Week in Review: Between Rock Bottom and a Hard Place

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

This is really the worst case scenario for a trade deadline position for the Twins. Somewhere in a gray area in regard to whether or not they're really a playoff contender. There aren't just a couple problems, there are a host of them and no way to reasonably address all of them or even most of them.

Quite the mess with tons of injuries. 

Right. The middle is the hardest spot. 

[bean5302]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Right. The middle is the hardest spot. 

The good news is the Twins have literally 0 elite healthy prospects so it helps them make decisions on their potential trade targets... offf

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, bean5302 said:

The good news is the Twins have literally 0 elite healthy prospects so it helps them make decisions on their potential trade targets... offf

Silver Lining!

[Shaitan]

Yes it's been a rough month.

But if you think this is "rock bottom" then you weren't paying attention 5 of the last 10 years.

They're in first place.

[terrydactyls]

2 hours ago, Nick Nelson said:

Do people understand how bad the optics would be -- for fans and especially for players -- if the front office decided to "sell" while in first place? It'd be unforgivable. It's not an option.

You sound like a politician.  "This bill would benefit the nation.  But I can't vote for it because it would make me look bad to the base."   Screw optics.  Do what is best for the team!

[nicksaviking]

18 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

You sound like a politician.  "This bill would benefit the nation.  But I can't vote for it because it would make me look bad to the base."   Screw optics.  Do what is best for the team!

There's many things that go into doing what's best for the team and you can bet putting fans in the stands and keeping TVs tuned in is one of those things as far as ownership is concerned.

But as far as what's best on field, I'd argue that showing the players you're not quitting on them while they're still in 1st place is probably doing what is best for the team. It would be demoralizing, and not just for this year, if they sold off players.

[Doctor Gast]

A lot of tough luck. Hopefully that TBD is a new impact arm that we are waiting for in a trade. Wouldn't that be nice! Together with other moves, would be just the spark we needed.

[rv78]

If you want to do what's best for the team, start with the manager. His inability to set a lineup that maximizes run production and stay with it is glaring. His inability to effectively use his starters beyond 4 or 5 innings is constant, and his inability to manage the arms in the bullpen is frightening. Adding different pieces that he doesn't know how to use won't change much.

[Minny505]

16 hours ago, RaoulDuke said:

This team is in a major funk right now.  They are looking bad right when deadline is here and it's perfectly reasonable to question spending future talent to boost this roster.

That being said the pen has cost them 7-10 wins and control of a weak division.  Bring in 2 guys to stabilize the back end with Duran (and sacrifice whatever needed to gods to keep him healthy) and they should win it.

A starter is a playoff move, ya they look bad now but playoffs is a crapshoot and Buxton/ Correa is a good core to push with.  This offense could do damage if hot at the right time.

I still kinda want them to push, the division is there for the taking and anyone can get hot come playoffs.  Idk if I pay for a top end starter but they need at least someone to throw game 3.  I pay for real pen help period.

This is where I'm at as well. A couple relievers for mostly spare prospects will help win the division. Trading any of the young, controllable, MLB hitters for a top SP is more of a move you make when you plan on making a run IN the postseason. 

I know the playoffs are kind of a crapshoot, but not that much of a crapshoot.

[howeda7]

This front office will do what it always does. Be "in" on big names but do nothing but sit on their thumbs in the end. I predict zero moves. If it means Falvey/Rocco are gone after the season, great. But it won't. 

[rv78]

Don't have to worry about losing any top prospects for Montas. Yankees just acquired him and Trivino from the A's.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, howeda7 said:

This front office will do what it always does. Be "in" on big names but do nothing but sit on their thumbs in the end. I predict zero moves. If it means Falvey/Rocco are gone after the season, great. But it won't. 

Terry Ryan was gone in mid-July, the last time housecleaning occurred at the top.  We've missed the deadline.

[ashbury]

[tony&rodney]

The Yankees picked up Montas and Trevino for far less than the Twins seemingly could easily afford to offer. This sends a strong message that the Twins farm system is seen as well below average by the remainder of MLB teams. Sad statement, especially in light of those folks concerned about burning the future through the loss of prospects through trade. Those valued Twins prospects are held in low esteem apparently by other MLB teams.

[h2oface]

If Correa is not going to commit to 2023 now, and there is no reason for him to do so except that he wants to be here, because he knows that Lewis is not in the works for 2023 until later at best, then trade him if someone is crazy enough to give some value for him in pitching. I wouldn't have said that a week ago, but this team is so pitching deprived that it is crazy to think this will change with what the pitching gurus have come up with. 35 mil and he is pretty much not worth half of it for how he has performed. I don't really see how they can "buy" enough to change the fate that awaits because of the pitching. All pitching. Not just the pen.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The Yankees picked up Montas and Trevino for far less than the Twins seemingly could easily afford to offer. This sends a strong message that the Twins farm system is seen as well below average by the remainder of MLB teams. Sad statement, especially in light of those folks concerned about burning the future through the loss of prospects through trade. Those valued Twins prospects are held in low esteem apparently by other MLB teams.

The As wanted MLB ready pitching. It sends no message about the system other than they didn't have that specific thing. They got a guy that's made three starts this year, and at least one of the others will be in the majors next year.