SELL!

[mudcat14]

Please!  I can't watch any more of this.  Not sure if I wouldn't fire the entire Front Office as well.  Every choice that they have made has back-fired.  We have a roster full of pitchers who can't throw strikes, and batters that can't hit (or often even swing) at them.  That we are in a position that Escobar is our primary clean-up hitter is inexcusable.  Our scouting department (which was supposedly rebuilt) is pathetic.  They can't evaluate potential talent and the advance scouting appears to be non-existent.

 

Can't blame them for Polanco's suspension.  But when core players like Dozier, Sano, Buxton, Morrison & Kepler all tank together, that's systemic not coincidence. 

 

Man, am I frustrated by this team!   

[yarnivek1972]

Kepler has a career .728 OPS. It currently stands at .725. Blame player development for lack of progress, but I certainly wouldn’t call his effort “tanking”.

[Kelly Vance]

Keps tries hard every play. Bless him....

[ewen21]

 

Kepler has a career .728 OPS. It currently stands at .725. Blame player development for lack of progress, but I certainly wouldn’t call his effort “tanking”.

Yes, but we are playing in the worst division in baseball and we STILL won't sniff anything near .500

 

I read a lot about this place needing to be "more positive".

Is it positive to ignore vast amounts of information in favor of a few sunny thoughts?  That to me is actually a negative.  It is time to start selling off the veterans and no one NO ONE should be off limits.  Time to look to the future and completely change the culture.  Start with Molitor and work you way down.  

[mudcat14]

 

Kepler has a career .728 OPS. It currently stands at .725. Blame player development for lack of progress, but I certainly wouldn’t call his effort “tanking”.

 

You're right about Kepler, 'tanked' doesn't really apply to him.  But as Dick Bremer was alluding to during the broadcast, when a player reach's the 1,200 AB threshold, you either expect to see some improvement or is that all he is.  Max's splits are certainly different from previous years, but overall he's no more productive than ever. 

 

Whether it's coaching, player development or scouting, Max and the players listed above along with Lynn & Odorizzi are all having the worst years of their respective careers by almost every metric.  This can't just be coincidence or hard luck.   

[jimmer]

The thing about Max is he got a late start to baseball.  He might require a bit more time.

[yarnivek1972]

Yes, but we are playing in the worst division in baseball and we STILL won't sniff anything near .500

 

I read a lot about this place needing to be "more positive".

Is it positive to ignore vast amounts of information in favor of a few sunny thoughts? That to me is actually a negative. It is time to start selling off the veterans and no one NO ONE should be off limits. Time to look to the future and completely change the culture. Start with Molitor and work you way down.

What does ANY of this have to do with Kepler?

[Nine of twelve]

Sell, but be selective about it. There is reason to expect Buxton and Sano to be healthy and productive next year. We will have 162 games of Polanco. The current outfield of Rosario, Cave, and Kepler are unlikely to regress next year. We have a number of young pitchers in the minors who are showing signs of improvement. May and Pineda should be ready to contribute. In short, I'm pretty optimistic about 2019. The players who should be sold are ones who we think we can do without next year, ones who have expiring contracts, or both.

[ewen21]

 

What does ANY of this have to do with Kepler?

Why are you jumping down my throat?  I liked your post.  I agree with you on Kepler but had other thoughts.  Is this a bad thing?  Sheesh

[yarnivek1972]

Why are you jumping down my throat? I liked your post. I agree with you on Kepler but had other thoughts. Is this a bad thing? Sheesh

Usually, when one quotes a post the comments are specifically related to the post. Wasn’t jumping down your throat. Merely confused.

[ewen21]

 

Usually, when one quotes a post the comments are specifically related to the post. Wasn’t jumping down your throat. Merely confused.

I am sorry.  DId not mean to respond in that way, but I hit post so....

[akmanak]

Sell what really? Dozier is batting .225 and has sub par defense for a second baseman. Which means you probably wont get anything substantial in return.

 

Lynn, ordozzi, and Rodney. Pretty junk pitchers with the exception of the overrated closer position. We wont get anything that helps in 2019.

 

The on only thing the Twins could get any decent return on is Escobar and it would be a step backwards if we trade him.

 

I will say it again.....the Twins make no moves that gets rid of any of their current starters with the exception of Rodney.

 

This team is now in rebuild mode and if you remember from multiple rebuild years it lasts awhile.

[DocBauer]

The thing about Max is he got a late start to baseball.  He might require a bit more time.

Not quite sure how Max got brought up, but this an excellent point and one I was just thinking about Saturday.

 

Despite all if his natural talent and ability, when Max was signed as a HS kid, he wasn't coming from anything resembling a top school in the States. He was a raw HS kid from Germany. It wouldn't be a stretch to say he began a step back of most of his fellow rookies of the same age. He also practically skipped AAA. I love everything I see about him, from his defense to his smooth and quick swing to some of the laser shots I see off his bat. I also love the improvement against LHP. What I don't love or understand is the sudden regression against RHO.

