Sherry Cerny

just wrote one about that too. I have a lot of thoughts.

I've started to get more brave. I have outlandish thoughts at times. lol buckle up.

It's been 48 hours since news broke that the Giants had reached an agreement with shortstop Carlos Correa for $350 million over 13 years. Looking at that number, logically, there is no way the Twins would touch that longevity, considering they gave fan-favorite Byron Buxton seven years for his talent and contributions. Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports The Pohlads didn't "short-change" Correa. They didn't "lowball him." They made him a fair offer based on his age and production. The offer was $285 million over ten years, more per year than the Giants offer but three years shorter. There is nothing the Pohlads did differently than what most fans expected. They threw everything at Correa, minus the kitchen sink. There are the always angry Twins fans that voice their "Pohlad Pocket Protector" comments which, at this point, is more out of obligation and typical Minnesota fandom than logical reaction. It makes sense. Correa was a dark horse in the 2022 season we were surprised to get. With his agent, Scott Boras, at the helm, it was a dream that the Twins would have him for longer than a season. Longevity (no matter what Correa said about "loving being in Minnesota" - because he did) was probably not a reality. The Twins are not a big market team like the Giants, who can throw $300 million at one player. (And yet they nearly did. They're not the Mets, who can throw $400mm at three players. Or the Yankees, who, well, you get the point. The point is, losing out on big contracts like this is not always a loss. Not getting this deal may not be a bad thing. The Twins will not be in a Bobby Bonilla, Josh Hamilton, CJ Wilson, or Albert Puljos situation. Luckily they got the Yankees to take the final two seasons of Josh Donaldson's contract. Not being stuck with a substantial long contract is a good thing. We should remember when Joe Mauer was the highest-paid member of the Twins and, after so many injuries and concussions, couldn't catch anymore. He moved to first base, where his bat was no longer elite, but he was still paid like an MVP. Byron Buxton is another highly-paid athlete who has lost a lot of playing time with various injuries. Twins fans would be inconsolable if the front office poured all the money into one player who needed to come out of games or miss a large chunk of time to heal. Amid Correa Watch 2022, the Twins made two sound acquisitions, trading for shortstop Kyle Farmer from the Reds and signing free agent catcher Christian Vasquez coming off a World Series win with the Astros. These two players have the potential to contribute defensively and offensively. Because fans were so focused on where Correa was going, these two acquisitions fell outside the spotlight, not getting the accolades they certainly earned. The front office has not left fans without hope. They certainly have impressed the past two seasons with their cloak-and-dagger movements to get certain players. But now, it's time to put the money Correa left behind where the front office's mouth is. The fans know that they have money to spend, and they know that fans know that they know. (Friends reference). Hence, the ball is truly in their court to make moves to continue improving the team. One of the most significant areas that the Twins can invest in is pitching. The Twins have several solid veteran starters, each with injury concerns. Sonny Gray ended the season on the Injured List with a leg injury and is rumored to be a potential trade piece. Tyler Mahle ended the season on the Injured List with a shoulder injury. Kenta Maeda is expected to return to the starting staff after spending all of 2022 on the Injured List after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober showed in 2022 that they should remain part of the starting rotation. In addition, the team saw glimpses of talented young arms such as Josh Winder, Cole Sands, Louie Varland, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Ronny Henriquez. And it doesn't make sense to give up on prospects Jordan Balazovic, Blayne Enlow, and recent roster-addition Brent Headrick. However, adding another starter, such as lefty Carlos Rodon or right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to supplement the top of the rotation would provide some insurance. While there are slim pickings for high-level free-agent starting pitchers, Carlos Rodon is still looking for a home. While rumors abound that he will end up with the Yankees, that's what the Yankees thought last year with Correa too. Maybe the Twins didn't lose out. While the fans will miss cheering for him in a Twins uniform, this contract could make them hostile in a hurry. Instead, one-year contracts happen, so do opt-outs, and the game moves on. Taking the temperature on Twitter, there is a lot of "it would have been nice." While some fans may continue to grumble, in the long run, this may be a good thing for the team, the fan base, and Correa, who we wish well in his new adventures. We will see you in May, C-4! View full article

