Blake

I'm surprised you didn't have this reaction when the "w" word was mentioned:

Or maybe:

Any word on Buxton? I should have clarified but it seems that if the Twins are not worried about their chances, might as well bring Buxton up. Though, I suppose September call-up wouldn't be a surprise.

Van, you've captured my thoughts exactly. This team and FO has worn me out. But, like you, I'll get the job done.

In looking at how the FO put things together this year, and you metrics guys can pick apart my observation, it appears to me the FO built the team with the idea of improving the team enough to contend in the Central, but, if the team didn't contend, they had some decent signings the FO thought they might be able to move at the trade deadline. For what it's worth.

I think the Twins need to look at someone else at third because I think Sano's days with the Twins may be numbered. I won't go into the details on my thinking, suffice to say I think Sano's tenure with the Twins may be tainted and it might be best for all concerned if Sano were to move on to another team. As for the real reason of the thread, I'm against Mauer remaining with the Twins, or in baseball, for that matter, because of the concussion issues Mauer has dealt with. I've grown to appreciate Mauer how well he plays 1st but I really worry that he's pushing things further than he should from a health standpoint.

Okay, I'm going to say it now: I think Mr. Dozier needs a change of scenery.

Crap. Need to make that play, Mr. Polanco.

Good AB by Sano.

On the upside, Escobar was traded to a contending team. And, it seemed that Falvine hinted they were going to make a run at resigning Escobar after the season is over.

Yeah, I thought that last strike was a borderline call. Not much a hitter can do with a pitch out there like that.

Nice interview with Levine. Or was it Falvey? Anyway, nothing like going on the air and facing the music about trading away a popular player. The interview reminded me of the story MacPhail told about when he went to Pohlad and told Mr. Pohlad he wanted to release Mickey Hatcher and replace him with Dan Gladden. And Pohlad responded that it wasn't going to go over well with his wife, because his wife really liked Hatcher.

neutral.

The down side to the game today: Aging veterans who have no business being on a team that's waving the white flag. The upside to the game today? Let me work on that and get back to you.

Yes, I know we're venturing afield from the original post, but, it's interesting, at least to me, to witness and discuss the evolution of baseball during our lifetime.

Baseball will adjust I think. Right now it seems me that the upper-cut swing has made players vulnerable to the high fastball, increasing K rates. (Kyle Gibson says "Thank you!") I think the level swing and putting the ball in play will make a return to counter the high fastball. Along with slapping the ball to the opposite field to beat the shift.

Good point.

Lack of positional flexibility is probably why the DH is slowly dying. I give Molitor credit for using the DH spot to keep people in the lineup while giving them a day off from playing in the field.

I think that's great that you're going to kids from first to fifth grade. I think it will give a much better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your students and probably give you a better idea of how to approach these kids as individuals and as students.

I believe this indicates the FO doesn't have a high degree of confidence in Mr. Molitor if the FO isn't keeping the manager in the loop. I think during the MacPhail/Kelly years, Kelly and MacPhail worked pretty closely together.

I think trading Gibson means the FO doesn't think the Twins can compete next year either.

Probably something like ****************** this **************** ****** and then ******!

I'm trying to square the FO trading Pressly and keeping Belisle. The FO appears to be writing off this year. So, keeping Belisle means using up a roster spot that should go to a younger player who needs MLB experience.

I fear there is enough truth to that statement that I cannot hit the like button.

Pressly gone? Does this mean more Belisle? Arggh....