Twins stuff from around the Web (Fangraphs, Twitter, Athletic, non-local news sites, etc)

[Thrylos]

 

Nice headline article on Travis Blankenhorn over at MiLB.com:

 

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/toolshed-twins-blankenhorn-turning-offensive-game-around/c-307329332

 

More middle infield depth!

 

More like corner outfield (LF) depth.  He overgrew the infield

[Riverbrian]

 

 

We may not buy the specific players that specific posters are specifically hoping for. 

 

But... Have no doubt. The team will be buying. 

[Mike Sixel]

[Mike Sixel]

[PseudoSABR]

 

Haven't listened to it, so I can't point to where the Polanco talk begins.

[TheLeviathan]

This article has Pressly and Castro make appearances.

[Mike Sixel]

A fun, not serious, look at the most exciting teams in baseball this year....note, the Twins are mostly boring....

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-most-exciting-team-in-baseball/

 

[Mike Sixel]

Harry Craghole
2:44 Think we'll see some historic HR numbers this summer?
Meg Rowley
2:45 If the Twins have anything to say about it.

 

Derek (the first one)
2:45 Do you have a favorite story line of the 2019 MLB season so far?
Meg Rowley
2:46 I think it is just very cool that the other day, the Twins were playing the Rays, and I thought, oh heck yes, let's watch this here Twins/Rays game.

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/meg-rowley-fangraphs-chat-6-4-19/

 

[Mike Sixel]

Jeffrey A.
3:19 Predictions on where Kimbrel and Keuchel going to sign?
Steve Adams
3:19 Total speculation, obviously, but Keuchel to Yankees and Kimbrel to the Twins
(With the Braves then trading for help, before Atlanta fans pummel me, haha)

 

froyo in Minnesota
3:48 Twins have the division locked up.  Signing Keuchel seems pointless.  Wouldn't trading for a proven, 2019, RP be safer than hoping Kimbrel can get it together before the playoffs?
Steve Adams
3:48 I don't think they'll make the best offer for Keuchel. I can see them going multiple years on Kimbrel thoguh.

 

Bob Loblaw
3:53 Royce Lewis and Lewis Thorpe for Edwin Diaz. Who says no?
Steve Adams
3:54 The Twins aren't giving up Royce Lewis there. And the Mets aren't going to trade Diaz after like 3 months when his stock is down anyway.

 

https://www.jotcast.com/chat/chat-with-mlbtrs-steve-adams-6-4-19-5424.html

[PseudoSABR]

Joel Sherman

Keuchel and Kimbrel both turned down the qualifying offer, which was for $17.9 million. So to save some face there is at least the perception both need to get at minimum the pro-rated portion of $17.9 million. Let’s eliminate Kimbrel from this discussion because executives I talked to say the closer is still trying to score a multi-year deal and one executive described him as a priority for the Twins.

 

[Mike Sixel]

An article on Castro:

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-other-catcher-whos-killing-the-ball/

[Mike Sixel]

Who are two ideal pitchers the Twins should target at the trade deadline since Kimbrel and Keuchel signed elsewhere? ReactReact

AvatarDan Szymborski

12:19 Bumgarner is the obvious one.

Though I'd love someone to send a spy to infiltrate the Nationals and see if they throw in the towel

Because I'd want to swoop in and some Strasburg action!

 

howdy

12:26 You see anything different from berrios this year that makes you think hell maintain his current production? Last year he had a similar start and faded. Just the typical ebbs and flows of a young pitcher?

AvatarDan Szymborski

12:26 I think the latter really

[Mike Sixel]

Loons
2:43 Who would you say has been the most valuable piece of the Twins season thus far?

 

Meg Rowley
2:44 the general answer is probably an annoying getting much more from everyone than they expected, but if I had to pick one person, I guess I'd go with Odorizzi being this good because I was very skeptical he would be
Pretty rad to see Buxton and Polanco having these years so far though

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/meg-rowley-fangraphs-chat-6-11-19/

[yarnivek1972]

Loons

2:43 Who would you say has been the most valuable piece of the Twins season thus far?

