Riverbrian

At this moment... everyone is a candidate to move aside for a day to fit him into the lineup. He’s our best bat at this moment. You get him in the lineup if you are putting your best lineup on the field at this moment. If Baldelli can only see a starting 9 and is stumped on what to do with Astudillo as a result, he’s not ready to make out the lineup card. Play the players who are actually producing. Reward positive performance. Having 10 players for 9 spots shouldn’t stump any major league manager.

I hate the White Sox. I take cheap shots at them. I think this is the way it is supposed to work.

Bobby Wilson was our primary catcher for a couple of months after Castro got hurt. Astudillo was a complete organizational ball drop. When Wilson is your primary catcher... that is the moment that you try anybody else. You can't lock into Wilson and say... that's good enough. An organization can never say that.

As of this moment.: 5 games into the season. Astudillo was rotated into the lineup as a catcher... Third catcher to get a start... it was game 3. Despite ripping two double in game 3... he was placed on the bench for game 4 and appeared as a pinch hitter... and then appeared in the getaway day lineup for game 5 as a 3B. In my opinion... until Astudillo makes back to back starts... I'm comfortable with him being classified as part of the getaway day crew. However... when you consider how he is hitting right now. He shouldn't be part of that crew. He is out hitting everybody on the roster at this moment. Don't know how long that will last but he is hitting right now so get him in the lineup... it's a no brainer. And this is coming from someone who was OK stashing him in AAA to start the season for depth. He's here now... Play him... he's earning it. As for Austin... It's a tough call... CJ Cron is playing well right now and I'd want to roll with him in the lineup because he is producing. What we don't know is if Austin would have been producing as well or even producing better. I continue to hope that Baldelli will allow for open competition once the schedule settles down. Austin in the OF? It was a dream of mine but he didn't play a single inning in the OF during spring training so I believe that dream is dead. Austin playing time will have to come at the expense of Cron or Cruz. As for Adrianaza and throw Cave into the same getaway day crew... I'm all for any of them getting a chance to out perform others to earn more playing time. However... I will never come to grips with any plan that starts your entire bench on the same day. Mix them in with skill and touch according to hot/cold streaks, matchups , basically any data that suggests that you should put them in the lineup. Let's look at this way... Game Three: The Twins jump out to an 8-0 lead. Lead is considered safe in the 7th inning and then Baldelli inserts, Adrianaza, Austin and Cave into the lineup to get some AB's. This mass substitution didn't happen in Games One, Two or Four when the outcome was in doubt... This leads to the assumption that Baldelli felt that it was SAFE to put the subs in for some reps with a big lead. Game Five... The Subs all start... It's 0-0 when the game starts... the lead isn't safe... So... Does this mean that Baldelli was willing to sacrifice the win (Game 5) to play all the subs at once? After All, he didn't utilize them until we built up an 8 run lead prior. I'm not saying this is the intention or case but I am asking loudly... what's the justification of a getaway day lineup? You would be better served to mix guys into the lineup instead of jamming them all in on a single day. This is coming from a guy (Me) who wants everybody to play and compete for playing time. I'm also going to ask this: If you are trying to establish a little rhythm for your "regulars" with multiple off-days... OK... Fine... but then why would you take them out in game three... if your objective is to establish a rhythm for your "regulars". Those AB's they gave up in game three will enhance the purpose of helping them get into a rhythm. Anyway... I'm making too much noise about this... We are 4-1... Baldelli is getting the job done. I'd just like him to strongly consider the virtue of a "Getaway Day Lineup" and never do it again. We didn't have to jam them all into the 5th game... they could have played one of them Game Two... another one Game Three and Another One Game four and Another one Game five. Spread it out... mix them in.

I also made that assumption so I'm not going to officially complain about it. Season just under way and multiple days off mixed in will make it hard for anyone to start with a roll so I can see the reasoning of keeping the lineup consistent. However... I do reserve the right to complain later if a getaway day lineup becomes a consistent practice. There is normally no justification (in my opinion) for a getaway day lineup. And... Yeah... we won... so I really can't complain at the moment.

I'm no genius but as far I can tell... He's hitting RIGHT NOW!!! I don't know if he will hit in the future. But there is absolutely no question that he is hitting RIGHT NOW!!! If you are making out lineup for June 4th... I can see the hesitation... BUT... BUT... if you are making out a lineup for RIGHT NOW!!! The answer should be obvious.

I'm not even calling it an issue yet. Just getting preemptively ready to call it an issue... down the road... if the team starts losing and this pattern remains. With the amount of days off in the early schedule it'll be hard for anyone to develop a rhythm so I can see a manager trotting the regulars out there. I've never liked the term regular but I know that they exist. They are all small sample sizes at this point so you can't determine that anyone has fallen off the wagon yet or is deserving of a swift kick challenge in the pants. I get it... but... the idea of taking your non-regulars and staring them all in one day? The getaway lineup is something I'm done with. I've had to tolerate it for years now and don't have any toleration left for it. If you want to mix players into the lineup... mix them in... don't wait for the getaway day to mix them all in with the grace of an elephant. As for Astudillo... 3 for 5 today... There is absolutely no reason for him to sit at all right now. No reason at all. However... I'm really trying not to sound crabby. We won... it's been a great start... I'm happy.

