Article: Game Thread: Twins v Tigers, 4/29 @ 7:10pm CT

[Riverbrian]

 

I'll settle for mediocre with flashes of eptness.

 

I raised a family on those flashes of eptness. 

[USAFChief]

"...the season is likely over..."

 

I know. I just sometimes have a hard time accepting "mostly dead" as "all dead."

[Bark's Lounge]

 

Who gets the stove box and who gets the refrigerator box? Winter is almost here, you know.

This is all so very new to me. We need to discuss those things and come to grand conclusion.

[Mr. Brooks]

With all due respect... It does mean that he can't be a MLB Pitcher.

 

He isn't the first guy to be 6-8... He's 26 and he's had enough time to get those mechanics down. If is hand has to be held to get those things down. His success isn't likely.

 

I don't want to give up on him... I'm going with nerves and If he gets a Tuesday start. I hope he shines.

No, it doesn't mean that.

Look, I know people scoff at the Randy Johnson comps, and I get it he's a HOF, but how many gave up on him? Luckily at least one person didn't because eventually he did figure it out.

And it's not like Meyer has never had success.

Last year was terrible, though he finished the year strong in AAA. Tonight was beyond terrible.

Outside of that he's had stretches of downright dominance in the minors.

His mlb sample size is still pretty tiny.

There is still time for him to figure it out.

[USAFChief]

This is all so very new to me. We need to discuss those things and come to grand conclusion.

Grab the refrigerator box.

 

Room for a nice loft.

[Mr. Brooks]

"...the season is likely over..."

 

I know. I just sometimes have a hard time accepting "mostly dead" as "all dead."

Well if you are going to wait to be mathematically eliminated every year, it's going to be tough to ever develop guys for the future.

Even 90 loss teams are still technically in it until the last 2 or 3 weeks.

[formerly33]

Guys, this is a game thread. Tone it down.

 

Chief, you're a moderator. You know better.

 

Mr. Brooks, it would probably be best to ignore him if he responds or else take it up in here.

 

[LaBombo]

 

 

Terry: Tell him that Thrylos says he's looking sharp and needs a chance. 

 

 

 

"Maaaaahm!    brian's picking on Thrillhouse again!"

 

 

Seriously,    I am sooo telling a moderator on y...

 

Oh.   yeah.

Edited April 30, 2016 by LaBombo

[Riverbrian]

 

No, it doesn't mean that.
Look, I know people scoff at the Randy Johnson comps, and I get it he's a HOF, but how many gave up on him? Luckily at least one person didn't because eventually he did figure it out.
And it's not like Meyer has never had success.
Last year was terrible, though he finished the year strong in AAA. Tonight was beyond terrible.
Outside of that he's had stretches of downright dominance in the minors.
His mlb sample size is still pretty tiny.
There is still time for him to figure it out.

 

I ain't throwing him away.

 

I think the Twins can play with him until 2017 concludes so they don't have to either. 

[LaBombo]

 

 

We need to discuss those things and come to grand conclusion.

 

 

One of my favorite Styx songs.

 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/611ImBXgJdL.jpg

[LaBombo]

 

Grab the refrigerator box.

Room for a nice loft.

 

And a microwave box for the tipout win.

[Blake]

 

I have never said this about the Twins before. I've heard other people say it before and I pretty much rolled my eyes. 

 

But Yeah... Right now... in my opinion... they are out of whack. 

I saw somewhere earlier this year that the Twins had completely mishandled Tonkin. Which makes me wonder about the Tonkin's ceiling and just what the Twins have done to screw him up. 

 

It was one of those things you just think okay, sure, whatever you say..but with the way this season is unfolding..yikes!!

 

One more thing: It also makes me wonder just how much difference Torii Hunter made in the clubhouse last year. 

Edited April 30, 2016 by Blake

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I have. There are no vacancies.

Just stick with me. I know this scene well.

[Riverbrian]

 

I saw somewhere earlier this year that the Twins had completely mishandled Tonkin. Which makes me wonder about the Tonkin's ceiling and just what the Twins have done to screw him up. 

 

It was one of those things you just think okay, sure, whatever you say..but with the way this season is unfolding..yikes!!

 

One more thing: It also makes me wonder just how much difference Torii Hunter made in the clubhouse last year. 

 

Some people will say that Clubhouse Presence doesn't mean anything. 

 

I think it's important and I think baseball players are just like accountants or dairy queen workers. Sometimes that Gal making your cone doesn't care if there is a little swirl on top because she's got to make a hundred more before she goes home. In my opinion... Baseball can be a job to them just like it is to us and I assume that there are days when they don't show up and play like they can because there is another game tomorrow and another one after that. Now I say that I believe in clubhouse presence but that doesn't mean I have any idea if Hunter has one or Mauer has one or Molitor has one. 

 

With Tonkin... I'm not sure if he was handled badly or wonderfully. But It's my opinion that he should have been squeezed off the roster by the addition of a top flight bullpen arm (or two). That top flight bullpen arm (or two) would have pushed everyone down a spot (or two) and eventually Tonkin off the 25 Man roster and on to waivers where he would have been claimed by someone else... most likely. Or maybe not. 

 

I don't mind Tonkin... but... I'd like a hard throwing lefty with a track record instead. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Yeah I think baseball is the one sport where clubhouse chemistry probably does matter a significant amount.

The season is 6 months long, if you include spring training these guys probably spend more time together each year than they do with their families.

[Mr. Brooks]

Some people will say that Clubhouse Presence doesn't mean anything.

