DocBauer

Sorry, thought those last 2 pitches and the framing was good

Good time for Cave to bust through

Whatever bug Marwin has must be affecting the Twins broadcast. Sounds like they are talking in to a tin can phone. Must be a he'll of a long cord stretching to Chicago.

Wade is beginning to look more and more like he is confident and ready. Didn't look that way to me last season.

Edit: Blankenhorn may be traveling with the team on the taxi squad right now. I may have jumped the gun saying a move had already taken place. My hunch is he may yet be activated this series.

Sielk reported Blankenhorn was with the team in the taxi squad. THOUGHT I saw him up for Smeltzer but may have jumped the gun on that.

Marwin out due to non covid illness. Adrianza playing 2B and hitting 9th I believe. Blankenhorn reportedly called up and Smeltzer back down. I wouldn't start Blankenhorn either. Just let him get over jet lag and maybe play tomorrow. Interesting lineup. Don't hate it. But I think I would have dropped Kepler down behind Cruz and maybe put Wade #1. He's been taking some awfully good AB as of late. Twins are the better team overall, especially defensively and pitching. But Chicago is home has a potent offense, and I'd be OK taking 2 of 4, of course, I'm hoping for better than that.

Didn't copy and quote, but going with Spycake on this. If Kepler or Rosario were actually hurt and done, I feel the Twins would be inclined to give Kirlloff or Larnach a shot. But just because there was need and a feeling Jeffers and Rooker were ready doesn't mean either of these other two are. And that shouldn't diminish their rankings or potential! It just means in a weird, no milb season, practice and simulated games at St Paul may not have them ready to come up and make any difference with only 2 weeks left before the playoffs. Again, a significant injury could change this thinking. But Cave and Wade are older, have some experience, and varying degrees of experience and production. Status quo is best, meaning every one is healthy and ready to go and we don't even have to worry about a move of this nature. Break the glass if something else happens, but only then, IMO.

I tend to agree with you. But the Wade I've been seeing this season looks comfortable at the plate and seems to just feel he belongs. I didn't feel that way last year. He's made some good plays in the field and looked very good at 1B the other day. (I confess I forgot he could play there some). I feel Celestino remains a good year away. The team is better keeping Kepler in RF and having someone else fill in at CF, other than a game here and there, of course. Right now, Cave is that guy and he's improved his defense tremendously, IMO, but he is not the productive hitter we got the second half of 2018 or 2019. Meanwhile, Wade is taking great AB and wearing pitchers out and tossing in some hits to go along with those AB. With Kepler and Larnach getting close, not to mention Rooker, the Twins may have to make a tough decision on Cave vs Wade in the near future.

Right now, there is a 3 man battle for the 4th SP option between Hill, Dobnak and Odorizzi, who should be back this week. IMO, this a sign of strength, not one of weakness. Dobnak has slipped his last couple of starts, but I'm tossing out his last one due to 3 days rest, suddenly too much movement on his stuff, a hit batter that didn't actually get hit, and a display by the young Jeffers for not getting his foot on the bag. Hill looks like he is ramping up a bit and has tons of savvy and experience. Odorizzi has the smallest chance as he has probably only 3 starts to show he is stretched out and fully good to go. Agree there is a chance one of these guys assumes more of an opener position but we have a couple weeks yet to figure it all out.

As long as Alcala is OK and May's back tightness is just that, with Odorizzi coming back the entire staff is 100% plus, even without Littell. The lineup is mostly intact and the offense has started to look like the one we expected. Catcher is the only real worry and Jeffers has been easing that concern. Everything is coming together at the right time. I don't think that's just a co-incidence with the way Rocco manages. Is Maeda a true ACE? Or still too early to call it? Image the team record without the Royals being involved. Just glad we won't have to play them come post season time.

Maeda, Berrios and Pineda, in that order. I've said all along Berrios would bet right and finish strong. I think we are seeing that now. I am completely dismissing Dobnak's last outing for many reasons. I shouldn't have to break it down if you've being paying attention. Hill is a mystery/wild card, but the proverbial "ace in the hole". Oddo's latest setback was a fluke, and and not arm or back related. But is there enough time to "get right" before the post season? The next couple of weeks will determine if Hill or Dobnak are your 4th SP. IMO, Odorizzi will be either a long man or a designated opener. Compare this to last season or past seasons. Things are coming together. We are actually debating 6SP and how best to use them. This is an amazing luxury!

