DocBauer

Well deserved! And probably an easy choice with how well he threw this year. Just a few comments/observations: 1] Take a moment to look at the numbers for all 6 guys again like I did. Sure, a WHiP or two is a little higher than we'd like, Gipson-Long's ERA is a little high but was inflated by some early bad performances, but the overall numbers for each guy are quality, and the K's are definitely there! 2] Realize this impressive list doesn't even include Duran, Canterino or Enlow, filled with potential but injury plagued in 2021. Further, for various reasons, there is no Ober, Ryan or any other of the arms recently acquired with real talent. Kind of makes you excited for the next few years doesn't it? 3] The 2020 draft was what it was, short and no opportunity for anyone to play. Unless I'm mistaken, 5 of the 6 listed here were 2018-2019 draft choices. Despite limited milb experience, and a lost 2020, there is some aggressive promotion taking place here and, apparently, some good drafting taking place. I am very excited about the arms in the system in a way I haven't been for YEARS!

As far as a roster spot, yes, these things take care of themselves. He may or may not break camp with the Twins, but he will play for the Twins in 2022. And his ability to play multiple positions will aid him in the transition and opportunity. From every report I've ever read or heard, he was a high pick for real reasons. It was only a matter of time...with hope which is the case of all prospects...until he put it all together. I couldn't comment on his defense except to say I've never heard anything bad. The few highlight plays I've seen over the season indicate he can get it done. And yes, they may have been hilights, but if you can make those kind of plays, further time and development should allow you to develop and be solid, if not good. I just never saw Cabbage breaking out the way be did this year. There is still a K vs contact component to work on. But he's only 24yo, a former 4th round pick, and there is enough potential showing after his breakout 2021 that I think you need to find a way to keep him. Steer and Julien were part of the 2019 draft where the Twins seemed to concentrate heavily on infielders. Of course it was Cavaco #1, but they also grabbed Steer, Gray and the Auburn duo of Holland and Julien. IIRC, both Holland and Julien signed over slot due to some savings. The fact that Steer and Julien, despite being college players, have progressed so quickly with a short 2019 and no 2020 is pretty awesome. While we don't know how good either may ultimately be, their early results as possible infield fixtures as at least multi-position options is very encouraging! I'd really like to keep Contreras and Kerrigan around for 2022 if possible. I just don't know if either offers up enough offense to go along with great defense. But either could provide depth and a possible future as a 4th OF.

I dont think there has be a moratorium either in regard to his total IP. Pitching, hopefully, a full season or close to one, and simply monitoring him while allowing him to creep up to the 90-ish pitches per game mark should allow 150IP (or so) very organically. But they've done an outstanding job this season not only building his endurance up and maximizing him, but by also working on his pitches and subtle changes on the fly.

Justin is a class act. Always has been. He was a TREMDOUS player and representative of the team and still is, He deserved better than a bad loss, but life is what it is. What could have been without serious injuries to he and Mauer? NOT life, but professional life cut short too soon.

I say what I say with all deference to any and all posters, I've watched Rooker since day one he was drafted. And what I have seen is a powerful and high OPS bat who has taken a few weeks at every level he's been at to adjust and then rake. And in the mixed up 2020 season that it was, he did the same thing before getting injured. I have always been frustrated by various reports he could run well and had a good arm and was a sound athlete. And I've heard reports how bad he wa ps defensively. But last year, and this year, I've seen the back but also seen some really solid plays with the glove and arm that teases me and makes me wonder if he could be at least average. He's already shown me he's as relevant as Willingham or Young when it comes to defense, with the potential to be better still. But it still comes back to the bat at the end of the day doesn't it? The Twjns NEED a RH 4th OF who can do something both offensively and defensively. Celestino may be that guy eventually. Hell, he might even be a starter, And he's shown progress, but he's not ready just yet. IMO, the Twins should try to bring back Refsnyder on a milb deal. But I just don't know about Rooker at this point. He's old enough, experienced enough, that you would think he might grab opportunity and run with it. But he just hasn't. I would love to keep him for one more year to see what happens. But with the DH almost certain to be league-wide in 2022 and beyond, i would absolutely include him jn a deal with a couple other solid prospects for a solid ML SP option. Some sort of Odorizzi/Maeda deal with him and a couple other solid prospects to secure such a deal. If I'm a re-building team in either league, I'd be VERY curious as to what he might do daily as a 3rd piece in my re-build.