 

I still believe in his potential and feel he's going to blossom. I think he just needs a little more time and patience. The talent and potential are clearly visible.

[DocBauer]

Sell, but be selective about it. There is reason to expect Buxton and Sano to be healthy and productive next year. We will have 162 games of Polanco. The current outfield of Rosario, Cave, and Kepler are unlikely to regress next year. We have a number of young pitchers in the minors who are showing signs of improvement. May and Pineda should be ready to contribute. In short, I'm pretty optimistic about 2019. The players who should be sold are ones who we think we can do without next year, ones who have expiring contracts, or both.

I agree 100% with this opinion. Sell on Dozier, Rodney, Duke, Morrison and Lynn. They all offer at least some value, be it individually, or as part of a package. It's not even necessarily the value you get back...but you probably gain more "value" if you look to lower level talent or guys who may need a change if scenery...as it is about opening opportunity for Romero, Gonsalves, Mejia, Littell, Slegers, May, Busentiz, Curtiss, Reed, Moya, Gordon and Wade. Did I miss anyone? These are top/good prospects or a couple of potentially useful parts that need opportunity.

 

A hot again, experienced Dozier has the most value and there would appear to be a couple teams that could really use him and may overpay a bit.

 

I don't feel Santana will be able to fully prove himself in time for trade value unless it's an August waiver deal. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back next season on a reduced 1 year prove it deal with incentives.

 

IMO, I still look to keep Escobar on an extension. He could start, potentially, at 3 spots or be a super sub who plays almost daily.

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

Sell what really? Dozier is batting .225 and has sub par defense for a second baseman. Which means you probably wont get anything substantial in return.

Lynn, ordozzi, and Rodney. Pretty junk pitchers with the exception of the overrated closer position. We wont get anything that helps in 2019.

The on only thing the Twins could get any decent return on is Escobar and it would be a step backwards if we trade him.

I will say it again.....the Twins make no moves that gets rid of any of their current starters with the exception of Rodney.

This team is now in rebuild mode and if you remember from multiple rebuild years it lasts awhile.

The Twins have been rebuilding since 1991. In that same time period my last two kids graduated from high school, all four graduated from college, five grandchildren and two great-grandkids came into this world, I went through three dogs, a mini-van, an Oldsmobile Cutlass, two Chevy pickups and retired. I'm running out of patience. But I'm not negative. I'm positive I'll be watching man land on Mars before I see another Twins team in the World series.

[Han Joelo]

Everything Must Go.

 

 

[jkcarew]

IMO, I still look to keep Escobar on an extension. He could start, potentially, at 3 spots or be a super sub who plays almost daily.

Kind of a tall order at this point. 3 months from hitting the open market and having a career year...doubt he is being advised to negotiate exclusively with the Twins for an extension at this point. Twins hand may be forced to trade him.

[curt1965]

Kind of a tall order at this point. 3 months from hitting the open market and having a career year...doubt he is being advised to negotiate exclusively with the Twins for an extension at this point. Twins hand may be forced to trade him.

Do you really think the Twins can find someone better than Escobar next year? There is no one currently in our system who is better...... but I can just see all the free agents lining up to play in Minnesota for the next few years.

This organization needs to figure out who they are going to build the franchise around. Buxton and Sano are now HUGE question marks. Of our current nine, only Rosario, Polanco, and Kepler are my keepers. Why would you not include someone who can play 2nd, 3rd, and SS?

Our Twins dressed up as the ‘27 Yankees for the last 6 weeks of 2017. Now everyone wonders how they can be so bad this year. Look at it this way........how many of our guys would be playing for the Astros? Indians?

Dodgers? Cubs?

[mngopherguy]

 

Sell, but be selective about it. There is reason to expect Buxton and Sano to be healthy and productive next year. We will have 162 games of Polanco. The current outfield of Rosario, Cave, and Kepler are unlikely to regress next year. We have a number of young pitchers in the minors who are showing signs of improvement. May and Pineda should be ready to contribute. In short, I'm pretty optimistic about 2019. The players who should be sold are ones who we think we can do without next year, ones who have expiring contracts, or both.

 

 

I'm not nearly as high on May as others, more excited to see Pineda.  The real fact is all these minor leaguers we had are not as good as advertised.  

[jkcarew]

Do you really think the Twins can find someone better than Escobar next year? There is no one currently in our system who is better...... but I can just see all the free agents lining up to play in Minnesota for the next few years.

This organization needs to figure out who they are going to build the franchise around. Buxton and Sano are now HUGE question marks. Of our current nine, only Rosario, Polanco, and Kepler are my keepers. Why would you not include someone who can play 2nd, 3rd, and SS?

Our Twins dressed up as the ‘27 Yankees for the last 6 weeks of 2017. Now everyone wonders how they can be so bad this year. Look at it this way........how many of our guys would be playing for the Astros? Indians?

Dodgers? Cubs?

