Rosenthal on the Twins Resurgence

[Seth Stohs]

Ken Rosenthal recently signed on to write at The Athletic. One of his first articles is on how the Twins have come back after losing players at the trade deadline. Rosenthal is a terrific writer, and he discusses the effect of the trade, how much it upset some players, and how the team has handled being upset. Which is to say, the best possible way.

 

https://theathletic.com/90385/2017/08/28/sellers-at-the-deadline-the-resurgent-twins-have-surprised-everybody-except-themselves/

 

[Vanimal46]

I've never heard of the Athletic prior to this afternoon. They landed a big hire in Rosenthal. It just wasn't right reading his thoughts on a Facebook blog post. 

[brvama]

Good article. I really like how the players responded to the deadline. I really think that will bode well for the years to come as they bond into a very good team. That is assuming this core stays together, which it should.

[Mike Sixel]

Haven't subscribed yet, but I'm glad someone is trying to build such a site. If I still LOVED sports, I'd pay for sure.

[mazeville]

Good piece. Thanks for the link.

 

Personally, I give the FO a ton of credit. They went out and bought when the team looked like it was in contention. And then they sold when they fell out of it. 

 

In neither case did they overpay or sell to much. They didn't sell Ervin Santana or Brian Dozier. They sold guys who were unlikely to be with the team next year - or who could well sign with the team in the offseason, anyway.

 

And they flipped Garcia for a better prospect. 

 

It was the type of bold move this team has sorely lacked for some time. 

 

I also give a ton of credit to the players for responding the way they have. They didn't give up. They've had a good record with a positive run differential since the trades. Good for them. 

[DaveW]

I think a ton of it has to do with who the Twins have happened to be playing. Before the deadline they ran into two white hot teams, and blew a couple of heartbreakers. Now that they are playing more middle of the road teams, they are dominating a bit more.

 

Of course, Polanco, Dozier, Buxton, rosario hitting out of their minds prob has a little to do with it as well

 

Nice get for the athletic, will have to give them a follow.

[VirginSturgeon]

Great article and thanks for the link Seth.  This team is resilient that is for sure.  

[nicksaviking]

I'm happy the front office is willing to make moves that are neither popular with the players or the fans, and right away in their tenure to boot.

 

It doesn't mean the decisions are right, but it gives me confidence that they aren't beholden to less informed parties or ideals.

[D. Hocking]

 

I think a ton of it has to do with who the Twins have happened to be playing. Before the deadline they ran into two white hot teams, and blew a couple of heartbreakers. Now that they are playing more middle of the road teams, they are dominating a bit more.
 

 

I think this probably has a lot to do with it, but it would have been easy for them to slip a notch mentally after the trades and the losing streak, which in baseball is a lot, and not been able to eat those middle of the road teams to get back in the race.  I remember wondering if they had seen 500 and above for the last time.  I do think this team might have that something extra that helps them play above their abilities from time to time.  I also think the younger players are starting to show their potential more consistently.  You never know what is going to happen from year to year, but I think that bodes well for the future.

 

I remember Dozier not being happy when the trades happened.  I could see him getting people fired up. I noticed the one player Kintzler named when he was talking about people being mad and not happy was Mauer.  I know some of his critics say he does not care, but I have never gotten that impression when I actually here one of his teammates comment about him.

 

I haven't listened to Ruesse for awhile -- wasn't/isn't Ken one of his semi-regular guests?  Whatever you think about Ruesse, he usually has good guests on to talk baseball.

[Mr. Brooks]

Well if the vibe is that selling irked the players and lit a fire under them, then I think those saying the FO blundered need to rethink.

Perhaps they just Jedi mind tricked the players into more wins than they ever could have traded for. And got a couple lotto tickets to boot!

They are geniuses IMO.

[Mr. Brooks]

I think this probably has a lot to do with it, but it would have been easy for them to slip a notch mentally after the trades and the losing streak, which in baseball is a lot, and not been able to eat those middle of the road teams to get back in the race. I remember wondering if they had seen 500 and above for the last time. I do think this team might have that something extra that helps them play above their abilities from time to time. I also think the younger players are starting to show their potential more consistently. You never know what is going to happen from year to year, but I think that bodes well for the future.

 

I remember Dozier not being happy when the trades happened. I could see him getting people fired up. I noticed the one player Kintzler named when he was talking about people being mad and not happy was Mauer. I know some of his critics say he does not care, but I have never gotten that impression when I actually here one of his teammates comment about him.

 

I haven't listened to Ruesse for awhile -- wasn't/isn't Ken one of his semi-regular guests? Whatever you think about Ruesse, he usually has good guests on to talk baseball.