I didn't see the game and I'm of course happy with the victory and as long as they keep winning, Baldelli can do what he wants... but... I was personally disappointed to see a getaway day lineup. Not because I don't want to see Austin, Astudillo, Adrianaza in the lineup. I have no problem with anyone getting a chance to compete for playing time so I'll never complain about anyone getting playing time... but disappointment because I was just hoping for a manager who wouldn't hold these guys on the bench and then just play them all in one game once every 6 games... getaway day style. It's 2019... we don't need this style of deployment anymore. Anyway... we won and it's been a great start so I'll just mention it without lodging official complaint. I have no legs to stand on if the team is winning.

Last year... there were rumors that the pitchers preferred to pitch to Bobby Wilson. I don't know if that was true or not but Wilson got a lot of inexplicable starts so I am willing to strongly consider the possibility. Our team ERA was 4.50 and we were sellers at the trade deadline. Personally, I'm against anything locked in. This catcher catches this pitcher is just another form of auto-pilot managing and I've had it with auto-pilot managers. Manager need to make decisions based on what is happening in the moment. If Baldelli were to try personal catchers... Baldelli will need the ability to look our pitchers in the eye and promptly take it away if the results don't support it.

Agreed... but he won't get 200 career PA's unless they write his name into the lineup. Right Now... I'll give them a pen if they can't find one.

I continue to see no issues with his ability behind the plate. Good awareness on the backup to nail Santana with poor awareness. It's a such a great game... I'm so glad Baseball is back.

I think the FO is more likely to swing a trade in the opposite direction. They burned down the farm chasing titles the past 3 years. They will need some seeds.

I was baking a Papa Murphy's Pizza the other night. It was supposed to cook at 425 Degrees for 12 to 18 Minutes. My sister called while it was cooking and I lost track of time and the pizza spent around 20 minutes in the oven. The Pizza ended up with some burn marks on the bottom of the crust. After a having a couple of slices... I declared the Pizza "Acceptable".

You could be right... if there was a stop sign... I didn't see it. But... it would make sense because Astudillo has played enough baseball to pick up the third base coach and when he blatantly stops during a windmill... he must have picked up something different and assumed his work was done. I'd still make him go to the blackboard.

I'd say "C" lineup. The return of Lindor and Kipnis (who knows what Zimmer will provide) will only bring them up to a "B". And... you also must consider that by the time Lindor comes back... There is no guarantee that Ramirez will remain healthy. The Indians are extremely vulnerable in my opinion. Unfortunately... So are the Twins.

If I was the Manager... He starts on Tuesday. Let players keep hitting if they are hitting. Of course on Monday... He'll be writing on the blackboard: "I will look for instructions from my third base coach" 1,000 times before Tuesday.

I agree with you and I will be watching how they handle those gaps and deficiencies. I will remain focused on it. They decided to roll with what they have in the bullpen. I'm OK with that decision unless they don't handle the gaps and deficiencies. Like they didn't do last year.

I don't know but I do know this. You will never win a debate with your wife.

Don’t Germans typically lead off by capturing Poland?

Yeah And it's all your fault because you are picking from "unused" players. You got to stop picking from "unused" players. The Twins have been killing themselves in the fashion you describe above for decades... You and I have been watching it... we both see it but have come to different conclusions. I love the Nelson Cruz signing... He's a special bat. He can help us win games. But... if I had the choice: I would take Nick Castellanos over Nelson Cruz because Nick can play OF and 3B and we simply can't anticipate our future needs at 3B and OF. Disclaimer: For everyone (Castellanos is named specifically by me for roster flexibility example purposes... this is not intended to take the discussion a different direction via a comparison of Castellanos to Cruz... I also understand that Castellanos would cost prospects to acquire and may be cost prohibitive while Cruz was a Free Agent... the inclusion of Castellanos is for example purposes only). My dream is for a 25 man roster that can play. When that dream of mine is finally realized... we will need the DH spot to play the over flow that has been created. Over Flow is a good thing. It can give manager viable options and can be traded to restock farm systems. Yeah... we are miles from getting there and we have always been miles from getting there. We have year over year over year failed to find 9 players who can play, let alone asking for 25 players who can play. I understand this but I'm saying we will never get there as long as we trade away Aaron Hicks because we have no place to put the potential overflow in the OF. In other words... We can't handle over flow... therefore... we can't strive for over flow and must settle for Robbie Grossman or Ryan LaMarre because... we can't handle over flow and if we don't have over flow... we will perpetually live among unexpected holes. So... if Nelson Cruz blocks a potential outlet for over flow while simultaneously taking a roster spot that could be used for potential over flow... you can't create overflow. Which leads to the problem you describe above. Playing a guy who can't hit. I agree that the problem is the guy who can't hit... but you can't solve that problem with potential solutions eliminated. If Max Kepler is hitting .185 in June but must play every day because we don't have anyone on the roster to replace Max Kepler. We give back any potential gains from the Cruz signing. Castellanos could play RF. And if Castellanos could play RF... then maybe we have a place to play both Cron and Austin who are both OPS'ing over 1,000. With that said... I am for the signing. Because Cruz is a special bat. Ash is 100% correct... By creating flexibility at other positions... It allows you to absorb the DH only and simply enjoy the production.