 

Meg Rowley

2:44 the general answer is probably an annoying getting much more from everyone than they expected, but if I had to pick one person, I guess I'd go with Odorizzi being this good because I was very skeptical he would be

Pretty rad to see Buxton and Polanco having these years so far though

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/meg-rowley-fangraphs-chat-6-11-19/

While it is certainly true that Odorizzi is far outproducing expectations, I have a hard time calling a starting pitcher who has pitched in less than 2/3 of 1/5 of the team’s games “most valuable”. If the season ended today, Polanco would most likely run away with the MVP. Only Trout has a higher WAR, but voters have been reluctant to give the MVP to a guy on a non-contending team for decades.

[USAFChief]

 

While it is certainly true that Odorizzi is far outproducing expectations, I have a hard time calling a starting pitcher who has pitched in less than 2/3 of 1/5 of the team’s games “most valuable”. If the season ended today, Polanco would most likely run away with the MVP. Only Trout has a higher WAR, but voters have been reluctant to give the MVP to a guy on a non-contending team for decades.

I would also argue for Polanco. I'm having a hard time understanding the argument for Odo.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I would also argue for Polanco. I'm having a hard time understanding the argument for Odo.

 

I just posts 'em, I don't write 'em......but I'll say that w/o Odo leading (give or take) MLB in ERA, and replacing him with Stewart, they'd have less wins and a much more taxed bullpen. But, ya, Polanco for me also....

[PseudoSABR]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26941983/how-relaxed-twins-rewriting-hr-hitting-history

[BrianTrottier]

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26941983/how-relaxed-twins-rewriting-hr-hitting-history

 

Eddie Rosario: "In the past, our manager would really focus on practice and, if we didn't work out in a particular way, he believed things would not go well. Every manager has a different personal style, and Rocco really cares about our rest and our bodies."

 

Sano: "We work very hard, but we do it relaxed. There isn't that pressure we felt in the past. We are being treated and trusted as major leaguers, as the professionals we are."

 

Those are some pretty damning quotes about Molitor.

[jkcarew]

 

Eddie Rosario: "In the past, our manager would really focus on practice and, if we didn't work out in a particular way, he believed things would not go well. Every manager has a different personal style, and Rocco really cares about our rest and our bodies."

 

Sano: "We work very hard, but we do it relaxed. There isn't that pressure we felt in the past. We are being treated and trusted as major leaguers, as the professionals we are."

 

Those are some pretty damning quotes about Molitor.

Having heard Rosario and Sano several times in interview scenarios, we can assume this text is heavily edited via translations to English. Also, as much as I love Sano....and I do love Sano...I don't know that it's in anyone's best interest to take too much of a 'relaxed' approach to his work.

 

Having said that, if Rocco can/is relating to these guys better overall, that wouldn't be too surprising. But cause and effect can get confused pretty easily under extreme circumstances (like a .680 win percentage).

[BattleYourTailOff]

Eddie Rosario: "In the past, our manager would really focus on practice and, if we didn't work out in a particular way, he believed things would not go well. Every manager has a different personal style, and Rocco really cares about our rest and our bodies."

 

Sano: "We work very hard, but we do it relaxed. There isn't that pressure we felt in the past. We are being treated and trusted as major leaguers, as the professionals we are."

 

Those are some pretty damning quotes about Molitor.

I’m just glad the “old ways” of doing things seem to be in the rear view for the Twins. Talent aside we see how well ol Gardy & Rick & the boys have done with their brand of baseball in Detroit. By the time these kids make it the show they are usually all pretty mature. They don’t need to be treated like children or army recruits or guys with every name ending in “ysie”

[gunnarthor]

 

I’m just glad the “old ways” of doing things seem to be in the rear view for the Twins. Talent aside we see how well ol Gardy & Rick & the boys have done with their brand of baseball in Detroit. By the time these kids make it the show they are usually all pretty mature. They don’t need to be treated like children or army recruits or guys with every name ending in “ysie”

Are you arguing that the Tigers are underachieving? There's no talent there at all. They are actually 4 games better than their pyth w/l record. Not sure you can blame that mess on Gardy et al. Frankly, I was sorta impressed on how tough the Tigers played us as opposed to how the Sox and Baltimore merely rolled over.

