State of the Union: The Twins Will Probably Lose 100

[Brandon Warne]

Wrote an article for Cold Omaha on what I think the rest of the season should look like since the Twins are almost certainly going to lose 100 games.

 

Got down to the nitty gritty on a couple points, especially like I hate the idea of Buxton being asked to bunt, etc.

 

Let me know what you all think: 

 

http://coldomaha.com/2016/twins/state-of-the-union-the-twins-will-probably-lose-100/

[Platoon]

Mostly agree, and specifically with points made about Vargas and Berrios. I would not put Berrios in the pen, just keep sending him out there as a SP, and work on his issues. That's where his value lies. Vargas, after being mostly forgotten by some, may still become more important than thought. Nothing lately seems to suggest that Joe Mauers legs are going to carry him through two more seasons as a 1B. While Sano and Vargas would stretch the theory of having offense on the corners, straightening out the teams middle infield, and a full year of Buxton, Kepler, and Rosario in the OF might let you get away with that. Plus while I hope a new regime moves on from Park, if they don't, he remains a logical fallback at DH. As for Sano, he plays third until you absolutely positively cannot justify his presence there anymore. We ain't there yet.

[beckmt]

Great article, agree with almost all of it.  Final record no longer matters, only player evaluation and most of that should be done this week against teams that still care.  Next week will be tryout week for all and most likely results to either team will not make much of a difference.

[jimmer]

It would be absolutely miraculous if the Twins didn't lose 100 or more games.  We'd have to win 66% of our remaining games to avoid 100 losses and we've won around 37% this season.

[laloesch]

 

Wrote an article for Cold Omaha on what I think the rest of the season should look like since the Twins are almost certainly going to lose 100 games.

 

Got down to the nitty gritty on a couple points, especially like I hate the idea of Buxton being asked to bunt, etc.

 

Let me know what you all think: 

 

http://coldomaha.com/2016/twins/state-of-the-union-the-twins-will-probably-lose-100/

 

 

Good piece.  Twins should have been in evaluation mode at the beginning of August to be perfectly honest.  Personally, I like Vargas.  Guy can play an adequate first base and his bat has some pop.  The new GM and President REALLY need to sit down with Mauer this offseason and re-evaluate his next two years with the club and how to proceed.  Mauer is an absolute shell of his former self.  Time to move on.

[Blackjack]

I agree with you that the Twins should be playing the young guys, trying them out and getting them some meaningful at-bats but the person the really counts is Paulie, he makes out the line-up and with Detroit and Seattle theoretically in the hunt for a play-off spot, we'll be seeing Mauer and Suzuki two out of every three games. 

 

I disagree with you about Buxton, if he can't practice bunting during a lost season, when would be a good time to try bunting??  Your theory that he should concentrate on 'hitting' is nice but he'll need to work on hitting throughout his career (see Dozier, Brian), as he gets better hitting, pitchers will adjust, he'll have to counter what they do. Bunting occasionally would move the in infielders in, helping his hitting.

[Mike Sixel]

The data is clear......fast guys should hit the ball in the air, just like everyone else. Buxton should be trying get hits (or even walks), not bunting, imo.

 

I am indifferent on the bullpen usage other than Chargois getting innings.

 

Vargas and Murphy should be in the lineup all the time. The fact they aren't is one of the reasons I believe Molitor is not the right manager for a rebuilding team. I really can't understand the thinking here at all. 

 

Starting Berrios and Duffey is a no brainer, frankly.

 

 

[Rosterman]

Forget about being a spoiler. It ain't working yet. You put all your apples in your own basket for the final two weeks. You have Murphy catch every game. You try DUffey in long relief. You tell Buxton to bunt every at bat. If you get Sano on the field, have him play third. If you can, have Vargas play 1st. Don't play ANYONE or won't be here in 2017 (Schafer, Grossman, Suzuki fer sure. Figure out if Rogers can also pitch long relief. If you must, don't go with a closer at all. Use Kintzler when he is needed and hope he can be a setup guy in 2017. It is all about the Twins and the future right now. When you struggle to pull a win, you don't have to put a lineup that still doesn't guarantee a win just to be more competitive against the stretch-run teams. Sorry!

[Thrylos]

Can't disagree with much.   Totally agree with the bunting situation, but the manager is the problem there.  OId.Skool.

 

Where I disagree, is placing Duffey and Berrios on the same boat.  Berrios is 3 years younger.  He needs patience.  Duffey, for the second season in a row, has proven that he is not good the second time + around an order, and he does not have the stuff nor the endurance to be a starter.   I see him as a cornerstone in the Twins' pen, along with his co-closer in College.  Add Burdi to the mix next season, and you might have a great 3-headed monster at the end of the Twins' pen.

 

But.Starter.He.Ain't.

[HitInAPinch]

Nobody really should have cared about the stats for Buxton, Vargas, Polanco, Duffey, Sano, Berrios, etc. this year.  Nor the team record.  This year should have been / is now about development.  Period.  I could give a crap about the record or statistics.  I want to see improvement.  And there has been improvement.  Damn you Twins coaching staff 

 

Bunting:  I think people are losing sight on what this can do for you.  IF you can show you can lay down a bunt every now and then, infielders need to move in to protect against it.  With those infielder in, you can easily slap a ball past them before they have time to react.  Which brings up another point:

 

Why aren't these things being taught in the Twins MiLB?  Basic fundamentals seem to be missing.

