Article: MIL 8, MIN 3: Gibson Falters, Mauer Exits Due to Neck Injury

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

You can’t contend for a World Series if you can’t

a) get to the playoffs, which the Twins are at less than 25% to do

b )win if you do get in, which the Twins haven’t done in 16 years. They are also ill equipped to do so this year. Teams that win in the playoffs have multiple consistent HR threats, a legitimate ace starter, a lockdown bullpen.

The Twins have all but three of those.

I'm not going to make a prediction, but why do you think this team will look the same today as it will 30, 60, and 90 days from now?

[Dantes929]

 

At some point we might have to admit that the bad Buxton is the rule and the good Buxton is the exception....

 

Yes,   I for one have not reached that point.   They said the same about Hicks at age 26 and I never thought he had near the talent Buxton does.   Of course I am not so sure the good Hicks is the rule right now either.      Why isn't Buxton bunting?    

[h2oface]

 

Buxton is beyond AAA. He either has to sink or swim at the MLB level. It’s all on him and whether or not he is actually good enough to consistently hit MLB pitching.

 

 

How is that new batting/hitting coach doing? The offense is really tanking.

Edited May 19, 2018 by h2oface

[h2oface]

 

Buxton's ABs last night weren't even competitive. Against a below average soft tossing lefty.

I'm at a loss...how long can you keep running him out there?

 

But please, don't replace him by having Grossman play in the outfield. His bat is not much better, and his defense weakens two outfield positions, as one of Kepler or Rosario, or both, move around, too. Buxton might not make runs, but he usually saves one or two a game, which is almost the same as creating runs.

[h2oface]

 

I didn't hear anything about the Twins getting angry but this is the same team that got upset after a bunt beat their shift earlier in the season. 

 

Bremer was calling it on the broadcast........ and also making note of it himself. It is in the replay posted, too.

 

Maybe it is just Bremer making stuff up. I don't really know, I guess.

 

https://www.mlb.com/twins/video/c-2057834683

Edited May 19, 2018 by h2oface

[yarnivek1972]

I'm not going to make a prediction, but why do you think this team will look the same today as it will 30, 60, and 90 days from now?

I’m sure it won’t. But IMO it will be more likely veteran players LEAVING than arriving.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I’m sure it won’t. But IMO it will be more likely veteran players LEAVING than arriving.

The older guys leaving -- on the whole, that sounds promising

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Update on Mauer from the Athletic:

 

Joe Mauer exited Friday’s game with a stiff neck, the result of a diving attempt at a foul ball last weekend in Anaheim. Mauer is listed as day-to-day but sounds iffy to play in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers and could potentially miss Sunday, too.

...

“I landed pretty hard and had some whiplash,” Mauer said. “Just been coming in and getting treatment and trying to get out there every day, but (Friday) I got out there and it started to stiffen up and get a little worse. I talked to the trainers and coaches and they thought it was best if I got out of there before it got any worse.”

“I’d like to be in the lineup (Saturday), to be honest. It might take a day or two. Nothing more than that. I just think I need to let it calm down.”

Mauer to DL

 

This team has near zero credibility when announcing injury updates.

Edited May 19, 2018 by Hosken Bombo Disco

[jkcarew]

But please, don't replace him by having Grossman play in the outfield. His bat is not much better, and his defense weakens two outfield positions, as one of Kepler or Rosario, or both, move around, too. Buxton might not make runs, but he usually saves one or two a game, which is almost the same as creating runs.

 

In the 7 games Buxton has started in Center since his return, he’s had 22 fly balls caught and zero assists. It would be a stretch to say he’s save the Twins 2 outs and 4 bases in that time (relative to what, say, Kepler would have benn able to accomplish in those games). Meanwhile, he’s had 24 plate appearances resulting in 3 bases and a walk. That’s about 5 extra outs and 6 fewer bases than a league average hitter. It’s a fallacy that good defense has the same value as a good bat. It doesn’t...not over time. It a matter of opportunity.

 

On the other hand, he doesn’t have to be a league average hitter to have value...but he has to be way closer to league average than he’s been this year to have value.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Is this true?

 

Update on Mauer from the Athletic:

 

Joe Mauer exited Friday’s game with a stiff neck, the result of a diving attempt at a foul ball last weekend in Anaheim. Mauer is listed as day-to-day but sounds iffy to play in Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers and could potentially miss Sunday, too.

 

...

 

“I landed pretty hard and had some whiplash,” Mauer said. “Just been coming in and getting treatment and trying to get out there every day, but (Friday) I got out there and it started to stiffen up and get a little worse. I talked to the trainers and coaches and they thought it was best if I got out of there before it got any worse.”

 

“I’d like to be in the lineup (Saturday), to be honest. It might take a day or two. Nothing more than that. I just think I need to let it calm down.”

https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-mauer-placed-on-disabled-list/c-277417504

 

Going to the DL

[Mike Sixel]

 

In this past frustrating week, I'm getting closer to your position.

 

Hopefully the FO is also...

[jokin]

 

Hopefully the FO is also...

 

Well, at least they're being proactive and not waited for a week on what to do with Mauer. But in calling up Cave, it looks like they tried to remake his previous approach at the plate to the "Twins' Way" while in Rochester, leading to less than stellar numbers there. Thankfully, Cave ignored their advice in his major league debut today.

[laloesch]

In this past frustrating week, I'm getting closer to your position.

I second this. I'd like to see what he can do in place of Adrianza.