My wish list for the last 55 games (2018 edition)

[AlwaysinModeration]

So last year, after the trade deadline, I posted the followed topic:

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/27053-my-wish-list-for-the-last-55-games-of-the-season/

 

For those not interested in clicking through, I hoped for the Twins to win some ballgames, and for a few specific players (Dozier, Gibson, Mauer) to make a strong finish.  Pretty much every one of my wished was granted, with the exception of "as few Bartolo Colon starts as possible."

 

Now, after the 2018 deadline has passed, the Twins find themselves below .500 again, out of the running, it seems, again.  I figure it is time for another go at a wish list.  So here goes.  My wish list for the last 55 games includes:

 

1. A run at a .500 record.  Last year they needed to play 3 over .500.  This year, it is a much steeper climb.  They need to go 32-23 to finish .500.  That's pretty unlikely.  They've gone 14-10 over their last 24 games, though, and if they repeat that twice, they would need to go 4-3 in the last week to finish at .500.  Put it that way, and it's doable.  A good goal.  I'd love to say it, but I think a run at Cleveland this year is not in the cards.

 

2. 50 at bats by Buxton, and some classic Buxton catches.  It's a low bar here, and with yet another DL stint, really unlikely, but I'm hoping to see him in a Twins uniform again this season, even if it's in September.  He's still a long-term building block for this team.

 

3.  At least 10 Sano bombs.  I want to see the swagger back.  This guy is capable of carrying the team when he has confidence.  I think these last two months can be important building blocks for him to head into next year.

 

4. Mauer raising his average above .290 again.  He's at .276 now.  He finished last year over .300.  Can make a strong finish again?

 

5.  Kepler finishing above .250.  He's at .231 right now.  He's hit LHP well this year, after hitting RHP well before.  I think next year he puts it all together, but let's see him finish this year strong as he heads into next year.

 

6.  As many Romero / Gonsalves / Mejia starts as possible.  I think that Berrios and Gibson are locked into the rotation next year.  Beyond that...I'm not sure, but these three guys seem like potential keys for 2019.  Odorizzi?  Santana?  Pineda?  All possibilities.  But I think that at least one, and likely two of Romero / Gonsalves / Mejia is in the starting rotation next year, so I want to see what they can do this year.

 

Without a chance to make a run at the playoffs, this isn't as fun as last year, but that's my list.  What else are people wishing for?

 

(PS...I will definitely be following along to see how all of the new prospects do this year.  Very positive about the farm system right now in general, with Lewis, Graterol, Kiriloff, Baddoo, trending up right now.)

 

[TheLeviathan]

I don't want to see Buxton again this year.  DL him the rest of the year and work on him getting stronger and more durable. 

[TNTwinsFan]

I'd like to see Polanco have a good two month finish to the year and establish himself as a good SS. I don't think Gordon will be up next year and will again, fade in the 2nd half. Lewis could be a surprise if he's able to finish this year at FTM strong and have a dominant 1st half in The Noog. The Twins need some stability up the middle with Dozier gone (and not coming back) and no real replacement in sight. A Lewis/Polanco middle infield probably wouldn't be too bad actually.

 

Would LOVE to see Rooker get some solid MLB time in September. The problem is that he has demonstrated that it takes about a month or two before he's acclimated to a new level. So,a September call up may not actually work in his favor. It would help Twins fans forget about the loss of Joe Mauer a little when he retires this off season.

 

Would like to see Gonsalves up as well. The kid has earned it. Also, I was fortunate to meet the young man and wish him all the luck in the world. I also told him I hope you see him in the bigs this year, so, if that hope came true, that would be pretty cool.

 

I'd also like to see Garver's progression trajectory continue on it's way up both offensively and defensively. If he continues to play well over the last couple months of the season, I think it would go a long way to solidifying that C spot the Twins so desperately need him to.

 

Finally, I want to see the key top prospects continue to progress and provide hope for the 2020 season and beyond. Guys like Kiriloff, Graterol, Larnach, and Thorpe will be that next good wave in a year or two. Excited to see what they bring to the table!

[Riverbrian]

 

So last year, after the trade deadline, I posted the followed topic:

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/27053-my-wish-list-for-the-last-55-games-of-the-season/

 

For those not interested in clicking through, I hoped for the Twins to win some ballgames, and for a few specific players (Dozier, Gibson, Mauer) to make a strong finish.  Pretty much every one of my wished was granted, with the exception of "as few Bartolo Colon starts as possible."

