What Will the Twins Front Office's Trade Deadline Strategy Look Like?

[chpettit19]

21 minutes ago, David Maro said:

When has the Twins played well on the West Coast,play 4 in Seattle and 3 in Oakland. We have 3 against Atlanta the end of June and 7 against Baltimore in July. I know we do have Chicago and Kansas City,but always seem be close games. Next week 4 with Boston,you can throw all kind of numbers out,I look at how they play some teams.

Well just last year the Twins went 2-1 in Oakland, and 2-1 in Seattle. So I guess last year was when the Twins played well on the west coast against those 2 teams. 

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Yeah, I don’t care how we stack up in the AL Central. I would go ahead with selling, and if we win the division with 83 wins that’s a bonus. The Twins don’t stack up well against the projected playoff teams. 

I disagree we don't stack up against the playoff teams.

Ryan starts game one.

5 amazing innings from Gray in game 2

Lopez game three.

That moves Ober/Varland to the pen.

So if they decide there is more to the game of baseball then homers and K's and try to scratch out a few runs, they could be any team in a series.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I wasn't even commenting on that, but if his knee is why he isn't playing CF I'm not sure what his ribs have to do with the situation. I was just poking fun at your assertion that Carlos Correa is the one making the decision on where Byron Buxton plays.

I have no doubt that Buxton’s knee, or knees, bother him sometimes. No doubt at all. Same with Taylor’s back, Correa’s feet and ankles, same with Luis Arraez’s knees, same with pretty much every player out there, are dinged up to some degree.

A few people here are speaking as if they have medically evaluated Buxton themselves. One poster just declared that Buxton’s outfield career is already over.  

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I have no doubt that Buxton’s knee, or knees, bother him sometimes. No doubt at all. Same with Taylor’s back, Correa’s feet and ankles, same with Luis Arraez’s knees, same with pretty much every player out there, are dinged up to some degree.

A few people here are speaking as if they have medically evaluated Buxton themselves. One poster just declared that Buxton’s outfield career is already over.  

Isn't your stance that it's time for him to go back out there you speaking as if you've evaluated Buxton yourself? That knife cuts both ways.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I have no doubt that Buxton’s knee, or knees, bother him sometimes. No doubt at all. Same with Taylor’s back, Correa’s feet and ankles, same with Luis Arraez’s knees, same with pretty much every player out there, are dinged up to some degree.

A few people here are speaking as if they have medically evaluated Buxton themselves. One poster just declared that Buxton’s outfield career is already over.  

Did they? Who did that? Then there are the posters that are sure he could play, even though the people with that data aren't playing him....

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

8 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Isn't your stance that it's time for him to go back out there you speaking as if you've evaluated Buxton yourself? That knife cuts both ways.

Is there any recent evidence that his knees that are healthy enough to bat and run the bases are not healthy enough to start warming up in the outfield and ramp him back up to play center?

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

14 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Did they? 

“I underestimated how quickly Buxton would go from all-defensive CF to DH. I thought there would be a stop in the corner outfield in between. The guy can't keep his knees healthy enough to practice catching flyballs so he can prepare for an outfield spot.”

[chpettit19]

9 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Is there any recent evidence that his knees that are healthy enough to bat and run the bases are not healthy enough to start warming up in the outfield and ramp him back up to play center?

 

Is there any recent evidence that they are healthy enough to do that? Dude, I get it, you want Buxton in CF. So do the Twins. There are 30 MLB POBO jobs in the world. There are 30 MLB manager jobs in the world. You don't think those guys want to be able to put their best player in CF instead of at DH? You think they have evidence that he can do it, but they just won't do it? You have no evidence his knees can handle that. You don't get to accuse people who don't think he can handle it of acting like they've medically evaluated him then turn around and make your own claims about his health as if you're medically evaluated him and not be called out on it. You're making every bit of a medical assumption as anyone else.

[Mike Sixel]

17 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Is there any recent evidence that his knees that are healthy enough to bat and run the bases are not healthy enough to start warming up in the outfield and ramp him back up to play center?

 

Some random poster is evidence of what?

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I doubt it, unless they get an outfielder in return. That would mean a whole lot of Kyle Garlick playing time between now and October.

I don't see Garlick as a downgrade in any meaningful way aside from name recognition. He's outhit Kepler in all three seasons he's been around.

The prospects starting + Garlick/LaMarre/lesser-prospects as depth, seems like a better bet than broken vets starting + prospects as depth. Mostly because the option with the vets starting continues to prove non-functional.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

7 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Is there any recent evidence that they are healthy enough to do that? Dude, I get it, you want Buxton in CF. So do the Twins. There are 30 MLB POBO jobs in the world. There are 30 MLB manager jobs in the world. You don't think those guys want to be able to put their best player in CF instead of at DH? You think they have evidence that he can do it, but they just won't do it? You have no evidence his knees can handle that. You don't get to accuse people who don't think he can handle it of acting like they've medically evaluated him then turn around and make your own claims about his health as if you're medically evaluated him and not be called out on it. You're making every bit of a medical assumption as anyone else.

