rdehring

As with all of us, my opinion doesn't matter. But what will the Twins do? We just don't know what effect this crazy, crazy season had on the performance of all Twins players. Although many had very disappointing seasons, we just don't know if the Twins are giving all of them a 'mulligan.' With that said, I have a feeling there may be less significant moves than we think should be. For example, how can you plan to have Sano playing every day after striking out 50% of the time. How much did Polanco's ankle effect what he did this year? Why was Garver so bad after being so good? What is the problem with Arraez' knee? Will it go away with rest or does he need another surgery? There is little question that Jeffers will most likely be penciled in to about 50% of games behind the plate. There is no question that albeit in small samples, both Rooker and Kirilloff appear to have made claim for a spot on the opening day roster. How those spots are made available remains to be seen and I for one eagerly await their moves.

Wanted to respond to MNTWINSWINAGAIN, but didn't want to copy that entire post. Found your thought process to be interesting, very interesting. No one will know until we get to spring if there will be any fans in the stands, thus budgeting 2021 revenue is a crap shoot. So I will be shocked if we don't see the Twins payroll reduced substantially, much lower than most of the above projections. Did find one thing in your post that I had to do a double take on. That was including Javier with your infielders to bring up. He didn't play anywhere in 2020 and most recent season was a total failure with the bat in 2019 at Cedar Rapids. Certainly not ready for the big leagues and is probably buried deep in their depth chart at shortstop. Now Lewis, he could be another story.

With all the talk about hitting coaches I began wondering about something I must have heard several times during every broadcast. That is that they were not allowed to use some type of video during games that they had relied upon in previous years. Assume it had something to do with Houston prior transgressions, but not sure of that either Will that video be back next year? Did it make that much of a difference to be the cause of so many good hitters throughout the league doing poorly?

Thanks for another great article, Nick. Don't know how you keep them coming day after day, but they are appreciated. Expect the first question is the biggie that everything else will be subject to. Opening day is now less than six months away. Looking back six months, really not much has changed. Yes, there is hope for a vaccine in the coming months and perhaps some better treatments. But COVID-19 isn't going away, we are gonna have to learn to live and yes, die with it. That means old fahrts like me and my wife don't have much of a life making Twins games on tv so very important. It also means that there will most certainly be both limitations and restrictions on fans at Target Field next April. With that a strong probability and a large loss in 2020, don't see how the Twins payroll budget won't be much smaller in 2021, probably down to $100M or even less. Actually, the worst scenario for their CFO is that there is a full season with attendance limited to 15%-25% which would likely generate bigger losses than this year. Gonna be an interesting winter as players and the union gripe about not receiving those big long-term deals. So I see the Twins doing more tinkering along with a few smart trades rather than any BIG free agent signings. Would love to see Nellie back, but on a one year deal. Agree with you that it is probably 50-50. A big need is getting several players who play best on the big stage when needed the most. But their biggest need may be a new manager. I cannot believe that an entire team goes in the tank on the biggest stage because all of their key players are losers. I refuse to believe that both Maeda and Berrios needed to be removed and the outcome wouldn't have been different had they stayed in. I cannot understand the constant shifting and bringing the infield in early in a game when a double play would end the inning. Two key runs were scored by Houston on weak ground balls that were outs for the first 100+ years this game has been played. Those are all the Manager's decisions, and they weren't good. As for the hitting coach, I wasn't around the team and have no way of knowing whether he should stay or go. It appears the Twins have a half dozen players ready to step up and play. Rooker, Jeffers, and Kirilloff all look to be ready. Jeffers spot is easy, the others will require that another player be moved. Don't know what form it will take, but they are gonna have to start getting some of these guys playing time. Thanks, Nick.

I maintain not trading at the deadline nor the injuries is the major problem this team faced. What drives me nuts is the shift for nearly every hitter and bringing the infield in early in the game when a double play would end the inning. Although my recollection isn't what it used to be, I recall two key runs scoring in the playoffs on slow grounders that would have been outs in days past. The biggest question facing this team is have they taken analytics too bloody far?