 

Now, after the 2018 deadline has passed, the Twins find themselves below .500 again, out of the running, it seems, again.  I figure it is time for another go at a wish list.  So here goes.  My wish list for the last 55 games includes:

 

1. A run at a .500 record.  Last year they needed to play 3 over .500.  This year, it is a much steeper climb.  They need to go 32-23 to finish .500.  That's pretty unlikely.  They've gone 14-10 over their last 24 games, though, and if they repeat that twice, they would need to go 4-3 in the last week to finish at .500.  Put it that way, and it's doable.  A good goal.  I'd love to say it, but I think a run at Cleveland this year is not in the cards.

 

2. 50 at bats by Buxton, and some classic Buxton catches.  It's a low bar here, and with yet another DL stint, really unlikely, but I'm hoping to see him in a Twins uniform again this season, even if it's in September.  He's still a long-term building block for this team.

 

3.  At least 10 Sano bombs.  I want to see the swagger back.  This guy is capable of carrying the team when he has confidence.  I think these last two months can be important building blocks for him to head into next year.

 

4. Mauer raising his average above .290 again.  He's at .276 now.  He finished last year over .300.  Can make a strong finish again?

 

5.  Kepler finishing above .250.  He's at .231 right now.  He's hit LHP well this year, after hitting RHP well before.  I think next year he puts it all together, but let's see him finish this year strong as he heads into next year.

 

6.  As many Romero / Gonsalves / Mejia starts as possible.  I think that Berrios and Gibson are locked into the rotation next year.  Beyond that...I'm not sure, but these three guys seem like potential keys for 2019.  Odorizzi?  Santana?  Pineda?  All possibilities.  But I think that at least one, and likely two of Romero / Gonsalves / Mejia is in the starting rotation next year, so I want to see what they can do this year.

 

Without a chance to make a run at the playoffs, this isn't as fun as last year, but that's my list.  What else are people wishing for?

 

(PS...I will definitely be following along to see how all of the new prospects do this year.  Very positive about the farm system right now in general, with Lewis, Graterol, Kiriloff, Baddoo, trending up right now.)

 

Instead of my wish list... I'd rather discuss yours. 

 

1. I'd like to see them find a way to win some games but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. 

 

2. They better not call up Buxton this year... We get an extra year of control if they don't. He has already wasted nearly 3 years of his control not being the Buxton we want him to be. Get the extra year and hope that he improves to the point where we can enjoy that extra year. If you call him up, you run the risk of him struggling right up to year 5... becoming the Buxton we want in year 6 and hitting FA the year after. I don't want the Twins to trade him and I don't want the Twins to depend on him until he proves that we can depend on him. 

 

3. I love Sano Bombs and I also think he does and that might be part of the problem. Right Now... I enjoy watching him not swing at crap. I'd be happy if he simply keeps doing that. 

 

4. I think that would be awesome for Joe but right now the guy I want to see play is Tyler Austin... I'd love to see him in the OF and 1B and if Joe loses some AB's because of it... I'm ok with that. If this is Joe's last year... let him make the announcement. If he doesn't... carry on with plans for 2019. Get Austin up here and let him swing. 

 

5. Totally agree... I just want Max to get on the type of roll that can carry over to 2019 with new found confidence. 

 

6. Take out Romero and I'm with you... I think he is special and worth being careful of his Super Two Status in case he is indeed special. Leave him in the minors and he can join us opening day with no concerns and be terrific forever. The club needs to plan for failure but... it also needs to plan for success. Not bringing Romero back this year is planning for possible success. Mejia needs to start every 5 days from here on out so we can determine if he can help us in 2019 and I'd love to see Gonsalves... I've been waiting for him to arrive. I want to see some Trevor May as well. 

 

My wish list is pretty concise. Audition talent for 2019. If the front office or Molitor can't pull that off because Mauer and Forsythe need to play instead then i'm gonna be disappointed because it will be Trevor Plouffe in 2016 all over again and they will have learned nothing from it. 

 

[twins_89]

I'd like to see playing time decisions that reflect a developmental mindset from the organization. The primary objective should be to determine which guys are ready to be part of the major league club next season.

 

1) Call up Duffey and Austin since they are out of options and we need to figure out if they fit going forward.

2) Have Romero replace Santana in the rotation and Busenitz replace Belisle in the bullpen. 

3) Add Gordon, Wade, Alcala, and Jay to the roster and bring them up for September (they have to be added for next season anyways).

4) Trade or waive Astudillo, Morrison, Grossman, Forsythe, and Belisle.

5) Give Littell, Gonsalves, and Thorpe (maybe Stewart?) a few starts each to get their feet wet.

6) Decide which relievers out of Anderson, Reed, Bard, and Curtiss to keep and call them up in Sept.

7) Start Garver at C in 70% of the remaining games.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Agree with RB for the most part. Buxton should stay down. I'd consider using his last option next year too. He's shown he cannot hit in the ML, and I think giving him another shot at the ML level should come when he has some confidence and a decent approach with the bat. He's lost right now, and while I'm sure injury plays a part, he was pretty bad when he wasn't hurt.

