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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    Initially, I had left Tonkin off the Twins roster. I can't exactly defend my switch to putting him on the roster. Something about how Tonkin fits as the #8 guy who can fill innings whenever called on and return if needed the next day makes him unique among the options within the Twins pen. Tonkin has a rubber arm and he is generally effective. Finally, he is a veteran who has a wealth of experience, which can be useful. However, if the Twins want to trade Christian Vazquez for Robert Suarez or Jason Adam (unlikely) or if the Twins make another deal for a strong relief pitcher, Tonkin is on the bubble. It sure seems like he has been on that bubble quite a bit in his career and it also seems understandable.
  2. tony&rodney
    This was my second thought. My first thought was ...... How did anyone come up with this idea? I glanced through it though-my choice.
  3. tony&rodney
    Perhaps Spring Training can be a real competition, an evaluative time for pitchers angling for a spot in the bullpen. By mid March there should be some delineations between arms such as Henriquez, Castellano, Topa, Varland, Headrick, and Funderburk. Unless the Twins add a top or excellent reliever via trade (possible), I see these six pitching for one of two spots if all of the top six (Duran, Jax, Stewart, Alcala, Sands, Tonkin) are 1. still on the roster and 2. healthy and throwing well. Henriquez could be traded for Castellano if the Phillies and Twins see this as an option. Hopefully the Twins don't decide to keep either of Headrick or Funderburk based solely on being left handed. Transactions can still take place.
  4. tony&rodney
    This, exactly is my takeaway. It is also why I have not been able to take part in the hate for the Pohlads. They are who they are and are just representative of how our system works (or doesn't work). Thus i will almost always just stick to the baseball side and have almost completely eliminated politics from my reading despite a lifetime of being excessively educated in it. Age tends to swirl everything together. I did get a kick out of one comment referring to "left wing" whatever. The last person to run for president in the U.S. who was a leftist was in 1984. Our new left, if that is what one wants to call it, would be center right at that time. U.S. history has quite a few ebbs and flows. So it goes, it is what it is. This relates to baseball and the Twins in as much as one is powerless below the Pohlads, which brings us right back to screaming, yelling, and hate and none of those seem particularly healthy to an old man like myself. So I will just stick to thinking about the games, strategies, and watching how each pitch and play develops, stuck in my own world.
  5. tony&rodney
    Interesting. Smalley always struck me as the most down to earth commentator on the Twins broadcast. Like I stated earlier, I believe Roy has a stronger sense of baseball than any other person on Twins telecasts other than Paul Molitor. This only shows that different people watching the same identical TV feed react or view with an entirely different point of view. Differences are the spice ....
  6. tony&rodney
    San Diego might want a little international bonus money. Maybe the Twins can poach one of Jason Adam, Bryan Hoeing, or Robert Suarez from the Padres for a reasonable return. That would strengthen the bullpen from good to better.
  7. tony&rodney
    My haze is that Falvey is an unknown as far as what he seeks in a roster. Is it a .500 team? Seems like the goal is 80-85 wins and then if everything goes near perfect .... 90 wins. I'm in the dark on Falvey.
  8. tony&rodney
    Smalley was a good baseball player. He always seemed to be where the ball was hit. Broadcasting has several elements to it. Bremer has the voice. Smalley has a monotone and he could talk a long time. Still, I'm one fan who actually preferred Smalley to most of the other commentators. He has a distinct feel for the game and sees all of those little things that go into every play. The only other guy who comes remotely close to Smalley is Perkins and he has more of a pitcher's viewpoint (naturally). Good luck to Roy Smalley. I hope he enjoys his retirement. I will miss his expertise.
  9. tony&rodney
    Agree with this sentiment. Perhaps the Twins are willing to trade a few international bonus dollars to San Diego. The Padres have indicated a willingness to trade Robert Suarez. San Diego needs a backup catcher, starting pitching, and outfielders. The Twins could surely use a dynamic relief pitcher like Suarez. Worth a call to see what is possible.
  10. tony&rodney
    The only thing I actually care about related to the Twins is that they play a good brand of baseball. I enjoy a well played game. The players are the only ones on the field. Falvey has indicated on more than one occasion that he likes the roster and is prepared to go into 2025 with the guys on the 40 person list. Along with that he states that he is looking for any opportunities that arise and that he is open to creative transactions to add to the team. So, as a fan, I wait for the season to see what lineup develops. While a few deals would be nice, I'm not expecting anything. I also don't believe ownership has much to do with the current roster moves from 2024-2025. The Twins still are projected to have the highest payroll in their division and are still without a revenue generating media contract. Things are close to what Falvey expected.
  11. tony&rodney
    Carlos Correa is an elite athlete. He has shown himself to be a very competitive person. Thus I expect Correa is preparing himself for the coming season in a dedicated fashion. He knows the Twins have a decent roster and also is aware that Minnesota is not Los Angeles or New York. I'm guessing Carlos is pretty excited for the coming year, hoping to avoid the physical pitfalls of the past two campaigns. He is doing everything he can to control what is within his sphere and unworried and not thinking about those things outside his control.
  12. tony&rodney
    I agree totally. The point is that deals are possible and the decisions are up to the front offices. The idea of not listening on a player or having untouchable prospects means that potentially gainful ideas are nixed. FWIW, and I think I have said this previously, I'm not interested in adding another slow, poor glove, big hitter who strikes out often to our current roster (Mayo). A balanced team makes for more offense. To be fair, if the Twins didn't already have too many guys like that, I think Mayo could be really good.
