The optimist's thread

[Monkeypaws]

Things been getting dark and gloomy around here lately.

 

I want to have a place to post the good that has happened this season, even if the Twins are mired in a slump.

 

•Sano - this kid is gonna be so damn good. 

 

•Gibson - he isn't the staff ace in title, but he is really.

 

•Rosario - gonna be a good hitter in this league: extra bases, speed, defense, the total package. Best Twins hitter now, and likely into the future.

 

•Hicks - who would have thought he'd be having the second half he's had. He still has all the tools, and now he has value.

 

•Buxton, Berrios, Kepler, Polacio, and maybe even Arcia & Meyer, all just around the corner.

 

•Staples such as Dozier, Plouffe, Perkins, Hughes, and Santana to build around.

 

People expected 90 losses, last place. Might still happen, but the Twins have been relevant this season, more than most folks imagined. As part of the overall process of improvement, I couldn't ask for more. 

[SwainZag]

Buxton to start rehab on Friday in Rochester!  

 

Sano is going to be special, man that kid has power.

[blairpaul715]

 

Things been getting dark and gloomy around here lately.

 

I want to have a place to post the good that has happened this season, even if the Twins are mired in a slump.

 

•Sano - this kid is gonna be so damn good. 

 

•Gibson - he isn't the staff ace in title, but he is really.

 

•Rosario - gonna be a good hitter in this league: extra bases, speed, defense, the total package. Best Twins hitter now, and likely into the future.

 

•Hicks - who would have thought he'd be having the second half he's had. He still has all the tools, and now he has value.

 

•Buxton, Berrios, Kepler, Polacio, and maybe even Arcia & Meyer, all just around the corner.

 

•Staples such as Dozier, Plouffe, Perkins, Hughes, and Santana to build around.

 

People expected 90 losses, last place. Might still happen, but the Twins have been relevant this season, more than most folks imagined. As part of the overall process of improvement, I couldn't ask for more. 

Well MonkeyPaws the positivity didnt last long, second post LOL

[Linus]

Yep, imagine if the Twins were 10 under 500 right now.

[USAFChief]

Sano looks like a nice hitter.

[nicksaviking]

Yep, imagine if the Twins were 10 under 500 right now.

On a positive note, the mood would not be any worse. Possibly it would be better.

[DaveW]

Fine: the twins are still more fun to watch then the Timberwolves...and soccer.

[Squirrel]

 

The optimist in me hopes that the Pohlads and co finally show they have accountability for the GM position and let Ryan go.

Being "relevant" for 4 months after the worst 4 years in franchise history (with a new stadium, 100mm payroll etc) is not an accomplishment.

Sano, Gibson, dozier and maybe Hicks are the only things to be optimistic about at this point.

 

He has good points, nothing wrong with the positive signs of this season. But being a true optimist is wishing for the unlikely to happen, something that seems unatainable. I wish for new ownership so that when the TV contract is up they actually have some leverage and can get a lot better deal than the Twins have with FSN. We have a top ticket price with one of the lowest local media revenue deals for TV and radio. Current ownership group owns the radio, tried the TV thing and that didn't work out.

Without the better TV deal, no matter who is drafting or in charge this team will end up in the revenue dust bin with the Marlins and the Rays. Need TV revenue to keep up with the joneses and have the ability to keep players like Sano and add valuable free agents instead of just bargain hunting.

 

I want to keep Sano but he is going become incredibly expensive some day. TV revenue matters to the franchise you root for.

Come on, guys … there are plenty of other threads to do this in. If you don't want to play, don't. If you have nothing good to say, don't say it. 

 

Edit: And yes, this was a moderator warning.

[USAFChief]

And yes, this was a moderator warning.

Seconded.

[blairpaul715]

 

 

 

I want to keep Sano but he is going become incredibly expensive some day. TV revenue matters to the franchise you root for.

Well, if we can pay Mauer $23M 5 yrs ago, we can give both Buxton and Sano $25 to $35M a yr in 5 to 7 yrs.

[DaveW]

The Twins now have a better waiver claim spot, thus making the chances for finding a bullpen, catcher or SS upgrade a good amount better since there won't be as many teams looking to block.

