DocBauer

Thank you for a quality post and kind words. Of course, it seems we're mostly on the same page too, LOL. I also don't want "dumpster dives" for the rotation, though I really don't like that term. I have ZERO inside information as to the workings of the FO. But I like to think I'm pretty intelligent. (Some would agree...some might argue, lol). To me the pitching staff was put together in a very intelligent way, despite the results. We all have to remember that Happ has been pretty good for his career and was coming off a very solid 2020 despite being a LH in Yankees stadium. He was, it appeared, a smart 1yr replacement for Odorizzi to compete for the 3rd/4th spot. Shoemaker was a cheap flier 5th spot arm who has been good/very good when healthy. Clearly, the FO saw depth options available in a handful of guys while buying more time for Duran, Balazovic, Winder, Sands, Canterino and others. Not a bad plan/idea. In fact, though it's hard to remember when wearing glasses colored with disappointment hues, Happ looked pretty good early. There was even a little optimism from Shoemaker initially. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. The old nursery rhyme talks about the wheels on the bus going "round and round". Well that bus, carrying our 2021 Twins, hit a number of post-winter potholes the size of sinks and bathtubs to not only flatten a few tires but also break an axel. I'm pretty sure there's even a tire down in the ditch somewhere. And I'm ONLY talking about the pitching right now. Totally agree Dobnak is a SP and needs to be left in the rotation to develop and work. What's he going to do, be worse than Happ or Shoemaker? I hate but understand protecting Ober while also making sure he gets a regular turn and stretches out and builds himself up. Just being 100% honest, he's been far better and shown far more potential than I ever thought. We still have 2/3 of a season to play and work toward. 500 and 2022. But for those who want the Twins to jump-start careers, just remember the milb season started a month later than normal. They have already been very aggressive with Ober. As bad luck would have it, both Duran and Balazovic began their seasons late due to nagging but limited injury. Just give them a little time. Again, we have 2/3 of the season to play and audition yet. And Winder will be at St Paul very soon. He may be joined by Sands. I think the Twins will sign a quality FA SP next off-season or pull off a Madea/Odorizzi type of trade and HOPEFULLY feel good about the development of both Ober and Dobber the rest of the season. And whether 40 man adds or non-roster invites, they are going to have another 4-6 live/decent/good arms from the system to compete. And at least a couple of those arms should at least get their feet wet before this season is done. I firmly believe this team is in re-tool mode and not break down and re-build mode. The talent on hand tells me this. Just sucks the original plan of re-tooling on the fly turned in to a massive bus accident where even AAA is shaking their heads. Colome is probably done no matter what happens. But he was signed for a very good reason, and earned an option year for the same. But even if he suddenly finds himself again...and their have been recent glimpses...sometimes you have to move on for the sake of doing so. Rogers has found himself again, Duffey is looking more like his old self. We are seeing Alcala grow. Again, is a low level prospect better than keeping Robles? There is at least a foundation to build on with the pen. A few weeks ago, we weren't so sure. Pitching wise, I don't think we need a new bus, I think we need repairs and a few new tires to keep those wheels going "round and round" for next year. Fortunately, we have some new tread to try out over the next few months.

Yes to trading Happ, Shoemaker and probably Colome, assuming you can get anything for them. (I say probably on Colome as he's been unusually poor but is showing life as of late. Can he build trade value yet?) I don't WANT to trade Cruz but he may have value to a handful of contending teams and couple bring a decent A level prospect or a AA level pitcher with a live arm transitioning to the pen. IMO, nobody will want Donaldson, not because he isn't z fine player, but because of the contract. And by the Twins kick in enough $ to make a trade palatable, I'm not sure the return is better than keeping him. He's actually, probably, more tradeable in 2023 with some cash to cover a potential 2024 buyout. Sano, IMO is a more likely enticement to teams that woukd be willing to gamble on his production and age, 29yo in July, and some upside knowing how good he can be. But like Donaldson, are the Twins better off then just keeping him? Or do they feel enough roster crunch and want to free up some $ for 2022? Pineda might actually bring back a decent A or AA prospect of similar nature as Cruz, but only if he gets healthy again. Will probably need a SS for 2022. There will be options in the off-season to consider, including bringing back Simmons. If you could get something for him now, take it. Personally, I think re-signing the 30yo Robles for next season will bring greater value than whatever they might acquire via trade. In a year where everything that could go wrong and seemingly has gone wrong, the Twins, unfortunately, don't really have many/any valuable trade assets unless they begin to gut the roster. And even if they wanted to do that, I would expect it to take place in the off-season to allow for better evaluation of the roster and the system. Plus, we still have 2/3 of the season to play. I don't see a gut of the team at this point, if at all. I know it's an unpopular position with a lot of people, but considering the total aberration that I feel this season is, I'm pretty much in favor of bringing back anyone not on a 1yr deal while continuing to play the prospects on the roster right now, and continue 2nd half promotions to AAA for a number of players and auditions for at least a handful of pitchers once Happ, Shoemaker and potentially others are gone. THEN we consider a couple keybp FA signings and maybe a trade or two if it makes sense.

