Souhan on the Twins

[gunnarthor]

http://www.startribune.com/slumping-twins-miss-struggling-miguel-sano-byron-buxton/481196541/

 

Basically thinks the Twins miss Buxton's energy and Sano's bat. Also was surprised to hear that Duffey didn't think he should be sent to AAA.

[curt1965]

I agree-Duffy is definitely not even close to the worse reliever the Twins have. And Buxton and Sano don’t throw any pitches-even when healthy. The Twins made two attempts to find mid range talent in the off-season and got what they deserve. Certainly time to think about giving Gonsalves a chance.

I think the Twins realize they have a big problem-literally- with Sano. Maybe he has talent when he is not hurt,

but at close to 300 pounds, these injuries are going to happen frequently. Send him down to Rochester for a month, and tell him when he loses 25 pounds, he can come back!

[Pius Jefferson]

Sano is a home run threat no doubt but what else? I realize that's important but he's much more likely to strikeout than hit the ball over the fence.

[TheLeviathan]

Sano is a home run threat no doubt but what else? I realize that's important but he's much more likely to strikeout than hit the ball over the fence.

And everyone on the roster is more likely to make an out when they bat....I’m thinking this misses Souhan’s point.

[clutterheart]

Tyler Duffey thinks he is entitled to a MLB roster spot?  Based off what?   Its good to see that he is a competitor but its hard to see how he isn't looking in the mirror.  

 

Twins have been bad but at least we can laugh at jokers like him.  

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Tyler Duffey thinks he is entitled to a MLB roster spot? Based off what?

 

Based off Hughes being entitled to a roster spot? it's worth a guess

[Mr. Brooks]

Based off Hughes being entitled to a roster spot? it's worth a guess

Hughes is entitled (of course, I don't think he SHOULD be) because he's owed $26 million.

Duffey is performing worse than Hughes, and has options and no large monetary commitment.

 

It would be one thing if Duffey is performing well, and still gets squeezed out because of Hughes' guaranteed spot.

[USAFChief]

 

Based off Hughes being entitled to a roster spot? Kinley got a month? it's worth a guess

added to that for you.

[nicksaviking]

I never wanted Duffey up to begin with but I don't think it's fair to rip him unless Souhan has more information that he simply has not provided.

 

"Tyler Duffey slammed his way around the clubhouse, upset about being sent back to the minors.

 

Sounds like conjecture to me. How does he know Duffey wasn't upset with himself for pitching so poorly? It seems quite possible, but of course it doesn't provide for as good of a punchline.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Hughes is entitled (of course, I don't think he SHOULD be) because he's owed $26 million.

Duffey is performing worse than Hughes, and has options and no large monetary commitment.

It would be one thing if Duffey is performing well, and still gets squeezed out because of Hughes' guaranteed spot.

Only trying to see it from Duffey's point of view. Even if Duffey is pitching worse than Hughes, it's arguable whether Duffey is actually hurting the team (by pitching in mop up).

[Mr. Brooks]

Only trying to see it from Duffey's point of view. Even if Duffey is pitching worse than Hughes, it's arguable whether Duffey is actually hurting the team (by pitching in mop up).

Duffey gave up 5 runs after entering with the Twins leading 7-4 on Friday.

That's not mop up duty, and certainly hurt the team.

 

I actually like guys to be a little upset if they don't get to compete at the highest level, but in this case Duffey has been so bad, and has been for a third straight year now, that he needs to have a little self awareness. That is, of course, if he was in fact upset about the demotion.

[Halsey Hall]

Duffey shouldn't have been brought up in the first place.  The Twins are grasping for help anywhere they can and he fit the bill.  But, he's got a lot of homers in that arm and Rochester is the place to get them out. 

 

Twins need someone to carry them and Rosario could be the guy. Mauer should forget the walks and starting hitting the ball.  We need offense and runs to win games. 

[ashbury]

I actually like guys to be a little upset if they don't get to compete at the highest level, but in this case Duffey has been so bad, and has been for a third straight year now, that he needs to have a little self awareness. That is, of course, if he was in fact upset about the demotion.

After the leadoff homer he pitched well enough for three innings yesterday. Probably the timing of the demotion plays into his reaction. If they had given him the bad news one day earlier he perhaps would have seen it their way, brief though that chance would have been.

[Mr. Brooks]

After the leadoff homer he pitched well enough for three innings yesterday. Probably the timing of the demotion plays into his reaction. If they had given him the bad news one day earlier he perhaps would have seen it their way, brief though that chance would have been.

