DocBauer

Sorry, but I got really nostalgic the last couple of innings tonight, and emotional, when Bert told a couple of stories and Dick said goodbye to their on-air partnership and then they showed the players paying tribute.

1] I will dispute the tie. (Of course it could happen) I still don't buy in to the Sox pitching or the Indians offense. The Twins are still the best team overall. While it will be close, I'm trusting health to move the Twins to 1st place over the next 3 weeks. 2] Pineda? He picked up where he left off last season. That CAN NOT be understated! Maeda has consistently been good to great. Berrios is finding his groove, FINALLY. Hill is showing real flashes. If he can just stay healthy for what I believe may be his final year, he can still be a difference maker for 5 IP. I don't care if Pineda is our best SP for September. I'm feeling very good right now with our rotation heading in to October. And that rotation makes the bullpen that much better. 3] The 28 man roster should allow for Rooker. We could use another RH bat. At this point, between 2019 AAA production when healthy and HOPEFULLY a good time spent in St Paul, he is basically a September "call up". Buxton and Donaldson mean more. But there could be a lift provided by Rooker. 4] Donaldson could be huge. More than Buxton? I don't know. But Donaldson not only provides offense...and did immediately tonight...but provides defense and a spark of intensity, but also allows Marwin and Adrianza to fit better in to their roles. If you didn't hear the pre-game, Donaldson stated he wasn't quite right and shouldn't have played right before he went on the IL. And he feels great in everything he is doing now. He absolutely makes a difference. 5] Shame on you Cooper for not including Buxton. He's going to need to work more on strengthening his shoulder in the offseason. IMPO, the Twins were being extra cautious playing the long game in a short season and I predict he will be ready to go most days, with Cave filling in here and there, and make a real difference offensively and defensively, especially when October comes around.

I would like to see the article expanded to include the NLC. After all, this season is much like the throwback days when there was no inter-league play. Honestly, there is no way to compare the East and the West in comparison. Right now. 2020, do we really know the Ray's, the A's, etc are really better than the Twins, Indians or Dirty Sox? No. We just don't. And we won't know until all is said and done. And that's part of the intrigue for this season. Yes, I'm a homer. 100%. And maybe the Twins, and other teams, are built better for a long season or short season. 2020 is based on attrition, hot streaks, and who can make adjustments soonest/best. Give me a healthy Twins team making at least SOME plate adjustments over the next few weeks and I like their chances as much as anyone.

I knew it was coming, but I'm really sad about this. Yes, his schtick and some "grumpy old man" stuff got a little tired. But grumpy old man meant he was also being honest in his evaluations and opinions. I enjoyed his humor and perspective. Just last night he was commenting about a different stance and plate approach of one of the hitters. And I was thinking to myself, "this guy is still sharp and engaged and yet some say he should already be gone." He never took himself too seriously, had a great sense of humor and was never afraid to poke fun of himself. I can't recall the exact quote, but a Twins pitcher was having an outstanding game last season and then allowed a HR. Dick's comment was essentially: "Must be hard to give up a HR like that." Bert: "Not for me. I did that over 300 times in my career." My favorite broadcasts in 2019 were Dick and Bert and Kaat in the booth. Stories, humor and perspective were flying through the mic. Bert was a real pro, knows the game well and enjoyed having fun. He should be cherished. I know I will miss him greatly, for nostalgia if nothing less. Bert, you are forever "circled" as a Twins ICON!

Maeda was a talented SP on a good team with a deep SP staff. They moved him to the pen late in the season and playoff time because they could afford to do so. The Twins saw a quality starter they could add who was already good and proven, but who they felt could take his game up a notch. They saw his stuff and production, and the best season he had against LHB, and felt they could tweak what he had. Johnson and the Twins have altered his repertoire and sequence and have him dialed in as effective and maybe even more so than he has ever been. Doesn't mean he is an elite ACE that we all wish for and debate about. But he is absolutely proving to be a high quality SP.

You could have and should have done a "ditto" for Larnach in reference to Kirilloff. I think disappointment leads to speculation and hope that one of these guys could somehow replace Kepler or Rosario. Come on! But the Rooker opinion is smart and right on. He has to be added to the 40 man after this season. Isn't there some move available to do so now? I hate his age discussion! Not everyone is a 21-23yo prospect ready to come up and kill it. There are a plethora of guys who are 24-25 when they are ready and do well. And as stated, he adjusted to AAA after a few weeks...which has been his constant...and did well before injury. No offense to Wade, who is "struggling" for opportunity/consistency, but he is behind Cave. Rooker should absolutely get a shot as a RH bat at this point. I don't think Vargas was a bad cash acquisition. I don't think he is a bad ballplayer. He might even have a future here. But I would say that with Arraez fighting through a bad knee, even with Donaldson coming back, maybe it's time for Blankenhorn to get his shot. He's already on the 40 man, has shown flashes, and can fill in at several spots.

