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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    There is something odd about a MLB starting pitcher who is a veteran needing to be sat down after 65 pitches against a very poor hitting opponent. The velocity shown by many pitchers today is impressive but most of the velocity is from relief pitchers. Ryan sits around 90-92 with Bundy checking in a few clicks higher and Mahle around 92-95. These are all very good fastballs but not out of the ordinary for good pitchers in the 21st century. Why is there such a drop in pitch counts in the last few decades? Bert Blyleven would groan when a pitcher was taken out with 100-110 pitches, suggesting that when a guy is cruising along throwing another inning was practical. If 100 pitches is a standard for a decent starting pitcher, where does the Twins management team derive their opinion that 60-80 is the ceiling for most of their pitchers? Mahle threw 100+ pitches in ten starts for the Reds but now cannot reach 90 pitches? There must be some model the Twins use but it sure isn't working as the bullpen has struggled to fill five innings per game all year. When a team develops a strategy based on the models they deem most likely to produce a positive outcome and it results in a series of fails, there needs to be some reflection. The refusal to consider some change, adjustment, or just some different trial runs in game philosophy in many areas seems just stubborn at this point; pride maybe. The Twins seem to disdain running, bunting, sacrificing, IBB, and other parts of the game. Most egregious is how the model decides the moves and not the performance being shown. Thus we don't see "let him pitch- he is strong" or "he is off-get him out of there" and other human decisions. The Twins management must be watching the games but there are times it isn't obvious. There would never be a place for Tom Kelly or Ron Gardenhire in this organization much less a guy like Terry Francona. I'm mystified as to the plan.
  2. tony&rodney
    Perhaps Julien can be promoted to St. Paul when Martin is sent back to Wichita. It is getting late in the schedule but Julien to move up, but he certainly has done everything he can to prove he is ready for the next challenge.
  3. tony&rodney
    The way the Twins played and managed the Saturday night game in Anaheim brings me pause to my previous optimism; the game was distressing.
  4. tony&rodney
    A couple of thoughts from watching a number of Saints games, especially last nights game. Balazovic hit 99 with his fastball and had decent movement on his pitches last night. He totally hung a curveball for the two runs. Command and control will be his friend if he can harness his stuff. He looks a little emotional at times when he misses or doesn't get a call, nothing too unusual. He is a big dude and needs a ton of repetitions and side work to refine his pitches. If Balazovic can gain control and command the Twins will really have a top of the rotation pitcher, but it might take another two years. Wallner has a large frame that hurts the ball when he connects. He has a good eye and looks like he is learning how to hit decent pitching. While he does have a great arm, Matt is a little slow to react in the outfield. He actually looks pretty athletic but clearly needs to take a ton of fly balls and line drives to improve in the field. Finally, Michael Helman plays like he intends to get his time in MLB. He is good on both sides of an inning, playing defense and hitting with a plan.
  5. tony&rodney
    It does feel like the low point for the Twins. This also means that the way forward will be up and up. We have seen snippets of Polanco reversing course and hope Correa and Buxton will follow. Baseball has a long season and the grind is real. Today is a good opportunity to see the positive possibilities of the remaining schedule.
  6. tony&rodney
    The Twins remain in a holding pattern with a fair collection of mid and back of the rotation arms.
  7. tony&rodney
    Thank you.
  8. tony&rodney
    Twins will win it all.
  9. tony&rodney
    I do get the disappointment with Correa, Buxton, Polanco, and Kepler. I'm hoping for a big push to close 2022 from each/all of those guys. Two things to consider: 1) let Pohlad be disappointed or ecstatic with how the money is spent and allow yourself the luxury of enjoying the players for what they are; don't give in to attaching money to people. 2) Baseball players are not robots and they actually have higher expectations of themselves than their fans, but sometimes the human element comes into the equation. Baseball is a fun game, enjoy it.
  10. tony&rodney
    Nick Gordon has shown that he has the skills to improve at each level when he gets another opportunity. This year he received another shot and he has stepped forward. Now he will need to hone more specific skills and become more consistent to keep a position. One skill that boosts the odds in Gordon's favor is his athleticism and versatility. Speed and improved defense at a number of positions creates more opportunities for Gordon to stay in the lineup. If Nick can improve against left-handed pitching (reference to Brock's article about how Gordon has been used) and lay off the high fastball, he may find himself a regular with his name in the lineup on a regular basis. While we might like so many things about Trevor Larnach, Gordon has better speed and has shown stronger defensive skills. We all love the energy he brings and the more line drives Gordon hits the more fans in his corner.
  11. tony&rodney
    Is it possible that fans have become far too obsessed with a player's salary? The Twins have shown, repeatedly, that they will spend money to their budget. The year and players available are the puzzle pieces that get put together to complete the roster each year. This last iteration included a big chunk of the budget left unspent and a player, Correa, fell into their lap. I expected that the Twins could afford a budget of $150 million for 2022 but $135 million is fair. We should likely expect the same next year as well. If Correa stays, there is less to spend. If he leaves, other opportunities can be surveyed. It is not so easy to hit on those choices. For this year and the near future, Correa fits. Now, it may be true that Carlos Correa has not been a statistical superstar thus far this year but he has been a good player. That cannot be refuted. While I am willing to live with Jermaine Palacios next year if Carlos Correa opts out of his contract, I would not really expect that his play would equal the work of Correa at shortstop. Andrelton Simmons was a magician at shortstop for Atlanta and the Angels but the guy we saw last year and who was released after hitting less than .100 for the Cubs minor league team and struggling in the field was ready for the Senior Mens League circuit. He still had it for two games per week when lucky. Simmons was a great player, Correa is still good. Forget the money for a few moments and appreciate the routine plays as well as those good plays that Correa has made thus far this year. I'm a little disappointed in the performances of Correa, Buxton, Polanco, and Kepler and was sad to see that Sano, Duffey, and Smith were finished. Nevertheless, if we are going to pick teams, I'm still choosing to like Carlos Correa and all of the skills he can bring to the table.
