darwin22

Agreed 100% with your remarks! Not only proud to see Rocco's tirade on the field, but even more impressed that he "doubled down" in post-game comments. Posted this in game day thread, but for Rocco to call out MLB (in New York) using words as "one of the worst" calls ever in this situation and that it was "pathetic." I may be reaching here, but I think Rocco's postgame rant was intentional by calling out MLB that the Twins are HIS TEAM and he will not idly by when an egregious call is made in such a critical situation. I truly think Rocco is sick and tired.....as he SHOULD BE....with the prevailing attitude of MLB hierarchy as well as other teams that the Twins are a pushover. Time to step up, stand your ground and stop being 'Minnesota Nice'---------nothing wrong with being nice and respectful to your opponent (the league, opposing team and players) but that can be accomplished AFTER you beat them.

Nice article Cody with a good analysis, which for the most part I agree with. As manager, my hierarchy would be the following: Closer: Mix and match Lopez and Duran depending on previous game usage, opponent and lineup. 8th inning/ Set Up: Fulmer with either Duran or Lopez in the mix. 7th inning: Still like Jax despite some recent hiccups. Thielbar, still keeps proving he belongs. The 3-batter minimum doesn't help him. 6th inning: Megill has showed some success in this slot. I would instruct/tell my catcher to call for Megill to bring his 98mph gas much more frequently. 5th inning (or earllier) due to 3+ run deficit: Sands, but would prefer Smeltzer should he get called up. Pre-Game Shagging Fly balls/ In game Gopher getting water for other RPs: Pagan. Not bad duties for the salary he's earning. He sure hasn't earned it on the mound.

As much as I wanted another insurance run in the bottom of the 8th, I just about puked when I saw the "Pagan Sacrifice" warming up with Lopez. Thankfully, Rocco listened to Tingler and his other coaches and brought Lopez in for the 9th.

Is there ANYONE in the Twins City media that has the cajones to confront Falvey to ask the following question: What justifies keeping Pagan and Duffey as members of this bullpen at this point in the season? I fully understand this is only 1 game and games like this happen. Saying that, if your stated goal is to win the AL Central----------then why are Pagan AND Duffey still getting opportunities when better (Moran) and more deserving candidates (Smith, Cotton and Evan Sisk) have been released , demoted or failed to be called up?

It will likely be Moran since he has options remaining. Saying that, I'd prefer to keep Moran with either Pagan or Duffey to be DFA'ed. If that happens, I'm guessing its Duffey that gets the ax as I doubt the front office will be willing to admit their error in trading for Pagan.

Being competitive in the division for remainder of season? Absolutely after the pitching acquisitions today. Winning the division? Hmm...possible to doubtful. Twins haven't put together a 3-game winning streak since June 24-27th. 12-16 record since that date. That in itself is indicative of a team spinning its wheels. Overstating the obvious........if Twins SPs------Gray, Ryan and Mahle can consistently pitch 6+innings over the remainder of the season------having a chance to win the division is possible as the additions of Lopez and Fulmer will definitely aid what Jax and Duran have done this season. Saying that, the additions today will be meaningless if the offense continues to struggle to score runs. I know injuries are a major factor, but when Nick Gordon is hitting in 5-hole and you're forced into playing Sanchez almost daily, this lineup has way too many holes. 59 games remaining. If Kepler, Larnach and Buxton-------imo, our best starting OF-------aren't in lineup---none there tonight, our chances of winning are remote.

Very good point. I may be in the minority here, but if the vast majority of HONEST Twins fans were told before the season started: "The Twins will be in 1st place on August 1st"-----they would not only take it, but would be very happy after what transpired last season. As hard as it is to admit, this team------as presently constructed------is not a playoff team and is likely destined for a 3rd place finish. Not intending to be overly negative, but the warts/blemishes on this team cannot be ignored. I will NOT be pleased if we make it to August 3rd and nothing is done to upgrade the bullpen-----our most glaring need.

David: Thanks for the summary of today's action. Nice work. Made road trip up to Cedar Rapids this afternoon to see Kernels game. Despite the loss, a few observations. #1 For those that live within driving distance, attending a Kernels game is definitely worth the time. Stadium is easy to get to (either off US 30 or I-380). Paid $28 for two box seats between home plate and 1B. Concessions are very affordable and parking is free. #2 Bummer to see Festa struggle with his command today. He almost escaped a self induced 1st inning jam (Hit 1st batter, bunt single and WP advancing runners to 2nd and 3rd), but gave up a 2-out single that scored both runners. Seeing him pick off three runners was very impressive, but he did give up a lot of hard contact through his short start. Hopefully, just a bad day that he'll rebound from. #3 Aaron Sabato: Yes, he did have a nice game with an oppo 3-run shot and a hard hit line drive single off the leg of Peoria pitcher, but his other 3 AB's were brutal: weak tap to pitcher in 1st inning, K in his 2nd AB and another whiff in 9th to end the game. Wondering what his future is with Twins. Overall 27th pick in 2020 draft who has struggled to hit with any consistency at Fort Myers and with Cedar Rapids. His power numbers are up this year, but will be interesting to see if he gets a promotion to Wichita next year. #4----This is for others that follow Kernels more than I do. What is the future for Severino, Wander Javier and Seth Gray? All 3 are in their 2nd full season ( I think) at CR as I saw all 3 here last July. Hopefully the Kernels can get back on track this coming week.

