Battle ur tail off

I would have sprung for the highest priced very best arm out there. But I am not the one with the money for it. 😂 I get what you are saying about bullpen guys. They are hard to predict and flaky from year to year. All I know is that our bullpen for most of the last 2 years has been pretty bad and neither year did they try to do much about it before the season started.

And this here perfectly illustrates Rocco and the Twins approach on a game by game basis. Even if he gets a hit here, my spreadsheet says he shouldn't have, so that is what we are gonna roll with. If they had a good option there to hit for Julien, I am all for it. However they didn't. They had one of the very worst hitters across the major leagues this season to replace him with. This is why the move is being criticized.

For me right now arms I would trust this postseason coming out of the pen: Maeda, Varland, Theilbar, Pagan, Duran, Jax(meh) After them it would have to come from the list of guys you are looking at there, Stewart, Funderburk(he will because he's a lefty)etc. Those 6 I named off though 100% need to be on the playoff roster and sitting in the bullpen.

Edwin Díaz (29 years old, 5.0 WAR) -- Signed 5-year deal with NYM (Nov. 9)Craig Kimbrel (34, 3.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with PHI (Jan. 4)Kenley Jansen (35, 2.9) -- Signed 2-year deal with BOS (Dec. 13)Taylor Rogers (32, 2.5) -- Signed 3-year deal with SF (Dec. 28)Andrew Chafin (32, 2.3) -- Signed 1-year deal with AZ (Feb. 15)Michael Fulmer (30, 2.2) -- Signed 1-year deal with CHC (Feb. 20)Chris Martin (37, 2.1) -- Signed 2-year deal with BOS (Dec. 8)Chad Green (32, 1.9) -- Signed 2-year deal with TOR (Jan. 31)Rafael Montero (31, 1.9) -- Signed 3-year deal with HOU (Nov. 15)Jesse Chavez (39, 1.7) -- Signed MiLB deal with ATL (Nov. 12)Danny Duffy (33, 1.6) -- Signed MiLB deal with TEX (Jan. 27)Adam Ottavino (37, 1.6) -- Signed 1-year deal with NYM (Dec. 27)Brad Boxberger (35, 1.5) -- Signed 1-year deal with CHC (Dec. 15)Garrett Richards (35, 1.3)Matt Wisler (30, 1.3) -- Signed MiLB deal with DET (Feb. 15)Pierce Johnson (31, 1.2) -- Signed 1-year deal with COL (Dec. 13)David Phelps (35, 1.1) -- RetiredMatt Moore (33, 1.1) -- Signed 1-year deal with LAA (Feb. 16)Luke Weaver (29, 1.1) -- Signed 1-year deal with CIN (Jan. 13)Joely Rodríguez (31, 1.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with BOS (Nov. 23)Carlos Estévez (30, 1.0) -- Signed 2-year deal with LAA (Dec. 5)Jake McGee (36, 1.0) -- RetiredJimmy Nelson (33, 1.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with LAD (Feb. 16)Dominic Leone (30, 0.9) -- Signed MiLB deal with TEX (Feb. 24)David Robertson (38, 0.8) -- Signed 1-year deal with NYM (Dec. 9)David Price (36, 0.8) -- Does not plan to pitch in 2023Robert Suarez (32, 0.7) -- Signed 5-year deal with SD (Nov. 17)Sean Doolittle (35, 0.7) -- Signed MiLB deal with WSH (Nov. 6)Seth Lugo (33, 0.6) -- Signed 1-year deal with SD (Dec. 22)José Álvarez (33, 0.6)Luke Jackson (30, 0.6) -- Signed 2-year deal with SF (Jan. 9)Corey Knebel (30, 0.6)Wily Peralta (34, 0.6) -- Signed MiLB deal with WSH (Feb. 3)Steve Cishek (37, 0.6) -- RetiredTrevor May (33, 0.6) -- Signed 1-year deal with OAK (Dec. 16)Cody Stashak (29, 0.6)Archie Bradley (30, 0.5)Nick