I absolutely love Romo from his fire, his humor, his experience to his production. I thought he was a certainty to come back this year and was ecstatic when it happened. I want him back next year as well at this point. Love the guy. But without further information/clarification, i put the onus on Romo for this little dust up. I don't know that I have EVER seen a batter do what Lindor did, basically trotting sideways/backwards down the line and chirping. Uncalled form IMO, regardless of what was being said. Run it out, and then say something if you really feel you need/want to. BUT, he seemed to be smiling and laughing the whole time. MAYBE he said something completely uncalled for. Again, we don't knkw at this point. And maybe Romo had a right/reason to bark back. But he just kept going and going and didn't seem to want to calm down. As others have well stated, you have to be able to take it if you dish it out sometimes. Kudos to Sano for being the peace keeper/brick wall. Honestly, I think this is a tight race in a short season with a bit of a bubble around everyone and some cabin fever setting in and that is all.

I'm also going to echo twins-89. This is the PERFECT time for Gordon to get his feet wet. The problem is I doubt he is physically at full strength right now after such a prolonged bout of illness, and has something like 2 weeks over at St Paul. I really, really want to say just roll with Marwin and Adrianza who are experienced and we know they can do the job. I know they are struggling mightily with their bats right now, but like other hitters in the team, what if either or both gets in to a groove? We've seen what they can do previously. With this crazy season, I'd take a month and a half struggle from both with a strong finish. And that may be the smartest route to take. BUT, Blankenhorn is already on the 40 man. I think he has a future as an offensive super-utility guy who can be OK defensively at potentially 5 spots. The Twins think enough of him to protect him and played him a lot during both Set's. Give Blankenhorn a shot. Let him get his feet wet. Coming off 2 off days, another 2 off days in a week, the pen rested and the staring staff rounding in to form, there is nothing to lose. *I hate losing Adrianza at this or any juncture. And be won't come back 100%. But doing this now may keep him stronger for the finish to the season.

I remain so-so on the runner on 2B. I despised the idea but am now ambivalent. I was OK with 7 inning double headers for this year, but not going forward. But I have to admit, I like the pace of the games played, the short turnaround between games, and pitching staffs and rosters overall not being worn out by a pair of traditional length games. I think I could get used to this. Hate the idea of the expanded playoffs.

Arm talent and potential is harder to define than athleticism and bat potential, IMO. I don't think that is a hard stretch. In regard to pitching, especially SP, there are few "guarantees" when it comes to the draft. There are so few guys like Clemons, Verlander and Strasburg at the TOP of the draft you can have the luxury of drafting as a close to sure thing. The next best thing to do...NOT talking about major trades or major FA signings...is what the current FO is doing. That is, revamp coaching. Which they have done. Next, draft a guy who has 1 or 2 great pitches or qualities you see and develop them. I would call this the Cleveland/Dogers/Rays format. I think we all know throwing 95mph+ doesn't mean you can "pitch" and be successful. But what if you can throw 92 with a great change or curveball and the Twins staff can add velocity and help with command and teach you a slider, slurve or cutter? The FO looks for arm talent, to be sure. While it's not talked about, I believe they are also looking for intelligence and the obscure "coachability" talent. Duran was obtained through trade, Vallimont through trade, Enlow and Sands via the draft. Dobnak came from the nether regions, lol. And I've left a lot of guys out, obviously. The point being they are astute at looking at coachability and projection. And not everyone will make it as a SP, or make it at all. But being a 1st round draft choice as a P guarantees little. It's about having as many arms as you can to work with and develop as you can. Right now, I am so encouraged as to what may be coming up the next couple of years that i am giddy with anticipation. And yes, I did use the word "giddy". Lol

I've already stated my love for Eddie and all the reasons why I think phasing him out NOW is a huge mistake. Also stated, for many reasons, why I think he will be back in 2021. And I am happy and good with that. But I really like this post. Forgetting defense metrics, I think Kepler is the better pure hitter with as much power. And I believe Kepler has more in him. Short, weird season and injuries, I would have LOVED to see some sort of combination of Arraez/Polanco at the top of the order and Kepler as the LH #4 hitter with the productive Rosario sliding down to #6 behind Polanco. It's not a slight to Eddie. It's about the top of the lineup and then staggering the lineup for greatest production and depth.