Considering the subject, Nick, I really don't want to say it was a great post. But the fact is you nailed it. I had moved on to 2021 after Tuesday's loss that shouldn't have been. I see lots of talk above about 2021, but no one has mentioned the ugly truth. Yes, this team needs lots of changes to get over that last hurdle. But planning for 2021 is going to be almost impossible for the people that will be doing it. There are many questions the FO and owner will be facing. Will there be a normal 2021 spring training and season? If there is a 162 game season, will there be fans in the stands? And if so, how many? Will there be any progress towards a new CBA during the season? Or will baseball come to a halt after next year's post season? Considering the players unwillingness to give a nickel on their per game compensation during a pandemic, it sure seems like a strong possibility. And on a related note, will there be a minor league season? If not, baseball may have lost an entire group of players who were well into their development and won't be there to replace aging veterans over the coming years. And none of the above questions has much to do with any decisions about filling out a 2021 roster. But with that uncertainty, I don't see the Twins (or most teams) spending like normal. I will be surprised if lots of players don't end up on one year contracts for a lot less than they want. Likewise, I will be surprised if the Twins 2021 opening day payroll, assuming there is an opening day, is much over $100,000,000. And with Donaldson making $21,000,000, that doesn't leave room for any big free agent contracts.

Will be an interesting fall/winter at Target Field. Does the FO understand that this team has problems? Will they take a hint from over in St. Paul and decide that some serious changes are needed? Don't know how they will react, but am doubtful they will make serious changes and if they do, what those changes are. Should be interesting seeing what team takes the field in Fort Myers come March...assuming there is a spring training. And until we know for a fact that there will be lots of fans in the stands, what will their budget for payroll be next year? My over under is $100,000,000.

In total agreement with all your points, Ted. Was scratching my head when Garver pinch hit, then again when Avila came on to catch. Stopped scratching when Astudillo pinch hit as I knew the Manager believed he needed to get all four catchers into the game. I have to believe that Garver will be better in 2021. Maybe not 2019 good, but certainly better than this year. That puts Garver and Jeffers splitting starts about 50-50. Expect Astudillo will either be gone or in Rochester, assuming the World has returned to some degree of normal. That will help the Twins cut payroll for 2021, which I expect will be down from projected 2020 by at least a quarter or more. Notice how I have already turned the page to next year.

They talked about a few of these decisions over at the Twins site. Wade isn't eligible having been optioned to the ALT site on Saturday. They also were concerned with how well Houston knows Alcala, having gotten him from them in the 2018 trade. Personally, that was over two years ago and I doubt Houston would have an advantage from his time there.

Very interesting. Have to believe that it is related to some player(s) injury. Wouldn't surprise me to learn at some point that one of several Twins have been playing thru some nagging injury. Maybe Sano? Cruz? Could see Kirilloff getting at bats in either case.

Great recap, Nick. Wrote elsewhere that I watched the games in Columbus, Ohio listening to the Reds tv crew. They were raving about Arraez, including comparisons to Pete Rose. Can't remember if I heard it there or read it online, but one comment was that Arraez could wake up on Christmas morning and go out and get a couple hits...or something like that. To be honest, the biggest surprise for me has been that MLB actually got thru this season with all teams playing 60 or close to 60 games. Hell of a job by the players and management to have a great COVID plan in place and sticking to it.

Watched the game yesterday at my son's home in Columbus, Ohio. Was fun listening to the Cincinnati crew do the game. Found it interesting when they were raving about Arraez with comparison's to Pete Rose. Isn't it great that he ended the season hitting for a .321 average? I think this season confirms that he is going to be special for a long time. Had a feeling late in the game that Baldelli wasn't going all-in to get the win. As for the pessimism above, think a lot is based on the poor performance of several hitters who did unbelievably well last year. This year, not so good. Yet, as I look around the league many of the big name hitters are also doing poorly. Just look at the Cubs, Brewers, etc. Gotta believe the short summer training, schedule and conditions players are living with have a lot to do with it. Now on to victory versus the Stro's.

Add to four NL Central teams in the playoffs and our division was the best, no questions.

Great article, Nick. Couldn't agree more. Now can the Twins hang on to the four young men you talk about, Falvey, Levine, Baldelli and Johnson?