I'm going to treat this thread a bit differently that the BP OP because for starters, no pun intended, there are far fewer options/names to consider. First of all I'm eliminating both Stashak and Thorpe from this discussion. I'm eliminating Stashak because he has already reached the "if healthy again, he could re-establish value in the BP and has already moved on from a rotation spot option" part of his career. I am also, grudgingly, moving Thorpe to the "too much has happened and his arm just never came back from surgery and now he has to transition to throwing as hard as he can, and use his other stuff, to try to carve out a role in the BP" part of HIS career. Sucks! DOBNAK: Like many pitchers, and many top prospects, injuries completely foiled his 2021. I believe the FO missed the mark on him to begin the season by ignoring his impressive ST and deferring to the veteran Shoemaker initially. It sounded like a good idea at the time, I guess, letting Dobber sit in the pen and trust in a Shoemaker rebound. But not every pitcher adapts to easily to such a change in roles. I just can't ignore his 2019 or what he did in 2020 for us and dismiss him for 2022. Believe me, I don't WANT to say this, but I could see a scenario where the Twins via FA and/or trade, pick up a pair of experienced SP and just trust Ryan, Ober and Dobnak to fill out the rest. I just think that's asking too much of 3 young arms. I believe the Twins will come up with 3 arms....more to come on that....and Dobber will compete with Ryan and Ober and someone will go to St Paul. SMELTZER: Yes he's a tremendous story! I wish him the best! But with so much young talent across the roster, I just don't think I can protect him. Previously, he's shown be can be a solid fill-in piece in the rotation and the pen. I'd love to have him back in a milb deal. BARNES: I just don't there's enough STUFF to keep him unless he's the 39th/40th guy. I watched him closely his last start and saw high 80's and a couple low 90's FB and a couple really nice breaking and off speed pitches. Also so a few hung and crushed. I think he's done enough, shown enough, that if it turns out there is room, go ahead and protect him. Otherwise, expose him and see what happens. Love to have him back for depth and hope. GANT: He's had SOME success as a SP in his career, and has looked surprisingly solid for the Twins thus far, starting almost out of necessity. What I think the Twins have is not some late bloomer, but a solid middle man who can be stretched out and fill-in, If they expect more than that, I think they've shot low. He could be a solid BP piece with versatility. JAX: Oh, what might have been! The Twins were confident the military was going to change their demands/restrictions and allow him to persue a professional career. But it took 2 1/2 years for that to happen and it probably happened too late for him to reach his potential. And yet, despite rather pedestrian numbers, he's actually been solid in his milb career and has been promoted aggressively by the Twins, albeit out of necessity this season. At the ML level, he's been quality the first time through the order. The Cubs game the other day he supposedly couldn't feel the ball for his FB. But his slider looked great. And I thought it was his secondary stuff that was the problem? As a back end SP option or maybe a quality middle RP option I like him and would absolutely protect and keep him.