I mean he's been subpar for a third straight season. I don't agree that one decent outing should give him any extra rope, even if it's in his mind only.

But, it's really not a big deal, aside from maybe a little bit of lack of self awareness.

Players should play, and management should manage. For the most part, the players should respect managements decisions, or put in an application in the front office if they think they can do it better.

Who knows, with the flaws this team has, perhaps he can do their job better!

[joeshmoe]

I was slamming my way around my house when Duffey was recalled. At least I can relax now.

[Taildragger8791]

Good teams don't go completely in the tank when they miss a starter or two for short stretches. It's reasonable to have a slight drop-off but this team was built around offense and it has been absolutely terrible all year (Twins are 1-12 when giving up 4 or more runs).

[Mike Sixel]

I have no issue with a player bring upset about being sent down, whether the decision was right or not.

 

I don't read souhan....

[Jerr]

Sano and Buxton will never stay healthy enough, to rise to superstar levels. Just sad and Sano (to me) has no drive to improve physically.

 

Just really sad to me, as both of them, were so highly rated/anticipated.

 

A "down in the dumps" Twins fan here, as there is no "fire in the belly" with this team.

[lukeduke1980]

Jorge Polanco made a huge impact during last years 2nd half surge.  His patient at bats and production have been replace by Sano's flailing.  Esco is pretty much neutral because he was playing third.  

 

So to me it's Polance and Buxton that are missed.

 

And anything resembling competence at pitching.  

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Duffey gave up 5 runs after entering with the Twins leading 7-4 on Friday.

That's not mop up duty, and certainly hurt the team.

I actually like guys to be a little upset if they don't get to compete at the highest level, but in this case Duffey has been so bad, and has been for a third straight year now, that he needs to have a little self awareness. That is, of course, if he was in fact upset about the demotion.

You are right, he did come in with the lead. I had something else going on and wasn't watching that night (oh good for me)

[Rosterman]

I am stunned.

 

The Problem is pitching.

 

You need your starters to go at least five innings, wsix preferred, and to keep you in the game. Yes, the strikeouts are nice, but the walks are killing us.

 

By keeping us in the game means that you need to keep it at four runs (max) or less. Of course, your offense also has to knock in at least four runs in a game. At least, not just.

 

Some players seem to be coming around. Maybe that week off did effect timing and all. But Someone ahs to work with Sano, we need some basepath pressure, and I'm not sure what the perfect lineup construction should be. But I'm thinking MAYBE Dozier shouldn't be batting first.

 

The bullpen is a surprising shambles. Shows that the Twins were running on lucky fumes in seasons past with the likes of Duffey and Rogers, They maybe shouldn't have broken camp with Moya. Hildenberger got caught up in league film. Kinley...well, who knows. Chargois would look pretty good right now, doing what his "prospect" status said he would do. We might be longing for the day when Buddy Boshers would've got the call. But good news for ALL those minor league free agent pitchers the Twins signed. Rotating game of musical chairs. Maybe you get the call, a few days of major league play, and instead of going back to Rochester another team will claim you. One way to start nibbling down those names on the Twins 40-man roster.

 

It IS all about pitching. Alston and Guardado have their arms full. 

 

If you are going to win, you have to win series ball. They lost to the Rays. They lost to the Yankees. They LOST TO THE REDS. Oh, my!

[laloesch]

 

I am stunned.

 

The Problem is pitching.

 

You need your starters to go at least five innings, wsix preferred, and to keep you in the game. Yes, the strikeouts are nice, but the walks are killing us.

 

By keeping us in the game means that you need to keep it at four runs (max) or less. Of course, your offense also has to knock in at least four runs in a game. At least, not just.

 

Some players seem to be coming around. Maybe that week off did effect timing and all. But Someone ahs to work with Sano, we need some basepath pressure, and I'm not sure what the perfect lineup construction should be. But I'm thinking MAYBE Dozier shouldn't be batting first.

 

The bullpen is a surprising shambles. Shows that the Twins were running on lucky fumes in seasons past with the likes of Duffey and Rogers, They maybe shouldn't have broken camp with Moya. Hildenberger got caught up in league film. Kinley...well, who knows. Chargois would look pretty good right now, doing what his "prospect" status said he would do. We might be longing for the day when Buddy Boshers would've got the call. But good news for ALL those minor league free agent pitchers the Twins signed. Rotating game of musical chairs. Maybe you get the call, a few days of major league play, and instead of going back to Rochester another team will claim you. One way to start nibbling down those names on the Twins 40-man roster.

 

It IS all about pitching. Alston and Guardado have their arms full. 

