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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    I have been wishing for that move for two years. Lewis was drafted #1-1, hit some grand slams (5), and is a fan darling. Those factors make separation difficult.
  2. tony&rodney
    Anything can happen. We watch the Twins and see a slow, defensively challenged team that can't hit and hope the pitching staff throws shutouts every game. Any time an opposing player pitches or an opponent puts the ball in play, the odds are unkind to our current roster. I hope they beat the odds.
  3. tony&rodney
    One thing we do not know for certain .... the future. Expecting Lewis and Wallner to be reliable MLB players is fabulous optimism. It can happen. Julien and Emmanuel Rodriguez could too. So could Austin Martin shine more than Brooks Lee. Maybe. Maybe not. Wild proclamations of any of these players rising up for the remainder of the season (not one game or one week here and there) are reaches and hopes. Gotta go with something, so it might as well be hope. Pick a player, any guy, and hope like crazy. Not much else we can do.
  4. tony&rodney
    Hey, I was looking for a positive. We know that the front office fears change. We know Paddack entered unfamiliar territory a month ago. I'm not wishing for bad luck and knocking on wood. I'm just living reality.
  5. tony&rodney
    Paddack surpassed 100 innings pitched. I thought 90-120 IP this year would be best case scenario as a bright spot for the young Texan. Despite the record, statistics, and hard hits Paddack must feel decent for getting past 100 IP. That's something.
  6. tony&rodney
    There is chasm between our ideas and suggestions, many of them ridiculed by those who prefer the status quo, and the viewpoint of the front office. I expect nothing to happen because the current roster has the full confidence of its architect. Ownership gets referred to often in these discussions, which is mildly confusing. Unless one really believes that new ownership means signing Pete Alonso (he wants to stay in NYC) and/or Kyle Tucker, I don't see ownership as part of roster composition or any of these conversations. Owners are rarely involved or even familiar with all of the players within an organization. The front office exists to build the roster. Calvin Griffith was the owner (part at least) and the front office. He even went to an occasional high school and college game. He was familiar with every last player in the organization. Players went to his office to negotiate their salaries. That was a very long time ago. Today, Falvey and others make the decisions. All the Pohlads do is set the budget. Falvey has stated his belief in this team and so it goes. chpettit19 stated it earlier and I agree - expect nothing. We can discuss ideas but don't expect change, which should also mean don't get upset with any thoughts or comments because these are just exercise.
  7. tony&rodney
    Having seen all these players and considering the Cubs position right now, it isn't far-fetched at all. I'm sorry you were triggered badly. The guesses are nothing personal. Don't use edibles myself but have nothing against them. My only advice at large would be to not drive while distracted (if you drive).
  8. tony&rodney
    The Cubbies are interested in some of the Twins players no doubt. There is a chance, small as it may be given that the MN FO isn't likely doing deals. I'm going to suggest Castro, Paddack, and Yasser Mercedes for Kevin Alcantara. PCA is set in CF and the Cubs will do all they can to sign Tucker. Alcantara is an iffy albeit athletic prospect that may not get the roster time needed to bloom with the Cubs. Would he in MN?
  9. tony&rodney
    The Twins have pitchers. While Ober and Lopez are likely 2 (Ober) and 4 (Lopez) weeks away from their full contingent, they still have Ryan, Matthews, Festa, Woods Richardson, and Paddack. Raya and Adams are spot duty from August onwards. The Twins do not match Philadelphia or several other teams with their top 5, but the Twins are in good shape. The bullpen is strong as well. The position side of the roster? There are issues galore. It would be grand if Jeffers, France, Clemens, Lee, Lewis, Correa, Larnach, Bader, and Wallner started to hit. We are already pleased with Castro and Buxton. Not much is expected from Keirsey Jr. or Vazquez. What are the odds of 9 players picking it up while 2 maintain their current batting? Base-running is not happening because the Twins are not only the slowest team in baseball, they also are extremely reticent to take chances. That's a rough combination. Good defense is a pitcher best friend. As much as we all love our team it is fair to say they don't have anyone besides Buxton to call their friend, although Correa is remarkably consistent. We can accept flaws but the team has about 6 DH's. That is the most competitive position in the lineup for Rocco to fill out and even then the production does not stand out. The most realistic hope is that all of Culpepper, Rodriguez, and Jenkins arrive with production as good or better than their current minor league output. The reasons to acquire talent seems pretty clear to me. The Twins front office does not agree with my observations and many people on Twins Daily do not either. We get to watch the remainder of the season unfold to produce a partial answer. No matter what occurs there will be plenty of baseball to watch. I'll enjoy the games because I'm not one to give up.
