Twins Minor League Report (8/1): A Quiet Trade Deadline for the Farm

[Steve Lein]

While there were likely some jitters from prospects throughout the Minnesota Twins farm system as the MLB trade deadline loomed, especially looking back on last year, there ended up not being any drama to worry about. The Kernels broke off some lug nuts and Wichita didn’t get drilled in their home stadiums, but the Saints did get clipped on the road. A couple of 2023 draft picks also were promoted.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter, MIghty Mussels (photo of Jorel Ortega)

TRANSACTIONS

• 2023 Draftees, 2B Luke Keaschall and SS Jay Harry were assigned to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from the FCL Twins, and made their Low-A debuts.
• RHP Devin Kirby, signed on July 27th, was assigned to the FCL Twins. The burly (5-10, 220 pounds) right-hander signed with the Twins after spending the past two seasons at the University of Connecticut. This season, he went 7-1 with a save and a 4.35 ERA in 25 relief appearances. In 49 2/3 innings, he walked 11 and struck out 43 batters. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 7, Columbus 15
Box Score
Andrew Stevenson led off the game with his 13th home run of the season, and Jair Camargo followed in the second with his 15th long ball. They also had left-hander Brent Headrick on the mound, so things were looking good early for the Saints on the road.

In the bottom of the second, Headrick gave back that early lead as four hits and a sac fly tied the game at two, but it could have been worse.

With the game still tied going into the bottom of the fifth, it got worse. The first nine hitters of the inning reached base, with Headrick being lifted after five of them. His game ended after four-plus innings pitched in which he allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks. He struck out three. 

The Clippers ended up scoring eight total runs in the fifth to take a 10-2 lead, and it didn’t get much better from there.

Relievers Austin Brice (1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, 2 K), Patrick Murphy (1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, K), and Cody Laweryson (1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) all got tagged for runs as well. Austin Schulfer managed to finish the game with a scoreless inning. He gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out one.

Down 15-2 in the ninth inning, the Saints did find some life, but it was too little too late. Anthony Prato drew a walk to start the frame, Trevor Larnach moved him to second with a single, and Kyle Garlick drove him in with a double. Mark Contreras added an RBI single in front of an RBI double from Austin Martin. Tony Wolters added a sac fly and Martin was able to score after an error to make the final of 15-7.

Larnach was the only hitter in the lineup with multiple knocks, as he finished 2-for-5 with a run scored. As a team the Saints were 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position, but left only five men on base for the game.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Tulsa 1, Wichita 3
Box Score
David Festa took the bump for the Wind Surge in Tuesday’s series opener against the Tulsa Drillers, still building back up his stamina after appearing in the Future’s Game over All-Star Weekend.

In the first, he worked around a pair of singles and a walk by striking out three batters. He tossed perfect innings in the second and third innings. In the fourth, a single and a walk around another strikeout put an end to his outing after 63 pitches. In total, he went 3 1/3 innings, gave up three hits, two walks, and punched out six.

The Wichita lineup gave him some early run support, as a DaShawn Keirsey Jr. double in the first was followed by a Yunior Severino single for a 1-0 lead. In the second, Tanner Schobel led off with a walk before Yoyner Fajardo launched his fifth home run of the season.

From there, it was all about the pitching from both sides. Isaac Mattson contributed 1 2/3 scoreless innings after Festa’s exit. He walked one and struck out two. Regi Grace was charged with one run (unearned) in his 1 2/3 innings. He gave up one hit, walked one, and struck out one. Denny Bentley struck out two in an inning of work, before Francis Peguero recorded the final four outs without allowing a run.

Fajardo led the offense with a two-hit night, including the home run, while Brooks Lee contributed his Texas League leading 31st double of the season. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Lansing 9, Cedar Rapids 12
Box Score
Both teams had big innings throughout the contest, but Cedar Rapids was really in control throughout. They built an 8-1 lead after two innings, and every time the Lugnuts got close, the Kernels had an answer.

A Jorel Ortega double in the bottom of the first put them in front 2-0 early, and then they tacked on a bunch more in the second. Ben Ross had a two-run triple and Ortega added his fifth home run in the six-run frame.

