DocBauer

Yes, I absolutely 100% feel the Twins have been a victim of bad luck. They have had a covid issue, they have had a number of injuries including multiple in the same game and I think you could even make an argument that 2 weeks of day games to begin the season took the team out of normal routines, especially when they started to slide and maybe could have used some infield or batting practice. They've also had a number of weird bounces and hops and lame duck bloop hits, and seeing eye grounders, etc, that have victimized them in crucial moments. And these things absolutely could and probably did lead to some tough losses and might have lead to the cascade of losses that now make this season look like an apparent lost year. BUT...not including vast injury issues...tough bounces, blind singles, bloop hits and weird bounces happen to every team and balance out overall. What is NOT bad luck are fumbled grabs, poor throws, hanging pitches with 0-2 counts and ineptitude to put a ball in the OF with runners on 3rd and no or 1 out(s) or a failure to even advance a runner in crunch time. Weird things happen in baseball at times. What's truly weird to me is a sudden collapse of so many players and such bad performances all at once. You expect to see bad years, bad weeks, even bad months here and there. But a virtual collapse of performance in all areas for a talented team expected to contend like this is something I've seldom seen. Unfortunately, reminds me of the Twins in 2011, but maybe even worse. I don't think Baldelli just became a poor manager or Johnson just suddenly became a poor pitching coach. I don't think the "talent" of the players just suddenly evaporated like vapor in the air. But a successful team is a result of many pieces of a puzzle put together. Once in a while, you build what appears to be a good team, but the pieces just don't fit right. You add some bad luck like injury situations and the such, suddenly you have the 2021 Twins.

Maybe it's hopefull naivete, but I still like Dobnak based on the majority of his work thus far...a rookie who has flashed but had some bad days...and his new, still developing, slider. He needs to continue to get innings and be stretched out and get a shot. In a lost season Happ and Shoemaker aren't part of 2022 and beyond. I think he has a shot to be a solid bulldog back end SP who MIGHT rise to #3 status if he can truly harness that slider. Thorpe is more of an enigma. He WAS projectable his entire milb season even after 2 missed seasons. There was enough velocity, stuff and numbers including K numbers, to indicate he had a future as a SP. Then came 2020. However, he came in to 2021 with a better frame of mind and a body that was in great shape to match his new attitude. His first start with the Twins was solid. He seemed even better in his 2nd start and it was unfortunate he was credited with 3R as 2 inherited runs scored when the pen couldn't come through. After it was reported his velocity was in the high 80's after being in the 90's in ST, he stated he had a "dead arm" despite pitching solidly. Now, it's not uncommon for any pitcher early in the season to have a short stretch where his arm feels that way. It happens. You've been ramping up, pitching, lose a little velocity, and then the arm just recovers like any part of the body does/can and suddenly the velocity comes back again. Again, not uncommon. But why isn't he starting for St Paul? If they still believe he has a real shot, and want to bring him up as a SP as they have done twice already, then why isn't he in the Saints rotation? This perplexes me to no end. IF the Twins want him in the pen, then fine. Move him there and let him cut loose with velocity and be the best RP he can be whether it's for one inning or two. But until you make that final determination...and I wouldn't at this point...put him in the rotation and ride him. The Saints rotation, by mid-season hopefully, will have a couple live arms joining them with big upside. But who does Thorpe block at this point? Nobody. Let him start!

I was not a big fan of the trade at the time as I felt the 2018 Twins had more talentthan their record and had a shot to be pretty good in 2019. And, as it turned out, the Twins WERE very good in 2019 and ended up with a solid bullpen, overall, to finish the season even though the first half was held together with duct tape, bailing wire and overuse of Rogers. However, the arm talent of Alcala is tantalizing, even if he never achieves stud closer status. There is absolutely potential for him to at least be a quality set-up man. Celestino is not a direct replacement for Buxton, shoud that occur in a couple of years. But he is a legitimate CF defensively with a budding bat, some pop and a little potential power to go along with speed and SB potential to bring a different dimension to the club. Right now, I would rather have had Pressly the past 3yrs, even though I don't know how much of a difference he would make here in 2021. He AND May this season may have made a difference. But 2yrs from now, I think it's very possible we watch Alcala in the pen and Celestino as a starting OF, or at worst a young 4th OF still developing, and we may see this as a WIN for the Twins. But I think we're still a couple seasons from having a final determination here.