Going to preface my comments with a couple quick points: 1] With $50-60M available to spend, IF the FO/ownership IS intent on competing, there ARE ways to add to the top of the rotation via FA and trade to do so. I'm NOT saying they WON'T, just stating an obvious caveat to be considered. And that flows in to my second initial point... 2] Whether they go big, semi-big, or pull a rabbit or two out of their hat to add to the rotation...whatever...the pen has to be able to be counted on. (As best as you ever can considering the volatility of bullpens in general). I am way more confident in a possible pen for 2022 now than I was a couple months ago, and it's not just SSS and smoke and mirrors. LOCKS: That would be Rogers, Duffey and Thielbar. Unless the Twins know something they refuse to share, the expectation is Rogers will be healthy. Can't argue with what Duffey has done the past few years and his rebound the past few months. Despite some inherited runner problems earlier in the year, Thielbar has been a find, and a good one. NEAR LOCKS: Alcala, Minaya and Colome. If you've watched Alcala this year and not just read box scores and the such, you woukd have seen wicked stuff, SO, and some quality work. Mixed in, unfortunately, have also been 2R HR after dominating a couple of batters, But the flashes have been there. And he's looked really good the last month or so, he has to prove he's turned a corner. Minaya has a solid history and by all accounts I've heard, looked pretty solid in 2020 at the alt site. He's been good at St Paul and seems to have unlocked something the past 30 games plus. And please don't shoot the messenger on Colome! Despite his atrocious April and May, he's been very much his career self since June, despite a couple bad days. With his buyout figured in, he only costs about $4M for 2022, which has been previously pointed out. I believe he leads the league in saves since July if I read the stat correctly the other day. I think we have to look at his career and what he's done since June and just realize he'd probably be an excellent 7th-8th IP RP who COULD close a game. Whether via his option or a re-worked deal, he's back. FRINGE: Stashak, Garza, Garcia, Garcia, Farrell, Coulombe, Baraclough, Burrows, Vincent. The Twins are far smarter than I am, as well as much closer to the situation. There are almost undoubtedly a couple of these guys they have seen enough, and liked enough, to protect. But I suspect that is it. Just one or two and the rest allowed to walk or re-sign on a milb deal. Stashak may be an outlier from the rest. Despite relatively SSS, he was very good in '19 and '20 with high K numbers to start 2021 but poor secondary numbers before he was lost due to injury. Has he shown enough that you don't want risk losing him? WHO I DIDN'T CHOOSE: Gant and Moran. Gant is a given to be protected, but I am unsure about the Twins plans for him. He's had limited success as a ML SP and has looked solid thus far doing so for the Twins, almost out of necessity at this point. But I sure hope the plan is for him to be in the pen in 2022! Moran is a given to be protected as well but I doubt he's a "break camp" arm. Only reason I didn't include him. WHAT'S LEFT TO DO? Sign one quality late IP arm for $5-7M. FINAL CONCLUSIONS: Think about this pen to begin 2022: FA Rogers Duffey Thielbar Colome Alcala Minaya Gant Between a couple protected options and others not even discussed in the "who survives" portion of this discussion, not to mention young SP who can also fill-in, would you feel good about that pen beginning 2022? I would. The one negative I see here, which others have broached, is a pen with limited options. My arguement would be, if you have a really good pen, and at least a DECENT rotation...different topic...does the "option" situation matter as much?

Agree you should ALWAYS play to win. 100%, even in a lost season when you are also auditioning various prospects for the next season. (How great would it be for a healthy Kirilloff and Larnach continuing to get ready for 2022)? Hopefully Miranda gets a taste yet this year. Very happy to see Gordon getting playing time and taking advantage of it. But I just can't agree with Rocco's choice to not let Maggi play in one of the 3 games in Toronto. If you are going to give the guy a taste of his dream, why wouldn't you give him just a little bigger bite and let him play in at least one game? I'd hope you would agree that in a lost season you can still try to win and give a guy like Maggi his one brief shot. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? He could do nothing in a losing game, or, MAYBE make a good play and get a hit. I just think his reward is a tiny bit hollow considering the circumstances.

Agreed. Also mostly supportive of the FO, and Rocco, but Maggie not seeing the field in Toronto is just disappointing. I want to say stupid, silly, ugly, but will stick with disappointing. The Twins aren't playing for anything. Maggi will always be able to say he reached the ML level. He made something like $9K in 3 days! Good for him! But there was no reason whatsoever he couldn't have started a game or been thrown in half way through a game to actually see the field and maybe have an AB. Very disappointed in Rocco on this, especially being a former player. I hate to play this game but I'm betting Gardy and Kelly both, in a losing year, would have made sure he saw the field.

