ashbury

Two hits in the first seven innings. We're overthinking things to go beyond this as the key to the loss.

"Anybody." "Anywhere." I haven't seen Carlos Santana squatting behind the plate, nor Jose Miranda patrolling center field. Buxton and Correa are playing exclusively at the skill positions they are being paid to play. Vazquez started one game as emergency third baseman. Reputed butcher at second base, Edouard Julien, has played all his innings there this year. Larnach, Wallner, and Margot cycle through the two corner OF spots, with occasional cameo CF appearances by the latter. Kepler plays RF and is rumored to have balked at backing up CF. Willi Castro, mentioned above, is the one true "anywhere" guy, but if I'm being fair he's not really so good defensively such that he would push a legitimate starter out, and is best used when plugged in due to injuries - 20 games played at 5 positions is testament to both versatility and a lack of elite skills. I get the feeling some particular play yesterday may have triggered your observation. I watched part of the game, but may have missed a botched play by Brooks Lee? I've seen him make some really fine plays so far, but as with any rookie there are going to be growing pains. Can't think of anyone on the roster I'm less worried about in the long run (like, two months from now). Seems to me what we are seeing is a combination of talent but youthful inexperience (Lee), and some players with definite and uncorrectable defensive limitations (Julien, Martin). Martin's arm is a liability whether he plays at 2B or CF and there's nothing to be done about it except live with it or else discard him, because the bat doesn't play at LF or 1B where his arm might be least harmful; Martin plays "anywhere" because he actually can play (well) "nowhere." It would help to know who you have in mind.

I know this is meant as satire, but it feels like we're making fun of other fans for having opinions. Satire should pick worthy targets.

The Twins' problems in their market go a lot deeper than what may happen in the standings during a particular half-season. Playing winning baseball is a zero-sum game for the sport overall anyway - only a few teams each year would be financially viable if that were really the key to success. Fixing the telecast situation would be first and foremost on the list of remedies. TV should be the centerpiece of how they market their team, and the revenue it brings in is nice but is nearly incidental to the bigger picture if it gets in the way of marketing. The Pohlads are coming dangerously close to running their franchise into the ditch. Can't draw 2 million? Warning lights are flashing. An August and September of winning baseball certainly would be welcome, though. The window of contention is Right Now. That's a bit independent of the long-term franchise health.

There's a clue embedded in the post you responded to. 😀

Bases loaded, nobody out. Right where we want them.

Aside from the catcher's interference, there haven't been any. I double checked the box score.

Quite well.

No you don't. I feel quite certain that you don't.

I was actually saying that. As Chief likes to say, there aren't any low leverage relievers. Most you can do is pick your spots for the less-reliable guys. That's what they did there, and you called it.

Good call.

Do you have data it doesn't? Meanwhile I'll go with the pros on a question like this. Not my job to provide anyone data.

It is absolutely necessary in today's game and can be a difference maker. Or is your position that players and coaches who make it to the major league level are morons? Jeffers did get burned, however.

And a teammate cancels out the cancellation. Baseball.

Willi!

Don't worry, it'll switch back when their guys are up.

Overdue is another viable theory.

St Paul is a quieter, more relaxing city.

Means he's due.

More like what you probably meant.

That implies constant improvement, doesn't it? Eventually leading to some runs?

That's not as generous of him as it sounds. He's not using it at the moment anyway.

I did get prepositioned there one time.

I'm not an Oakland taxpayer but I get to their games yearly when I can, and my experience at the stadium has always been the opposite of the adjectives you used.

Quick follow-up, Joe finished tied for 16th. A-Rod finished with the second worst score of the 90 entrants, although one participant had to withdraw due to work commitments and technically finished last.