Encourad by everything Ober has done. His injury history is a concern. His lack of pure velocity also has to be a concern. But you can't deny the AMAZING numbers he's produced when healthy. Encouraged by his reported new regiment to make himself just feel better after starts. Despite very obvious physical differences, he sort of reminds me of Radke. Radke threw a little harder, but relied on control and changing his offerings. Same with Ober, with length that probably makes his FB look better than it is. Both seemed to know how to pitch and stay in the zone with their stuff. I'm still unsure right now. I watched Winder in ST and read and watched everything I could about him. I honestly think he's on the same level right now as Duran, Balazovic and Canterino. I know the Twins are having a collape similar to 2011, but I'd be really concerned about gutting the roster, OR, promoting young arms too early. Hard as it is as a Twins fan, I'd really like to wait until mid season to ramp up all of these arms for 2022 with a couple MAYBE helping the pen for the second half. ALWAYS thought the FO was thinking Happ and Shoemaker would be replaced sooner or later by Dobnak and Thorpe with Duran and Balazovic and Winder and others coming up soon. I think Gray has a real shot. The talent and instinct seems to be there. He's off to a great start. But a 2019 draft selection with half a season, then no season, and a hot start? Like a lot of guys, unfortunately, he's starting behind the 8 ball. But a good start so far in 2021! Ditto for Julian! I thought the Twins had a reaĺy good 2019 draft, all things considered. Which means not only is the MLB draft the ultimate crapshoot, but I also realized they addressed a lot of need in the organization and brought in a lot of infield options. Julian is one of them. I know you were only focusing on 4 guys at each level, but I feel there are 3 guys that HAVE to be looked at, even at thjs early point. Cavaco, despite a poor 1st rookie season as a fast riser draft pick has seemed to embrace development in the pandemic and is off to a great start in 2021. We don't know yet where Steer will play. Probably not enough power to be a full time 3B. MAYBE he's just not a good enough glove man to play SS on a daily basis. But it sure seems like this kid can hit and pick it and play just about anywhere . And I have to bring Whitefield in to the discussion. How can you not? I know his 2021 production, so far, could be a mirage. But the Twins didn't sign him simply as a fun story. They saw an ATHLETE with power and speed and defensive ability who MIGHT put it altogether after a few years and turn out to be an quality player. He looked good early and then struggled. Not surprising. He was always a long shot. And a SSS is nothing to bet on....but...is maturity, talent, time spent in ST Paul last season....suddenly bringing about growth and maturation we only hoped for? Hes at least an early season surprise at this point.

Let me make it clear I am NOT advocating for anyone to lose their job. Nor am I placing blame for poor offensive performance on any one man, or two me as is the case here. I am also NOT looking for knee-jerk reactionism to some gut wrenching offensive performances from our 2021 Twins team. I am asking an honest question that I hope will bring honest and reflective conversation. With Rowson "in charge" in 2019 the Twins Bomba squad re-wrote record books. We will likely never see HR and dramatic production again the way we saw it that season. Rowson gone in 2020, weird season that it was, and weird and unexpected performances across MLB, including the Twins, we were still OK offensively but SURPRISE, achieved one of the best records in MLB based on pitching and still had that OK offense. Come 2021 and expectations, our beloved Twins are suddenly, unexpectedly, bottom feeders in regard to current record. And there is more in play here than the offense. But in THIS OP, I am focusing exclusively on the offense. I hope you can do the same. If you happen to be old enough to remember the 70's and 80's Yankee teams, just for example, you would remember Steinbrenner trying to "buy" championship teams. Yes, he ran through managers, often the same ones over again, and pitching coaches. But he also fired, replaced, and often re-hired batting coaches amongst all the turmoil. Just a few years ago, it seemed the Twins had a great batting coach in Brunansky. Suddenly he was out along with Molitor. Rowson keeps being brought up, but is he solely responsible for 2019? Was there really a ball affect? Did the talent on hand just ALL hit peak performance in a single season? Let us not forget that Hernandez was the assistant hitting coach during that 2019 season. Let us not forget that when Rowsen left, the players reported there was no great change and approach with Hernandez still on board and Varela taking Rowsen's spot. Was this true or lip service? Arraez has continued to excel. So has Cruz. AK, before injury, was looking awesome. Polanco has re-found his balance and stroke. Donaldson has been solid if not great. Astudillo has been as good as ever, even as a bench player pressed in to more time played than he should have to, and we've at least seen some improvement from Garver now that he's playing more daily. Like you, I'm confused by Sano. Quality AB with NO production until a big HR today. Is thjs where he turns it around? At some point there is a question of talent, production and continuity.. And the players have to have blame placed on themselves as well. Period! You are either a decent ML hitter or you aren't. And there is a question of approach. The game is cyclical. The days of pure hit and run and bunting are largely gone. Stealing bases like the Herzog teams of the 80's is also gone. But there is a place for those those things. And despite power and launch angle and all the metrics, isn't there just a place for being able to hit a baseball once in a while, hopefully hard where they "ain't" playing? Left, right, power, speed, athletic ability, sweet strokes, good approach AB...where does the issue remain with this underachieving team? So bad clutch hitting, is it the players? Is the approach being taught just wrong? And is it, really, the batting coaches? Or is it just the players all battling issues and slumps?