Question, as I'm not sure of the milb clock rule, but if the pitcher and catcher aren't on the same page, or if they want to change the sequencing with a runner on base, and the pitcher steps off, does that re-set the clock? Can they do so once? Seems to me, while in favor of a pitch clock, there has to be some allowances involved. With runners on base, I'm not sure you have to eliminate the clock, but perhaps extend it another 5 seconds or so? I would think, especially with runners OB, should the batter and pitcher be allowed ONE time out where they can step away and re-set the clock? Again, uncertain as to the milb rules they've been playing with. And I'm in favor of a clock. But there are questions as to allowed TO or adjustments with runners that have to be worked out.

ATTEMPTING to keep it brief: 1] Dobnak: In a season where everything went wrong, I'm not sure it could have gone any more wrong for one guy, that being Dobnak. An obvious miscalculation by the entire organization was committing to the veteran Shoemaker vs just taking a shot on the young prospect that was looking great. I have never expected greatness for Dobber, but he blew through 3 levels in 2019 and finished strong Before being put in a very awkward position of starting a playoff game against the Yankees. He was great to good for a little over half of 2020 and helped the Twins win the Central. HEALTHY, and given a real shot, I'm still very encouraged for him in 2022. Just keep him as a SP! 2] Colome: The pitcher he's been since June is basically the pitcher we THOUGHT we signed. Am I upset if they pick up his option or sign him to something smaller. Nope. Just as long as he's brought back as a middle man or potential setup man and he doesn't get in the way of ANOTHER $5-7M arm to team with Rogers. Because we need that along with another $2-3M Robles/Clippard sort of arm. I think we have to stop blaming Colome for a lost season and just realize he was only a small part. He's already bounced back in 2021, Don't sacrifice the 2022 pen by letting someone go who could help make a difference just because a horrendous 2 month stretch in 2021. 3] Jeffers: I love so much about Jeffers even though I think he's still developing. I just never fully bought in to the fact he would continue his 2020 production. It was just too much, too soon IMO. But I think he's more than capable of growing, developing, and actually being the 2020 version of himself going forward. But I love his ability and potential as a quality ML catcher. I also like a LOT of Rotvedt's game and potential, but he was as rushed as much as Celestino was. Garver should be the #1, no arguement, IMO. But if Jeffers finds his bat, to any degree, that allows Garver more and more to play DH, maybe some 1B, and stay in the lineup daily splitting time behind the plate more easily.

Dude, MLB has screwed with the September promotion in a big and bad way. We all know this. It used to be about promoting a few prospects for the next season. And it also allowed a guy or two to be rewarded for his milb career and get his cup of coffee at this level. Yes, it's OK to have a feel good story at the end of the season. Before MLB screwed with September call ups, it was about auditions as well as a reward here and there for a call up who was a "good soldier" and deserved his shot and cup of coffee. And he absolutely deserved it.

One of the beautiful things about baseball is there is no time limit, unlike most sports. (Soccer has their own weird version of a time limit, but whatever). But there is no reason why baseball can't control the time within the game itself. I haven't read the article...no subscription at this time...but if I were to speculate, part of the extended length of games is also attributed to additional commercial breaks. And there is no coming back from that! It's like and NFL game. Score...break. KO or punt....another break. They need to feed the beast. I get it. All the more reason to clock the play on the field. I agree with NineofTwelve and Ash regarding batters. Batters should only have a few moments to think, re-adjust their gloves and crotch, and get back in the box. And as Ash stated, a clock affects both sides, so it's fair. BUT, I also agree that runners in base, especially in scoring position, might allow either extra seconds, or a delayed clock. What I find funny/interesting is most pitching coaches through history have preached a fast approach. Sucks if you can't adapt. LOL. But this makes so much sense it's crazy.

