The Twins Need to Sort Out Their 60/60/42 Problem

40 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Nice thought article.  It is inconsistency that drives the fans crazy.  The terrible start, the 12 game ride to the top and then the current crash.  Ups and downs are not supposed to be such wide swings.  

How to even things out?  Not sure what answers the coaches have or the manager.  I do advocate taking the foot off the platoon pedal and playing the players doing the best regardless of who is pitching.  Let this be a measure of consistency. 

I also see the need for the more traditional BP roles being established.  Let players anticipate when and how they will be used.

Finally when players are not producing over this length of time, move them down or out and get some fresh blood in the lineup.

I agree. Unless they are facing a lefty that dominates LH hitters, I say leave Kepler in, and most the time let Julian hit.

The successful bullpens in the past had pretty structured spots where guys could pretty well anticipate if they would come in. At this point however, the only 2 guys that would pitch in late innings with a lead would be Jax and Duran. This is why I don't understand the way they have used Alcala.

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Whoever came up with 60 60 42 has no idea about the usefulness of alliteration.

ChatGPT 3.5, which is never, never wrong*, attributes it to Earl Weaver.  He knew a little about baseball.  But you're right that he weren't no poet, and he know'ed-it.

*I love messing with ChatGPT.  I asked it next if Earl was still alive, and it told me, "As of my last update in January 2022, Earl Weaver passed away on January 19, 2013, at the age of 82."  Last update?  Do we need to keep checking?  I'll ask it next about Generalissimo Francisco Franco.

Here is another ChatGPT dialog that I chose to save for posterity a few weeks ago:

Which member of the US Senate has a birthday this year?
ChatGPT

Without real-time access to current data, I can't provide the birthdays of members of the US Senate for this year. However, many senators have birthdays each year, so it's likely that several senators have birthdays in the current year. You might find the information by checking the biographies or profiles of current senators online or through official Senate resources.

But I digress.

15 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Lasorda has been quoted with:

"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference".

IWhy would anyone mess with the beauty of 54-54-54? 

I wasn't questioning your quote, but ChatGPT, which is never, never wrong, nevertheless confirms the identity.   Oh, and, while I was at it...

1 hour ago, LambchoP said:

Yes, this exactly. Ease off the platoon crap, play your hottest hitters. I think calling up Keirsey to replace Kiriloff or better yet Margot could help the lineup. As for the bullpen I think it would be beneficial to call up Alcala and Varland. That would be a pretty solid bullpen especially when Stewart comes back.

I generally agree with this except for Varland. He needs to stay stretched out as a starter because the current 5 will have at least 1 or 2 injuries, dead arms, etc. that will require an IL stint and we don't have anyone else at AAA. 

Keirsey for Kirilloff or, better yet, for a DFA of Margot, is a great idea. We need a real CF for those 2-3 games a week Buxton needs to sit or DH Castro can't handle the position. Can Keirsey hit MLB pitching? I don't know, he's never had that opportunity. One thing I do know is Margot cannot hit MLB pitching any more, doesn't run particularly well, and is an average corner OF on defense.  Hard to imagine that Keirsey could be worse overall, and he'll be better in the OF and on the base paths. The only question is whether he can ever get on the base paths.  

Yeah! Stupid Pohlads spending less than the Dodgers! It's all their fault. If only we could have signed more big names like Blake Snell (11.98 ERA), Jordan Montgomery (4.98 ERA) and Eduardo Rodriguez (hasn't pitched)! We could have shored up our outfield with Cody Bellinger, and made a trade for a big money guy like Kris Bryant! Yeahhhh!!!! Now that's a $275MM roster we could be proud of!

1 hour ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Not much question here... This team is just not very good.  Take out that two week stretch where they beat up on some atrocious teams, the Twins are a bottom 40% team.

I imagine that this will alienate some people, but there really is no reason to think they will dramatically improve at this point.  Outside of Lewis, there is no help on the horizon.  This team will not make any moves that increase payroll.  SP and RP will continue to be rollercoasters.  The offense is pretty anemic.  This team will be lucky to win 80 games.

Thanks Pohlads for your commitment to Minnesota baseball!

Not too far off, but seems just a tad too negative. The Starting pitching is good enough to be an 75-80 win team with a bad bullpen; this bullpen is good enough to get them to an 80 plus win team. The offense? Who the heck knows at this point. Lewis will help but he can't do it alone. Jeffers and Julien are the key guys that have to step up.  I also don't see much other help on the horizon and anyone who can hit will be expensive at the trade deadline with the lack of offense around baseball. I still predict 85ish wins.   

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Stupid Pohlads spending less than the Dodgers!

9 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Feel free to tell me the specific amount of money the Pohlads should have demanded Falvey spend. I created a Dodgers-like payroll for you... I'd imagine you're not a huge fan of it.

7 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Feel free to tell me the specific amount of money the Pohlads should have demanded Falvey spend. I created a Dodgers-like payroll for you... I'd imagine you're not a huge fan of it.

You brought up the question of money, I didn't, and the writer of the article certainly didn't.

54 minutes ago, ashbury said:

You brought up the question of money, I didn't, and the writer of the article certainly didn't.

I was responding to Fire Dan Gladden's comment about the Pohlad's commitment. You jumped in.