Just tossing this out there, a Vikings website mentioned 3 potential OL targets that may be available to the team in FA still, and would be affordable. They mentioned OG Austin Reiter from KC, Dennis Kelly from the Titans at OT and Nick Easton, recently with NO. While the Vikings are switching things up a bit from pure zone blocking and maybe "lighter" OL to heavier, more powerful players, it doesn't appear as if they are necessarily changing to a different scheme. And I think that's OK. But Kelly appears to be a traditionally Mauler at RT and doesn't fit system or need. Reiter intrigues me somewhat as he's decent and experienced, and part of 2 Super Bowl teams. Not sure why KC decided to part ways, but they did. The guy that interests me is Nick Easton. The former Viking didn't set the world on fire with the Saints and was allowed to walk. The Vikes, familiar with him, offered a contract earlier in FA, reportedly. Post draft, he remains without a team. He is 2yrs younger than Dozier, can double down and play center as well, and couldn't possibly be worse than Dozier. I would like to think he and Cole could offer up real depth at center and guard and provide better depth/flexibility if not outright better play than Dozier in the middle of the OL. I'd think he'd come pretty cheap at this point as well. As a pair of side notes: 1] 2020 draft choice Blake Brandel was playing at center during rookie camp with a cobbled up OL. Yes, it's ONLY rookie camp, but I find this interesting for 2 reasons. His history/draft profile was a long, intelligent, big frame OK athlete who needed polish and additional strength/bulk who could project as a solid swing tackle who could be a fit at OG as well. Unless I missed something, I never heard reports of him playing/practicing at center last year. And I am ABSOLUTELY NOT saying he will turn out to be anything close to a HOF player, but doesn't this remind you just a bit of the profile of Matt Birk early on? Even if he woukd turn out to be another Dave Huffman, I'd be excited. 2] Despite the plethora of 2020 draft choices, the ONE GUY that really drew my attention was Kyle Hinton from Washburn, a D2 school. If he had been invited to Inianappolis and the pre-draft showcase, his numbers at a Kansas State pro-day would have placed him in the top 5 in every category from BP to 40 to shuttle run to verticle, etc. He was a captain, a D2 All American while playing LT at 6' 2" plus and around 300lbs. Despite playing at a lower level, athletic numbers don't lie. Size, strength, athletic ability, he is almost a clone of former KC HOF and former Husker Will Shields. (Not projection, just factual comparison). He was drafted as a G and the Vikings clearly announced they would work him at center as well. And he sure seemed to have all the tangibles to do so. The fact that Brandel was playing center in rookie camp, IMO, is more about HIS possible projection and development and not about Hinton as an option there. While either, or both, could find themselves on the PS for a second year, I'm finding real intrigue in both of these guys. Personally, I'm betting on Hinton as a real option at G/C now or soon based on just too much talent despite being "short" by normal standards. And even though rookie camp is just what it is, the fact that Brandel is being tried at the pivot tells me they see potential as a real, viable option across the line with a little more time to develop. Again, I just can't help but see the Huffman comparison. I really hope to see Davis paving the way as a rookie starter at RG with Cleveland moving to his more natural left side as the starting guard there. And I would love another inexpensive option like Easton for depth and competition. But I'm kinda intrigued by a couple young kids from 2020 and their potential.

ButI on a related note, following today's Twins victory, ASPN...the Afterlife Supernatural Paranormal Network....reported a record low of 42 degrees in hell today.