No we don't have to play the Yankees. Should we stay ahead of the Sox, we would probably open with Cleveland...which may be more difficult. I give the Sox a chance of taking out those Yankees, especially if not playing in NYC.

A White Sox win today puts us tied and they have the tiebreaker. It would also put our magic # with the Tribe at 1. Gonna be one hell of a final weekend in the AL Central. And gotta agree with bighat above, also might prefer the Yankees to the Tribe, although we have played well against the Indians at Target Field. Is Rosario heating up at the right time? Keep it going Eddie for at least another couple weeks. And please get Arraez back this weekend, he will make a huge difference if he isn't too rusty. And what isn't to like about Alcala? He would be on my playoff roster, don't know about the Twins? Did Jeffers guarantee his roster spot last night?

Have a thought on Rogers' problem. He is the player rep, thus, was involved in the long negotiations leading up to reopening the season. Since there have been several difficult negotiations with the most recent just ending the other day when the final decisions were agreed to regarding the playoffs, bubble, etc. Don't know how much bickering there is in the clubhouse or how much pressure he has felt. Could be a reason his head isn't at 100% when he is on the mound or preparing to go there.

Read in the Strib this morning that the starters would be Maeda-Berrios-Pineda. Personally, I would have Hill as a long man with Dobnak not making the cut. Not certain what I think of that as am a huge fan of the Dobber. Bullpen has to include Stashak and Thielbar. Was thinking last night when Cody was pitching how well he really has done this year. Expect he and Alcala will both be huge parts of next year's pen. As for the last hitter, expect they will keep Wade who really has been a valuable part of this team the last month or so.

Great games for Rosario and Kepler. Has anyone else noticed that May and Duffey seem to have problems when they come in during an inning to shut it down, then come back out for the next inning and aren't as sharp? With who Cleveland is sending to the hill today and tomorrow, we just may overtake Chicago...assuming we keep winning. But is that good? Keep winning and play the Yankees at home. Overtake the Sox and we will probably face Cleveland at home. Not certain which of those I prefer. Will be on the road tonight so won't see the game. Win Twins, Win!

If its me, Jeffers would be my #1 catcher heading into the playoffs. Would want to get Garver into at least half the remaining games for him to get caught up with both his bat and behind the plate. With that said, I will be shocked if Jeffers is behind the plate in Game 1. Going forward, Rortvedt has missed this year of development and is now at least two years away. Should fit perfectly with the time when Garver's decline will be noticeable. The good news is that a Jeffers-Rortvedt duo gives you both a right handed bat and left.

Booooo, missing Bauer will be terrible. Really wanted to see Kepler hit a few home runs off the guy. I am assuming that the streak of home runs in consecutive at bats isn't ongoing, is it?

I recall a couple times last night when I had to look real hard to see which Twin was at bat. Seemed they would go on and on about the Cubs and whatever for extended periods. Hopefully, the Twins are aware and that helps put a nice big chip on their shoulders come next week.

Feel so much better after these last two games. Kepler is shaking off the rust and Garver is back. Although Garver needs a lot of work behind the plate and with the bat. Is Jeffers the Twins best catcher today? Will he even be on the playoff roster? And they really need Arraez back this week to get some AB's before the playoffs. Great seeing Berrios settle in. Will he be the opening day starter? If it is to be the Yankees, looking at both teams home/away splits they have to win out and play those games at Target Field.

Well, that's better. I know there has been lots of talk about several Twins who just aren't hitting as we expected, Garver, Kepler, Polanco, Sano, Donaldson and others. When looking at the box score this morning, saw that the best average of the Cubs big trio of Baez, Rizzo and Bryant was .211. Certainly seems that the circumstances related to this year's weird schedule is affecting a lot of very good hitters in a negative manner. Seems like a good year to throw out the stats, at least as far as hitters are concerned.

Ouch! That was a tough one. Was ready to look for something to do after Hill walking the first two followed by the single and first run. But he got out of that inning down 1-0, great job. Can't believe the big time pitching performance he put up after those first few hitters. Maybe he can carry that thru to the playoffs? Also can't believe how pathetic nearly every hitter has become. Buxton continues to do well, but after him there is nobody. When will Arraez be returning?