 

The young bullpen has been improving.  In time, we won't need the Bubba Boshers types.  Pressely as a closer?  He has the longest windup I've ever seen, starter or reliever.  Not sure how that's gonna playout long term.  Berrios and Duffey starting out in the Twins bullpen next year.  Break them in in low pressure situations.  A couple innings and get them out.

[Vanimal46]

We've made it this far... Let's see 103! Let's see 103! 

[jimmer]

 

Nobody really should have cared about the stats for Buxton, Vargas, Polanco, Duffey, Sano, Berrios, etc. this year.  Nor the team record.  This year should have been / is now about development.  Period.  I could give a crap about the record or statistics.  I want to see improvement.  And there has been improvement.  Damn you Twins coaching staff 

 

Bunting:  I think people are losing sight on what this can do for you.  IF you can show you can lay down a bunt every now and then, infielders need to move in to protect against it.  With those infielder in, you can easily slap a ball past them before they have time to react.  Which brings up another point:

 

Why aren't these things being taught in the Twins MiLB?  Basic fundamentals seem to be missing.

 

The young bullpen has been improving.  In time, we won't need the Bubba Boshers types.  Pressely as a closer?  He has the longest windup I've ever seen, starter or reliever.  Not sure how that's gonna playout long term.  Berrios and Duffey starting out in the Twins bullpen next year.  Break them in in low pressure situations.  A couple innings and get them out.

I don't think too many people have issues with fast people trying to bunt for hits.  SAC bunt attempts (especially ones in the 2nd inning) are more of an issue.

[HitInAPinch]

 

I don't think too many people have issues with fast people trying to bunt for hits.  SAC bunt attempts (especially ones in the 2nd inning) are more of an issue.

LOL, yeah, SAC bunts in the 2nd inning has that " I SURRENDER " feel to it  

[howieramone2]

 

Mostly agree, and specifically with points made about Vargas and Berrios. I would not put Berrios in the pen, just keep sending him out there as a SP, and work on his issues. That's where his value lies. Vargas, after being mostly forgotten by some, may still become more important than thought. Nothing lately seems to suggest that Joe Mauers legs are going to carry him through two more seasons as a 1B. While Sano and Vargas would stretch the theory of having offense on the corners, straightening out the teams middle infield, and a full year of Buxton, Kepler, and Rosario in the OF might let you get away with that. Plus while I hope a new regime moves on from Park, if they don't, he remains a logical fallback at DH. As for Sano, he plays third until you absolutely positively cannot justify his presence there anymore. We ain't there yet.

By we I assume you mean the fan board. I don't expect the fan board to be there yet for 6-12 months, our favorite team has already moved on. You will see Sano occasionally at 3B and I'm guessing they will give him reps at 1B during ST. This is simply our favorite teams best attempt to keep him engaged.

[rghrbek]

Brandon,

Solid post, I do enjoy when people take a stand something they are righting about.  It encourages discussion.  

 

Like most posters on here, I agree with everything.  Not a huge fan of the bunting, unless 3bagger is playing deep, and it's a no brainer.  I think that is something Buck can practice on in the off season though.

 

Pressley as the closer?  Yeah, I am not sure on that.  I think Pressley is solid, but not sure he is closer material.  No doubt if he was, he would not get overworked....However, like you pointed out his k/9 is not great.

[TheLeviathan]

Kintzler turning back into a pumpkin is the least surprising thing ever.

[TheLeviathan]

Also, someone employed by the Twins should be hitting grounders at Sano at 3B for a few hours every damn day of the offseason.  

 

If after regular work and routines and practice there he still can't cut it - then, fine, he's a DH.  But I have trouble concluding that now after our "favorite team" pulled off the blunder of the offseason moving him to the outfield.  

 

No one who nodded their head in agreement with that decision should still be affiliated with this team past yesterday.

[Brandon Warne]

 

Also, someone employed by the Twins should be hitting grounders at Sano at 3B for a few hours every damn day of the offseason.  

 

They are. Or at least were before the injury. Gene Glynn hits grounders to him and Polanco all the time. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

They are. Or at least were before the injury. Gene Glynn hits grounders to him and Polanco all the time. 

 

And i'd like to see it continue into next season.  I don't want to draw a conclusion about the kid until we stop jerking him around for at least one calendar year.

[Brandon Warne]

 

And i'd like to see it continue into next season.  I don't want to draw a conclusion about the kid until we stop jerking him around for at least one calendar year.

 

Molitor agrees. Has said on multiple occasions this month that he doesn't necessarily think September will dictate how good Sano can be at third base, but that they really would like to have him out there. That was before this latest setback, however. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm becoming less convinced Sano should get a chance to stick at third with each recurring elbow setback.

 

But I won't get too upset however the medical staff rules on the subject.

[Mike Sixel]

What number is bigger at year end, Cubs wins, or Twins losses?

[Brandon Warne]

 

I'm becoming less convinced Sano should get a chance to stick at third with each recurring elbow setback.

But I won't get too upset however the medical staff rules on the subject.

 

This is the back now, though. 

[Brandon Warne]

 

What number is bigger at year end, Cubs wins, or Twins losses?

 

It's a pick'em. I'll go Twins losses. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

This is the back now, though. 

Oh, not speaking about his current back ailment. I was speaking in regards to his recent elbow issue that stuck him back at DH for a few weeks.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I really cannot argue with anything said in the article.  Not sure if Duffey will survive as a starter, but I think given the derth of upside options there, they should keep that going for now.