DocBauer

Hello gang!

Grilling and supper and clean up done...what I have I missed besides a pair of almost no hitters through almost 5 and a great defensive play by Arraez who supposedly can't play defense?

My prediction? Team leader and sleep specialist Cruz will have the team well rested after an off day and convince everyone opening day was just a bad dream. His personal chef will fix a wonderful pre-game meal to have everyone at full strength. The Twins are going to win game #2 and everything will seem right again in the world.

100%! A veteran RP with a 5yr track record as such from good to elite. A bad game, some close calls, a frustrating loss. Stinks losing the first game when it seemed locked up. But it's also why they play 162. Robles and the rest of the pen looked good. Too much focus on one bad game. NEXT!

I have been turning this idea over and over in my head for WEEKS now! EVERY team was affected by the loss of the 2020 milb season. And every team had their 2nd site. And every team got the end of season instructs. But further, every team also lost some lower level affiliates meaning there will have to be some sort of upward mobility "bump" of prospects in order to keep your best talent. Unfortunately, that also means some guys are going to end up looking for baseball work other places, but we already knew that. In regard to the Twins specifically, I have to wonder about guys like Duran. Super talented, at the 2nd site plus the instructs, does a few games at AA allow him to move to St Paul at this point? Because you also have to look at Sammons, Jax, Ober and Barnes. It seems to me the initial St Paul roster is a bit incomplete and has a lot of veteran arms still looking for opportunity and examination while a few arms may be in Ft Myers ramping up there. Robinson Leyer and Chandler Shepherd appear to be former starters moving to relief, or have begun to do so already. But I see them as temporary/fill-in SP at best. Frankly, despite getting a few appearances in ST, they may have a very hard time making the Saints in any capacity just looking at depth. SAINTS SP OPTIONS, with comments: LH: Thorpe: done deal Smeltzer: done deal Albers: a successful SP oversees. A temporary/swing option? Sammons: 16 decent AA GS in 2019 Barnes: 3 levels in 2019. Appeared in ST games this year. Waddell: Former SP that is being groomed for the pen. Hot ST. RH: Duran: TOP prospect. Talent and instructs enough to move to AAA? Ober: ubelieveable numbers. No instructs. Ready for AAA? Jax: appears poised and ready for a lengthy try at AAA. Gibaut: Former starter being groomed for the pen. Sparkman: Former starter being groomed for the pen. Farrell: Let's just says ditto. MY best guess to open the year? Thorpe Smeltzer Barnes Ober Jax I think Duran has a shot though. Just like the Twins, there will be flux and need and movement. It might be more fun to figure out the Wichita rotation and speculate how many of them are ready for St Paul by mid-season.

A silver lining? It's not his calf. It happened early in the season and not in the middle of a pennant drive. (Yes, I know all games count). My only concern is not his age, because he is a well conditioned athlete who works hard, but rather that hamstrings can linger sometimes. For now, I will take the word of Donaldson and the Twins that it doesn't appear too bad and they are "optomistic" as to how he's responded at this point. I think the Rooker move is a good one. No need to panic and make a larger move by shuffling the 40 man to add Riddle at this time. Rooker adds an extra bench bat while still playing 2 games in the NL and a 1B option behind Sano. Please, can we avoid another debate about how much we do or don't like Astudillo? The Twins at least sorta like him, see some value, and he's in the roster. If you listened to the season preview podcast the other night, Seth and Nick alluded to Astudillo as now being an infielder who can catch. I think that may be an accurate description. Further, while no disrespect to Arraez at all, Nick's opinion was that Willians might be the better "backup" 3B defensively. Having watched him there the last couple of years, I think there is some merit to that arguement. I'm not trying to sugar coat how much this sucks, but the depth of the team is such that the Twins can weather this setback if it is truly short term.

Betting Wiel and Celestino are in Ft Myers

Losing game 1 hurt because it's game one of fun and optimism and it seemed we had it in the bag. And there was a lot to like from Arraez and Kepler and Buxton and most of the pen. Honestly, I'm PO'd with Colome. But he has been great for about 5yrs. So this was a horrible first appearance! But it's still 1 game, no matter how bad it was. Not going to bang on a quality RP for ONE GAME. But it was disappointing. But one game is not enough to bring panic to 1 game.