Starting pitcher C.J. Culpepper didn’t have his best outing, but the lineup had his back plenty. In four innings, he surrendered five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks. He struck out four. Alejandro Hidalgo came on for the fifth and went the next 1 1/3 innings. He was hit for three earned runs on four hits and two walks, and struck out one. Mike Paredes (2 1/3 IP, H, ER, BB, 2 K) and Miguel Rodriguez (1 1/3 IP, H, BB, K) were then able to stabilize the later innings. Rodriguez picked up his 13th save.

Cedar Rapids got a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run single from Noah Miller. He finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, three RBI, and a walk out of the leadoff spot. Joining him with multiple hits in the game were Ortega (2-for-3, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, SB) and Misael Urbina (2-for-4, 3 R, 2B, BB). Ross, Andrew Cossetti, and Mikey Perez also each scored two runs. Emmanuel Rodriguez had a double, two walks, two RBI, and two stolen bases. It was a solid effort all around from the lineup that amassed 10 hits and 10 walks as a team.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 3, Dunedin 4
Box Score
The Mighty Mussels jumped out to an early lead against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, scoring three runs in the first two innings.

Hernan Perez led off the game with a walk and moved to third base on a Danny De Andrade double. Luke Keaschall, making his Fort Myers debut, then gave them their first run with a sac fly. Later in the first, Rafael Cruz delivered an RBI single for a 2-0 lead. In the second, Perez singled, stole second base, and then scored on a Ricardo Olivar single. 

Keaschall added his first double in his next at-bat, but that was it for scoring on the game for the Mighty Mussels. Despite their 12 walks as a team, they finished just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 16 men on base.

Starter Jose Olivares was solid for almost six frames, missing a quality effort by just one out, but as a consolation prize matched his career high longest outing. In his 5 2/3 IP, he allowed just two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk. He struck out four.

After falling behind early, the Blue Jays chipped away all game, scoring single runs in each of the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings to tie it. Juan Mendez was hit with a blown save for his 1 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk. Ricardo Velez came on for the eighth and struck out all three hitters he faced. Back out for the ninth, it was a leadoff walk that did him and the Mighty Mussels in. He got the next two outs, including another K, but a single was enough to bring that leadoff man in from second for a Dunedin walk-off.

Olivar (2-for-4, RBI, BB) and Keaschall (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB, K, SB) had multiple hits in the losing effort. Dylan Neuse added a double. Jay Harry finished 0-for-3 with two walks in his Florida State League debut.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Orioles 6, FCL Twins 4 (7 innings)
Box Score
The Twins scored first in this one, thanks to the speed and hustle of Yasser Mercedes. Although he struck out to lead off the bottom of the first, the pitch got away from the catcher and he reached base. He then stole second, his sixth of the season, before Jose Rodriguez promptly drove him in with an RBI single and early 1-0 lead.

The Twins starting pitcher, Eduardo Soriano, kept it that way until the fourth inning. He had retired nine in a row to that point, including five on strikeouts, before a walk to begin the top of the fourth. After a flyout, an error on shortstop Brandon Winokur opened the floodgates. A single, another walk, and six stolen bases later the Orioles had a 4-1 lead. Soriano came back out for the fifth, but another pair of walks put an end to his game after 4 1/3 innings. He ended up charged with all six Orioles runs (three earned) on one hit and four walks, and struck out six.

The Twins added one run in the bottom of the fifth, and two in the sixth to make the final score, but couldn’t come all the way back. Daniel Pena and Cole Elvis delivered RBI doubles, and Poncho Ruiz added a sac fly. Pena (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB) and Andres Centeno (2-for-2, 2 BB) collected multiple hits.

The bullpen duo of Kyle Bischoff (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K) and Miguel Olivares (1 IP, K) finished the game for the Twins. 

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Twins 2, DSL Phillies Red 6 (7 innings)
Box Score
The Twins were ambushed by the Phillies Red squad and were never able to claw their way back into it.