The point is not that the Twins shouldn’t want him back. The point is Escobar may choose to hit free agency. Then what?

[Platoon]

That's the problem with EE. If we keep him, we don't know if we can KEEP him. I like Esco, but if I can get something I need for him, I trade him. The Dozier return will likely be disappointing. He certainly gave no one any indication this weekend he was turning a corner to a hot streak. And the putrid throw to the plate on the "inside the park HR?" onky showcased exactly how bad his arm has become.

[laloesch]

 

That's the problem with EE. If we keep him, we don't know if we can KEEP him. I like Esco, but if I can get something I need for him, I trade him. The Dozier return will likely be disappointing. He certainly gave no one any indication this weekend he was turning a corner to a hot streak. And the putrid throw to the plate on the "inside the park HR?" onky showcased exactly how bad his arm has become.

 

Exactly my thoughts as well. I don't see why all the Dozier supporters are complaining so much about him not getting an extension and possibly being on the trading block. He was literally non-existent from late March through the beginning of July (surprise, surprise like the good old days). He's hitting low .220's and almost a career worst .724 OPS. Very very impressive hitting for an all-star eh?

 

Look this is pre 2016 Brian Dozier on display this season and everyone should be used to it by now. Non existent and wildly inconsistent through mid summer before heating up in late July early August when the team is 10+ games out of it and it doesn't matter anymore. He and other players that are wildly inconsistent like this are not the solution moving forward, which is why a lot of posters were calling for Gibsons head until this season.

 

I say trade him (Dozier) and while they're at it blow up the rest of the team with the exception of a few key pieces.  When you lose like this to the lowly Royals that's telling you something. Oh and find a new manager with some fire pleassseee, sorry Paul it's not personal.     

[Battle ur tail off]

Not sure what the answer is. For sure you must sell off anyone that is not in the plans for next year. Dozier, Lynn, Duke, etc. 

 

That said, they will have to make decisions on Escobar, Rodney, and Gibson. I'd have to get a good offer to trade Gibson and Escobar might be hard to resign. That said, if you go and dump all three of those guys and the three others, what do you have for next year? Are we AGAIN in full rebuild mode? Waiting another 7-8 years for anything worth a crap? I'm awful sick of it to be honest. We pinned our hopes on Buxton and Sano and what we've found out, is that our minor league system just flat out doesn't develop players very well. 

 

Do I want to wait another 10 years until this next group of "can't miss" guys get here? I don't know, we are in a no win situation here and it sucks. 

[laloesch]

 

Not sure what the answer is. For sure you must sell off anyone that is not in the plans for next year. Dozier, Lynn, Duke, etc. 

 

That said, they will have to make decisions on Escobar, Rodney, and Gibson. I'd have to get a good offer to trade Gibson and Escobar might be hard to resign. That said, if you go and dump all three of those guys and the three others, what do you have for next year? Are we AGAIN in full rebuild mode? Waiting another 7-8 years for anything worth a crap? I'm awful sick of it to be honest. We pinned our hopes on Buxton and Sano and what we've found out, is that our minor league system just flat out doesn't develop players very well. 

 

Do I want to wait another 10 years until this next group of "can't miss" guys get here? I don't know, we are in a no win situation here and it sucks. 

 

It's the same old story.  Nobody wants to come to Minnesota.  Just like nobody wants to move to Buffalo.  Why would you want to if your not from there?

[Mike Sixel]

 

It's the same old story.  Nobody wants to come to Minnesota.  Just like nobody wants to move to Buffalo.  Why would you want to if your not from there?

 

I don't believe that for the Twins at all.....lots of players stay there after they join the team. Current players must know that, and even talk to them (through agents).

[Post-Concussive Blues]

Would you sell Gibson to the Yankees for Dillon Tate, Brandon Drury, and a low level literary ticket?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Would you sell Gibson to the Yankees for Dillon Tate, Brandon Drury, and a low level literary ticket?

 

That is the rumored deal for Britton! So,, I'd want a lot more.

 

*that rumor literally is coming out as we type....

[ahart10]

The only players the Twins have that are under team control that I believe can be cornerstones are Berrios and Rosario.

 

Anyone who’s not signed for next year should be happy being traded to a contender. I’m not overly concerned with what comes in return, the players traded away hold no value for Twins for the remainder of this season.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

That is the rumored deal for Britton! So,, I'd want a lot more.

 

*that rumor literally is coming out as we type....

Pretty much

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/orioles-trade-zach-britton-yankees-dillon-tate.html

 

I’m with you, I’d want a lot more

[Jham]

The thing about Max is he got a late start to baseball. He might require a bit more time.

Wait, the kid who had played professionally since 16 years old got a late start? He's always hit. But his prospect ranking jumped when he added power to his game. it seemed this coincided south a dip in contact and ability against lefties. He's a good hitter, but I'm not sure exactly what type of hitter. I think he was another victim of the hype train. I think his value is dropping like a stone. He once could have been the corner piece of trade for a difference maker.