RaoulDuke

On one hand bring him back asap, his defense is superb enough to warrant whatever he bats. On the other hand, damn it would have been nice to get him some AAA abs to get going and get confidence. He has been able to get back on track with his approach with a little minors time in the past. He is a very valuable player even if he doesn't hit but him hitting increases that value exponentially. I would say don't mess with his confidence and throw him right back in vs mlb pitching but its the route they have chosen. I see a lot of people suggest him bunting but pitch recognition seems to be his major flaw and that isn't going to lead to bunts. Buck needs to get major league breaking stuff down, until he does he will be lost at the plate.

Its been incredible to watch this guy for 2 games. I love that he is home grown from the system and I love that he looks ready after making a huge jump from AA without a ton of innings even there. He seems to not be intimidated and trusts his stuff vs MLB hitters already, hes even joking around like no big deal in the dugout which is a really good sign to me. His fastball is nasty and he seems like he can give it some cut or run depending on which side of the plate hes throwing too. That low and away fastball hitting the corner of the zone at 97 is a devastating pitch and he seems to be able to command that spot. The slider has excellent break and he can really bury it off that same corner he hits with the fastball, which makes both even better. He does seem to lack control of it a bit and has spun/ hung/ wildly missed with a few. The change is kinda confusing, he must not be able to get the same arm speed/ deception if he throws it any slower. It must look somewhat like a hung slider coming in at that speed so maybe it is deceptive in a weird way, hitter thinks they are getting a slider they can handle and then it drops on them Overall he overcomes some offspeed inconsistency with the power on his fastball as hitters have to be worried about 97 foremost. Comparing him to Berrios is kinda fun, both have big fastballs/ nasty breaking stuff/ inconsistent changes/ no 4th pitch. Romero has more control/ speed and Berrios has more break. I think Romero could be more consistent because his fastball is the main weapon whereas Berrios relies on his curve being on and getting called for strikes. Add Gonsalvez to the mix eventually and the Twins rotation is going to be an absolute joy to watch.

I want to see Rooker start to mash, he seems to be off to a slow start.

His initial signing was a great deal, he had some struggles with the Yanks that made him a low risk high possible upside deal. He preformed well outside of Yankee stadium and delivered a lot of excess value that first season. There was zero reason to extend him the way they did. He had 1 good season out of 3 or 4 and they threw money at him instead of making sure that it was real (it wasn't). Extending young guys/ buying out some free agent years is a solid plan, extending mediocre vets when you already have them on a good contract is dumb. Even if Hughes had pitched well all 3 years no one was going to be throwing money at him outside what the Twins could afford.

Pitching needs to get its s*%t together. Odorizzi is preforming about as expected, Berrios is jekyl/ hide right now depending on his breaking stuff working/ getting called. Lynn has been a disaster but should figure it out. Gibson is showing some hope to be a real 4th/5th starter. Hughes is toast. Rodney is struggling, Reed is a boss, Duke is getting exposed vs RH + struggling with control, Hildy is lost, Pressley seems to have it again, the rest are struggling. In the rotation Berrios/ Odorizzi/ Gibson are locks, Lynn should get there assuming he can figure out his control/ command. Santana should be a welcome addition when he is ready, they have been sorely missing his presence/ contribution. In the pen Reed/ Pressley are the only real positives. The rest have proven to be less than ideal. Duke should get there and would benefit from being used in advantageous situations, maybe Hughes is serviceable as a long man. They badly need consistency from the closer, number 2 setup guy, and long reliever. All those failing is a disaster pen.

Can't make Reed closer, he is far more valuable deployed when needed. Pressly I guess? Whats Perk up to these days?

I think they should send him down to work it out in AAA, he is obviously out of whack. They are running through relievers quick after we thought Reed/ Duke/ Rodney would really shore things up and allow the kids to compete. Trevor May cannot get healthy soon enough. I haven't checked out minors stats hopefully Melotakis/ Jay/ Reed/ ect are doing well. Chagois has 8 innings logged with LA with, 10/3 k/bb only 2 runs allowed..... Why the F**&^ did Falvine let him go I just don't understand that move at all.