 

I also think we need to figure out which of our AAA relievers will be in the pen next year. May as well call up some of Curtiss, Duffey, Busentiz, and Anderson to see what we have. That may mean DFAing a guy like Belisle and possibly shuting down some others, but that I think is needed.

 

I also think we need to take a look at Austin. He's a former top 100 prospect that has basically produced at an ML average level during his time in NY. He's not going to have the protection he had in NY either, and unlike NY, we have the luxury of a lost season to try and develop him. He's out of options next year, so I suspect he's going north regardless in 2019. I think it would be smart to simply give him a couple months of consistent at bats at the ML level and see what we have. He really doesn't have anything to prove in the minors.

[Riverbrian]

 

Agree with RB for the most part. Buxton should stay down. I'd consider using his last option next year too. He's shown he cannot hit in the ML, and I think giving him another shot at the ML level should come when he has some confidence and a decent approach with the bat. He's lost right now, and while I'm sure injury plays a part, he was pretty bad when he wasn't hurt.

 

I also think we need to figure out which of our AAA relievers will be in the pen next year. May as well call up some of Curtiss, Duffey, Busentiz, and Anderson to see what we have. That may mean DFAing a guy like Belisle and possibly shuting down some others, but that I think is needed.

 

I also think we need to take a look at Austin. He's a former top 100 prospect that has basically produced at an ML average level during his time in NY. He's not going to have the protection he had in NY either, and unlike NY, we have the luxury of a lost season to try and develop him. He's out of options next year, so I suspect he's going north regardless in 2019. I think it would be smart to simply give him a couple months of consistent at bats at the ML level and see what we have. He really doesn't have anything to prove in the minors.

 

I have no idea why Austin reported to Rochester.

 

He is a time sensitive decision. 

[olivia11]

I agree with your list. I'll add three more.

 

1. Figure out what the Twins have with the AAA relievers and GIVE THEM INNINGS. Anderson, Bard, Busenitz, Curtiss, Reed, and Moya (now in MLB). There's so much uncertainty with the bullpen next year, the Twins need to figure out who can step up. I think Bard is a minor league free agent after the year, and the Twins need to see what they have with him and his spin rate numbers before letting him walk.

 

2. Call up Kohl Stewart and see if there's anything there in a relief roll. He'll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft again this year and, now performing well at AAA it seems more likely he'll get taken. I'd like to see the Twins make sure they're not throwing something valuable away after investing such a high pick. 

 

3. Call up LaMonte Wade to take over the Robbie Grossman roll. I don't think there's much chance Grossman survives the 40 man cuts this off-season and Wade seems ready (Gordon, on the other hand, seems like he could benefit from more AAA time). Let's see what Wade can offer.

[Otto von Ballpark]

6. Take out Romero and I'm with you... I think he is special and worth being careful of his Super Two Status in case he is indeed special.

FYI, Romero is already past any estimated Super 2 threshold. Even if they called him back up today for the rest of the season, he would only finish the year with ~113 service time days. Last year the cutoff was 123 days, and per MLBTR, it has never been below 122:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/10/projected-super-two-cutoff-6.html

[Number3]

The continuation of the "Lets play GM board" continues. Meanwhile the basic idea of going out and beating KC tonight is not even an issue while teams like Tampa, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and others simply go out and try to win baseball games. The Twins have their fans duped into thinking that there is some mystical season in a future year (unspecified) when everyone will sing kum bah yah and the Twins will cruise into a World Series championship. Think about it.

[Mike Sixel]

 

The continuation of the "Lets play GM board" continues. Meanwhile the basic idea of going out and beating KC tonight is not even an issue while teams like Tampa, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and others simply go out and try to win baseball games. The Twins have their fans duped into thinking that there is some mystical season in a future year (unspecified) when everyone will sing kum bah yah and the Twins will cruise into a World Series championship. Think about it.

 

Uh, this is a board to talk about baseball.....what would be a better topic?

[amjgt]

I find it unlikely that very many (if any) additions to the 40-man are made before the offseason, with the only exception being player that would have to be added anyway to protect from Rule 5. 

 

Rooker is the most glaring example to someone who is playing well enough that you wouldn't be shocked if he was called up, but I just can't see them starting his option years and "clogging" a 40-man spot with him when they don't have to. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I find it unlikely that very many (if any) additions to the 40-man are made before the offseason, with the only exception being player that would have to be added anyway to protect from Rule 5. 

 

Rooker is the most glaring example to someone who is playing well enough that you wouldn't be shocked if he was called up, but I just can't see them starting his option years and "clogging" a 40-man spot with him when they don't have to. 

 

I'm not sure they have a lot to worry about on options for him.....and if they call him up in September, they don't use an option, do they?

