insagt1

Its so much fun to watch a player who is totally dialed in like Polanco is right now. They go up there 'knowing' they are going to succeed. They stay hot for a spell, then its back to normal. But its those streaks that make stats so unreliable for the day by day fan who watches the game for pure enjoyment. A .300 BA or a ..900 OPS doesn't always tell the story of when a player goes nuts for a week and is responsible for all the team's wins. Back in June 1990 a journeyman named Sam Horn had been sent down to Rochester from Baltimore. He was hitting .211 on June 23rd when the Wings faced Tidewater in a double header. On the 23rd, he homered on 3 consecutive AB's, driving in 8 runs..the outburst consisted of a pair of 2 run HR's in game one and and grand slam in the nitecap.. Next day he hit two 3-run HR's. When he came up in the 8th inning the crowd gave him a standing O when he hit a deep fly out to center field. So, in 21 hours he raised his BA from .211 to .345; he went 6-10, scoring 6 runs, drove in 14 and smashed 5 HR's. he was back in Baltimore on July 3rd, Was that fun to watch? You bet it was. Did he ever come close to doing it again? Nope. With Cruz gone, is Polanco our team MVP? Probably. He is having a great second half. Can the Twins catch Detroit and Cleveland? they could if winning is a priority, along with testing the young talent. Would finishing 2nd matter? I believe it would because if would bode well for the team being competitive again in 2022, which is their bigger objective. I think the motivation to win will be strong this weekend when the hated Yankees are the opposition. Twins need to show everyone that they can beat The Payroll, the Evil Empire and whatever nickname suits your fancy. Yanks are hot right now, and playoff bound again, so it would be VERY sweet to slow them down.

Everything matters in baseball because things happen in the moment. If you are 0-5 with 4 k's and then hit a walk-off HR in your final AB..you're the hero. If you don't make many errors, and then you boot a ball in the 9th to cost your team the game....well thats not good even tho the stats aren't going to magnify it. Some errors are insignificant to the outcome of a game. Some RBI don't contribute very much to the outcome of a blowout win or loss. Baseball is played everyday. All kinds of neat stuff happens. You lose 10-0 today and win 2-1 tomorrow. Thats why I love the game and don't get too bogged down in all the stats.

no disgrace to get sent to AAA for seasoning. Larnach isn't ready yet to shoulder the load at the major league level...and thats OK. Sending him down is a good thing. You can struggle for awhile, but if it doesn't end, it means you need some remedial work. If he's the real deal, he will learn, improve and come back strong.

I have no issues with Refsnyder playing over Larnach, for now. Larnach, like Celestino, may have been called up to the Twins prematurely this season. He has potential, but clearly isn't ready yet. Refsnyder may be auditioning for a utility role to replace Cave (we can only hope). Anyone surprised that Gordon did NOT bunt in his 10th inning AB? the situation was tailor made for that skill he possesses. Instead he banged a solid basehit up the middle...pretty gutsy. Get him in there everyday and put Simmons on the bench. we know what we have with him...a good field-no hit veteran who won't be here next year. It was quite interesting to see Cave's enthusiasm when Polanco won the game. He was jumping up and down like a maniac!

Turning him into a football player eh??

well that was fun. The team is starting to be fun to watch again

Totally not surprised about sending Larnach down. He was really struggling. But having both Cave and Simmons in the lineup doesn't help much. Anyone have that pit feeling that the first game Buxton plays will result in a season ending injury of some kind.? Twins can still win this one.

BAseball---I won't mind the Twins cutting Simmons loose. I don't think he has given the Twins full value for his contract. (I guess it can be argued Donaldson hasn't either) Simmons has not hit at all. His fielding has been OK. For the money, can they do better? I think so. I don't think he fits the mold of this team. Has he been 'awful'? No, but I won't be sad if they find someone else. As for the other stuff, I always respect the team approach when you are on a team. I dislike the Yankees but they have a protocol if you want to play for them. No beards or long hair. If you don't like that you play for another team. Rather than promote individualism, they promote team unity. You don't have to like it but they sign your paycheck. And they have created an identity. A team identity. I do like that.

I'm disappointed in Larnach,frankly. He has been a 'regular' for some time now this season and hasn't been particularly impressive. Hopefully he improves to the point where he becomes a factor in 2022. There is still time.

Winning is always more fun! Doesn't matter how or when. Don't think anyone would have bet Twins would win those last 3 series...and look pretty decent doing it too. Will the real Max Kepler please stand up? He has been SO inconsistent this season. When he's 'on'...he is a great asset. I suppose you could say the same of Donaldson too. Twins could still catch Cleveland if they blow them out this week. What does that matter? It would matter that this current collection still likes to play together. I'm not a fan of worrying about a higher draft pick. The talent pool is huge...with tons more misses than hits. Colome is finally earning his paycheck. Is it too late for him? No--no closer likes to lose so its nice to see him bearing down.