While the jury is still out to be sure, I've been very impressed by their drafts thus far, as well as the overall changes in development philosophy. They also seem more aggressive in promotions. I don't want to start yet another debate about who was traded in a bad season, but it does appear they brought in a few guys who have real potential and some high ceilings when they did so. And let's not forget Dobnak came under their watch. Right now, Dobnak, Alcala, Jeffers and Littell are part of this team and Acquired via the FO recent moves. Sure I'm forgetting someone. Maeda was acquired by actually moving a prospect, something we aren't used to seeing. I wish the best for Graterol, I really do. But right now, I can't imagine not having Maeda on this team. And I believe he's here for at least 3 more years. There is another thread concerning Rosario that I don't want to get in to because that discussion should stay where it is. But I would make one point that references that discussion. Teams and rosters DO CHANGE. And they do so for many reasons. While I personally don't feel a championship contending team should be banking on prospects to replace a quality position player, with a wide window of opportunity, especially coming off a no milb season of normal development, how tantalizing is it to reflect and speculate on Rooker, Kirilloff and Larnach...with Celistino just behind...as future fixtures? (Or part of trade possibilities, of course). And not that there aren't other solid prospect behind them. Teams change every year. And while there could be arguments for mostly keeping our current Twins team intact for 2021, changes WILL take place. How about Lewis, Gordon and Blankenhorn for infield additions soon? I do share Dman's concern somewhat about a lack of top selections pitching wise in the draft. I'd like to believe this bas been a result of taking the best player available and a belief in their ideals of draft and development. The Cleveland way of doing things if you will. But then I see what Dobnak and Alcala are doing. (Completely different additions). I see the potential of Duran and Balazovic and maybe Chalmers. I wonder about Colina and Enlow and maybe Sands. I suddenly remember Celistino, recently added to the 60 man. And while I'm sure I'm leaving a few guys out, I'm starting to see the Twins version of a pitching pipeline potentially beginning. Drafting, signing and trading for young talent and developing them IS the lifeblood of a successful organization. Isn't that what Falvey and Levine spoke of when hired? So far, so optimistically good I'd say. Despite some really nice and even key veteran performers on the roster, there are a lot of still young players that make up our beloved Twins. And the window OP opportunity appears wide open to me with a ton of young talent ready to rise up over the next year or two to replace and augment the team. Not everyone will make it or stay with the the organization. But I am really excited for what we have and what is coming up.

A beautifully written piece that tugs at the heart strings as well. Wonderful! To me, baseball is not just a sport. It signifies spring when it starts. The oncoming of better and warmer days following the gray post holiday winter months. It brings hope and promise. It means another game, another day of possibility even after a loss. Even in dark seasons, there is that next day opportunity. Who will shine that day? What young player might emerge next? What new thing do my dad and I have to talk about? That's baseball to me. I am so disappointed in a short season. But I embracing each week, each game as something rather precious that could have been missing for the whole year if not for this abbreviated run. And so, just like a normal year, I embracing both today and tomorrow, no matter what happens, how it turns out, and celebrate what happened while getting amped up for next season all over again. Hopefully a full season with fans and milb to enjoy and debate as well.

Late to the discussion but had to weigh in. Keep in mind, I'm a fan of his, despite some of his flaws. I don't think anyone is saying Rosario is a bad player. Period. It is about the team getting better as well as managing the team/roster going forward. The one area of Rosario debate that amuses me is his production is somehow "expected" or "excused" because he should somehow "easily" produce power and RBI numbers because of where he sits in the lineup most days. Please. I'd like to think Rocco and his staff are smart, and probably smarter than we are. They put him in those lineup spots because he CAN produce runs. He has the power to do it. He has the confidence in himself to do it. And that's not true of everyone. So to dismiss his production...good production...because almost anyone could do it is just wrong. Could he do better? Is he streaky and sometimes maddening? Yes to both. But he is a good and productive ballplayer and to dismiss him, even if you aren't a big fan/believer is a disservice. All that being said, I think it makes complete sense to realize he may not fit in long term. Now, ANY thought of phasing him out during a playoff season is ludicrous. IMO, it's also really hard to believe he won't be back as an important piece in 2021. No matter how the work is coming along in St Paul, or what any AFL or EST may happen or look like, it seems a bit short-sighted to just audition prospects, top prospects, who have some to no experience above AA ball with no actual milb season this season and is also without a normal September call up scenario. Additionally, there are 40 man implications and no real fluff remaining that you just feel OK to dump to make room for someone until you have to. I feel Rooker has a chance to be pretty good. (Though I remain frustrated that such a good overall athlete still has some defensive questions). I feel really good about both Kirilloff and Larnach both and love their potential. And yes, I also feel either or both may indeed be even better than Rosario. But I'm not ready to bank on any of them being able to replace Rosario at the start of 2021. While Eddie could be moved in a deal, auditions and possible platoons could happen to replace him, I believe he will be back in 2021, his last arbitration season. At some point next year, certainly before 2022 hopefully takes place, I believe Rooker, Kirilloff and Larnach will be ready. Celestino hopefully close behind. Finances are a part of the game. And there are other guys I would choose to extend and keep that I believe are far less easy to replace.