Splendid. 

Maybe we get an update on Buxton’s ribs, soon. We all want a healthy Buxton, I’m hoping you can agree with that. 

[chpettit19]

6 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Splendid. 

Maybe we get an update on Buxton’s ribs, soon. We all want a healthy Buxton, I’m hoping you can agree with that. 

I definitely agree with that. I'm crossing my fingers Correa gives him the green light soon.

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't see Garlick as a downgrade in any meaningful way aside from name recognition. He's outhit Kepler in all three seasons he's been around.

The prospects starting + Garlick/LaMarre/lesser-prospects as depth, seems like a better bet than broken vets starting + prospects as depth. Mostly because the option with the vets starting continues to prove non-functional.

AK in right, Kepler sitting tonight, so that's a start I guess....

[Cris E]

They need a reliable lefty in the pen until Thielbar returns for good. That's about it for Needs.

As far as Wants are concerned they should consider a couple things to shake up the clubhouse.Counselor Correa is a great influence for growth and all, but I don't get the feeling there's a red-ass in there to chase around the complacent players. Maybe sending out a couple of the underperforming vets to make room for kids will break things loose. Like everyone else I offer Pagan and Kepler with little expectation they get much in return. There are teams like the Yankees that should be interested in Kepler. He's an established professional that can do a lot of things for them as they navigate their outfield injuries. Pagan can go to any team with a ton of bullpen injuries that needs arms and innings. He's been healthy and willing, and someone like the White Sox or Rockies could use a guy to take the ball and not completely suck. Say what you will, but Emilio does have long stretches where he's quite good (before he lobs a ruler-straight FB right down the middle...)

So in conclusion I'd start putting Buxton back in CF once a week, go find home for those two, pick up someone to back up Moran and start auditioning youngsters at 2B.  Oh, I should have mentioned that: I love Polanco but he's looking pretty washed up. His defense is worse than ever, he's not hitting, he's on the DL again and we have a lot of youngsters piling up behind him. Find a partner for the 29 year old because I think he's got good potential and deserves a chance to play. However we have too many perpetually injured guys that will be great the day they are healthy again. That day rarely comes for some players and we need to identify them and send them on. 

As an aside, a weakness of this front office is to continually be dumpster-diving like Calvin Griffith still runs the team.  We can enjoy a roll of the dice or two every year, but an important trait for top players is taking the field on a regular basis. Too many of our core players are Great Values because of the injury risks. We got Buxton and Correa on cheap deals to cover the potential missed time, but lesser talents like Donaldson, Garver, Sano, Polanco, Maeda, Alcala and so on are worth more as teases to other teams than as actual baseball players in MN. Keep trading them until we have a more reliable mix on the roster.

 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, Cris E said:

They need a reliable lefty in the pen until Thielbar returns for good. That's about it for Needs.

As far as Wants are concerned they should consider a couple things to shake up the clubhouse.Counselor Correa is a great influence for growth and all, but I don't get the feeling there's a red-ass in there to chase around the complacent players. Maybe sending out a couple of the underperforming vets to make room for kids will break things loose. Like everyone else I offer Pagan and Kepler with little expectation they get much in return. There are teams like the Yankees that should be interested in Kepler. He's an established professional that can do a lot of things for them as they navigate their outfield injuries. Pagan can go to any team with a ton of bullpen injuries that needs arms and innings. He's been healthy and willing, and someone like the White Sox or Rockies could use a guy to take the ball and not completely suck. Say what you will, but Emilio does have long stretches where he's quite good (before he lobs a ruler-straight FB right down the middle...)

So in conclusion I'd start putting Buxton back in CF once a week, go find home for those two, pick up someone to back up Moran and start auditioning youngsters at 2B.  Oh, I should have mentioned that: I love Polanco but he's looking pretty washed up. His defense is worse than ever, he's not hitting, he's on the DL again and we have a lot of youngsters piling up behind him. Find a partner for the 29 year old because I think he's got good potential and deserves a chance to play. However we have too many perpetually injured guys that will be great the day they are healthy again. That day rarely comes for some players and we need to identify them and send them on. 

As an aside, a weakness of this front office is to continually be dumpster-diving like Calvin Griffith still runs the team.  We can enjoy a roll of the dice or two every year, but an important trait for top players is taking the field on a regular basis. Too many of our core players are Great Values because of the injury risks. We got Buxton and Correa on cheap deals to cover the potential missed time, but lesser talents like Donaldson, Garver, Sano, Polanco, Maeda, Alcala and so on are worth more as teases to other teams than as actual baseball players in MN. Keep trading them until we have a more reliable mix on the roster.

 

 

 

dumpster diving? They have the highest payroll and biggest deals in team history. 

[DJL44]

33 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't see Garlick as a downgrade in any meaningful way aside from name recognition. He's outhit Kepler in all three seasons he's been around.