Rooker and Larnach need to play everyday to give them both a long look. Larnach has taken steps backward, especially his power, which has not been replaced by getting more 'other' hits. Both guys k a ton. Twins have quite a collection of those types. Rooker has been totally inconsistent. But Twins can afford to start them regularly down the stretch. Buxton also needs to finally get in there and play everyday, if thats remotely possible.

most the fans last night probably were there to see Cruz!. Whether Twins win or lose now seems to be mostly irrelevant. If a player has a good night, thats about as good as it gets going forward. Gotta get Simmons to the bench. gotta get Buxton back in the lineup and playing everyday No sense in babying him. They have to know what they have...if they are to be serious in extension negotiations. Or off season trade prospects. The pitching is lousy and so far a couple of the new starters are doing OK....most of the new pen guys are not so hot.

I see getting the vaccine like getting life insurance. You don't buy it for YOU...you buy it for the ones you love. You get the vaccine to help stop the spread the best way you can. And it has helped. Not perfectly...but imagine our situation today if the vaccine wasn't around. Masking has helped too. For those who work around kids for example...many teachers, bus drivers and school workers noted a distinct drop in getting the flu or even colds over the winter. Thats not magic, it is science. Viruses will always be around. But its nice to see when their effects can be lessened. I will always believe in helping 'the team'. the greater good. My neighbors. The kids. If getting the shot and wearing a mask helps, then I'll do my part. Its not about me me me I , I, I--its about YOU. And I do care about you.

Completely agree!

As the 2021 season is rounding 3rd base, I can't help but look back on the years my team, the Red Wings, was affiliated with the Twins. I still wish they were, frankly; but I completely understand why they aren't anymore. The logic of having your top farm team so close makes perfect sense. I have not warmed to the Washington Nats. Apparently either have our fans so far. We are 17th out of 19 AAA teams in attendance this season, which is a position Rochester baseball has never been in....ever. (I am not counting Buffalo because they have played most their home games in New Jersey, while they played host to the Blue Jays...so its not a fair test) Our team is not good either, with Washington pulling players up and down on an almost daily basis. I'm willing to just forget about this season and look to the future (sort of like the Twins this year, right?) But its tough going to a mostly empty ballpark and watching an unidentifiable bunch of players lose pretty regularly. Wings have drawn in the neighborhood of around 3,500-4,500 at best despite perfect spring and summer weather for baseball. So I was rummaging thru my archives and found the end of season stats for 2018...just barely 3 years ago. Here is a smattering of what the Wings looked like (for your reading pleasure): Polanco had 13 AB's for us with 6 hits. The Turtle was 79-286 (.276 with 12 HR's and 38 RBI) Buxton was 37-136 (.272 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI. Jake Cave was 58-216 (.269 with 6 HR's and 28 RBI) Sano was 8-30 with 2 HR's and 8K's) LeMonte Wade was 58-253 (.229 4 HR 21 RBI) Nick Gordon was 81-382 (.212 2 HR 29 RBI) Juan Graterol was 33-116 (.284) Of interest...Joe Mauer was 0-10!!! and our nemesis Robby Grossman was 5-11. Our 'slugger' was Ken Vargas 111-463 (21 HR's 73 RBI 133 k's .240 BA) Pitchers: Zach Littel 6-6 ERA 3.57 in 106 IP; up and coming prospect Gonsalves 9-3 2.96 ERA 95 K's in 100 IP.but 55 walks; Duffey 4-4 2.90 ERA; Trevor May 0-4 4.00 ERA 25 K's 27 IP; Lewis Thorpe 0-3 3.32 ERA 26 K's 21 IP Just a few names you all will remember and not so far removed from AAA. 2018 was the year the Wings had decent pitching but virtually no offense. Twins brought in a bunch of FA's during the season and none of them worked out. One particular failure stood out...Cameron Rupp who was 9-64 with 32 k's. Of the position players who managed to play over 20 games, 17 of them hit under .240, 7 under .200. Despite all of that, I miss the Twins!!! And I still follow them day to day.

Thats where I sit with both of them. Kinda expected this sort of season from Sano...but I am very disappointed in Kepler. Thought he was much better than this.

Ii agree. The silence is deafening, as they say. Apparently the mom and girlfriend are here. Infections after serious surgeries are never a good sign. Wish we could get more info but apparently the spanish news outlets appear to be getting the most.

Here is the latest update on Daniel. He is still in the ICU in Rochester. He is now battling a lung infection and is listed in critical condition. For awhile he was considered 'stable' but doesn't seem to be the case right now. This is not very good news.

OK--I think kepler and or Sano could be traded during the offseason, given the right deal. I doubt its slamdunk that they will return unless they really have a great final 6 weeks. Sano could be untradable given his k-counts. but you never know. Just my thoughts. Donaldson...my personal feeling is we give him a Mulligan this year. Can't give up on him too soon. That said, we must acknowledge he has not had a good season based on what our expectations were when Twins gave him that huge contract. I expected more than one of his poorer seasons of his career. But I'd love to see him play an injury-free season with a strong lineup in 2022. He could still be a difference maker.

