Replenishing The Pitching Pipeline

The Twins did try earlier, what with Meyer, May, Worley and such. Plus drafting ALL those pitchers for a few years. The results, uneven if not a disaster. When you are looking at the names for the future, especially the near future, many weren't considered in the top prospects world (Eades, Slegers, Hurlbut and Hildenberger, Rucinski, Busenitz).

But, yes, it is nice to get three solid arms that have the potential of making the major leagues at some point.

But you never, ever know.

Then, again, you look at the majors and the guys drawing a salary and wonder if a Kohl Stewart would be as good as a Gibson or a Hughes and even that Haley guy you took a shot in the Rule 5.

We still have some fluff on the roster. I mean: Boshers, Duffey, Belisle. You have to ask what roles they are looking at for Rogers. Is Pressly worth the long leash. What place in the bullpen do you give Hildenberger. And Busenitz...why not use him...what is he sitting around in the bullpen doing...guarding the treat backpack?

I'm still not seeing a "place in the lineup" role for anyone but Dozier so far this year. I'm not sure who the longmen or setup guys truly are in the pen. I don't know why we are pressed to get five innings. let along six, out of our rotation and how can that get fixed.

And what is the bench...or better yet, we don't have a true DH.

Cheap seats come September?

It is a numbers game. Definitely some solid moves here. It would be nice to see Ervin and/or Dozier go. They may fetch a Kluber/Carrasco type prospect.

It sure would be nice to add one or two along side Gonsalves, Berrios, and Romero.

Kudos to Falvey and Levine for the Jaime Garcia trades--and maybe even more so for ridding us of JR Murphy to get a dominant RP in AA. Not sure who else will leave in trades--and I'm hoping Ervin stays-- but I trust Falvine will not get cheated.

Was it a coincidence that Buxton went on the DL when we had to see more of Zach Granite? And even a few more days with the migraine that "required" Buxton to get some confidence back from AAA pitching? The timing was just too optimal. With not a whole lot of trade bait to land better pitching, maybe teams were asking about Rosario in a trade? Hopefully they won't listen to offers for Kepler.

Granite is going to force OF decisions:

Buxton, gotta keep him and hope he becomes that elite defender with huge speed and extra base, if not HR, power.

Kepler, gotta think about keeping him, smooth defender, fast, X-base power, good control of strike zone, and high upside.

Rosario, best hitter on the team, increasing strike zone control, good arm, X-base power, but, hate to say it, a bit of a head case if you look closely at some of his play this year.

Grossman, on-base monster, some power, but decent speed, good extra guy, switch-hits, hack in the outfield.

That leaves Granite.  You can see that in another year, the kid will be terrific at the plate and on the bases, and a capable defender, above average.  And, guess what?  Twins need a lead-off man, who gets on, steals bases, and pressures the other team.

But, with Rosario and Kepler swinging left, it's redundant to keep all three.

How the Twins work through this outfield surplus and what they get in return, will shape this team for years to come.

Hard to let go of Rosario, because his forearms and wrists are so strong, and he has passion, but, given everything, he's the one I'd trade for pitching.

Trade Grossman for whatever is available....keep Granite as a 4th outfielder with MUCH more versitility.

If nothing is available for Grossman...it tells you that we are overvaluing his one talent and DFA-Away!

I agree on Grossman. A DH who goes 2 months without hitting a HR? Pathetic, I don't care how many walks he draws. At best he's a 4th OF'er and his D isn't good enough for that. 

*snip*

 

Then, again, you look at the majors and the guys drawing a salary and wonder if a Kohl Stewart would be as good as a Gibson or a Hughes and even that Haley guy you took a shot in the Rule 5

I have to ask because this is an example of my absolute largest sports pet peeves. When you say "a Kohl Stewart" etc do you mean Kohl Stewart or any old Kohl Stewart? Same with "a Kyle Gibson". How many are we talking here? When we're in a sports conversation, it's ok to just say somebody's name. Not "when you have a Joe mauer batting .300 you always have a shot". NO! When Joe Mauer does xyz then whatever. It's a specific person being talked about. Not one of several of them. It's not lost on me that what is probably meant is "a guy like ____" but it just kills me.

Is there anyone else that feels this way?? Sorry, rant over and this is not directed at you specifically. I'll show myself out.

Let's go replenish the ranks.

Given their recent moves, I have to wonder what is the timeline for Falvey and Levine. So far, it doesn't sound like next year....