TwinsDr2021

and that is why I was calling for Ober to be the long man and Alcala in AAA. Oh well, Ober must have done something real bad to be passed over again.

"It’s unlikely any Minnesota player is going to steal 30 bases this season" It if funny you say any player could reach 30, will the whole team? Since 2018 they have stolen 47, 28, 14, 54, 38. Where are the re-enforcement's coming to steal bases? AK? he is 13 for 23 in the minors and 1 for 2 in the majors? Polanco? coming off injury? and last year was 3 for 6 Lewis? coming off an ACL? Lee? he hasn't successfully stolen a base since he was drafted. Contreras in AAA has 5 and Stevenson as 6, they excite anybody?

Besides Lee, which prospects are there? Wallner? Martin and Lewis are hurt. Erod, maybe but isn't he hurt now as well? Otherwise I don't see any prospects that are even close.

I don't think Larnach should be send down, but I am a realist. Before hitting a 3 run homer last night, he was 5 for his last 41 with 1 XBH. This was after starting 7 for 16 with 2 XBH. While that is better than Gordon it is terrible. Hopefully hitting a ground ball to first with guys on 2nd and 3rd and his homer off a 35 year old basically career minor league pitcher jumps starts his season again. This stretch isn't much different than the stretch last year where he hit .127 with 3 XBH that got him sent down. I want him to succeed but if there was a decent younger prospect I would be calling for him, Can Lee play LF?

The problem with this is he is 25 years old (and 167 days) and if he spends the majority of the season in AAA he isn't much of a prospect anymore or somebody that should be counted on anything more than depth. (Regardless if it is his injury or lack of hitting keeping him down). The problem like I said elsewhere is this FO doesn't develop prospects, so we all end up talking about 25,26,and 27 (28 in Ober's case) year olds like they are going to figure it out and be above average players, when in reality unless said player is a catcher or relief pitcher they generally are who they are at that age or instead of getting better they are on the downside.

Agreed, it is strange that we (i have done it) calling for Ober to be in the rotation instead of Varland. Maeda is only 7 years older than Ober, Varland who I still think is a bit on the older side for a prospect is only 25. IMO I don't think the Twins see Ober as a future full time rotation guy, nor should they with his age and injury history.

The problem for this team and the front office is their complete lack at developing any prospects besides relief pitchers. It would be nice to have 1 OF prospect ready to step up and put pressure on Gordon, Miranda and Larnach to deliver. It is early and time for Larnach to get better (His time in the majors doesn't really show he is much better than what he is doing now, but there is always hope) It isn't a huge surprise that Miranda is struggling this year and should be given sometime to get back to being good, but again there is basically nothing in the minors to send him down for a couple of weeks to get his confidence back. Gordon fooled quite a few people last year (weren't some calling for him to be a starter?), he is 27 and is nothing more than a utility player simple as that. Ultimately if Buxton and Correa hit like the stars they are, the rest probably won't really matter..

Hate to be negative but outside a few in the starting staff, Wallner and Julien this team doesn't look like a team I would run over to St. Paul and watch.

On the surface there isn't much here besides Lee and Festa.

It is only two games so this is not a complaint, just an observation but if the starters don't get a bit more efficient (they are running up their pitch count in games where they aren't giving up runs) and/or Rocco doesn't start allowing a relief pitcher to pitch more than 1 inning, we could be heading down a very familiar path. I expect them to get better but I also expect them to give up some runs as well.

Fingers crossed on the Major league hitters not getting hurt, because AAA doesn't look like the place replacements will come from outside of Julien and Wallner. There is little to no reason those two ever sit, they should be playing 2B/OF and taking turns at first base as well. (not including Lewis, because my hope is when healthy he is only in the minors for a tune up) This is a huge year for Jordy, Varland and Headrick because if they aren't really good or better I can't see them being added to the 40 next year since they will be 25/26/26.

Agreed he wasn't dealing, it took him 85 pitches to get 16 outs which isn't great, he was "pitching" great without his best stuff or tiring, whichever doesn't really matter. I am pretty sure if he was left in he probably would have gotten though without giving up a run or two at the most, and even giving up with two would have been a good start. But in this case I believe Rocco took him out at the right time. If this was any start after start 2 I would be horribly disappointed taking him out of the game. Also if they didn't have a day off today I would have been disappointed in his bullpen usage. But giving the circumstances I believe Rocco did the right things. (I am not sure I have ever typed or said that) You know who was dealing L. Castillo of the Mariners, 6 innings, 1 hit no walks, 6 K's all in 76 pitches.