Outrageous, in regard to the ESPN article I bad never seen before. Thank you for sharing Indiana. Milb is part of communities that love and appreciate baseball. It is also the lifeblood of MLB. To have an agreement in place between the two organizations...no matter how unfair it may be in principal...and then to reneg on that agreement is reprehensible. And it not only hurts communities, but absolutely pushes people out of jobs and ownership. I thought this was America's Game? Times change. And I can actually understand MLB looking at the current structure and feel it is a bit archaic in design and needs to be streamlined. But I don't see any excuse to make agreements and then walk away from those agreements. I've always stated, in a fantasy perspective, that were I a MLB owner, I'd really like to own as many of the milb franchises as I could. It would allow me to, hopefully, better monitor everything that takes place and help build my name brand in towns/cities. It would also allow me to help control payroll and general benefits to a degree to stand above the crowd and make prospects to really WANT to play for one of my affiliates and be within my organization. I don't want to generalize as I don't think that is fair. Not every ownership/team is the same. But this gives MLB ownership and mouthpiece Manfred a very black eye, IMO.

Interesting roster. Not a single backup S. So we know that will change in the next day or two. Someone will be cut, almost certainly from the WR group who will hopefully/probably be added to the PS. I am surprisingly opptomistic about CB. Kinda opptomistic about WR but not sold. Feel better about the DL, of course. I don't care what coach speak Dennison states. I'm worried about the OL and actually, no matter weird it sounds, more opptomistic about 2021 when Cleveland, Udo, Samia and others have more experience and step forward.

The problem with this crazy year and financial situations that can have FA and even arbitration repercussions for the next few years is it also affects internal development for each team with no milb season, only taxi squad development at this time for a handful of prospects, and no idea right now if there will be any sort of EST or expanded version of it. And let's not forget the finances of MLB are not only affected by 2020 but also labor questions beyond 2021. (Not taking a labor stance, just stating an obvious situation). You mentioned Cruz and Avilla. I don't think Cruz is going anywhere based on want and need from both sides. Avillla could retire? I'm impressed by Jeffers thus far, even though the ML bat isn't quite there yet. Would it be so bad to bring Avilla back on a cheap 1yr for insurance and depth? MAY] I'd really like him back. Some might say he's easily replaceable after a couple rough days recently and the FO ability to develop a bullpen. But that's an easy cop-out, even with a few arms close. A couple other guys may or may not be back. I want to keep the bullets we have. As good as May has been the last 2yrs, I don't feel he's proved enough over enough time to warrant a Reed like $8M. But 2020 makes that a near financial impossibility unless someone is just in love with him. I can't say what he's worth in this climate, but I can't believe he would cost more than $3.5-5M. ODORIZZI] Things couldn't have gone worse for him in 2020. Not his qualifying offer, but any chance to build on 2019. You can argue all you want, but even without the qualifying offer, was anyone going to offer him more than $20M per? I mean, he's solid and very good at times, I like him and want him back. But I've been arguing for a long time now his QO is more than fair. Again, unless someone is just in love with him, I believe his fair value will be somewhere in the $14-15M range with a max of $16M. More than fair for a good/great #3 SP who often pitches like a #2 when healthy, even if it's for 5-6 IP per. He also wants to stay. I think the Twins want him to stay as well. Biggest question, in my mind, is not if they like him. The question is do they have another Maeda type move in mind, or trust their system to replace him quickly enough? ADRIANZA] With Gordon being out until recently, I could see Adrianza back on a smaller salary. His glove is excellent. He's versatile. Do you bet the bat of the last 2 seasons is more accurate than his 2020 bat? Gordon may not be ready. Blankenhorn is a different player. I think it's easily dismissive to say he's easily replaceable. Again, defense, versatility, 2 previous years of a solid bat...i think he is absolutely worth another 1yr deal, but probably at a reduced salary at this point, I would have argued about Marwin in the OP, were it me. I'd of argued him over Adrianza. As of now, despite some early flash, his bat has disappointed. But he's part of the depth the Twins have built up. Where would the team be right now without him in 2020? He's flashed defensively at 3B and 1B filling in and is a solid corner OF to give guys days off. He's been damn important last year and this year. Now, he's not showing himself to be worth another $9M to the Twins or anyone else. But he's still worth something. What is he worth to the Twins in 2021 or anyone else? He's not old, but he's not getting younger. Do you bet the bat rebounds to go along with defense and versatility? Marwin coming back on a cheaper 1yr wouldn't disappoint me. He's a fine ballplayer. But if the team really believes in Blankenhorn...and they protected him, played him a lot in both ST...Gonzalez may be more easily replaced than Adrianza. At least his bat. Experience and defense are still worth something. The Twins will have money coming off the books here and there, but will also lose the $10M from the Dodgers in the Maeda deal. How much do the Twins lose in 2020? What kind of payroll are they willing to deal with in 2021? (PLEASE, not another Pohlad's are cheap arguement)! There WILL be roster changes for many reasons. But the window of opportunity for this team is WIDE OPEN, regardless of how this season ends. And I have NO PROBLEM if the vast majority of this team comes back in 2021 with a milb season and a packed 40 man roster chomping at the bit to come up.

