jokin

I think it's fair to say both Cobb and Lynn are different pitchers post-injury years. But Cobb hands down looks like the better adapter to the reality of his new skill set. And as posted above, Cobb improved significantly as he adapted as the season progressed, while Lynn was notably wilder and less able to generate KOs and ground balls.

There is a difference between the two from what I can tell. Cobb finished the season very strong. By contrast, Lynn's numbers declined alarmingly as the season proceeded. And need we forget how few NL pitchers have come in here and helped? First half: Cobb- K/9 5.31 BB/9 2.34 GB% 45.4 Lynn- K/9 8.18 BB/0 3.34 GB% 52.3 Second half: Cobb- K/9 7.31 BB/9 1.97 GB% 52.3 Lynn- K/9 6.43 BB/9 4.29 GB% 46.1 In the last two months, the case for Cobb becomes even more compelling: Aug/Sep: Cobb- K/9 8.92 BB/9 1.88 GB% 54.1 Lynn- K/9 6.49 BB/9 4.83 GB% 45.7

Two points? The first stat is FOUR seasons (or points) of similarly typical production levels.... A stat which he (alarmingly) doubled in 2017 (playing in the same park/division). Coincurrently, Lynn's reliance on the Sinker approximately doubled in 2017 vs. the previous seasons from around 22.5% to 42%. Seems to be the definition of the level of gopher ball production from a failing sinker (and lack of an alternative "go-to" pitch) to me. Can he improve over 2017? Sure. But if you're going to spend money in FA, Alex Cobb is the better bet.

Just to further your excellent point: Lance Lynn HR/FB% 2012-15- 7.7% Lance Lynn HR/FB% 2017---- 14.2% The trend is not LL's friend. No No No! Don't believe the risk involved in this trend? How about these "much-maligned for gopher ball tendencies", current Twins starters over their time here? Veritable pikers next to LL 2017. Phil Hughes HR/FB%- 10.4% Kyle Gibson HR/FB%- 12.8%

Yes. Yes.

Cobb or bust.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

This. I was like many, disappointed on draft day. But this kid is really growing on me, much like BOTH Berrios and Buxton.

Strange comment. With the ever-increasingly and prohibtively high cost of pitching and the ever-present/all-but-inevitable likelihood of pitching arms breaking down.... I think it's safe to say that Mike's point about constantly improving in other areas such as defense and hitting has very real relevance in order to stay competitive. Especially considering... We're in the minor league forum, ie, we're all talking about more than just what transpires in 2018.

As we all know, and in this decade especially, the game is rapidly transitioning to focusing on multiple dominant bullpen arms as the best translation to successful W-L outcomes. And because the costs, and risks, of acquiring quality starting pitching is forever escalating to levels out of reach for all but the biggest market clubs, assembling a horde of live bullpen arms is by far the most cost-efficient means to stay competitive with the big budget behemoths. Perhaps the Twins see Phil Hughes becoming a lower velocity version of the next Brandon Morrow- they both have a career K-BB% of ~ 13.5%. Levine just went public with a very positive outlook on Hughes for 2018. And Trevor May may be on a faster track back by throwing out of the pen? Francisco Liriano is out there, would he welcome an offer to return to the Twins with a chance to be the premiere RP? Whatever the case, the staff needs ALOT more Ks to get to the next level. And the cheapest way to get more Ks in the short-term is more live bullpen arms. Hey, why not take some more chances on other washed-up starters like Morrow (signed minor-league deal prior to season). Getting two bargain-bin Pinedas in FA0 and two live FA BP arms- and plus having possible help from the young arms as well as possibly getting a shot in the arm from Hughes and May, is probably a more realistic way to remain competitive than banking on or hoping that the Twins somehow win the Darvish Derby (6 X $27.5 M.... really?).

Talk about damning with faint praise...

Agreed, it's great to see a little of the Old Joe back and somewhat resembling his previous form from his batting championship days. Seeing him pull that Grand Slam deep to RF makes me hope for a Renaissance Joe in finishing out his contract out with a flourish through 2018. But no matter how it ends up playing out, he's as much a hitter out of sync with the traditional production at his position as Wade Boggs was @ 3B for the Red Sox.

Actually, he used to be a terrific player for the Twins for many years- as a catcher. Mauer was ranked one of the worst at his position for the three years previous to this season- according to Fangraphs, 25th best @ 1st base. While he is clearly having his best season since 2013, and his defense has greatly improved over the years, he's still only ranked around 16th best in terms of fWAR @ 1st base for 2017.

Yep. I'm convinced, short of a World Serious run, Molitor has already been determined by Falvine to be a dead man(ager) walking.

Partially, it still is.. Addition by subtraction is one way to mitigate a bad bullpen. (SP threw only 94 ptichers, pretty easy to see scenarios where the Twins win the game, with only one or two RPs used to finish off the game- Rogers and/or Busenitz).

Enns? (and by proxy, Albers )

Boshers in 18 AAA games this year: WHIP: 1.64 BB/9: 5 H/9: 10 The only pitcher less effective and with worst stats in these cats at Rochester was Chris Heston. Mike Freakin' Tonkin and Dietrich Enns look like lights-out AAA- even factoring LHB- relief aces by comparison.

I like the alliteration and the slightest benefit of the doubt for a local boy HOFer, better. But agreed, Falvine have to be taking copious notes of self-incrimination on nights like this to add to the ever-growing Molitor Discard Review file for season's end.

Hurricane Irma

Olson did reach on a HBP.

Definitely an exciting difference in selection approach and developmental philosophy from the past regime. It feels like we're finally and inexorably beginning to catch up to the other enlightened rocket scientist baseball executives.

He hasn't gotten hurt at 3B yet, right? His defensive play, even during his recent hitting slump,suggest that this issue can wait until he's in his later 20s. Molly pointed out today that he's doing great at the position and said it's widely acknowledged that Sano has a 7-8 arm, which is elite. Why not use that arm at 3B and get another big bopper at 1B until Sano makes the move sometime after 2020?

Uhh, you aren't watching many Twins games, are you? Sano has been excellent at 3B, even with his post-All Star struggles at the plate. Sure, he will end up at 1B eventually. But he's been, and will continue to be, an asset at 3B for the next few years.

Love the additional International signing $$$.

Or maybe Lewis could play leap-frog over Wander and jump right to Cedar Rapids, perhaps for the playoff run in August and September? There's no current Kernel SS there to hold him back, especially if he can maintain anything close to this level of offensive production. Has Bob Sacramento, or someone else, graded him out so far in terms of his real-time defense at SS?