[amjgt]

 

I'm not sure they have a lot to worry about on options for him.....and if they call him up in September, they don't use an option, do they?

 

You're probably right... My main point was the 40-man spot but i tossed in the Options part 

[Doomtints]

It would not be surprising if the Twins have a tough stretch after trading so many players. Do not be discouraged if they take a bit of a dive for the next few weeks. Don't expect them to finish in second place.

 

Let's see how they play closer to the end of the season when things have sunken in.

[rdehring]

 

I'm not sure they have a lot to worry about on options for him.....and if they call him up in September, they don't use an option, do they?

I've gone back and forth on this, Mike.  And I suspect you are right and they will never use all of the options on Rooker.

 

You are correct, they won't use an option on Rooker this year if they call him up in late August or September.  But if he doesn't make the team next spring, they would then use one.  The bigger problem I see is by adding Rooker to the 40-man this year they are eliminating adding someone else.  Will that someone be Stewart?  Jay? Reed? Anderson?  Someone like that will be at risk of being lost if they add Rooker this fall before they have to.

 

Don't have a clue what they will do.  Not certain I know what I would do if I were making this decision.

[amjgt]

 

I've gone back and forth on this, Mike.  And I suspect you are right and they will never use all of the options on Rooker.

 

You are correct, they won't use an option on Rooker this year if they call him up in late August or September.  But if he doesn't make the team next spring, they would then use one.  The bigger problem I see is by adding Rooker to the 40-man this year they are eliminating adding someone else.  Will that someone be Stewart?  Jay? Reed? Anderson?  Someone like that will be at risk of being lost if they add Rooker this fall before they have to.

 

Don't have a clue what they will do.  Not certain I know what I would do if I were making this decision.

 

Yeah.. you said it better than I did. 

 

It would be one thing if Rooker was slowly working his way through the system and it felt like they were holding him back. But he was drafted like 14 months ago and is already in AA. After his very slow start he's doing quite well, but it's not like he's just absolutely embarrassing the league. His OPS in the last 70 games in around 1.000, which is really good, but not "why the hell haven't we called this guy up" good. 

[Riverbrian]

FYI, Romero is already past any estimated Super 2 threshold. Even if they called him back up today for the rest of the season, he would only finish the year with ~113 service time days. Last year the cutoff was 123 days, and per MLBTR, it has never been below 122:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/10/projected-super-two-cutoff-6.html

Thanks. If that’s the case. Give him a little more cushion and then call him up.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Even though I think he should, he may not head north with MN next year. It will be interesting seeing what they do. They only have 1 rotation spot open, 2 guys out of options who will almost certainly get first crack, and a half dozen guys in Romeros position. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

I have to say, after the big successes from this post last year, I felt compelled to do it again this year. However, I didn’t find as much to get focus on. Not that there aren’t interesting story lines to follow (I always think there are interesting story lines following individual careers and team arcs), but just that I don’t think there is too much critical stuff that can happen in the last two months. More important things will happen after the season, I think.

 

Maybe one I missed is Trevor May and Michael Pineda. It would be good to see them come back looking good.

 

If it is true that the Twins can save a year of Buxton by keeping him down the rest of the season, I’d be for that. I wasn’t even thinking about that.

 

There is a great piece in the Athletic about Jackie Bradley Jr’s greatest catches. He discusses how he approaches tough catches to avoid injuries. Buxton needs to read this piece.

 

Jackie Bradley Jr. ranks the 10 best catches of his career https://theathletic.com/454771/2018/08/02/jackie-bradley-jr-ranks-the-10-best-catches-of-his-career/

[beckmt]

I feel Twins should not call up Rooker this year.  40 man spots are too hard to come by.  Invite Rooker to spring training as a non roster player and if he plays his way into a spot then add him.  To put him on the 40 and then option him out next year would not be good roster management.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I feel Twins should not call up Rooker this year.  40 man spots are too hard to come by.  Invite Rooker to spring training as a non roster player and if he plays his way into a spot then add him.  To put him on the 40 and then option him out next year would not be good roster management.

 

There are about 15 guys on the 40 man we wouldn't miss. Clearly the FO doesn't think much of the AAA pitchers, for example.

 

Every year people say the 40 man is tight and every year it doesn't matter.

[beckmt]

 

There are about 15 guys on the 40 man we wouldn't miss. Clearly the FO doesn't think much of the AAA pitchers, for example.

 

Every year people say the 40 man is tight and every year it doesn't matter.

My thought was not the Rooker does not deserve a spot, there is no reason for him to have one this year. We lost Derek Rodriguez and Burdi last year (the rest we got back) and while I agree with a number of players on the 40 man not being needed,  no need to rush someone to the 40 man before they prove they need a spot.  For Rooker that is not this year.