Game Thread: Twins vs Royals@Target Field - 4/6, 10:10am PT (Noon:10 CT)

[Blake]

As per usual, I decided to do some in-depth research, for this thread, (some might call it wiretapping) into clubhouse shenanigans. The following is a transcript of a recorded conversation. However, to protect the innocent, I have put this in the form of an award winning screen play. (Thank you. I’ll put my participation trophy on the wall next to my participation plaque)

 

Scene: meeting between baseball master minds. Shot starts wide showing a comfortably appointed office with 4 people seated on tasteful furniture reminiscent of the Art Deco era of furniture design.

 

Camera slowly zooms to closeup of the Manager as he chats with Owner, GM and POBO.

 

Manager: 13 pitchers? Do you realize the number 13 is unlucky? Not only that, but are we going to have 13 pitchers on Friday the 13th?

 

Shot then moves to POBO.

 

POBO: umm, you realize the next Friday the 13th isn’t until October, right?

 

Wide angle with POBO and Manager, POBO’s eyebrows blending in with hairline due to direction of conversation. Considering how far back the hairline starts, this is a minor miracle)

 

Manager: Hey, I’m just trying to plan in advance. I mean, I know the teams pythag says we’re not going to even come close to the playoffs, but still, what kind of manager would I be if I didn’t look at all the possibilities?

 

Quick cut to owner as the owner makes a coughing sound that strangely sounds like “crazy.”

 

Owner: Coughhrazy (into hand)

 

Cut to manager, as he stares at Owner with a glare that, were it a death ray, would disintegrate the Owner on the spot. Face turns red as the rant bursts forth from his lips

 

Manager: Crazy? You want crazy? I’ll give you crazy!! Just wait until you see me bat the ex-catcher 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th, all in the first 5 games!

 

Wide shot of POBO, Owner and GM all staring open-mouthed at the manager.

 

Closeup of the GM as he finally speaks to the manager.

 

GM: You do know it’s mathematically impossible to bat a player in 9 different spots in 5 games, right?

 

Quick cut back to the manager.

 

Manager: Yeah, and it’s mathematically impossible to be eliminated from the playoffs in April!!

 

Stunned silence as the logic of this statement is digested by the FO brain trust. Quick pan of Owner, GM and POBO faces, all of which are registering a certain amount of disbelief at the manager’s statement.

 

Camera moves back to the face of the manager.

 

Manager: Okay, silence means assent. Good, glad you’re all on board with my plan.

 

Again, silence. Camera slowly moves back to encompass the FO who’s faces are impassive at this last exchange.

 

GM: (sarcastically) Would you prefer 14 pitchers? (immediately regrets opening mouth)

 

Manager: Awesome! We really are on the same page!! I always knew I liked you!

 

Camera moves back to take in FO brain trust as they shuffle out of the office. Owner turns to POBO as the door swings shut behind them.

 

Camera closes in on POBO and owner.

 

Owner: POBO, why are we leaving your office?

 

POBO: Really? You’re asking that after the discussion we just had?

 

Camera fades to black.

 

Some things to think about:

 

1. Too many camera angles?
2. Lighting: Should I have spent more time detailing the kind of lighting for this masterpiece?
3. I know 9 is the optimum number of characters an audience can track. Should I have added more characters?
4. On a weirdness scale of 1 to 10: 1 or 10?
5. Blame Riverbrian for this introduction. He brought Shakespeare into the act. Unless this is brilliant. Then, it’s all about meeeeee!!

 

Pitching for the Twins:

 

Kyle Gibson

 

Pitching for KC:

 

Jason Hammel

 

Lineups:

 

Twins:

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B
2. Max Kepler (L) RF
3. Byron Buxton ® CF
4. Joe Mauer (L) 1B
5. Miguel Sano ® 3B
6. Jason Castro (L) C
7. Jorge Polanco (S) SS
8. Eddie Rosario (L) DH
9. Danny Santana (S) LF

 

KC:

 

1. Alex Gordon (L) LF
2. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
3. Lorenzo Cain ® CF
4. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
5. Salvador Perez ® C
6. Brandon Moss (L) DH
7. Paulo Orlando ® RF
8. Alcides Escobar ® SS
9. Raul Mondesi (S) 2B

 

 

 

Play ball!!

 

[Blake]

And away we go!

[Vanimal46]

Superb job today Blake! Feeling like a proud dad this morning!

[GP830]

I would put Sano at DH and Esco at 3B, but what do I know? 

[Respy]

Figured we'd see D-San today.  Didn't know where he'd end up, though.

 

Kyle Gibson's tweaked delivery and his batter v. pitcher matchups with KC will be the thing to watch today.

 

Lots of AB's for KC batters against Gibson, with some very polarized numbers:

 

• Cain: 3 for 23 (.130)
• Perez: 3 for 25 (.120)
• Escobar: 11 for 32 (.344)
• Gordon: 10 for 28 (.357)
• Gibson has only given up 1 homerun to the active KC lineup (Alex Gordon) in 174 combined AB's

[GP830]

 

I would put Sano at DH and Esco at 3B, but what do I know? 

Nah, ya know what-- I'd rather have Sano at 3B and Park or Vargas at DH, but what do I know? 

[Squirrel]

I'm looking forward to seeing Gibson, too ... his new approach and his ST numbers have enticed me. I really am hoping he has a good season ... and it starts for him today.

 

And I suppose we had to see DanSan at some point. I hope he gets out of the game without some kind of error or misplay.

[Han Joelo]

Pot calling the kettle black alert:  I'd have sat Kepler and played Rosario.  Flag this post and mock me later.  Don't mess with Molly Mojo.  Or is it Molitor Magic?  Paul's Prescriptions?  Paulie's Follies?

