William K Johnson

Some random thoughts from the road trip: - For those wanted to DFA Castro, it is probably not a good idea as bad as this team is offensively. He had three hits yesterday, can play almost anywhere, and has good speed on the bases and is good from both sides of the plate. What else do you want? - The main reason for the terrible bases loaded numbers are that it seems like every time we load the bases, several of the strikeout machines (Larnach, Gallo, Jeffers, Kepler, Correa) are up in the order. Farmer, Kiriloff and the contact guys never seen to be at bat with the bases loaded. - Speaking of Jeffers, his play is dismal. Twice in the past week he has attempted to throw out a base runner and the results have been disastrous. He contributes nothing at the plate. I was hoping with the Vasquez signing that he would pick it up a little, but he seems to be worse now than before. - All winter I bitched and moaned about the Urshela trade. We had to trade a great fielder, good clubhouse guy, and solid hitter to make room for the "Golden Boy". Well, that blew up in our face. Urshela batting over .300, still making great defensive plays (check out the DP yesterday) and where is "Golden Boy"? He is at St. Paul batting .147 without an extra base hit and don't even get started on his defense. - The bullpen is getting to be a major concern. Jax is terrible, Lopez is who he is, Pagan is a nightmare. Thankfully we discovered Stewart in the dumpster. The jury is still out on Jose De Leon. - Our only saving grace is that the rest of the division is simply terrible. Cleveland can't score, Kansas City can't pitch and Detroit, who knows. Chicago looks like they may be putting it together, but a weekend sweep of Kansas City does not tell you anything.

We lost this game in the sixth inning. Bases loaded and we get a weak popup to first, a strikeout, and can of corn to left. They load the bases and get a walk and grand slam.

Solano just called out on three pitches, two of them nowhere close to the strike zone. Begs to wonder, when the Yankees play the Dodgers, who gets the calls then?

The best at bat Farmer had all night was the grounder to the right side that moved Buxton from second to third setting up Jeffers bunt. We scored without a hit. That is how you win games. The more I see of Farmer the more I appreciate the fact that he is a very good baseball player with a great feel and knowledge of the game.

Cuzzi is terrible. Will never forget his foul ball on Mauer against the Yankees in a critical playoff game. Ball was three feet fair, and he was the left-field umpire and was only a couple of feet away from where it hit. Yet calls it foul.

Adding Kyle Farmer at third has upgraded that position both offensively and defensively.

A couple of thoughts on the game tonight: - We got a huge break when they decided to walk Correa and pitch to Kiriloff. I know its early, but I sure like it when he is at the plate. - Say what you will about Solano, he hits. Once Buxton moves back to center, Solano should be considered for the right-handed DH role. - Pablo Lopez did not have his best stuff but still managed to hold a pretty good hitting team to one run over seven. - Willie Castro threw a pea to first from third. - Baldelli seems to like Castro and Gordon as late inning defensive subs. - Gallo is beginning to be of some concern - As bad as our division is, if we had played anywhere near where we should, we would be leading this division by eight games

For the time being we will just have to plug third base until Lewis is ready. Miranda was not the answer there.

Why can't Buxton play centerfield? Since both Miranda and Solano can't field, try one of them at DH. Platoon right-field with Kepler and Taylor for now. If Gallo continues to struggle, a new left fielder is needed. Wonder if Eddie Rosario is available? Perhaps the overall answer is to put Lewis in left field when he returns, try Lee at third and Julen at second. You would then move Gallo to rightfield where his arm is a plus. If he continues to struggle offensively, then it is time to cut bait and try someone else like Taylor, Wallner or any other options we have. But change something soon, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome.

The fact remains that the guy is not major league ready.

I love all of the optimism and hope that I am wrong, but I just don' t see it.

Is James Rowson employed? If not, someone give him a call. Our current hitting philosophy is not working.

He will never be as good as Cuddyer. I see him at best as a Trevor Plouffe caliber player. Even at that, he has a way to go to reach that status.

When Miranda wins a batting title, come talk to me. Cuddyer could hit, catch and throw. Miranda has yet to show he can do any of those three things.

Comparing Miranda to Cuddyer is like comparing me to Harmon Killebrew

I stated many times during the off-season that the trade of Urshela was a mistake. Miranda has no defensive abilities at all. And now, with his inability to hit, he is no asset to this team. Farmer goes to third once he is healthy and stays there until Lewis is ready. Lewis stays there until Lee is ready, then him and Lee man second and third.

Miranda's defense at third base in almost comical.

Hearing that same crack off of KIriloff's bat that I heard in Cleveland two years ago. If he's ready, we need him now. There are plenty of options on who to send down.

Baltimore's pitching line against Detroit was Gibson, Cano and Coulombe yesterday. Nine innings, one run, two hits and fifteen strikeouts.

Can't wait until Farmer takes over at third. Two plays yesterday that a decent third baseman makes are not made. Miranda is a DH at this point in his career.

Sure hope our lineup looks like this after the all-star break. Lewis - LF Correa -SS Buxton -CF Gallo - RF Polanco - 2nd Kiriloff - 1st Solano - DH Farmer - 3rd Vasquez - C Bench - Jeffers, Castro and Michael A Taylor Have had enough of the strikeout twins (Larnach and Kepler) and the Golden Boy (Miranda). I knew I was going to miss Urshela but did not realize it would be this bad. Not only is Miranda's defense lacking (no range and short hops most of this throws to first) but he is overswinging at the plate. Notice how many times he goes to one knee after a swing or falls completely to the ground. A good hitting coach would correct this, but we do not have a good hitting coach. The strikeout twins are what they are. They will both hit in the .220's, ten to fifteen homers a season, and play adequate defense, although Larnach's throw from left field last night was the worse throw into the infield I have seen in memory. The upside is the starting pitching is solid, the bullpen less Pagan is solid. Baldelli's managing will always be an Achilles heel as he has too much Kevin Cash in his managing philosophy. Drawn in infields in the first inning, over reliance on his bullpen, and failing to bunt when the situation demands it. Baldelli also forgets that insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. He runs the same lineup out each night expecting different results when it is apparent that the current lineup is not major league ready. Finally, I agree that Lopez is going to be an ace, but I sure miss little Louie leading off.

Is James Rowson available?

That a way to go Rocco, leave Solano on the bench while the "golden boy" bounces into another double play.

Can we get James Rowson back as hitting coach?

Move Taylor to a corner outfield position when facing lefthanders or when one of the left-handers are struggling. Buxton in center, Taylor in a corner position would make a great outfield no matter who the third outfielder is.