"Paging Mr. Serling, Mr. Rod Serling...you're wanted in the Twlight Room." The Twins have won 3 In a row and have generally been playing much better the past few weeks, even with a few bad losses. They're also get healthy again. Now, it's far too late for any 2/3 of a season "back in contention" miracle, but what a possible .500 finish while building confidence and momentum for 2022? And how about continuing to get experience for Jefffers, Rotvedt, Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, Alcala, Dobber, Ober and anyone else we haven't seen yet but will? Three quick thoughts: 1] Despite some HR issues, including the one he gave up Friday night, Alcala is gaining trust and growing up right in front of us as a legitimate BP option. 2] I think you are either a believer in Dobnak that he can be a reliable back of the rotation bulldog who will always take the ball every 5th day and give you a solid chance...eventually...OR, you just aren't a fan. Service time-wise, I believe he just lost rookie status. But he still only has around 120IP in his young career and has shown stretches/games of being quite good. He gets a little more consistent I like him at the back of the rotation. 3] Except for 2020 and a few appearances early this year, Robles has been a fine RP. And he's still 30yo until August 13th. What is his future worth to the Twins? Is he more valuable being traded for an A level prospect or re-signed for 2022? Personally, I'm in favor of keeping him for next season. FINAL NOTE: I have really enjoyed listening to Perkins in the booth the past couple of games and would enjoy hearing him more.

My only problem was choosing to give up on Anderson so soon. I liked a lot of things about Wade and if he was a little better in CF and RH I might have been upset about the trade. But really, with Kirilloff and Larnach joining the ML club now, where would Wade have fit? I just think the 40 man roster game hasn't been played nearly as well as it's been played before and should have found some way to keep Anderson for at least the rest of the season. It does seem like the Hamilton kid has supplanted him in the Twins mind.

A good list and very little arguement. I would bump Canterino up a spot or two and drop Sabato a spot or two. Nothing against Sabato, who I think hcould be dangerous, but I want to see a little more production and I think being a 1B/DH knocks him down slightly at this early point. Wondering, considering youth and past rankings, where would you place Javier now that he's healthy and looking like he might finally be growing in to the productive player everyone has always dreamed of?

Look, Maeda is NOT himself right now. He may or may not be the pitcher we saw in 2020. But career numbers and his ST performance and injury would tell you he's going to rebound. Berrios has been a rock, despite some ups and downs. For the 100th time, he's still 27yo plus and is a 2 time All Star. Again, for the 100th time, he and the Twins have changed his work out routine to allow for a full season of endurance and performance. And we haven't seen the results yet after the weird season that 2020 was. He may or may not ever achieve the ACE status that so many wish for. Me included. But despite some very good prospects rising, you can't ignore what you already have. If the Twins don't give him a 4 or 5yr deal for something close to $18-20 per they are being stupid. Someone else will.

I like your post but am going to slightly disagree. I've read, heard and seen in regard to AK at 1B. I keep hearing he could potentially be a Gold Glover at 1B and carry on a great tradition of outstanding Twins 1B. And there's nothing wrong with that! I just think he's undersold as an OF. I've seen nothing negative to tell me be can't be a solid corner OF. And right now, I just don't want to pigeon hole him at 1B exclusively. What's wrong with letting him continue to play both and we'll see what the future brings? I believe in roster flexibility.