Starting pitcher Adrian Bohorquez was only able to finish one inning in this one, as the game was delayed by lightning before the top of the second. He was charged with two earned runs on three hits and a walk in his time on the mound. Eider Machuca took over when the game resumed and completed two innings. He allowed three runs (zero earned) on two hits and struck out four. Relievers Jose Betancourt (1 IP, 2 H, ER, K) and Luis Rincon (2 IP, H, BB, 2 K) finished off the final three innings.

Heading into the seventh and final inning, the Twins lineup had just four singles and a walk to their ledger, but finally were able to put something together. Carlos Silva drew a one out walk and was followed by a double from Junior Del Valle to put runners on second and third. Javier Roman then delivered a two-RBI single to put them on the scoreboard. One out and a pair of walks later the Twins had the bases loaded with a slim chance to tie the game, but a pitching change put an end to their rally with a strikeout.

Dameury Pena was the only hitter with multiple knocks, finishing 2-for-2. Moises Lopez stole his eighth base.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Jose Olivares, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 earned) BB, 4 K)
Hitter of the Day - Jorel Ortega, Cedar Rapids Kernels (2-for-3, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, K, SB)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 1-for-4, 2B
#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, 2 SB
#5 - Matt Wallner (Minnesota) - 1-for-3, R, 2B
#7 - David Festa (Wichita) - 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
#8 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 1-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, K
#10 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 0-for-1, R, 2 BB
#11 - Yasser Mercedes (FCL) - 0-for-3, R, SB, K
#12 - Luke Keaschall (Fort Myers) - 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB, K, SB
#13 - Brandon Winokur (FCL) - 1-for-4, R, 2 K
#16 - Kala’i Rosario (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-4, 2 K
#17 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
#19 - Brent Headrick (St. Paul) - L, 4 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
#20 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 1-for-5, RBI, K

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Columbus (6:05 PM CDT) - RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (3-5, 5.93 ERA)
Tulsa @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP Pierson Ohl
Lansing @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Zebby Matthews (3-1, 4.74 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Dunedin (5:30 PM CDT) - RHP Jarret Whorff (2-2, 2.93 ERA)
DSL Orioles Orange @ DSL Twins (completion of 7/17 suspended game) 

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

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[Nashvilletwin]

Poor Larnach - the trade deadline came and went and he’s still stuck behind Gallo and Kepler. It doesn’t look like he’s going to get his chance for a sustained run in the bigs this year.  Oh well, there’s always next year, but he is definitely starting to get old for the stage he is in at the moment for his career.

[LewFordLives]

6 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Poor Larnach - the trade deadline came and went and he’s still stuck behind Gallo and Larnach. It doesn’t look like he’s going to get his chance for a sustained run in the bigs this year.  Oh well, there’s always next year, but he is definitely starting to get old for the stage he is in at the moment for his career.

I suspect Gallo will be gone sooner rather than later. This can't continue.....can it?

[FlyingFinn]

7 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

I suspect Gallo will be gone sooner rather than later. This can't continue.....can it?

I believe Gallo will be cut when Kirilloff returns BUT Larnach will not be called up unless there is an injury. Lewis will be coming back and Wallner is playing as well as any other Twin recently, as we have returned to not scoring much.

[gman]

44 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

I suspect Gallo will be gone sooner rather than later. This can't continue.....can it?

We hope not. My guess he is here today because Kirilloff is injured and no one else wanted him.

[Mike Sixel]

No promotions in sight. I'm so done with this FO.

[roger]

Great seeing ERod with games like yesterday.  After an extended slow start to the year, he is playing like the player we hoped for the past month or so.

Is this Keaschall kid someone we should be hitching our wagons to?  Sure reminds me of Dozier, or maybe more recently Spencer Steer.  Got my fingers crossed that this draft class will turn out to be special.  Just need to get Mickey Mantle, I mean Walker Jenkins, out on the field.

[gman]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

No promotions in sight. I'm so done with this FO.

I notice this too. Just been looking at the minor league report, only 2 recent drafted players got promoted. That was it. Possibly office was busy with looking at trades and then again possibly not. Figured I would wait for a week to see.

[Omgbenji]

Any prospect love for Yoyner Fajardo? He seems to always be racking up hits in these reports, but no ink is spilled on him? MLB potential with him?

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

No promotions in sight. I'm so done with this FO.

