How to fix this embarassing offense.

[drivlikejehu]

 

Nor does coming back to earth means the rebuild failed.  That's just a preposterous assertion.

 

An assertion you created. I said nothing of the kind. I never thought the Twins were good this year in the first place. Net, they are still way up on where they should be.

 

It's their underlying lack of production that concerns me. I've been completely consistent in that regardless of temporary hot and cold streaks.

[TheLeviathan]

 

An assertion you created. I said nothing of the kind. I never thought the Twins were good this year in the first place. Net, they are still way up on where they should be.

 

It's their underlying lack of production that concerns me. I've been completely consistent in that regardless of temporary hot and cold streaks.

 

Please, by all means explain the difference between the rebuild "disintegrating" and "failed".

[drivlikejehu]

 

Please, by all means explain the difference between the rebuild "disintegrating" and "failed".

 

Disintegrating refers to the present. For instance, regression by Mauer, Hughes, Danny Santana, etc.

 

Failed refers to a future state, i.e., subsequent to the process of disintegration. As a result of those regressions and other factors, the Twins will have won fewer games than would be expected at the end of a successful rebuild. Fairly straightforward really.

[KirbyHawk75]

A catcher like Suzuki would be good for good lineup where he could hit 8th and/or 9th.  This lineup is too dependent on Suzuki, which is not fair to Suzuki, or quite frankly, us fans.  So finding a better catcher is a way to improve our offense.  

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

The offense can't be fixed for 2015.

But wasn't it rolling along like gangbusters in May?

[jorgenswest]

Until someone with the Twins or Mauer himself says he's bothered by post concussions symptoms I'm  call it a convenient excuse.

 

He doesn't need to have symptoms. Brain injuries can change the brain. Permanently.

[USAFChief]

Until someone with the Twins or Mauer himself says he's bothered by post concussions symptoms I'm  call it a convenient excuse.

 

I have been right there with you. Highly skeptical.

 

But the falloff has been so dramatic offensively, and the defensive play so seemingly lacking in reaction time and intuitive decisions, that Im now wondering.

 

There has to be something wrong, no?

 

Good players don't fall off a cliff in their early 30s often.

[TheLeviathan]

 

As of the beginning of this season, Hughes was a key component of the next few years. Mauer was as well. Arcia and Danny Santana were considered supporting pieces by many. 

 

Buxton, Sano, and Berrios are not a team unto themselves. They aren't even guaranteed stars, though I think Buxton has a fairly high floor due to his defense. 

 

Again though everything you say is in generalities. What year will the Twins be a legitimate playoff contender? This year? 2016? 2017? 2018?

 

How will any of us know?  Player development isn't an exact science.  I never put 2015 as the goal, I always felt 2016 or 2017 were far more reasonable.  

 

Everything both of us have said is generalities, that's the nature of the discussion.  Strange that I name three key players that are big factors and it's "they aren't a team unto themselves".  But apparently the regression of four players is enough to call it all falling apart.

[drivlikejehu]

 

How will any of us know?  Player development isn't an exact science.  I never put 2015 as the goal, I always felt 2016 or 2017 were far more reasonable.  

 

Everything both of us have said is generalities, that's the nature of the discussion.  Strange that I name three key players that are big factors and it's "they aren't a team unto themselves".  But apparently the regression of four players is enough to call it all falling apart.

 

I don't understand your latter points at all. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't you rather have seven good players than three? 

 

That's why the regressions are an issue. A club needs a number of contributors to have success. Right now I don't see enough good players, even if the top prospects pan out. And historically, that in itself is a dubious assumption.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

I have been right there with you. Highly skeptical.

But the falloff has been so dramatic offensively, and the defensive play so seemingly lacking in reaction time and intuitive decisions, that Im now wondering.

There has to be something wrong, no?

Good players don't fall off a cliff in their early 30s often.

I've been watching the Twins for around 30 years now. The decline of Joe Mauer is the most heartbreaking thing I have witnessed as a Twins fan.

 

Certainly, the end result of Dennis Martinez hitting Puck in the face with a pitch and the ensuing results the following spring training is at the top of that list also.

 

I just didn't see the Mauer situation coming... but maybe, I was being naive and didn't want to absorb that reality. Anyway you slice it, it sucks, and although I hold out hope for him to find his former self, I know that is probably not in the cards.

 

I could not tell you what this club is going to do with this situation moving forward, because it's a mess. But I do hope everyone can remember the great player this guy once was. He was on his way to the Hall of Fame. These days that seems very unlikely. And as much as I am bummed out about this, I bet Joe Mauer is bummed out a lot more than the collective of us combined.

 

It's really sad.

[glunn]

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[drjim]

 

I've been watching the Twins for around 30 years now. The decline of Joe Mauer is the most heartbreaking thing I have witnessed as a Twins fan.

 

Certainly, the end result of Dennis Martinez hitting Puck in the face with a pitch and the ensuing results the following spring training is at the top of that list also.

 

I just didn't see the Mauer situation coming... but maybe, I was being naive and didn't want to absorb that reality. Anyway you slice it, it sucks, and although I hold out hope for him to find his former self, I know that is probably not in the cards.

