Jocko87

The irony is that if Rocco could have prevented it he would have.

If I'm Joe Pohlad I'm having Derek show me the math on today's managerial decisions. You know, splain it to me like I'm 5.

Thanks! 👍 You would think a manager that is willing to pinch hit for his cleanup hitter in the 2nd inning would be willing to try a little something crazy to get a run in in any other inning?

Listening on the radio Gladden thinks he did it on purpose to counter the opener, which I kinda believe even though it blows my mind. Provus says hes asked Rocco about it multiple times it Rocco says he does what he thinks is best of the inning, to score runs. But he can't be bothered to try a bunt in extra innings? I'm flabbergasted right now. I'm usually Rocco positive but this is insane. Is he admitting hes not planning ahead? Did he think they were going to bat around on the opener? I can't even piece together a rational counter argument.

Lot better already, breathing is not over rated as it turns out.

No, I got my snoz fixed on Friday and didn’t feel up to it.

And a sign of relief spread across the land of rakes.

I’m average! Yay!

🤣 trademark that! They’re everywhere!

I didn’t see the article but it’s pretty obvious that he’s going to be making up missed minor league time in the major leagues. That’s tough for anyone including 1-1 guys. Don’t make it harder by having to be uncomfortable on both sides of the ball.

Farmer and Castro both have roughly 4000 professional plate appearances. Correa only has 5400 for comparison. That's plenty of time on the track. They both have two years where they were regulars and below average performers. As Denny Green would say, they are who we thought they were. I do agree we should ride the hot streak but the way to ride the hot streak is to keep them in favorable positions.

Farmer is what Castro will be be as well. If Farmer continues to get full time run, he will be exposed as the role player he is especially against RH pitching. I love players like both Castro and Farmer in that they do all the thankless things that hold a roster together but when in a full time role they often disappoint. This is an expectations problem rather than a player problem. Let Castro get some run but don't be surprised when hes struggling 3 weeks from now. Expecting either of them to be an average or better regular after years of track record that says otherwise is optimistic, even for me.

I'm not even concerned with busting games wide open, just produce runs in runs producing situations. The break outs will come and we will enjoy them thoroughly. Echoing on a small game thread discussion re: RBIs as an opportunity stat. Obviously this is true but what I don't understand is why they are discounted as not mattering. The stat heads (I am one) are missing a huge opportunity here for a success rate stat that can make them matter. Yes, the raw number is meaningless but the success rate in those situations is huge. It may be captured somewhat in the runs created stats but it doesn't look like it to me. My bottom line is that situational hitting is a measurable ability that can be statistically quantified. I don't know what the formula would be but the analytics folks have to adjust to observable truths. I get that over the long run more runs are scored by swinging for the fence but does that actually win more baseball games? Using the proper analytics in the proper situation is the whole in-game purpose of a manger.

I think that its a bit optimistic to think he can replace MAT on a 1 for 1 level much less as an upgrade to middle of the order bat. It both underestimates how solid MAT has been and overestimates the ability of someone with 40 MLB at bats to dominate. MAT isn't a world beater but we know we can count on his production. I also believe its more valuable to the team to have Farmer moving around the infield 3-4 times a week than MAT being a pinch runner, defensive replacement.

That makes sense then that Gallo is the one lefty starter. Give him more hacks just in case and AK the PH chance. It was odd starting Larnach against Detmers on Friday though.

He is fairly platoon neutral for his career and profiles to be the lefty that can play everyday. That alone is a tremendous value to the lineup that needs as much help against lefties as possible. I'm wondering though if getting him the plus match-up pinch hitting is more valuable to Rocco than the start. He gets a little break and is a defensive upgrade over Solano late game.

Or they are trying to make everything intriguing a starter. As an organizational philosophy I'm a huge fan of getting most pitching prospects a run at the bullpen in a non-mop up role. It's not the Twins way but I think it should be. Cut SWR and Balazovic loose for an inning at a time in plus situations. Get the feet wet in the bigs, throw hard and throw strikes. Get some important outs. It doesn't doom them to a life in the bullpen and may better prepare them to start in the future. Just using them in the 4-5 inning garbage spots isn't doing any long term good imo.

I mean, if Phillips could help in the bullpen?

This was a good and healthy time. If he's healthy, he comes up immediately. I'm want him at 3rd full time and I'll get to my reasons shortly. He's a 1-1 talent who is playing well on rehab and showing no effects of the injury. He's a building block of the franchise whether he/we like it or not. Much like Kirilloff, he has the prospect and talent capital that moves him to the front of the line barring injury. He has nothing to prove in the minors and the big club needs the exact help he can give. I'm not a scout but I have been watching his minor league at bats. He looks comfortable and confident, both at the plate and running. He is taking pitches very calmly, like he is seeing it well. How he adjusts to the big league pitchers adjusting to him is the next question to be answered and that happens in the big leagues. Now, the word of caution. As mentioned, the 48 games over 4 years means he will have some heavy adjusting to do. He will absolutely have a Miranda period. Do NOT be surprised if he has a 6 week period with .650 or less OPS. Along with freeing up Farmer this is the main reason for setting and forgetting at 3rd base. He needs to be in comfortable positions when possible as we can't have defensive confusion spilling into what are sure to be some offensive struggles. I'm fine hitting him leadoff as long as he's taking good at bats but don't be disappointed if he spends time in the 8/9 hole. Its part of the process. Get him up here and get it started.

Brent Rooker is on pace for 37.125 homers. A's on pace for 33.75 wins.

Its a great setting for a game. Shame to miss both Lee and Lewis but the top talent is still coming through. Maybe we will get a few good months of E-Rod and #5 pick together. Plenty of of interesting names coming.

Fundamentals are fun!

Boring Brock Stewart is alright.

Got me there.