Monkeypaws

I wasn't aware outfield was a need for the Twins. I would be more interested in throwing prospects for a starting pitcher, and I wouldn't include Sano or Buxton in any deal right now.

Please, please give Sano some major league at bats this September.

How about he works to get better at left field. He's certainly young enough to improve if he puts in the work. A defensively shoddy 1st baseman would be worse than the LF equivalent. "For I am a Rain Dog too!"

Don't get the clamoring for the complete game. When you're done, you're done. Albers was done. By his own admission: " I was definitely getting tired. ..." There's always next game, where he can show them what he's really got.

Or vice versa : Dozier's defense makes him adequate. His offense of late makes makes him above average. Why are we in a hurry to replace that? If Rosario is that good, yes, a nice problem to have. But Dozier is taking charge out there.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few teams didn't get skunked on this list. Maybe this will help the Twins deal Carroll: one of the best hit and run artists in the game, and he can pitch too!

He is only 25 - plenty of years left to regret this trade

Yep - that's a classic insurance run; well done Oakland. Matt was spitting mad - he' s always spitting something. One of the biggest spitters in the game.

How old is Ibarra?

Words of wisdom - thank goodness for pot-smoking friends to lie for.

Wow, it's like a trip in the way-back machine - I'm suddenly hungry for a Dome dog. All the more incredible when about 40% of that goes to a single individual.

At least it will be another game worth watching. Always like seeing a guy get his first taste of MLB, especially a guy who has had the minor league success of Albers.

The Twins have not managed this transition too well - the veterans are drying up before the kids are ready. One could easily blame the front office for letting the real leaders go - Hunter and Cuddy in particular. It's sad that the Twins routinely let players like this slip through their fingers. Next year promises to be worse than this one. 2015 might be a season promise.

That is interesting, all the more so because Stewart is staying in Florida, no?

Very interesting - I was recently made aware of the "Big 3" in E-town, and find little praise for them.

I'm looking for some opinions on who you folks think are our top 10 starting pitchers in the minors. It's pretty easy to pick out Meyer, Berrios, Stewart, but for some of the guys in the lower levels, I have no idea how guys like Landa and Jorge stack up, or the power arms of the 2012 draft like Bard or Melatokis rank, or Baxendale, etc. What would BA say?

Seems like the fair and right move. Imagine what Hicks will be capable of next season if he doesn't dig himself a huge hole like he did this April. He's shown enough this season for me to think he has a pretty bright future. I think getting thrown out on that bunt last night was symbolic for his rookie season. and his face showed it. Come back bald next year and dominate. Arcia gets to continue a shot at ROY honors. 2 hot months could get it done. Diamond needs this, and Albers damn well deserves a shot.

Arcia has shown bad habits; I called him out for not running out ground balls before he got Sent down, and he's since been disciplined at AAA for that. That shows a lack of focus/professionalism. His glove is mediocre. He needs to work harder if he wants to be more than an average left-fielder.

Does anybody else think Drew looks like a perv on that pic grabbing at Capps' bottom?* That smile!?!

How fast has be been on the gun?

Me too - I just smashed him with my beer mug.

I'm thinking that little streak sandwiching the All-Star break, that's valid. Our bullpen does kick ass, and that is part of the pitching equation. Defense has been good. What are we talking about

TK just made a dig on Coomer's post game instructional, saying he hoped they wouldn't play the carnival music, and you could hear Coomer trying to break into the feed with some loud rebuttal, and it went ignored. Funny.

Defense, yes, and pitching lately, could be worse. The offense is the suckage. Regardless, I'm not saying he's perfect, and i still like Bert and especially Coomer better, but TK has gone from snooze to worth listening IMO. Then again, I don't watch a game from start to finish very often. An evening with TK ain't bad.

Listening to TK tonight, I've found what I do like about his commentary - I'd call it the TK litmus test. When he says something negative, and unlike most talking heads he will, you get something to file away for future reference. I think he is an acquired taste that grows on you. I've bashed him in the past, but like him *more and more.