killertwinfan

Why not both and why not neither?

In the beginning I appreciated Buxton's comments about not being called up. I understand both sides. The FO feels that he has not delivered the promise that comes with a top flight prospect. And from his perspective he fought through difficult circumstances (some of his doing and some not) to earn the call up. My belief was that this was positive tension from both sides that should work towards better results from him and better usage, management, etc from the Twins. But this statement??? Self entitled Diva. Imagine that from a pro athlete. I can respectfully answer your question Mr. Buxton. I think the Twins liked your late season performance too. However, they want you to be more consistent, from the beginning to the end of the season. https://www.twinkietown.com/2018/12/13/18138350/mlb-minnesota-twins-byron-buxton-miguel-sano-rocco-baldelli-fortnite-metrodome-us-bank-home-plate

You put a lot of effort into a pipe dream. But I do like it.

In general I like the strategy, but I am also not excited about 2019. If neither Schoop or Cron pan out then it won't be long before Rooker and Gordon are up. I think if the thought is for these guys to play their way onto the roster you need better players in those positions so that Rooker and Gordon are really challenged. Also, I would do the same for 1B and CF. The infield scares me. I expect Adrianza to get 500 AB next year.

At this point we still do not have a starting second baseman. IF someone is going to bat .200, I would like a glove. Sure he is worth a trial run but how will you know at the end of spring training? We could be rolling with Adrianza at this point.

My thoughts exactly. I suppose Dozier won't sign with the Twins no matter what??? I doubt he gets much more, maybe $9M??

This seems to be out of step with the mindset of the front office. Plugging the gap at first base should be a priority but trading talent for a $20M per year with a guy that is moving around like a hot potato and is diminishing in the field...? Not with you.

I know that the winter meetings are just starting but to be brutally honest as I look forward to the season I feel uneasy with this roster. We lost our two most disciplined hitters, a very important role player (given Sano's pension for injuries and whatever), a lot of production at second base, (although not last year) and we are relying heavily on two guys who have not demonstrated that they can sustain any kind of performance for a season. There are a lot of moving pieces, we have a young front office and few options. I think we need to have a very good offseason or you can expect regression with this team.

It's pretty hard to keep reading with your first suggestion. I am not sure that it makes any sense to put Kepler at first. You have Austin, Cron and Sano already vying for AB's over there. That aside, I agree with your other comments, but not willing to concede they are creative. You should have opened with Astudillo.

I do not disagree with you. Our outfield does provide ample time to continue the process with Kep. Other than Rosario, None of them are particularly great. Buxton, Kepler and Cave all must improve to stay at this level.

You took one word from my quote. I said that the FO earned the scrutiny because they did not have a tangible explanation for their decision which gives the appearance of a lack of vision. Does not say No vision, just that their lack of an explanation gives the appearance of a lacking vision. If they explain, then we understand their vision better.

Kepler appears to be making good adjustments at the plate. If he can combine the best of his approaches to righties in 2017 and lefties in 2018 I think he takes the next step. He is still young and improving. This team is going nowhere anytime soon, you might as well wait and see while grooming his replacement..

I imagine the Pohlad's committed a certain amount of time to Molitor when they hired him and you pointed out that the front office was informed of that before they were hired. If they wanted their own guy, shouldn't they just say that? Everyone talks about having you own guy as a "thing" for front offices, so why not just admit it. I believe the FO earns the scrutiny they are getting for a lack of a tangible explanation as to what they are doing and what is starting to appear as a lack of vision on their part.

I am not going to endorse the Brewers approach for the Twins. BUT, it seems like our upcoming talent is "ordained" as that position for the future when, they should have to play their way into the lineup. As and example, make Buxton the 4th outfielder and if he doesn't play his way into the everyday line up and needs more AB's, send him back to triple A. To me, bring the player up and hope approach isn't working very well.

I know his defense is terrible, but I wouldn't mind having both he and Astudillo behind the plate next year. Trade Castro. Bring on the rebuild.

Good for Kyle. I never thought it would happen! He is become a leader of the team.

I guess we'll never know for sure, but the narrative is aiming towards Molitor's ability to work with "our" young guys. I would not be first in line to defend the job that Mollie has done and I respect any decision that puts the long term goals of this team first. However, I am alarmed that the FO cannot articulate a vision of our future and what that manager might look like. At this point, conceding I/we don't have the full picture, I am on alert with this FO just making random moves for short term gains. (that haven't worked). Observing free agent moves the dialogue coming from the front office and the general progress of the franchise my feelings are mostly concern for the future.

I am not sure that any of these moves would make this team anything other than mediocre. I am not interested in Dozier unless they are one year deals until Gordon or whomever is ready. That being said it seems Dozier's unhappiness with not being extended and then the FO bailing on this team before the players were ready to throw in the towel makes it unlikely for that scenario to arise. I really like Escobar, would love to have him back but probably would not extend and offer for more than 2 years. I think he will do better than that in free agency. It seems our best option is to go young and cheap and hope for something in 2-3 years.

Nothing has changed for me. IF we need a rental, fine, if not let him go. Who is the real Forsythe? He is batting .176 with 1 rbi his last nine games.

I agree. This is a business and the Twins and Buxton are in a partnership of sorts. The sting of leaving him in the minors while he has earned the promotion will put a stress on the relationship with the player and the agent that will not be forgotten. On the other hand, the Twins shouldn't be expecting any discount when free agency comes, so I would understand a decision to "shut him down" for the season.

Couldn't be more disappointed. With the exception of a couple of players this team doesn't look like a team bearing down to make the playoffs, they look more like a deer in headlights. I don't care who they trade, as long as it is for good value.

I know they struggle with Duffy, but the Twins looked like the had been in a slumber right up until game time. Sluggish start from a team that should be feeling a sense of urgency. Seems like we'll be sellers soon, I hope management isn't waiting for these guys to show their true colors, we have already seen them. Streaky at best, but below a .500 team. We need to shake up the culture of that club house. This is on the players.

yep.

If I believe another report of Sano, losing weight or being in better condition, it will be a result of a series of before and after photos, a certified weigh-in and a congressional hearing validating the results of said weigh-in while enacting the death penalty to any party caught falsifying statements, propagating false reports or tainting results in any way. How is that for skepticism.

An interesting read in the trib this morning. Joe Christensen's paragraph on Sano insinuates that projections of his future fortunes got to Sano. A good read. http://www.startribune.com/false-starts-to-careers-of-miguel-sano-byron-buxton-leave-twins-with-hope-concerns/488682521/