I believe you are thinking of Tim Kirkjian.

[D. Hocking]

 

I believe you are thinking of Tim Kirkjian.

 

Yep - thanks.  I think he used to alternate Tim with Buster.

[drjim]

Yep - thanks. I think he used to alternate Tim with Buster.

Still does. Mixes in Kaat and Tom Kelly too. Probably the only local radio guy who is a baseball guy at his core. Mackey too I suppose, but Zulgad is a bad influence.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Still does. Mixes in Kaat and Tom Kelly too. Probably the only local radio guy who is a baseball guy at his core. Mackey too I suppose, but Zulgad is a bad influence.

the M word is 4 letters in these parts.

 

http://www.citypages.com/news/phil-mackey-1500-espn-reporter-blasts-no-accountability-bloggers-on-twitter-gets-blasted-6545885

[Platoon]

I think a ton of it has to do with who the Twins have happened to be playing. Before the deadline they ran into two white hot teams, and blew a couple of heartbreakers. Now that they are playing more middle of the road teams, they are dominating a bit more.

Of course, Polanco, Dozier, Buxton, rosario hitting out of their minds prob has a little to do with it as well

Nice get for the athletic, will have to give them a follow.

This! The Twins are a .500 ish team. They will struggle with the better teams, and beat the poorer ones, and split with their ilk. And their schedule has set them up with the latter two groups. This will someday be a nice team, all things being equal. Kudos for the FO taking the long view, getting some pitching, and understanding that a poor chance at a one and done wasn't worth missing out on something that resembles MLB pitching prospects. Btw, I really have a hard time with the "we are all mad as hell and are gonna show the FO how they screwed up". Baseball isn't really a sport where increasing physical intensity does you a whole lot of good. It's a team game, played individually. You're not a power forward in the NBA muscling up a rebound! It does make excellent copy though.

[Darius]

It's not the FOs job to make these guys feel special. It's to make business decisions. I'm glad these guys are willing to take action based on the data they have.

 

If you don't want guys to get traded away at the deadline, win more games.

[drjim]

the M word is 4 letters in these parts.

 

http://www.citypages.com/news/phil-mackey-1500-espn-reporter-blasts-no-accountability-bloggers-on-twitter-gets-blasted-6545885

Hopefully people have moved on 5 years later. Such a stupid beef both ways.

 

That said, I wasn't necessarily commented on the quality of Mackey, just observing that he is a baseball guy at his core, which is pretty rare for a local radio guy. The Touch Em All podcast is pretty solid though.

[drjim]

It's not the FOs job to make these guys feel special. It's to make business decisions. I'm glad these guys are willing to take action based on the data they have.

 

If you don't want guys to get traded away at the deadline, win more games.

I would have preferred they waffled this deadline.

[gocgo]

 

Good piece. Thanks for the link.

 

Personally, I give the FO a ton of credit. They went out and bought when the team looked like it was in contention. And then they sold when they fell out of it. 

 

In neither case did they overpay or sell to much. They didn't sell Ervin Santana or Brian Dozier. They sold guys who were unlikely to be with the team next year - or who could well sign with the team in the offseason, anyway.

 

And they flipped Garcia for a better prospect. 

 

It was the type of bold move this team has sorely lacked for some time. 

 

I also give a ton of credit to the players for responding the way they have. They didn't give up. They've had a good record with a positive run differential since the trades. Good for them. 

Not sure that I agree with the part about flipping Garcia for a better prospect.  We paid 4 million for 1 win and a better prospect.

[Lefty74]

I've never heard of the Athletic prior to this afternoon. They landed a big hire in Rosenthal. It just wasn't right reading his thoughts on a Facebook blog post.

 

I believe that today they also landed Michael Russo. He has done an excellent job for the Strib covering the Wild.

[Vanimal46]

I believe that today they also landed Michael Russo. He has done an excellent job for the Strib covering the Wild.

I saw that.... I'm going to really miss his coverage of the Wild. Nearly impossible for the Star Tribune to replace him.

[DaveW]

I saw that.... I'm going to really miss his coverage of the Wild. Nearly impossible for the Star Tribune to replace him.

**** **** **** **** **** ****

 

I mean I'm glad for Russo to leave that sinking ship, he's way too good for it but damn.....that sucks for us Wild fans.

[Vanimal46]

 

**** **** **** **** **** ****

I mean I'm glad for Russo to leave that sinking ship, he's way too good for it but damn.....that sucks for us Wild fans.

 

He's joining Rosenthal at the Athletic.... This (new?) website is building a super team that's for sure.