I gave ZERO doubt the short ramp up has affected our hitters. I say that with confidence based not on simple speculation, but we've seen MANY good hitters across baseball struggle or start slow. But what jumps out to me is a couple things I've heard recently. Gleeman spoke on the podcast a couple days ago that many of the normal statistics in regard to last season are surprisingly the same. (Skipping details). There was also a comment that Rowson leaving didn't change the central philosophies already in place, FWIW. I caught part of the Tuesday pre-game with an interview with a ML reporter...forget who now...who stated many of the same things. But he stated a couple key points that caught my attention. 1] For whatever reasons, Kepler and Rosario are FAR behind their previous production against LHP. When Buxton, Garver and Donaldson are out, that difference becomes magnified when Schoop and Cron numbers are considered from last season. 2] I don't recall the exact numbers, so forgive me. But he essentially stated the Twins were seeing something like 10-15% fewer FB than last season. So the opposition has adapted so the Twins hitters were now needing to adapt. He felt the Twins hitters had the ability to do so...maybe playing to his audience, maybe not...and also commented how few total AB each player had. This meaning, in a normal year, slumps and adjustments would normalize. I agree. The problem is, we have about a month left in the rest of THIS season. So it may not be coaching. It may not just be health and attrition. It may be more about who can make adjustments the most quickly.

Agree with Ash that I think you might have meant post season. But we are on the same page. I don't know how we possibly fit Kirilloff, Larnach and Rooker all in sometime soon. At least there is no reason or pressure to have to do so now, or in 2021. Lewis can be thrown in there too, but positionally speaking it's a different story, of course. But despite disappointment this far, does cutting someone from the 40 man to bring up a rookie like Larnach or Kirilloff or Rooker INSTEAD of Kepler or Rosario really make the team better??? I get Cave being really disappointing. In disappointed to. We're seeing the first half of 2019 version of Cave, not the 2nd half version, or even the 2018 version. But his defense has been much improved and has allowed Kepler to remain in RF. That's not small. On the 40 man, talented, given a long look in ST, I would be in favor or Blankenhorn getting a shot at 2B, and other spots, to give Arraez a break and see if his bat could help.

Speculation is always fun, and your team actually making a move brings out debate and hope and conversation. But I never really expected much to happen and I'm OK it didn't. And while I haven't gone line by line through everyone that did get moved today, I really don't see anyone of great value that would have made a difference. (Leaving Clevinger out if the discussion as that never would have happened anyway.) Look, I'm in favor of good and aggressive moves to help the Twins. And I'm OK sending out some quality prospects for addition. Maeda, for example, has been great, even though it cost a big arm for the pen. But pen depth hasn't been a problem, it's been injuries and a team out is sync right now. I don't see much of anything moved today that would have made any difference. Well, let me take tbat back slightly and say I still think Pillar would have been smart. He would have given us a decent, experienced RH bat who could platoon with Cave or Wade at worst. There are no guarantees, of course, but coming back...reportedly...are Donaldson, Buxton, Odorizzi, Smeltzer and Pineda. Not sure what to think about Littell. Is he snakebit this year or is there something deeper going on? But how do you top having those guys back? Where is the room even for someone else unless it was BIG move that nobody made. (Again, except for Clevinger). This is still the same pundits and we fans loved so much to begin the year. I think you ride it out and hope/expect guys to simply perform to reasonable expectation.

