Danchat

I don't think we've fully appreciated Dozier's hitting in the last month and a half. I hope he can hit more consistently because I was getting fed up with the .200 version of himself.

I agree. Monday is also Duffey's turn in the rotation, so it only makes more sense.

Wow, what a play by Buxton! He really shouldn't have gone home, though. He got lucky knocking that ball out.

I'm not surprised Sano is out of the lineup because of that boneheaded decision to go home and get caught out by a mile. But Santana at 3B? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Anyways, I really enjoyed the OP. Using the used car lot as a metaphor for the trade deadline is genius...

Another failed bunt.

Ah, reminds me of when I dropped Glen Perkins 2 weeks into 2015. That turned out be a pretty terrible decision... until the All-Star break, of course.

I know Escobar is healthy, he started yesterday at 3B. I would guess the Twins rotate Escobar & Polanco at SS.

OK, I thought I saw that he wasn't on their roster, but you have to be right. So the Twins remain with 3 open spots on the 40 man roster.

What makes you say that? He's only started 7 games in AAA in his career. If the Twins don't think Berrios is ready, then they definitely don't think Mejia is ready. Also, does anyone know if Mejia will be on the 40 man roster?

Hmmm... yes, I like this trade. The Twins acquired a decently-talented starting pitcher in Mejia who I would estimate is a year away from making the rotation. Good stuff. I'm going to miss Nunez, with his helmet-flying off and insane 2016, but this is for the greater good. Escobar and Polanco can rotate at SS and figure out what the future for that position will be. Man, they cleared a logjam and got a decent prospect. I like it!! I'm still expecting a reliever to be traded, but this is a great start.

The one time Buxton doesn't strikeout, he grounds into a double play.... a strikeout would have been better.

KEPLER!!!

Really? 3 today? Wow, maybe we'll see him up here a little sooner than September 1st, which is when I expected him to come back up.

My guess is that the only guy who gets traded during the deadline is Abad. The Twins don't seem that interested in moving guys, so maybe just 1 or 2 will go.

Ugh. After the game, Molitor said that Duffey will get his next start. I don't know why they refuse to call up Berrios. Anyways, I was only a few feet from catching that Suzuki home run... Ah, I found the play. Click Here to see the Suzuki HR. I'm the guy in the white Twins jersey just a few feet away from the ball in the second row.

Yeah, I don't think they're going to trade for Santana. Plus I don't think the Twins even want to trade him, so...

Just saw this on MLB Trade Rumors. The guy who just shut us out just got traded to the Rangers.

Let's hope the Twins don't get swept by the worst team in baseball. As I said yesterday, I'll be cheering the Twins on from left field. So if you see a home run hit in that direction, look for me. I'll be the one with glasses, Twins hat/blonde hair, and probably wearing a glove.

Ugh. The Twins looked like they wanted to reclaim the title of the worst team in baseball. At least the game was a short 2 hours and 20 minutes.

This game is going twice as fast as any of the Boston games. We're an hour in and at the bottom of the 5th.

Game Thread: Braves @ Twins, 7/26 @ 7:10 CT Probable Starters: Lucas Harrell (1-2, 4.24 ERA) vs Ervin Santana (3-8, 3.93 ERA) 1: Ervin Santana and the Trade Deadline The trade deadline is in just 6 days (it’s August 1st this year) and there’s a chance that this could be Santana’s last start with the Twins. I don’t think they’re going to trade him within the next 5 days, and I’m also skeptical if the Twins would be willing to let him go. He’s been their best starting pitcher this year – with a solid 3.93 ERA & 4.02 FIP. So unless another team wows them, it’s likely the Twins will hold onto Santana and let him start next season. Meanwhile, Santana pitches against his former team today. He’s got a 2.03 ERA in his last 6 starts, and hopefully he shouldn’t have too much trouble against a listless Braves lineup. 2: The Braves and the Worst Teams of All Time Let’s stack up the Braves current record against some of the worst teams of the modern era. 2016 Braves 33-66 (.333) 2003 Tigers 43-119 (.265) 1962 Mets 40-120 (.250) So the Braves aren’t likely going to be one of the worst of all time (there’s a good 30 more teams between them and the Mets), but they’re on pace to be one of the worst since the 60s. Thankfully for the Twins, they have a 4.5 game lead on the Braves, so no matter what happens here, the Braves can’t pass us. 3: Lineup Analysis Braves Lucas Harrell ® 1. Jace Peterson (L) LF 2. Gordon Beckham ® 2B 3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B 4. Nick Markakis (L) DH 5. Adonis Garcia ® 3B 6. Ender Inciarte (L) CF 7. Jeff Francoeur ® RF 8. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C 9. Erick Aybar (S) SS Twins Ervin Santana ® 1. Eduardo Nunez ® SS 2. Joe Mauer (L) 1B 3. Miguel Sano ® 3B 4. Brian Dozier ® 2B 5. Max Kepler (L) RF 6. Kennys Vargas (S) DH 7. Eddie Rosario (L) LF 8. Kurt Suzuki ® C 9. Byron Buxton ® CF I don't have a lot to add here... the Twins are at their optimal lineup right, in my opinion. Though it's been interesting to see Rosario and Grossman switching off in left. I wonder if Rosario will start taking the job back full time, or if a platoon is in play? Also, we get to see AJ Pierzynski again! This might be the last series we ever get to see him play - he's getting old and his bat has faded, so it could be his last season. 4: Tomorrow’s Game I will be in attendance at tomorrow’s game – actually, it’ll be my first Twins game of the year. My seats are in left field in the second row – so I’m hoping to catch a home run or at least have a few get hit near me. So you might just see me if there’s a ball hit into the left field bleachers. Also, here’s one more completely random note. Tomorrow they’re giving out Twins 1991 Championship Beer Steins to the first 10,000 people there… but you have to be 21 or older. The thing is… I’m 20 and I turn 21 in a week. So no beer stein for me. OK, Twins, let’s beat the worst team in baseball! Let’s not be humiliated by probably the worst baseball team in the last decade…

Berrios has had an ERA of 1.09 in his last 7 starts in AAA. There is no reason why he shouldn't be up in the majors, learning how to succeed in the bigs right now. He needs to take his lumps now and not next season. If he's still pitching in AAA after August 2nd... I might blow a gasket. Same goes for Chargois.

If they're going to try him out at 1B in the future, I hope he can get plenty of time to practice in, unlike his move to RF. I'd keep trying him at 3B, and if things don't improve, have him learn how to play 1B over the winter. Then in 2017 rotate him between 1B/DH.

Good job by May. Facing 8 batters and giving up no hits is impressive.

Kennys Vargas now has as many doubles as Mauer does (9). Vargas has had just 55 PAs compared to Mauer's 396 PAs. Wow.