Trey Mancini has been an all-star caliber hitter, but has had his highs and lows since. Last year, those highs made him a big target at the trade deadline, but the lows make him an affordable free agent. That’s just one reason why Mancini could be a perfect fit for the Twins' roster. Image courtesy of Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports Trey Mancini is just coming off the best feeling in the world of baseball: a World Series championship. At the beginning of the season, Mancini was with the Baltimore Orioles, the organization he had played for since they drafted him in 2013. The Orioles were just getting hot as Mancini's bat cooled off, but the Astros still saw something. The 30-year-old was part of a three-team trade that sent him from Baltimore to Houston. Mancini was hitting .268/.347/.404 with ten homers before the trade and was a "high-value" hitter, which would undoubtedly have helped in the postseason. Mancini came in as a veteran player at first base and helped alleviate some pressure from struggling first baseman Yuli Gurriel. He could also serve as a DH, and played 31 games in the corner outfield positions, but his bat was most attractive to the Astros. However, Mancini slumped in Houston, hitting .176/.258/.364, and struggled in the postseason. One could easily blame that on a major trade late in the season and after being with a club for six seasons, but he certainly did not produce like the Astros’ thought he would at the plate. However, he did play great defense, which helped secure game five of the World Series. He snagged a hit off Kyle Schwarber and got his first postseason hit in game six, which resulted in a run. He did both of these coming off the bench. He shared his frame of mind with Michael Shapiro of Chron in a post-game interview. “In a series of this magnitude, you can’t reflect on what’s going on. You have to look forward,” Mancini explained. “You gotta wash [your mistakes], go to the next day and be ready for your team.” The Twins can relate to late-season and postseason struggles. They started hot last season but faltered after the All-Star break, mainly due to injuries. Those injuries forced the organization to bring up many Triple-A players pushed to the big leagues potentially before they were ready, and those injuries leave a lot of question marks in exactly the positions where Mancini played. Twins players cycled through first base and designated hitter last year after Miguel Sano was injured. Luis Arraez will certainly play one of those spots after earning himself the American League batting title and contributing heavily to many of the Twins' wins. But even Arraez's time was limited due to injuries and pain, but still earned his first Silver Slugger Award. Meanwhile, the Twins' corner outfield positions are mostly manned by unproven younger players, many of whom have injury concerns, and almost all of whom hit left-handed. Mancini's veteran right-handed bat is a great compliment to those spots, too. So there are a lot of places where he would be a benefit to the squad. Plus, with Mancini's late-season fade, the Twins could likely offer him a short-term deal. Mancini would be a better overall player than the Twins' Kyle Garlick, who the Twins signed on November 15 to a one-year $750,000 deal to avoid arbitration. Garlick managed to have good numbers in 2022 despite being hurt throughout the season. Garlick has worked out well for the team, particularly his ability to get clutch hits off lefties, but his role has been limited, and he's had trouble staying healthy, too. Mancini's health is also a significant part of his story. After his breakthrough 2019 season, he missed the 2020 season with stage III colon cancer. His return earned him the 2021 AL Comeback Player of the Year award. 2022 was another step forward, and ended in a World Championship. Perhaps 2023 can, too? That would also be a good fit for Mancini and the Twins. What do you think? Do you like Mancini as a pickup for the Twins this offseason? Tell us in the comments below. View full article

As crazy as the season was, the off-season seems even crazier and filled with more drama. While fans want the front office to land Carlos (Correa), bringing in the other Carlos (Rodón) would make the most sense for the club and could solidify the Twins starting rotation. Image courtesy of Stan Szeto, USA Today The jury is still out on the starting rotation for the Twins, but it looks like Sonny Gray is the anchor, with Joe Ryan, Kenta Maeda, Bailey Ober, and Tyler Mahle penciled into spots with question marks. If the team experiences anything like they did last season, injuries always loom heavily with this club. Taking on one more starter would benefit the club immensely, especially with uncertainty about Kenta Maeda's health and how he might pitch following surgery. Even with Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan at the top of the rotation, Carlos Rodon would easily be the team's ace, something that the Twins have not had of late. Jose Berrios was the closest the Twins have come to an ace in a long time, and the fans and club need more at the top of their rotation if they want to compete. With the Giants in 2022, Rodón had a 2.88 ERA and led the majors with a 2.25 FIP. He finished second in the National League with 237 strikeouts and hit double-digits 11 times, a franchise record. Rodón made a career-high 31 starts, putting aside (at least for now) the concerns about his shoulder that limited his market a year ago. 2022 was his best season since entering the majors. At 29 years old, his market this offseason should include a lot of teams. Watching pitchers like Jacob de Grom, Justin Verlander, and C.C. Sabathia, Rodón has the potential to continue for several seasons, provided he can stay healthy. His contract last offseason was a two-year $44 million deal with the Giants, but it included an opt-out clause that he took advantage of after the season. Since 2015, he has outperformed his contract and is worth more than what he made. The team that signs him this offseason will give up a draft pick as San Francisco made him a qualifying offer, which he declined. However, that should not stop him from getting at least four years with an average annual value of over $25 million. He pitched for a long time with the White Sox and knows the AL Central Division. However, it can be assumed that Rodon will be courted by nearly every team that intends to contend for a playoff spot in 2023 and beyond. As the non-tender deadline creeps up, additional players will become available. Several pitchers could potentially fill the Twins need, but Rodón would be a good fit in the league, division, and clubhouse. View full article