Martinez (32, 0.5) -- Signed 3-year deal with SD (Nov. 22)Hunter Strickland (33, 0.4) -- Signed MiLB deal with CIN (Feb. 18)Craig Stammen (38, 0.4) -- Signed MiLB deal with SD (Jan. 10)Erasmo Ramírez (33, 0.4) -- Signed 1-year deal with WSH (Dec. 20)Matt Strahm (30, 0.4) -- Signed 2-year deal with PHI (Dec. 9)Jeff Hoffman (30, 0.4) -- Signed MiLB deal with MIN (March 5)Jackson Stephens (29, 0.4) -- Signed 1-year deal with ATL (Dec. 26)Art Warren (30, 0.3) -- Signed MiLB deal with NYY (Dec. 13)Derek Holland (35, 0.3)Aroldis Chapman (35, 0.3) -- Signed 1-year deal with KC (Jan. 27)Will Smith (33, 0.3) -- Signed 1-year deal with TEX (March 4)Tyler Duffey (32, 0.3) -- Signed MiLB deal with CHC (Jan. 30)Blake Parker (37, 0.3)Mychal Givens (33, 0.3) -- Signed 1-year deal with BAL (Dec. 21)Manny Bañuelos (32, 0.3) -- Signed with NPB team (Dec. 8)Jarlín García (30, 0.3) -- Signed 1-year deal with PIT (Dec. 28)Brad Hand (32, 0.2) -- Signed 1-year deal with COL (March 4)Alex Reyes (28, 0.2) -- Signed 1-year deal with LAD (Feb. 16)Miguel Castro (27, 0.1) -- Signed 1-year deal with AZ (Dec. 2)Jay Jackson (35, 0.1) -- Signed MiLB deal with TOR (Jan. 13)Evan Marshall (32, 0.1) -- Signed MiLB deal with LAA (March 16)Vince Velasquez (30, 0.1) -- Signed 1-year deal with PIT (Dec. 13)Reyes Moronta (30, 0.1) -- Signed MiLB deal with TEX (Jan. 27)Tommy Kahnle (33, 0.0) -- Signed 2-year deal with NYY (Dec. 21)Sean Reid-Foley (27, 0.0) -- Signed MiLB deal with NYM (Dec. 5)Alex Colomé (34, 0.0) -- Signed MiLB deal with WSH (Feb. 4)Will Harris (37, 0.0) -- RetiredKen Giles (32, 0.0)Darren O'Day (40, 0.0) -- RetiredGrant Dayton (34, 0.0)Junior Guerra (37, 0.0)Pedro Báez (35, 0.0)Shelby Miller (32, 0.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with LAD (Dec. 2)Justin Wilson (34, 0.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with MIL (Feb. 18)Jhoulys Chacín (34, 0.0)Josh James (30, 0.0)Miguel Díaz (28, 0.0) -- Signed MiLB deal with DET (Nov. 29)Anthony Gose (32, 0.0) -- Signed MiLB deal with CLE (Dec. 1)Trevor Gott (30, -0.1) -- Signed 1-year deal with SEA (Nov. 30)Jandel Gustave (30, -0.1) -- Signed MiLB deal with AZ (Feb. 3)Keone Kela (29, -0.1) -- Signed with NPB team (Dec. 21)T.J. McFarland (34, -0.1) -- Signed MiLB deal with NYM (Dec. 20)Nick Anderson (32, -0.2) -- Signed 1-year deal with ATL (Nov. 11)Touki Toussaint (27, -0.2) -- Signed MiLB deal with CLE (Jan. 3)Luis Perdomo (30, -0.2) -- Signed with NPB team (Jan. 20)Hirokazu Sawamura (35, -0.2) -- Signed with NPB team (Jan. 28)Nick Wittgren (31, -0.2) -- Signed MiLB deal with KC (Dec. 23)Tyler Clippard (38, -0.2)Jeurys Familia (33, -0.3) -- Signed MiLB deal with AZ (Feb. 3)Jimmy Yacabonis (31, -0.3) -- Signed MiLB deal with NYM (Dec. 1)Chasen Shreve (32, -0.4) -- Signed MiLB deal with DET (Jan. 20)Heath Hembree (34, -0.4) -- Signed MiLB deal with TB (Jan. 19)Zack Britton (34, -0.5)Bryan Shaw (35, -0.5) Signed MiLB deal with CWS (Feb. 22)Joe Smith (38, -0.5)Greg Holland (37, -0.5)Daniel Norris (30, -0.5) -- Signed MiLB deal with CIN (Feb. 15)Alex Young (29, -0.6) -- Signed MiLB deal with CIN (Jan. 17)Hansel Robles (31, -0.6)Caleb Smith (31, -0.8) -- Signed MiLB deal with PIT (Feb. 12)Ian Kennedy (37, -0.9) -- Signed MiLB deal with TEX (Jan. 27)Scott Oberg (31, N/A) -- Retired

