mattkummer

Pretty brutal. I thought leaving Morris out for the 9th was intriguing. Because it signaled to me that Shelton didn't trust anyone else to go thru the heart of the Reds order, and Morris at least throws 95-96 with his fastball. They have to have some high velocity arms that can miss bats. Hopefully they keep Morris up, and Rojas and Prielipp can help.

Responsible for the greatest 40th birthday present I could have had. Went to the game against the Tigers with a bunch of friends. Twins came back from a deep hole, and Dozier did this... Coolest moment I've seen in person at a game.

This is a DEEP team. Arraez is a no doubt starter on just about any MLB team, and on the Twins, he's the guy without a true position. They are well positioned to handle injuries that arise (pun intended) with the flexibility on the roster. Arraez can easily slide back to the infield if any of Donaldson, Simmons or Polanco get hurt. Plenty of depth between Rooker, Cave and Kirilloff for LF. And plenty to fill out 1B or DH if Cruz or Sano go down with Donaldson, Rooker, Garver, etc.

There's a saying in hiring and recruiting people to work in Minnesota (or the Upper Midwest): It's extremely difficult to get them to come here, but if you get them, it's almost impossible to get them to leave. The Twins are facing the same challenges that any employer does. It's compounded by the fact that most MLB players are from warmer climates. If they have the choice, familiarity and lifestyle is going to win out. At a certain point, an extra $10-20 million isn't going to sway things all that much. And yes, I think the prospect of winters lasting into early May and starting in mid-October is a factor for baseball players when they have the choice to largely avoid it. It's somewhat unique to baseball. Football is about the elements, and there's more variance in where players are from. I suppose it doesn't hurt that the Vikings play inside either. The Wild probably has an advantage because so many hockey players are from northern states or Canada. NBA is an indoor game, but even there it's tough to compete of the allure of Miami, LA, SF-- or if you don't mind the relative cold, NYC or Boston. Money will be a big factor, but it's a two way street and the final decision in free agency rests with the individual player. For the Twins, that means trading is the most likely path for impact pitching. And drafting/developing better than anyone.

How about 4/120 for Harper? Allows him to hit free agency again for his age 30 season.

If Buxton's toe hasn't healed, or isn't healing, what's the point of running him out there, when it's clearly impacting him on the bases and possibly at the plate? I get he's a defensive freak, but when he is doing what he did the 2nd half of last year, it literally transforms this offense due to his speed on the basepaths. Send him to the DL to get the toe healed, then a rehab assignment to build back his confidence. At this point, Jake Cave is a better lineup option until Buxton gets right/healthy. Or LaMonte Wade. And for love of dog, can Dozier get on one of his good streaks? He's sinking his FA value along with the Twins playoff chances.

Let's say somehow, all these guys keep rapidly developing, and they don't get bit by the injury bug. (I know, unlikely.) It could make 2020 awfully interesting, especially if the current crop of younger players underperforms. I can envision this lineup: C: Garver 1B: FA Vet/Rooker 2B: Gordon 3B: Escobar SS: Lewis LF: Kiriloff CF: Buxton RF: Kepler DH: Sano (hopefully) SP: Romero SP: Berrios SP: Graterol SP: Gonsalves SP: Gibson The questions are: -I'm assuming the Twins sign Escobar in FA, and let Dozier walk. What happens with Polanco? -Is Rosario the odd one out in the OF? -It may sound crazy, but if Buxton continues to not hit-- is he the odd one out.

At a certain point, Berrios needs to figure out the command issues at MLB. There's no use in sending him to AAA, because he'll dominate there without having to figure it out. He's got the stuff, he's got the work ethic. It's just putting it together. And, he's had some atrocious strike zones to deal with.

Dave-- that's awesome. Thanks for doing that. I've looped people on Twitter discussion onto that. I'm avoiding MSP-LGA because I'm going standby, and those flights are most likely to leave me stranded while other Twins fans get to the game! I'll go via Detroit or Chicago instead. LGA is no one's idea of an aesthetically pleasing airport. But in terms of getting to the Bronx-- it's by far the best option.

I will be getting in late morning Tuesday-- if all goes well. I'm married to an airline employee and I fly standby. All dependent on flight loads and things look fine. I'll avoid MSP-LGA though. Also, on Twitter, John Bonnes mentioned that he was looking at coordinating something around 5p on Tuesday. Assuming near stadium.

Was looking on Google Maps for places around the stadium... what about Bronx Drafthouse? Looks like they have good craft beer options and food. I'm sure it's crowded, but maybe less than the iconic places like Stan's? Bronx Drafthouse 884 Gerard Ave, Bronx, NY 10452 (929) 265-9759 https://goo.gl/maps/ACgo2DQz1EQ2

I didn't see one, so I figured I would start a thread for those of us going to the game in New York on Tuesday-- should that game take place there. Let me know if you are going-- and if you have any interest in grabbing a beer near the stadium beforehand. Perhaps the TwinsDaily moderators would want to do some sort of informal gathering? GO TWINS!! #WEREGONNA

That was my original thought. However, there is a day off between the Wildcard and the ALDS. They could theoretically roster him-- knowing that he'd be a 2 inning bridge to a short Santana start. If that happens and they win-- then I guess you try to figure out who goes in Game 1 of the DS. I'd guess Gibson-- and then Berrios, Santana, etc.

As I mapped it out, they do exactly that: skip the 5th starter due to the off day on 9/25 and Santana pitches on the 28th.

I had the same thought about Moya. Could see him quickly moving past Boshers if he pitches well. The other move I wonder about-- is do they include Berrios as a potential 2-3 inning option if Santana doesn't last long?