And your point on Thielen is why I'm pretty much IN on Westbrook if healthy and inexpensive. Worth the shot. I'm also fully IN on improving the pass rush. I guess I'm just so-so on Kerrigan because I'm wondering if mixing and matching the talent on hand doesn't make sense, especially for the future, and use available funds elsewhere. But I'm OK if they were to bring him on board.

I don't have a ready list of OL available at the moment, but I've been wondering if there is a decent OG still available to compete with Cleveland and especially the rookie Davis. Is Easton still available? Samia has looked awful and may simply have been a poor selection. I can, reluctantly, live with Dozier as an experienced so-so veteran backup but he should never start again unless there was an injury. I'd really like to add a decent G to the equation.

I really hate to discuss prospects after a week or two. Seems ridiculous. Buuuut.... Cavaco is a 5 tool talent and "fast riser " when drafted which is enticing as much as a warning sign of hope and expectation. He bottomed his rookie season. But we've seen this before. Sucks, but not that unusual. Reports are that he took the missed 2020 milb season to work hard, work on his body, and he had a good 5 week EST. WAY too early to project anything, but we should be encouraged. Cano is a Cuban "refuge" for lack of a better term. And we have seen such sink and rise the past few years. As such, age shouldn't matter, especially considering a lost 2020 season. Does he actually have the STUFF to now pitch and perform and and advance and maybe make any sort of difference and impact? Maybe. But a lost season means he has to advance quickly. Not sure that can happen quickly enough at this point. Whitefield was mentioned. I've been following him since the day he was signed. What a talent and what a story. But that doesn't mean squat if he doesn't adapt and produce. But despite extreme SSS, he's been on fire. Has he, maybe, matured and learned a ton on the 2020 taxi squad to make himself a viable prospect?

Let us forget, for a moment, what Polanco has been in the past. Not completely, we just don't need to repeat poor usage of options, or dredge up the death of his grandfather or his suspension. When Polanco has been healthy, he's been damn good. It's been well documented that his first ankle surgery didn't work. Period. He struggled throughout 2020 just being a "gamer". He has been very open that...while the second surgery seems to have been successful...he learned a lot of bad habits while being injured. And he is only now starting to overcome those habits and starting to feel comfortable again from the left side. He is the least of the Twins problems right now. And he may or may not replicate his 2019 HR power production. But even still, yes or no, his value as a quality hitter and producer isn't and shouldn't be based simply on HR numbers. He's just too good of a productive hitter, potentially and based on what we've seen before, to not be encouraged by what we've seen recently as he gets comfortable again. But, even still, he's the least of the current problem. Still, jts encouraging to see him looking like his old self again.

I am so excited for the changes in the milb structure! The opportunity is there for fan base and easier transport to promotion. And the Twins may be the envy of all MLB for AAA moves. No jet lag! LOL But I also lament the loss of Elizabethton and what that franchise meant to the history of the Twins. I've had a serious struggle with the changes of the milb system, as most of us have had. But I can see still see the logic of the change that I can't argue with. And I'm very happy to see the Twins will be embracing the fun and distinction of the Saints being an affiliate. I think that is so very important. The big bitch I have is every X-Mas or February 1st birthday for my father, I order another couple caps of a milb franchise, suddenly, I have to re-work my cap approach. I'm all in with the Saints, but I'm having a problem with Ft Myers. Lol.

I appreciate the OP very much. I'm just not sure how to rank vast disappointment and complete breakdown. The thing is, how could EVERYONE be having a disappointing/poor season all at once? Rogers has his velocity back up and has shown some wicked stuff. But then be grooves one or someone inside-outs a good pitch and you hand slap your forehead. Robles has largely looked OK, but has been inconsistent. How does Stashak suddenly have huge K numbers but no control? And he's always been a solid control pitcher previously. Relatively young and no injuries, what cliff did Duffey jump off of. For that matter, Colome has never been about pure velocity and doesn't seem to have lost any. So how are either of these guys so bad all of a sudden? I get Alcala is still developing. But how can his velocity and slider...both wicked...be so bad against LH hitters? I didn't dislike the Colome signing at all when it happened. But I still would have paid a little more to keep May instead. IMO, the Twins didn't see anyone giving him $7M. I know I didn't, and I even really like the guy. I think the Mets may have been the only team that would have done it, and they did. But here's the rub, other than May, everyone else the Twins let walk has been hurt or aweful. There is an easy list to compile of about 6-8 additional arms they could have signed, or were in on, and all of them are hurt or pitching poorly! Someone please remind me, all of this taken in to account, how the FO screwed up? Who should they have onboard they don't now? And again, how has EVERYONE seemingly collapsed at once? Someone, please, bring in a KFC bucket sacrifice to break thjs curse!