Once in a while, I forget if I've commented on a post or not, lol. I guess I didn't as I ran through everything here and didn't see myself. (Unless I was self-blinded somehow). But I really enjoyed most posts. Very interesting stuff and perspectives. The All Star game has always been a popularity contest. But it seems to me, years past, there was more immediate knowledge to the voters to make selections. I guess the saving grace the last decade or so is the staff and bench usuaĺly actually being deserving. To the OP, can Dobnak be an All Star? Yes, based on his story and continued growth and experience. Deserving? Probably not. And I'm saying this as a fan of Dobber. He's shown in his short career...and bullet rise through the milb system...that the Twins may have a "decent" arm to work with. A guy with a floor as a 6th SP who could rise to 5th SP option with enough potential to MAYBE be a legit #4. But you don't have to be a baseball savant to look at his new slider and how wicked it looks to realize/speculate just how good he MIGHT be with his control and GB tendancy combined with AT LEAST a few more K's. If he can maintain that new slider consistently, we are talking about a LEGITIMATE #3 SP. And that's crazy to think about, but so is his whole story. But the craziest part is, the Twins said, "try this". And he did. A few days later he used it and it was suddenly a potentially devastating pitch. Just days later! And I know the whole "ST doesn't matter" mantra. Except, he wasn't throwing it in just junk time. He was throwing it against ML hitters. Replay shows it as WICKED! I refuse to annoit him to any level at this point. Proof comes over time. But that new pitch with the rest of his ability...how can you not be intrigued and excited about him at this point? Just to re-interate, when have you EVER heard of a pitching coach/staff that suggested a change and a couple days later that pitcher just raked with that change? I mean, WOW, how do you describe or quantify how crazy that is? Only time will tell if he can harness that pitch with everything else he has. Much less how good he could be. I will not predict so much growth and production to be an All Star and don't care. But I dare say he will be amongst the top SP in GS and IP in 2021 unless health/luck blesses the Twins rotation in 2021. Because every rotation ALWAYS needs more than 5. I am also very optomistic that Thorpe is going to be important as the 7th SP and bullpen option for this season. With his head on straight and body ready to go, Thorpe is going to make a difference. But I digress. Dobber may never be anything more than #3 SP. He might take his new slider and become a #2 SP and dominate! All Star? Wonderful idea. Dobber and his family would love the idea. Earning every $ of his new contract for a winning team the next several season's? Priceless!

Bullet point approach: 1] Garlik over Rooker is a surprise to me, despite Garlik's ST, and a bit of a surprise. Did Rooker look that bad the last week? I guess I can understand this move...and it's initial, not permanent...but I would have gone with the younger player with upside. Garlik has borderline great milb numbers but it's never translated to the ML level at this point. Maybe he's ready to do something really good at this point. Maybe this is short term. Maybe Rooker is up before you know it. But despite a great ST, I would have sent Garlik down for the younger Rooker despite a bad week. I would disagree with this choice, but I can understand the initial choice even if I don't like it. 2] Astudillo made it, and I always expected he would. And it makes sense. Despite a few bad streaks when hurt or coming off the IL and getting in a rhythm, he has shown he can hit at the ML level. He's even developed some pop/power over the past couple of seasons. You have a 26 man roster, not 30. When it comes to the last position player on the team, you can keep an infielder who can pick it but not hit, OR, an extra OF who you have to try playing time and AB for, OR, you can keep a guy who can play decent/mediocre defense at multiple positions without embarrassing himself and who can hit some. You don't have to be a fan of Astudillo to rezlize he has value as a fill-in/role player to provide roster flexibility. Not sure if he has a spot beyond 2021 with some guys coming up soon, but he fits a role for now. 3] A few years ago, the Twins would keep Waddell and Law on the roster. But there just isn't room NOW because the pen is filled out right now, even if you have a little trepidation about how well the pen is going to perform as constructed currently. Who would you replace at this time? Further, who would you cut and probably lose off the 40 man at this point when you don't have to cut anyone AT THIS POINT? You don't have to cut anyone RIGHT NOW. Not until there is a need, and THEN you have to make a decision. But not today. 4] Riddell over Lin and Farrell over Law on the taxi squad surprises me. Riddell over Lin must be pure SS decision, but surprises me. Farrell over Law kinda shocks me unless Law tweaked something recently. Always remember, this is the opening day roster, not the one that will be the bulk of the season roster we will see. Every team, INCLUDING contending teams, run through 8 SP or more. They all run through an extra 3-5 RP at some point. They all have a position player or two who gets hurt, washes out, or who isn't ready, etc. * Dobnak and Thorpe are going to play big roles for the staff. * Law, Waddell and possibly Farrell and others, including a couple prospect arms, are going to factor in the bullpen at some point due to need, injury, etc. The FO has built depth options, but there could be a couple rough 40 man moves to be made for them. * Kirilloff, and maybe Rooker, are going to be up at some point. Kkrilloff will settle in as the LF on an almost daily basis by sometime in May. * Gordon and Blankenhorn will help the infield, but hopefully not too much. That would mean our infield stayed mostly healthy.

