tony&rodney

I gave you a thumb's up on your reprimand of my hasty comment. I should have replied to the poster who wrote an irritating inaccurate comment or just ignored it. Yes, anyone can comment. It was not fair to make that sweeping statement. I will say though that I am frequently surprised by both positive and negative comments that don't exactly jive with a minor league player's play. Looking merely at statistics doesn't tell much of a story. That said I was set off by one specific comment and I was remiss to not just skip/ ignore it.

No reason not to let Matthews go in the 8th inning. Pitch count is good and it is his last game.

Hot damn. There are still five games to go but Cleveland caught the Tigers after being 15.5 games out and they came back against Tarik Skubel. The Guardians are going to win the World Series. At least I hope so.

Simply a move to keep Manfred in the news. If the technology is accurate, use it all the time. What has happened on occasions (too many times) in the minor leagues is that when a team runs out of challenges the zone gets bigger. MLB thinks these little moves will draw fans to the game. Baseball fans don't care about umpires or Manfred, they want to see good baseball. Something to consider is that often these challenges/ ball and strike calls are determined on pitches a fraction of an inch either way. Losing a challenge by a hair and then having a strike called on a pitch 3-5 inches out of the zone happens. Some will call that strategy. FWIW, I'm fine with the umpires calling strikes and balls. However, that ship has sailed. I would prefer just using the ABS system. Eff the challenge b.s.

Matthews can be a good starting pitcher. He supposedly has good control. four of his first seven pitches were middle, middle. This is not where an MLB pitcher wants to earn money. Some guys can go an entire game without putting the ball middle, middle. He was more in line with all of his pitches to Burger. Matthews is going to be fine but he must get out of the whomping zone to make money.

Ryan surely wants an opportunity to win. He seems to be hyper competitive. It is really hard for a guy like that the get pumped up to pitch for a 90 loss team. The Twins are going to struggle to get back to anything relevant in the next couple of years. If the Twins kept Ryan he is a free agent after the 2027 season. Either sooner or later he is gone and his presence does not mean the Twins will reach a .500 record. In other words ... he gone. Thus, the best result possible is that several teams are super interested in acquiring Joe Ryan this offseason and the Twins maximize the return for him. I would even add a player or two for the best return or package of players. Looking around baseball at the contending teams it is obvious that a starting pitcher like Joe Ryan should be in huge demand. Ryan can answer whatever questions need to be answered with his next club.

It is more realistic for Wallner to be a relief pitcher. Did you know that?

Might be a better idea to guess on the 2027 roster with so many unknowns for next year. Was anyone else surprised to see the resurrection of an idea to sign Rhys Hoskins? What about Jordan Montgomery? Two minor requests - 1. Can people who have never seen a player play please refrain from making comments on their skills? 2. Is it possible to end any and all discussions/suggestions of moving either of Larnach or Wallner to first base? Neither has ever played the position (Larnach 1 inning in 2017) and no doubt their travel ball, high school, summer league, college, and professional coaches have already run them through the drills and put all thumbs down to the idea.

Looks like you were right .... way too early. It is completely realistic that only half of those named in the post are on on the roster next season. We can wait until Spring Training to put together a roster, although the suggestions will begin in November.

The Twins will want to hold on to Royce Lewis because they picked him #1-1 in the 2017 draft. The club should be open to conversations from other teams, however, if there are reasonable offers that would benefit the Twins club. Either way, the increase in speed and a small improvement in defense is hopeful for a better performance going forward for Lewis. Currently, Lewis sells out to pull most pitches which leaves him very susceptible to failure versus good pitchers. I'm hoping Royce has a great offseason and returns fully healthy and ready to fulfill his potential in 2026.

Payton Tolle and Franklin Arias are good prospects. Password Garcia is a definite no. The Twins should not be considering any additions to their team that cannot field and run at an average to plus level. Now, I am interested in a Tolle, Arias, and Rafaela for Ryan deal. Maybe Boston is interested in Ryan Jeffers for Franklin Arias, which will be seen as an overpay by Boston. Detroit needs starting pitching, has a young dynamic team full of position players, and also has a number of excellent prospects in their minor league system. We all like Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, but it would be very odd to destroy the bullpen in late July and do nothing in the offseason. The Twins need talent. They are facing a tough year next season, but rolling back the current roster would be a disaster for several seasons .... think 100+ losses for a stretch. One thing that should happen this winter is conversations between the Twins and multiple teams. The Twins put huge stock in Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. We do not know what other offers, if any, were discussed with different clubs but there will be demand for experienced pitching. Someone mentioned Peralta and Gray. The former is on an inexpensive bargain deal, which means he isn't going anywhere. Gray, the latter, isn't going anywhere either because he is due $35M next year and he has a full no trade provision in his contract. Lopez, Ryan, and Ober to a lesser extent will all have value in the trade market this winter.

Pitching and defense are usually the core of winning teams. Teams will have as many top bats as their budgets allow but paying attention to pitching and defense matters. The Phillies have guys who hit but they signed Kepler and traded for Luzardo and Duran to strengthen their team. The Twins have a poor defensive roster. They traded away their bullpen. The results were immediate and the team has played to their talent since August 1. Keaschall has been a bright light and we won't know if he can be trusted at second base until he is fully healed. Lewis has been better at third base but we need a better bat than he has shown. Can Lewis deliver corner infield numbers? Buxton has a no trade clause in his contract. Will the Twins move him to a corner outfield position if there is a better centerfielder on the roster? Austin Martin has played like a guy who wants a job. Can he maintain or even improve his performance in the last 6 games to leave an impression that he is a guy for 2026? These are the three guys, plus maybe Martin, that are more or less set for 2026, unless one or more of them are traded. In addition to improved health and a big step in effectiveness from the young/inexperienced starting pitchers, the Twins need to build a bullpen through signings or otherwise. The staleness of the roster is merely the expected outcome of a philosophy on how to play baseball by the guy who puts together the roster. Can that change? Yes, people can change and 4-7 moves this offseason could bring about a different concept of what winning baseball looks like on the field. Doing the same thing over and over, such as returning the same roster, is madness. The current roster is a guaranteed 90+ loss outfit. We shall see what steps are taken to address the shortcomings in the next months.