Read in the Box Score today that Astudillo played a little late inning 2B. I'm all for positional flexibility so I am not against Astudillo playing a little 2B But... is it possible that Astudillo plays a better 2B than Austin plays LF or RF? I don't know the answer... but the answer better be Yes. If Astudillo is suitable enough to play 2B and Austin isn't suitable enough for the OF during spring training... Austin must be pretty brutal out there... so the answer better be Yes.

I'm calling Zimmer... This is a great idea... Find a position player who can punt. Gain a roster spot for another position... Brilliant!!!

I think you and Brooks are both right and I think Ash summed it all up pretty well. If you have a chance to grab a bat like Nelson Cruz... you grab it. But, it can come with a cost if you don't set up your team to support it. Cruz is a great signing unless you give back your gains elsewhere by using up valuable roster space on a guy who can't play in the field. . If by utilizing the DH position and Brooks is right... it is a position. If by utilizing the DH position in the traditional fashion... you can be forced by lack of alternatives (due to roster space limitations) to play a player every day hitting very poorly... anything you gain from the DH position is then neutralized. That's why I agree with you... I would rather see a 25 (or 26) man roster where the DH spot in the lineup can be used for overflow. If Tyler Austin and CJ Cron are both going nuts with OPS over 1,000... It would be sad that one has to ride the pine because there is only one first base bag and Cruz has got the DH spot. But... Nelson Cruz is a special bat so it's a good addition.. Give him the DH position and take the rest of your lineup... make it deep and flexible enough to cover the defensive void left by a full time DH. Then you got Cruz and a supporting staff that will may not marginalize his contributions.

I know this won't shock anyone because I've stated it multiple times. I simply no longer care for defined roles out of the bullpen. The only argument for defined roles is comfort and predictability under the assumption that players perform better with the knowledge of what role they have prior to arriving at the ball park. I don't buy this argument anymore. Do we have a lights out closer? I no longer worry about that. I want a lights out Bullpen. Would I like to have a big name high performance closer like Edwin Diaz on the roster... Yes I would... Absolutely!! But... I wouldn't necessarily use him exclusively as a closer in the conventional sense, just to have him sitting there waiting for a 9th inning lead of less than 3 runs to deploy. I would use him in the 6th, 4th, 8th... whenever the team needs a zero hung or a big strikeout with a runner on third and less than two outs during a close game. I would find creative ways to increase his innings pitched (not necessarily appearances) from 70 IP to 100 IP and beyond. You can't do this... if you conventionally restrict him to a specific role like closer. Quit giving 160 innings to a starter with a 5 plus ERA because your Dad always did it that way. Get bullpen serious!!! If you have a productive arm who is getting the job done... get him more innings to get the job done (starter or bullpen) and give less innings to the ones who are not getting the job done (starter or bullpen). It is so damn simple... "Throw your better pitchers more often" but yet impossible to do as long as everybody has these neat defined role little boxes to throw everybody into. If someone isn't getting the job done... try someone else until you are competitive from top to bottom. There are more than two options available to managers. Option A: Starters go 5 to 9 innings and rest for 5 to 6 days. Option B: Relievers throw an inning or less but can pitch back to back days until needing a day of rest. Yet... Managers have restricted themselves to only these two options. The entire middle ground between those two options should be theoretically available for consideration. Throw 3 Innings and rest 2 days could be option C and from there option D, E, F and so forth... leading to the ultimate goal of getting more innings out of your top performers. Throwing Edwin Diaz for 100 innings plus instead of reducing him on purpose to a limit of 70. Throwing Taylor Rogers for 120 Innings instead of reducing him on purpose to 70 IP.

Beloit Snapper SS (Insert Name Here) can't sign with the Hartford Yard Goats. The Hartford Goats are weak at SS and wold love to have (Insert Name Here) but (Insert Name Here) was drafted by the Oakland A's and the A's control him until he is old enough to no longer be of value to the Hartford Yard Goats. But... if Beloit Snapper SS manages to make the Oakland A's roster sometime in the future. The Fan's will be right there to tear him apart if he hits under .200.