Didn't think I would be a fan of the pitch clock, but was Monday's game and both me and my son loved how fast the action was and complained when pitchers brought the clock down to 2 or 3 seconds.

Maybe it is my fault, but just about everybody I know checks the lineup before going, there are times they don't care and just want to go to a ball game. But if the choice is watching a bunch of back ups or hanging out at the lake, or the numerous others things you could be doing, well.... I think people want to know how the players on their favorite team are doing, is that a bad thing? With Polanco it looks like they have no idea what is going on with him, with the last update it looks like June might be the date, which is crazy since 5 days earlier it looked like he was going to be playing. From rotowire - 3/25 - Twins' Jorge Polanco: Could play in game Tuesday Polanco (knee) is scheduled to play in a minor league spring training game Tuesday, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He will first hit in the batting cage and take grounders Saturday. Polanco missed the final month of 2022 with a knee injury, and his progress stalled in the Grapefruit League. He's set to begin the regular season on the injured list. This looks like a significant step in his return as he has not played in any games this spring. He still likely has several major hurdles to clear, but this gives hope he could return earlier rather than later in the regular season. From rotowire on 3/27 -Twins' Jorge Polanco: To hit in front of trainers Tuesday Polanco (knee) will do some hitting in front of trainers Tuesday before the Twins determine his next step, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. Polanco is going through baseball activities without limitations but hasn't done any live hitting since he had a little setback with his surgically-repaired left knee in mid-March. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli notes that he's hopeful that Polanco could play soon, but that it has taken longer than expected for the fluid and soreness associated with the injury to leave the knee. He will remain in extended spring training while the club heads north and it's not clear at this time how long he might be sidelined. From rotowire on 3/30 -Twins' Jorge Polanco: Placed on IL, murky return date Polanco (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list. He ran the bases before the Twins departed spring training and plans to take some live at-bats this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "I think the one thing that we all need to be cognizant of is that Jorge hasn't had a spring training this year and the smart thing, and I think the wise thing, to do is to allow him to progress along like we have allowed the 26 guys that are on our team," Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said. Polanco missed the final month of 2022 with a knee injury, and his progress stalled in the Grapefruit League. Just a week ago the Twins were talking about him playing in minor league games, but now it sounds like any game action may be weeks away. Paparesta's comments make it sound like his ramp up could extend into late April or early May.

You are 100% correct they owe fans nothing on injuries, on the other hand they are trying to sell a product to a wide group of people and at least pretending to care about the consumers can't hurt? Now me personally injuries updates are down on my list of things when thinking about spending my money on the Twins, but I live close enough to target field to see what the lineup is for the day before I decide to head down there, others maybe not so much. Also, it wouldn't be as big of deal who is in the starting lineup if I could watch them everyday (I stream) but since I can't Buxton and Correa better be in the lineup or I am not going, the good thing this year is that I don't have to worry about who the starting pitchers is because all 5/6 are worth seeing. (No Archer, Bundy or Sanchez, yea!)

I am not complaining about Lopez usage, see my comment above. There were 30 starters yesterday 16 threw more than 85 pitches and and 9 threw over 90, most that didn't didn't pitch well. So I would say the typical 70 - 80 being typical just isn't correct. I think 80 - 90 would be more accurate based on performance. I don't think 1 pitcher came out for the 7th inning.

First - I like the hats, bought myself a visor at Monday's game. Second - Great Win Third - I completely understand Lopez's usage, Like they brought him back for the 6th, kind of like spring training get used to going back out for another inning but not stressing the arm. With that said not only do I understand I agree with it, but at the same time I didn't like. Since this is game one and there is a day off, I hoping the reason for using 4 relief pitchers was to get them some action and not a philosophy that will happen all year. My hope is if a starter goes 5 1/3 (and it will happen more than we want or hope for) the first relief pitcher goes 1 2/3, unless of course some guys are needing work. So I will give Rocco the benefit of doubt. Finally the bottom of this Lineup scares me, there could be a lot of lower scoring games.