You stoll my thunder Stringer! LOL I have literally been thinking about the EXACT same topic a lot recently but hadn't sat down to post. I think...word for word...you just about nailed every thing I've been thinking about. I will say I disagree on the catching time share. I think we have too SSS this season to say it can't or wouldn't work. Remember, Jeffers is still a rookie and has stated recently he wasn't feeling great at the plate and found his stroke, with a couple small adjustments made, when he was over in St Paul. And let's not forget Garver was coming off a poor and injury plagued 2020 to begin the year and just seemed out of whack. Further, Garver did just fine when file-sharing with Castro previously. So I think there is merit to the time-share idea, I just don't think we need to use it the way originally planned. That all being said, I think Garver should be the backup catcher and see most of his time at 1B and DH come 2022. And understand, I think Garver is just fine behind the dish. I have little problem with him as a catcher. I'm not looking to "demote" him, simply looking at logical roster construction for the future and the best use of talent. The fact that Garver has had a couple concussions and then had this recent, awful injury just fuels my idea of transitioning him. But, of course, this is a non-starter arguement if we didn't have the young, talented and promising Jeffers on hand. *Note: I am not including Sano in this discussion for a variety of reasons not the least of which being that he's not really part of Stringer's original OP intent. Whether he's traded or kept for the duration of this season, I think it's a very safe opinion that Cruz will not be back in 2022 for a variety of sound and reasonable reasons. And with Larnach and Kirilloff and Garver, as we are discussing, I'm really not sure the 2022 Twins should be necessarily entertaining the idea of adding a replacement. Get Garver in the lineup daily as a DH/1B and backup catcher. Let the DH spot be fluid with the talent on hand, even if Garver might get a majority of the time there. Who ever said the DH had to be ONE GUY? I think back to the days....NOT playing "old man back in my day" game...where TK had Bush and Larkin as primary DH's but each played in the field and regulars also got half days off by being a DH here and there. Again, if you have good talent on hand and a deep and versatile roster, why do you have to have just one guy fill that spot? Worried about having to lose your DH in a game if you make moves? Nope. Because you might still have Astudillo as the last man on the bench. Or, you may just keep Rortvedt as your true #2 while still having Garver available. Depending on roster construction, while it may sound crazy, there is a chance you could have 4 guys on the roster who could catch. And I know that's not a popular idea, but just think about SOMEONE being the SS, Astudillo is on the bench, Garver has more or less taken Cruz's spot and you keep Rortvedt as a true #2. (Don't hate, I'm just spitballing here). Rortvedt could also be at St Paul as he's still so young and may be better served playing daily there to begin 2022. Barring trades we can't even begin to speculate on at this point, I believe in keeping proven talent that is cost controlled. I just wouldn't trade Garver unless blown away. Transition him to DH/1B and backup catcher. Let Jeffers be the primary. Right now, we have tremendous depth at catcher, 1B and OF. While we have questions about a true SS for 2022, we have some depth and versatility there as well, especially if Gordon continues to be healthy and continues to develop. (Someone PLEASE get him on a weight program and feed him some extra protein that works within the framework of his new diet)! The pitching is a different arguement for another day. And hitting coaches and approach is also a different arguement for another day. But we know and have seen what a healthy Garver can do. Transition him, keep him, and let him rip.

Protecting Ober's arm, which I kinda get. But only to a degree. I would have given him one more. But protecting his arm and a chance for Thielbar to get back in a groove with a day off tomorrow? I get it.

Ober confuses me. TREMENDOUS numbers and peripherals for his career but injuries hold him back. He misses ALL of 2020 in regard to the secondary site and the instructional league but works hard on his own to find and refine a delivery that maximizes his delivery and prevents injury and soreness the next day. Suddenly he's in the 90's with control and movement on his stuff and looks like the best young pitcher we've seen in a couple years. I know it's SSS, but I haven't seen anything yet to tell me this kid isn't an actual ML SP option. I honestly think this kid may be a keeper. But other than protecting his arm for the duration of the season, he should have pitched another inning, even with a day off tomorrow.

Garver as a backup catcher and at 1B and maybe primary DH in 2022?

Jeffers!!

Hiya gang. Not sure I can stick around to the end, but had time to pop in and say howdy. And I will take credit for good karma for that Cruz HR. Lol