I watched Dobnak's new slider a few days ago and was as blown away by it as the batters he faced. While I can't remember which OP they were posted in, I watched a couple hilights re-posted and was again just so impressed by what I saw. What we have seen thus far in his short career...77 IP...is a guy who doesn't allow many free passes, doesn't allow big 3HR mistakes, battles, and induces a lot of ground balls. These are all positives that would seem to give him a legitimate floor option as a valuable long man who can piggyback and spot start with a ceiling as a solid 5th SP who might develop/grow enough to be a decent #4 with a little more experience. Now, if he can maintain any sort of consistency with that new slider...and if you haven't seen it you need to...it could be very easy to see him as a legitimate #4 rotation piece with the potential to be a #3. Crazy? Not if look at what he's accomplished so far and how devastating the early returns of his new slider have been. The first few years of his contact pretty much guarantee what he could receive through arbitration as a "good" pitcher. The option years should be a great value for the Twins if he's a quality #4 and nothing better. Look, I am super pumped about the arms in the system. Over the next 2yrs, Duran, Balazovic, Canterino, Enlow, Sands, Winder and maybe Chalmers are going to reach the ML level to one degree or another. (Chalmers may still end up in the pen). And I am re-engaged in my optimism regarding Thorpe. I fully believe he is going to be valuable this season in a variety or roles and could be a legitimate contender for the 2022 rotation as well. I am not predicting greatness for Dobnak, but I am pretty optimistic about a young SP with a new pitch that looks that damn good so far.

At some point this season he's going to be in the rotation and he's going to probably stay there for good, 2022 certainly. Will he be good enough to be a #2? #3? We'll see. But this is great for both sides. And I love the incentives if and when he really takes off.

So let me get this straight. We signed a very nice #4 SP with a very nice career despite being shelled a bit in the bandbox that is Yankees stadium. (Better before N.Y. and a surprisingly good 2020). But a pretty damn good SP before that. Then, we took a cheap flier on a #5 option for depth that can be very good when healthy. But we are worried about a talented prospect that a lot of us really like and are excited about who has been good and looks borderline amazing with his new pitch? We all know this works itself out. Happ and Shoemaker look great! One or both get injured. That is where Dobnak, and maybe Thorpe Check in ahead of the prospects on the rise and look like part of the future. The depth is there and enviable. Just doesn't mean Dobber has to be in the rotation from day one.

If anyone thinks Cave is a poor choice for a 4th OF, and a CF option along with Kepler, then you just haven't watched enough baseball to realize roster limitations. And you are somehow naive enough to believe every team should have a high quality stud backup just waiting in the wings. I'd like to have Broxton around. But athletic talent and a poor ML career except for his first couple of years makes him some MUST? Huh? He might excell as a fill-in or suddenly re-invent himself, and it would be awesome if he did, but he's a milb FA because this was his best option but somehow he's so much better than Cave? Again, huh? Garlik has a legitimate arguement. But how in hell do you keep him over the younger prospect Rooker? The FO has brought in a bunch of bullpen arms that most paid little attention to. Some haven't looked so good. Some have looked pretty awesome. That's what they are SUPPOSED to do. If the biggest problem with our pen is figuring out how to add a guy to the 40 man roster to be brought up, then the FO has done their job well. 40 man to about 50, the depth on this team is what you hope for. When you really have no idea how to keep everyone, much play them, how is this a bad thing? Depth is NOT an issue! The only question is the top 26-30+ being healthy enough to perform to ability. The depth looks outstanding to me.

