Trade Deadline is Over and Gone. Where Are the Twins Now and Going Forward?

[stringer bell]

Looking at the probable AL postseason opponents, I think health is the biggest X-factor. Yankees and Indians have weathered a lot of injuries and if the fog clears and they have all their players healthy and playing well, they will be a real challenge for the Twins. The Astros have had up-the-middle health problems, but look like they are in the rearview mirror. To me, the Astros are the most complete team in the Al, moreso than the Twins. 

 

The other playoff team? I would guess one of Oakland, Boston or Tampa. The defending champs do scare me a bit, but they have a long way to go to get there. I think the Twins are better than these other possible opponents, but anything can happen in the playoffs. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Twins and Red Sox exposed the Yankees starting rotation

What a difference a week makes! The Yankees just completed a 4 game sweep of the Red Sox this weekend, bashing both Sale and Price. One game was a bullpen game in a doubleheader, but the other 3 featured solid starting performances from German and Paxton (the latter whom the Twins have largely missed this season).

 

I still agree the Yankees should have added a starter, though, and outside of Houston, the Twins SPs match up fairly well with the other AL contenders.

[beckmt]

 

Actually, Not really. 

 

It's just an attempt to create more depth. You can create depth by playing your depth to see if they are indeed depth. 

 

Find out now while there are still games to be played... don't wait until you are forced to find out blind due to injury that is probable to happen.  

 

Smeltzer has thrown 21 pretty good innings. A baseball team should be eager to find out if he can throw a pretty good 22, 30, 40 or 50 innings.

 

If he can continue... you've improved your rotation internally and it allows an already vetted Perez to become starting pitching depth that is stashed in the bullpen, and simultaneously (hopefully) improve the bullpen because Perez can knock the bottom rung of the bullpen off the 25 man and join Rogers from the left side.  

 

When the injury happens, Perez can be reinstated into the rotation. Perez is the depth... not Smeltzer. 

 

Basically Smeltzer plays the role Stroman would have. If Stroman comes aboard... Perez hits the bullpen and becomes starting pitching depth stashed in the bullpen. 

 

We didn't sign Stroman... our in house options were good enough to not pay the price, I assume. I'm willing to go along with this... So do it. 

 

If the front office doesn't believe that Smeltzer can out perform Perez and doesn't allow Smeltzer the opportunity to do it and didn't trade for a starter. 

 

The front office failed. Because we needed the depth. 

 

Sometime you got to create your own... and you can't create it, if you don't play it. Smeltzer is the next man up... let's see if he can throw a good 22nd inning... right now. 

looks like he will get the chance, against Cleveland.

[Riverbrian]

looks like he will get the chance, against Cleveland.

That’s how it should work. I’m tired of any claims that mediocre players are not replaceable. Perez can be out performed. Let’s see if Smeltzer can do it.