nokomismod

Yes, very odd. Maybe he wanted to go on a hunting/fishing trip this weekend and pushed the envelope.

I agree Spirit of Vodka Dave. No coaching staff in baseball could have made this rotation into a winner. Mackey's lines about the players starting to show a little less respect for the game (dress code, injured players showing up later than they should) tells me that some fresh blood would be good. I am not sure if Gardenhire's ego would allow for a Gladden, Morris, Bruno, or Molitor to be added to the staff though. I'm thinking it would have to be a guy of his choosing.

I agree that he has accomplished a lot and might go down as the best SS of our lifetime. He has stayed healthy (never bulked up), and he has always been ultra competitive and smart. I think when he retires the Yankees will lose some of the intimidation they have had over franchises like the Twins for the past 15 year.

He pitched under 4 innings, gave up 7 hits and allowed 4 runs. Do you run him back out there if it matters on Sunday? What kind of contract does he get in the offseason?

I'm all for going for a 3 year $6 million contract on Burton. That would be a good contract for an important player.

This is a fun discussion. I still think there is enough potential offense for next year to try to make a run. I like Shields, Jackson, Grienke and others. Oakland might do their once every couple of years purge of pitchers via trade for prospects. As far as the Twins having a hard time attracting free agents, I don't see that. Maybe it's because I love it here myself. We have a beautiful ball park, an above average core of non diva players (Mauer, Morneau, Willingham, Doumit), decent bullpen, great city and state, and attractive women (just ask Ricky Rubio).

Nice to see the Twins playing the spoiler roll. Go Twins, Orioles, A's!

This is a tough year to decide, but I give the nod to Cabrera. He is the last guy you want to see in the on deck circle late in the game. Power, hits for average, and clutch. What Trout did for a big chunk of the season was incredible too. Maybe I'm favoring Cabrera because he's been doing it so long.

I'd be okay with this. Maybe swap Florimon and Escobar and let Dozier and Florimon earn a spot on the big league team with good play at Rochester.

If he could play a decent defensive short stop or pitch while still swinging the bat like he does, I'd say heck yes.

yeah that was a good one.

Right on. Great article. It sounds like he's still just a regular guy who tries really hard. Why so angry (all the Mauer bashers)?

I think Casilla played best when he had a mentor in OCab (think that was 2010). I've always rooted for him (my kids too). He's a goofball and usually wears his emotions on his sleeve. He also comes up with some slick fielding plays more than any current infielder. But yeah, he has never been consistent/confident/comfortable enough to pull it off.

Some of mine have already been mentioned but: Parmalee and Plouffe finish strong so we feel confident that we can count on them next year. Span and Morneau finish strong so we can possibly trade them for pitching. Try not to get depressed about the current starters. I think we have seen enough of the current crop to know that the only one we may be able to depend on next year is Diamond.

Unless Terry Ryan is playing poker when he said the solution to the lack of starting pitching is not to sign big free agents, then you are absolutely right. Use Carrol as the utility guy and find out if Escobar, Florimon, Plouffe, and Dozier can play.

Nice post Cody. This batting title race for Mauer seems a little melodramatic for me, but it would a positive thing for this franchise.

Since we only have ~1 starting pitcher that might be good next year, I agree that a Span trade for pitching has to be considered. Even if we sign two solid free agent starting pitchers, we need more.

Could anyone have made this pitching staff respectable this year?? TK managed about 8 years of truly miserable teams. He was a well respected manager as is Gardenhire. I don't think you make a change just because of bad years. Not unless you start to see players not hustling or players acting out.

I thought that was neck?

This is the first time I can remember him having back spasms/issues. Hopefully not a sign of things to come.

I like the Nationals series in early June! Good educational trip for the kiddos right after school lets out : )

No I don't think the Twins would contend for the division with a league average pitching staff. The Sox and Tigers are doing just that... Pitching ERA: Tigers 4th, Sox 9th, Twins 13th. Hitting... Runs Scored: Sox 5th, Twins 6th, Tigers 8th. And it's not as if the Sox and Tigers are going to get any better next season. Neither one has a young roster, much of a farm, or money left to spend. Well they've done it multiple times before so, basically, you're wrong. In 2009, the Twins won the AL Central with a 4.50 ERA that ranked 11th in the AL. In 2008, they came one game short of winning the division with a 4.16 ERA that ranked 7th in the AL. In 2003, they won the division handily with a 4.41 ERA that ranked 7th in the AL. Three average (or worse) pitching staffs, three contending teams. And that's just in the last ten years. There are plenty of examples outside of the Twins, too. I pointed out that the Sox and Tigers are competing with pretty mediocre overall stats. Offensively, the Twins are in the thick of things with other AL Central teams. Their pitching staff has been a complete letdown and is at fault for their 4th/5th place finish. Do you really think the Sox and Tigers are going to get significantly better next season? Neither one has much in the minors and IIRC, neither will have much money to spend, either. Injuries can't be predicted but on paper, the Twins can easily compete if they shore up the rotation. It's a tough thing to do but if it's possible, there is no reason the Twins can't compete in 2013. If we are trying to base our arguments on statistics, these are both solid examples of how the Twins could compete with a middle of the road rotation next year. TR has some work to do!

It's funny how many posts it took to get to this little but important detail.

I will be really happy if Span or Revere have the career that Pierre has had. I think Revere is more valuab I'm worried the Denard is starting to break down. Because of that I would trade Span, and go with Revere until the young prospects prove they are ready. I am also wondering if Span has somehow put himself into either Gardenhire's or Ryan's doghouse. Anyone have insight on that?

I feel for Cleveland's fans. I really think up to this point our management and ownership has been much better than Cleveland's. I am concerned though that we could enter that cycle if the Twins don't "overspend" on starting pitching this winter to hasten the rebuild. Fans are going to get even more restless next year.