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you John. Second, most of the changes seem really positive, IMO. I, like everyone else, just need to read and play and get used to the changes. My phone already seems to like the new format, LOL. But the one complaint I have to make is the color choices used. Look, I'm a TD fan and follower and devotee and will continue to be one. I believe I've been one since fall of about 2013. I've been here through the good and the bad. And I've been a Twins fan and follower for more than 50yrs through TV, radio, and print media. But the Twins, with all their varient uniform style changes have ALWAYS been red and blue and white with gray mixed in. There has NEVER been any sort ORANGE included. Please keep growing the site, but also, please make changes to this new site that is Twins-centric in regards to presentation! Sorry, but the orange color just doesn't make sense. Various versions of red, white and blue with new gold fit. Orange doesn't.

So the Vikings should have enough $ to sign their draft choices and rookie FA and gain almost another $8M after June 1st the play with and their roster is short the 90 man limit. They are now linked to possible FA additions Ryan Kerrigan/DE and Dede Westbrook/WR. Reportedly, they have reached out to both. There have also been continued rumors regarding Everson Griffen having a potential return. This is the NFL and the Vikings are in a re-tool and not a re-build mode. And despite talent on hand and a couple of seemingly excellent draft years back to back, there remains room to add and improve the roster. My thoughts: WR Dede Westbrook: It all comes down to his knee. Except for some splash as a rookie where Beebe looked like a downsized but interesting version of his father, I just haven't seen anything to make me believe he has a future. Frankly, I've been disappointed and have wondered why he's still around. IMO, Johnson has far out played him. I don't know how to fully predict Johnson's value. It seems he's produced when used as a fill-in starter, but has done little as a 3rd WR. Is that on him, or how he's used in this offense and the play calling? But it seems to me he's done far more than Beebe. Despite watching the career of recent draftee ISM, and understanding his production and athleticism and production, I'm not certain his potential, especially as a rookie. I know we saw ZERO from Osborn as a rookie. There may be some potential there but he's on the fringe right now. I'd grab Westbrook in a heartbeat if his knee checked out. All the more for being re-united with his previous coach. DE Ryan Kerrigan: He's not the player he once was. But he seems to have some gas in the tank. And he absolutely has experience, something lacking at DE other than Hunter, and Weatherly to a degree. He might even surprise on a second chance situation with a defense and DL that seems to have the other 3 parts in place. And he probably comes relatively cheap. My question is simply this; despite experience and tangible qualities, does he really improve the team and production vs what is on board? Weatherly is OK, never should have left, and is now trying to come "home". But he was a solid rotation player previously. Wonnum flashed at times, and he and Jones and Robinson are exactly the kind of young athletes the Vikings and Patterson love to work with and develop. Forgotten is 2020 draftee Willekes who missed last season with injury and might have to settle for the PS, but despite lacking great length has decent speed, strength, a big motor, and still runs around 4.7 and can do back flips to prove his athletic ability and was a proven producer in college. Again, the NFL is about now. But with the talent on hand, thinking about NOW as well as tomorrow, does Kerrigan offer enough experience and production to earn even an easy to swallow contract vs letting loose and developing all the young talent on the roster? Personally, I'm 100% on Westbrook if healthy. I'm 50/50 on Kerrigan, much less the "I'm not sure he's stable" Griffen".

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Olson making his debut after having surgery and then missing 2020 due to the shutdown?

Whitefield has always been one of the prospects that has most intrigued me coming from Australia and being a fast pitch softball player. The skill set is there but I think we always have known he was going to take a while and be a bit of a dark horse to ever fully develop. Athletically, the tools are there. I hope his fast start is tools, experience, maturity as well as gaining a lot being part of the secondary site in 2020. It would be a wonderful story. Good start for Canterino, but I'm also a little surprised he didn't start in AA. Fully understand being cautious about his arm considering the number of IP in college, but that was also 2019. I'd fully expect him to be a fast riser and hit AA by mid season.