Can you provide additional information on Balazovic, Canterino and Barnes being added? I'd heard rumors MLB might allow additions to the reserve list but haven't heard a word of anything substantial. If this is true, very excited Balazovic gets a potential 2 month still, at least, in 2020. Little confused by adding Canterino unless they expect to fast track him in 2021. Barnes surprises me. He's done OK and has moved but seems to be a soft tossed curveball type. They must see something we don't as of yet.

I watched part of the game and listened to what I didn't see. (Deck project). Going to again toss my $.02 worth in comments: 1] The pen lost this game. That stinks! But sometimes, a guy just had a bad day. But EVERYONE had a bad day at once? Dick even made a comment on the broadcast that sometimes a guy has a bad day, but you expect SOMEONE to stop the bleeding. I'm not going to blame the bullpen games at this point as the pen not only won most of those games, but have continued to excel otherwise, even with a little juggling. And I think the rotation is starting to be healthy and settle in. The pen lost the game but I won't blast them. Sigh...baseball. 2] Encouraged by Hill. But unless he shows more, I'm thinking piggyback SP or long RP when crunch time hits. But he encouraged me a ton today. 3] I am a HUGE Eddie fan and supporter. I love his passion, his instincts, his arm his production, etc. And I accept that for every great 10 plays he makes there will be a couple bad ones. But his blatant base running mistake is unforgivable. I want to forgive him for the defensive mistake he made on the ball that bounced out of play and kicked back in off the wall. At that point, I was listening to the radio. Dan and Corey were both sure it was a ground rule double. Pretty sure when I switched back over to TV Justin was also surprised. Seemed the umps were the only ones who knew this weird rule. Should Rosario have known that rule, even as obscure as it is? Did Rocco? I want to forgive Eddie for that play, but I don't know if I can. Maybe he should have known. Maybe he should have continued the play regardless. I'm still blaming the pen for this loss, with no beat down, as ANYONE pitching effectively leads to a win. But it was a BAD DAY for Eddie even if you can forgive him for that one play. 4] From what I heard...didnt see...I was really disappointed in Astudillo today. I've watched him a lot behind the plate the last couple of seasons and found him solid back there. The other night he made some good stops. But I'm not going to blame the loss on the team's 3/4 catcher. We scored enough and played well enough to win, despite some mistakes. 5] I feel sorta sorry for Wade. It's up to him to prove he belongs. But he's been lost a bit in the shuffle of opportunity. The kid can play defense and he knows how to take a professional AB. He has decent speed, some pop, a great arm, good defense, but has yet to take that certain step forward. Is he about ready to? I hope so. He's had some great AB and that 3rd strike today was RIDICULOUS! 6] Rooker has impressed me thus far. He looks "ready" and has produced in SSS. I am cautiously optimistic. But his history is initial struggle at a new level and then figuring stuff out and adapting before raking. At worst, his time at the other complex and with the Twins now should be setting him up for 2021. My thoughts. It's still one game. Need to win Monday!