Excellent analysis mike8791! Your sentiments hit the nail on the head of why this organization continues to flounder! Don't recall when Falvey-Levine came on board (2017 or 2018, I think), but their supposed pedigree of drafting and developing STARTING PITCHING has been nothing more than a BUST! Not 1 SP---other than Bailey Ober---has done anything productive during their reign. That is why we're forced to make trades and search the bargain bin for SPs every year. I know other organizations prove successful without drafting and developing the core of their rotation, but over 5+ years our supposed "brain trust" has done nothing other than earn a big FAT "F" in this department.

Thanks for the info-------would like to see Povich, but Festa has been a solid most of the year.

Nash: Wondering if you---or anyone else------knows the pitching lineup for the Kernels homestand against Peoria this weekend? Planning a road trip from Kansas City to Cedar Rapids to catch their Sunday afternoon game. Hoping to see Povich or Festa start.

Doc- Nice analysis in your post. Assuming---a big one, I know--Twins can get Lee signed in the next month, is it realistic he gets assigned/playing time with Fort Myers or Cedar Rapids before the end of the season? Both FM and CR have their regular season extend into mid September--------last game on Sept. 16th.

No kidding. I'm glad I had a mid afternoon tee time so I was able to miss the carnage. Just a train wreck in our last 4 losses to CHW---38 runs allowed. No reason to waste my time imploring Falvey to improve this team. Its not going to happen. Its just not the "Twins Way," I get it. Saying that, it makes me sick to see this season slowly going down the drain when it doesn't have to go that route.

By no means opposed to this pick, but considering the dearth of organizational talent at catcher, I would've like to see Twins pick Kevin Parada from Georgia Tech.

I tend to agree with you, but if its just "now" Rocco is figuring this out----then his acumen for managing his bullpen is even more under scrutiny.

Thats one of the ONLY scenarios that I'd support trading for Snell. Getting rid of Sano is worth the risk, albeit I'd have to look at the financials.

Having seen Miranda in 4 games last year when he was with Wichita------before his promotion to AAA, it sure is satisfying to see him make some adjustments from his rough early star to the season. My "eye test" seems to indicate he's becoming more relaxed/confident at the plate. Defensively, he's not there yet, but he seems much more comfortable at 3B.

Must've paced at least 1000 steps in my basement with Duffey pitching in 9th. I'll take the win.

Well.........where do I start after this team gagged away game that should've gone in the win column. I'll start with the positive: CLE lost again to DET.......way to go Tigers. Appreciate the help. Now ....for the not so positive.....where do I begin? I guess I'll go the flow of the game. Joe Ryan: I guess I need to remember he's a rookie and will have starts like this, but, saying that, Ryan needs to be better than he was today. Only 4 completed IP which took him 85 pitches. Not good. Pagan: Was a little surprised to see him enter in the 5th inning with a 2-run lead after Polanco's blast. Well, Pagan proved he can't handle a lead now in the MIDDLE part of the game as that 2-run lead was short lived. After getting ahead of Vaughn 0-2, Pagan couldn't put him away surrendering an infield single. After getting ahead of Robert 1-2, the Pagan Sacrifice served up his 84 mph "cutter of death," which was launched. Having now proved he can't be trusted to protect a late inning lead (multiple blows saves vs. CLE in less than a week) nor a lead in the mid innings------I honestly ask, moving forward-----where can he be used other than mop up duty/ deficit of 3+ runs?? For those still believing Pagan serves a vital role in this bullpen, I have to ask---What makes you believe that? His season ERA is now up to 5.34. Pagan's regression----10.03 ERA since June 1st (11.2 IP/ 13 ER) -----signals to me his tenure as a Twin has to be coming to an end. Moving forward/ later in the game.... T. Megill: Pitching in bottom of 8th with ANOTHER 2-run lead after Urshela's HR, I was actually hopeful that Megill could protect the lead. Not the case, as well all know. Ryan Jeffers: Throwing Jeffers into the fray here, but I do have to question his pitch call to Sox catcher Zavala. With an 0-2 count after two 4-seam 97-98 fastballs---Jeffers called for a curve, which Megill left up, that was lined to RF for a single. After Kepler's great catch for the second out, a similar situation arose in the Vaughn at-bat. With Vaughn battling, but still with a 1-2 count, why would Jeffers call for another curveball....the 5th curveball....in Vaughn's at-bat? Yes, I know Megill made the pitch, but when you throw 98.....I just hate getting beat on my 2nd best pitch. Oh...1 more thing on Jeffers: His waffle iron of a mitt....PB in bottom of 10th was critical in loss. Our offense: Hard to find fault here after scoring 8 runs, but going 2-11 with RISP didn't help. and finally........ Baldelli: 2 things, I find fault with: #1 Why wouldn't you let Duran come out for the 10th after he breezed through Abreu, Sheets and Jimenez in the 9th? Duran threw a total of 9.....9 pitches. #2 Why was Jeffers allowed to hit in the 10th with runners on 1st and 2nd and only 1 out when BOTH Sanchez and Correa were available to pinch hit?? As soon as I saw Jeffers come to hit, I immediately knew the inning was over. Proved right when Jeffers GIDP. oops.....I knew I was forgetting 1 more person: Derrick Falvey: Where are you Derrick? How many MORE late inning losses---due to our gas can of a bullpen---are you going to allow without taking action? After today's debacle, which I think is at least our 10th loss after leading after the 7th inning----honestly, I've lost count---makes myself and countless other fans question your commitment. Just asking you to simply do your J-O-B!!