The minor league reports are my go to on TD. Thank you to you Seth and to all who put together these summaries. Hopefully, there is still a way to watch the minors next season with all of the evolving issues with media. I watched way too many games this summer and enjoyed them. Andrew Morris seems like he could make a move next year. He hit 99 mph on the gun a few times and was regularly at 96-98 mph with his fastball. Now he needs a little more movement and refinement of his other pitches. He was often a victim of bad defense and luck. Today, Morris just ran into a couple of barrels. Morris lacks the exposure to MLB, but otherwise is pretty similar or maybe only a small step behind Festa and Matthews. All of these guys need stamina. Gabby Gonzalez didn't play the last few days. Was he injured? Fedho had a fine season and I'm looking for him, Walker, Emmanuel, and Gabby to show themselves next March. At least one of them could/ hopefully will open in the Twins outfield. Goodnight and goodbye to an excellent year of these minor league baseball reports. Thanks again.

Would any manager in baseball get much better results from the roster? Maybe or maybe not. Baldelli has not exactly distinguished himself in the last two years and the scene with Griffin Jax was noteworthy. Still. Who put this roster together? Who decided each of the last two years that the Twins had a playoff team? The Twins and the product you see in the games are a direct reflection of the guy who designed this roster. What are the odds that the Pohlads watch every game? How about every other game? It is hard to be optimistic but I'm going to hope for 4-7 trades this offseason to remake the identity of the club. Hope is all I got.

Twins will enter the 2026 season with a winning streak at Target Field. The next 6 games should be fun to watch. It has been a very rough campaign for the Twins team but it is always a good idea to close out a year on a positive tone. I hope they do.

The FO earned that designation long ago. There isn't anyone minding the store.

It's possible to dislike a building because of the people that go in and out of it or because it looks like the workmanship that went into building it was poor, but most commonly the architect or designer takes the fall for an ugly building. When one stops and looks at a Frank Lloyd Wright house, a Louis Sullivan building, or the Burj Khalifa you appreciate the design. That is what stays with you. It is clear to me what I see when I watch the Twins. Nothing will change until there is a new architect.

Mick Abel picked up some valuable learning lessons today. I think he gets a start next week and we will get to see how he applies today's lessons. Mick has talent and that is a start. Hard to get upset at Falvey's Dream Team. They are undermanned. It turns out that foot speed, catching the ball, throwing the ball, and hitting the ball are important. Oh, and pitching too.

I'm looking forward to watching Andrew Morris tomorrow. Please Mr. Gardenhire, put EmRod, Walker, Kyler, and Gabby all in the starting lineup.

Totally agree on giving Will Holland a week in Texas and Philadelphia. Holland has not been able to harness his athletic talent but has given the Saints and the Twins organization some good play. Realistically though one has to consider who gets put on the IL to make room for Holland. The four Saints outfielders (Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Gabby Gonzalez, and Kyler Fedko will push for a look in Spring Training and are a hope for 2026.

No need to pile on, the boys did the best that they could. They are just not as good as the Guardians.

While I agree that any trade of Lopez/Ryan must return quality, I'm hoping the Twins keep an open mind to all scenarios. Are there possibilities to return a Top 10 (in all of baseball) prospect for Ryan? Looking over the teams now hunting a World Series, there seem to be several who need a guy like Joe Ryan. The return is important. A Ryan-Duran exchange would likely improve both teams. What other teams have an interest in Ryan and are willing to part with a major player or top prospect? I keep going back to Detroit and wonder whether that is even a possible conversation. Mutually beneficial transactions are possible. I'm not sure Pablo Lopez would return what the Twins would want/need for him.

This has always confused me when watching the style of baseball with Rocco in the dugout. It hasn't been reflective of him. How much can a manager deviate from the front office?

The current mix of players within the Twins organization that are potential contributors for the 2026 team could potentially win 70-77 games ..... IF ...... if so many things go their way. The article does promote optimism and suggest a few paths. The most hopeful path forward (imo) needs to include a half dozen moves that bookend the decisions made in late July. As far as some of the ifs go: Outman would need a swing change, Lewis would need to be convinced that not every pitch needs to be pulled, etc., etc., etc. A pile of ifs, we all hope for them to occur next season.

Typically a floundering team will sack the manager as a means of turning bad fortunes into something better. The Twins made the decision to fire the players. Who knows what is next? The team is playing to its talent and experience level to some extent. Consistency from the front office would suggest another 4-7 trades are expected in the coming months. But, we are just guessing. Maybe Falvey now, once again, has his dream team. Where does Rocco Baldelli fit? Supposedly that question has already been answered with his contract. Either way, the Twins need an infusion of talent for the roster. The most confusing part of this entire FalVineDelli Era has been the style of baseball. After taking a scythe to the bullpen, suddenly the Twins are running and we even saw a bunt. Has anyone else noted that the outfielders seem to be hitting the cutoff more often? A few starting pitchers getting a batter or two to work through a jam? Nah, it's just my imagination .... or is it? Has Baldelli decided to manage differently? The guys putting together the roster and running the game decisions are confusing for me. I suspect a new owner (some day in the future, 1-3 years from now) will bring about a sweep of the front office and dugout management. Until that time arrives, I don't expect much to change. Alas.