 

I think it's important and I think baseball players are just like accountants or dairy queen workers. Sometimes that Gal making your cone doesn't care if there is a little swirl on top because she's got to make a hundred more before she goes home. In my opinion... Baseball can be a job to them just like it is to us and I assume that there are days when they don't show up and play like they can because there is another game tomorrow and another one after that. Now I say that I believe in clubhouse presence but that doesn't mean I have any idea if Hunter has one or Mauer has one or Molitor has one.

 

With Tonkin... I'm not sure if he was handled badly or wonderfully. But It's my opinion that he should have been squeezed off the roster by the addition of a top flight bullpen arm (or two). That top flight bullpen arm (or two) would have pushed everyone down a spot (or two) and eventually Tonkin off the 25 Man roster and on to waivers where he would have been claimed by someone else... most likely. Or maybe not.

 

I don't mind Tonkin... but... I'd like a hard throwing lefty with a track record instead.

I think the opinion on Tonkin is that when you've been a non contending team for 5 straight years you shouldn't wait until the last minute to see what you have in guys like him.

[Platoon]

Ok... You Tell Paul

 

I'm going to duck behind something sturdy and watch.

 

I have him coming to moms basement for coffee early Saturday. Mom is going to tell him, nobody messes with mom! FO and managers have been at odds forever. But in this case it would be somewhat odd. Unless of course Molitor was Pohlads personal chocie, then oy vea. There is obviously some friction, Molitor was not on the same page on Sano. Bringing up Kepler and Polanco to sit made the team look clueless, The Meyer call up up for "emergency" pitching, when at the time no emergency existed. It's all odd and seemingly contentious. I preferred Dougie to Molitor, but figured, well at least neither is Gardy. Brock or Seth pointed out that Dougie is even more of a baseball dinosaur than Molitor? I don't know. I do know he grew up in the ranks with these players and there seems an affinity. As for Meyer, he was somewhat mishandled, but he has to throw the ball better, period. He also deserves the chance to sink or swim, and if it isn't in this time and place, there never was one.

[Platoon]

No, it doesn't mean that.

Look, I know people scoff at the Randy Johnson comps, and I get it he's a HOF, but how many gave up on him? Luckily at least one person didn't because eventually he did figure it out.

And it's not like Meyer has never had success.

Last year was terrible, though he finished the year strong in AAA. Tonight was beyond terrible.

Outside of that he's had stretches of downright dominance in the minors.

His mlb sample size is still pretty tiny.

There is still time for him to figure it out.

I for one would like to see the good Meyer, just to see what it is. It obviously exists, or he wouldn't have gotten this far.

[Blake]

 

Some people will say that Clubhouse Presence doesn't mean anything. 

 

I think it's important and I think baseball players are just like accountants or dairy queen workers. Sometimes that Gal making your cone doesn't care if there is a little swirl on top because she's got to make a hundred more before she goes home. In my opinion... Baseball can be a job to them just like it is to us and I assume that there are days when they don't show up and play like they can because there is another game tomorrow and another one after that. Now I say that I believe in clubhouse presence but that doesn't mean I have any idea if Hunter has one or Mauer has one or Molitor has one. 

 

With Tonkin... I'm not sure if he was handled badly or wonderfully. But It's my opinion that he should have been squeezed off the roster by the addition of a top flight bullpen arm (or two). That top flight bullpen arm (or two) would have pushed everyone down a spot (or two) and eventually Tonkin off the 25 Man roster and on to waivers where he would have been claimed by someone else... most likely. Or maybe not. 

 

I don't mind Tonkin... but... I'd like a hard throwing lefty with a track record instead. 

Or, how about a hard throwing lefty from the farm system? (I believe there is one, if I'm not mistaken)

[HitInAPinch]

 

Meager crowd here for tonight's game thread.

 

I wonder if all the regulars are at Target Field.

 

...

 

 

No, that's not it.

I think many of us left shortly after Hugh's  1st inning.  What a crappy start.

 

Tomorrow [today] is another day.  Hope springs eternal.

Yeah, that's all I got.  

[HitInAPinch]

If nothing else, this game finally got Alex Meyer some work.  Can't imagine what he would have looked like in next week's start with out it. 

[Jham]

Meyer was obviously nervous and didn't look like he was enjoying himself much.  Tonkin always has that look too.  A look of survival rather than determination or competition.  Come to think of it, no one really looks like they're having much fun out there.  I've commented after the walk off wins that their celebration seems forced. 

 

I actually like what I've seen from Tonkin this year which is slight progress.  Given, it was hard for him to go down much, but he's shown near-dominance in short bursts.  I don't think he was mishandled.  The Twins gave him multiple opportunities.  It's hard to give the worst pitcher in a bad pen lengthy looks when he has options available.  I also realize that the scouts and FO don't share the same curiosity to "see what we've got".  They've watched him enough to likely already know.  His fastball is flat, his breaking ball develops a hump.  That works in the minors, not in the pros.

I didn't like that Meyer was brought up to ride pine.  It appears Molitor was right not to trust him in a big spot, again scouting and watching his bullpens may have tipped him off.  But I'm ok with the usage if the idea was to get him a start or two.  Still can't help but think there is some disconnect and struggle between coach and GM.  Too much weird stuff between calling up Kepler and not playing him.  Possibly calling up Murphy and Murphy quitting.  Then Meyer getting called up and not playing.  It seems like the chef and the shopper are disagreeing on the ingredients.