No-hitters and perfect games certainly are some of the most entertaining games to watch in baseball. Pitchers have a stressful job on the mound, but they are complemented by another position that sits behind the plate and helps them to get through those moments and games. The catcher is often the forgotten unsung hero of the no-hitters, perfect games, and game-day preparation. Image courtesy of Brad Rempel; USA Today 2018 The battery is an essential component of the game, and catchers are the magicians who orchestrate it all. Let's look at what a catcher does and which Minnesota Twins catchers were the best at each job that a catcher does behind the plate. Terry Steinbach - The Toughest Catcher It's one of the most demanding positions to play on the baseball field: Catchers are constantly beaten up and hit with bats, balls, and sometimes players. They must squat down on their knees for nine or more innings, catching hundreds of pitches of varying speeds, movements, and breaks. A catcher must be in peak physical shape to stay in the game. MLB made a change to emphasize player safety in 2011 after a collision at home plate that saw star catcher Buster Posey suffer a season-ending ankle injury. Before the rule change where a player could no longer run through a catcher, Terry Steinbach was one of the best but most beat-up-on catchers during his time in MLB. Steinbach was no stranger to catching injuries. In 1988 he was hit by a thrown ball during batting practice, suffering five fractures around his left eye and requiring surgery. He also had a collision with future teammate Kirby Puckett just four days after returning from the injured list. Steinbach took a forearm to the jaw from Hall of Famer Cal Ripken during a collision and, later in the season, was hospitalized after taking a hit to the head from pitcher Bobby Thigpen in a contentious, tied late game. Steinbach, a Minnesota native who started his career on the west coast but ended with the Twins, spent 14 seasons behind the plate. As one of the Twins' best catchers, he also had his best season when he came to join the Twins in 1996 with 34 home runs, and his 100 RBI were the most by an Athletics catcher since Mickey Cochrane in 1932. He also caught Eric Milton's no-hitter in May of 1999 before retiring. Joe Mauer - The Best Defensive Catcher The catcher helps dictate the game because they touch the ball on nearly every pitch. They help set the players before the game and let players know where to stand based on different hitters. Crouched behind home plate, they call and receive pitches from the pitcher, frequently field bunts, and throw out runners trying to steal bases. Catchers frame close strikes, blocks balls in the dirt, and react with lightning quickness as the entire game plays out before them. The position requires a rare combination of spryness, strength, durability, and leadership. Joe Mauer, the best Minnesota Twins catcher in history, won three consecutive gold glove awards from 2008 through 2010. He had a lifetime .995 fielding percentage as a catcher and a caught-stealing percentage of 33%. Mauer led AL catchers multiple times in caught-stealing and fielding percentages. Brian Harper - The Modest Catcher It may seem cruel and unfair, but it's the truth. When watching a game, the focus will always be on the pitcher and their performance. Being able to put aside ego and pride is a huge thing for someone in this position. They have to know that while they contribute heavily in many ways, it's ultimately about the pitcher and helping them succeed. Having humility and the ability to selflessly support the staff, unseen, takes a special person, Brian Harper was that Minnesota Twin. Harper spent six of his 16 MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins. One of the best catchers in the organization, he was the primary catcher behind the plate for the Twins during the early 90s. He and Jack Morris created a duo in two games that would be integral in the Twins winning the 1991 World Series. In Game 4, Harper stood out when he received a perfect relay throw from Puckett and Chuck Knoblauch and endured a massive collision with Lonnie Smith at home plate. He held on to the ball through the clash to secure the out. In Game 7, Harper not only caught all 10 innings of Jack Morris' legendary shutout but also turned the pivotal 3-2-3 double play with Kent Hrbek to end the eighth inning and squelch the Braves' most dangerous scoring threat of the game. Other catchers that have stood out for the Twins are guys like Mitch Garver and A.J. Pierzynski, rare examples of backstops who can really bring it with the bat. As we get ready for 2023, looking at what is coming up, do you think the Twins will ever have another catcher that can do what any of these three brought to the table? View full article

Glad I could bring you a little something you didn't know! I am enjoying learning about these guys! They are hard workers and a lot of fun!