  10. tony&rodney
    FWIW, Buxton was asked, pointedly, about being traded to a contender. He specifically stated he has a NT, likes Minnesota, and is going to retire a Minnesota Twin. There will be no discussions about this as far as he is concerned.
  11. tony&rodney
    What player (be specific) that is a controllable worthwhile MLB bat is available for Jax or Duran? I can't think of a single player fitting that criteria. For Ryan, there are some bats available. That is another conversation. Thus, the Twins wind up with the same roster again next year. It becomes a bit of a circular discussion. Two years ago and again last year the team was judged to have the roster needed to win. Falvey has been transparent and consistently voiced confidence in the rosters. Maybe the saying "If not now ... when" applies. I guess you are suggesting next year or the year after/ wait and see. I feel this has been the approach. I like the pitching and am willing to trade a few pitchers too, which is always a gamble because pitching is precious. My main concern or complaint with the Twins relates to the position side of the rosters. The team is slow. The defense is poor. The base-running is mostly bad. The bats don't hit. Right now I can watch ground balls hit to Correa and anything hit out towards Buxton. On offense, it is Buxton and Castro. The team needs a pulse beyond those two players from my viewing. Others are completely content or hopeful that improvement will arrive soon. I hope so too .... at least in some form at some time. I can wait. I just don't want to.
  12. tony&rodney
    I guess the Twins could finish with 83-87 wins and bring the same team back again next year and then we can have this same discussion again. Do you think the Twins have any shot in the playoffs this year? There are teams needing a piece or two, either utility players or pitching. The Twins have utility players and pitching. On the position side the Twins have Buxton. That's it. If Buxton goes down, the Twins are going to be chasing the White Sox. It might be time for some changes. Either way, we will tune in and there is no reason to get upset. I'm living with whatever.
  13. tony&rodney
    Crawford is a stretch, especially because he puts the ball on the ground so much at AAA. The Phillies are in a tough spot though and despite proclamations of Painter as untouchable, they may need to cave to acquire a closer and a RH OF bat. I would demand Painter and Crawford for Duran, Bader, and 2 milb players (Pena and Bohorquz). An MLB bat worth acquiring costs more than a closer (Ryan?).
  14. tony&rodney
    Yes. I keep position players separate from pitching. Naturally I would add pitchers if not solely focused on position players.
  15. tony&rodney
    Ryan is evolving as a pitcher in a very positive fashion. Health, as always, is critical. If I'm looking around MLB for players in a potential deal for Joe Ryan, I'm shooting really high. I totally doubt the rational aspect of one of my thoughts. Ryan, Larnach, Gonzalez, and Charlee Soto to West Sacramento for Nick Kurtz and Mason Miller. They need pitching, the Twins need a bat. Ryan is about 99.9% remaining a Twin in my opinion.
  16. tony&rodney
    I understand that you are a Mets fan, but I don't see anything for the Twins in their system. That isn't a dig at the fine prospects in the Mets system or the players on their current roster like Mauricio or Vientos. Additionally, the Mets have a fantastic closer and are not likely to overpay in the fashion that Philadelphia might (or should). A few teams have a window where they must gamble or have regrets. The Twins are holding the chips (Duran, Jax) and should expect a haul. They can get it too. The question is whether the MN front office will act.
  17. tony&rodney
    Stewart has been good, I agree. However, he is not in any conversations as being an equal of Duran or Jax and thus he would not bring back much more than a lottery ticket. Stewart is more valuable to Minnesota than a player he would return. Still, I'll listen. Does anyone believe this Twins roster can win the World Series this year? The Cubs do not regret trading Gleybar Torres for Chapman, not one bit. The Twins have an opportunity to upgrade their roster. I believe they should. There have been numerous people talking about "core" players. Please allow me to suggest that in 1991, Hrbek, Knoblauch. Gagne, Puckett, and Mack were core players and one could add Davis and Harper too. Core players from 1987, Gaetti and Brunansky, were traded. I'm not sure what criteria people would use for the 2023-2025 teams. Was Julien a core player? When I look at the Twins roster I see that Correa has a NTC that has several runs left, which means he will be a Twin. If I am super generous .... maybe (but no) I include Jeffers. Byron Buxton is the only core player, full stop. One (1) core player means that some change needs to occur. Maybe it can be Kaelen Culpepper, Walker Jenkins, or Emmanuel Rodriguez. Perhaps Royce Lewis sits out the remainder of the year and comes back next year fully healthy. We cannot predict the future. Right now, he is a shadow of his former promise who garnered everlasting cache with some grand slams in the past. Things can always change and we hope for the best. Hope, however, is not a strategy.
