Blake

After the game yesterday, probably went about like this:

I was under the impression this was "fish or cut bait" year for the aforementioned players. No step forward, they gone.

Van, you understand the numbers behind the game far better than I do, and probably ever will. Based on numbers going in, was there really any indication this team would achieve what they have? (obviously, I think "no" but, you may have better information than I do) I recall an interview Andy MacPhail gave, years ago, talking about the success of the 1987 Twins. If I remember correctly, MacPhail basically said they (The Twins) contended before expected. (91 series, anyone?) Now, MacPhail made some good moves for the '87 Twins and the end result was everything Twins fans could have dreamed of. I sort of wonder if the current FO is in the same boat MacPhail was? Again, I hope the FO makes astute trades rather than splashy trades. Oh, and they find someone willing to take Blake Parker off their hands.

No argument there. Once in a while, though, I have to remind myself just where things started and remind myself that it's shocking the Twins are even in this position. I'd really like the Twins to make a splash but I'm trying to temper what I want with the reality of the current market, whatever that may be, as I'm not privy to what discussions are currently taking place.

Something I'd like to bring up: I think we should all be thrilled at how well the team has done. Did anyone really expect this team to dominate, let alone contend, the way they have? It could very well be the FO didn't expect what happened and now they're trying to figure out just how to capitalize on their success. The phrase, "Victims of their own success" comes to mind. And, I can also pardon the FO for not running out and getting help right away, because how could they have expected the success of the Twins to be sustainable over the course of this year? Who here was seriously excited about the signing of Schoop, Cron and Gonzalez? Was the emergence of Castro and Garver as the most dynamic catching duo in MLB really expected? Odorizzi's dominance at the beginning of the year? Pineda and Perez emerging as part of a viable rotation? I don't know about anyone else, but I came into this season with very little in the way of expectations. I was hoping for the team to take a step forward and show us the FO had things trending in the right direction. This team really came out of nowhere. To say the Twins exceeded my expectations is a massive understatement.

I'm not sure it's fear so much as teams are wiser when it comes to cost versus benefit. Analytics may say mortgaging the future for "win now" is a fools game and, therefore, teams are now trying to look into the numbers to see where the best option is when it comes to risk/reward. Things have changed and it doesn't appear there are any "no brainer" decisions in this regard.

Rogers blew it last night, also. Both bullpens were beaten around the park last night and it took a great play by Aaron Hicks to save the Yankees. Oh, by the way, you'll get no argument from me when it comes to Blake Parker. I truly think he needs to go. Anyway, I apologize if I'm coming across as cantankerous, because it's not intended that way. Today is another day and Go Twins!

Speaking of missing the point, Hand and Chapman both blew it, so, no guarantee whoever the Twins get is going to solve what appears to be a league wide problem. I'm not saying the Twins don't need help, I'm saying what help is available might not really move the needle as much as we'd like.

Are they available and how much will they cost?

I'm going to take a contrary view: Falvey is keeping things close to the vest and has something in mind and doesn't really want to tip his hand. Also, the pressure on the FO to "make a move" is probably enormous and, making a knee-jerk move is exactly the wrong thing to do. Personally, in looking around the league, is there anyone that is A: Available and B: actually going to be worth the asking price? For instance, going into July, Chapman, of the Yankees has been absolutely lights out. How did Chapman work out last night? Hand blew it for Cleveland, last night, against Toronto, of all teams. It's all well and good to talk about how the FO "must do something" but, doing something just to do something is the wrong approach.

Against a lot of teams, that's a safe lead. Yankees, no way.

I will not argue that, at all. And yes, every single team seems to have problems with their bullpen.

Hicks made a great catch. He misses that, Twins at the very least tie the game. Wow.

That was disappointing.

Wow, I don't have to be able to read lips to get the gist of what the Yankee pitcher said.

Yeah, that's the biggest problem, every single bullpen seems to be flawed in some fashion so getting an elite arm is a tall order.

I think that's part of the TD TOS.

Yay, wild pitch gives the Yankee and insurance run! Woot!

Maybe after this, Yankee fans are say, "oh no, Yankee killer Kohl Stewart is in." Or, they may say, "Great, Stewart is in!"

Crud, now have to keep the Yankees off the board for another inning.

You know, I don't have high blood pressure, but, after this game....

Obviously smoking the wrong stuff...

come on, Chapman, wild pitch! You can do it!