Because it came up under Twins Spring training and I couldn't find any photos of Hammond. I will be taking note of this for next time!

I am keeping this post in my back pocket. Festa never showed up for me because I didn't have as much knowledge of him. But, I do now. I am still learning the minor leagues - there are a lot of guys down there and information like this is super helpful!!!

I LOVE RAYA!!!! I absolutely enjoyed learning and writing about him!!

It SOUNDS weird, but When I went to pull Twins Spring Training, this is the picture it gave me. I have to use USA Today pictures and they didn't have ones I could find of Hammond This was from one of their spring training games tho!

These are three prospects that have the potential to be a part of the long-term solution for the Twins rotation very soon. Image courtesy of Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports The Twins pitching rotation struggled on and off this season from starters to the bullpen. Injuries early on created a lack of starting pitching for the Club, putting lots of pressure on the bullpen to perform; they also suffered a significant loss with Pitching Coach Wes Johnson leaving mid-way through the season. Because of the pitching woes, Twins fans got a glimpse of what the farm system has in store by bringing up players such as Louie Varland, Simeon Woods-Richardson, and Jordan Balazovic. The arms in the farm system give hope that the Twin's pitching could match the Guardian's deep farm pitching model. Brayan Medina He is focused and driven but has components that will need to improve if he wants to make his appearance in 2023. He was the top Venezuelan pitching prospect in the 2019-20 international class. Medina initially signed with the Padres for $700,000 on July 2, 2019. The Twins acquired him as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Taylor Rogers and Brent Rooker to the Padres. The pandemic canceled the 2020 season, so Medina spent some time in San Diego's fall instructional camp. He had his professional debut in 2021 with the Dominican Summer League and the Arizona Fall League. He has three pitches: slider, fastball, and changeup. His pitches already have good velocity, and as he grows from his 6'1", 180-pound frame, he should be able to add a bit more velocity in the future. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and touches the upper-90s on occasion. He also throws an above-average slider, and his slider continues to improve. Medina has focused delivery and the ability to be aggressive with hitters. In seven starts, he struck out 24 in 23 2/3 innings in 2022 with the FCL Twins. Medina never saw over three innings a game in 2022. For every one strike out, he allowed two walks. He posted a 6.46 ERA, 17 earned runs, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio was 24-to-20. Medina is only 20 years old and has plenty of room to grow in size and craft. The concern with Medina is the high pitch count, working himself out of the game sooner putting more pressure on the bullpen. If Medina can garner control of these pitches and perfect them, he is equipped with the proper elements but needs to work heavily on his plate command to bring his ERA and walk down. Steven Cruz If Cruz can harness his control and improve on his strike zone, there is potential for him to make an appearance in 2023. The Twins signed Cruz back in March 2017 for just $30,000 as an international free agent. He spent his first two seasons playing with the Gulf Coast League and Appalachian League, Elizabethton Twins. In 2021 he started in Single-A Fort Myers and, late in the season, was promoted to High-A Kernels. After two starts with the Kernels, he struggled to harness his control, posting an 8.10 ERA in 3 1/3 innings; the Twins sent him back down to focus on improving. He finished the 2021 season with Fort Myers and, in 2022, was sent to AA Wichita Surge posting a 5.14 ERA and 72-to-35 Strikeout to Walk ratio. Finding the strike zone has been Cruz back; the right-hander walked more than six batters per nine innings early in his Minor League career. The 6-foot-7 Cruz has a ton of power and throws his fastball in the 95-101 mph range, and it's a pitch with some riding life. He also has a hard slider, thrown around 89 mph, a potential out pitch that can miss a lot of bats. His walk rate continues to trend down each year, and his strike count over nine innings continues to increase. How much he can refine his control and strike zone will determine whether he can handle a high-leverage role in the future. Marco Raya The 2022 season was the first time Raya pitched in affiliated games since the Twins selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft due to a shoulder strain that sidelined him for most of the 2021 season. Raya returned more robust and better after his injury and didn't disappoint, throwing extremely well with Single-A Fort Myers with three wins, two losses. At 6-foot, 165-pound, what right-handed pitcher lacks in size; he makes up for with athleticism. He's got a few pitches in his arsenal that rely on a big four-seamer alongside three high-quality curveballs, a slider, and a changeup with great pitch profiles. The Twins feel like there's only a little work needed on those. His fastball continued to sit in the high 90's in the 2022 season, hitting 98. If Raya can stay healthy, he will be one of the system's best pitchers. At 19 years old, in his first season with Fort Myers in 2022, he posted a 3.05 ERA and had a 76-to-23 Strikeout-to-Walk ratio over 65 innings. With less than four walks per nine innings and over ten strikeouts, Raya doesn't hold back. Raya pitches with a chip on his shoulder. The chip on his shoulder may have helped him make significant strides in his mental development toward the close of 2021. Like many young pitchers, the Twins hope he'll simplify and attack the strike zone with his quality stuff, which he's done in the past. Moving to AA would be a big jump, and with a small sample size, inviting him to spring training would give the organization an opportunity to see if he has the tenacity to jump directly over the Kernels. Do you think these prospects could see action with the Twins in 2023, or are they more suited for High-A? View full article