  12. tony&rodney
    Perhaps the biggest change for fans is that Nick Gordon no longer is viewed as an empty at bat. Gordon is swinging the stick with authority and I feel pretty good when he comes to the plate.
  13. tony&rodney
    Cotton, A. Sanchez, Moran, even Smeltzer are all better. Pagan has a good arm though, misses bats with strikes one and two, and Falvey's romance with Paddack included Pagan, so it might be tough to separate. I guess the Twins wait for one or two of Winder, Ober, and Maeda to be ready. In the meantime, Pagan might get used in blowouts or just put on the IL
  14. tony&rodney
    There was zero reason, zero, to overturn the call on the field. It was clear from the live action and confirmed by video replays and photo still shots that Merrifield slid directly into Sanchez, the catcher. There was a clear lane for the runner to go to the side and Whit would not have even needed to reach for the plate. He was going to be out, easily, and made a quick decision to slide into Sanchez, which was clear when he promptly appealed to the umpire who immediately shook his head no. Baseball needs to either drop replay entirely, revamp the time taken for replays, or fire those nameless and faceless New York umpires for egregious calls like the one made today. Any BlueJay fan who watches the play would be dishonest to claim this as a fair call because Merrifield could have chosen to slide to the side instead of directly into the catcher. I agree with Baldelli, this was one of the worst calls ever from New York. The umpires on the field clearly were embarrassed by the call, which they had made correctly.
  15. tony&rodney
    I can only base my thoughts concerning the skills of Jermaine Palacios on watching him play via milb.com and the few games he had with the Twins. Hopefully there is someone specifically looking to analyze his game and the changes he has made to improve with his bat this year, because right now Palacios is possibly the most exciting position player (or at least the closest to MLB) in the Twins farm system. His performance this year at AAA has earned him a shot to play up a level. Palacios needs to be added to the 40 person roster unless some very accurate metrics can unequivocally show that he will not be useful in the major leagues.
  16. tony&rodney
    I'm a fan of Correa and hope he breaks out for the remainder of the season. i also hopes he returns next year. That said, I'm not in on a long contract for Correa and if he leaves, the Twins may be able to take a similar short term gamble on another player. Verlander.
  17. tony&rodney
    Don't forget about Palacios at shortstop. He has a far better glove than Lewis and seems to be figuring out how to hit. Some players take time. Maury wills was one, Gordon seems to be finding a groove. Health will be huge for the Twins going forward, as it is this year and most others. A healthy Kirilloff changes everything.
  18. tony&rodney
    Yes, I'm cheering for this guy. Jermaine displayed a smooth glove in his short stint with the Twins; he just looked like a really good shortstop. Now, he has added hits, power, and some walks to his game. Whenever I watch him play he looks like he could hold down shortstop in the major leagues. I'm one person who is beginning to think that Carlos will opt to stay with the Twins in 2023, but if Correa leaves, the Twins should plug in Palacios.
  19. tony&rodney
    I'm totally flummoxed by any post that even mentions/suggests a trade of Carlos Correa. Maybe those who do so follow the games electronically and pore over statistics. If you watch the games you wouldn't even consider the idea.
  20. tony&rodney
    Lopez and Fulmer were exactly what the bullpen needed. I expect that life will calm down after the starters are pulled. Mahle was a big addition as well because he has the ability to throw quality innings every time out. We get to see him against a very good Toronto team in his first appearance as a Twin. I do think that it would have been possible to lure Montas from Oakland with a superior flotilla of players than what the Yankees offered. Montas is capable of repeated high quality 7 inning starts. It was a very successful day for the Twins. Congratulations to their front office team.
  21. tony&rodney
    This is a critical yet fair synopsis of the Twins farm system under the current front office. It seems there are frequent comments that the Twins didn't have any good players or prospects when the change was made that brought in Falvey and Levine. The Twins had prospects then and they do now and it is relatively the same. The players on the MLB roster and those on the milb rosters need to step forward or we might have some real doubt emerge from the Pohlad family about the present regime. That said, the Pohlads are mostly hands off, supportive, and somewhat disinterested as long as budgets are met (they are always in line). This coming offseason will be interesting and depend heavily on how the remainder of 2022 plays out.
  22. tony&rodney
    Fair trade. I like it a ton. I had hoped for two Lopez pitchers but a reliever was essential and we hope Jorge can continue his fine season. Baltimore gets a good LHSP, a potentially useful relief pitcher, and two lotto tickets. The Twins needed a good relief pitcher and they got a really good one; it is awesome for us.
  23. tony&rodney
    Surprises are good. That is one Lopez down and one to acquire.
  24. tony&rodney
    It is fun to follow the minor leagues. When i lived in Florida years ago i took the kids to Florida State League games on a regular basis. I do subscribe to milb.com but don't watch very many games or some might say that i watch too many. Sabato and Cavaco are different players but really a damnation of the usage of high daft picks for those years. Still, we all know that drafts are tough sledding. Hopefully some of the drafted guys work out, but I'm beginning to think that Palacios is the biggest prospect in the system for 2023.
  25. tony&rodney
    The Yankees picked up Montas and Trevino for far less than the Twins seemingly could easily afford to offer. This sends a strong message that the Twins farm system is seen as well below average by the remainder of MLB teams. Sad statement, especially in light of those folks concerned about burning the future through the loss of prospects through trade. Those valued Twins prospects are held in low esteem apparently by other MLB teams.
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