Apathy

[DaveW]

This team is so bad to watch currently it's not even worth worrying about, it will be a minor miracle if they can even finish .500 at this point. Congrats Terry Ryan, 5 years in a row of this garbage!

 

Other then tuning in for a Berrios start, Sano/dozier/Buxton at bat, not much else to really care about this team currently.

[drjim]

Bingo.

 

Rehashing whether they should cut Boyer and/or Pelfrey or calling up Arcia just isn't doing it for me anymore.

[Kwak]

 

Bingo.

Rehashing whether they should cut Boyer and/or Pelfrey or calling up Arcia just isn't doing it for me anymore.

Dead horses IMO.

[JB_Iowa]

It was fun while it lasted.

 

At this point I just want them to cut all the dreck from this roster (primarily the BP), call up prospects and see what they can do.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Never apathy. Not for me!

 

This team collectively pulled the reins on this season. You could see it in Toronto. They need to come home and get it back together. Strong finish is everything.

[Danchat]

Yeah, even if the Twins do the obvious and cut Boyer, Robinson, and call up Berrios & Buxton, I don't see how they're going to get things back together.

 

I think the Twins can still play .500 baseball and finish the season right around the .500 mark. They just can't keep playing like they have in the last week.

[notoriousgod71]

How can they cut Robinson?

 

He's the only guy on their staff that can get anyone out.

[ashbury]

Withdrawing in disgust is not the same as apathy.

 

_{^{/ from the movie, "Slacker", quoting a song by REM}}

[jimbo92107]

This thread makes a legitimate point. The longer Twins management delays the changes we can all see are needed, the less interesting the team becomes. When will it become more interesting to watch re-runs of MASH rather than a Twins game. Not to mention Gilligan's Island..! Mary Ann!

[jimmer]

I love watching re-runs of MASH.  One of the best shows of all time :-)

[DaveW]

Re runs of antique roadshow is a better comparison.

MASH is awesome.

[Zachary]

Dropping guys who have experience on an MLB roster and calling up guys who don't isn't a sign of regrouping or finishing the season strong. It's a sign of defeat and I think many a fans are ready for it right now. Only a handful of games out of the wildcard in August might be a bit premature, but I think that's how a lot of us feel

[stringer bell]

In discussing this issue with my brother, we both think that if the Twins can't win a series at home in the coming week, it is time to wave the white flag. Berrios, Buxton and Arcia up, with some type of demotion/DL  for Robinson, Pelfrey and Boyer.

 

The Twins played Toronto at the wrong time, but losing twice to Cleveland is pretty sad. They probably should have lost all three.

[jokin]

 

In discussing this issue with my brother, we both think that if the Twins can't win a series at home in the coming week, it is time to wave the white flag. Berrios, Buxton and Arcia up, with some type of demotion/DL  for Robinson, Pelfrey and Boyer.

 

The Twins played Toronto at the wrong time, but losing twice to Cleveland is pretty sad. They probably should have lost all three.

 

And as Nick Nelson has noted in his just posted article, as sad as it is to say, Mike Pelfrey has the Twins best SP ERA/FIP (4.30/3.80)... over the last 30 days... and 2nd place is not even close.  Texas is next on the docket- they were already the second-hottest team in the AL, and now they've added Cole Hamels- who just so happens to be facing the Twins on Thursday,  This is looking lke it's going to go from really bad to downright ugly...

 

Apathy? Pfft. 5th straight season of 90 losses is now back on the table for discussion.

[glunn]

In the cases of Berrios and Buxton (and Kepler and any number of relief pitchers) I would not see this as a sign of defeat.  If the FO sees them as ready and believes that they can improve the team, then I would see this as part of a plan for victory.  At the very least, new blood might change the team chemistry for the better, and the callups  could get MLB experience.  As for Arcia, I wish that he was doing better in AAA.

 

I am going to be watching fewer games until they are less painful to watch, but I think that it's too soon to give up on this season.  Our chances seem remote, but other teams could falter and the Twins could get back to May baseball, at least to some extent.  In my opinion, now would be a good time to bring up some players with the goal of winning more games, thereby reducing apathy and giving more reason for hope.

[Riverbrian]

The pitching has to keep the team in games. That's what happened to put us in the Wild Card hunt. The Pitching kept us close enough. I don't care if the indicators suggested luck or not. They kept us close enough to win some games. 

 

Of late... We are not close enough to close enough and it's sucking the life out of the squad and fans. The collective collapse has been extreme. 

 

Funk... Slump are not strong enough words to describe what is happening on the mound. 

 

 

 

 

[Platoon]

The Astros and Cubs are 9 and 14 games over .500 respectively. While I don't know all the specifics of how they got there, they were the two teams we were most associated with in terms of developmental status and potential. Maybe we should be a little behind them, but not to the point we are.

[Mike Sixel]

I have zero faith in this FO to do the right thing, or to fix things. What, exactly, have they done well the last 4 years to build for the future, other than lose a lot so they get high picks?

 

And, as Platoon points out.....funny how it's working for the Cubs and Astros.......

[Old Twins Cap]

We got a half year of competitive baseball.  After four years without a competitive team, or many interesting players to watch, we have to see the progress and embrace it. 

 

How long did KC have "potential" until their young players matured and became solid pros?

 

And, KC did make a deal to add some pitching.  And now several deals.  I think the Twins will have to first establish a solid lineup, which is pretty close, except for catcher and SS, and then they can go out and add pitching.