Understand the only team I'm an "expert" on is the Twins. But I'd like to think I watch enough, read enough, and hear enough to be able to discuss the Dirty Sox with intelligence and perspective. And it's also PAINFUL to give any credit to said Dirty Sox for anything because next to the Yankess...well...they're the Dirty Sox! Lol. But I like their 1st 3 and I like their pen. They have some young, vibrant arms with potential as well. BUT, I think we are giving them a bit of a "fear factor" in regard to young arms. You just can't be concerned about their young arms and not remember to look at the young arm talent the Twins have. It works both ways. Where I disagree with the OP is Berrios vs Pineda. I mean I really, really like the healthy and re-invented Pineda and everything he has done on the mound after a couple mediocre early starts coming off his surgery. And I am very optimistic and excited about a full 2021 from him. But in no way, shape or form would I EVER rate him above Berrios! Matt, are you a victim of "Of course, Minnesota" in regard to Berrios because he hasn't yet turned in to what has been hoped for? You speak about him being 26yo and having potential still and seem to ignore a pair of All Star selections...for what those are worth...and career numbers and all he has flashed thus far, and the vast potential he still has, and like Pineda better? Dude, sorry we can't have a drink and debate in person, but I'm going to say you are wrong and will be proven wrong. I like Happ for 2021, though I'm SLIGHTLY concerned about his ramp up to begin the season. Shoemaker is just such a smart signing! We might get 25 GS, and we may get 14. But every season someone with real talent and production gets healthy again and turns out to be a steal. Dobber offers us a SP that MIGHT be better than either Happ or Shoemaker. And his new slider looks LEGIT! But veteran arms and this depth shouldn't be ignored. Nor should we ignore a couple of quality veteran SP getting a little time and leeway. If the "new" Thorpe is the old Thorpe...and I believe he is...he will be pushing for the next man up HARD. I think Dobnak, barring wonderful health, will be part of the rotation before the season is done, and cementing himself for 2022. That's ONE. Does Thorpe establish himself as a future SP or a bullpen fixture? Or a BP option who slides back in to the rotation? TBD. But I would not be shocked if a year from now we are talking about both being part of the rotation. It would seem the DS have the better pen on the surface due to pure velocity, etc. But I do like our rotation and rotation depth more. I 100% believe Hendricks was signed as the classic closer over Colome due to La Russa. Considering what Colome did for Chicago, is this really an improvement? Does the traditional BP usage work better than the new way that Baldelli works the pen? To me, that's one of the most interesting differences in these two teams. On the surface, it would appear the DS have the velocity advantage. But we all know velocity doesn't guarantee anything. It still comes to getting OUTS. I find both staffs virtually equal, but the Twins having better depth and some guys that frankly, were it 4yrs ago, would already be locked in vs being off the 40 man, give the Twins better depth overall.

Yes, I'm an optomist in general, but Polanco has been one of those "special" prospects to me since signed as a glove-first SS with a questionable bat. (My how things change over time). When the bat started to come on while in milb, he was often one of the best hitters on his team. By the 2nd half of the season, he was often slid in to the 3 spot, or similar, to provide an offensive spark even if be didn't have big power numbers. Right or wrong, the former FO decided be could never be a viable ML SS and began to move him. Then, short of available talent, he basically burns an option year by being promoted and barely used too early. Molitor likes what he sees and puts him back at SS and even hit him 3rd quite often. His initial introduction to MLB wasn't exactly handled with great care but he's worked hard, always been a gamer, and never complained. Forgive my memory, but there was one season, '16 or '17, when we began to see what the bat could become but he also struggled after the death of his grandfather, IIRC. In 2019 he made the All Star team before his ankle issues basically ruined the 2nd half of the year. We all know now the repair to his ankle didn't work and he played on one good leg all of 2020. No need to re-hash all of that. And we can debate forever about how good/decent or bad he is at SS WHEN HEALTHY. Personally, I think a healthy Polanco is OK at SS and I'm fine with him as the occasional backup. I do like him better at 2B, however. What I don't think can be debated is just how good his offense has been and can be with 2 healthy wheels under him. It sure sounds like his 2nd surgery has gone very well. He has more than enough athleticism and talent to be an excellent 2B. And his bat is "complete" as a healthy hitter and even dangerous, though he is stronger from the more important left side. I absolutely agree he will be an All Star at 2B, whether it's this season or beyond. But what's much more important is him just being healthy and doing what he is capable of doing. And I think he's primed and ready to do that in 2021. And beyond.

This was wonderful, Seth. Not only does he have one of the best names I've ever heard for a potential ML'er, but he is bright, enthusiastic and effusive. What an engaging young man! I have a feeling he's one of the most popular players on any team he's on!

Just horrible news for the entire Bell family. Cancer is never a thing to be taken lightly, but I sure thought from the initial reports this was something they had addressed and he had a hopeful prognosis. Love and prayers for the entire Bell family! As far as the game and Happ, meh, he's behind schedule and trying to ramp up as quickly as be can. I refuse to not be concerned but I recognize it's early for him, he has a couple more starts to go, and a lot of times veteran arms like Happ ARE just getting in innings and working on things. We've all seen veteran guys just turn on a switch when the season starts and they suddenly look like themselves. Will that happen here? No way to know. But having Dobber ready to go if he needs a little more time or needs a piggyback is quite the luxury.