Listen.....do you hear that? Of course you don't. What you are NOT hearing is a Twins batter, other than Cruz, making hard contact and hitting a ball somewhere they ain't. Look, I'm one of the biggest and most devoted Twins fans you will ever find. And I have been for over 45yrs through thick and thin, through static fill radio broadcasts and milb news through publications no longer in existence to the advances in internet access. And I remain an eternal optimist always. But this team is just not in sync right now. Period. Yes, 2020 is weird with ST 1.0 and 2.0 and illness and injury and a short, weird season. But it's that way for all teams. And I fully appreciate the guys missing via injury right now. But the talent on the field and mound vs the Tigers was still better and still good enough to win. But other than Cruz and Sano, nobody is producing at the plate. Yes, Cave and Marwin and Adrianza have been leaned on more than expected. But each has proven to be better than what we are seeing. I'm not going to get down on Dobnak after one bad start, or May and Duffey having one bad day. The timing sure stunk though. I am NOT in favor of the team doing anything to sacrifice the future...whatever it holds considering there are financial pitfalls the next few years and serious labor situations to work through...bht I'm OK making some smart moves if available. The rumored Bundy interest could make huge sense since he helps now and 2021. I read an interesting notion this past week that the Red Sox could be an interesting trade partner for Pillarm who would cost next to nothing as a veteran rental to help in the OF and provide insurance for Buxton as well as a veteran RH bat. The article proposed a larger trade, however, for Pillar and either RHRP Barnes, or perhaps LHRP Josh Taylor who has multiple years of control left. I could get behind this kind of seemingly low leverage trade in either suggestion; Pillar or a Pillar and Taylor move. Again I can get behind Bundy as well, as long as the cost makes sense, as we have an extra year of control. Vargas for cash was an OK move. He's an OK player who is no Adrianza with the glove, but could, maybe have a future depending on Gordon getting and staying healthy. But it cost nothing but $. But I have little belief that Gordon will be ready to contribute until 2021 with his late start this year. Is it time to let Blankenhorn, already on the 40 man, get a shot to help at 2B and 3B? Getting back home could help. Donaldson coming back could provide a huge jolt even if he takes a few games to get in a groove. (Also allows Marwin and Adrianza to be role players). But some kind of spark is needed right now. There is no dance party instigator or naked locker room walker on the roster. But there is talent and unity and professionalism all around. But someone needs to step forward. Sometimes a team needs to be tweaked, whether it be lineup, usage, a trade, a call up, whatever. But this team is just too good and too talented to not step up. Doesn't mean a trade or two can't make this team even better or provide that spark.

Just to clear, the Twins biggest needs are getting their own guys back first and foremost. Honestly, a week from now, Pineda, Donaldson, Buxton, Garver, Stashak, Odorizzi and Littell back could jump start the entire team in various ways. Secondly, someone not named Cruz or Sano suddenly producing at the plate from the healthy bodies on hand would also help tremendously. I still don't believe anyone, including the Twins, will pull off a MAJOR trade that produces headlines. But it doesn't mean you can't tweak the team. I like Cave quite a bit as a 4th OF. He brings a lot to the table in that role. And I've been impressed by his defensive improvement. But his bat has been ice cold. I know he's been facing a lot of LH pitching of late, but he just looks lost. I think a veteran RH bat like Pillar makes so much sense, and should come cheap. I don't think the Twins NEED another RP, but if they are going for it, then why not hedge your bets and make another inexpensive Dyson/Romo move like last year? There are various possibilities listed here on TD articles, and there have been package ideas floated on various sites about a package deal with Boston for a higher return. Not sure any INF help is really needed if reports of Donaldson feeling good and about to join the team are true. But if there is a solid piece out there that can help, and maybe even has another year or two of control, it should at least be considered. Again, I don't believe any WOW moves are coming in 2020 for anyone. And IMPO, I wouldn't look to trade anyone in the top 20 prospect wise. But I don't think you have to, unless there is a good package deal available. The system is deep enough to offer up some solid, lower level talent for improvement. Again think Dyson and Romo last year. I think added depth and options are warranted. A spark is definitely needed. But I still don't see a top prospect trade for a difference maker WOW trade taking place. Doesn't mean you can't improve.

Going to state the obvious, I'm not happy. The sky is NOT falling and winning 2 on Sunday will make everyone feel better. As would ripping off about 4 or 5 wins in a row. I forgive Dobnak for having a bad game. I can forgive/excuse May and Duffey for having an off day the same day. And I'm not trying to be insulting, but this is Detroit we are talking about! Donaldson, Buxton and Garver are out. We are not the only team with injuries. The lineup we are putting out there is not maximum, and not what anyone wants, but it's still more talented than the opposition. The lineup is simply not performing well lately, at all! I think the FO has done a great job of building this team and the organization as a whole. I think they have done a great job from the ML level on down in regard to managers, coaches, instructors and advisors. But did losing Rowson really affect the hitters this much? Is there something else going on here? I'm hoping this is a blip. But to see the talented players on hand flail and not perform lately to any expectation or previous production is frustrating and unexpected.

More or less, I think you are just about spot on. My biggest disappointments in the 60 game season has been so few games against the NLC, and too many games against the same ALC opponents bunched together. Why on earth couldn't the divisional games have been spread out more for each half? I'm still holding out hope for 40 wins with some guys coming back healthy.