MLB has been working to make changes to the culture of the game to entice a new generation of fans. In that same vein, they have also added a new sponsor: Charlotte's Web, a CBD company. Image courtesy of John Bonnes, Twins Daily Many things in MLB are changing, bigger bases, runners on second in extra innings, and now new sponsorships. In the ever-evolving world of the decriminalization of marijuana, more and more athletes and fans are using non-THC binding supplements. MLB is the first of the “League” sports organizations to use it in a sponsorship role, starting with advertising during the World Series. Charlotte's Web makes CBD products such as gummies and topical sprays. CBD is short for cannabidiol, a compound found in the cannabis plant and touted as a natural remedy for reducing inflammation and stress. MLB will have its logo on a "sport" version of CBD that would show that athletes use it, too. CBD products are easy to acquire in a fully legal state; one could eschew the dispensary in favor of a pharmacy and find products like Charlotte’s Web lining a wall behind the cashiers. Although their effects can vary according to the product (ointment, tincture, and even lip balm), they generally offer a soothing, relaxing feeling that can work perfectly with the post-game de-stressing that athletes (or people in other stressful professions) undergo. Each person will respond differently, however, the result is relief from pain, or to have the ability to relax or sleep. MLB has been entertaining the idea of Charlotte's Web as a sponsor but needed a little more assurance before signing on the dotted line. Aside from Nascar, MLB will be the first of Major League Sports to join CBD companies for sponsorships to sign a league-wide deal. Noah Garden, Chief Revenue Officer a representative from MLB stated in an article with Marijuana Moment, "We've been watching this category for a while and waiting for it to mature to the point where we can get comfortable with it. Our fans are the customers they are looking for, and we like being first. It's a good opportunity for us and the clubs." Baseball is constantly looking for ways to make improvements to the game so that younger fans are more likely to stay interested. From changing the pace of play with pitching clocks to adding CBD as a sponsor. It’s part of several changes in attitude around CBD products. On June 22, 2022, MLB announced that teams could solicit and acquire CBD sponsorships, though players could not individually be sponsored or hold a stake in such companies. In 2019, MLB decided to implement a change to take place in 2020: MLB would not punish players for using it on their off-time or having a positive test, a complete reversal of their previous banned substance, where marijuana would garner a $35,000 fine. There are boundaries for obtaining a sponsorship, with rules and guidelines to be followed. For example, a team could only sell a CBD sponsorship if a prospective company's products were certified by NSF International, a consumer safety and product-testing organization that sports leagues use. The club would also need authorization from the MLB commissioner's office. The CBD must not have any THC, meaning that marijuana products with THC will still fall under the scrutiny of MLB. This new relationship is not a pass for players to engage in activities outside the Major League Drug Policy rules. The rule created in 2020 still stands and states; players can be "subject to discipline" by their team or the MLB "for engaging in certain cannabinoid-related conduct, including violations of federal, state or local laws," such as distributing marijuana or driving under the influence. Cannabis is a large and profitable industry, and with its popularity growing, so has its profit. In 2021 alone, the cannabis industry topped $4.7 billion last year, and now MLB will start to see a cut of those profits. Charlotte's Web has started small with the MLB logo on the side of their "Sport CBD" bottle and is officially known as the "CBD of the MLB." There has been no formal statement from the Minnesota Twins, nor any statements on how it would affect minor league teams. Each state has rules and regulations based on its state's marijuana laws. Sports sponsorships have gotten away from things like cigarettes and alcohol because of the harm they can do when used in excess. Do you think that CBD as a sponsor is smart for the industry and something that will help get younger fans involved in the game? View full article