[Squirrel]

 

 

Blaine Boyer pitched well for the Twins tonight, that was a positive sign and Joe Mauer's bat came to life at the plate. That and Sano hit a blast with Plouffe hit a double. This team is not going to lose 90 games, they play to hard to do that. As long as they have something to play for they will keep up the fight.

There, fixed that for you … the other you can put in another thread.

[Vanimal46]

Really like what I see from Rosario. Hope he can keep it going to be a top of the order bat in the lineup. Still dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Hicks/(insert your favorite platoon name) OF going forward.

 

It's an even number next year, so we can expect at least 16 wins from Hughes

[DaveW]

No matter how this season ends up, the twins should feel at least confident about the following (at least) heading into the off season.

 

2/3rds of the OF maybe all 3.

4/5ths of the rotation

2B

3B

1B options

DH options

closer

Loogy

 

There are certainly some holes, but nothing a free agent signing/trade or three could fix.

[DocBauer]

This completely echoes my "Don't worry......be happy" thread from a few days ago, though more briefly, (SURPRISE!), but with less flora rap exposition. (Sigh) Guess I had bad timing amongst the doom and gloom.

 

But MonkeyPaws is exactly right. If you pull asides the stained veneer of recent, bitter disappointment and examine all the talent that is announcing itself at the ML and high Milb level for the Twins, coupled with select young(ish) veterans, there is just so much to be excited about in the next year, and two, and three and more.

 

Grab a pen or pencil, notebook or napkin, and jot down the Twins anticipated roster over the next 8-12 months, add in a young catcher and a couple nice bullpen arms, and tell me you aren't absolutely giddy about your projections!

[Kwak]

Clearly the Twins have won more than expected.  Hicks is a major league player.  Gibson has matured.  Hughes can compete against the best.  The rotation isn't putrid--it's average plus.  Mauer isn't as bad as some claim--it's just that he is ordinary now (except for that salary)--but sadly that everybody wants more.  The OF defense has definitely improved. The INF throws to first have improved markedly.  In short, the team isn't beating itself so often.  The Twins have actually rallied late to win!  So, yes there are positive things.  

[TheLeviathan]

Fine: the twins are still more fun to watch then the Timberwolves...and soccer.

Duh, I've seen paint dry that excited me exponentially more than soccer.

 

Rosario is a gamer, Hicks may still be a factor, May and Gibson took nice steps forward, Kepler and Berrios are close, Buxton has arrived, and my god is Sano something special.

[Blackjack]

Looking forward to seeing Kepler and Berrios yet this year!!! Combine them with Buxton, Sano, Hicks, Rosario, May, Gibson and we're going to have some fun watching this team for the next few years!!!

 

Love the starting pitcher depth!! Winning starts with starting pitching and when you can line up Hughes, Santana, May, Gibson, Berrios, maybe Nolassco, you have a good chance to win. No true aces but how many teams really do have an ace?? These guys will keep the Twins in most games, and they can still survive an injury or two with their depth.

 

Hope Buxton stays healthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blackjack]

 

 

This completely echoes my "Don't worry......be happy" thread from a few days ago, though more briefly, (SURPRISE!), but with less flora rap exposition. (Sigh) Guess I had bad timing amongst the doom and gloom.

 

It helped that a moderator jumped in and squelched the first negative post....  Sometimes I think this forum is over moderated but in this case - Thanks Mr. Moderator!!!

[jimmer]

We have gotten to see a lot of the young talent.  That's awesome.  Best part of the season, IMO.

 

Sano looks good, Hicks looks good, Rosario is looking good.  I enjoyed seeing Buxton play.  It's been a fun year.

[dougkoebernick]

Even though the last few weeks have been rough I'm enjoying the season.

 

At least we think that the Twins can win games and be competitive.

 

Also, my kids are getting excited about the Twins and hopefully they'll become lifelong fans as they see Sano, Buxton, Dozier, etc. play this year and into the future. As someone who lives in Royals territory I needed the Twins to do some good during my kids' formative years so they didn't make the life changing mistake of jumping on the Royals' bandwagon.

 

And, as mentioned in a previous post, Gardy batted clean up for my softball team and we won our league championship when he hit a solid single into right that scored the winning run. 