Everyone healthy, this is the opening roster that makes the most sense, and has made the most sense for a long time. AK isn't ready YET. But he will be up soon. And this is the opening roster, not the final 2021 roster. So don't freak out! You just can't keep Garlik over Rooker. Funny how some see Astudillo as a fun story and nothing more, and yet the Twins see him as a nice 26th man. Me? I really like him, healthy. Because when healthy, he's a decent fielder and solid bat off the bench as the 26th man. And that's important. 2022 and beyond, he and Cave are questionable. But why do we worry about that now? I LOVE our top 3 SP and really like our 4/5 knowing Dobnak and Thorpe are going to contribute with a couple stud arms in the wings. Bullpen, to me, looks nice with a collection of 40 man options plus. I'm ready for the season to start!

I take nothing negative from Pineda's performance, nor should you. He's just trying stuff, working on stuff, and getting his innings in. Period. Very happy that we finally have a final and positive outcome in regard to Thorpe's extra option year. This is not just good news for the Twins, but as much so for Thorpe. After his disappointing 2020, and there is no further reason to reflect or react, he came to camp in great shape mentally, emotionally and physically. He has shown to the Twins and himself he is ready. There are only so many roster spots available to begin the season. NOW, which version of him begins 2021? Is it the 2020 version who suffered and struggled with "whatever"? Or is he the talented young prospect who lost 2yrs due to injury and illness and fought hard to re-establish himself as a quality/top prospect and who has worked so hard now to get ready for 2021? I'm betting on the latter and fully believe Thorpe and Dobnak will play important roles in 2021 in the pen and rotation while also making themselves pertinent parts of the 2022 staff. As far as Max goes, please correct me if wrong, but hasn't he had a couple bad springs before cranking it up when the season started? Waddell isn't going to break camp unless there is an injury. And I know his appearances were mostly late innings, but DAMN, can't you still be impressed by a relatively young LHP doing tbat well? Watch out Thielbar.

While appearing to be speaking out of both sides of my mouth, I am not worried about the pen, and am actually pretty optimistic, while also being concerned. Why concerned: Losing May. Let's be honest, he wasn't always Mr. Consistent. There were times he'd walk someone and then allow a big double or HR before striking out the side. But there were plenty of times where he was in a groove and could just be nasty. And once in a while you just need that high velocity, high K to come out of the pen. I really would have liked to spend a little more $ and kept him. Even if Wisler has a great year, he's not going to duplicate last season. But he was solid and versatile. The Twins have reasons for not keeping him that sort of make sense, but be was inexpensive enough I probably would have kept him. Forgetting Clippard is out now, we lost a very consistent middle inning arm who has proven himself over and over again. Why not worried: OK, RP are volatile in nature, such is their role, except for the best of the best. But there is no age or injury factor or years of mileage on Roger's arm not to expect a rebound. While I would have liked to keep May, how can we feel bad about Colome? They guy has been very good and very consistent for the past few years. I just bring myself to feel bad we have him. Robles was a poor signing if you only look at his horrendous 2020. But that's true for a TON of pitchers and players from 2020. His last few previous seasons are very good. The scales tip to the positive no matter how hard you look. Duffey started slow in ST, looked good, then had a bad game. It's ST! He's working on stuff, getting his work in, and I'm just not worried until I see something that should make me worry. Frankly, while optimistic, I'm more worried about Stashak and Thielbar continuing to prove they are good. I think they will, particularly the younger Stashak. I'm "worried" how long it may take Alcala to really harness his stuff and show the confidence in himself to replace May. The stuff is there, we've all seen it. We all have our thoughts, which is great, but IMPO, there are no "easy" removals from the 40 man to add additional BP arms unless someone, unfortunately, ends up on the 60 day list. But despite some top young arms like Colina and Chalmers and the possible, temporary, usage of young SP in the pen, the FO went out and loaded up on interesting depth pieces. Who ever heard of Harper, Wisler or Matt Magill before they came out of nowhere the past few years to provide real help for a time? For that matter, who really expected the re-appearance and re-surgance of Thielbar? How about Stashak looking like a keeper after being an OK milb starter? While gone now, what about what Littel did when given a shot? Only time will tell about Farrell, Waddell, Clay and Hamilton, maybe Sparkman, Minya and others. But it's a very interesting collection of arms with ML experience and none. 30yrs old and younger. Decent to excellent FB and sliders and other various other offerings that give St Paul a great introductory season BP while providing depth for the Twins. I get a kick out of "secret sauce" and it gives me a chuckle. What it really means is a collection of great coaches, given great data, and a collection of arms to work with and develop. But quick now, tell me the last great RP you can think of that was a RP all through milb and dominated at the ML level? Even just limiting it to the Twins, despite some successful role players, the best of the best were former SP. The nucleus is in place for an excellent back 4. There is the potential for a really good middle ground, with some exciting arms getting close. There are some really interesting depth options who could surprise given need and opportunity. (Again, a potential 40 man crunch). Secret sauce? No. Just some really smart baseball people with the Twins. Concern? Yes. I want to see the transition take place and work as well as hoped for. Worried? Not at this point.

