h2oface

I just never get the assumption that May is better than his career numbers say.

Hildenberger's first 3 months steady? I can't forget the massive amount of inherited runners scored that seems to be left out of his review. Perhaps that was an indication of what was to come?

We have Hildenberger, with his 4.66 ERA (nevermind that, it means nothing, just some numbers), (and if he starts innings, he can't let inherited runners score) closing games, on purpose. ( 7 pitches) (7 pitches) (7 pitches). It may look dark now, but there is vision there. Or a vision. And visions, in baseball, always lead to that world series ring!

Yup. But those 2 walks. So terrible.

Kenley Jansen is contagious? Too soon?

I guess that is the rub here, for me. Falvey/Levine are "supposed" to be able to identify the right prospects, especially as pitching experts and developers is their calling card. I mean, look at the questionable upside arms they have added. And tossed. It is their job to not miss a guy like this that was in our system and ready to help in the show in 3 months! And not just show up, but shine. It is not our job, but it is theirs. But the Twins did let him leave. It was not Dereck's call to make until the Twins did not keep control of him.

Aerodeliria? By The Loud Family off the release, Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things?

What has not be said yet is exactly when it started. It seems like he had it over the off season, and entered his contract with it at its beginnings. He says he has been dealing with it all year. I wonder if he would have made it through Baltimore's physical? It would be really nice to know the inception, and not just the standard spin that seems to be happening now. I am not doubting he has a problem, and has had a problem and it has affected his play, but I am really interested in knowing when it started, exactly, and if it was disclosed then, and if he carried it over from last season and the off season.

The whole idea of honoring his grandfather..... great. For a couple times. For a season, maybe, although even that is a bit excessive. But now, I believe, that is just his excuse to get in his trademark. He can say he is still honoring his grandfather, but that ship has sailed. Now it is only about his trademark, like the crooked hat, no matter what he spins he gives it. You don't do a 21 gun salute everyday, or every time you do your job instead of blowing the game. How many times does it take before the "honoring" becomes so redundant that it has no point?

Thanks for the transaction record. That is a fine review for me, and others interested in knowing his path through the San Francisco system so far. As I suspected, the Twins actually "allowed" Rodriguez to be a minor league free agent, and then he signed with San Francisco, (and part of my initial knowledge of the situation was to know his name was not spelled "Derek" but Dereck, and that he did not sign with "SanDiego" but San Francisco), and San Francisco "controls" him for 6 more seasons, and the Twins had unilateral means of control that they passed on. In my understanding of the language, "think they are smart" does not mean "think they are stupid", or make the opposite assumption that they "are just stupid". A lot of very smart people also think they are smart, themselves, and are even sometimes, arrogantly smart and flaunting confidence, whether deserved or not, regardless of the size of their hands. From MLBTradeRumors (The Best Minor League Signings Of 2018: Starting Pitchers) this morning: Dereck Rodriguez, Giants: The bonanza of the 2017-18 minor-league class, Rodriguez has been one of the most impressive rookie starters in all of baseball despite being allowed to reach minor-league free agency last fall by the Twins. It’s unlikely he’s a true-talent 2.34 ERA pitcher — in particular, it seems doubtful he’ll continue to hold opposing hitters to a .264 BABIP and 5.7% home run rate — but he’s certainly producing quality peripherals (3.14 FIP / 4.01 xFIP / 4.08 SIERA). In any event, warning about regression for Rodriguez is like somewhat akin to raising concerns with the futures market for gold after your neighbor discovers a lode in her backyard. The Giants can count their found fortune later; for now, it’s enough that they’ve already received a huge contribution from Rodriguez and control him for six more seasons to come.

Except that Dozier has been in several slots, with Machado (who has been slumping and striking out a ton in the last 40 at bats.....) only following him twice. Starting August 1, 5th (with Bellinger following), 6th (Muncy), day off with Verlander pitching (he did come in defensively in the top of the 8th as a double switch and batted 9th in the bottom on the inning with Pederson following, and he still had to hit against Verlander and flew out), 5th (Puig), 5th (Muncy), Leadoff (Machado), 5th (Bellinger), Leadoff (Machado), and last night 4th (Bellinger). Those are all pretty dangerous hitters, though, and Bellinger has really heated up since the break, so your point is still the same, really. (I went to the 21-5 game, with Kershaw pitching).

