crapforks

This signing could mean Duffey spends some time in Rochester to see if he can stretch out to be a starter? And I really hope this doesn’t mean the team is out on Darvish.

Your link goes to an odd story: Twins “100 Percent Committed” To Terry Ryan By Charlie Wilmoth | May 21, 2016 at 5:08pm CDT

I just saw that news and had the same thought re: Darvish. Bring him in. Spend the money.

I hope he and Kepler instantly form a bromance. Morneau was not nearly the hitter vs LH as he was vs RH, but he was a more competitive AB than Kepler is now.

15 minutes in. Are you guys having tech issues? Bonnes is clear and loud, Gleeman is quiet and sounds as if he’s in a bathroom. New microphones or something?

Hey! I was at that game! Nice writeup!

I guess worst case scenario has Hughes healthy, but ineffective. Ditto for May.

I don't think the team can plan on even one ML appearance from Hughes. Even if he is recovered from his surgery in time for ST, they can't possibly guarantee him anything. He would probably be at extended ST for months. May is definitely a wild card in the staff. He could be a #3 starter, a mop up guy, a setup guy, maybe nothing at all. He has the talent, but I don't think anyone knows what to expect out of him. Like Hughes, you plan as if he isn't there. If he forces his way into plans, that is a wonderful problem to have.

I understand the the want to test Duffy as a starter. I have him as the long man in my depth chart FWIW. Maybe if the change-up is showing life in ST I can see it, otherwise I see him as an upside reliever with a CB/FB combo which could be pretty good. If, however, the teams decides to stretch him out at AAA, that opens the door for Chargois (or Curtiss or Moya, etc) and might not be the worst thing.

Has anyone ventured into this? http://m.milb.com/gdaudio/#/js/gdaudio/?sort_by=affiliate&o=142 I drive a lot for my work and I primarily listen to podcasts. I subscribe to MLB.tv and listen to games of interest, but the thought that MiLB teams have their own streams is pretty exciting. The link says that not all teams have a stream, and not all games are streamed for those that do have one. If anyone has any info based on previous years' experiences, I would love to hear it.

That is my thought on him as well. I think I have him 13th on the depth chart. I guess they want a chance to watch him throw the ball during ST for a bit and see if there's something there. If it costs little more than a C- prospect, I suppose they roll the dice. They see something in him.

Upside is the important term here. It is tempting to look at the construction of the bullpen through glasses tinted by what could be. The team might have been wise to aim higher than Rodney, but Duke is a solid signing. I agree with the likely bullpen (barring injures) that you suggest: CL- Rodney RHSU - Hildenberger LHSU - Duke RHMR - Busenitz RHMR - Pressley LHMR - Rodgers RHMR - Duffey As constructed, I can see this group not straying too far from average in either direction. The reinforcements as of today, are also upside laden: RH - Curtiss RH - Chargois LH - Jay RH - Reed LH - Moya Rule V - Kinley (don't see much room for him) The much lauded veteran presence is there. The young guys with options are there. The near-ready reinforcements are there. This isn't a super bullpen, but if the starters can improve on the 2017 season they had, and with the addition of a more reliable starter (hopefully) to come, there is some reason for optimism. Nobody will call an analysist completely insane for predicting league average results out of the Twins' pitching staff. That is a welcome change.

I have a couple posts I would like to write, but I know I won't. You are thinking bigger picture than what I am suggesting, but I know of some content I would really like to read: 1-The TD community has a couple posters who are avid fans of at least one other baseball team. If you were to reach out to them for articles drawing comparisons between the Twins and another team's position battles for the upcoming season, I would read the heck out of that. 2-Prospect lists are always going to get me to click. An article which broke down some interesting storylines for recent 'never quite made it' prospects (Joe Benson, Shooter Hunt, etc.) and what might have been would be interesting. I know theres a lot if interesting info about these ballplayers as humans as well as what obstacles might have prevented them from reaching their potential. 3-I would really like more info on the ballpark experience. This gets covered in the main forum somewhat, but it would be cool if it had a separate forum or sub-forum. I live out of state and try to make it to MN every summer. It would be cool to have some sort of researchable collection of information re: concession changes, ballpark renovations, promos, discounts, must see features, etc. If there were some other items to combine in the forums, even better. Maybe a sub-forum for Target Field, the neighborhood and the navigation. People could share parking or transit tips, great value seats, favorite pre-game watering holes, maybe even some meet-ups. This multi-forum setup on TD is really underused, as evidenced by so many topics in the main forum moved to another by a moderator. People forget about the other forums. I got off topic. Sorry. 4-Redoing the Blog section to make it more interactive, maybe adding "Blog Requests." I have no idea how that might look, but it would be cool to check in on and see some element of something I was kicking around in my head as a request. Example request: "Numerically rate the potential 5-8 starting pitcher options without giving weight to the notion of development or long term value." Ideas like that could be fun, brainless research posts which might create some great discussion. I know John was looking for ways to curate a more thriving community of longer form contributors and I only offered one-off posting ideas, but I would like to see this site continue to grow and thrive. Whenever MLBTR has their Blogs Weigh In feature, I always click to see if TD is on there. Its a nice feeling when it is. The content here is really great, and the forums are second to none.