I still like the core of this team when healthy and getting a fresh start in 2022, WITH help on the mound. The Twins projected payroll for 2020 would have sat almost dead on at $150M. Two years later, with fans back and the game back to a full season, and the FO stating they want to compete and believe they can, that means $50-60M available to re-tool the 2022 Twins and only MATCH the projected 2020 payroll. That means $18-22M, roughly, for a top SP. Might even have to bump it up slightly. Secondly, unless they just want to toss $ at the bump, they need to make a move similar to Odorizzi/Maeda where they acquire a good, solid SP for some young talent. What the cost would be is just too hard to predict. Third, they really need to add a decent 3rd rotation piece. Think Pineda or similar for what, $6-8M if you get lucky? Fourth, you almost have to spend a combined $5-8M on a couple decent BP arms. I understand this is about PLAYERS and not pitchers, but I use this as a reference point in regard to what the team needs and what is affordable. I just don't see where the $ is available for one of the TOP SS on the market to effectively build a team. Unless the FO just knocks it out of the park in a rotation re-build, or gambles on TWO experienced arms and trusts the other 3 spots to young talent, Baez or anyone else just don't fit payroll wise. I love the Taylor idea on a 1yr, or 1+1 type of deal. Maybe even a 2yr. Galvis is my #2 SS option, and might be the most practical fit. My #3 is, somewhat grudgingly, Simmons with the hope his bat would more clearly resemble his previous 4yrs, but at a reduced salary. After that I can't give you an exact name right now, but I want a RH 4th OF for $2-4M who can play defense and provide some solid offense to spell Kepler/Kirilloff/Larnach. Think Pillar on a rebound or someone similar. Spend the $ on pitching but bring in a good defensive SS who can handle a bat and that quality 4th RH OF. I'm happy with that.

Roger hit on a point I was wanting to make. Unfortunately, the 40 man is an evaluation and guessing process that once in a while you are going to make mistakes with. It's basic math, a 25 man projected roster and only 15 more additions to protect. And EVERY team has a few of those 15 spots filled by lower level players that you don't necessarily expect to play for you that year, but simply have to protect. Celestino would be an example this year. I would have liked to protect both Badoo AND Wells. We all would, and so would have the Twins. But realistically, they seemed "safe" to not protect. Wells hadn't seen the field for 2years and neither had Badoo, more or less. And both were also coming off surgery. I don't know about you, but I was a bit surprised when they were selected and basically shocked when they were kept. I really expected both to struggle as young, inexperienced players and be returned to the Twins. And you can't use revisionist thinking now to see someone like Smeltzer, for example, who would end up hurt and miss almost the entire season. Smeltzer, again as an example, was seen as a useful depth piece for a team expected to contend, vs protecting someone not expected to contribute after missing 2yrs. I am not the least bit happy we lost Badoo and/or Wells. And we can say the FO blew it by not protecting either or both. But honestly, when is the last time you saw TWO rule 5 picks from a single team make the ML roster of a team and stick? And how many of you actually thought/predicted these two were going to do what they've done? I am NOT defending the FO here, mostly because I'm not sure they need to be defended for all the reasons I've stated previously. But in a year in which so much has gone wrong it's way too easy to point an extra finger of frustration at the rule 5 and sound off "See?!" For the record, I wouldn't have protected Badoo, no matter how talented being an A level prospect coming off injury and a lkst 2yrs. But I probably would have protected the older Wells who had reached AA. I think I would have gambled on health and projection that he might have been ready to contribute late in 2021.

I just love stories like this! It's part of the history and mystique of baseball, the "Crash Davis's" of the world getting their cup of coffee. I think this is well deserved and I'm happy for him. All the more reason I'm still upset with MLB for changing the September call up numbers. Come on MLB and fix this mistake for 2022 and beyond.

