Reasons for optimism

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, roger said:

Don't have a clue what 2022 will bring, much less beyond.  Will be curious to see how the FO approaches next season.  Will they talk a good game while appearing to get back in the hunt, yet really be building towards 2023?

Even though I like the number and quality of the pitchers down on the farm, it is unlikely any will help in 2022.  Maybe Ryan or Strotman sometime mid-season, but any young pitchers filling rotation spots on opening day is probably limited to Jax, Ober, Dobnak, Thorpe and Smeltzer...assuming the last two get beyond November.  The majority of this crop is more likely to arrive late next year and be solid in 2023.

I agree with those above who discuss the every day lineup which should be pretty good next year.  But unless the FO surprises me, I don't see a starting rotation that can win the division.

I think you can add Joe Ryan to your list.  He has pitched well in the Olympics.  He just turned 25 and seems like he is ready for an audition.  Winder too.  Thorpe and Smeltzer's chance may have come and gone with so many prospects with higher ceilings in the upper levels of Milb.

I am optimistic about Ober and Jax gave us reason for some optimism last night or really his last 3 starts..  I have to admit I did not think he was a ML pitcher but that kind of command will keep you at the ML level. 

[roger]

9 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

I think you can add Joe Ryan to your list.  He has pitched well in the Olympics.  He just turned 25 and seems like he is ready for an audition.  Winder too.  Thorpe and Smeltzer's chance may have come and gone with so many in the upper levels of Milb.

I am optimistic about Ober and Jax gave us reason for some optimism last night or really his last 3 starts..  I have to admit I did not think he was a ML pitcher but that kind of command will keep you at the ML level. 

With Winder coming out of VMI and Jax the Air Force Academy, they have a different background than other college players.  Much more training in motivation and determination to get the job done under any circumstances. 

[bean5302]

I'm optimistic Kirilloff, Rooker, Donaldson or Larnach can easily replace Sano and provide positive value.

[Squirrel]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Remember when this was a thread about optimism?

I’m going to use this post to remind everyone that if you don’t like the topic or want to change it to what you want, post in another thread. If you want a thread that says ‘Reasons for pessimism’, start one. Don’t rain on someone’s parade because you don’t like the topic or have nothing to be optimistic about. Thanks. 

[GV14218]

On 8/5/2021 at 10:40 AM, gunnarthor said:

Buxton is due a full and healthy season. He goes on the IL too much

One of these statements is a data-driven conclusion.  The other, well ... 

[Murph]

The Twins' outlook could improve, significantly, if the front office figures out that some new coaches are needed. There is no reason that Sanó, with his incredible strength, agility, and rocket-arm shouldn't be hitting in the high .200s, minimum.  

[Brock Beauchamp]

1 hour ago, Nancy Murphy said:

The Twins' outlook could improve, significantly, if the front office figures out that some new coaches are needed. There is no reason that Sanó, with his incredible strength, agility, and rocket-arm shouldn't be hitting in the high .200s, minimum.  

He’s simply not that kind of hitter. He has lots of good tools but his contact tool is low and always has been.

Big strength and hard swings is usually counter to batting average and Sano is no exception. 

[Roaddog]

I'm very optimistic. I think we see Joe Ryan sooner than later. I also think the growing pains Larnach went through will pay off in the coming years. Same as Kiriloff and Toilet. In some ways they remind me of what Hrbek and others went to through. Difference way more talent overall on this current team. Polanco has impressed me. He's never gonna be a great defensive player, but his bat is legit. I had my doubts. 

[RpR]

This front office created the 2019 Twins, maybe they can do that card-trick again.

[Squirrel]

3 hours ago, Roaddog said:

Same as Kiriloff and Toilet. 

Maybe I'm just tired ... but who did you mean?

[bean5302]

23 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Maybe I'm just tired ... but who did you mean?

autocorrect for Garlick? That's the best I've got, but I guarantee you I lol'd at that. If it was intentional, that's definitely a "tell me how you really feel" kinda statement hah

[rv78]

I'm optimistic that Kirilloff will replace Sano and hoping Larnach will replace Kepler. Arraez needs to get a full-time shot at playing 3B if Miranda isn't going to stick there. Arraez is NOT an outfielder and like other 3Bmen that the Twins have had he can definitely learn to play the position on the fly. 2B needs to be filled by Polanco. If Lewis isn't ready to fill SS then the newly acquired Martin needs a chance asap. If he needs another year in the minors then the FO will need to address that position in Free Agency again. One of these years, some year, Buxton will get a full season in. Hopefully it will be next season with the Twins before he is gone. All that talent wasted due to injury. Garver and Jeffers put us in a good spot behind the plate. The pitching looks promising with the new young guys coming up thru the pipeline. We can only hope it is as close to as good as the hype we have heard. We have had hype before only to have it crumple before our eyes. A rotation using 5 of these guys, Balazovic, Winder, Canterino, Ryan, Woods-Richardson, and Duran could be here before we know it. I can't wait.

