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jokin

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Everything posted by jokin

  1. jokin
    What in the world are you talking about? Did you notice and comprehend any of the facts presented? And that virtually every journalist covering the Twins has discussed this curious situation in detail, from the beat writers at both newspapers, the radio commentators, all the way to the bloggers, and to TD writers, as well? You didn't notice any of the disconnect starting in Spring Training on what Molitor and Brunansky publicly stated that they wanted from Vargas regarding both his ongoing approach at the plate, as well as treating batting practice less as Home Run Derby and more as the place to prepare for what they were asking from him in game situations? And what Vargas was doing instead? And the curiously contradictory tweet with the quote from Vargas about hitting singles too often, even though his power production had in fact, gone way up in May? And being continually benched in May in favor of utility players frequently DHing, even as he was clearly emerging from his slump and making the type of contact that the coaching staff was supposedly looking for from him? And playing sporadically yet again after his second call-up? And that LaVelle E Neal reported after his second demotion that it was very likely that this was the last time that Vargas would ever be called up to the Twins? No reason to get personal.
  2. jokin
    Yes. On the day of the demotion... here's this tweet from Molitor: "Paul Molitor on Kennys Vargas' mentality before demotion to AAA: "Right now, it’s cluttered." Says its patient one at-bat, aggressive next." And this tweet from Vargas: "Vargas, after being sent down: 'We’re looking for [me to] produce. Produce means runs & RBIs. You don’t want me to hit a lot of [singles].'" And he obviously hadn't been doing that since the start of May... this tweet from Berardino: "Over past 13 games, Vargas had lifted his batting average by 89 points, his OBP by 67 points and his SLUG by 133 points. Rochester-bound." Aaron Gleeman recaps the month of May leading up to his first demotion, and the lack of an obvious rationale on behalf of the Twins for doing so:
  3. jokin
    I would hope they give him time and patience, as well. But given the obvious philosophical discord on his hitting approach, I fear the Twins reach the conclusion that, given the upcoming offseason roster crunch and redundant DH options, that his spot needs to be taken by someone else- and they try to trade him.
  4. jokin
    And I believe he suffered a concussion in the last game of the season in 2014. Who knows if, besides the adjustment to the FSL, if there were still some lingering effects from the brain injury.
  5. jokin
    On the radio, and he said it before Sano got off to his great start. I'm guessing his source(s) on the Twins being so down on Vargas are from the inside and that there's more to that May demotion and his time in AAA (why bounced all the way down to AA?) that hasn't been made public. Granted, they may have wanted to keep him separated from Arcia, but it didn't sound like Neal was just making something up out of whole cloth. It appears that the onus is now on Vargas to make something happen, only now he's behind both Sano and Arcia on the DH depth chart, and he's currently treading water in Chattanooga, at best.
  6. jokin
    FWIW, LEN3 predicted he's likely done as a Twins major leaguer.
  7. jokin
    Where is this Plouffe paternity leave issue being reported? ARe there any published projected due date parameters? The scenario you propose would be a splendid dilemma, indeed!
  8. jokin
    I think the Twins learned good lessons from last year's failed plan with "hard throwing" RPs, let Jay get his baptism of fire to find out what works and what doesn't at the proper professional level commensurate with his skill set. I'm not worried in the least at this point, even if he has to take a temporary demotion.
  9. jokin
    When Buxton is ready, this is who should replace Robinson. Plus Nunez can provide the PR and occasional starts against lefties, what he lacks on defense vis a vis Robinson, he makes up for it with the fact that he's a major league hitter. Up until last weekend, Santana was the obvious choice to be flipped for Arcia... as of now, it's not so clear who Arcia could/should replace.
  10. jokin
    That makes a lot of sense, but not necessarily with a guy who was already having major mechanical malfunctions. He was already showing some recurrent weakness/soreness issues with his shoulder, do the Twins really want to add further risk with his elbow? FWIW- "Worth a shot" sounds a little ominous.
  11. jokin
    Guys should be coached to their strengths. Not sure what you mean for sure, but May doesn't have better overall talent than Meyer, but even with inferior stuff, he has adjusted well to the Twins coaching approach, lots of quotes from him in the minors on how he was incorporating the philosophy the Twins were instilling in him. And it showed, his BB% has dropped incrementally every year from his last year with the Phils in 2012 (but his BB% also dropped year over year with the Phils from 2011 to 2012)- and it really has dropped precipitously in 2015 under Neal Allen- and 2014 in AAA was his breakout year statistically- so it's hard to say for certain that his short time with Anderson was the most important aspect of his ascendancy. I like May alot, but I'm skeptical that he could ever be deserving of a phenom label, but Meyer still can, if he can get that 6'9" frame in synch with his natural ability.