Yeah have to say I am disappointed in the lack of movement myself.  Several players are at the top of their league in OPS and they are not moving up to get challenged by the next level.  Only a couple months left in the season.  They should move guys like Rosario, Cosetti, Lee and Severino up so they can improve their prospect status and ability to help the MLB team at some point.

[Otaknam]

Why would FESTA need to still build  “back up his stamina after appearing in the Future’s Game over All-Star Weekend”? One All Star game pitching an inning or two throws his stamina off for weeks?

[Dman]

Keaschall must stand on the plate as he was HBP three times in his last FCL game. He had a nice debut in A ball and he looks like he is going to be good at the plate.  Just have to hope his defense can be average to better than average.

Been keeping my eye on Winokur and he is hitting better than I thought but has a pretty massive K rate as well.  Still this is his first exposure to pro ball and he is holding his own so far.  If the bat will play that is going to be a good pick.

[gman]

Even with down numbers, I would like to see ERod get bumped to the next level for September. Hopefully he will have a good August to earn it.

[Steve Lein]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

No promotions in sight. I'm so done with this FO.

It's definitely past time, in my opinion. Along those lines, the Dallas Keuchel thing just confuses me to no end.

[gman]

They probably had a gentleman's agreement not to trade Keuchel to a team that he didn't want to go to. And I suspect he only wanted to start, which the Twins don't currently have a place for. Pure speculation.

[Steve Lein]

1 hour ago, Omgbenji said:

Any prospect love for Yoyner Fajardo? He seems to always be racking up hits in these reports, but no ink is spilled on him? MLB potential with him?

Good organizational depth. 24-year old getting his first action at the double-A level this year. He has stood out in a quite a few of my reports this year I feel like, hitting .300 with 30 steals, but is another lefty corner outfielder, lacking some thump. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Steve Lein

[Steve Lein]

55 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

Why would FESTA need to still build  “back up his stamina after appearing in the Future’s Game over All-Star Weekend”? One All Star game pitching an inning or two throws his stamina off for weeks?

I don't disagree, but it was a point of emphasis being made on the broadcast. 

[Dman]

49 minutes ago, gman said:

Even with down numbers, I would like to see ERod get bumped to the next level for September. Hopefully he will have a good August to earn it.

despite some really ugly at bats he is still top 10 in OPS for the Midwest league.  Not over powering numbers IMO but I agree it wouldn't hurt to move him up.  He is going to be there next year anyway.  Give him an early start to adjust as that AA team is going nowhere as they have no pitching.

EDIT: Another reason to move him faster is he is going to be another 40 man add the end of this season.  If you want the potential to use him next year then best to move him AA ASAP where if he does dominate they can use him at the MLB level next year.

[Steve Lein]

17 minutes ago, gman said:

They probably had a gentleman's agreement not to trade Keuchel to a team that he didn't want to go to. And I suspect he only wanted to start, which the Twins don't currently have a place for. Pure speculation.

I would argue they have the perfect situation for him to make starts. Go 6-man, or have him pitch the days they skip someone. It's obvious to me the starting staff is wearing down at this point. Which is not uncommon, but what was their strength early isn't so much anymore. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Keaschall must stand on the plate as he was HBP three times in his last FCL game. He had a nice debut in A ball and he looks like he is going to be good at the plate.  Just have to hope his defense can average to better than average.

Been keeping my eye Winokur and he is hitting better than I thought but has a pretty massive K rate as well.  Still this is his first exposure to pro ball and he is holding his own so far.  If the bat will play that is going to be a good pick.

Keaschall is heavily leaning towards being a great pick by the Twins.  

Winokur however has the possibility of being a top 100 prospect if the bat plays.  So far 15 innings at short and 8 in center.  You have an athletic player that may need to switch to a corner spot, but if can stay in Center or short (which isn't likely) becomes a beast if the power and average shows up.   

[chpettit19]

51 minutes ago, Dman said:

despite some really ugly at bats he is still top 10 in OPS for the Midwest league.  Not over powering numbers IMO but I agree it wouldn't hurt to move him up.  He is going to be there next year anyway.  Give him an early start to adjust as that AA team is going nowhere as they have no pitching.

