Twodogs

I wonder How many years the Cardinals still have control over Carlos Martinez? I know he has expressed interest in starting once again and the Cardinals kind of seem to not be on that same page with him. Of course the Cardinals have all sorts of pitching depth in their organization, so they probably don't need him to start. But I thought it might be interesting if the Twins were to be able to lure them in to trading him over to the Twins, the Twins could use him as a reliever this year with the promise to move him back into the rotation next year??

You know, I guess after thinking about it, yeah it's a no lose situation, stick him in the minors and see if he can find something? If he doesn't nothing is lost, if he does, everything is gained. I think I have been thinking along the same lines with Ryan Madson, he could come in and be really tough for a couple of months at the end of the season? He has been just two years ago and he pitched in the world series last year so he'd be another one I'd try to bring in, stick him in Rochester for 2 - 3 weeks and see if he can regain some magic?

I believe that over his career that he has shown some ability to pitch a little? Maybe it was the late start last year, maybe he just didn't jell with last year's twins, a la Dozier, Mauer, etc.... Who knows. I also remember people saying that he could only pitch in the national league and all that; regardless, I know that I would probably have more faith with Lynn on the mound right now rather than Perez???

Well if they wanted a dude with a 6.50 era in the bull pen they could have kept Reed?

Martin Perez's Chariot seems to have turned back into pumpkins?

No but it helps you to drink more beer.

Teams can do worse than Tommy Milone as their #5 starter.

I'd almost rather take a flier on Ryan Madson. Throw him in AA or AAA for a couple of weeks and see if he can help, he was lights out two years ago

I don't know if it is miles above 87, especially if you compare it to the rest of the leagues teams out there. In 87 not everyone was bashing homeruns left and right. The Twins were kind of an anomaly back then. Many teams were focused on speed not power, a la the St Louis Cardinals. There are a number of teams that can bash the ball like the Twins right now, Yankees, Astros, Dodgers, etc.... They are impressive abd have way better numbers than the 87 Twins but I think you kind of have to compare the numbers to the era. The 91 Twins I feel did it more with pitching than hitting. But the 87 Twins were hitting their way to the championship.

No way in hell would the reds trade Castillo, he will be a fixture of their rotation. Maybe 3 years from now?

But I don't see how someone like Gant would be available.

I wouldn't put it past the Yankees to buy up a couple of guys that would help the Twins and or the Astros and just stash them on their bench so as the Twins and Astros or anyone else that may be in competition with them can't have them.

Greinke also could be a pinch hitter, in desperation, late in a game, which could be nice in these days of 13 man staffs and only 3 dudes on the bench.

Mad baum at least has proven that he will do anything for a team to help them win a title. Not saying that Madbaum is the best available for the Twins, but if he is then might as well go for it. I mean they will probably be losing a few of their pitchers this off season anyway so realistically you can't place any hope on next year anyway. The only way to put together a top rotation next year will be through free agency once again. So they need to go for whatever deal seems to fit the best and go for it. They need bullpen help really badly

Yeah it seems there are guys out there that perform better in some roles and not in others. Romero just hasn't been good in the BP, I think they need to give him another crack at starting, or maybe being used after an opener??

It really depends on what the team we are trading to really needs. It they need middle infield help and a 4th OFer I think the Twins could get a nice haul. If they are loaded in those areas then not so much

I wonder if Ryan Madson would be worth working out? Maybe send him to AAA for 2 - 3 weeks see if he has anything in the tank while the Twins kick tires on some trades?? I know he blew the WS for the Dodgers last year but dang in 2017 he was lights out. I think it would be worth a look to see if he can fool some guys for a couple of months.

IDK, seems like Boston used Kimbrel in the high leverage situations all post season and they won the whole thing so it appears that he is fine. I haven't heard about any significant dip in velocity from Kimbrel, as long as he is still throwing hard, any bad outings last year could be just that, a few bad outings.

Smeltzer seems equivalent to Tommy Milone.

I have seen lots of positive press from the MLB channel.

I agree with you on the numbers, innings etc... But it seems like Rogers comes in during almost every high leverage situation. Today that high leverage situation should have been, in my opinion, when Yelich came to the plate. Not have to take care of the 4 hitters prior and then have to get Yelich. This is where they need another high leverage arm or two. Just some different options.

Yes, my son told me that they said at the beginning of the game there were some technical difficulties so there wouldn't be any radar numbers or strike zone etc...

It sure would be nice to have Hader coming in for the 8th.

I think one of the problems is that he is being over used a little. Let's face it, they pulled Harper out and the objective was to get Rogers all the way to Yelich. If the Twins had a better guy or two they would have waited to bring Rogers in when Yelich came up, not 4 hitters ahead of that. For instance that is where guys like Addison Reed, (had he performed like he had in the past), and Fernando Romero or last year Pressly would have come in. Then when they got to Rogers he would have only had to get Yelich and then maybe one more guy after that. The Twins are going to lose a lot of games like this one until they address their bullpen issues. However at least they will often times pound teams into submission where they won't need a perfect bullpen outing.

A return of Tommy "May Day" Milone!!!! Hope he does well!