I like this idea and think it works great from an offensive perspective, but not so sure from the pitching side, unless everybody is OK with the pitchers being minor league pitchers. I know I wouldn't want any of the top Twins starters or Duran pitching in games at that point in the season, but would for some of the top prospects doing it.

Why does it matter if they allow or don't allow the players to participate in the WBC to change the name? That doesn't change the fact were MLB teams are located?

Most people are predicting around 10 game improvement over last year and competing for a division title and this is after finishing 20 and 14 games behind the division the last two years and that isn't enough optimism? Buxton had the 2nd most plate appearances in his career last year with 382 and the most ever was 511 6 seasons ago (2017). It isn't optimism that he will get 450 this year it is pie in the sky. I really, really hope he plays in 140 plus games but I am not basing my prediction on something he never has done. But you are correct if most of the players on the Twins play close to or better than their best season ever they could easily win 92, heck even 100 plus games this year.

Well Polanco and AK are on the disabled list with an unknown return, Saying Vazquez can hit is a huge stretch (Not saying he is bad but his is no Realmuto, Murphy, Kirk, or Smith), I hope Larnach can his OPS+ last year was 104, Gordon has had one terrible year an one decent year, Farmer splits last year were awesome against LHP and terrible against RHP. Miranda was good as a rookie and hopefully will continue to get better. This leaves two guys that should no doubt be at the top of league in hitting (Corrrea and Buxton) and one of them hasn't played over 92 games since 2017. The guys you mentioned being productive when facing pitchers throwing from the opposite side are being forced into roles where that isn't the only pitchers they will be facing. This isn't predicting doom and gloom for the offense but if you don't understand where people's concern is coming from, well you aren't looking. The good thing is that everybody in the Twins division has similiar concerns and this doesn't mean a few of these players won't step up and out perform expectations or surprise us, but another injury or slow starts by Buxton or Correa and the others just performing to career norms, well than this offense could look very similiar to last years. Now I believe this years pitching will be WAY, WAY better than last years and will be able to cover for an average offense and still win the division regardless. But if for some reason things don't end up that way and this FO and Manager are around for 24, I won't be.

If this happens it will be time to clean house, top to bottom.

Sorry I wasn't trying to say anything about payroll and ticket prices, just that while the low end tickets are similiar in price the mid level tickets aren't, that's it. IMO there is a huge difference bringing a family to the A's game and sitting down first/third and comparable tickets for the Twins.

I hear what you are saying, but your ticket prices are horribly misleading(for the games on the 15th). For example sections 1-3 and and 13-17 for the twins games (lower level behind first base and 3rd ) is between $102 - $116 per ticket. Similar seats for that A's game run between $40 and $78 (I understand the seats down first and 3rd are a bit different at the Coliseum) For a family of 4 to go to each game and have good seats is probably twice as much for the Twins game as the A's. Plus the only seats I found more expensive than $78 at the Coliseum are the $365 diamond level. I am 50 plus and am not going to pay to watch a game in the upper deck so the cheapest tickets aren't really relevant to me. I would much rather go to bar and watch on TV (can't watch at home with no streaming) I have said it on here before if me and my son are going to go to a game and spend hundred of dollars we check the morning box score to see who is playing/pitching. We skipped games because Bundy or Archer were pitching and a weekend game where Buxton and Correa were not in the starting lineup. As far as the Twins making or losing money, you have to spend/invent money to make money, I think it is pretty obvious with no TV deal and a bad team means little fans at Target field.

I don't want Julien or Wallner given the last man off the bench positions those should be given to vets or guys they determine to not be worthy of a starting job but at least average major league players. Currently Wallner is in a real bad position being left handed and the top three outfield fielders being left handed (Gallo, Larnach, Kepler) and the Twins really need to see what Larnach really is before handing the spot to Wallner so he really isn't an option. 2B opened up and Julien should be given that opportunity since the Twins seem to have a handful of utility guys, if nothing else it gets his feet wet and if he has to go back down the Twins should feel more comfortable bringing him back up later (He turns 24 next month so I am not really worried about his options) I do like Castro but he seems kind of redundant with Gordon on the roster. As for pitchers I would rather just have them give the spot to somebody on the 40.