I've been waiting to hear but missed it somewhere. I can assume now, apparently, that Thorpe was indeed awarded the extra option year, yes?

I am telling you, for the record, we have not seen the best of Berrios yet. He hasn't won a Cy Young yet at 27yo so fan hope has lead to hopeful expectation that he hasn't reached yet, and therefore, to some, he's been a bit of a disappointment. Not bad by any means, but he remains only "solid". With his experience and work ethic, an adjusted training schedule, a few more mechanical tweaks, he's about ready to show us how good and consistently good he can be. It sure woukd be nice to find common ground for a fair/expensive extension because his value is only going to increase.

I think this was the right move at this time and I don't believe it had anything to do with service time. I also don't think this in any way diminishes the Twins opinion of him or that he loses any luster off his prospect status. The kid is going to be very good. It's just his time YET. Look, I get disappointment and I can almost appreciate the counter point arguements. But for a veteran player who has proven himself, ST is about ramping up and just getting ready. But for a young prospect and an invite, it is a time to show you are ready. It's the same in the NFL and the NBA. If AK was taking some walks and stinging the ball but had a low AVG that would be one thing. But he's not "settled", locked in or in any kind of groove right now. Another good prospect, Rooker, IS. Rooker has a chance to be a really nice ballplayer and have a real role on this team as a corner OF/1B/DH. Why aren't we celebrating him vs being so worried and filled with angst that Kirilloff isn't breaking camp with the Twins? AK is going to come up and probably have an excellent career. And by the end of the season his being sent down at this time is going to fade away as a memory and some AAA time will just be a small step in his career.

I'm in favor of anything that makes the game actually better. And I'm almost surprised MLB is even trying to make changes as they are so slow for any change. So I applaud any effort that doesn't dramatically "change" the integrity of the game to an extreme. But as to these ideas: 1] Enlarging the bases and changing their composition prevents contact injuries potentially? Do it yesterday! Look, replacing a 15" square base with an 18" base...as long as said square is placed in the same central location...puts 1B 1 1/2 inches closer to home and the batter gaining 1 1/12 inches closer to being safe. But the 1B is also an 1 1/2 closer to any throw he receives. There is NO difference/advantage! If it increases safety, just do it. 2] Requiring infielders to be touching dirt, to me, and opposed to the article speculating more hits, is maybe more about being able to cheat in for a potential bunt. This, potentially, would have more affect in the NL with pitchers. But we all know/speculate a universal DH is coming anyway. You want a change? Shifts should be limited to TWO players on either side of 2B, no matter how close they may play to the bag. You want to bring an OF close to the infield, that's up to you. 3] Stepping off and number of throws is ridiculous to me. CRUNCH TIME in a game with a SB threat at 1B...think Buxton there...a game within a game is fascinating and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. You are messing with the pitcher, the defense, and messing with any drama the situation could provide. Just stupid. 4] I'm in favor of a 20 second pitch clock with nobody on base. And I get the idea of stepping off the rubber re-starts the clock. But can't there be some compromise that doesn't allow the batter to spend an extra 20 seconds to adjust everything on their body? 5] I can't honestly comment on the robo-umpire. It sounds so easy. But the experiment they tried previously had mixed results from both hitters and pitchers both. So can someone create an algorithm that is so perfect that everyone is OK? And are we ready to accept that? For a moment, think about a human being writing an amazing algorithm for balls and strikes. Do we, are we ready, to accept that as PERFECT? I'm serious. If Maeda throws an amazing pitch 1" out of the robot zone and it's called a ball, how do you complain? Replay should NEVER be about EVERY play. But it's a good tool to get things right. But for me, I'd rather keep the human element still involved with much greater grading systems for umpires who just don't deserve to have the status they have obtained.