Even frustrated and disappointed if we are going to play any sort of "blame game"...which I'm not entirely sure is fair or accurate or productive...then I'm going to place a good 70-75% on the players at this point. Let's go ahead and use Polanco, Kepler and Sano as "targets" in this exercise since they've been brought up multiple times. Healthy, we've seen what these 3 are capable of. And they are young enough to still unlock another level of consistency, if not actual production. But let's just go ahead and say they are not as good as hoped for and not as good as what we've seen at times. We could even state the FO has over-valued their abilities. Not sure if that's true, but I'm working within an arguement of ability and performance as its being laid out here. Well then, each of these three examples have certainly been far better previously than they've shown in 2021 thus far. Can we at least agree on that? So did they just forget how to play to any "norms" they have displayed previously? Or is it the FO and Rocco's fault they simply forgot how to play? Sorry, but I have to put this mostly on the players at this point unless there is something nefarious and incompetent going on behind the scenes unknown to us after back to back wonderful seasons. And I am going to nudge "bad luck" higher than 1%. Injuries and covid has kept the team on the field from being the team expected. Players are human. They are used to routines. Being hurt, or I'll, or out because of "contact" disrupts their routine. A prepondance of day games to start the season also may have contributed somewhat to a loss of normal routine for everything from infield drills to batting practice to normal life and sleep patterns. Do I offer an excuse? Not at all. But if we're going to assign "blame" for things, then we also have to acknowledge all of these factors as well. Rocco and his staff have gotten a lot of praise for the previous two season's success. Deservedly so. And Baldelli has absolutely made a few early season moves that have confused me. But he suddenly lost the ability to manage, suddenly lost the team, suddenly became incompetent after the previous two years? Please. As to the FO, I am a big fan but not an apologist. There were a couple areas I think they got "too cute" or however you want to phrase it in their building of the roster. 1] I was OK with the Arraez move to super utility, betting on a healthy Polanco. It hasn't worked out yet, though Polanco has at least been better as of late. I think Astudillo has been fine, though extended a bit, and I really hoped for an "extra" veteran infielder. But really, this hasn't been an issue thus far. 2] I have faith in the future of Jeffers, but I didn't fully trust him for 2021 jumping from AA and wanted an inexpensive, decent LH hitting option for depth and competition. It didn't happen. I didn't want or expect the Twins to dip down for Rotvedt as an option this soon. Interesting that Garver is now looking much better of late playing more regularly. Co-incidence? Maybe. I like Jeffers a lot, as stated, but I would have had another option brought in. I don't think this has made or broken the season to this point. 3] Maeda has been mediocre/poor, largely, after a tremendous 2020 and an equally tremendous ST this year. And he's never pitched this poorly, to my knowledge, in his career. Berrios is throwing as hard and well and nasty as he ever has, despite suddenly suffering the dreaded "one inning" disease so far. Pineda has looked great. Happ has looked great even though he wasn't my first choice. He, and Shoemaker, were signed for 1yr with the idea of Thorpe, Dobnak and prospects being ready later, plus, the flexibility to replace them in 2022 via trade or FA as well. Shoemaker hasn't looked anything close to hoped for. But was he really a stupid/lousy and inexpensive flier as the 5th SP? 4] The bullpen is a mess. And were I the FO, I absolutely would have spent a couple $M more to keep May over signing Colome, despite inconsistency vs veteran performance. It was my one and only real disappointment. Would May have made a huge difference so far? Maybe. But did anyone really expect Colome to just implode the way he has considering his career and his outstanding 2020?? Duffey really found himself. There was every reason to believe Rogers would find himself again. (Mostly, he has). I thought Robles might easily be his previous 2020 self, and he's at least looked solid thus far. My concern was Thielbar, Stashak and others in middle relief. Even losing May, it was the front end of the pen I was most worried about. But there was potential there, and it appeared they had some depth options to turn to. So I was concerned, but not worried. Instead, we had a late start to AAA and no idea who is ready to promote. Every single bullpen arm has been poor or inconsistent. Did I believe too much in the Twins ability to build a pen? Did they fool themselves in to believing the same? So far, this appears to be the case. But, honestly, who might they have kept...other than May...or signed who would have made a difference? 20/20 hindsight is great but BS. I wanted to spend a few more $M here and there, but the pen has been the biggest part of the team that has struggled. But who could they have signed that would truly have made a difference? Did the FO and Johnson just become incompetent? Or did things just not work out as expected? Sometimes, things just don't work out as expected. But at some point, the players also have to produce. You can't have bases loaded and no outs and not bring in a single run. At some point, you can't score more than a dozen runs after the 5th inning. (I may be exaggerating, but it sure seems like that to me). I'm still putting this mostly on a team that should be much better, but the players on the roster simply aren't playing to their abilities.