You have to keep Kepler. I think he's a much better overall hitter than he's shown this season. And we absolutely need his defense, great in RF and solid in CF occasionally. I have no doubt his injuries have affected him this year. It's been obvious at times. And I'm going to continue to bang the drum of the Twins needing a quality RH 4th OF so Kepler, and others, can sit at times against LH pitching. I'm still good keeping Sano, though I wouldn't be upset if he was moved as part of a deal for a SP. I can live with his "streakiness" as a hitter because he's very dangerous and can carry a team at times. But, generally speaking, I want him hitting around 6th-7th. I think his defense is better than what the error numbers show, though I think he was better last year, which I don't get. Big target, great arm, great at scoops and digging balls out. He'll share 1B with Kirilloff, maybe Garver, and also DH. He's just too dangerous to dismiss, but should keep that dangerous bat lower in the order. OBVIOUSLY SP is the #1 concern. The Twins HAVE to make a major investment in someone to lead the staff. And they have the $ to do so. I'm not sure who that guy will be, but Stroman just jumps out to me as the obvious choice, for various reasons. Is he going to cost $18M? $20M? I don't have the answer, but he or someone similar is key. Next, the FO just has to pull out another Odorizzi/Maeda type trade. The system is deep enough they SHOULD be able to find a match for a good, solid SP with a couple controllable years without having to make it hurt. This may be harder to do a 3rd time, and harder than just using $ to sign a FA. But that's what the FO is paid to do. I believe they then need to keep Pineda, or sign someone similar. (IMO, Pineda is almost a done deal). Ober and Ryan fill in 4th and 5th with Dobnak, healthy, as competition and depth. But there is also tremendous depth beyond that with beyond that coming up. But you just have to have 3 decent veteran types to lead the rotation to at least begin the 2022 season. From there, things can become fluid. It sounds easy. doesn't it? Target a guy or two at the top of your list and just get it done. Do what you've done before and do it again. Then sign a solid veteran to a 1yr deal, or maybe a 1+1. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as it sounds but it's what they need to do. IF they can do that, however, they will have proved their abilities. Next comes that 4th OF I'm banging the drum for. Then comes a pair of RP for $8-10M to add what we have. I just don't know they have the $ to sign one of the TOP FA SS. But as nice as it would be, do they have to? A quality defensive SS who is OK with the bat, and the offensive ability/potential of the lineup might be all we need. Galvin? If Simmons had been the hitter he was the last 3-4yrs he might have been a great signing. Didn't turn out that way. Could the Twins believe he might rebound and be that guy again?

C] Garver/Jeffers/Astudillo 1B] Kirilloff/Sano 2B] Polanco/Gordon SS] Galvis 3B] Donaldson/Miranda/Astudillo/Gordon LF] Larnach/Kirilloff CF] Buxton/FA/Gordon RR/ Kepler DH] Everyone, but especially Arraez, Donaldson and Sano. If you paid attention, you will see I cheated and selected 14 players. And that's not just a "someone might be hurt" cheat. I'm thinking one of Larnach or Miranda will start the year at St Paul. Larnach got promoted early, raked and teased, then needed a re-set and will, unfortunately, finish his year on the IL. But he is in so close! Miranda COULD debut as a super utility player. And I'm OK with that. There are very few rookies who just get handed a job from day one. And how is it a bad thing to actually have a quality roster where a rookie has to earn his spot? Garver needs to split time between catcher and DH. His bat is too valuable to keep him out of the lineup. He might even play a little 1B. Arraez needs to be in the lineup daily. Period! He can play 3 spots and DH. Unless you have an amazing bat to plug in to DH, who ever decided you needed ONE GUY to fill that spot? How about a really good and talented lineup where the DH is just a really good hitter having a half day off? And there is so much belief and hope that the 2022 lineup is that good. Spend $ on pitching, a decent SS and a quality 4th RH OF. The player portion of the 2022 team should be fine with good health. But, I am still concerned with the coaches and their instruction.

Barring a surprise, I think they keep him. In fact, unless someone picks up about 100% of his deal, his greatest value is keeping him. Actually paying someone to take him doesn't really offer that much salary relief, especially when you consider how little we may get back vs what he can produce if relatively healthy. He MIGHT be an interesting 2022 trade piece if the Twins aren't contending or have a viable replacement in place. I find point #4 regarding his personality to be interesting. I'm not saying he is a bad teamate. In fact, I think it's just the opposite. Since he was signed young players have gravitated towards him and he has responded with leadership and advice as a sort of mentor. But to coin an old expression, he is a "red ass". His team loves him, and opponents hate him. Think AJ back in the day before Mauer took over and just about every team AJ played for. He has been quite healthy for this year and has basically produced to career norms. I think he is mature enough in his career to recognize and appreciate his DH usage to keep him fresh. And really, this team could maybe use a little "red ass" to keep everyone sharp and determined. I will argue that when he doesn't play 3B the Twins are destitute there, (And yes, I'm hoping for AT LEAST 60% of his games being spent there). Arraez has gotten better there the more he's played there. Not great, but OK. And 3B might be Astudillo's best spot. And this prospect named Miranda may just take over the position at some point in 2022. I'd keep Donaldson 100% unless someone picks up his salary and offers something back you can't turn down.