The money is already guaranteed to Correa and Buxton, so they will be here. Polanco and Kepler's backups, cost next to nothing. You don't have to increase payroll very much at all to keep them around for another year. Unless you want to use their money to go after hammer bullpen guys or right handed bats, then I don't think you are stealing anything away from the young guys by bringing these 2 back, with injuries, slumps, etc, there will be plenty of ABs to go around.

This is a no brainer if he is healthy and a steal for a 1-year deal. Here is what happens way too much around here IMO, people pencil these rookies into phenomenal years/careers because of 2 month hot streaks. Julien is a good hitter no doubt, but there will come a time he will struggle(he kind of is right now even). Polanco if healthy is a known quantity at the plate and the best 2B we have on the roster. Worse case is he gets hurt, and we have depth to cover for him. If the Twins don't pick up the (affordable) option on a healthy Polanco, I would argue it is a fireable offense. PS Even with an up and down a career as he has had, this line of thinking should be the same with Kepler. Bring them back if healthy, it's a no brainer.

If there wasn't a hammer available I was fine with it. Before the season started was the time to add guys and they failed at it the last 2 years now.

They won't use him for anything. IMO, it would be really foolish to count on him to give you anything that is playoff worthy, or honestly, even worthy enough to get ML innnings.

Hits for oodles of power still. Also when he is HOT, he can carry a team for a stretch. That said, he is so streaky that you're right, it's hard to pencil him in every day if he isn't playing in the field. At least it is hard when you are getting production from the rest of your lineup like we are right now. Expect though, a regression for alot of these young guys next year. The tape, the book, the plan, etc will be out on all of them and they will have to re-adjust.

Will he ever be healthy? No, not in his eyes. I watch him play and he runs just fine. Then the next day you hear he is out: tweaked something, felt soreness, etc. It's the same every year, never an injury that anyone else can see, just that he can feel. At this point he has to make a decision. Realize you will never "feel" totally healthy and tough it and out to get the most out of yourself that you can. or Give up playing a full season or retire altogether. I wouldn't be opposed to resting him until next July then unleashing him for the back half of the season.

At this point it looks like that would have been the correct move. Held him out until he was ready, then used him at CF and DH while having Taylor get at least half the starts in CF. Maybe starting him later in the season would be preferable at this point no matter how he looks at the start of the season. Let's have his best from July-October.

Then why is he there? DFA and select someone else to the 40-man and give someone a chance. He sits there and collects dust, chews sunflower seeds and possibly conversates with the others but is of not much use to the BP other than that, unless we are losing a game by 6 runs. I'm also fine with brining Varland up and sending one of these other pitchers with options down. Use him as a swingman, this seems like common sense right now.

This is 100% a problem. But rather than beat your head into the wall, maybe your manager has to adjust(I think he has some) but in the playoffs to rely on your strength(starters), more than your weakness(bullpen). Even if this "gasp" means letting a starter go 6 or 7 in a playoff game!