I expect no miracles but I wouldn't be surprised if he adjusts quickly. While I've seen very little of him, what I have seen...and read...he seems to have a good swing and good approach. He definitely seems to have a good head on his shoulders. And the power/potential is real. No need for Rooker at this point. He needs to play and work on his defense. Also, Garlick is back. Cave has looked better as of late, more like the performers have seen previously. I wish the roster had an extra spot available for Broxton to play some CF as well against LH. But we'll have to get the best we can from Cave and Kepler in CF for now. Sure would be a good time for Saboto find a groove. Congrats to Larnach!!

Forgetting the fact he was supposed to be picked a round later than he was, it seems the FO not only liked him but felt he might not be available when they selected next. All reports say speed, size, strength, etc. Mediocre pass blocking skills, but what else would you expect for most rookies? (Exactly the player I wanted a round later, FWIW). He was never used as a receiver at Iowa State, but being trusted as a return man, I'd like to think his hands are decent and he could learn to be an option. But he was drafted as a dangerous KR and 3rd string RB who can EXPLODE if given a hole to run through. In other words, he's a more flash and dangerous version of Boone. Combined with the underrated Abdullah, isn't this at least interesting? But he is absolutely a RB.

Any and all of these 4 could, potentially, help and make a difference. Everyone drops down a notch in pecking order and maybe even relieves some pressure. I'm not crazy about making a trade this early as I'm worried about the cost. But then again, not sure any of these teams really expect to do anything in 2021. But might they want to wait until mid-season to better "auction" off their arm? Again, the cost concerns me. On the other hand, desperate times. And this team is too good to do nothing. Further, the system is deep and talented enough to trade away a couple quality prospects in the 20--40 range, maybe 10-40 area, to make a move. I'd do this tomorrow if we could and the value is there. No names because every prospect list is subjective, but let's say a #18 and a #26 prospect. Two quality young prospects from a good system to a re-building team that needs talent. Is that close? Can we keep the top 15 intact? If so, some sort of precedent has been set. I would then consider a second trade based on that precedent for a second acquisition, whether it's another one of these options or a solid middle/set up option from someone. Desperate times. Do 4 of the top 30/40 prospects in the system, keeping the top 15 intact, bring in a couple solid arms in May?

My frustration has turned in to borderline depression at this point in regard to the pen. But I'm also shocked by what has happened. And I don't know that I have any answers/remedies to offer up. But I do think we need to examine/realize a few points. And yes, some of this is just my opinion. 1] The ridiculous move to delay the start of milb means that some of the guys we might bring up and "try" are just getting started. And the taxi squad and alternate site is not a direct substitute for actually playing real games. So, unfortunately, this option might be weeks away. 2] I'm OK with the Greene idea, but, he's unsigned for a reason. He might do well. Why not take a shot. You might get lucky. But he's no savior. 3] As someone else pointed out already, it's just CRAZY that EVERYONE has struggled AT ONCE. How does that happen? If you want a silver lining, then surely the law of averages would see a couple of these guys begin to settle in. 4] I like the idea of making an early season trade to a non-contending team. And there are some interesting options presented in a different thread. But it is unusual to see that happen this early. Desperate times? And this last one I feel really strong about. 5] Exactly how did the FO blow the off-season in regard to the original intent for the pen? Now look you can't predict injuries OR poor performance, but as has already been pointed out, some of the guys NOT signed are already injured and out. How would they have helped us now? Robles was coming off a horrible year, but had his best year in 2019 and a few really good seasons before that. (I'm encouraged by Robles). Colome has been very consistent and coming off his best year ever and is only 31yr old and not some sudden loss of velocity aged veteran. Did ANYONE see him being this bad? Duffey might have been our best arm in 2020. Roger's stuff is there and looks better than last year. But the control or consistency or SOMETHING still isn't right. My biggest concern was the middle part of the pen, Thielbar and Stashak, for different reasons. But hey, you can dip in to your pool for another middle guy or two of you need to, right? Would we really be better with Romo, the injured Clippard or Rosenthal and whoever? And please don't tell me Hendricks. His contract is nuts and I think even LA and NY teams were shocked by his deal. Notice they didn't make similar offers? This goes beyond stinking to the point of suckage. And I am not an optomist for a sudden turn around, even though I am generally optimistic by nature. This is NOT going to be an easy fix. There is no young fireballer waiting to be promoted after a few good weeks to start the year. Go ahead and sign Greene and get him ready if the deal makes sense. But he won't be ready for a few weeks. Work the phones and try to make a deal if you can that isn't nuts. There are at least a few arms who have been at the alternate site who have at least been throwing consistently. Can Colome have an injury? BUT, unfortunately, what you are STUCK with for right now is trying to figure out how to right the arms you have. This is not the FO blowing anything. This is, crazy, everyone just being off and pitching poorly all at once.