I am and have pretty much always been OK with pro athletes earning as much as they can. (I've ALWAYS objected to the "this is it " mantra that I can't do anything the rest of my life at 35yo BS). And Hunter is AMAZING and may be the best DE in the NFL. And he's still young! Healthy, he may be a HOF player who re-writes records. But come on, after a serious injury and missed season that could affect your entire career you want a raise? Sorry, but that bothers me. And despite the millions and billions that is the NFL....and the salary cap will absolutely rise next season.....you can only have so many $20M players on your team before the cap implodes. But I'm glad he's "in the fold" again. Richardson is unexpected. I really thought they would spend some $ on a veteran DE to help with the defense rather than trust Weatherly and a bunch of kids with potential. This is all very exciting to me. We COULD have an amazing DL. But we are suddenly 6 deep at DT with no room for Watts, Lynch or Twyman? Are we only baking on 1yr vs the future? And does signing Richardson mean we don't have $ for another OL signing to compete/delete Dozier and add to OL depth? Or does the FO and coaching staff really and truly believe we have a collection of players to actually put together not only a quality OL, but they believe the guys on hand to provide real depth? Hey, I think Hinton has a chance to be a legit interior OL. I think he may have been a major steal. I think Brandel has a chance to be a quality reserve. I'm tired of the FO telling us Odo has amazing potential without playing him. Cole is a legitimate contender for a starting spot or quality reserve spot? Love my Vikings but still not sure I see them addressing all needs at this point.

A good post. And let me say I have a lot of belief/faith in our FO. And previously, they have found some arms that have helped make a difference in the pen previously. Guys who were let go by other organizations and done well here, even for a short run. They've also done a good job developing arms on hand....no pun intended. But I do believe you can end up trapping yourself from previous results/accomplishments in to being "too cute" in your roster construction. Or as you put it, believing too much sometimes that you're the smartest person in the room. Look, the honest truth is that for every journeyman "prosoect" the Twins let go, we could probably show an equal signing of someone let go by someone else. And NO FO EVER hits on alk moves. You hope they do so 70-80% of the time. But when you have a plan....like 2021....that seems smart but goes astray, you have to re-evaluate what you've done. For a team that believes it is a contender, you simply can't believe you can just rely and promote milb BP arms and expect them to perform in outstanding fashion. And you don't have to make a crazy contract move like the Dirty Sox did with Hendricks. What you CAN DO in a lost season is talk to your managers, coaches and scouts and promote and audition certain arms that show real potential to see if they can stick or be ready at some point in 2022. But we can't forget that there only a certain number of milb RP who make and succeed at the ML level as high quality/leverage relievers. Some do. Most were SP who adapted to the pen to excel. Doesn't mean you shouldn't look at high potential arms in your system.

These topics are really off topic and probably need a different thread...and will probably get one at some point...but the discussion is so interesting that I can't help address it. Lol Winder is ahead of Balazovic right now due to their individual starts to the season. Winder will be up at AAA fairly soon and could join Duran in August/September. Sands is more of a 2022 mid to late season or depth option, IMO. By that time, and no insult to Sands, Balazovic and Canterino could easily surpass him for "next guy up". The SS situation is VERY interesting. ASSUMING the Twins find a fill-in SS for 2022, POTENTIALLY there is room for all of Polanco, Arraez and Gordon on the ML roster depending on how it's built. In other words, Polanco can backup SS, MAYBE Gordon also can but he needs a chance to show what he can do. He actually has a healthy off-season, maybe he re-gains weight/strength and his arm may even improve, and he doesn't stink at SS and CF, we MIGHT suddenly have a former top prospect who develops in to a useful utility player. And no reason to re-address the value and usage of Arraez yet again. On the milb side of this discussion, we all realize Lewis isn't going to be ready in 2022 barring some miracle or maybe a late season shot. And to be fair, the delayed milb season hasn't even reached the half way point yet, but assuming/hoping Palocious and Javier continue to perform, BOTH HAVE to be promoted mid-season. To those who might have forgotten, Palacious brought us Odorizzi but couldn't hit in 2yrs at AA and was cut by the Rays and re-signed by the Twins, he's only 24yo just might be ready for AAA in a few more weeks. Could he be a "late" developing player at only 24 who could be a factor? And we all know Javier's story so no need to go there. But the obvious secondary move is to give him half a season at AA. Right now, he's one of the best milb stories in a season where the ML team is disappointing but the system is offering some good feelings. It never used to be that the promotion of milb RP brought attention, much less hope. But since the game has changed so much, the bullpen has become far more key to the fortunes of the parent club. So when we look at the current state of affairs at the ML level, the ideas of Anderson, Hamilton, Cano, Moran, Mason, and Neff....who you mentioned....getting promoted shouldn't be easily dismissed. Really stinks Colina may be out for the season because he might already be up.

