Blackjack

If Cruz is so good, why didn't Seattle resign him??

It would be nice if he was at the top of the order but it seems to mess with his head, leave him at the bottom of the order --- all year long, no matter how he does, let him build up some confidence. Look at the big picture.

I haven't given up on Buxton but I'm not betting the farm on him either. His style of play and self induced injuries doesn't allow him to get any continuity, hes constantly trying to figure it out.

The Twins have many more serious problems than Kepler.

I think trading any of these guys at this point would be foolish, you'd be selling them at their low points, they just need to play, and hopefully keep improving. For the Twins to contend in 2019, all seven would need to have career years, what are the odds of that happening?? Slim and none. From that standpoint, any players that the Twins bring in via free agency or trades should be young. Wait until 2020 to break the bank on a major free agent. Good article Seth!!

There you go, treated like a prima donna from a young age.

I'd like to say "this is what happens when you get a six million dollar bonus as a teenager" but other players get huge bonuses to sign, stash the money, and go on to become good major league players. Whats does this say about Sano's character??! Signing young players is such a crap shoot.

My thoughts on managers/supervisors and MOTIVATION. Thirty years ago when I was in the Navy, two second class petty officers had a bunch of us rookie recruits standing in formation and asked for a couple of volunteers. Me and another naive rookie raised our hands - and they handed us each a broom and told us to sweep the parade ground. Several months later I was going thru fire-fighting school (everybody in the Navy goes thru fire-fighting because on a ship there is nowhere to run). Standing in formation, this big bearded second class gets up in front of us and starts ranting about we're going to be going into hell, walking thru fire, etc. We all thought he was crazy. So then we got go into their fire chamber, diesel fuel lit on fire on top of water, smoke all over BUT this big second class was right up front, showing the hose guy how to fight the fire, walking down the line, encouraging us. I've used those two examples of leadership as my standards for supervisors through out my career. Those two first broom handlers are the types that were shot in the back in Vietnam. The second guy, I would have followed him into a fire once we got out into the fleet. Two extreme examples of leadership, but hopefully you get my point. Motivation is a powerful force. If the Twins find the right leader, the right manager, a proper motivator, they're 50% to getting to the world series. Then its just a matter of giving him the right pieces to work with.

Good post!!! I'd like to add to #1. Falvine is now on the hook, but I'd give them 5-6 years total before they have to worry about the door hitting them in the arse. It takes time for their draft choices to mature, it takes time to weed out the non-performers in the coaching ranks and find good replacements. And now they are not hamstrung by the Pohlad decree that they couldn't fire Molitor, now they own the manager selection too.

Nice write up Seth!! Sounds like a well grounded kid that will be interesting to watch develop. I'm curious how the discussion about Royce Lewis went, did you ask him about it or did he bring it up??

I'd would prefer to give this a 'like' but are we sure that Buxton turned down an extension??

Personally I hope he quits, I don't want to read about any more concussions and long term damage. I wonder what Falvine wants?? Do they tell Joe we really don't want you back because we need to go with youth or do they say we need you, come back for one more year?? And how would that affect Joe's decision?

Its perplexing that they don't play Polanco a few games at second base, just to see how he performs there. Why not in a lost season??

Patience grasshoppers!!! Patience!!! You can't just judge them on two years, in my mind you need to give them five years. Then bring out the pitchforks. But give them five years. Give them five years to bring in their players, coaches, processes, etc anything less than that is just a knee jerk reaction. Yes, lots of questionable decisions but who knows better, execs close to the team, execs that have worked for years in baseball, or a bunch of internet jockeys??!!!! Give them five years!!!

I'd like to see Mauer back but I hope he doesn't come back, I don't want to read about him and his brain injuries 20 years from now. Retire now before he hurts his head again!!!

Morality is fine - up to a point. Think Joe Mauer, he's earned it. Buxton, not hardly. I started this post thinking that its ok to not bring Buxton up in September, but then changed my mind when other posters talked about extra at bats in Sept, etc. But when they didn't bring him up I was ok Mr. Buxton, use this as motivation, come out in April smokin. Show the Twins they screwed up!!!! I'm from Missouri. show me!!!!! I wouldn't bet $100 that he'll be hitting 300 on May 1st!!! Talking about morality, how many players leave their teams every year via free agency??? They go after the big bucks, they go after a championship, they go to play closer to home, or all of the above. And you want to preach morality, about some team keeping a player off their roster for 30 days???!! Pfffft!!

Thanks, I needed a good chuckle! I'm referring to the fact that you referred to 'moaning and groaning' - twice - in your post, and then chided me on it. Not sure what your point was though, I read it twice and still don't understand...

Your 'facts' still boil down to if Buxton doesn't figure out a way to stay off the injured list and doesn't become an all-star, all this moaning and groaning about how unfair the Twins brass are won't matter because he won't be on the team in four years when this worrisome extra year of control kicks in.

He does the Twins no good if he's on the injured list. Save the Superman stuff for the last out of a playoff game. Play hard but smart.

If he turns into the superstar we all hope he does but won't sign an extension in 3.5 years, he can always be traded. If he doesn't turn into a superstar, all this angst is for nothing. And he can still be traded at anytime if he has a bad attitude.

Falvine is paid to do whats best for the franchise and that means getting the extra year of service time on Buxton. If Buxton overcomes his normal poor start and is having an MVP type season on July 1, is it because now hes motivated to show Falvine and the Twins or is it because Falvine gave him the extra month off to get healthy, lift weights, bulk up? Only time will tell.

You're probably correct but I just threw that in there to placate some of the TD readers that willl be outraged when the Twins don't spend that 30-40 millions dollars, at least they've spent it long-term on extentions.

As for Mauer, I'm going to be more sentimental here and just say I hope he doesn't come back, just because of the injury risk and long term consequences. Go read up on Jim Mcmahon or other concussion victims. But if Joe had that concern I think he would have retired mid-season, so I think he'll want to come back, and again being sentimental, I'd say let him. I don't want to see him playing for another team. Theres a place for his defense and good at bats and i don't seriously think the Twins are going to contend next year, he's not holding anyone back.

I started reading down thru this thread with the clear idea "keep Buxton down, gain the year of control, he's played and injured himself into this position", screw him. After reading thru the posts, I've been convinced that having him up for September getting major league at bats and coaching is probably best for his long term development. Especially when someone pointed out that he can be sent down for 29 days next year to gain that extra year of control. Make it clear to Buxton that next spring he is not guaranteed a job, make it clear that we're going to give you the 'Sano' treatment if he's floundering. Somebody also has to get it into his head that thinking hes Superman and can run thru walls is actually hurting his career and the Twins. Save that for the last out in the World Series.

That doesn't mean they have to spend it. I could see them possibly spending the money on extensions to Rosario, Berrios, Kepler, etc. We will see, the free agent market last year was funky and I don't see it changing, if it was me I'd have a wait and see attitude, see if some of the huge contracts will come down. The high end free agents like Harper and Machado will get paid but it will be interesting to see about the rest of the free agents.