Doubles

If the player was approached in a courteous, respectful manner, signing someone else's name is a richard maneuver. If you don't wanna sign, then don't sign & leave it at that. If the player was asked rudely, or even mis-identified as the player whose name he proceeded to sign, then that is a baller move.

I think this move goes far beyond Sano's ability to hit a breaking ball. This is a move to get him away from the bright lights, big cities, third-deck stadiums, & all the pressure that comes with them. This is about sending him back to square one. We've all seen the quotes about how Sano has to be 'More of a professional,' 'Needs to figure it out,' etc. This move is about those things, as much, if not more, than it is about hitting breaking balls. And, weight for it... this is about trying to get Sano to realize he is way overweight and needs to make lifestyle changes if he wants to get the most out of his professional career. Hopefully it's not too late & hopefully Sano is willing to put in the work & make the necessary lifestyle changes. Until those things happen, this is just a huge waist of God-given talent.

This just seems like it's one of the seasons were enough things happen that make you conclude, "Ya know, maybe this just ain't our year..." The Polanco news in spring training got the ball rolling on this. Injuries have hammered this team, and when compounded by several players performances regressing compared to last year, and this is what you get. Think about the positions that have been affected by injuries / stupidity that have not been short-term: 1B SS 3B CF C Just seems like these Twins have had 'bad ju-ju' pretty much from the get-go. Yes, all teams have to fight through injuries, but something just seems 'off' this season.

If anyone wants to deny that being overweight and out of shape adversely affects athletic performance, you are fully entitled to that opinion. Just the same as anyone who could not disagree more is entitled to that line of thinking.

I find this to be rather revisionist.

When a player has bottomed-out, as Buck seems to have, is not really the time to consider trading him.

No, for the love of all things holy, please no. Baseball should be a sanctuary from all that lunacy.

Courtesy of the great Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune:

Citing 3-for-37 says all we need to hear about the need to start hitting. Pretty sure the context of Nick's point was that those guys need to start leading the offense, which is pretty much irrefutable.

In a 'Week in Review' column in which the Twins went 2-4 / -21, and when your heroes go a combined 3-for-37, I don't wanna read a feel-good story or a cheerleader piece. Those numbers are what they are, and Nick cited them. Much the same way he'd credit Dozier & Buxton for going 18-for-37, with 5 dingers, 6 steals, and 3 GWRBIs when that happens. The facts is what they is.

No.

Just when I start to think the club is on its way, we see slop like this. Morrison is thrown out by inches after going into 2nd base standing up. Petit fails to tag up on Mauer's ball, an obvious tag-up sitch. Rosario only gains first base after watching his Texas Leaguer land fair down the left field line. Gross. Twins do not deserve to win this game today.

Inexcusable not to slide there. You know there was no way they were getting Buck at first. Unbelievable bonehead play that could have had Twins on 1st & 2nd with nobody out. Turrible play by Morrison.

Castro announcement today upped the ante...

Gotta try to upgrade.

Not sure officially, but it should have been ruled a hit and an error. Essentially, every base gained has to be accounted for. And on a close play with a wide throw, the official scorer typically gives the runner the benefit of the doubt. In this case, Buxton should have been credited with a hit, and Gregerson should have been charged with the error allowing Morrison and Buxton advancing an extra base each.

Cannot possibly like Chief's response enough.

Who comes back sooner? Sano or Castro?

Molitor doesn't sound happy, but context is important here, especially for the underlined part above. Can't tell if Molitor means Sano isn't trying 100%, or if he is not able to run 100%. Big difference.

http://www.startribune.com/molitor-pessimistic-about-return-after-watching-sano-run-in-outfield/482655471/

The bad news: With all due respect (and,has anything respectful ever followed that disclaimer?), there was no way Grossman's ball was gonna be caught. Right fielder Young's numbers were visible the entire time as he was in pursuit. Judging from the way the ball came down pretty quickly towards the end, it probably had a ton of topspin on it. You can see Young turn his shoulders to start to play the ball off the wall when Trout swoops in from out of camera range and grabs it. If nothing else, on a ball behind him, Adrianza should have checked with Glynn, who had a far easier read to make on that ball from the third base coaching box. Not scoring from first base on that ball, when running with the pitch, is bad baserunning, plain & simple. The good news: We are bemoaning a tough loss that capped off a 7-3 roadie against one horrible team & two excellent teams. Given the recent rough patch, this is a very good thing. Looks like the ship is well on its way to being righted. Got to get to .500, then start making hay from there.

This, right here, is the very crux of the debate that absolutely loses me.

Glad you responded; you bring up some interesting points. I don't know if coachability is the issue. I have no inside info here, just pretty much the eye test. I've watched Sano make some fabulous plays at third base. Especially on balls he has to charge & play bare-handed. Guy has an absolute rocket for an arm. If he'd get his fitness in check, he could play third base for years and be well above-average in my opinion. As it is now, he's gradually working his way to full-time DH status and greatly reducing his value. Also, I'm not saying getting fit will be the cure for all of Sano's ills. It won't change his approach at the plate, pitch selection, or anything else like that. But it would be a great starting point for getting his game back on track. I don't doubt he works hard- there's really no way to be a major leaguer without having an off-the-charts work ethic.

Question for you: Does Sano's career stand a better chance for health & longevity with improved fitness?

Are you inferring Romero embraces pharmaceuticals?