Squirrel

You know … you can always create your own polls, too … in fact, this is me encouraging you! I’m sure we’d all like a VanPoll!

You said this way better than me and you remembered way more pitchers than I did off the top of my head. I think when people think of ‘the pipeline’, I wonder if they think we should be producing aces all from our drafts? And, considering the depth you listed, I’d say our pipeline is pretty healthy … but let’s hope for no leaky or broken pipes, too!

Any pipeline isn’t completely homegrown from draft classes, for any team, that would also be unsustainable and require one to never miss on a draftee which is impossible. Building a pipeline also happens by trading vets for prospects in down years or rebuild years. I agree that we can’t sustain this by trading prospects for major league ready pitching, but that list shows that we haven’t done that. Ryan was acquired by trading Nelson Cruz, when we were no longer in contention, Duran by trading Escobar when we were no longer in contention, and Alcala by trading Pressly. And in some of those cases we trade major leaguer for major leaguer as was the case for Pablo López PLUS acquired a nice addition to our position player pipeline. And, it could be argued that we traded for Maeda, a major league starter by using a major league ready reliever. Same with Paddock and Pagan … major league for major league. Now, you can argue that you didn’t like some of those trades, but the bottom line is we didn’t use just prospects to acquire those pitchers. That would truly be unsustainable, but that’s not what we did. IMO, I consider Ryan, Duran, Jax, Moran, Alcala all from our pipeline. Even maybe Thielbar. Because you also fill out the pipeline with minor league signings that turn out. And then there are several on the cusp or coming … Ober, Winder, Balazovic, maybe Sands will go the Jax route, etc.

Let me qualify my response further. While on paper, I would not say this is a WS team, but, who knows. The rotation is hugely improved and they’ve brought in some players who should add to the offense. Wish they had done a bit more with the BP, yet again, but I’m okay ‘waiting and seeing’ there, for now. They brought in a very good, starting catcher. The FO is hardly ‘hoping to just tread water’ here. While results mean something and will finish the story, I am optimistic that this year will be an improvement over last. I guess if your definition of treading water isn’t to be a definitive WS team, okay, but it’s not mine. And without a single game having yet to be played, I think this take of ‘just treading water’ is way off base.

Wtf, man. You obviously pay little attention and read nothing. Go tread elsewhere.

What does this mean? That Correa is telling the FO who stays and who goes and who should be signed?

I saw some of practice today … in LF were Gallo and Larnach and Gordon was at 2nd base. A different day Gallo was taking reps at 1st base. Pretty sure they are going to have players ready to go at many positions.

Didn’t see it officially announced anywhere, but I see that Paddack is now on the 60-day IL which makes room for Solano

What I find interesting about this poll so far is two things … 1) every pitcher has votes; 2) there are no ‘run away’ choices with two pitchers having 13, one 12 and another 9. This goes back to (and I think supports) my original comment … that, imo, I think we have a strong group of starters, and that any one of them has the potential to turn in a great year, and I hope that they all do, and that one of them turns in an ace-like year.

I saw Gallo taking some practice at first yesterday. (At least pretty sure it was him.)

Lol, it’s okay … I used the a_c word in the op.

He’s always been with the Twins. After managing he become a roving minor league hitting coach. But yeah, good to see him here at ST … and working on base running!

I, too, cast my vote for Mahle.

Hearing bits and blurbs from ST, I’m excited about our starting pitching. Maybe I’m a bit too excited but it’s a strong group, imo. And maybe I’m just thinking that because who is no longer here. But hearing that Ryan tweaked his slider and it’s looking good, Gray is strong. Mahle seems to have figured out his shoulder. Maeda has no restrictions. And new acquisition with Lopez. And we can’t discount Ober. While some say we need an ace and won’t win without one, something I don’t necessarily disagree with. But, I don’t think we need that one pitcher who is a career ace. We just need one or two of our pitchers to have a really great year, maybe even an ace-like season. I think the potential is there with this group. So, early yet, but intentionally so … and if I remember at the end of the season to check this poll, I will … who do you think will be the Twins best starting pitcher this coming season?

I think they are more concerned about Polanco at this point, but could be both. I’ve gotta think someone is traded at this point.

Well, I get that but don’t agree with it. I don’t know what was said or what the altercation was about, but I don’t agree with anyone using their fists to solve a verbal disagreement. Again, I don’t know any details or context, but I do think it was at least something that Balazovic didn’t respond in kind and escalate the situation.

I'll preface this question with I'm more of a 'feels' person. I know that ST is just an exciting time ... players getting back into it, they are with their teammates again, it's the fun moment where so much is possible. But do you discern a different attitude coming in this year? I saw quotes online about Buxton talking about getting that ring, Correa's leadership, Max's 'zen-like' approach, people excited ... is there a 'click' to this year, more so than other years? Or maybe a different mindset? Or is this all just 'It's the start of ST and everyone is just hyped up'? And maybe considering last year, and previous years with the pandemic, this year is the most 'normal' they've had in several years.

Please visit this topic here.

They wouldn’t agree to a cap before because the owners weren’t interested in a real, competitive floor and better revenue sharing. I think both parties need to give on this, but if the owners won’t, neither will the players.

I don’t know if this is good info or not. At least he didn’t respond physically and escalate the situation.

He didn’t spend significant time on the IL last year, wasn’t injured at the end of last season, so I see no need for an update at this point

I wonder if the FO and manager know more details, and I’m guessing they do, so their responses are telling. I don’t think our speculating of why matters much. Just shows a poor lack of judgement on Balazovic’s part that found him wherever he was when he was is really the only thing that matters. The FO’s comment about needing to prioritize baseball, and Rocco’s displeasure and saying it was disappointing, is telling. But as I said before, I really hope he pulls it together, mostly for his sake.

Thanks, John! This time of year, I like everything and anything I hear and am just giddy.

Having lived in Canada … ‘oot and aboot’ is as close to the accent I heard on a daily basis living in Ottawa. But the accents vary depending on where … which is true of most any country. But I say 10 to 12 and not of. Most people I know say ‘to’. And you spell it colour, eh? 🙂