stringer bell

I do think KC is the best, most complete team in the AL. Obviously, you need to get your runs early against them, with that bullpen.

Thanks JB. You're the best

Plouffe was a pretty dreadful fielding shortstop, which is where he primarily played in the minors. I am concerned about Polanco's throwing arm, which is where he has accumulated the majority of his errors.

Do we have a weather forecast to go with the lineups?

From Polanco, I would like to see him master Double A, then Triple A.

It's pretty obvious that there is no consensus about the rotation and this segment of Twins Daily is comprised of fervent fans. I think that if five of us were asked to rank the starters from 1-5, we'd get five different lists. In the Twins case "best" and "worse" looks to be a matter of opinion.

Last year, I commented in August that one of the most positive developments of the season was the team's strength at shortstop. Danny Santana hit like a major leaguer and showed tools that suggested he could be a good or better shortstop. Escobar did well when given a chance. In the minors, the Twins drafted Gordon and Polanco had a nice year in the minor leagues. To boot, Polanco did well in his "cup of coffee" when the Twins had multiple injuries and recalled Polanco. With the roster flux currently, much discussion has focused on promoting prospects. Many have suggested that Polanco could be installed as the Twins regular shortstop immediately. Others have said that he should be promoted to Triple A Rochester. I have my doubts. First and foremost, I remain unconvinced that Polanco is a major league shortstop. He seems to have the necessary range and good hands, but he seems to be trying to compensate for a substandard throwing arm. The Twins advanced Brian Dozier all the way to the majors before deciding he was a better fit at second base. I personally think the same is true for Polanco. He's committed 16 errors to date, most of them on throws. Secondly, Polanco may or may not be a better hitter than the shortstops ahead of him in the system. I am not convinced that his hitting is that good. He is hitting .295 at Chattanooga, with an OPS of .745, that is good for a shortstop, but those number aren't dominant, not even close. I've seen Polanco play several games and he looks comfortable in the field and at the plate. He's a switch hitter without big platoon splits and he is a good base runner. However, hitting and fielding are the two major components of a position player. Is there something I'm missing that indicates this guy is ready? Edit: I posted this in the Twins Talk Forum. If the mods see fit, move it to Minor League Talk. There has been much discussion about major league transactions and Polanco has been mentioned and he did already debut with the Twins.

The flaw here is that we are in July. Unless the Twins other five starters all stay healthy and effective, May will be back in the rotation at some point. He should be a good option for 2016 and beyond. I am in the camp that believes the Twins should try to contend this year until it is certain they can't. All moves should made this year should be earmarked to help the team this year without hurting the club from 2016 and beyond.

Mixed feelings on this. There are six legit starters and none of them is a certainty to be an asset in the bullpen, which is where help is needed. Secondly, it pretty much does guarantee a 13-man staff, something I have railed against for months or at least since the Twins added another relief pitcher. Perhaps, short term this isn't a bad idea but after the All-Star break, it should be decided who is in the rotation or not.

All-Star selection will be after this weekend's games. ESPN just had six writers name their All-Star team and Dozier was on all six (as was Perkins). However, we still have those pesky ballots to worry about. Infante still leads the voting, and if he wins it, Dozier would have to picked over Altuve of the 'stros to be the third second baseman. If Altuve wins, Dozier would figure to be the third second baseman and I think the league and Yost would take three second basemen. Oddly, a vote for Altuve looks to be a vote to get Dozier on the All-Star team.

Two AAA All-Star arms for the Twins bullpen?

For the season four of the top nine hitters in the Southern League (by OPS) are/were Lookouts: Kepler (2nd) .973, Walker (4th) .940, Sano (5th) .918 and Buxton (9th) .840. Next on the list is Polanco (24th) at .745.

Yes, I'm a bit puzzled that Escobar hasn't gotten regular starts at shortstop. His defense was fine there last year and his hitting is okay for a shortstop. He hasn't regressed like Santana, Vargas, and (to a lesser degree) Arcia have this year. I would go with Rosario, Hicks, Hunter in the OF and keep Escobar at SS.

It is still May to the 'pen in my book, despite his good start yesterday. It might be for a week or a month, but he will get more chances and he has shown himself to be capable at this point. If the Twins are 10 out and more than five back in the wildcard by the end of the month, put him back in the rotation, but for now the best for the team winning the most games (IMHO) is Pelfrey and Milone in the rotation and May in the bullpen, perhaps working in high leverage situations.

Agree with you there. Santana has been close to a black hole in the bottom of the lineup. We may never see the .319 DanSan of 2014, but the .275 version (where he was in early May) is missing too. A while back I thought the Twins had two shortstops, now I'm not sure if they have even one.

