denarded

Kepler seems to be valued to high. I know age and cheap contract enhance his value, but he looked mediocre at the plate to me this year (SSS) but I have some concerns with him. Corner outfielders need to hit for value

Being in Chicago, I loathe the White Sox. We need to bring back Hawk Harrelson. YYYessssss! Hell Yessss!

Good analogy, Ted

Great write up. Nodded my head with everyone of them. Well articulated

You're missing the point. We can't sign Cruz until he establishes his value on the open market. MLB is not saying what the open market is. My point is not about wether the DH should be in the game for both leagues, it's why can't they just say what it is so teams can evaluate their needs

How is it that MLB can't figure out Universal DH or not? Not fair to players. Not fair to teams. Not fair to the Twins signing Cruz. If MLB can't get this figured out there is no way we have baseball after labor negotiations after next season. Manfred is a joke. I'm just pointing this out before both points become front page news (not that most fans are aware of this) I'll step off my soapbox now

The big problem as stated in article is that Polanco can't be 'Super Utility' he has no outfield value or able to play first (which I know can be handled with other options) The problem is our offensive bench is so few with the profusion of relievers teams carry these days The decision is wether Twins believe the ankle won't be an issue and he bounces back on offense. If his ankle is a better I see him getting to a few more balls at SS and his arm is not terrible to my eye. Save the money and get another #2 ish starter

I think asking a rookie to break in as a Super Utility will slow his progress. Not getting enough reps at a position consistently. Also, Aside from 2 weeks in AZ Fall League his bat seems questionable

Don't know if I agree putting Twins on top. Sox hitting will be best in MLB and their pitching is at least as good as ours hopes to be. Hope I'm wrong. Thanks for the article

I'm curious to see how Twins respond or what they're already working on. Sox were going to be competition before this acquisition and Chicago media sounds like they're not done making another major move. Not that it would be major, but Sox picking up Rosario could amount to a future awful play that we will wince at for the next ten years. Go Twins

Could not agree more. If that's not the plan, we're using the wrong plan

Side thought. I've noticed this year how much the fatter, out of shape umps contrast with the younger, fitter umps. I don't believe the fatter umps can keep a good, steady base behind the plate. Their bodies do a lot more leaning. Also, umps getting bad looks at steals of second. Not being in a good position to see tag. Thank god nobody steals anymore

Fun, informative, creative. Good job Nick.

Thanks for catching. Not my best moment, but boy do I love reading Stark (and Posnanski)

I think you meant a '2 game series'

Great article, true fan.

This is interesting and sort of concerning. Article snippet comes from the incomparable Jayson Stark of The Athletic (Which is must read site regardless of sport): • Finally, this was a year in which the Twins had the best September record in their league (16-8) — and still got swept. If you don’t count teams that lost in the one-game wild-card game format, they’re only the fourth team in the 21st century to have the best record in their league from Sept. 1 on and still get swept in their first-round series. See if you notice a theme here. 2020 TWINS (16-8) — Swept by Astros (WCS) 2016 RED SOX (19-10) — Swept by Indians (ALDS) 2010 TWINS (18-12) — Swept by Yankees (ALDS) 2009 TWINS (21-12) — Swept by Yankees (ALDS) Small sample size (21 years) but very stark facts.

I'm curious with an organizational answer. The Post Season failings are verging on 3 generations of line up, 3 managers, 2 1/2 front offices, Multiple high draft picks, and a dedication to analytics and 'new school thought'. Fine and good, but nothing has changed when it comes down to winning 2 of 3 games. Yes, everything is a crapshoot in post season, but we seem to roll the dice to crap the bed no matter who's managing, scouting, front-officing, or playing.

We won a game in 2004

Nishioka

I hate to like this, but you're right

Uggh. Losing to Astros and Dusty Baker = Losing to Yankees

Good news is we used up our bullpen in game 1

Correct. It sucks, but it's the best you can hope for with how crappy umpiring has been this year

Umpiring is fine. Fair for both sides. We've got this