TEX 4, MIN 1: Twins Struggle to Score Without Sano, Mauer

I thought Kepler could play some 1B too?

Folks, the book's out on Rogers. Since July 20 he's got a 24.00 ERA in 6 appearances. The magic fairy dust has worn off, and it's batting practice out there.

A recurring theme this year for the Twins: a player who was once looked upon as a team strength has become a major weakness.  Santiago, Polanco, Duffey, Grossman, now Rogers.

"... Why not a Vargas or Park or Palka or anyone who might be able to drive a pitch..."

I don't think a manager can use minor league players in a major league game, he can't call players up or make trades. I'm not defending Molitor, he has plenty of warts, but it's hard to make a silk purse out of pigs ear the front office has given him for a bench.

That record graphic says it all. At best a mediocre team but they haven't been at their best for some time now. 

"... Why not a Vargas or Park or Palka or anyone who might be able to drive a pitch..."

 

I don't think a manager can use minor league players in a major league game, he can't call players up or make trades. I'm not defending Molitor, he has plenty of warts, but it's hard to make a silk purse out of pigs ear the front office has given him for a bench.

 

That record graphic says it all. At best a mediocre team but they haven't been at their best for some time now.

The person you are quoting didn't say anything about the manager, or imply that anyone other than the FO was responsible for not having another bat here.

And people wonder why Joe's leadership gets questioned.

An embarrassing lineup because our 23 million dollar veteran doesn't want to face a "tough" lefty.

And people wonder why Joe's leadership gets questioned.

An embarrassing lineup because our 23 million dollar veteran doesn't want to face a "tough" lefty.

Is there a source? I did read that a Molitor sat him due the tough lefty. I did not see that it was Mauer's request.

Is there a source? I did read that a Molitor sat him due the tough lefty. I did not see that it was Mauer's request.

Is Mauer not capable of telling Mollie that he's available despite the tough lefty?

Is Mauer not capable of telling Mollie that he's available despite the tough lefty?

Do you have a source that he didn't?

It should not be a surprise that an older player with concussion symptoms is going to get days off particularly when night games are followed by day games. Molitor's thoughts on playing Mauer less this year are documented. Is it an unreasonable decision on Molitor's part that Mauer sits against Hamels instead of Martinez?

Folks, the book's out on Rogers. Since July 20 he's got a 24.00 ERA in 6 appearances. The magic fairy dust has worn off, and it's batting practice out there.

 

A recurring theme this year for the Twins: a player who was once looked upon as a team strength has become a major weakness.  Santiago, Polanco, Duffey, Grossman, now Rogers.

Ignoring facts of the game:  Gomez was deliberately "plunked" and Escobar "ole`d" that bouncing ball up 3B line--he should have got in front of it and at least keep the ball in the infield.

I thought Kepler could play some 1B too?

I had the same impression. Thought I read somewhere he'd played 1B a fair amount of time in the minors. Are we both delusional?

You might be, but not about this

I should've known better to ask that question on this site. If you look up "delusional" in the dictionary it says "another term for a MN Twins fan".

Do you have a source that he didn't?

It should not be a surprise that an older player with concussion symptoms is going to get days off particularly when night games are followed by day games. Molitor's thoughts on playing Mauer less this year are documented. Is it an unreasonable decision on Molitor's part that Mauer sits against Hamels instead of Martinez?

I don't see what his past concussions have to do with it. If he still has symptoms he shouldn't be playing. If he doesn't have symptoms and he's only 34 playing the least demanding position on the field then he should be available when needed.

Ignoring facts of the game:  Gomez was deliberately "plunked" and Escobar "ole`d" that bouncing ball up 3B line--he should have got in front of it and at least keep the ball in the infield.

One thing I'm not ignoring is Rogers' 24.00 ERA in his last 6 appearances. He's getting crushed, dude.

And the steadfast need to blame him for everything is equally as nauseating, particularly in a thread that isn't about him but about the game last night. He does NOT share the blame with Molitor on this. Sorry, but lineup construction isn't Joe's responsibility and I'm tired about everything being Joe's fault when you or I have NO IDEA how it went down. If you knew first-hand Joe did nothing to try and be in the lineup, fine ... but you don't, and neither do I. So castigating blame is really people going out of their way to find a scapegoat.

The idea a player deserves the blame for lineup construction is laughable.

Players arent responsible for lineup construction or active roster construction.

Mauer gets derided on many levels including his personality. Playing first base has been an opportunity to watch him interact with other players and he gets nothing but smiles. The guy might just be likeable despite his public persona. He also is super smooth in the field and makes it look easy.

I don't think anyone is blaming Joe Mauer just because we wonder if he could have been more aggressive in voicing his ability to play despite a tough lefty on the mound.

It's also not unusual for EVERY poster on this site to speculate and form opinions without knowing 100% if they are right. I mean that's kind of the point of the message boards.

Why is speculation about why Colon is still in the rotation, or Dozier trade rumors not castigated like this?

Nobody in this thread took a personal shot at Mauer.

Leadership is a perfectly in bounds criticism of a pro athlete.