 

As to Rocco over Molitor, it's not even close. I thought Molitor was a bad fit for this team and the FO seems to have figured that out.

[jkcarew]

 

I just posts 'em, I don't write 'em......but I'll say that w/o Odo leading (give or take) MLB in ERA, and replacing him with Stewart, they'd have less wins and a much more taxed bullpen. But, ya, Polanco for me also....

I'll buy that Odo is exceeding his expected level of performance by a greater margin than Polanco is exceeding his. But I'm with everyone on most valuable so far...Polanco. The encouraging thing is that I could see multiple candidates that seem capable of emerging as '2nd-half' MVP if Polanco were to falter some. Fun! *knocks wood for player health*

[Mike Sixel]

12:35
Sir Mookleton McBetts III: Thoughts on Luis Arraez? His hit tool is Fire Emoji but no power eh?

12:35
Kiley McDaniel: He’s going to be a big mover, I’m sure he’s a Cistulli and KATOH favorite RIP

 

12:44
mr: Any similarities between Buxton and CJ Abrams? Buxton was a SS coming out of HS IIRC

12:46
Kiley McDaniel: Buxton was CF only at least late in HS. Both 80 runner that project for 55-60 raw, likely both in CF, Buxton is bigger and better built, both have feel for contact but Abrams probably a little better, and also LH with a shot to play SS. Buxton may be a superior baseball athlete in terms of comparable tools to Abrams but Buxton’s frame and actions in every facet are about as good as anyone has seen

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/kiley-mcdaniel-chat-6-12-19/

[Han Joelo]

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26941983/how-relaxed-twins-rewriting-hr-hitting-history

Great article.  My favorite quote:

 

"This is an environment where you are free to be yourself," noted Cruz, ever the voice of experience. "No matter who you are, most weeks you will have a day off. If you feel like you need practice, then you practice, if you feel like you need a workout, you work out. It's been a very smart approach on Rocco's part, and it's something I had not seen with any other team."

 

[gunnarthor]

 

Great article.  My favorite quote:

And while we're giving kudos to the manager, it's probably good to note that the players are doing the work. I really like this team, it's fun to watch.

[Squirrel]

 

And while we're giving kudos to the manager, it's probably good to note that the players are doing the work. I really like this team, it's fun to watch.

There's something to be said for creating an environment where the workers (players in this case) are trusted; the work is a lot easier both in actually wanting to spend the time working, but the work itself is more focused because you aren't expending energy worrying about 'doing it right' for someone else.

[Mike Sixel]

Llewelyn: Are the twins real? Everything seems to make sense, they have a ridiculous offense and their run differential seems to be in line with their record, but I can’t help but feel like some of their hot starters will come back down to Earth. Are these simultaneous breakouts reflective of a new culture? Or is it just entirely luck that they all seemed to happen at the same time?

2:27
Craig Edwards: They are real in that they are very likely to make the playoffs. They do have a ton of players whose performances will come down some but they are in a bad division. Going .500 gets them to 90+ wins and playing like a .500 team with their schedule should net them even more. While people harp on the bullpen, I think starting pitching depth is their biggest need right now.

 

2:42
Stroman: When am I traded? Do I bring back more or less than Madison? And where?

2:43
Craig Edwards: I think it will be a comparable deal when compared to Bumgarner though I would guess Toronto gets someone closer to the majors or in the majors with San Francisco willing to take on someone not ready to contribute right away. I’m terrible at guessing destination, but Braves, Yankees, Cardinals, and Twins seem like the best fits.

 

Lots of questions in every chat right now about what a player can return in a trade. You may be interested in those....

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/craig-edwards-fangraphs-chat-6-13-2019/

[70charger]

If you're into pitching mechanics, this might be fun for you: 

 

Most of it went over my head, in a hamstring-and-glute-dominant way, but Kyle Gibson talks about some of the drills he's done to make himself a better pitcher over the last couple years, and it's probably interesting to some of you.

[Mike Frasier Law]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/sure-the-twins-hitting-is-great-but-their-pitching-is-the-real-surprise/

[Don Walcott]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-twinsyes-the-twinsbuilt-baseballs-most-powerful-lineup-11560859558