 

At least Danny Santana will get that participation trophy, which he can use as a paperweight to hold down the check he gets for his World Series share.  

[Comrade Bork]

Why not just put Escobar at DH after his hot start and leave Rosario in left. DSan needing reps is a joke.

[Joe A. Preusser]

If you were set on playing Rosario and Santana at RF and DH, I would probably put Rosario in the field. He must really want to get DanSan some fielding reps.

[stringer bell]

Pot calling the kettle black alert:  I'd have sat Kepler and played Rosario.  Flag this post and mock me later.  Don't mess with Molly Mojo.  Or is it Molitor Magic?  Paul's Prescriptions?  Paulie's Follies?

 

At least Danny Santana will get that participation trophy, which he can use as a paperweight to hold down the check he gets for his World Series share.

So Santana is going to the Cubs?

[Mike Sixel]

Like it or not, DSan is going to get starts. I don't understand it, but it is going to happen. 

[gocgo]

 

Rosario tweaked a wrist/hand yesterday on the throw to home.  Not shocked that he isn't on the field today.

 

[drjim]

Santana will go 2-4, 1b, 2b and play flawless defense today.

 

The narrative around him is starting to go off the rails.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Santana will go 2-4, 1b, 2b and play flawless defense today.

 

The narrative around him is starting to go off the rails.

Starting? Where have you been for the last year and a half?

[Comrade Bork]

 

Fiiine. If he is actually hurt. I suppose that's what DSan is there for...

[Mike Sixel]

 

Santana will go 2-4, 1b, 2b and play flawless defense today.

 

The narrative around him is starting to go off the rails.

 

How so? He is one of the 5 worst players in MLB the last two years? What should the "narrative" be?

 

But yes, I agree with your first sentence.

[drjim]

 

How so? He is one of the 5 worst players in MLB the last two years? What should the "narrative" be?

 

But yes, I agree with your first sentence.

 

That he's the last player on the bench, out of options, being given a final chance on a rebuilding team.

 

He's just not worth the angst that he stirs up.

[drjim]

And he's not one of the 5 worst players of the last two years.

[Comrade Bork]

That he's the last player on the bench, out of options, being given a final chance on a rebuilding team.

 

He's just not worth the angst that he stirs up.

How many chances does a 25th man get?? Every organization has guys making the minimum that could easily be swapped with DSan. Spread the chances around. I want to see Granite soon.

[Mike Sixel]

 

And he's not one of the 5 worst players of the last two years.

 

Based on what? Certainly not WAR.....based on what do you make that statement? His hitting? His base stealing percent? His defense? I mean, I have plenty of data that says he is in that range.

[drjim]

 

How many chances does a 25th man get?? Every organization has guys making the minimum that could easily be swapped with DSan. Spread the chances around. I want to see Granite soon.

 

Granite is currently hurt and has never played AAA. Have him play every day and succeed for multiple months before you bring him up to sit on the bench.

 

Santana will get a couple months, and if it isn't working, they'll move on. He's not going to take many at bats from the core guys.

[jud6312]

 

I hope he gets out of the game 

I agree with this portion of your DanSan take 

[drjim]

 

Based on what? Certainly not WAR.....based on what do you make that statement? His hitting? His base stealing percent? His defense? I mean, I have plenty of data that says he is in that range.

 

The fact that you personally have asked a variation of this question dozens of times kind of proves my point.

[jud6312]

 

Like it or not, DSan is going to get starts. I don't understand it, but it is going to happen. 

I think this picture sums it up (if you assume Molly is the puppy in this scenario):

 

http://runeatrepeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/i-cant-quit-you_thumb.jpg

[Jerr]

Santana seems to get "punto hate" on Twins Daily and I'm feeling a bit sad for him.....hope he and Molitors'  lineup ROCKS another WIN!!!!!

[jud6312]

 

And he's not one of the 5 worst players of the last two years.

You're right ... he's one of the 3 worst players with a minimum of 500 PAs over the last two years - he ranks right ahead of Panda and Alexei Ramirez, and behind such stalwarts as Cody Asche and Alexi Amarista.

 

So, in terms of WAR he most certainly is. Add to that his inability to steal bases, hit or play even consistent defense (consistently bad doesn't count), he actually is as awful as we believe him to be.

 

 

[GP830]

This week has me in full-on mid-season form of excitement. I've been refreshing pages and looking for every bit of insight and info I can get regarding the Twins. We're still an hour from game time and I can't help but be so jacked that the season is here and our boys not only look good, but there definitely feels like a sea change has occurred. I may post more about this in a separate thread, but man, is it nice! 

[Blake]

 

Superb job today Blake! Feeling like a proud dad this morning!

You're welcome and thank you. As is probably obvious, I have a lot of fun letting the inner weird shine through. Although, since I work on computers for a living, the weird thing is probably a given.

[drjim]

 

You're right ... he's one of the 3 worst players with a minimum of 500 PAs over the last two years - he ranks right ahead of Panda and Alexei Ramirez, and behind such stalwarts as Cody Asche and Alexi Amarista.

 

So, in terms of WAR he most certainly is. Add to that his inability to steal bases, hit or play even consistent defense (consistently bad doesn't count), he actually is as awful as we believe him to be.

 

Well, when you put that many qualifiers on it. This kind of analysis really shows the limits of just posting WAR and having that be the only conclusion.

 

The fact that he got over 500 PAs shows he far from the top 5 worst. He was certainly overexposed, but if he was hidden a little more and played to his strengths, his WAR counting stats would have been less negative. If he only had 300 PAs, that would not have made him "better" but by this standard he would have been significantly better.

 

I am interested to see him in a limited role and see what he can produce, now that he has no other options.