Add the White Sox to your list. At least he's consistent. He's now proven he can blow a lead (2 runs today) in non high leverage situations. IMO he's moved behind EVERYONE in the bullpen.

Doubtful that MIA will make Lopez available, but if he is and the player/prospect haul isn't too outlandish----he is my #1 by a large margin. He's the youngest in the group and is under team control for 2 more seasons.

Agree with your comment. Even moreso, I'm liking what Kirilloff adds defensively. His stretch on that close play in the 10th to get Garcia out was pivotal. As much as I like Arraez there, he's better suited at 2B. If Kirilloff can stay healthy, I fully believe the production & power will continue to come.

And just because I feel like kicking myself for being a lifelong Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan---lets not forget the following: 1. 1984 late season collapse against CLE blowing a 10-1 (close to that lead) to lose on a Jamie Quirk homerun. Yes, that was the infamous doing of RD. 2. 18 consecutive playoff losses by Twins. 3. The Herschel Walker trade 4. Gary Anderson's missed 38 yd chip shot FG in the NFC Championship in 1998 that would've given the Vikes a 10 pt lead with just over 2 minutes to play. 5. Favre's--omg horrible INT late in the Saints playoff game that was lost in OT. Many others I've not mentioned, but yes, being a Minnesota fan is nothing more than the inevitable crushing of your soul.

Today.....I won't disagree with your comments as Hamilton, Cano and Minaya are short term options--until Falvey can make trades to acquire better arms. None of those 3 should be considered a long term fix.

Really nothing new to add after my lengthy post late last night, but will make the following inquiry to Falvey: What are you doing NOW/TONIGHT in your capacity to correct the problem YOU created? Any hope of being a playoff team is predicated on YOU upgrading the bullpen with a minimum of acquiring 2 RPs. Alcala is not going to be back to contribute. Coulombe is not the answer either. After today's implosion-----your team has 83 games remaining. For argument sake---lets say Twins SPs go 6 IP in 30 of those games. That still requires the bullpen to cover 90 innings (7th-8th and 9th x 30 games) Continuing in that vein......Twins SPs go at least 5IP in the other 53 games. That will require the bullpen to cover 212 IP (4 innings x 53 games), That total is 302 IP over the final 83 games, Duran, Jax and Theilbar-------your only 3 effective RPs MIGHT....MIGHT...be able to cover 100 of those innings, which is probably an exaggeration. That leaves 200 IP for Twins bullpen to cover. The "other 5" currently in these roles--------Pagan, Duffey, Thornburg, Cotton & Moran------all are candidates to be demoted or DFA'ed. If Smith can return healthy and resemble anything close to what he did early in the season, he's your #4 RP behind the top 3. His return would allow a DFA or demotion of Thornburg. If Coulombe can return healthy he gives you another needed LH option. That spot is up for grabs. I would prefer to see Moran, but he has to earn it. That's your #5 RP RP #6, imo, is a battle between Cotton and Duffey, which can be decided in games between tomorrow and the upcoming All Star break. The "loser" gets DFA'ed. Unnamed RP #7 and RP #8 must be acquired via trade! NOW is that time. I'd prefer 1 RH as well as 1 LH. Worthy candidates from multiple losing teams (TX-OAK-PIT-AZ-MIA) that could be added without sacrificing significant prospects. Who did I leave out? Oh....yeah.....the Pagan Sacrifice. Didn't think I'd see the reincarnation of Alex Colome so soon on this team. Plain and simple he needs to be released asap.