Interesting idea. And Torres is a young player with BIG bounceback possibilities. But too many question marks and seems to MAYBE be Polanco part 2. Complete pass. Despite being a fan and believer, I'm grudgingly going to admit the talented and athletic Kepler probably peaked in 2019. That being said, I think a slightly different approach, through experience, maturity, and a change in the hitting coach that I think is forthcoming, I can still improvement of what he's done lately. Better health would help as well. Kepler/Twins need a quality RH hitting 4th OF via trade or FA. This is a MUST overshadowed by pitching needs that far too many dismiss. Barring significant growth/change, Kepler should start 120G, and will probably play in 140 as a PH or defensive replacement. He is good to very good used that way as a RF and backup CF option. Call me crazy, but I think the offense is fine for 2022 with what we have, including Kirilloff healthy and Larnach being ready at some point. Not to mention Garver healthy and splitting time between catcher and DH and MAYBE a little 1B. The offensive approach just needs to find a little more consistency. I would be excited, as we all would be if the Twins made a major FA move at SS. But I think they are better served with concentrating on various SP/RP moves...long and short term...and said 4th OF and bringing in a SOLID SS option. Galvin is a guy I'm high on. But I also have to wonder what happened to Iglesias? Did he just suddenly lose it? He could be very interesting.

This list is perfect, though I could see arguements in regard to rankings. But I will comment based on the current list. 3] Ober: He's supposed to be in AAA considering his draft selection and injury history despite video game numbers when he was on the mound. He's worked very hard on his delivery to not only increase velocity, but to just feel healthy after each start. Tall and lanky, he was prone to injury. Suddenly, with hard work, he's found a fluid motion that has not only increased velocity, but he's gained a smooth and repeatable delivery. He's even tweaked his slider delivery on the fly. He's only gotten better the more he's pitched. Just STOP with IP arguements. He's a rookie, still learning, and having his IP monitored not only to protect him, but because the Twins are looking to toss some IP to others. This kid looks like a keeper. And if you don't think so, you aren't paying attention. 2] I was WTH, when Thielbar was brought back. Despite what he did in the Detroit system, I couldn't believe the Tigers wouldn't have brought him back. But he shined pretty well in 2020. His early 2021 numbers with the Twins don't indicate how bad he, and everyone else, were with runners in scoring position. (Inherited runners). But a switch was flipped a couple months ago. And while I still struggle as to how good be can be, and for how long, he has looked really good yet again. (Same as Duffey). 1] My single, biggest arguement with Rocco is in regard to Arraez. The , unfortunately deceased Bell, told Rocco to put him at #1 every day. There is a very wrong and disappointing misnomer, that being a "ballplayer" means you have grit but not ability. And that is SO WRONG! Arraez is NOT a superb athlete. He is NOT a power hitter or speed demon. But he is a BALLPLAYER! Has anyone taken time to actually look at his career? Or do they just casually gloss over reality? He's been asked to play LF/3B/SS/2B since he was brought up in 2019. And his attitude has been: "play me and give me a glove". And I've watched him since the day he came up. Do you realize his initial LF instruction was touch the wall and then step back 20-25 feet? He is still only 24yo. The more he plays, the better he is defensively. But 2B/3B/LF/DH he needs to be in the lineup for 500 AB or so! Bell bad it right! And Rocco needs to figure that out! Additional underrated? I didn't expect Jeffers to replicate 2020. Too much too soon. But you can see the ability and the potential. Garver showed yet again what he can do when healthy. Let him split time and DH and MAYBE play some 1B. If you actually look at the numbers, Donaldson has actually produced. He needs to continue to play 3B as well as DH. In fact, one of the biggest "problems" the Twins may face is finding enough playing time with a healthy and young talent group of Kirilloff, Lanrach and Miranda. Have to give a shout out to Farrell and and Minya and Coulombe. Their future is a mystery. But did anyone see them actually producing for 2021, much less be an option for 2022? Oh, sorry, almost left Alcala off the list, we've seen good and bad. But we've seen mkre good than bad recently.