 

I could not tell you what this club is going to do with this situation moving forward, because it's a mess. But I do hope everyone can remember the great player this guy once was. He was on his way to the Hall of Fame. These days that seems very unlikely. And as much as I am bummed out about this, I bet Joe Mauer is bummed out a lot more than the collective of us combined.

 

It's really sad.

 

Agreed. I wonder a little if Mauer might put the situation out of its own misery. That would be an obscene amount of money to walk away from though.

[drivlikejehu]

 

Agreed. I wonder a little if Mauer might put the situation out of its own misery. That would be an obscene amount of money to walk away from though.

 

The one X-factor though is if he's convinced it's because of the concussion and is worried about the risk of another one. It's something I would be worried about.

[glunn]

 

The one X-factor though is if he's convinced it's because of the concussion and is worried about the risk of another one. It's something I would be worried about.

 

I think that another X factor might be concern about his reputation and legacy.  Also, if the Twins offered a settlement for him to stay home with his wife and kids, that might be appealing.  Or maybe he might want to eventually try some other job in the organization.

 

No one can say for certain what is causing Mauer's poor play, but if he feels that he is not going to get better then perhaps there could be a win-win solution.  

[jimbo92107]

 

I agree... might be finally time to sit Mauer.  I also think he'll figure out some way to resurrect his career.  So much talent there.  Arcia also should be given every possible chance.

Consider this: All big power hitters take a pronounced stride forward into the ball. Joe Mauer does not. Keeping your weight back is a great way to wait on a pitch and slice it to the opposite field, but it's not how you pound balls over the fence.

 

For Mauer to become a power hitter, he'll have to learn to stride forward and shift his weight into the pitch and meet it in front of the plate. It's not just a matter of turning on inside pitches; the barrel needs to have some carry through the forward part of the zone, or your bat head will come around too soon and top the ball to the second baseman.

 

Keeping your weight back and pulling the ball with power is almost impossible. Even Joe Mauer can't do it.

[howeda7]

I've been a relative Mauer defender, but clearly something is wrong. I'd think a DL stint to clear his head would be in order at minimum. Mourneau's 2014 gives me some hope that he can partially bounce back, even if it takes far longer than we thought.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I've been watching the Twins for around 30 years now. The decline of Joe Mauer is the most heartbreaking thing I have witnessed as a Twins fan.

 

Certainly, the end result of Dennis Martinez hitting Puck in the face with a pitch and the ensuing results the following spring training is at the top of that list also.

 

I just didn't see the Mauer situation coming... but maybe, I was being naive and didn't want to absorb that reality. Anyway you slice it, it sucks, and although I hold out hope for him to find his former self, I know that is probably not in the cards.

 

I could not tell you what this club is going to do with this situation moving forward, because it's a mess. But I do hope everyone can remember the great player this guy once was. He was on his way to the Hall of Fame. These days that seems very unlikely. And as much as I am bummed out about this, I bet Joe Mauer is bummed out a lot more than the collective of us combined.

 

It's really sad.

Great post.

[DaveW]

It's way too early to write Mauer's obituary and talk about buy outs etc, I think its a lingering concussion issue or something, hopefully he can eventually come back somewhat strong, but to say he should walk away? Just stop, he had a 107 OPS+ last year, and while that isn't anything amazing, it's not exactly like he was embarrassing himself out there. (Plouffe has a 107 OPS+ this year and I don't think anyone is writing him off)

 

This recent slump is frustrating no doubt, but he isn't the only one having one in June....it seems to be a team wide thing:

June OPS:

Mauer: .582

Plouffe: .441

Hunter: .573

Suzuki: .408

 

I know its easy to scapegoat Mauer because of the contract etc etc, but the whole team is in a rut right now. I guess the good news is they are losing some very close games at this point, hopefully these guys all stop slumping at the right time and Buxton and/or Sano can provide a spark.

 

[Pius Jefferson]

 

I have been right there with you. Highly skeptical.

But the falloff has been so dramatic offensively, and the defensive play so seemingly lacking in reaction time and intuitive decisions, that Im now wondering.

There has to be something wrong, no?

Good players don't fall off a cliff in their early 30s often.

 

 

Perhaps. Or Mauer aged faster than most of us would have guessed. Combine that with defensive shifts, wider strike zone, all the injuries and a slower bat and you have a 32 year old playing much older.

[Platoon]

The bad news is this losing streak is bringing the team back to earth. The good news is it is forcing TR to step up his normally glacial pace in roster reconstruction. 18 months from now, we might look back at this June as for what it is, a blessing in disguise. The vast majority of prognosticators, even the home town ones, put .500 ball as the apex this team would/could achieve. Then during the winning streak, the peripherals just didn't support it. So there should be no suprise here. This is a classic case of having to get bad to eventually get better. I feel bad for Mauer. He is a shell of his former self. Today there are floating rumors of Sano sightings in the future. I cannot believe he will come here to DH. Mauer to the post concussion list? Plouffe to first? Stay tuned.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Pretty harsh dismissal after only 3 games, can't we give him at least 30 games before we put the weight of the whole world on his shoulders?- or should they just pull the plug and put Robinson out there instead?

