These 5 Stats at the Halfway Point Tell the Story of the 2023 Twins So Far

[roger]

Absolute great read, Nick.

I am so excited for everything Castro is doing on the field.  Expect he has taken Gordon's spot on the team, whenever Nick is ready to return.  Will the front office pull the trigger on Gordon, doubtful.

Concur with all the comments above.  Hell, the other night when Ryan had his post shutout experience, I switched to an FBI trilogy on CBS.  And they were reruns I had seen before.  That's how interested I have become in my Twins.

After reading this and much of what you have written the past years, Nick, I have a suggestion.  Call Joe Pohlad.  Ask for a meeting and in it submit your application to be General Manager.  And no, I am not joking, you would be an improvement over the guys currently calling the shots.  Hopefully, young Pohlad would give your application serious consideration.

[ashbury]

If Willi Castro is your best position player,

[PDX Twin]

This clip from Twins' Web site kind of says it all:

1. Correa has been terrible at the plate.
2. No one hitting any better has enough PA to qualify.

 

[AaronRendahl]

13 hours ago, Markdumont25 said:

I love baseball and the twins but they are simply not fun to watch right now.

This is what it's about for me too. Winning is nice, but for me the most important thing is if the team is enjoying playing baseball -- that's contagious for everyone both on and off the field! I have more fun watching a team that is having fun -- and I really believe that leads to better outcomes on the field too. I've supported Rocco when people want him to "show emotion" because they usually mean "get angry or upset", and I don't think that really helps most players play better.  But there's no passion or joy coming across to the audience right now! And it's not just because of the losing, even bad teams can find joy in the little things, even simply being on a baseball field on a beautiful summer day! Without that, there's not much reason for me to watch them.

[stringer bell]

Great analysis Nick. The meager contributions of Correa and Buxton are a huge factor in the team’s poor record. The performance of the pitching staff has been outstanding. Willi Castro has helped the team and is a big surprise. 
 

I suggest that at least one on-field personnel move and one in the coaching staff needs to be made. I can’t fault Rocco for failing to have a regular lineup. It is a function of how the team is built and who has contributed thus far. 

[JD-TWINS]

20 hours ago, Minderbinder said:

It took until the 82nd game for Baldelli to finally say, "that's not good baseball"?  Things are pretty easy at Club Rocco.  Vasquez and Gallo haven't been worth their contracts.  Correa has been playing through a painful foot injury, but doesn't adjust even when he's healthy; shut him down until he wants to play.  Same for Buck.  Same for Polanco.  There's a large lack of "want-to" on this team.  But thanks, Rocco, for finally saying what we've all known this year:  strikeouts matter.

It’s subtle, but I have to agree that while personalities are all different, there does seem to be a lack of “want to” in the line-up. Unfortunately, Polanco - Kepler - Gallo all seem to fit the laid back view to the game & the results……….pretty subjective but that’s what it looks like.

In the FIVE THINGS - Kepler has to be rolled into the report of underperformance!

1) Walner/Julien playing a combination of RF - 2B - DH v. RH pitching seems to be a positive in the near-term.

2) Buxton to the IL through the break or even the month of July. Spot for Walner.

3) Kepler as a bench guy, at best, in case an OF emergency.

4) Larnach to replace, a DFA’d or a traded Gallo for some salary relief for whoever we trade him to, need to do to facilitate a trade. We may get zero return and just need to cover 70% of his salary through September. He’s got more defensive flexibility and value than Kepler but there’s a sentimental attachment with Kepler that is less with Gallo. Really should move or DFA both - one would be a move in right direction!

5) Polanco’s health needs to be determined. If he needs through July, then make the move to longer IL stint. Julien/Farmer/Castro can handle 2B well enough.

6) Give CC a break from (IL) from July 5 through the All-Star break. Piece SS together between Farmer/Castro for 10 games.

7) Don’t ever play Solano at 2B again - a personal pet peeve.

8) Larnach at DH if Julien & Walner are both playing D v. RH pitching.

Gotta make some changes……Kepler - Gallo - Buxton - CC are the obvious guys to shift from starting line-up……..some for a brief time.

NICE ARTICLE …….I too have confidence that we can hold it together in 2nd half with pitching. Lopez & Ober deserve better luck & if healthy, Maeda - Gray - Ryan will keep grinding! Hopefully, Varland can help keep guys fresh.

20 hours ago, Minderbinder said:

It took until the 82nd game for Baldelli to finally say, "that's not good baseball"?  Things are pretty easy at Club Rocco.  Vasquez and Gallo haven't been worth their contracts.  Correa has been playing through a painful foot injury, but doesn't adjust even when he's healthy; shut him down until he wants to play.  Same for Buck.  Same for Polanco.  There's a large lack of "want-to" on this team.  But thanks, Rocco, for finally saying what we've all known this year:  strikeouts matter.

Strikeouts matter!! Gotta change approach.