You bring up some interesting points to consider. 1] I thought Colome was a quality signing at the time, and as you mention, he was coming off 5 fine seasons, including his best season ever. Is he toast at 32yo? Maybe. But he's never been about velocity. Considering he has ZERO trade value, you either need to DFA him at some point to audition someone else, OR....and I can't believe I'm saying this....you need to see if he can find himself again the rest of the season and maybe warrant a look-see for 2022 if he looks like his old self. (I'd probably dump him and audition other arms at some point]. 2] Conversely, I thought the Robles signing was a possible key addition for this year coming off a terrible 2020. And he's been, largely, quite good. So what is his trade value vs keeping him and maybe re-signing him to a 1yr deal? And I'm not saying they should trade him or keep him, just that there are things here to consider. (I think he's a possible re-sign on a 1yr). 3] The "loss" of giving up on Littell too soon...which I think they did...may not have any long lasting implications. But it does make me reflect on the future of Stashak. While not possessing a long history of success, he was good in 2019/2020 so does he get dumped this off-season vs a similar growth bounce back in 2021? Just a few things to consider.

There may be reasons that we will probably never know. But this is one case where I think the FO just blew it. He was relatively young, had some milb success and then a great 2019 in the pen. To me, you discount almost everything negative that happened to a player in 2020. Then you add the elbow issue. You keep a guy like that for a hoped/expected rebound unless you thought his elbow was toast for some reason. I don't expect the FO to be be perfect and hit all the time. But they blew this one.

All I know is, in a lost season, for a brilliant moment, the Twins won in brilliant fashion. And that's why we love baseball so much. Those moments. Nobody gave up, or has given up. Now, focus on the remainder of 2021 and get ready for 2022.

You left out Aggie as a converted SP who turned in to an outstanding RP. I am pleased the staff is tossing Alcala out tbere in high leverage situations. I mean, really, at this point what do You have to do other than develop and get ready for next year? Rogers is looking better. Duffey is looking like his "old self". Robles is either a trade candidate for a marginal prospect or someone you would bring back because of stuff and career numbers. Alcala's velocity and slider look REAL! But YES, he needs something else despite IP and experience. We forget sometimes what a "change" is. Does he need a straight '"change up" or a split pitch or a cutter or a "slurve" variation, Maybe he needs to talk with Duffey more. Maybe this is where Johnson starts to re-earn his reputation . Let's get Alcala ramped up for the future even if there are some growing pains.

Polanco, similar but different move to 2B is much like Mauer's initial move to 1B, it takes time to adjust. He has flashed real ability at the position but it still takes time to settle in. He needs time, he's already flashed. Simmons was a smart signing at the time. His offensive numbers, lest we forget, improved the past few seasons. And again, less we forget, were well above average or his career numbers when the season started. Of course, regression was in order. But coming off his IL time, his offense has been at an All time low and I'm not sure the defense has been quite the same. Has he lost interest? Or is he just struggling? I still like the plan of Polanco being a 2B with Arraez being a versatile utility player. But it does kill me amongst everything that has gone wrong in 2021m that Galvis with the Orioles looks like he could have been the better signing. (Sigh) I ABSOLUTELY believe Lewis has everything needed to be a quality ML SS with premium offense and at least decent if not good defense. But we can't deny he's at least a year away now due to injury. I could be WAY WRONG, but it just feels like Simmons isn't a "fit". As if he and the Twins just don't mesh well on a "personality" level. And maybe it's just a bad year for everyone. The Twins need a SS for 2022 and maybe Simmons just loves being here and will re-sign. But I'm starting to think he might need to move on and the Twins need to find another option for next year. If he's actually happy here, then keep him. Use your payroll for other spots. Plug him in at SS for one more year and worry about the rest of the roster. Even with diminishing skills he's still a solid SS. Otherwise, get what you can and let's see what happens in the off-season.