When it comes to the Twins, I have always been okay with moral victories. Maybe that’s because in my lifetime I have seen my team win two World Series Championships. Maybe it’s because the last time I remember the rush of a winning season I was 11. Sure, there have been postseason wins since 1991, but there have been losing seasons as well. Losing seasons that really don’t make a lot of sense because we had the team to achieve greatness, and the players that could make things happen. Image courtesy of Matthew Taylor, Twins Daily The Minnesota Twins front office rarely makes moves like they did this offseason with the players they brought into the clubhouse. The organization stacked the team with players like Luis Arraez, Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, Tyler Mahle, Joe Ryan and Chris Paddack, to name some of the outstanding players on the roster. On paper, there was nothing that could stand in our way, until it did. The season started with a lockout, not only restricting players on playing time in spring training, but also starting the season later. Everything kind of shifted, and while the lockout could certainly be to blame for the onset of early injuries, the number of injuries that came throughout the season were just too much to handle. Players as individuals had outstanding seasons. Luis Arraez won the American League batting title. Carlos Correa had one of his best seasons. Gio Urshela found himself in a new environment that allowed him to flourish, and players like Joe Ryan and Jhoan Durán had breakout rookie seasons. “Individual players had good seasons, but nothing gelled into a full team unit because of all the injuries,” says Kristy T., a lifelong, avid Twins fan. She’s right on the silver lining positive side. Many players did have great seasons, but nothing stuck for the team to get somewhere together. So what does a “winning” season look like? For some people, a winning season for the Twins would have been beating the Yankees in the postseason. An impossible feat for the Twins to somehow manage every season. Being able to stay competitive is a huge part of making it to the postseason. And before all the injuries, the Twins certainly were trending in that direction. If the Twins were able to stay competitive, they would have been able to see the postseason. Then, yes, beating the Yankees to make it past round two to win the ALDS and losing in the playoffs potentially could have been enough. All year long, websites like Baseball Savant and Fangraphs show the probability of teams making the playoffs based on their records and game stats. The Twins were certainly trending in the direction that they were going to make the postseason, but that changed dramatically after the All-Star Break. Being a small-market team with a front office that typically doesn’t make big moves and spend big money, beating the big-market teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Mets can seem daunting or impossible. But the Cleveland Guardians, who have the third lowest payroll in MLB, continued to gain momentum as the season went on. They stayed healthy, and not only took the division, but the wild-card win as well. Is that enough? Or at this point, do they want it all? If the Guardians lose, will the youngest team in baseball be okay with just making it as far as they did? Baseball is a game of failure. Failure teaches a player how to be great after failing, how to make adjustments, and how to grow from that failure. Derek Jeter was not great, he had to put in a lot of hard work initially. Jeter won his first World Series his rookie season. After that he was disappointed with any season they didn’t win the World Series because he wanted to win, and he knew they could win. His early-set expectations were that because of the management and the roster, winning the World Series was not only possible, but attainable, almost on a yearly basis. Equally, the expectations of Yankees fans are only focused on the World Series. And when those expectations are not met, there is no “well, there is always next season.” They revel in their misery until the following season. Expectations play a huge part in the consensus of moral victories. If the expectation is that the team is going to win every season, then a fan isn’t going to see moral victories. On the flip side, if a fan’s expectation is simply that their team is going to be better than they were last season, then moral victories will play a higher role in their opinion about where the team ends the season. Of the Twins fans I talked to, words like “rationally” were used when describing the bigger picture of what expectations for the Club are. Looking forward to next season is easier when there is no expectation of making it to the postseason. Understandably, there are small victories for players: the ability to improve, lowering their ERA, improving their batting average, winning awards and reaching specific goals professionally and contractually. The Twins certainly have had small victories across the season. And looking forward to next season--depending on a few moves from the front office-- the Twins are truly set for success in 2023, but you can’t wish and hope for a season to successful. Based on the current roster, this writer's expectation for next season is making it to the World Series. I am beyond grateful for the players we have. A lot of them made it a lot of fun to watch this season, but I am ready to feel the rush of adrenaline that comes from competitive, contentious games in the postseason. Do you believe that moral victories are just as meaningful as winning it all? Do you believe in moral victories at all? Is it irrational to have consistent expectations of winning all the time? Let me know what you think in the comments. View full article