  18. tony&rodney
    The return is all that matters. Even pretty good prospects are still prospects. There are clear differences between the top 10-20 and the remainder of the top 100 prospects. For pure speculation, we can look to Philadelphia and the Dodgers. The Phillies need to push their chips in. The writers tell us that their top guy, Andrew Painter, is not available. Duran should return #47 (Justin Crawford-OF), #61 (Eduardo Tait-C), and #85 (Mick Abel-SP). Even those 3 might not be enough. Demand Painter and Crawford while adding Bader and Dameury Pena from the Twins side. The Dodgers are, seemingly, always in the driver's seat and would be difficult because their wants are more for excess than need. My only guess might be far off. I'm looking to add a catcher (Dalton Rushing) and a couple of pitchers (Emmet Sheehan and River Ryan) from LAD. I would offer Jax, Vazquez, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Adrian Bohorquez. I have no clue whether that works for either team. The returns are important
  19. tony&rodney
    Agree, but wonder if the Brewers see an immediate need/help and would deal from strength. Also willing to drop Koenig from deal. Just wondering what can be done.
  20. tony&rodney
    Cory, I applaud you for putting out ideas and including some change. Good job. The November blueprint did not get much run and neither did this deadline attempt. I didn't participate myself, mostly because I would make a pile of trades which would not be well received. Deadline deals are usually limited to just one or two transactions. The Twins could use an infusion of a half dozen plus moves, which will not happen even in the winter. There are opportunities though and I do think some gambles by teams are worthy moves.
  21. tony&rodney
    Brooks Lee and Jaylen Nowlin to Milwaukee for Jeferson Quero and Jared Koenig. Milwaukee gets a guy who can play around the infield as needed, the Twins get a catcher.
  22. tony&rodney
    I would like to see Julien moved as well. My suggestion is to send him along with Matt Wallner to Pittsburgh for the rehabbing Jared Jones (TJ internal brace surgery in late May/early June - out until next June at the earliest). Pittsburgh needs some bats. FWIW, Julien iron glove had a ton of equal company and he has been in AAA since May 2 this year, thus not much of a factor in the current situation. Jones and Wallner have had nearly similar values when doing well and now too. So, neither selling high nor low seems like a fairly even gamble. Julien as a throw may help. Maybe add C. J. Culpepper to sweeten the deal for the Pirates. They need sweet.
  23. tony&rodney
    When Manfred talks ..... .... sorry, but Manfred is a noise to avoid. I will wish the Pohlads good luck on a speedy sale of the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club.
  24. tony&rodney
    You are assuming the return would be horrible or only includes prospects years away from contributing. I don't believe we actually know whether there are teams willing to overpay for Joe Ryan. Boston has a pile of really good young position players and needs a good starting pitcher. Baltimore and Oakland have a solid number of really good position players but are desperate for pitching. While I'm not looking to trade Joe Ryan, there are possible deals where I say yes. The Twins need to talk with people. Trading Joe Ryan, or one of Duran/Jax, is exactly how a team can instantly increase their odds for winning games for both now and into the future. Acquiring Joe Ryan is also, potentially, a huge boost for the team that acquires him. Both things can be true.
  25. tony&rodney
    Every team has to have 8 position players and a pitcher on the field and bat 9 people. There are teams with a number of really good players that they can count on and a few teams with nearly nobody valuable. Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, because he plays shortstop and has a no trade contract, are the only core players on the roster. That is it. Naming others is a complete reach. The next best player is utility player Willi Castro. Castro is a fine utility player. He is not a core player. David Festa has good stuff. He was called up late last June and has less than a year's worth of starts. Plenty of teams would love to have him. In order for the Twins to "fix" the imbalances on their roster, they need change. Maybe some comes from their minor league system, such a Kaelen Culpepper. However, some will need to be via trades which may require moving a valued relief pitcher or a starter. A team of DH's hasn't worked to date and will not work in the future.
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