Hosken Bombo Disco

I don't know if Gardenhire has an east coast an east coast guy or not (someone who knows him better might be able to fill that in). He can both afford to be selective, but also probably needs to get in next year while he's still attractive. My bet is that if Detroit takes an unexpected nose dive, he ends up there in 2015. And that would be FUN.

Pelfrey is an emergency starter only. Especially given that May is showing enough to stick around. So unless Pelfrey matches or improves upon his last start, Pelfrey is the odd man out. That's what should happen, though not necessarily will happen. However, in the article, Ryan also said that Nolasco might pitch two games in AAA, which would delay Ryan having to make a decision he doesn't want to make. Which begs the question of whether Nolasco is even good enough to crack this rotation in the first place.

Mauer may not be blocking anyone at AAA but didn't Vargas come up as a 1B? You can't help but wonder what a valuable piece Vargas would be in a few years with regular playing time at first. 'Little Papi' as Ortiz calls him.

I actually think a panel is a good idea. For example, you could have a 5 person panel consisting of the team's GM, the assistant GM, the team scouting director, and the field managers of both teams, all who contribute input, with the panel to be chaired by the General Manager, who makes the final call. Boras. What a buffoon.

Yeah when I said "room to improve" I meant at the plate I don't think anyone is claiming Arcia is the worst of our problems, but I think people misinterpret him. I think if he can harness his emotions he'll be a very good hitter and a little wiser in the field. It will take time. (That's my view from 35,000 feet anyway.)

I know how bad Arcia can look at times. I've also seen him be a catalyst and know he is immensely talented with room still to improve. I would go in to war with Oswaldo Arcia 7 days a week. Meanwhile, Torii Hunter missed another cut off man today. That's all I got.

Nice job! But it could still use some fine-tuning

Pelfrey outduels Kluber

Circus Boy update: It was actually a routine play by Mauer To the Bottom 11th!!!

*ahem* May I have a word with you quick ?

Bunts actually go farther.

It's Herrm's night -- we need u for 1 more big play buddy!!

an even better idea: Hey Torii, wanna play left? The walls are much lower so you're closer to the fans out there

Good observation. It might not hurt to play for some offense tonight.

fixed!

What you say makes sense, but I'm betting his problems are psychological or attitude, not the result of poor mechanics or some gritty at-bats by opponents. Meyer used to throw 100 mph with several pitches he could throw for strikes. Now this. What the Twins are doing isn't working, so I'm proposing something different. Let Meyer be with the team and throw a low pressure inning out of the bullpen from time to time.

The architects of the 1-6 start are the same people making the decisions on Alex Meyer. So here's an action we can take immediately: Call up Meyer and let him pitch out of the bullpen. We need to get his head right and bringing him to the majors will do that.

This is the roster that Ryan and Molitor felt gave them the best chance to win, so I expect no rash decisions or panicked comments from either of them. I understand the frustration with Arcia. But he is the least of our problems. Arcia was a catalyst at times last year, which Gardy joked about at one point. His D is what it is. He will make the occasional impressive running catch or great throw, however. Hopefully someone has his ear and can steer him when necessary. Unless something is obviously wrong I hope they let Arcia play through it. He will hit eventually.

Great article - great hook. Optimism is needed anywhere we can find it. Immediate promotion for several guys to the majors seems like a good idea at this point. I don't know. If they struggle it seems like you just send them back to AAA for a stint. I've never bought into the idea that an early call up can cause permanent psychological damage to someone who would have been a great player otherwise. And forget the idea of 8-dimensional service time chess game. Never bought that one either, though reasonable people may differ. Promoting guys is a bit of an art form, I bet, which I have no experience with and can only comment on from the cheap seats.

Yeah it was hard hit, but hard hit fly balls to the warning track get caught in MLB. A younger Hunter with more speed goes directly at it and catches it just fine. Yesterday Torii ran a perfect route for a ball hit 15 feet further and high off the fence. I think he'll get better as the year goes on and his bat needs to fire up to justify having him, otherwise tobi's idea of Arcia/Hunter platoon-type situation sounds like the best solution.

There was a play in the top of the 6th today. Fly ball deep right but it's a play outfielders make. Hunter clearly misjudged it in my opinion. Let's hope it's just a case of him still learning Target Field. Based on how Hunter reacted, it looked like he thought the ball would hit off the wall and that his plan would be the "bluff" catch, slow down and hold up the glove, to fool the runner into thinking it was just a fly ball to the warning track. Which... is actually what it was. It landed on the warning track pretty close behind him. Here is a link to the play. The reason this play bothers me is because if Hunter makes that catch, the score remains 2-1 with one out, runner on first. Granted May was about cooked at that point and things got worse later. But then again, maybe the Twins escape the 6th and the game stays close until the end. Bonus information: When Plouffe left his position to chase down the errant relay throw, Oswaldo Arcia ran in to cover third base from left. I really like Arcia--he's almost half Hunter's age and goes all out every play. Arcia should be Plan A for right field in 2016.

Santana must have been playing very deep in hole because second base guy doesn't usually go 5-10 feet to the SS side of second to field a ground ball. Yet Santana was basically right behind Dozier. And then it went under both their gloves. Weird play. One of many, today. Santana probably needs to take a more aggressive angle towards that ball. Off the bat it looked like it might be a routine groundout to short.

Yep a huge positive. Horrible stat line but he really did pitch good. Vargas had a sharp RBI single. Dozier was gold glove at 2B except for one play. Arcia tries, he really does I'd stick with Arcia for sure.

No purpose in rushing Buxton but I would absolutely set Escobar back out at SS (based on today small sample I get it)

Everybody got in on the fielding sh-t show today including Mauer and Dozier on his 35 foot soft backhand flip.