Gilmartin started last year in the minors, correct? My recollection, without checking, was that he and Darnell were about the same--so-so velocity, so-so secondary pitches and control. Darnell got his taste of MLB, while Gilmartin started '14 in AA and moved up. Gilmartin's topline numbers look very good for the Mets. My recollection is that he only made the Mets because they had an absolute dearth of LH relief pitching. He's taken his opportunity and run with it. I guess I don't fault the Twins too much for taking the chance of not protecting Sean Gilmartin.

I was originally going to write about the Twins "June Swoon", but the news of Vargas' demotion followed by word that Miguel Sano would assume his spot on the roster makes last month's struggle old news. The Twins are above .500 so by loose definition they are contenders to make the playoffs. They have promoted three of their top prospects within the last month and it looks like this won't be the end of the moves. First, a look at positions, followed by a look at players. Center Field: The Twins have supplanted an injured and now released Jordan Schafer with first, Aaron Hicks and then top prospect Byron Buxton. Both are currently on the DL, with Hicks rehabbing and Buxton supposedly not due back for three to five weeks. I was really surprised when Hicks was not recalled following the injury to Buxton. Hicks has struggled a bit in his first games, but had three hits today. I have to believe Hicks is in Kansas City tomorrow when the Twins face the Royals. The future still belongs to Buxton, despite his struggles with the Twins. Hicks future seems pretty uncertain. The team has started three guys in center in the last week. Shortstop: When Santana was demoted about a month ago, it was assumed that Eduardo Escobar would get his chance to establish himself as the current shortstop. It didn't happen. Santana has returned and started a few games and Eduardo Nuñez has been at short more than Escobar. Jorge Polanco is still in Chattanoogs and committing too many errors. Starting rotation: Ervin Santana's suspension is up on Independence Day. His three rehab starts were very good. All five current starters have a pretty good claim to stay in the rotation. Bullpen: Alex Meyer was recently called up and in two appearances where the starter was knocked out early, has been pretty close to dreadful. The two non-closing left handed reliever have bad statistics and little chance for upside. Blaine Boyer seems to be weakening after a stong start. DH: Vargas opened the season as the regular DH, got demoted and then came back. He hasn't been a constant threat and has seen his playing time diminish. It appears that Sano will get a chance at DH. Players: Kennys Vargas-He wasn't a top prospect last year, but last year he forced his way onto the Twins last year. This year has offered major regression. Vargas had a brief demotion to AAA and today was sent to Chattanooga. Vargas needs to hit with authority and he's failed to do that. As mostly a pure DH (a game at first occasionally) the production has to be substantial. Oswaldo Arcia--He was injured and then optioned to Rochester. Arcia finally has started hitting, but he's been passed by by Eddie Rosario as an outfielder and probably Miguel Sano as a DH. The way back to the majors isn't clear. I would guess someone needs to struggle while Arcia lights it up. Eduardo Escobar--Last year's primary shortstop has hardly played the position. Danny Santana was given the job and when he faltered Escobar has gotten a few starts, but other have started many more. Most of Escobar's playing time has come in left field. He hasn't hit well enough to be a serious alternative in the outfield. Danny Santana--The Opening Day shortstop was demoted to the minors and only recalled when there were injuries. He hasn't hit well since his recall, and started the last two games in center field. Eddie Rosario--Rosario was recalled in May and now seems secure to stay with the club. He has adjusted very well to the majors, starting games at all three outfield positions. Aaron Hicks--Recalled after dominating AAA, Hicks played well in the field, but was at best only a #9 hitter. He was injured just as Buxton was to be recalled and is rehabbing in Rochester. Hicks could be on his way back to the majors as soon as tomorrow. Byron Buxton--The crown jewel of the farm system, Buxton struggled but showed obvious talent. He is slated to be disabled for probably another month. It appears that the Twins have settled on Rosario as a regular outfielder and that DH will be handled by Sano for now. Center field probably goes to Hicks until Buxton is healthy. I don't know who the shortstop for the rest of the year will be. I wish they would give Escobar a legitimate chance at this point. I think Santana needs work in the minors, along with Vargas and Arcia. That is some high quality depth

There are prospects and there are PROSPECTS. Sano and Buxton are the upper-case type. They might struggle short-term, but within a year they should be cornerstones. Nobody should block them. Now jumping from AA does give some pause and increases the chance that they will not succeed immediately.

Sano probably is the DH most of the time. If Mauer is the DH, then Plouffe can play first and Sano third. They can give Plouffe a game off each week and DH him. Not sure that having Hunter DH would get Sano on the field. I'm wondering if Hicks is coming up. Escobar shouldn't be a regular left fielder and Santana needs to go back to the minors.

The benching of Mauer today is odd, especially with Hunter and Suzuki logically given days off. If they were going to hit for Vargas anyway, there was no reason not to switch Mauer for him. I thought it was a done deal that Hicks would be recalled. Guess not.

Come on Bremer!

Send him!

OK, the double switch is happening now. I would have gone Mauer for Vargas.

No! Not a lefty. Molitor should have made a double switch.

Doesn't have to throw a strike Don't think it was.