DaveW

hmmmm

And yet the twins have issues finding a 5th starter this year with an era under 8.00

Great article. I like how he actually goes into WHY Santana is pitching well instead of the just "its like, revert to the mean etc etc" that a lot of folks throw around.

I believe. The defense is elite. The offense is solid We have 3 solid SP, Mejia should be an OK #4. But 4 days out of the 5 we should be very competitive. Santana and Berrios thus far have been pretty much unbeatable. Bullpen- This is what worries me the most. But at the end of the day: Other than Cleveland the AL Central is WEAK. The AL east are juggernauts, and the west has the Stros and not much else IMO. I believe they can stay in the hunt. At this point, I'd say anything less than 83 wins will be very disappointing. My odds: To win at least 75: 90% To win at least 81: 65% To win division: 20% To make the playoffs (WC or Division) 50% To win pennant: 12.5% To win world series: 5%

I didn't intend for this thread to delve into this nonsense, TD is usually better than that. But we can play the blame game all day long. The US/UK certainly have had plenty of **** ups in re: to the middle east (*cough Iran *cough), and that whole debacle of where to put the Jewish population after world war 2....

lol this is some SSS, also yes, his OPS is below 1.000....but by exactly one point: .291/.426/.573/.999

Chief is a big fan of Madmen, the 50's were a big time for Chief, he started pulling social security back in 52.

$35!

He has an opt out clause at the end of this season. More than likely he will do that (if he doesn't I would be happy if he stuck around for 4 years)

I wanted them to get him previously, I'd be for it.

Wouldn't cost much at all, like maybe just a PTNBL Volquez isnt very good, is older and is owed $13 mil next year. I wouldn't want to commit to him for next year.

At some point if you ever want to win a title you gotta do it Do you think the Cubs regret giving up a ton for Chapman? Most of the guys listed above wouldn't cost any of the elite prospects in the Twins system.

I still think they could use another bat potentially. LF/CF/DH/1B could be a concern offensively potentially. I think mauer will be fine, but have questions about Grossman, Vargas, Rosario and Buxton offensively. Maybe a Jay Bruce type?

Cueto as mentioned in other thread is interesting. Is there a chance that he would not opt out of his contract? I doubt he could get 6 years on the open market, and a bunch of teams may balk at 5.

Should be a fun topic: Movies: Blade Runner (pure garbage) Top Gun (meh) Jackie Brown Star Wars episodes 1,2,3,6,7 TV shows: Game of Thrones Lost Music: Muse

63-57 the rest of the way should get them damn close.

I can't be the only one very uncomfortable with our current back end of the rotation (Specifically the #5 spot) Santana is continuing his "ace" like ways for the Twins. Berrios might already be a stud. Santiago is what he is. A #4 type, but is ok as a #3 Mejia solid last start, but still isn't a sure thing. But as of now, perfectly fine tossing him out every fifth day. Tespech/Gibson etc: "This is our concern dude" Baring Duffey moving to the rotation, I think it's of the utmost importance the Twins go out and acquire a solid veteran starting pitcher. Hughes is on the DL, and frankly probably can't be assumed that he will come back effective or healthy. Here is a list of targets I think the Twins should go for, more than likely for most the cost wouldn't be sky high and wouldn't derail any of the "rebuilding" for the future (i.e. guys like Gordon, etc wouldn't be traded) All of the below are on teams that are already "out of it" or likely will fall out soon. All are also free agents, or highly likely to be free agents after the year: -Marco Estrada: 3.30 ERA 10 k/9. Has been consistent over the past few years. Estrada/Berrios/Santana would become a real nice front of the rotation. The downside is: other than Darvish, one could make the argument that Estrada will be the top name on the market. Cost would be high, but could be worth it, of course Estrada likely won't be traded until very late July. -Trevor Cahill: 3.27 ERA- Talented pitcher, unfortunately he can't stay healthy. Was just put on the DL with shoulder issues, probably out for a month or two. Good news is, his cost could be super low for a team looking to roll the dice. The Twins should aim higher. -Alex Cobb: This assumes the Rays fall out of it. The AL East is a great division, so chances are they will. 3.67 ERA, 3.46 ERA. Has had past injury issues, but is looking healthy thus far this year. He doesn't strike out a ton of guys, but is very effective. Would slot in as the #3/#4 option for this club, and a solid #4 type overall. Cost likely wouldn't be nearly as high as some others, but should give you good innings if he stays healthy. -Johnny Cueto-Interesting case as he can opt out of his 4 year 82 million after this year which he most likely will, if not, I wouldn't mind the Twins being on the hook for that! Probably no shortage of takers for Cueto, who along with Yu and Estrada will be at the top of teams lists. If the Twins are in it and looking like a real contender for the pennant, Cueto would be a very nice acquisition, and slots in as a front of the rotation guy. -Jeremy Hellickson- The former ROY has never lived up to his early on lofty expectations, but he has developed into a solid back end guy. His k/9 has taken a nose dive this year,but the results still have been solid. Cost wouldn't be that much. -Ian Kennedy- Intradivision target, but could make sense. -Tyson Ross (DL) -Vargas (see Kennedy) Cueto, Estrada and Cobb would probably be my top targets. I'd like to see the Twins lock in on one of those three, in addition to strengthening the rotation, any of those three would instantly slot in in our top 3. If the Twins keep it up and make the playoffs, I think it's important that you have a top three in the rotation that you can count on. Santana, Berrios, Hellickson/Cueto/Estrada: Nobody will mistake that for the 90's braves, but that is a top 3 that can keep you in games, and in the case of Santana and Berrios: is capable of throwing an absolute gem. Thoughts on what it would take to get the above? Any targets I am missing?

I'd bet on ourselves in that series.

Found this amusing: Yesterday was a notable moment in Bitcoin’s history: Bitcoin Pizza Day, the anniversary of the first usage of Bitcoins to purchase a real-world good. (Two Papa John’s Pizzas.) At the time, a guy paid $30 worth of freshly mined coins for his treat; at current market prices, they’d now be worth more than $10 million apiece.

$32.55!!! This could be the greatest mistake I have ever made.

Another day. Another home run and great work in the field by our Boy Hicks.

Kielty for Stewart worked out well because Stewart had a very awesome hot streak at the right time. Extending him was dumb though. Luckily Kielty never developed and reached his potential so the trade ended up being a "win" for the Twins Even so, I do like that they actually had the guts to pull the trigger and take a risk. Sort of like how I won't ever lose too much sleep taking a risk on DeLeon (though I always thought tossing in Bartlett as wel was....dumb)

Or trade him now before his value plummets when 12 Better pitchers are on the market... Richard isn't going to be some big target for most teams. The whole point of getting him is that he isn't great at all, but a significant upgrade over the 8.00 era that gibson and tespech will prob give us!

/gets popcorn

There is no way he would cost that now. It's not like San Diego is in the hunt...and richard is a solid #5 but nothing more. No way would any team ever give up a fringe top 100 guy for that!