EDIT: Another reason to move him faster is he is going to be another 40 man add the end of this season.  If you want the potential to use him next year then best to move him AA ASAP where if he does dominate they can use him at the MLB level next year.

I've actually been wondering if they're keeping players down because they think they can "trick" other teams into not taking guys in the Rule 5. I really hope that isn't the idea, but I'm confused as to why they're not moving some guys up. But I'm often confused by their roster decisions these days so that's not really all that noteworthy.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Dman -  the other interesting thing to look at is the player that had been looked at as a possibility for that 3rd pick, Hurley,  he is struggling quite a bit in A ball in SSS.   Overall the potential value of a high school bat hitting has immense value.  

[Dman]

14 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I've actually been wondering if they're keeping players down because they think they can "trick" other teams into not taking guys in the Rule 5. I really hope that isn't the idea, but I'm confused as to why they're not moving some guys up. But I'm often confused by their roster decisions these days so that's not really all that noteworthy.

I have wondered the same thing.  Can Rosario, Rodriguez, Severino really make a 26 man roster?  It is a real big step to MLB and they have to stick on the 26 man. Maybe an Oakland or rebuilding team would take them?  Hard to say but it sure stunk when they lost Baddoo and Wells.  Severino is not even on the top 30 Twins prospects but the power he brings seems like it would be hard to pass up.

Rosario is young and the plate discipline needs more time but there could be a special bat in there if things work out.  No question on Rodriguez and his power but after watching him live he looks like he would be over powered by MLB pitching. Still his knowledge of the zone and ability to take walks is impressive.  A little more refinement and he could be a special player as well.

The further they are away level wise the harder it is to see them making a 26 man roster so you might be right. The hard part about not adding them is that KC who is our division might grab them.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

31 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I've actually been wondering if they're keeping players down because they think they can "trick" other teams into not taking guys in the Rule 5. I really hope that isn't the idea, but I'm confused as to why they're not moving some guys up. But I'm often confused by their roster decisions these days so that's not really all that noteworthy.

Honestly I think at times they have a lack of belief in some of the players who are not the quote stars.   As to the 40 man they are going to have a ton of spots available.  There is a chance they could lose a player or to but not likely a mass loss after the season. 

Floro, Headrick, Henriquez, Maeda, Moran, Ortega, Sands, Winder, SWR, Gray, Alcala, Stewart

Hitters

 Solano, Castro, Gallo, Taylor

That is a lot of fluff and individuals coming off the 40 man.  We can protect all or most of quality prospects that have popped up.  

[FlyingFinn]

32 minutes ago, Dman said:

Can Rosario, Rodriguez, Severino really make a 26 man roster?

Rodriguez would be selected with the 1st pick. The Royals or whoever is the worst team would simply play one player short with Rodriguez sitting on the bench most of the time (lots of batting practice for him for one year). Then, he might be back in the minors in 2025. It certainly wouldn't be the best thing for Rodriguez or the Twins.

[chpettit19]

40 minutes ago, Dman said:

I have wondered the same thing.  Can Rosario, Rodriguez, Severino really make a 26 man roster?  It is a real big step to MLB and they have to stick on the 26 man. Maybe an Oakland or rebuilding team would take them?  Hard to say but it sure stunk when they lost Baddoo and Wells.  Severino is not even on the top 30 Twins prospects but the power he brings seems like it would be hard to pass up.

Rosario is young and the plate discipline needs more time but there could be a special bat in there if things work out.  No question on Rodriguez and his power but after watching him live he looks like he would be over powered by MLB pitching. Still his knowledge of the zone and ability to take walks is impressive.  A little more refinement and he could be a special player as well.

The further they are away level wise the harder it is to see them making a 26 man roster so you might be right. The hard part about not adding them is that KC who is our division might grab them.

Yeah, I'm not generally someone who worries about losing guys in the Rule 5. There's always articles about needing to protect 6, 7, 8+ guys or they're all going to get picked and I don't buy it at all. Severino is one that I'd say is likely to be on radars. I'd move him up to get myself comfortable with what he can do against better pitching before I need to make a decision on him. Power is always going to draw attention. We're working our way away from the walks and bombs profile being so in style, but the Oakland and KCs of the world, I'd guess, are more likely to take a shot at a guy who knows the zone and hits the ball hard than most other bat profiles when it comes to the Rule 5.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

I also forget Kepler and Polanco who we have options on.  