[Major League Ready]

20 minutes ago, rv78 said:

I'm optimistic that Kirilloff will replace Sano and hoping Larnach will replace Kepler. Arraez needs to get a full-time shot at playing 3B if Miranda isn't going to stick there. Arraez is NOT an outfielder and like other 3Bmen that the Twins have had he can definitely learn to play the position on the fly. 2B needs to be filled by Polanco. If Lewis isn't ready to fill SS then the newly acquired Martin needs a chance asap. If he needs another year in the minors then the FO will need to address that position in Free Agency again. One of these years, some year, Buxton will get a full season in. Hopefully it will be next season with the Twins before he is gone. All that talent wasted due to injury. Garver and Jeffers put us in a good spot behind the plate. The pitching looks promising with the new young guys coming up thru the pipeline. We can only hope it is as close to as good as the hype we have heard. We have had hype before only to have it crumple before our eyes. A rotation using 5 of these guys, Balazovic, Winder, Canterino, Ryan, Woods-Richardson, and Duran could be here before we know it. I can't wait.

What about Donaldson?  Arraez getting reps probably has little value.  If that position is vacated by a Donaldson trade, Miranda is getting a shot at 3B.  I hope they get an offer for Arraez in the off-season that they just can’t refuse.  I like Arraez a lot but he does not fit well on this roster and we have depth at 2B in the minors.  Better roster construction would be another reason for optimism.

[Bandguy]

Reason for optimism:

Potential line up 2022

Arraez(2b/U), Donaldson(3b/DH), Miranda(DH/3b), Buxton(CF), Polanco(SS/2b) Garver(C), Kiriloff(1b/Lf), Martin(OF/SS), Kepler(Of) Good OPS and solid Defense... but might need a defensive SS yet. If Refsnyder (good OF defense, speed, can play IF) can hit .260, I would like him on the bench with Jeffers and Astudillo.

Our pitching has done better recently with the young starters with "Low ceiling"' because the early rotation was soo rough. Its GOT to get better from here.. (optimism, right??) Bringing in one or two of our higher prospect arms will will only help. We've got some cash to use this off season/ trade value to fill the remaining holes in BP, SP and possibly SS, if they go that route. 

[Roaddog]

9 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Maybe I'm just tired ... but who did you mean?

It was supposed to be Rooker

[Dman]

If the Twins can find some home grown pen arms the end of this season that would go a long way toward getting this team back on track for 2022.  Maeda is a solid number 3 or 4 pitcher if they can resign Pineda he is the same and they have Ober. Jax, Dobnak to cover the 5th starter spot.  If they can get one of those young guns to come up and be solid for 2022 and they get a solid FA pitcher I can't see why this team can't be in the thick of it next year.  They would still have a lot of young potential stud pitching depth to back that rotation up as well.

2022 doesn't have to be bleak but it will be challenging with so many young players in key spots that is for sure. I still think this build's out better into 2023 but they could bounce back in 2022 as well.

[Squirrel]

22 minutes ago, Roaddog said:

It was supposed to be Rooker

okay ... do you mind if I edit that to read correctly?

[Brock Beauchamp]

And DHing tonight for your Minnesota Twins... BRENT TOIIIIILLEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

I like it.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Can we go back and retroactively change the name of every Twins DH between Chili Davis and Jason Kubel to "FirstName Toilet"?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

okay ... do you mind if I edit that to read correctly?

I would mind — please don’t. It’s the only time I’ve laughed all week  

[Roaddog]

2 hours ago, Squirrel said:

okay ... do you mind if I edit that to read correctly?

Lol sure go for it. 

[Squirrel]

35 minutes ago, Roaddog said:

Lol sure go for it. 

I think autocorrect is an actual person having fun with us 

[ashbury]

5 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I think autocorrect is an actual person having fun with us