 

Right now, it's like '84 again.  Play the Gaettis, Hrbeks and Pucketts and let them grow.  This is excellent experience for Rosario, Hicks, Sano, to be thought of as being in contention and coming up short is how you eventually become a champion.

[Mike Sixel]

Except they aren't playing the young guys........

 

did you know that on the entire roster, only three will be under 26 next year? Three......on a team in it's third year of rebuilding........that's not playing young guys. That's not even close.

[drjim]

 

In the cases of Berrios and Buxton (and Kepler and any number of relief pitchers) I would not see this as a sign of defeat.  If the FO sees them as ready and believes that they can improve the team, then I would see this as part of a plan for victory.  At the very least, new blood might change the team chemistry for the better, and the callups  could get MLB experience.  As for Arcia, I wish that he was doing better in AAA.

 

I am going to be watching fewer games until they are less painful to watch, but I think that it's too soon to give up on this season.  Our chances seem remote, but other teams could falter and the Twins could get back to May baseball, at least to some extent.  In my opinion, now would be a good time to bring up some players with the goal of winning more games, thereby reducing apathy and giving more reason for hope.

 

I agree with this. Cutting bad veterans and bringing in talented young guys is not a sign of defeat.

 

In addition to Berrios and Buxton I would add Polanco, probably time to give him an extended look. Other than Tonkin, not sure there is a reliever all that worthwhile.

 

I expect a little bit of a dead cat bounce at some point, hopefully for them on the homestand, or it could get ugly.

[drjim]

 

Except they aren't playing the young guys........

 

did you know that on the entire roster, only three will be under 26 next year? Three......on a team in it's third year of rebuilding........that's not playing young guys. That's not even close.

 

That's the reality of mlb rosters, you just won't find that many under 26 on any team.

 

For reference, Astros will have two, Cubs will have four.

[Brock Beauchamp]

That's the reality of mlb rosters, you just won't find that many under 26 on any team.

 

For reference, Astros will have two, Cubs will have four.

Yes, this. It's not like a team gets five first round picks when they're bad. It takes years to build a farm system and not all players arrive at the same time or age.

 

With that said, it sure wouldn't hurt to make this roster younger right now. Call up Arcia and Berrios and see what happens, though Jose may be approaching his innings limit for the season.

[Mike Sixel]

 

That's the reality of mlb rosters, you just won't find that many under 26 on any team.

 

For reference, Astros will have two, Cubs will have four.

 

Fair.....thanks for the perspective.

 

Houston has zero starters over 30. they have 1 who is even 29 this year.

[drjim]

 

Yes, this. It's not like a team gets five first round picks when they're bad. It takes years to build a farm system and not all players arrive at the same time or age.

With that said, it sure wouldn't hurt to make this roster younger right now. Call up Arcia and Berrios and see what happens, though Jose may be approaching his innings limit for the season.

 

I agree it would help to make it younger, and I suspect it will happen soon, but the bigger issue with the Twins front office is not the slowness of calling up young guys but their poor track record of identifying and plugging in veterans (either through fa or trade - at least in comparison to other teams that were on a similar rebuild.

[Loosey]

In regards to the poster who mentioned us being grouped together with Astros and Cubs as being in similar situations the last few years.  The difference I believe is in the GM's ability to make the team better using methods outside of the draft. 

 

If Terry Ryan and the Twins are serious about being real contenders over the next few years they need to be proactive and change things up.  The Astros and Cubs both have strong farm systems, but they aren't afraid to deal prospects in return for proven players.  Terry Ryan seems to be terrified a prospect would turn out if he traded one.  The Twins have 5-6 legitimate OF prospects that are nearing Major League readiness.  So what if one turns into an all-star if you trade him away.  Hopefully the return is worth it. 

 

But Terry Ryan doesn't believe in Trades or Free Agency.  That is like saying at my job as a financial analyst I don't believe in revenue and expenses. 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Ryan has signed a lot of FAs the last few years, just not well enough. I'm sure I'm missing a lot here.....

 

Santana

Hughes

Nolasco

Suzuki (twice)

Pelfrey (twice)
Hunter

Correia

lots of RPs

Robinson?

 

He also traded for Milone, May, Meyer, Jepsen, Nunez, Escobar.....of course, none of those are trading prospects for players, it is the opposite.....

[jokin]

 

Except they aren't playing the young guys........

 

did you know that on the entire roster, only three will be under 26 next year? Three......on a team in it's third year of rebuilding........that's not playing young guys. That's not even close.

 

This is actually the 4th year of rebuilding...

 

I know, I know,seen like they are all starting to run together)

[Mike Sixel]

I'm willing to concede, so we don't have to argue over and over, that it is year 3.....but I could argue it is 4.

[jokin]

 

That's the reality of mlb rosters, you just won't find that many under 26 on any team.

 

For reference, Astros will have two, Cubs will have four.

 

For further reference, the Cubs also have one additional player on the DL who will be under 26 in 2016.  And four more players on the 40-man who have an excellent chance to make the 25 man in 2016.  That would potentially make 9- and there are at least 3 more who will likely be added to the 40-man who could play next year. Having the potential to roster more than one third, up to almost one half of a 25-man made up of young players is pretty significant.

 

Similarly, the Astros have 6 additional players that will be under 26 on their 40-man, with a passel-full of players besides who may be added to the roster by next year.  (From the Appy League level on up, the Astros farm system teams have the best overall record in their respective minor leagues, save one.)

 

These two teams are winning, stocked, and young, and soon getting even younger. (Or soon dealing a lot of prospects for proven major league talent).