I could only watch the condensed game (damn those are nice btw hope mlb.com runs them all year), Berrios looked like he was eating people alive with the curve. That is a +++ pitch when he has it going and makes his fastball a real danger as well. Congratz Mr. Mauer, its a shame injuries made it take this long but thats a hell of a milestone.

Gone are the days the Twins needed to turn the fans on at the dome to get an edge, its the modern era and now we send birds of prey on our foes.

Dozier is only going to age into a lumbering 2nd base/ small 1st base/ or lighter bat dh. He doesn't have anywhere near the arm to play 3rd or a corner outfield spot. He could have an late career arc like Ian Kinsler but he could also go the Dan Uggla/ Brett Boone route. He has been an awesome Twin but I think it would be prudent to not be the team to pay his one big contract.

Odirizzi and Reed were a pleasure to watch. Dozier looks to be gearing up for his slow 1st half, I really think he should be somewhere other than leadoff. Speaking of which Buxton's speed is kind of wasted when Castro is the guy right behind him. I say bat Buxton first and let him run all over when he gets on and have Mauer there to actually do something with the opportunity. This was as fresh as the pen is ever going to be why let someone stay out there too long?

Whats Polanco's trainer up to these days?

According to Bert pitchers are the best athletes on the field.

What a weird off season. Losing out on Darvish and watching a lot of good relievers come off the board to end up with Rodney were super frustrating. In the end however 5 solid pitchers and a big bat were added all for minimal commitments and an expendable prospect and middling draft pick. The offense is legit and the rotation and pen are both much improved and have quality depth. A long Buxton extension would be the cherry on top.

Closer is over rated as a role, fireman has proven to be much more valuable. Rodney has the track record and makeup to hold the closer spot down for a year. I am much more excited to have Reed + Hildy/ Duke on board to handle getting to Rodney. He is obviously a stop gap for a year, who is the next closer? I had thought it would be Chargois or maybe Burdi but those ships have sailed. Reed? FA? Jay?

There are multiple videos of him taking bp out now. He looks a bit thicker to me but those strib photos are pretty unflattering.

He reminds me Phil Hughes. AL East guy coming off some struggles that likes to work up in the zone. He has a way better secondary pitch but less control. Get him out of playing on the turf in TB/TOR and the small stadiums in NY/BOS + not facing those big O lineups a bunch Solid addition to the middle of the rotation, Palacios is a decent young prospect but certainly an acceptable price. I would love to still see Lynn/ Cobb added but I think Falvine is probably done pitching wise now. C'mon Romero/ Gonsalvez take AAA by storm we will need someone to graduate and make an impact this year.

Terry Doyle is the one that would be an upgrade.

Holding out for Kershaw.

I knew it wouldn't happen but damn I wanted to believe lol. Better get in on someone else quick.

What does a realistic Kepler centric trade to Tampa look like? Kepler for Odirizzi straight up? Kepler, Gordon, Romero/ Gonsalvez, does there need to be +? for Archer?

I think they are betting on Kinley's AFL, trying to snatch a flame thrower who just turned a corner to mlb readiness whereas Burdi is years off and Bard may still need time. If he flops send him back no big loss, if he sticks you look like a genius. Burdi and Bard were probably not getting protected weather they selected someone or not, there must be something in the internal evaluation where they don't think either are ready to stick.

Its going to be a disappointment if he is a 8 million dollar reliever next year considering they don't seem to be willing to spend that on a healthy, already established, good reliever this year when there is a clear hole.

Even if they sign an expensive starter like Darvish or Lynn they have the money and the need to spend on at least 1 good arm for the pen. The kids are coming has resulted in bad bullpens for multiple years now. Even if it all goes perfect and 7 of them are having mlb success halfway through the year that is an awesome spot to be in. A solid reliever is always a hot commodity at the trade deadline. Something like Kintzler and Swarzak would be cheap yet an upgrade. Something like Cishek and Mcgee wouldn't break the bank and would go a long way to making the pen an actual strength this year, instead of hoping for the roses to bloom yet again. Something like Holland/ Mcgee would signal the Twins really want to make noise in the playoffs.

Shaw and Reed off the board, pen arms are starting to move quick.