You're right on. His post sounds crazy to me. We get fleeced last season and basically nothing to show for it and this year, yes they didn't do much but we also didn't give up someone like Austin Martin, etc to try and find lightning in the bottle or gamble on another injured guy with lots of upside. Where I think the Twins are rippable with their bullpen this year is their inability to address anything in it prior to the season starting and then being unwilling to give up on guys like Sands, Gallo, etc in order to try someone new from AAA. Or being flexible or trying something new. Varland might be effective in the pen or move him into the rotation, Maeda in the pen, etc. Try something different. Games in which we only get 5 from our starters are mainly losses as we only have a few truly "trustable" BP arms.

I'm with you bring up Martin. I still give MAT plenty of starts though. I just feel like he is a solid player. That said, ride the hot hand. Use it up until he loses it. Give him a taste of a pennant race. If he has to go back down so be it. For me the DFA would be Sands or any number of other losers from the bullpen. Then if Martin cools or doesn't produce, we just option him and call back up whichever pitcher on the 40 man is doing anything decent at all.

I agree with you in the sense that they may have to make room for younger players in the infield. I am NOT interested most likely in an extention for Jorge, but that option year next year might be hard to pass up, especially if he is healthy. Worse case the Twins bomb next year and he can be moved for possible prospects if he indeed produces himself next season.

I didn't watch any of the Saturday game but was there at TF yesterday. He looked really good in the 9th, like he had it all back. Also, he changed speeds more I thought. Saw more of the 88-87 mph stuff. Seemed to help him.

During the playoffs, IMO Vasquez rides the pine. I'm sure he will get a start here or there, but in a series that goes 5 games, I want Jeffers catching for 4 of them. We will see what Rocco does then. I agree, the younger guy outperforming, he should get 60% of the starts. Even Vasquez should see what is going on here, Jeffers is turning into a solid ML catcher or at the very least he is hot and having a great year. Ride the hot hand. PS I'm fine with some 1B starts(especially over GALLO!) also if that's what it takes to keep his bat in the lineup.

Guys are figuring him out some. Advanced scouting, etc. The know not to offer at his offspeed stuff if they can help it and try to be on time with the gas. If he is missing or behind in counts, like he has been lately, a ball down the middle if a hitter is sitting on it can be hit and has been. He needs to adjust and get his command back. Some rest would be fine, but let's get a few games we don't need our studs to throw in. Let Cole Sands or whoever eat up some innings up 4-5 runs.

In a vaccum, I guess you are right. But for fans, ticket sales, etc, it is bad business to dump 2-3 of your starting players for prospects when you are leading your division.

Agree, us DFAing Gallo and spare bullpen parts would likely lead to better performance out of our system guys. Not sure why the Twins have always been afraid to do this over the years. They HATE eating dead money on guys not on their roster I think.

I don't like trading starting pitching when we are going to likely win the division by default and I didn't want any young guys moved by the geniuses for win now players. We have seen how well that worked out before. Let it shake out. This season is and always has rested on what Buxton, Correa, and Royce Lewis do. So far it has been...🤢 Question. It he waiver process still in effect like it used to? If so, this is where you pickup your bullpen help or bat from a team that thinks they are in it now but won't be in a few weeks.

Yes, but here is the deal. They dealt hitting for pitching this offseason and now have that pitcher locked up. I think they need to trade now expiring pitching for hitting. They are not getting a guy of Aareaz caliber back right away, but a close-to ML ready RH bat that gets on base and doesn't K for one of Gray or Maeda makes sense to me. Trade one, attempt to sign the other in the offseason and if you can't, then extend the QO and get a draft pick.

Either if they could be traded, or both. Not very likely though that any team wants them, or at least wants to give up another player to get them. If it must be a DFA, it would be Kepler for me. Gallo gets on base and has much more pop. Kepler is a better defender, but mainly an out machine, even though he has been better lately.

He has been a disappointment so far, that is for sure. So has Buxton. That said, he is still a middle of the diamond defensive +, so I still love having him on our team. He will likely have a below average year offensively. Either way, I am glad we have him signed here for now and into the future. I don't expect him to continue to play this bad the rest of his contract.