Really looking forward to it! I'm excited! I only wish the link to preview the new site had worked so I could have sneak-peaked it. My tablet didn't like it for some reason. Absolutely love the idea of this fantastic site growing!

The thing that has always puzzled me about Rotvedt is we have seen slow starts followed by better splashes of offense. We've heard about good AB and solid approach and a decent eye and pop/power potential. But the overall numbers say mediocre offensive potential. Is it just me, or hope, that just seems to think he's been promoted based on his defense and his offense is about a year behind every step of the way? That's how I've seen him for the last few seasons. DECENT hitting potential with pop/power potential but needing his offense to catch up to his defense. Am I wrong? From ALL milb reports and scouting reports and the few times I've watched him in ST games and his brief ML appearance, he appears to be a well built athlete with power and a decent eye. Does that translate to being a decent hitter at the ML level EVENTUALLY? Maybe. Hopefully. I'd like to think, at worst, he could be a great defensive catcher who could hit in the. 230 range with power. And there is value in that. And I don't expect miracles, but is there enough potential over the next couple of years for him to at least provide contact and decdnt OB? Kid has a lot of potential, whether it be a solid back-up catcher or stud back-up catcher.

Hey Dan, love your analysis and agree with you just about everywhere. But think we are going to differs little bit here and there. Not saying either of us are right or wrong, time will tell, just saying we differ a bit on initial thoughts. Surratt: I'm going to admit he wasn't a guy I knew about, or checked out, until AFTER his selection. He was a fast-riser who some saw as early as a potential 2nd rounder. Why? Athleticism and projectability. The game is so built these days on speed and that athletic potential that he has that Andre David kind of "potential". Only 2yrs at LB and real potential, I'm higher on him than you after watching tape and reading about him. Jones/Robinson: Basically agree with your grades. I like Jones better because of what he's done. But FL State still gets athletes, though they haven't done much with them lately. No clue how good Robinson could be, potentially, but he's an awfully talented prospect to grab where they did to work with and develop. I think both these kids got the Patterson "seal of approval" for kids he wants to work with. Bynum: Maybe I'm just an optimist, and safety depth looked deep and there were guys I really liked, but I'm going to trust Zimmer on this pick. I love an experienced, intelligent, team captain CB being selected to play safety. I can't help but feel this kid is a young Newman-like player Zim wants to transition to safety early. I'm encouraged. **aside: I keep seeing Zimmer and his staff looking at the SAFETY portion of the board and just nodding to one another and nodding in agreement and picking Bynum over the other safeties on the board and making the pick. ISM: I think they got "cute" here and may have made a mistake. Look, I think WR is one of the hardest positions to predict. I think history has born this out. Recent Vikings history supports this, not to mention the NFL at large. There were guys available here I liked better. Period. But there is no doubt this kid has quickness, speed and even some "jumps" to be developed after coming out of a conservative offense. But I've watched his play enough over the past couple of years to give him a solid "C" at this point. He has to develop his routes and route tree better to be anything special, much less good, but there is something to build on. IF he was drafted only with ST ability in mind, it was a bad pick. Nwangwu: Not sure I fully get this pick, but it's not an "F" for me. Every report had him picked a round later. Obviously the Vikings felt he could help and were worried he might not be available if they waited. As a ST player, not sure you could do much better, draft wise. I WANTED them to draft a speedy RB to work with as a ST'er to be a quality #3/4 RB who could bring something different to the offense when used. He produced as a reserve behind a quality starting RB. He produced as a KR on ST. He has a physical build and amazing speed. He has "dangerous" potential when used right and developed. Sorry, no way can I can grade him an "F" based on potential and ability. He's at least a "C" for me on potential. Just my thoughts.