Previous Postseasons the Story for Minnesota

A top of the line starter is more likely to remain a top of the line starter than a good reliever is to remain good. But I’m not sure a top of the line starter controllable beyond 2019 will even be available.

If someone doesn’t step up soon I’d definitely be looking into acquiring another starter, and while I’d prefer a controllable arm like Stroman, it shouldn’t matter if we acquire a rental instead, and it shouldn’t matter if it’s not MadBum either since I believe that there are other rentals like Roark and (especially) Wheeler that have the potential to be effective postseason starters as well.

Having said all that, the bullpen still remains our biggest need, so maybe instead of pursuing a starter, we could instead pursue deals for both Vazquez and Iglesias. Sure, both deals would likely gut our system, but if we could somehow manage to retain Lewis, Kirilloff, Graterol, Balazovic, and Duran in doing so, it’d be well worth the investment.

This is arguably the best twins team since the 2006 team that got swept by the A's in the first round.  Mauer and Morneau had MVP-type years, with a very good supporting cast in Tori, Cuddy, Bartlett and Castillo.  That team had a bona fide ace in Santana, with a not so great Radke and Bonser as #2 & #3 starters, but a very good bullpen. 

One of the frustrations of the Ryan years was his inability/unwillingness to reinforce his division winning teams of the aughts by trading prospects for veterans by the July 31st deadline.  His lack of activity still rankles!

For Falvey to sit on his hands this month would be just as unforgivable.  The inadequacies in the bullpen have been demonstrated fully, especially for a playoff run where shutdown relievers can make all the difference.  Rogers is the only reliever who even approaches this level of competency.  Would you want any of Harper, Parker, Duffy or McGill coming into a precarious situation late in a playoff game?  Most on TD are pleading for not one, but two closer-types to be added to this over-achieving bullpen.  You can't win in the playoffs with smoke and mirrors, Mr. Falvey.

And while this is probably the best overall Twins' rotation in many years, there is no Johan Santana among this bunch.  Not even close.  Berrios has to be considered our "ace" but who believes he could go int Yankee Stadium or Houston and think he can shut down those two teams?  Neither he nor Odorizzi have proven themselves in such pressure situations.  You need a proven ace to have a solid chance in advancing in October.  The Twins have the prospects, the depth and the payroll flexibility to acquire the likes of Greinke, Baumgartner, Thor or Wheeler, any of whom would likely start playoff game #1.  What Falvine so far have lacked in their 3 years of managment is the cajones to pull the trigger on any meaningful trades.  The window is wide open for this team but I'm afraid past disappointments will continue unless they pull the trigger, pay the price and bring in the best possible reinforcements available.  Who knows when such an opportunity will again present itself?  It is 27 years and counting.  Twins fans deserve an all-out effort now! We had enough Ryan-like excuses for inaction to last a lifetime.  

Madbum's October experience would definitely be a welcome sight to a club whose dominated most everyone but post-season-caliber teams. He seems like the type of guy who wouldn't let our offense bow to the big dogs. Obviously, he'd show the pitching staff what an aggressive approach looks like as well. While our current cast has been pretty steady overall, we lack that starter who throws strikes no matter the hitter. Having said that, I'd only include 1 of our top 5 minor leaguers max in that trade.