  13. tony&rodney
    Perhaps the Twins and Orioles could complete a trade but I think it would have to be a large trade in order to satisfy both teams. The first thought would need to include a willingness from Minnesota to trade Pablo Lopez and for Baltimore to listen on Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo. I just don't believe that is possible. Actually the Orioles need a pitcher like Lopez more than the Twins need highly rated prospects. Thus, no match. These sites are for thoughts though. The Twins could use a catcher and a first baseman. The Orioles are already set up across the infield with Mountcastle/O'Hearn, Holliday, Westburg, and Henderson. The O's are also set at catcher with Rutschman. Despite the previous "no match" point and also I don't think the Twins should trade Lopez, here is a deal - P. Lopez and E. Rodriguez for S. Basallo and C. Mayo. Big deal that nobody likes but could help both teams. Emmanuel Rodriguez is my choice for Opening Day LF for the Twins and ROY.
  14. tony&rodney
    Which is why I repeatedly state that it is impossible for me to understand what Falvey has in mind. I know her prefers bats to defense, speed, or athleticism and I know he prefers veteran depth on the roster. How he goes about putting it all together is completely a mystery. In some ways this aligns with the above great deal or no deal, which blithely ignores the needs of the team. Oh well, it is his team.
  15. tony&rodney
    He does.
  16. tony&rodney
    It is certainly possible for the Twins to complete any number of trades from now until the start of the 2025 season. Perhaps Falvey & Sons see little reason to change the current makeup of the team. This is a legitimate stance to take and we have heard and seen that the front office does like the rostered players. I'm not privy to any conversations or interests between the Twins and any team in baseball, but deals are always possible. The author mentions Royce Lewis and counts him as a core member of the team. This seems to be a pretty safe statement. At his best Royce is a dynamic third baseman. At his worst, he is a DH/1B player. I'm not accounting for more injuries. I'm in favor of keeping Lewis but would Seattle like him? The return could be rich. Similarly, Matt Wallner has enormous potential but surely Pittsburgh might be willing to make a trade. Same thing regarding Emmanuel Rodriguez. If the Twins have doubts, it seems like a number of teams (PIT, ATL, SDP to start) would return a premium player. Again, I'm just suggesting that opportunities exist not suggesting action. IMO the Twins seem quite content with their current players and are not very interested in making the types of challenge trades that may boost the team or blow up in their face. They could though. It is a conscious choice by the front office. Nothing but their own opinions is holding back change.
  17. tony&rodney
    Yes. i am supporting that idea.
  18. tony&rodney
    Preparation for pitching is both mental and physical. We just agree to disagree on this. As a former pitcher and long time manager I found the use of pitchers in relief is very tricky. It is generally uncommon to use pitchers like Duran or Jax before the late innings. This can change in the postseason.
  19. tony&rodney
    Ok, that is a fair comment. Having watched at least fifty of his at bats, I believe his time has come but can accept that others don't agree with that. A fair number of good MLB players have spent very little time at AAA, but I can accept disagreement.
  20. tony&rodney
    Again, Linus. What is your disagreement? Who can ER be traded for as you suggested earlier? Did you disagree with Milwaukee letting Chourio struggle for half a season? San Diego and Merrill?
  21. tony&rodney
    Linus, what is it that you disagree with in my comment? How do you think Jax should be used? Curious.
  22. tony&rodney
    This is a decision the Twins need to make soon. A tryout is not going to work if the team is just seeing what EmRod can accomplish. Either there are doubts where Falvey interests other teams (Pittsburgh, San Diego, Atlanta, or more) and acquires real talent in return, or the Twins put him in the outfield and let him play. Forget St. Paul because his physical talent have reached a point where he needs MLB time. I have no idea if other teams have enough interest to offer something significant for Emmanuel Rodriguez. Right off the top of my head I cannot think of a trade where the Twins acquire a relatively equal right-handed hitting outfielder for Emmanuel. If the Twins don't fully believe in him perhaps EmRod could be combined with one or two other players in a deal that satisfies both teams.
  23. tony&rodney
    The Cubs have more than double the value of the White Sox. Chicago is a big town with money. Seems like there is an opportunity for someone there. If I was interested in buying the Minnesota Twins (I'm not - age), I would want to get the ball rolling asap once it was determined that the books were clean and a transaction could proceed without any hoops or snags. At the end of the day baseball is just a business and waiting only reduces the time needed to ramp up interest and promotion for the 2025 season. Time is money.
  24. tony&rodney
    If the Twins like what they see from Castellano in March expect a trade with Philly. My hope is that the Twins can recognize the guys who have the best talent and do not resort to sending down a reliever just because of options when that person may be among the top 6 relief pitchers. I understand that Tonkin has been moved often but he has also been pretty effective in his role (5th, 6th, 7th innings). What do the Twins have in Henriquez might be important. Topa has an option and the last guy in the pen might need to be someone else. As far as position players, it is unlikely to be a problem once the Twins complete a 2-1 or 3-1 trade and clearing 40 person roster spots.
  25. tony&rodney
    I can only add that the Twins are not focused or concerned about their current payroll. Business as usual means there is always the chance of a trade or two but the interest in adding significant payroll or bench players should not be expected.
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