I agree with Kepler but Garlick is a definite downgrade on Joey Gallo.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

32 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I definitely agree with that. I'm crossing my fingers Correa gives him the green light soon.

I will assume you meant to stop after the first sentence, and I will call it a wrap.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I disagree we don't stack up against the playoff teams.

Ryan starts game one.

5 amazing innings from Gray in game 2

Lopez game three.

That moves Ober/Varland to the pen.

The trend has been toward 4-man playoff rotations, hasn't it?  Houston and Philly both ran that many starters out there in the World Series last year.  That gives Ober a spot, as he currently deserves. 

Also, a potentially unpopular hawt taek here, but I don't think Varland is a lock to even be on the post-season roster.  Which unfortunately solves the last part of your dilemma.

[Nine of twelve]

11 minutes ago, ashbury said:

The trend has been toward 4-man playoff rotations, hasn't it?

Yes, and as the result of logical reasoning. With the possible exception of schedule changes due to postponements there are enough days off in the postseason schedule to accommodate a 4-man rotation with 4 days off for each pitcher.

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Yes, and as the result of logical reasoning. With the possible exception of schedule changes due to postponements there are enough days off in the postseason schedule to accommodate a 4-man rotation with 4 days off for each pitcher.

But but but but Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain....

[Riverbrian]

30 minutes ago, ashbury said:

But but but but Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain....

Ryan... Gray and Rain we pray!

Viola... Blyleven and rain by Eleven. 

Morris and Tapani... and... 

Umm... 

This one is hard... 

How did we win in 1991? 

[Craig Arko]

2 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Ryan... Gray and Rain we pray!

Viola... Blyleven and rain by Eleven. 

Morris and Tapani... and... 

Umm... 

This one is hard... 

How did we win in 1991? 

You forget Scott Erickson.

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, Craig Arko said:

You forget Scott Erickson.

Erickson Smirickson 😁

[Rod Carews Birthday]

6 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I disagree we don't stack up against the playoff teams.

Ryan starts game one.

5 amazing innings from Gray in game 2

Lopez game three.

That moves Ober/Varland to the pen.

So if they decide there is more to the game of baseball then homers and K's and try to scratch out a few runs, they could be any team in a series.

Completely agree.  With strong pitching, anything can happen.  Ryan, Gray, and Lopez are a pretty solid top three in a playoff rotation.

 

[TwinsDr2021]

13 hours ago, ashbury said:

The trend has been toward 4-man playoff rotations, hasn't it?  Houston and Philly both ran that many starters out there in the World Series last year.  That gives Ober a spot, as he currently deserves. 

Also, a potentially unpopular hawt taek here, but I don't think Varland is a lock to even be on the post-season roster.  Which unfortunately solves the last part of your dilemma.

While all that may be true I wasn't commenting on making a playoff run to the series, I was commenting on " The Twins don’t stack up well against the projected playoff teams.  "

and unless something has changed the first round of the playoffs is a 3 game series, correct? So I do believe the twins match up against any and all teams in a 3 game series. After that it doesn't really matter to me since my belief was this FO just needed to win a playoff game this year (to keep their jobs), so winning the first round is just gravy.

But for the record, Houston's 4th pitcher made 2 starts (of course Houston only lost two games), Philly (Wheeler - 6, Nola, 5, Suarez 3, Syndergaard 2, and they went with a starter once), The Yankees 4th starter made 1 start, and the Padres 4th starter made one start.

Those are the 4 teams that made it to the league championship series and beyond, so count me as not concerned if Ober has to make a couple of starts in the playoffs. (and SD and Philly both had to play in the wild card series.

[Nine of twelve]

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

While all that may be true I wasn't commenting on making a playoff run to the series, I was commenting on " The Twins don’t stack up well against the projected playoff teams.  "

and unless something has changed the first round of the playoffs is a 3 game series, correct? So I do believe the twins match up against any and all teams in a 3 game series. After that it doesn't really matter to me since my belief was this FO just needed to win a playoff game this year (to keep their jobs), so winning the first round is just gravy.

But for the record, Houston's 4th pitcher made 2 starts (of course Houston only lost two games), Philly (Wheeler - 6, Nola, 5, Suarez 3, Syndergaard 2, and they went with a starter once), The Yankees 4th starter made 1 start, and the Padres 4th starter made one start.

Those are the 4 teams that made it to the league championship series and beyond, so count me as not concerned if Ober has to make a couple of starts in the playoffs. (and SD and Philly both had to play in the wild card series.

I agree. I think the Twins' rotation can carry them through a full length postseason run if we are good enough and fortunate enough to do it. I think Ober or Varland are just as good as the fourth starter any other team would use. 

I almost feel uncomfortable talking about the postseason when it's only June, but keep in mind that for the 3-6 seeds a postseason record of 13-9 would win the whole thing. So it's just a matter of being mildly hot at the right time.