stringer bell

You're correct Jorgen. I was going to correct the record this morning. Still, quite a contrast between pitchers and position players.

While it was much noted that the Twins have used a record number of pitchers this year (35), I believe they will set a team record (at least in Minnesota) of using the fewest position players. This reflects several things, in my opinion. First of all, there aren't many (if any) position players pushing to take major league roles. Secondly, the Twins position players have stayed relatively injury-free. Finally, they added no position players by trade. It's ironic that the same year they use 35 pitchers, they use the fewest number of position players in team history.

I'll admit a bias. Of the candidates, I've only spoken to Dozier. I also believe he could have/should have been team MVP in 2013-15 (instead of Mayer, Hughes, Sanó respectively) but I vote Dozier. He's got a career high OBP, over 30 homers, and he has been out there every day again this season. Buck and Miggy might win the next ten team MVPs between them, but the second baseman deserves this one by a minute amount.

I didn't want to start this thread until the Twins clinched the postseason. Well it's happened! There are four games remaining and the Twins can prepare for their playoff game, most likely against the Yankees. In the last week, I've pondered over who should be named the Twins MVP for 2017. At the All-Star break, I'm sure the consensus pick would have been Miguel Sanó and now I don't think he's even in the top five. There are easily five or more candidates for Twins MVP for the season. I'll list a bunch of them with a short case for the honor. Alphabetically here are my candidates: 1) Byron Buxton--He leads the club in bWAR, mostly because of elite defense. After a disappointing first half offensively, since the All-Star game he's been a .300 hitter with a .921 OPS. In addition BB is 28 for 29 stealing bases. 2) Brian Dozier--The leadoff man again has exceeded 30 homers and 90 RBI. For the fourth straight year, he's scored more than 100 runs. He has a career high OBP and is durable, again exceeding 150 games and will likely pass 700 plate appearances. 3) Eduardo Escobar--He's stepped in for Sanó and performed admirably. Career highs in homers and RBIs plus solid defense. 4) Joe Mauer--Vintage Joe Mauer returned for the stretch run, hitting .336 in August and .362 so far in September. Mauer raised his batting average well over .300 and his OPS over .800 for the season and has been outstanding on defense. 5) Eddie Rosario--Another guy who took off after the All-Star break. Rosario has put together a terrific season with 27 homers and an .848 OPS for the season. 7) Miguel Sanó--He earned All-Star recognition and was the focus of the Twins' surprising first half. Despite missing the last 40 games, Sano is second on the club in homers and third in RBI. Sanó performed admirably at third base and certainly stepped up this year. 8) Ervin Santana--Unquestionably the Twins #1 starter. He was elite early in the season and while he has regressed, he has been outstanding for the season. He has 16 wins, 200+ innings and a low 3s ERA.

Without getting too curmudgeonly, we keep score in baseball by the number of runs scored, not the spin rate of a curve ball or exit velocity of a batted ball. Scoring more runs in a game wins that game every time, so while it isn't the latest craze, I always see how many runs scored and driven in a player has. Add those two numbers and subtract the number of homers hit (it's both a run scored and RBI) and any player who produces more than one run a game is a pretty valuable offensive player. Dozier has produced 159 runs this year. Last year, he produced 161.

There aren't a lot of reinforcements in the minors. The Twins have only used 17 position players this year, including Niko Goodrum and Danny Santana. I don't see anyone in their system who has a good shot to take a roster spot. Subtract Gimenez and we're at 14 position players. Vargas and Adrianza wouldn't have options to be shipped out, leaving Granite as the guy to move up and down when a player is injured. My opinion is that Vargas gets another big league shot with the Twins, but could get the DFA if someone forces their way on the roster next year at some point. It's unlikely that the Twins will have the good health of their position players that they have had this year.

Bill Tuttle

Jim Snyder

For old-timers here are a few utility players: Ted Lepcio

Ron "Poppa Jack" Jackson aka "Poppa Up"

John Briggs.

Congratulations to Brian Dozier. I wasn't going to write anything after last year crediting him with joining the 100 RBI-100 runs scored club. He was at 99 ribbies with more than a week to go in the season and never got another RBI in '16.

I believe that since August 1, the Twins have had the best offense in MLB by quite a large margin. We shall see if good offense can beat the best run suppression this week, and get a chance to exorcise the demon in the Bronx.

Angels just lost to the Pale Hose. Magic number is now 2, technically both the Angels and Rangers have that chance, but Texas is getting pounded 11-2. Even though the Twins might not win a game in Cleveland, I think they come home with the second wild card.

He won't have options next year. He clogs the bases and is a significant downgrade defensively from the regular first baseman. He has to hit appreciatively more to stick as a DH. This year has been compounded by poor production versus LH pitching.

A personal favorite of mine, Ray Corbin. He had an injury (shoulder?) and could only pitch about once a week. Stayed active the entire season despite the injury.

Angels play two games before the Twins play again. It's pretty likely the magic number for clinching the #2 Wild Card will be 2 before the Twins take the field again.

Damn autocorrect. Anyway, my point was that I don't believe that very often a club has that many guys with 70 or more RBI. At least not the Twins.

70 RBI club this year--Dozier, Sano, Polanco, Rosario, Escobar and Mayer. Did I miss anybody?

And it did! 4.5 lead with seven games to play. To not make postseason now would be akin to the Phillies collapse in 1964.

Tigers this year remind me of the Twins last year.

Just about everyone has contributed to the six runs scored. That is a good sign.

Cmon Erv!

I said before the season that Buxton and/or Sano would need to be elite before the Twins could make real progress. Well, they've gotten an elite half-season from each.

15 AL teams and only 5 with winning records. Twins 3.5 clear of Angels/Rangers.