Tuesday night was the penultimate game of the 2022 season. The Twins and White Sox are two teams looking to finish out their seasons. The Twins pitching (and defense) gave up runs early on that made it hard for the offense to bounce back. Image courtesy of Jeff Biggerstaff, USA Today Box Score Starting Pitcher: Josh Winder 2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (69 pitches, 38 strikes (55%)) Home Runs: Jermaine Palacios (1) Bottom 3 WPA: Josh Winder (-.319), Carlos Correa (-.100), Aaron Sanchez (-.088) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The White Sox offense overpowered the Twins pitching on Tuesday. By the time the fourth inning came around, the White Sox had an 8-1 lead. Josh Winder had his final outing of the season. He struggled with his command early on in the first and second inning and by the third inning and his second time through the lineup, he allowed four earned runs and posted 69 pitches. Not the ideal way to end his season, but with all the injuries, coaching changes and movement in the pitching rotation, the Twins pitching overall struggled throughout the season. Winder pitched 14 games for the Twins this season, missing all but one game in the month of June. He ends the season with a 4.70 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and 17 walks over 67 innings. Aaron Sanchez came out to relieve Winder and struggled heavily in the fourth giving up four runs and 32 pitches. White Sox starter Lucas Giolito also had a rough start to his night on the mound. Early on he hit Nick Gordon, and he followed it by hitting Jose Miranda. The ball hit off his wrist and into his cheek and mouth. Miranda laid on the ground covering home plate until lead trainer Michael Salazar came out and looked him over. Salazar had Miranda do a series of tests verbally and physically to ensure Miranda was okay; however, either not convinced of his ‘feeling okay’ or out of caution, Salazar pulled Miranda from the game. It was later reported that he had a lip and cheek contusion and would be “day-to-day”. Manager Rocco Baldelli replaced him with Jermaine Palacios. The slip from Lucas Giolito, whose command also wasn't the greatest starting out, had him a bit flustered, but he held his composure and moved forward getting the second out of the inning and powered through seven innings to hold the Twins to just two runs before leaving the game. Jake Cave came up to bat, and drove in his 20th run of the season, scoring Gordon and getting the Twins on the board first. The offense remained stagnant through the next few innings, prompting Baldelli to make some changes by pulling out Correa and Urshela, with the exception of Luis Arraez, who is still leading the race for the American League Batting Title. Palacios moved over to short for Carlos Correa from first base where he was covering for Miranda. Caleb Hamilton took over at first base, Billy Hamilton took over at second base, and Nick Gordon moved to third base for Gio Urshela, leaving only two men on the bench: Mark Contreras and Gary Sanchez. The pace of the game certainly slowed down after the first run. In the sixth inning, Caleb Hamilton and Billy Hamilton both walked, Nick Gordon followed with a grounder to center, scoring Caleb Hamilton. The Twins bullpen, Jovani Moran, Emilio Pagan, and Jorge Lopez, brought the game to a close not allowing any more damage to be done. Palacios came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. He knocked a ball to dead center, 105mph for a home run. It was Palacios' first major-league homer. They may not have won but the home run was fun to see and they have one more chance tomorrow afternoon to go out with a win and for Arraez to add to his batting average before the close of the season. Tune in to see how the batting title finishes! Pitching for Season Finale: Wednesday 3:10 pm CST: RHP Louie Varland (0-2 4.71 ERA) v. RHP Davis Martin (3-5, 3.65 ERA) Postgame Interviews Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article

