's offense has gone MIA for the last two seasons.

Those top 3 prospects batting averages are somewhat discouraging: .233, .268, .163 .... It is July after all.

Was looking at Tyler Austin's numbers yesterday. For his MLB career, he has 483 ABs, 31 HR, 86 RBI. Impressive enough. Unfortunately, those accompany a .222 BA, 201 Ks, and an .OPS of .745 One does wonder what he would do with regular playing time.

Kimbrel's line vs. Pittsburgh tonite: 1 IP 3H 3R 3ER 0BB 2K 2HR The once pristine ERA is now sitting at 13.50 The Cubs were losing 15-5 when they put him in, so there is that.

It does suggest that the Sox will likely make the AL Central a three horse race as early as next year. Moncada and Giolito are indeed having themselves a really nice season. A hot 2nd half and they could even challenge for the WC this year.

I like how quiet Rooker is as he's waiting for the pitch, and how simple the footwork is. Reminds me a bit of Molitor, except for the uppercut swing.

Didn't see it on the forums, but it Alex Meyer has retired: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/06/alex-meyer-retires.html

Happy to see Wade get a chance.

When some players bat or pitch, they call it "must see" tv. When Parker pitches, it's "go make a sandwich" tv.

I was actually at the game - I thought his stuff looked pretty hittable. Granted, he isn't a fire-baller, and it was his first start in a good while. I was hoping for a Dozier homer, and was denied, much to the joy of the Braves fans seated next to me. I liked what I saw from Strasburg much more.