 

If you are going to win, you have to win series ball. They lost to the Rays. They lost to the Yankees. They LOST TO THE REDS. Oh, my!

 

I agree.  A good chunk of the issues here are pitching related eventhough the offense has been inconsistent and non-existent at times. And let's be frank, the bullpen has been an utter and complete disaster aside from Addison Reed. What's making matters worse is that Twins starters since the NY series have been getting pounded for the most part exposing a vulnerable bullpen to even more innings.  It also doesn't help matters too that Molitor does not handle the BP very well at times, a weakness which many here have noted in years past.   He's also had the misfortune of having two ineffective starters so far (Lynn and Hughes).  In the case of Hughes we all saw that coming from a million light years away but the FO seems completely committed too him at this moment, which is dollars left on contract talking.      

 

That said, given that the bullpen has been the bulk of the problems why not start demoting and and calling up guys with options?  We still have Jake Reed who is off to a good start in AAA (again) along with Curtiss and Melotakis.  They could also choose to get creative and use Slegers or Romero in that role.  

[redstorm]

 

I have no issue with a player bring upset about being sent down, whether the decision was right or not.

I don't read souhan....

 

Agree on both points.

 

The only thing worse than Souhan are the comments on his articles..

[Mike Sixel]

I agree. A good chunk of the issues here are pitching related eventhough the offense has been inconsistent and non-existent at times. And let's be frank, the bullpen has been an utter and complete disaster aside from Addison Reed. What's making matters worse is that Twins starters since the NY series have been getting pounded for the most part exposing a vulnerable bullpen to even more innings. It also doesn't help matters too that Molitor does not handle the BP very well at times, a weakness which many here have noted in years past. He's also had the misfortune of having two ineffective starters so far (Lynn and Hughes). In the case of Hughes we all saw that coming from a million light years away but the FO seems completely committed too him at this moment, which is dollars left on contract talking.

 

That said, given that the bullpen has been the bulk of the problems why not start demoting and and calling up guys with options? We still have Jake Reed who is off to a good start in AAA (again) along with Curtiss and Melotakis. They could also choose to get creative and use Slegers or Romero in that role.

They largely built a staff of veterans without options. Which is not ideal, imo

[jctwins]

 

Sano and Buxton will never stay healthy enough, to rise to superstar levels. Just sad and Sano (to me) has no drive to improve physically.

 

Just really sad to me, as both of them, were so highly rated/anticipated.

 

A "down in the dumps" Twins fan here, as there is no "fire in the belly" with this team.

 

I believe saying anything negative about Sano or your perceived impressions of his attitude were reason for a sterm talking to in the other thread.

[KirbyDome89]

I've seen more than a few posts criticizing the Twins for "rolling over," and "looking lifeless," during this bad stretch of games. I wouldn't say I agree with either of those assessments but it makes 0 sense to get on Duffey for being pissed at a demotion if all week part of the issue for the Twins was that they were "too flat." 

[PseudoSABR]

I think Molitor needs to show more willingness to leave his starters out there even if they are giving up runs; we end up burning through the bullpen in games we are already likely to lose and we end up with a depleted bullpen in games we can actually win...

[Mike Sixel]

I think Molitor needs to show more willingness to leave his starters out there even if they are giving up runs; we end up burning through the bullpen in games we are already likely to lose and we end up with a depleted bullpen in games we can actually win...

Agreed.

[Mr. Brooks]

Agreed.

Also agree. Why bring in guys you might need tomorrow, to eat innings in "mop up" duty, when the starter won't be needed for 5 days. Let them mop up their mess.

 

I'd like to hear an explanation for that logic.

[USAFChief]

 

I think Molitor needs to show more willingness to leave his starters out there even if they are giving up runs; we end up burning through the bullpen in games we are already likely to lose and we end up with a depleted bullpen in games we can actually win...

I would agree to the extent that it enrages me when he decides to leave an obviously tottering starter in a game, watches him give up a walk, line drive single, then a HR, and THEN decides to remove him, mid-inning.

 

If you thought the guy had enough to start the inning, but he loses the game, well, then let him at least finish the inning. If the guy can't finish the inning, he never should have come out for it in the first place.

 

I will say, though, that I don't think innings from starters is a huge factor in the Twins pitching problems. Few if any teams get consistent 6-7-8 inning starts any more. Where the difference lies is those teams bring in reliever after reliever that are often able to pitch a quick inning. Those guys then take a day or two off, and come back and do it again. 

 

The Twins main problem is they only have a couple guys trustworthy enough to pitch in close games, and they get overused, and the other guys can't get through an inning consistently, so they get overused as well.