Brandon

Could the mystery part be sneaking Deduno through waivers since he is out of options? I think the Twins would like to keep whoever is ultimately replaced up here.

There's a place in Amarillo where there is a Cadillac buried half in the ground every year. and in Kansas along I-35 someone painted their entire Silo as a Coors Beer can.

I guess Minnesota getting a hit is out of the question.

I didn't say it had to be tonight. If Corriea is pitching well then it is less likely that he gets traded if we are still in the race come July. Though if we fall out of the race he will be easier to deal I guess.

Corriea has given up 23 runs in his last 49.33 innings from May 1rst through the 4th inning today for a 4.20 ERA. So subtracting his April stats he's been his usual barely acceptable self which I guess is good enough for a 5th starter. Though I still want to see May and Meyer up.

From the top 10 the Twins are 216,900 under slot so they have extra money available to sign some picks should they need it.

Since we are having this conversation 2 years too soon I'll put my comment from 2 years from now here. The most cost effective way to get an ace is to trade your CF on the high side for high-end pitching prospects in the lower levels of the minors Ex May and Meyer......or we can stink real bad for a year or two and draft Stewart and Barrios or sign him as an international free agent (Thorpe) any one of those should end up being good enough to be our ace. we can get by just fine with a 5 deep rotation.

There are lots of players who went from college straight to the majors. Pete Incavilia is one. Mike Morgan pretty much went from High School straight to the majors.

1. The central is a tight race which is why I support the Morales signing. If we can get one more starter...... 2. I don't get to watch the games so good to hear about Arcia. 3. For fun look at how he ranks among other American league SS by OPS from MLB.com: [TABLE=class: stats_table data_grid] [TH=class: dg-rank]RK [/TH] [TH=class: dg-name_display_last_init]Player [/TH] [TH=class: dg-team_abbrev]Team [/TH] [TH=class: dg-active_sw][/TH] [TH=class: dg-player_id sortable]▲ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-pos]Pos [/TH] [TH=class: dg-g sortable]G▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-ab sortable]AB▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-r sortable]R▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-h sortable]H▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-d sortable]2B▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-t sortable]3B▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-hr sortable]HR▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-rbi sortable]RBI▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-bb sortable]BB▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-so sortable]SO▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-sb sortable]SB▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-cs sortable]CS▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-avg sortable]AVG▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-obp sortable]OBP▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-slg sortable]SLG▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-ops sortable active]OPS▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-ibb sortable]IBB▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-hbp sortable]HBP▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-sac sortable]SAC▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-sf sortable]SF▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-tb sortable]TB▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-xbh sortable]XBH▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-gidp sortable]GDP▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-go sortable]GO▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-ao sortable]AO▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-go_ao sortable]GO_AO▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-np sortable]NP▼ [/TH] [TH=class: dg-tpa sortable]PA▼ [/TH] [TD=class: dg-rank]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-name_display_last_init] Suarez, E [/TD] [TD=class: dg-team_abbrev]DET [/TD] [TD=class: dg-active_sw][/TD] [TD=class: dg-player_id]553993 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-pos]SS [/TD] [TD=class: dg-g]6 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ab]16 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-r]5 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-h]5 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-d][/TD] [TD=class: dg-t][/TD] [TD=class: dg-hr]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-rbi]4 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-bb]3 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-so]4 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sb][/TD] [TD=class: dg-cs][/TD] [TD=class: dg-avg].313 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-obp].421 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-slg].688 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ops active]1.109 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ibb][/TD] [TD=class: dg-hbp][/TD] [TD=class: dg-sac]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sf][/TD] [TD=class: dg-tb]11 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-xbh]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-gidp][/TD] [TD=class: dg-go]4 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ao]4 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-go_ao]1.00 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-np]83 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-tpa]20 [/TD] [TR=class: odd] [TD=class: dg-rank]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-name_display_last_init] Santana, D [/TD] [TD=class: dg-team_abbrev]MIN [/TD] [TD=class: dg-active_sw][/TD] [TD=class: dg-player_id]542454 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-pos]SS [/TD] [TD=class: dg-g]25 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ab]86 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-r]12 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-h]32 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-d]5 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-t][/TD] [TD=class: dg-hr]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-rbi]12 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-bb]5 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-so]21 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sb]4 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-cs][/TD] [TD=class: dg-avg].372 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-obp].407 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-slg].500 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ops active].907 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ibb][/TD] [TD=class: dg-hbp][/TD] [TD=class: dg-sac]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sf][/TD] [TD=class: dg-tb]43 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-xbh]7 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-gidp]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-go]21 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ao]15 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-go_ao]1.40 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-np]361 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-tpa]92 [/TD] [/TR] [TD=class: dg-rank]3 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-name_display_last_init] Escobar, E [/TD] [TD=class: dg-team_abbrev]MIN [/TD] [TD=class: dg-active_sw][/TD] [TD=class: dg-player_id]500871 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-pos]SS [/TD] [TD=class: dg-g]52 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ab]159 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-r]18 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-h]49 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-d]20 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-t][/TD] [TD=class: dg-hr]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-rbi]12 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-bb]10 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-so]36 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sb]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-cs]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-avg].308 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-obp].347 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-slg].453 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ops active].800 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ibb]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-hbp][/TD] [TD=class: dg-sac]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sf]1 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-tb]72 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-xbh]21 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-gidp]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-go]44 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ao]35 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-go_ao]1.26 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-np]665 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-tpa]172 [/TD] [TR=class: odd] [TD=class: dg-rank]4 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-name_display_last_init] Ramirez, A [/TD] [TD=class: dg-team_abbrev]CWS [/TD] [TD=class: dg-active_sw][/TD] [TD=class: dg-player_id]493351 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-pos]SS [/TD] [TD=class: dg-g]67 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ab]257 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-r]34 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-h]80 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-d]9 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-t]2 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-hr]7 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-rbi]36 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-bb]13 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-so]36 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-sb]12 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-cs]3 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-avg].311 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-obp].347 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-slg].444 [/TD] [TD=class: dg-ops active].790 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] 4. Detroit has several good starters and 3 or 4 solid relievers. They could use 2 or 3 more relievers. Sad to see Nathan failing as I wanted to see him get to 450 + in his career. 5. I have more faith in our bullpen. Burton is the only one I would find to be questionable in our pen. Swarzak's job is to eat innings in a blow out to save the rest of the pen not pitch the 7th inning.