[big dog]

My goals for the team coming into the year were:

 

1) not finish in last place

 

2) give me as a fan the feeling that they had at least a chance to win, most nights

 

3) play some kids and give me hope

 

I would say that all three of those have been met in spades, though 2) hasn't been going too well over the last week or so.  We've seen Rosario, Buxton, Meyer (briefly), Sano, Duffey, and a couple of relievers, probably with more to come.  If we do collapse into last place but can do so because the other teams go nuts rather than because we lost 92 games, I'll live with the memory of May and June.  It's been a disappointing 4 weeks, but it has by no means been a disastrous season.

 

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Remember a team that started the season 1-6? Another turnaround is not out of the realm of possibility, especially when 25 of the last 55 games are against the Indians, White Sox, and the "Priceless" Motor City Kitties.

 

Now, for 2016:

 

TR did the right thing in not mortgaging the future for an inside shot at a one-game Wild Card playoff. Toronto is the team that made that gamble, and they just may reel in the Yankees, too.

 

But yeah, I'm optimistic. Torii has made things fun, but he should give way to Arcia in 2016.

 

Mauer could be remembered as a Gil Meche type hero, for retiring and leaving millions on the table. He'd make us all proud to be Minnesotans.

 

Polanco, Santana, or Escobar will figure it out at SS, and if Nick Gordon continues to put things together, he could be here in 2-3 years.

 

bottom line: I listened to a meaningful Twins game in August, while trolling for walleyes on Leech Lake. Over the past years, I haven't been able to say that in June--much less on the walleye opener. That's progress, Twins Fans!!

[DaveW]

If the Twins win tonight, they will be within one game of a playoff spot

[Pardon My Dinger]

Thanks for the warm fuzzies, MonkeyPaws. Greatly needed around here.

 

So far, this year, I have gotten everything I wanted. The kids are up, playing a key role. I'm watching baseball in august. Last four years, at this time, I generally look at the lineup card and get a weird depressed, dizzy feeling. But we're in the clear for all the reasons mentioned above.

 

Phase 1 is nearly complete, and I have absolutely no reason to be upset with our position given the consensus expectation for this team.

[dogsday]

Baseball can be a hard game, hard for the people calling the shots, hard for the players between the lines. Building and maintaining a quality organization isn’t easy. We want our guys to be the instant successes. We want our shot callers to be prescient. We want it to be as easy—and especially as painless—as it is in the fantasy leagues.

The reality is messier. For a player it takes skill, coaching, hard work, experience, and luck to reach a level of excellence. Compared to most of us, even the worst player has incredible athletic skill. Factor in effective coaching, getting the right suggestions, and taking them. Then the work attitude. Then getting real experience practicing and growing. And not getting injured.

Look at the floor/ceiling projections from a few years ago for a Dozier (or a Plouffe) and compare them to what we see now. If Hicks, Rosario, Sano, Buxton, Kepler, Arcia, Berrios, [more pitchers here], et al can continue to improve, the Twins future is bright. If many or most do not, the Twins remain a middle to muddle team.

Whichever outcome, the credit or blame is shared: on the management, on the players, on the coaches, and on fortune.

[Vanimal46]

Thanks for the warm fuzzies, MonkeyPaws. Greatly needed around here.

 

So far, this year, I have gotten everything I wanted. The kids are up, playing a key role. I'm watching baseball in august. Last four years, at this time, I generally look at the lineup card and get a weird depressed, dizzy feeling. But we're in the clear for all the reasons mentioned above.

 

Phase 1 is nearly complete, and I have absolutely no reason to be upset with our position given the consensus expectation for this team.

I can honestly say the previous 4 years I checked out from the team by June or July at the latest. Sure I would go to a game or 2 if I obtained free tickets...

 

This year I invested in mlb.tv streaming since I'm out of state and have watched more games this year than the last 4 combined.

[Mike Sixel]

Sano, Dozier, Ervin Santana, Gibson ..... have really enjoyed them.

 

Rosario gives me hope.

 

They have been "in it" much longer than the last 4 years. All that is great.

[big dog]

 

 

Mauer could be remembered as a Gil Meche type hero, for retiring and leaving millions on the table. He'd make us all proud to be Minnesotans.

 

 

I would rather that Mauer do a few things that let him be remembered as Gilgamesh, the epic semidivine hero of Sumeria.

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I would rather that Mauer do a few things that let him be remembered as Gilgamesh, the epic semidivine hero of Sumeria.

 

Best post in the entire thread!