Doomtints

Molitor has been down on him for years. The Me Too situation he created for himself certainly didn't help things. We don't know what the conversations were on that topic between him and management (and the MLB) but we know they weren't good (and we know the conversations went on for a long time). Throw in surgery and a new bionic leg that he can't push off on or run well on anymore, and what have you got? There is little reason to keep him around at this point. He will either bust the rest of the way or he will get a fresh start somewhere else. The Twins may as well try to get something out of it.

I disagree. It has happened many times where someone with a history like Dozier struggles in the first half, gets traded, and good things happen. The Twins will get a return for Dozier and some of the others.

This will be a sad trade deadline and offseason. We had such high hopes for this year, and next year will have a different set of faces.

Stormy night in Chicago. Don't expect this game to finish.

Exactly. The Twins actually don't want the team to suck.

True, I just don't see the Twins doing it.

Seemed like Gibby used to fail some time in the 5th inning. He's no longer doing that. He learned to pace himself. Good for him.

Without Belisle, who could the Twins give the coveted and highly important role of #13 pitcher to? Jeremy Bondermans don't grow on trees.

Nevertheless, he's who the Twins want because of his pitch framing ability. Will Castro's pitch framing decline with age? Seems doubtful. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Castro fan. I never wanted him here. However, now that he is here, we have to accept it. If it were later in the season and the Twins had a chance to make the playoffs (and win a playoff series), then you make a move like this. This isn't the case.

There's another name you forgot who is signed beyond this year who, yes, the Twins love.

As long as they make up their minds and do not buy/sell/buy in succession like last year, it's all good. Regardless of whether or not this team makes the playoffs, some players will be gone after this year. Unless the Twins think they can win at least one playoff series they should sell.

Ron Gardenhire & Co., the group who Twins brass ran out of town after said Twins brass gutted the franchise, are currently doing more with less. Just sayin'. Is Molitor "still learning"? He shouldn't be.

I said during the offseason, probably more than once, that it looked like the Twins were building themselves to do one thing: Beat Cleveland. They are accomplishing that goal, generally. Unfortunately the Twins need some right handed hitting to beat everyone else. Having said that ... these Twins *are* better than last year's Twins. But remember, last year was a down year. The only teams over .500 made the playoffs. That's not normal.

That's not a "problem with the method." Players in the minors are opportunity costs. They are not the current state of the team and they might never be used. If at some point they are used, you adjust the numbers. These same players are NOT on the team any longer because of those same opportunity costs. The method applies to both scenarios.

WELLLL let's look at the data shall we? ERA of relief pitchers on the roster (not including Belisle): 3.09. (For those playing at home, this is INCREDIBLE, world-series winning caliber relief pitching.) ERA of relief pitchers who are not on the roster anymore: 9.44 (For those playing at home, this is going to skew things just a wee bit.) Relievers on the roster have allowed 58 earned runs in 168 2/3 innings. Relievers not on the roster have allowed 50 earned runs in 47 2/3 innings. Yes, I would *love* for everyone to do a sample of every team in the league. I can tell you right now, few if any have a bullpen with a 3.09 ERA with their active relief pitchers. Which would YOU do to project the future performance of the Twins bullpen? Would you use data from pitchers who are no longer on the roster or nah? Would you pick up Belisle based on data from players who you have already cut or nah?

Of course........

Including pitchers who are no longer on the roster, sure, why not. But why include those people?

Belisle will have the very important role of being the #13/#14 pitcher. Ahem.

The Twins have a really good bullpen. I'm not sure what this move accomplishes.

Seeing as it is the truth I suppose I would say you should get used to reading it.

I did say we are contenders now. I also agree that Castro is terrible. Nevertheless, Castro is the star catcher everyone wanted. No one consulted me on his signing. Can you say in all honesty that any team would be likely to grab Realmuto if they were in the situation the Twins are in? Granted this new management team has done a couple of surprises, but realistically do you think they would do this? They are "all in" on Castro. He's not playing this year, but the Twins still want him to be the guy. The Realmuto thing is all hot air.

Jason Castro Primary Catcher Signed until 2020

Hey, it's not my fault you changed the subject while I stayed on my original point!

The Twins are contenders, so yes that's quite a limb you're on there. Straw man central right there.

He doesn't have to hit. He has to contribute as Buxton can contribute. He had the best WAR on the team last year based mostly on his defense.