Also wanted to point out that our best prospects May and Meyer are likely going to come up with some wildness that the Twins will want worked out if possible. that will be fun to keep an eye on as well.

He has definitely helped Guerrier out. His numbers are way better in a Twins uniform. Corriea has pitched the same here as he did before he came here. so I don't see how Anderson could have an affect on him per se. Hughes does appear to have made adjustments though and that could be from meeting with Anderson. All Hughes did was go back to being aggressive like when he was in the bullpen and is mostly a 2 pitch pitcher with an occasional curve thrown in. That sounds like something the Twins would encourage. Burton's troubles are from a decrease in velocity and nibbling as a result netting more walks. The bullpen as a hole seems to be pitching at or above their talent level. And Deduno has been able to control his fastball a little better netting fewer walks though not fully a 6 inning pitcher though. Gibson seems to be the one we really want to see him work some magic and make him a 200 inning pitcher with a 3.50 ERA.

I would currently doubt it but if Escobar increases his average from .308 to .320 and hits 10+ 2bs next month would he be able to do enough in that regards to make it or be in the conversation.

Could Escobar gain enough playing time to be worthy of a selection as he would be leading the AL SS in OPS if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp#elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting&game_type='R'&season=2014&season_type=ANY&league_code='AL'&sectionType=sp&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1402702135332&position='6'&team_id=&playerType=ALL&sortColumn=ops&sortOrder='desc'&extended=0

I was just on MLB.com and saw that among AL catchers Oakland has the 2 with the highest OPS in the league. Suzuki has the highest OPS however among C who qualify for the batting title. in fact 2nd place on the list was 50 points lower. http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp#elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting&game_type='R'&season=2014&season_type=ANY&league_code='AL'&sectionType=sp&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1402701707877&position='2'&team_id=&playerType=ALL&sortColumn=ops&sortOrder='desc'&extended=0

If I remember correctly this is a 4 game series against Detroit. The good news is we still have 10 games left with them this season after the series. So as long as we win at least 2 we will have opportunities to rebound later. Though 3 or 4 wins is the preferable outcome here.

I think the IF in the OF was a pretty smart move. When your OF are all injured and the one who isn't is failing miserably then turning to Nunez and Santana when that's all you have is all you can do. The fact that Santana is hitting .370 almost 100 plate appearances in is better than anyone can expect. Playing CF will hinder his learning curve at SS. But maybe Santana just became our stop gap CF till Buxton arrives in 2016 at the rate he is healing. Escobar is doing fine at SS. I also don't get the Guerrier hate. He was good for so many years here without the dominating stuff.