Only got to watch a couple of the middle innings, which was great as we had the lead and the pen was performing. I can't and won't comment on the umpiring as I didn't see enough. What disappoints the hell out of me as I had this wonderful post half composed in my head about the way the Twins can beat the Yankees is jump on a red-eye to N.Y. for a single game, arrive with little to no sleep, then throw a bullpen game to win. But, alas, it was not to be. The strange perception I take out of this game is Colome. He BLEW IT. No question. And it sucks and hurts, and not just because I had a fun post planned. If Colome had pitched the whole season like he has since June 1st, would we have such vitriol? We might still have a blown season because ONE GUY isn't to blame for 2021. IF Colome had been what was expected, he'd still have a few bad games here and there, including today. But fan/public opinion might be very different. Look, I wouldn't be surprised if Colome was brought back on a smaller contract based on his career, and what he's done since June. (Should be a smaller contract IF it happens). There is potential for him to be an experienced middle guy. And I wouldn't be surprised if both parties just walked away because it just didn't work out. But what I find humerous/interesting is if both sides walk, there will be someone who looks at Colome's career, and his much better 2/3 of a season and think they got a smart signing. If he has a great 2022, do we, as fans, then gripe we didn't keep him? Understand, I'm at BEST keeping Colome at 50/50. I just think perspective in a horrible, disappointing season is difficult to quantify. Fans deal with emotion. A FO and coaching staff see things differently. Just tossing this out for conversation sake and interest. This game still stunk!

Just a little better control, a little more consistency in his slider to keep getting LH out, he has a real chance to be a quality BP piece. I agree that I'm not pencilling him to start 2022 in the pen, but I can see him being quite valuable when brought up a month or so in and allowed to handle middle innings initially. I do think there is a real chance someone like Coulombe, Thorpe or Smeltzer could make the initial roster, giving us 3 LHRP to begin the year. Now, I'm not necessarily saying all or any of those guys are protected on the initial 40 man roster...maybe none...but I have doubts as to all of them going elsewhere either. So between protected or invited, I see the potential of a 3rd LH breaking with the team and Moran coming up later. But, I'd be very happy if he worked hard this offseason, had a great ST, and the Twins just went with him. I have a real conflict in regard to Colome, and not because he blew the Yankee game today. Ugh! Since June he's been about as good and reliable as he's ever been. He's pretty much been the guy we THOUGHT we were signing. Whether his option was picked up, or signed to a smaller deal, I can't argue too hard about having him back as a veteran arm. Not sure fan backlash is real. If he pitched in 2022 like he has been, like he has before, I think fan "forgiveness" would happen. But I also agree that maybe it's just time to move on and he could be replaced. I sort of disagree the Twins need a "closer". I think they need a RHRP to team with a HOPEFULLY 100% Rogers as a FIREMAN of equal ability. I think we've learned that a traditional closer role isn't necessarily as import as a high leverage fireman.

I was impressed with how Jax responded. He could have allowed himself to be rattled but he didn't. He went out and threw 5 more really good innings. Does make me wonder why he didn't get another one though, considering the pit h count.

OK, I finally am caught up enough to say I love a post and say THIS! They absolutely had to re-build the pitching staff. I know Berrios is gone now, but the Odorizzi and Maeda trades were brilliant. In fact, despite the suspension interruption that was a major bummer and complication, the idea of singing Pineda on a rebound deal was very smart. Borderline brilliant when you look at what he's done when healthy. I think the biggest problem in regard to "decisions" for 2021 is retrospective. And that's not really fair. Again, while we didn't all agree on every choice made, most of us, and the "experts" thought they made smart moves. Proves back of the napkin smart ideas just don't always work out. Agree with what is sitting at AA and AAA. There are a lot of kids getting ready and could be ready really soon.