  12. jokin
    What? A guy already struggling with his mechanics was also asked to try to add in a new pitch, with a tricky grip, besides? That's usually something done to salvage a guy's career, not a good sign on the surface.
  13. jokin
    Thanks for the clarification and the mouth-watering) info! Good also to hear he'll be considered to be among the few 17-year-olds that the Twins push right to the GCL in their first season (Sano, Kepler, Minier to name a few that come to mind). Perhaps here's the next best chance for a true phenom in the Twins system?
  14. jokin
    Thanks Seth, that's about where I thought/hoped they should both be placed. Arraez is nearly a full year younger than Palacios, so maybe there might be a little more room for development. I like the flexibility he might offer as a LHB. BR and MiLB both have Palacios listed at 6'0"/145#s, major stringbean- definitely reads like "room to grow." Here's a case where 2 Venezuelan youngsters have plenty of time to come up together slowly and steadily, unheralded enough to avoid the pressures of expectations but motivated enough to try to stay out of Wander Javier's and Nick Gordon's shadows. If/when Javier outgrows the SS position (6'/170#s and age 16), add two more to the MI prospect list, either of whom could potentially find a path up the prospect rankings, plus 6 years from now, when they're both 24 years old, Brian Dozier will be 34. BTW, I know it's far too early with Javier to write any potential prospect ratings down as gospel, but I did see video of the kid, and he's definitely got the classic uppercut power swing. When do you first consider ranking the international signees? Just watching the video and reading the writeups, it seems like the kid has a good chance to get a Top 20 ranking out of the chute.
  15. jokin
    Bob, I can't get anyone to comment on Luis Arraez. Just turned 18, installed in the leadoff position early on, bats LH, a rare young Latin with terrific plate discipline. Great year in the DSL in 2014. Because he's playing 2nd to Palacios at SS, I assume he's not as flashy with the glove, I'm interested in hearing any impressions you might have on him.
  16. jokin
    All true. And he's a great guy. Want a true Twins fan? He and his wife were the first ever to have their wedding ceremonies conducted at Target Field
  17. jokin
    Yes, and that's the one dimension that is clearly missing from the Twins attack.
  18. jokin
    I've endorsed this position, and sure enough, Santana comes back from the dead, going 5-11 in his last 3 games. If he could continue showing his bat has regained semblances to his 2014 season, he suddenly becomes the best of the 3 SS options. And Molitor has displayed public confidence and devoted extra behind the scenes work towards Santana in the hopes and expectations that he can be the guy he was last year. If last weekend wasn't a fluke and can be sustained, this would make SugaShane as the new "most expendable" candidate, followed by Nunez. It would seem that Arcia has to, and deserves to, come back at some point, but the Twins recent history this year though, has been promotion-due-to-injury.
  19. jokin
    So far, so good. I hope one or two more appearances like these two are enough of a springboard to get him back to Chattanooga, and on track for call-up considerations.
  20. jokin
    Huh? Eddie Rosario and Arcia have virtually identical K-rates. And Arcia has a BB% of 6.2% vs Rosario's 3.9%. Buxton and Schafer were much, much worse on strike out rates.
  21. jokin
    Yep. His stuff has faded a bit, not quite as filthy fast on the FB (down 1.5 MPH), and much more of a fly ball pitcher. But there's little doubt about the outcome when it's time to close out a lead.
  22. jokin
    He's never going to be Hanley or Tulo at the plate, but I think some of the early-season critics can climb down off of the ledge now.
  23. jokin
    Whoops, turns out it was more like ...2...1
  24. jokin
    No worries, Steve. That's still some very solid, well-researched and much-appreciated information. More confirmation that May doesn't necessarily require the fragile flower treatment. Molitor speaks as if he well-knows this, but doesn't want to take any chances on messing up May's long-term career prospects by asking too much of him, such as to appear in high leverage situations. Caution when enacting a poorly conceived plan is actually a good thing in this case, but I think May would quickly adapt to being the set-up guy should it come to that. It won't though, the "plan" and "role" going forward in the short run for May certainly appears to be as the "at the ready" #6 starter- either here or in Rochester. The sooner he's back in the rotation, the better.
  25. jokin
    It's always pops up like clockwork precision .... 3...2...1 (also in the case in your prediction of how soon your thread will be closed down when it suddenly loses its lighthearted intent). The derision, scolding, mocking and appeal to authority of any detailed and constructive suggestion or criticism offered that might be an alternative strategy to make the team better. "Not a real Twins fan" is one that always brings a smile.
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