1] DE: Weatherly never should have left. He knows that now, barring a surprise in growth he's a reserve who is solid. He COULD surprise and I'll give him that. But he could also be cut. I just don't see a future for Holmes unless he suddenly cranks his game up a notch or two. Wonnum shows real potential, I really liked the Jones pick. He, like Wonnum, is a perfect fit for the system and a guy for Patterson to work with. Robinson is the same, with as much potential, but comes from a power 5 team on a downward trending team that maybe/probably didn't utilize and develop him properly. Do you dare cut a 4th round pick hoping for a PS spot? I don't think so. When the Vikings don't put Mata'afa at NT, he's been productive as a reserve. He played more DE in 2020 and flashed a bit. He could be an ideal 5th or 6th DE who can still slide in to the #3 spot here and there. Speaking of an ideal fit for the last DE spot, Willekes is coming off a missed season due to injury. And no matter what he does in camp and pre-season he's probably a best fit for the PS in 2021. Everyone forgets about him. Award winning and productive, he just doesn't have amazing speed and length that make him a top draftee. And he wasn't, He was selected at least one round later then projected, if not two. Heart, determination, smarts, production are/were excellent. Overall numbers were solid. Videos show him doing back flips, yet he was reported as a bad athlete. But missing a season he's probably, again, a perfect PS stash. There are a couple veteran DE we can sign to make a difference for at least 1yr. I'm OK with that! Reiter is very interesting to me. I'm not sure I trust Cole as anything at this point, I love the potential of Hinton. The Vikings seem to like Brandel as a multi-position depth piece, but may need more time. Reminds me of a young Huffman. Reiter could be a great fit but I also wonder about Easton. Dozier has experience and versatility. He's not a bad run blocker. But can't we look towards getting better than him whether another FA or developing a couple interesting internal options?

On the surface I agree with you. But unless we suffer massive injuries to the secondary yet again, I just don't understand some of these latest signings, even if Gladney is gone for a few games half a season, or the whole season. FWIW, I don't want to debate the charges against Gladney. I believe in due process and hopefully the truth will come out of what he did or claims he didn't do. But even without him I have faith Peterson gets new life with a new team. Alexander is only a year removed from a system he knows well and the one guy I really wanted them to keep. I don't feel Breeland is a STUD, but he's solid and experienced, Dantzler looks like a keeper. Hand showed flashes last year and seems to have potential and a future. Boyd is nothing special, but he shows some potential after 2yrs and has carved out a ST role. So even if Gladney IS gone for a time, I'm just not sure I see a need for 11 CB unless they plan on converting someone to S or hoping to carry a couple guys on the PS for depth. I love depth, But kind of feels like they may be over doing it at CB vs other spots.

Hmmm, 14 to 12 I think you might be under-selling. But to 8th I totally agree. I find it slightly humorous the run this topic has had. If "trader Rick" REALLY liked Fields that much he would have coughed up more. At least next year's 2nd rounder. I believe he was just kicking tires and seeing what would happen. Obviously nobody bit or countered, BTW, do we know 100% that was the offer? I have ZERO belief at this point that Mond will turn out to be our QB of the future. And I say that with due respect for talent and possibility. But then again the world has changed and how many 1st round QB have we seen continue to disappoint while 2nd, 3rd and 4th round selections like Wilson and Prescott emerge? Personally, I think Cousins is pretty damn good. The numbers say so despite a poor OL. NOT saying he's great, awesome, etc, but a poor OL and how many offensive co-ordinators just since he joined the Vikings? Offensively, Zimmer needs to find something/someone that works. It feels like he and the team have been scrambling ever since Norv Turner stepped down. Stafanski seemed to the answer and then he got a HC job, I feel, despite solid numbers, that Kubiak was on borrowed time ready to retire. Is his son Klint ready to take over and bring new ideas? And if the answer is yes, then the offense should be better and more consistent. Consistency means better results, but also better and more consistent development for a kid like Mond. He's already a better backup than we've had for a couple years, even being a rookie. But he gets to sit now for 2yrs behind an experienced veteran. In theory, he gets to learn a system in place that won't change yet again. He has the arm, athleticism and pro-college coaching that could lead to real development. (I've heard reports that his pro coaching in college may have been TOO stiff and he might relax and let his natural talent come through still). Who knows if Mond will develop and turn a corner over the next 2yrs. But he at least has a chance. If the Vikings FO REALLY loved Fields that much, they would have offered more, IMO.

We won! You can say "small victory" but it's still a win. But to me, what I saw, was what this team is SUPPOSED to do. We can lament the season, and we can poo-poo wins against the Orioles and the Royalsm and I get that. But despite some really bad gaffes here and there and a couple really bad performances, and despite massive injuries, the team has generally played better the past few weeks. They haven't given up. There is no way barring a historical comeback that this team contends in any way. My goodness, we're behind Detroit right now! But with health and just playing better, I think we have a shot at .500 while developing and audition some valuable young talent the second half of the season. Moral victories aside, isn't that something to shoot for to help get prepared for next year? Eager to see Ober again, but surprised. I thought Jax was next man up. Looks like I missed something.