That's just the kind of hitter that should be batting cleanup, eh? But singles and doubles are nice, and when your hot, your hot, and all hits these days are appreciated.

I don't know what Kirilloff and Lewis need to show to be aggressively promoted to AA Chattanooga immediately if not sooner. And Rooker to AAA. Or, they can just let Kirilloff and Lewis continue to eat up High A, and perhaps waste time, but age should not ever be a reason to hold back talent, as far as I am concerned.

Dereck...... signed and plays for San Francisco. In 2017, he pitched for both Fort Myers and the Chattanooga Lookouts where he compiled a combined 10-6 record and 3.27 ERA in 26 games (24 starts) between both teams.I believe that all that needed to be done to continue to have control and not have to resign him is to have him on the 40 man, but am not sure about that. Thanks for the attack. You are welcome to your support of whoever you like. I still have the right to my opinion. More people can do jobs than those who knew somebody or got the break. Thousands more.

Hey.... this brain trust also cut Dereck Rodriguez and JT Chargois. Van Steensel probably has a bright future ahead of him in a different system.

"They're not ready". I hear that over and over and over and over. From supposed professional execs to paid journalists to blog writers to fans.... etc etc. And it is all BS. The Dereck Rodriguez and JT Chargois stories unfolding in real time prove that talk is ever so cheap. The only way you know someone is ready is to give them the opportunity, and see what happens. So much time can be wasted by keeping a talent down, just because one thinks they are so smart. All the suspects are ready. Let them prove they aren't by getting them some playing time instead of a Matt Belisle or Jake Ordorizzi or Logan Morrison, and even a Rodney. And a Grossman and Wilson. Especially now that the towel has been thrown in on yet another season. Waiting and patience are so highly overrated.

Pressly, in his first appearance with the Astros, was brought in in the top of the 7th to hold the fort, with Houston playing at home and trailing 2-1. Verlander was the pitcher of record. First batter he pitched to for Houston..... Rougned Odor.... slammed a solo homer. So some things are the same......

Tourists (Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney) and one year players are not leaders of the clubhouse. I don't care how good they have been. Jim Thome for a year in the 11th hour of his career is not a clubhouse leader. He is a respected old man. Belisle, with a mediocre talent even in his best years, is certainly not someone that younger players respect. They put up with him. Especially now, since he absolutely sucks. Respect comes from your play. Torii Hunter is the exception, because he was a long time Twin, and he came back for his last years (after running for the money and giving his best years to a different team). But it is hogwash to say that Belisle is valuable as a clubhouse leader. He has to be a laughing stock, and the players hiding their sympathy and disdain. The FO and Molitor lose credibility for trying that tact on smart people. I'm not buying.

I don't think Lynn wanted to be here. He started so awful, and was a laughing stock of the rotation. He couldn't wait to get a new start.

He'll be fine! He's the man. He's the best. He's G Cinco. Maybe he just needs a new pair of shoes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IfDry906h8

Panic? I believe it is anger, not panic. And I promise not to tell you what to do. I think we can all do what we want.

They are billed as pitching experts, our front office guys. They get paid to see and identify what Rodriguez had. That is their job. Hell, Rodriguez was in the show in May! That is a massive whiff!

This has been the meme for 2 years, for 5 years, for 10 years..... hell..... forever it seems. You can accept it, if you like. That is a homer thing to do, for sure. The cumulative results, for all these increments, however, say different. They are guessing, just like everyone else not on the payroll, and so far, the results show that they are not guessing very well. And, because all those other teams mindtrust's have already cast them off, are they the ones that are wrong, and our guys not? Many thought they were smart for signing Odorizzi, Lynn, and Morrison, too. Results show that is not the case.

To be fair, then why wouldn't this FO do it? Look what they just did!

Dumpster Diving. With all the prospects we have that should get a look, the FO does this. What a joke.