[chpettit19]

24 minutes ago, IA Bean Counter said:

Honestly I think at times they have a lack of belief in some of the players who are not the quote stars.   As to the 40 man they are going to have a ton of spots available.  There is a chance they could lose a player or to but not likely a mass loss after the season. 

Floro, Headrick, Henriquez, Maeda, Moran, Ortega, Sands, Winder, SWR, Gray, Alcala, Stewart

Hitters

 Solano, Castro, Gallo, Taylor

That is a lot of fluff and individuals coming off the 40 man.  We can protect all or most of quality prospects that have popped up.  

Yeah, their management of a number of guys confuses me sometimes. I generally trust minor league staffs to know what they're doing, but I don't get why they let journeymen minor leaguers block guys like Lee when he's clearly in need of the next challenge. I'm certainly not concerned about a mass loss. I don't really worry about losing guys in the Rule 5 in general. There's just some decisions that don't make sense to me so I try to come up with ideas on what they may be thinking.

I'll be absolutely floored if they drop all those young arms this offseason. I don't see any chance of them dropping SWR (if they kept Balazovich they're keeping the much younger SWR). Headrick and Winder feel like long shots to go. Henriquez, Moran, and Alcala (depending on his health) would be surprising, but not shocking.

Would also be incredibly surprised if they drop Castro. Still arb eligible for 2 more years, and has an option left. No reason to move on from him that I see. I'd bet they try to bring Taylor back, too, but wouldn't be overly surprised if they don't. Lot of that depends on what they plan to do with Lewis, and Buxton's health. I think they really like Taylor.

7 minutes ago, IA Bean Counter said:

I also forget Kepler and Polanco who we have options on.  

I would bet a lot of money that Kepler is penciled in as their everyday RFer for 2024 right now, and it'll probably take a lot for that to change between now and opening day next year. He's by far their biggest blind spot. Only way they don't bring him back is if they trade him. They're picking up that option unless he completely falls off a cliff the rest of the year. If Polanco can stay healthy the rest of this year (big if) I'd think the only way he isn't back is if they trade him.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

5 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

No promotions in sight. I'm so done with this FO.

Lets say this team makes the playoff and wins a round,  are they suddenly brilliant. What if they give qualifying offers to Maeda and Gray,  and they either accept or decline and we get additional picks in next years draft.   What if promotions start occurring in the next weak, are they still incompetent?  What if they someone catch lightning in a bottle like Philly or Atlanta . . .  I am not saying these are base cases but all of these are possibly.  To merely dismiss due to either not make move or making moves of prospects slower than your expectations,  seem rather an overreach to state you are done with them.  This isn't the first time you have made the claim.  I would much rather be in our position than White sox,  or Tigers.  I think Kansas City is beginning to turn a bit of a corner with their bats and defense,  but pitching is still going to take a while for them to build up.  Lastly I guess you can say we aren't Cleveland.  Oh well I will keep cheering on this team.  

[Mike Sixel]

50 minutes ago, IA Bean Counter said:

Lets say this team makes the playoff and wins a round,  are they suddenly brilliant. What if they give qualifying offers to Maeda and Gray,  and they either accept or decline and we get additional picks in next years draft.   What if promotions start occurring in the next weak, are they still incompetent?  What if they someone catch lightning in a bottle like Philly or Atlanta . . .  I am not saying these are base cases but all of these are possibly.  To merely dismiss due to either not make move or making moves of prospects slower than your expectations,  seem rather an overreach to state you are done with them.  This isn't the first time you have made the claim.  I would much rather be in our position than White sox,  or Tigers.  I think Kansas City is beginning to turn a bit of a corner with their bats and defense,  but pitching is still going to take a while for them to build up.  Lastly I guess you can say we aren't Cleveland.  Oh well I will keep cheering on this team.  

Why would you think this is the only straw for me? That it isn't about the last three years? About Gallo? About the bullpen? Really, why?