So-- should the Twins occupy one of the Wild Card spots, how should they construct the roster? Teams are allowed to reset the 25 man roster before each playoff round, so if the Twins won-- they could re-set for the ALDS. A Wild Card roster would be constructed-- knowing that it is one game. So, you could leave off the starting pitcher from the day before, add defense/speed guys for late innings, etc. The AL Wild Card game is set for Tuesday 10/3. The ALDS starts Thursday, 10/5 (I hadn't checked that in my original post-- so I will make a couple changes.) My Wild Card 25 Man Roster Starting 9 (not lineup order) C-Castro 1B-Mauer 2B-Dozier 3B-Escobar SS-Polanco LF-Rosario CF-Buxton RF-Kepler DH-Sano Reserves (6) C-Gimenez OF/PH- Grossman IF- Adrianza PH-Vargas OF/PR-Granite C/1B/PH-Garver Pitchers (10) -Santana -Belisle -Hildenberger -Rogers (L) -Busenitz -Pressly -Duffey -Gibson -Boshers (L) -Mejia (L) The Twins have said Ervin Santana is lined up to pitch the Wild Card game. Should they win, I'd assume Jose Berrios pitches Game 1. In sketching out how the rotation might look the rest of the way-- I'm guessing Mejia and Bartolo will pitch the final 2 games against Detroit. Obviously, that may change if they've clinched a Wild Card berth. But, that's the scenario I'm working toward here. I loaded up with bullpen arms, knowing that managers have very short leashes in playoff games. The top 4 relievers are no-brainers, and so is Pressly for the most part. Duffey hasn't been great but he's been around all year. Gee has been acceptable in a long role, so if Santana goes out early, he can pick up innings. With off days between the series, Gibson (the likely ALDS game 2 starter), can be a long guy. The lefties scare me, aside from Rogers. Boshers is a full LOOGY. Mejia can be that guy in a wild card game on short rest. You'll note-- no Glen Perkins. I don't see him coming anywhere near a playoff roster. The starting position players should be no surprise. Looks like Escobar has 3B locked down even when Sano returns. On the bench, Gimenez, Grossman and Adrianza are givens. (If the Twins face a LH starter, Grossman starts instead of Kepler.) The 23-25th man gets interesting. Vargas gets a spot because of value as a late inning PH. Granite gets a spot, likely as a PR late with the Twins behind a run or tied. Garver gets a spot as a potential RH bat with pop. How would you build it?

I live near Appleton, WI-- so I try to make it to a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game when the Twins affilate is in town. It's been a couple years though.I did get to see Miguel Sano in 2012 when he was with Beloit. I remember him seeing my Twins hat before the game and coming over to shake my hand. The next year, I made a point to see Byron Buxton in a mid-July series. This is a picture I took of him on-deck. He was promoted to Ft. Myers the next day.

I think Kintzler gets moved today, and that's it. If there's another-- it would be Santana but only if Gray and maybe Darvish goes. The rest will be August moves. Belisle, Grossman, Gimenez. I don't see a market for Dozier right now either. But that could change next month if a 2B on a contender gets hurt. Still, my gut feeling is that Dozier is a Twin on Opening Day 2018.

I wondered aloud when Pohlad guaranteed Molitor's job if Molitor might just step down anyway. You can tell the team's awful play is grating at him. His contract only runs through next year. I think once the season's done, he'll tell ownership and the new GM/Pres. of Baseball Ops. that he appreciates the gesture, but that it's unfair to him and the new regime to manage as a lame duck and for them not to be able to install their guy right away. They'll buy out his last year.

Ridiculous. The Twins are a rebuilding team and are in the process of clearing out veterans to make room for prospects and young talent. There is no logical point in sending Sano to AAA. What does it accomplish? You're taking a MLB-middle of the order bat and sending him down to work on defense? Look, even with his flaws, Sano is still the most dangerous hitter on this team. Look no further than Kepler getting intentionally walked last night to face Sano, and Miguel crushed a double to CF. Yes, he's going to strike out a ton. No, he's probably not going to be a great 3B and will probably be a 1B/DH in a couple years. It's his bat, that power and decent plate discipline that makes him extremely valuable.

It is nice to get great seats for cheap. Was there Saturday. Row 1, Section 120. $30.

It doesn't look like his defense is doing him any favors. 3 errors already, 2 unearned runs. No strikeouts-- but no walks either. Looks like he's throwing about 60% strikes from the box score.

My guess is that Kepler goes back to AAA when the Twins hit the road Wednesday, and Murphy comes up. I'd rather see someone like Murphy in that limited role than a top prospect who needs ABs. I'd put money on moving Perkins to the 60 day DL. He even said he'll be out longer than 15. Right now, the bullpen is better without him-- so take the time and make sure he's healthy. It will be interesting to see what happens when Santana comes off the DL. That's when I think Buxton gets sent out if he continues to flail at the plate.

I kinda forgot about AP. I'm in Green Bay, you'll have to excuse me.

While we make fun of the rubes (deservedly) who never miss an opportunity to bash Mauer, call him a wuss, ask why they don't move him back to catcher, etc., there is a larger, valid point. Souhan has made that point, but he winds up discrediting it when he reverts to going full rube. It's not Mauer's money that's handcuffing the Twins, it's their stubborn insistence that he occupy the #3 spot in the lineup and play 1B every day when there are younger, more productive options in both of those spots. If it's sentimentality that Mauer is "one of us", the Twins need to realize that ship sailed with Mauer a long time ago. He's probably the most hated athlete in the Twin Cities. As Sheehan writes: "Mauer isn't the future; he's barely the present." He's right about this, and the Twins need to adjust accordingly to put their best lineup out there.