Dylan Bundy stepped onto the mound for the final time this season against the Detroit Tigers and the Twins last Saturday night of the baseball season. Image courtesy of David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports Box Score Starting Pitcher: Dylan Bundy 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (77 pitches, 53 strikes (69%)) Home Runs: Mark Contreras (3) Top 3 WPA: Gio Urshela (0.132), Gilberto Celestino (0.98), Jake Cave (0.54) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Tigers took advantage of Dylan Bundy early and the Twins' defense scoring a run in the first. Matt Wallner was charged with an error when a bounding single from Riley Greene got past him and turned into a single two-base error. The Tigers struck first blood and got a run on the board in the first inning. The Twins shut out the Tigers on Friday night and Saturday's game continued to trend. The two teams battled back and forth through the first few innings. Detroit pitcher Drew Hutchison ran up 72 pitches by the time Gary Sanchez came to bat in the fourth. Jake Cave led the fourth inning off with a single, and as Hutchinson labored through the line-up, a grounder from Sanchez killed the inning with a double-play, and Matt Wallner struck out swinging. The Twins batting with Runners in Scoring Position this season has been frustrating. Leaving Nothing on the Field Both teams are out of the postseason chase. For Carlos Correa, it is the first time since 2016 that he hasn't played in the playoffs. Gio Urshela is another player missing the post-season but, has been a huge asset in the Twins' clubhouse and on the field throughout the season. The best thing about this club is that there is depth and options for next season. The Twins were plagued with injuries throughout the season, but many replacements who came up stepped up. Manager Rocco Baldelli stepped in when the Twins came up against rough games or bad calls. Baldelli spent a lot of time challenging plays this season and in this game, that was no exception. Gary Sanchez, who isn't fast, rocketed to first base on a fielder's choice. Detroit shortstop Ryan Kreidler flipped to second to get Cave out and the throw to first base appeared to get Sanchez out. Baldelli challenged the play, the call was overturned, and Sanchez was safe. Jose Miranda has been another player putting on quite the clinic during his time with the club. Miranda leads the club with 66 RBIs and has been one of the hottest rookies in MLB this season. Dick Bremer mentioned that Miranda will be spending with Correa in Houston in the off-season, which certainly will give Miranda an education. A Fight to the End (of the Night) Bundy gave up his 24th home run of the season when Eric Haase hit his eighth home run to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. That changed when Mark Contreas came up to bat in the top of the fifth frame and hit a bomb into the right field stands just inside the foul pole, Luis Arraez started the night 0-for-2 and ripped a ball into right field for a single. Arraez grabbed at his hamstring as he approached first base, but he remained in the game. During a Detroit pitching change, Arraez walked over to third base coach Tommy Watkins and was still out on second after the commercial break. Urshela came up to bat and hit a single to left, and Arraez took off; not without a grimace and a slight hobble, but he dug deep, found speed, and made it home to tie the game at two! The season may be over for the Twins, but Arraez is still contending for the American League batting title. Hitting .315, he is just edging out Aaron Judge, who is striving for the MVP and a Yankees home run record. The race for the batting title potentially could keep Judge from achieving the Triple Crown. During an earlier interview, Baldelli said, "There is a new calm with Arraez over the past few days." Arraez has stated that he's enjoying the race but wants to win. While everyone loves a good contention, no one deserves the AL batting title more than Luis Arraez (at least in the mind of Twins fans... right?). The Tigers changed their pitcher, and the Twins had bases loaded and two outs with Sanchez up to bat. Sanchez was due for a hit, and with a .323 average with RISP, it would have been beautiful to see a grand slam. Instead, Jose Cisnero saw an opportunity out of the corner of his eye and picked off Urshela at second base to end the inning. Finishing out the Night Ronny Henriquez came in to pitch in the sixth inning. Henriquez came to the Twins in the Mitch Garver trade in spring training and has had two appearances with the Twins. In his previous games, he has posted a 3.12 ERA with seven hits, three earned runs, and six strike-outs. He gave up an unearned run on an error by Arraez on a chopper from Harold Castro. The Tigers held the lead, but the Twins loaded the bases in the eighth inning. Instead of Wallner coming to the plate, the Twins pulled Ryan Jeffers off the bench as a pinch hitter. A smart decision by Baldelli when All-Star lefty Gregory Soto came in. Jeffers had an 0-2 count and hit a hard groundball that was destined for centerfield, but Soto deflected it with his glove and it went right to the shortstop who turned a double play to end the inning and another rally for the Twins. The Twins were only down a run going into the ninth and quickly got the tying run on a single from Arraez. Correa came up to bat and hit a fly-out (liner) to right field, but with two outs and the Twins history of late-inning rallies, the dream was still alive. The rally fell short when Nick Gordon, who had two hits earlier in the game, struck out swinging. Pitching for tomorrow’s game: Thursday 11:10 am CST: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (MLB Debut, as reported on Friday by Twins Daily) v. LHP Joey Wentz (2-2, 3.54 ERA) Postgame Interview Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article