The fan in me who has followed the team for a long time thinks 5/$120 is expensive. The more modern fan in me screams that you do this in a heartbeat. Only problem is, at that price, 12 teams would be biting.

Call me crazy, but I don't think Santana will be in competition for the 4th spot in the rotation.

Does anyone have the Punto fanfic that was written up on a white sox bard in the BYTO days? It was GOLDEN!! (paraphrasing) "... Punto showed up to his house and dove head-first through the front door, past his wife..."

I usually browse on one of my computers, so it isn't that big a deal for me. I just wanted to let the powers that be (Brocketpig) know that there was an issue. Let me know if any of you want any more info.

I have only experienced it on my iPhone; Safari on iPhone 7+ running iOS 11.1. I don't have an iPad. My laptop and desktop don't encounter any problems when browsing the site; Safari on MacOS 10.12 and 10.13.1. If it makes a difference, I choose not to run an ad blocker to help generate ad revenue for the sites I frequent.

I can’t believe how many times I’ve won that Walmart gift card just by navigating this site.

MIKE REDMOND!!!!111!!!

The interesting thing about this debate is pitching coach as strategist to maximize effectiveness vs pitching coach as physical therapist of sorts (working out kinks, fine tuning mechanics, etc.) and both could be profoundly noticeable. I hope we get some details on the reasoning for whomever is ultimately hired for the position. Im very intrigued by the process and the rationale.

I am a bit relieved about this firing. Doug was not being groomed to be Molitor's replacement and I think we all knew that. He had a sort of entitled air about him in the quotes leading up to the Molitor hiring. When most of us were certain that Molitor was done at the end of the year (July?) I had a thought that Doug would throw a tantrum over not being a shoe-in and it would get uglier when he wasn't chosen at all. He is old-school, as has been covered quite well in this thread, but he also seems to lack some ability to thrive behind the scenes rather than in the forefront. I know less than most here about his style of, or aptitude for, managing, but instinct tells me a few things: He doesn't rely on the decision making processes that the front office have embraced- and he is vocally proud of that. That doesn't endear you to your new bosses. He seems to prefer talking on the record without much of a filter. As I get older, I get more and more annoyed with people who feel that being a brash 'straight-shooter' is a valuable trait. I have employees whom I interview and hire. That is not a trait I seek out. Learning to read the room and being flexible in your ability to communicate is important. There would be no easy way to end the relationship. Twins fans are at least as nostalgic as any other fanbase. I'm a little surprised by his on the record comments, but the Twins fans' reactions are not at all surprising. If you're going to make this move, make it ASAP and be done with it.

In a vacuum, letting the young guys sink or swim is a plan. We fans don't know who the next manager will be, but experience tells us that the young guys will not be relied upon to get the big outs. That will drain the pitchers who have 'proven' themselves. If no major pieces are added, Rogers, Duffey, Presley, maybe even Hildenberger will be ridden into the ground 3 months into the season. If the Twins make some relief moves, I would like to see one or two decent vets with a track record of durability, especially in consecutive games. A big time closer would be a nice get, but Molitor's usage over the last week or so (playoff style BP management) might have opened the door for an organizational shift in bullpen usage: 8-man bullpen, short leashes for relievers and starters, 2, maybe three short appearances before an off day, etc. Is Terry Mullholland busy?

I would like Falvey and/or Levine to come out and flatly say not to expect much movement. This is their first full year with the system. Contending is great this season. The team has been really fun to watch. No need to sour the experience by mortgaging the future.

I was just reading that the Twins are going to use Hughes out of the pen and he is working on pitching in back-to-back games before that happens. No idea if anyone has been named as the 5th starter. Probably Santiago if he is ready.