Turtle seems to be a real polarizer on this site. Some just don't like him no matter what he does. Others find him perhaps one of the most intriguing members of the roster. Like Forest Gump's proverbial box of chocolates you never ever know what you will get with the turtle. Last night he was the hero. Other nights you grit your teeth when he hits into a weak DP or pop up. Overall he does maintain a serviceable BA and he will contribute a big hit now and again. His versatility is also an asset. I don't think he deserves some of the outright scorn he gets here. There are certainly worse players going out there everyday...and naturally better ones too. Seems to me that anyone who is definitely not in the plans for 2022 should not be playing regularly. Simmons comes to mind. As for the young guys, this is their chance to strut their stuff. Shame that Kirilloff is done for the year. Larnach has been struggling...but getting to play everyday. Not sure he has impressed the way everyone hoped. Rooker came back and started hot. Now he is in a deep funk again. But maybe Twins need to let him play thru it. Refsnyder probably isn't in the plan, nor is Cave. Refsnyder 'might' be considered for utility work next year? Cave...no chance. Celestino clearly not ready yet. Not sure what the plan is for Gordon. Why isn't he getting the same shot Rooker is getting...while Simmons and his .220 BA plays everyday?Kepler and Sano are now playing to either play themselves on or off the 2022 team IMO. Donaldson has clearly not played up to his contract or expectation this year. His 'd' has been OK. His bat has been subpar. Does he get another shot next year? Perhaps. Buxton needs to play. Everyday. Either to validate a contract extension, or to showcase trade value. He needs to demonstrate he can play everyday for at least a whole month. Arraez and Polanco need to play everyday. I won't even get into our pitching. Everyone else here has done a very good job analyzing those guys. What I do know is that relying on prospects is not wise. Anything good you get from any of them is always a bonus. Some will manage to make it. Most don't. Hopefully there are a couple diamonds in rough in the system.

The news about Daniel is not very forthcoming. Even though he is just a couple miles from where I live, none of the media is getting anything. I believe the Red Wings are playing tonite but not sure about the Iron Pigs. I do know that there is great concern about his well-being.

Still very little info is being released about his condition. His mom has been asked to come, from Venezuela and his fiancee from Ohio...so that would indicate he isn't being moved anytime soon and that his condition is serious.

Since the Twins were our parent for almost 2 decades, thought perhaps some of you might be interested in this from your recent AAA farm team. Was at the game last night against Lehigh Valley, sitting right behind 3rd base. In the bottom of the 1st, right after a Wing blasted a 3 run homer, we saw our manager LeCroy (who coaches 3rd base) start running towards the IronPigs 3rd baseman Daniel Brito. At first we thought...is this going to be a fight..but quickly we saw LeCroy catch Brito as he was about to tumble to the ground. Easing him down and suddenly being surrounded by teammates, it was clear that Brito was in real trouble. He lay motionless for over 20 minutes while being worked on...given oxygen and being attended by medical staff. All we saw was his right leg twitching back and forth. Eventually an ambulance entered the field and carried him off to a local hospital. It was agreed upon that the game (games actually...a scheduled DH) would not continue and players on both sides were visibly shaken. Brito underwent emergency surgery last night and a second surgery this morning. We have no other details...other than he had said to our baserunner that he had a bad headache, before collapsing and that his left side appeared to be paralyzed. They initially called it a seizure, but maybe not. Today's game was also postponed. The young man is in serious condition and it was very sobering to witness. It harkened back to one other incident I witnessed on TV. It was opening day between the Reds and Expos and umpire John McSherry removed his mask, stumbled a few steps away from the plate, collapsed (and later passed away). That game also was halted. Life is fragile. Watching events like this unfold before your eyes is very sobering. You may read about this incident in The Athletic, but as of right now, he is still in the hospital in Rochester, and no other information is available.

Having had a bit if time to let all this settle--the return the Twins got can't be honestly evaluated for another season or two. I know the FO doesn't have the luxury of saying that when they make the moves, but we can! Prospects...especially pitchers are volatile. More miss than make. So we'll see. I know that having Cruz for another 2 months was a luxury that Twins weren't willing to keep. Other than the fun of seeing him in 'our' uniform everyday, it did make sense to get something for him since Twins are going nowhere this year. Berrios made it pretty clear he wanted to move on so that trade also sadly, made sense. (he was well received in Toronto and pitched very well today to get the win...something that eluded him over the last month he was here.) The other guys who got traded totally deserved to go. For me the biggest 'plus' were the trades we didn't make...particularly Buxton, Polanco, Donaldson and yes Pineda (since Berrios is gone) Shame they couldn't offload Simmons, Colome, and frankly just about anyone else in the bullpen. But we have the offseason for that. Twins aren't going to win a lot of games going forward..so its clearly audition time!

I'm kinda surprised guys like Simmons, Cave and Colome are still with us. We won't know if this trade will bear fruit until next year. Berrios was good, but not good enough. Too many one inning meltdowns which cost him and the team several wins. Since he wanted out, hard to complain about this trade.