 

I'm not dismissing him.  I think he's going to be pretty good.  The problem is that this is going to take time, even for guys like Buxton.  Maybe he'll go 3-4 today and prove me wrong, who knows... but the reality is that prospects coming up typically takes time.  That's why I think Vargas needs to be playing and why I don't see the point in bringing up Sano right now, as I doubt he out performs Plouffe. 

[Craig Arko]

 

Today there are floating rumors of Sano sightings in the future. I cannot believe he will come here to DH. Mauer to the post concussion list? Plouffe to first? Stay tuned.

 I rather think this is how it's going to play out; right or wrong.

[Blackjack]

 

Agreed. I wonder a little if Mauer might put the situation out of its own misery. That would be an obscene amount of money to walk away from though.

 

Besides the money the one reason every player plays is to win a championship, with the team future trending upward, I see Joe sticking around for at least another year or two, hoping the team gets to the promised land, the World Series.

[Mike Sixel]

I suggest that if people think Mauer was good last year, that they go to fangraphs and look at 1B hitters and sort only on offense.........

 

To make the offense better this year:

 

1. Call up Sano. Play him at 1B, DH, 3B. Plouffe plays 1B when Sano is at 3B. Mauer sits some.

2. Sit Mauer 2-4 times a week. He's not good. He has not been good for some time. He isn't even making good decisions, simple decisions, well in the field right now.

3. Show patience with Buxton and just leave him in CF all year, unless he is embarrassing himself.

4. Keep Rosario in LF all year

5. Stop playing Escobar in the OF, or Nunez

6. Cut Duensing to make room for Sano, not a hitter

7. Play Herrmann at catcher more. On no planet is Suzuki even good in the 9 hole.

[Vanimal46]

My ideal batting order for the next couple of months:

 

Buxton CF

Rosario LF

Dozier 2B

Plouffe 3B

Sano/Vargas platoon DH

Hunter RF

Mauer 1B

TBD SS

Suzuki C

 

 

[clank2000]

2015 Mauer = 2014 Jeter

[AWOLNATION_11]

I think it is time Mauer considers losing the beard.  Rock a mustache for a few games and see if that gets the bat going.

[DaveW]

 

I suggest that if people think Mauer was good last year, that they go to fangraphs and look at 1B hitters and sort only on offense.........

 

To make the offense better this year:

 

1. Call up Sano. Play him at 1B, DH, 3B. Plouffe plays 1B when Sano is at 3B. Mauer sits some.

2. Sit Mauer 2-4 times a week. He's not good. He has not been good for some time. He isn't even making good decisions, simple decisions, well in the field right now.

3. Show patience with Buxton and just leave him in CF all year, unless he is embarrassing himself.

4. Keep Rosario in LF all year

5. Stop playing Escobar in the OF, or Nunez

6. Cut Duensing to make room for Sano, not a hitter

7. Play Herrmann at catcher more. On no planet is Suzuki even good in the 9 hole.

Nobody is saying he was "good" last year, however people claiming he is "done" and should consider retiring is just so unbelievably off base its ridiculous.

 

Did he struggle compared to other 1st baseman last year? Absolutely. Did the Twins have better in house options at first base? No.

[DaveW]

 

 

My ideal batting order for the next couple of months:

 

Buxton CF

Rosario LF

Dozier 2B

Plouffe 3B

Sano/Vargas platoon DH

Hunter RF

Mauer 1B

TBD SS

Suzuki C

Sano should not platoon with anyone, he is also a righty which would mean you would be taking him out of the lineup 70% of the time in a traditional platoon. The reality is if Sano is up there is no room for Vargas on the current roster, so you would be best served sending him back down to AAA (Vargas) and bringing him back up should an injury or trade occur to someone like Plouffe or Hunter

[DocBauer]

As much as it pains me to do this, I'm going to quote Aaron Rogers; "R-E-L-A-X".

 

A team that is supposed to be rebuilding and in last place hits a high mark, then slumps, (which all teams do), and is STILL above .500 half way through June. I don't know about you, BUT IM HAVING A BLAST!

 

I also want the offense improved. And it's not one guy, it's group slumpage lately. It happens. I am not, never have been, never will be, a big believer in promoting a top/quality prospect straight to the majors as some sort of "fix it" option. There is a very good reason for ultiple levels in the minors, including AAA. For every Knoblauch who makes said move, there is a Hicks that shouldn't of. (Honestly, there's probably less of the former and more of the latter) Now, Buxton and Sano are special talents. I'm begining to think Polanco may be as well. I want all 3 up, fitting in, gaining experience, helping, growing, and getting ready for 2016, where more things should be "coming together" for the rebuild to approach primary conclusion and legit contention status.

 

Enjoy. Patience. We're going to see Sano and Polanco up at some point, probably within 30 days. Arcia and Santana will be heard from again as well. And they should be. There is a lot of talent, potential and hope here. Let's enjoy it.