Twinsoholic

I like Lewis a lot, but if I were the Twins I would sit him for 3 straight games. His push ups stunt was pointless except to get himself on tv. He's talented enough to get on tv without doing knucklehead stunts like he did yesterday.

12 walks in 22 innings for Sammons is a red flag despite a glowing era for the month. Such a walk to innings rate will catch up to any pitcher. So, let's hope Sammons decreases the number of free passes.

Any word on Dakota Chalmers whom the Twins got from Oakland for Fernando Rodney? He had Tommy John surgery a year ago. He was throwing 96-97. Bar in Alston said he could be a fast mover in the system if he made a couple of adjustments. He definitely defines lottery ticket (and had some maturity issues). I assume he is in extended spring training.

Seth, Miranda played 27 games at High A and 104 at Low A. Baddoo played 113 at Low A. I know we all hope they are both successful. I just think Miranda has out performed Baddoo to this point. Obviously, Baddoo could end up as the better player, but to see him now as #10 and Miranda as #20 is arguably surprising.

I know he projects well as an outfielder, but Baddoo has yet to play high A ball. I would have Miranda higher than Baddoo (I am surprised that Wade, Littell, and Rortvedt are also ahead of Miranda).

I like the trade. Rolling the dice on for a high upside starter makes sense to me. The comments from the Beloit pitching coach are glowing.

Look at his Ks last season. Something like 47 in about 29 innings.

You are correct: I did forget Pineda. I would disagree with you about the Twins acquiring 2 starters from trades and/or free agency if the 2 hypothetical 2 starters--I am thinking of 2 starters who are least as good as Berrios (a tall order I'Il admit--maybe one comes from a trade and one from free agency). Having two more top starting pitchers helps take the Twins to the next level (well beyond Cleveland so that the Twins can battle the top AL teams in the playoffs), and it would give them a lot of starting depth in the minors in case of injuries and/or the need to make trades during the 2019 season. The Twins starting pitching depth in the minors is expanding--I don't remember it being this deep with strong prospects. Don't stop with what we have under contract for next season. Start next season with an even stronger rotation and a much stronger bullpen.

What is the injury to Sands (the Twins over slot 5th round draft pick from Florida State)? The 60 day DL sounds serious. Also, what is the injury to the catcher Buenelos?

The situation for 2019 is not as dire as many think if the following occurs: 1. Buxton gets his act together as a hitter and continues with great defense. 2. Sano shows significant improvement at the plate (and continues to be able to play 3rd base). 3. The front office signs and/or trades for two very good starting pitchers. The Twins have Berrios and Gibson, and they have Odorizzi and Mejia under contract. There are prospects such as Romero, Gonsalves, Alcala and Thorpe who could/should be knocking/kicking on the door. 4. The front office signs and/or trades for two very good relief pitchers. There are some options at AAA (Duffy has pitched much better of late--check out his ERA; and Anderson and Bard are options). 5. Castro is healthy next season, and Garver is able to improve his defense. 6. The Twins need to sign some free agent position players such as a second baseman (they can jettison Morrison and Grossman and Wilson). Perhaps Escobar will want to re-sign with the Twins. If Rooker plays well at AAA next season then he can be a call up. From one perspective this looks like a long list, but from another perspective I don't think it does. The Twins have a lot of money off the books as a result of trades. They have a deep farm system that has only gotten deeper as a result of trades. They have the player resources to go out and make trades for proven players, and they have the financial resources to go out and sign free agents. Buxton's performance next year will be important for turning this all around, but the Twins could hedge their bets by trading this off season for a center fielder who can take over if Buxton looks like a bust in 2019. Let's assume the Twins don't sign Machado; they could still sign Ramos. The Twins can trade for pitching. I suspect this front office will not be hesitant to do that.

Maybe Lynn's last start--6 innings, only 2 earned runs, a 96 mph fastball, some Ks--against the Red Sox made Lynn attractive to the Yankees.

I agree that Duke not pitching means he is being traded to the Red Sox. I wonder what the Twins could get for Taylor Rogers, a lefty under team control who throws 94 mph and is sometimes quite effective and sometimes what he was tonight.

Hi, Seth, How about revising the sentence to read "The current EST roster includes players from the following countries plus Puerto Rico: Dominican Republic (9), Venezuela (7), Puerto Rico (4), Canada (3), and one each from Australia, Moldova and Taiwan." I am not trying to be picky. Some people will think Puerto Rico is a separate country--it helps if people know Puerto Rico's contested history.

Puerto Rico is not a country--you have it listed as one when you list international players. Puerto Ricans are US citizens and, thus, not internationals. "The current EST roster includes players from the following countries: Dominican Republic (9), Venezuela (7), Puerto Rico (4), Canada (3), and one each from Australia, Moldova and Taiwan."

Why is there so much being written about Mauer and the Hall of Fame? The world will not end if he gets in or does not get in. The anxiety that he might not get in is parochial. Why not wait until he retires to assess if he belongs in the Hall? What we are getting in these threads is often provincial--one needs a lot of historical context to reframe a presentist perspective.

I live nowhere near Minnesota or Cleveland. The game is not on MLB.Com tonight. The blackout policy is crazy. Normally I watch the Twins game on MLB, but this national blackout sucks! I don't own a tv. Oh well.

Excellent choice! Tom has definitely set the bar for what really good analysis looks like on this site.

Hi Tom, Good question. The 5 players I would have (not necessarily in this order) are: Rosario Escobar Dozier Buxton Mauer I realize a great case can be made for Santana, but he pitches every 5th day and seemed to be more dominant in the 1st half of the season than in the second half. It is a good thing that there are so many Twins players who had large impacts on the success this season. If he had not been traded in late July Kintzler would no doubt be a top 5 Twins player. Perhaps the case should be made that he still should be edging out some on the lists that started this thread.

How did Escobar not make anyone's list? Truly overlooked contributions from Mighty Mouse--particularly when Sano went on the DL. I suspect he would be mentioned a lot for MVP if you polled the players.

Just an aside, but have people been noticing that long ago 1st round draft pick Levi Michael has put together a decent season at Chattanooga often playing center field? He has been hitting really well of late. He is likely a 6 year free agent. I wish him the best. Maybe the Twins will try to keep him for the Rochester team next year.

Can someone explain why the Twins acquired the catcher with Garcia? Was that part of the price for being able to acquire the pitcher?

Blankenhorn seems like a fair deal. A prospect who is still a good ways from the major leagues.

It might be Vielma the AAA shortstop or Stewart or Park or Garver. Eachhad qualities that could entice the Braves.

We need to do to Hughes what Boston did to Panda today.

Berries was way too tentative. He was squeezed just a bit, but walking Beltran was as unforgivable as Polanco's error. Berrios needs to come back next start attacking the K zone.