Everything about this year is weird, crazy, scary, frustrating, pick your description. I do not believe that any sort or cancellation or walk out of a season of a pro sport...as has been speculated here and there...does anything to solve anything. In fact, I believe playing has the opposite effect in so many ways. Not only providing joy and entertainment in a crazy world, but a continued platform for observance and discussion. We can, if we want to, question professional athletes as voices in society. And perhaps we should. Does, for arguement sake, a stud PG in the NBA really have answers? Should his opinion on anything really sway anyone? It's interesting to me how we can celebrate humanitarian awards for pro athletes for community work and yet object if they want to make a statement about society. Now, they are a solitary voice and have their own opinions. And it's very debatable to me as to whether we listen to their voice. But that's not what we are talking about here. We are talking about TEAMS taking a stand, if only for a day, to just say out loud; "we're united in the idea that change has to take place. We may not have answers. But we stand united for a day to get everyone thinking and talking." I fully applaud that stance. A day without games or practice to just get everyone talking and thinking is a positive idea. And the one thing about sports I have always loved is the mix of race and social/economic background to come together and make a TEAM. These TEAMS are taking a day for a "time out" for pause for all of us.

Maybe I'm just too much of an optimist, but I still like our pen and rotation as is, with Pineda returning next week and Odorizi being sore, but apparently not "damaged". Getting our own guys back is still key to me. I really like the idea of Pillar from Boston and think we should have signed him originally. Despite the depth and performance of the pen, you wonder about injuries and maybe there is another Romo like trade that makes sense. I'm concerned about Donaldson for the rest of this season. I think we all are. And Marwin seems to have slumped lately. Adrianza has not been the same decent hitter we've seen the last 2yrs. But do we need another infielder? Even if we give up little for a return there are still 40 man implications to consider. I think I'm in favor of a RH OF like Pillar maybe, and I'd consider a pen arm. Otherwise, I think I trust what we have and the return of a few guys over the next week.

I never like the Twins to lose, of course. But last night didn't really bother me. This one stings a bit. Even the best pen arms have bad games. Unfortunately it was Romo's night. And it was a bad one. I felt like tonight was a rather important game and it was a tough one to lose. I appreciate Aggies7's comment about how it sometimes feels like this really isn't a 20-1× team. But I think a lot of teams feel that way right now. And winning is still winning. It's one series, and time to move on to the next and win that one.

Read an article recently that mentioned him as a target for the Twins for something low level in return unless Boston were to package a RP in the deal for a greater return. My initial thought was no, we have enough depth there. And I'm sorry but I can't recall the proposed names right now, but one was a LH with at least 1 more season of control. And with injuries mounting, suddenly a package deal doesn't sound so crazy to me. But other than Pillar, I agree the best thing that could happen is the Twins just get healthy and get their own guys back.

Maeda has been all we hoped for. Despite all the SP talent on hand, it could be argued the Dogers didn't know what they had, Johnson seems to have taken his game to a different level. Berrios has been disappointing until his last start. We saw there what he has looked like previously. His only knock has ever been just carrying it over a full season. He started to show that kate in 2019. Just because he isnt already one of tbe best pitchers in all of MLB at this point is a huge mistake to dismiss him. Dobnak is not a stud. His numbers and performance will come down. How could they not? But he is good. He has the build and delivery for endurance. He is smart and knows how to pitch. He is STILL a ROOKIE. He just needs to refine his stuff a bit more to put away a guy a little earlier. He COULD be an innings eater 3 or 4 with a little more time. Pineda has always been good when healthy. He's proved that in the past, and with the Twins last season. And he's been smart enough to adapt his approach. I'm looking forward to him joining the rotation next week. Hill was signed for one more half season in his career. I think he knows this. The Twins are being careful because they also know this. Bailey is done for 2020. How good is this staff with Odorizzi back in a couple of weeks? To me, it's keeping everyone healthy and getting Oddo back, along with Stashak for the stretch. Now, if you want to talk 2021, that is an entirely different discussion. But for 2020, only health stops this staff from being one of the best.

We are in a very uncertain period in regard to 2021 and beyond. But for a moment let's pretend tbere will be a 2022 and beyond that is settled, somehow, through negotiations. I think, personally, that Astudillo is a solid catcher, and valuable multi positional player who can do some solid things. I think, healthy he is a solid hitter with pop. If you break down 2019, he hit when healthy. I really like him as the last guy on the player roster. But Garver and Jeffers offer so much as a 1-2 that could be the envy of the league. And both are controlled for the next few years. Uncommon depth, especially how Rocco uses and rests his catchers. I believe that Rortvedt has a real future. But like so many, he's losingng a full year. But if the 40 man allow a it, or Avilla doesn't have better offers, I'd be in favor of his return in some capacity for depth and options. Of course, if Jeffers continues to show and shine, this could be a moot arguement.