I have a lot more trust for Guerrier then the rest of you do. Perkins 8.5/10 Duensing 7/10 Fien 8/10 Swarzak 7/10 Thielbar 7/10 Guerrier 7/10 Burton 4/10 Guerrier's numbers are similar to past performance. He is not the type of pitcher to put up a lot of K's. But year in and year out he is effective. I think he has another year or 2 left in him. I trust him with the 6th or 7th inning and only one inning at a time. I wouldn't want to have him close games however. Fien is who I trust the most to hold a lead. Burton is up and down so is my trust in him. I started to chalk up his high ERA to just a couple bad outings at the beginning of the season. but now he gives up runs every other outing. Getting frustrating. Its like Corriea. You can see the value is almost there but overall it isn't enough to justify a spot on the team. Everyone else can be successful like Guerrier if used properly and that's all that matters. I am looking forward to our future bullpen of flamethrowers though. One last note, I put the over /under on over that Guerrier resigns this offseason if he signs for under 2 million.

I like that the first 24 or 25 are all real good prospects and there are more good prospects after that who are starting out but get a lower ranking here because of it.

At the end of last season there was speculation that the Twins may switch managers after their 3rd consecutive 90 loss season. so far this season we are 30 - 32 after today's win 4 games out of the division and 3.0 out of the 2nd wildcard. How would you rate the job Gardenhire has done with the team he has this year? and what are some examples you would use in grading him? I don't get to watch the games out in California so I can only go off of the players stats and teams record. I am happy with the job as he has plugged players in who have responded and produced. at first it was Colabello and Kubel then Dozier, then Arcia and Willingham. Escobar picked up for Florimon and Danny Santana of all people in CF and thriving. Suzuki has consistently hit .300 all year. Hughes has made it back to prominence, the bullpen is above average despite Burton being terrible. we even have a few decent bench options now, Fuld with speed when healthy, Pinto and occasionally Parmelee with power and Nunez who is hitting .290 there has been the debacle with CF at the beginning of the season and it looks like Santana wants it. Hicks is coming around after dropping switch hitting. So more often then not he has put players into situations where they would succeed and the team hasn't wasted too much time when they lost effectiveness in replacing them. But mostly I am happy the Twins are playing competitive baseball. I don't see them get blown out too often and they are in the .500 range. If all breaks right They could contend for the playoffs. They were 8 games back at the all star break before and made the playoffs right now we are maybe a reliever and starting pitcher away from doing it again.

Dozier also leads the entire league in Runs Scored. IMO it is ultimately the most important offensive stat as you cannot win the game without scoring the most runs as a team in a game. As far as my vote for who should make it. Perkins - Dominating lefty how many of those are out there? Dozier - He should be in IMO. he's got some big numbers where it counts. Suzuki - needs to keep his average over .300 to deserve it. but .770 OPS from C is not too bad. Hughes but he still needs to lower his ERA some and win 3 or 4 more games to be deserving. he is currently 7 -2 with a 3.18 ERA after today's game I think. there were quite a few deserving pitchers when I looked at stats yesterday.

So that takes care of the line up hole now we just need a better starting pitcher and either 1 bullpen arm or one more reliever. Burton had 2 bad outings then 20 great one then a couple of so-so outings and... if he can rebound and continue to be an ok middle reliever then fine. I don't worry about a relievers era as much as how many games they are pitching in without giving up runs or allowing inherited runners to score. I think we are so close to being a contender. I will assay the frustrating thing with Corriea is that he pitches 5 or 6 innings and gives up 3 or 4 runs with the occasional blow out and only 1 really good game (it was against the Yanks so bonus points) but we should expect better production. if Corriea is not going to be at least around .500 with that era then he needs to go. the other pitchers in the minor leagues are more likely to be the same or better.

8 out of the first 10 are pitchers and we will likely have the deepest bullpen of all time. I thought we had a lot of depth now. Sheeesh. The thing I like so far is we will likely have 2-4 players in the majors from this group of players. The 2012 draft is similar in that Buxton and Barrios are likely to make it and there are 6 or 7 other draft picks that are still projectable. A successful draft is when 2 players from that draft make it to the majors.

I don't remember Crain being in the minors too long.

Don't forget to include Jesse Crain in this discussion. How was he successful on his fast track to the majors?

So far I like the odds of us getting 3 players to the majors from this draft and contributing.