Sorry Mike, I have to disagree with you here. Poor performances and ravenous injuries have been abundant this year. And the Twins have had more than their share as well. But they have won 20 games because of their depth. Bailey is out after one solid start. Hill looked good again tonight. Odorizzi had a freak injury his last time out. Berrios may be settling in. Maeda has been great and Dobnak continues to be very solid. The pen has been outstanding, even with some injuries. The bullpen games are not something I want or enjoy. But they have largely turned out in the Twins favor thus far. Pineda is back next week, and hopefully Oddo is back relatively soon. The depth the FO has put in place has allowed the team to perform as well as they have. I've been 50/50 on someone like Duran getting a shot instead of a bullpen game. Part of that is just excitement to see him. But he and others are really just playing for development and emergency. Thus far, there hasn't been a "break glass" moment. Hopefully there won't be. I think the depth they built up has proven itself. Now, I have no clue how the trade market will look in the coming week. But were I to speculate...unless there is more to worry about with Oddo than we've been told...I would think a CF option like Pillar on the cheap and a bullpen option like last year's Romo deal would make the most sense. IMO.

I was not able to watch any of the game as I was tied up in an emergency, 3 night project. (So yeah I missed last night's game and probably tomorrow's as well). So all I have is a box score and a pair of write-ups. I think we absolutely have one of the best and deepest teams in all of MLB, weird season or not. But on the road, no rest days, a deep pen taxed due to injury and usage, against a good team and the best pitcher in baseball, I wasn't expecting a win here. Sorry, I'm a great optimist, but it felt like the odds were against us. VERY encouraged we hung in and had the lead for several innings. VERY encouraged by Hill's performance. That, in itself, is a bright spot we shouldn't dismiss. NOT going to get down on Alcala even a bit. He has looked fantastic and full of potential. He was put in a tough situation as a rookie and just couldn't make it happen tonight. My one hope is he will be able to shake it off for what it was...ONE GAME...and let it rip next time out.

The Royals always play us tough. I don't always know wny, but they just do. I'll be glad when we are done with them. Despite being one of the best teams with runners in scoring position, it still feels like we are not taking full advantage of opportunities presented. Of course like everyone else it seems, there are guys slumping or out with injury. I keep wondering how good we could be with a healthy team, but again, I think most teams would say the same. Nice to see Sano heating up. Easy to say we need him...but...we need him. I simply can't say enough about the pen, it's depth, and what it has done. And the expanded roster and our tremendous pen has allowed for our record and these bullpen games. But at some point, we have to find another SP to mix in with Dobnak, Maeda and the seemingly re-vitaljzed Berrios. We need Hill to be healthy, even at 5IP per start. We need Oddo to rebound after this last set back. We need Pineda back in a couple weeks, rumor has it he is healthy and being stretched out. Still a half season to go, but still can't argue with the results at this point.

They did, however turn to Jeffers when they lost Garver for a time vs Astudillo (even if he's still ramping up) or Telis. They not only like Jeffers, but have acknowledged he's probably the primary catcher at this moment. Difference from filling in to daily play. If Kepler or Rosario were out for a time, or the season, you could see one of Rooker, Kirilloff or Larnach up. Cave and Wade have experience, are solid reserve options, and already on the 40 man. It would be a shame to start service time, burn an option and lose someone off the 40 man to add one of those guys for a temporary fill in. (And baseball gods help us if the season suddenly got cancelled). But another injury or two changes the whole complexion.

Guessing Thorpe is an injury replacement. Same with Poppen. (Or was he placed on the IL?) I repeat mys3lf from a previous OP that Duran was to be used in case of emergency. Are we getting to that point? Oddo out again, Bailey not ready, Pineda still suspended...maybe instead of a traditional bullpen start we give the kid a shot. Are on giving Wade a shot. Maybe he provides a spark and gives someone else a day off. But Cave is ahead of him for a reason despite slumping lately.

Player of the game, to me, is Jeffers, despite what Berrios did. 2 for 3 with a run and a RBI in his MLB debut, and good behind the plate, despite never playing a game above AA. He looked comfortable and natural to me in everything he did. My only, small complaint, was while trying to frame pitches he "snatched" at a few balls and tried to drag them in to the zone. He needs to be a little more subtle in his movements as he may irk a few veteran umps. I was a bit surprised he was called up over Astudillo or Telis, even though Astudillo has had little time to ramp up. But it shows the belief/faith the Twins have in Jeffers. Goes along with the comments made by Falvey with the promotion. Makes me feel all the better about what is taking place at the alternate site and what the coaches are doing over there. Side note: What's going on with the idea of each team adding an additional 15 players to the reserve list? Unless I missed something, this should already be done and should have been done from the beginning.