Kwak

Not promoting Berrios is leaving an arrow out of the quiver--and an important one at that! Service time? Bah, humbug! That can be dealt with next year easily. Innings limit? There is no credible evidence supporting it considering Berrios actual innings pitched (total pitches thrown would actually be more relevant than innings pitched--but again no credible evidence to support a limit). Consider days of yore--when starters routinely threw many more than 200 innings in a season. This decision is the "old Ryan"--"I do things differently because can--and I'm smarter than everybody else." Too bad that isn't true.

I think that Hicks will be the X Factor. Buxton contributes little to the offense. Someone who hits enough to add a run per game will be huge--IF Hicks is that guy.

Arcia began his "rehab" hitting well--then tanked.

Of course!

I nominate the author for the 2015 Don Quixote Award.

If he was hurt--he wouldn't be playing. There has been a change--Rosario. Before this "rehab assignment", Arcia would spend a week or two in Rochester hitting rather successfully--then "up he goes" back to the Twins. This time, NO. I think he was informed that the Twins have decided that Rosario has "passed him on the depth chart" and that Arcia will remain in Rochester. True, minor league pitchers may have adjusted--but frequently they "foul-up" often enough that a good major league hitter will still have success. I believe Arcia is sulking thinking his dream of a $ 100 MM contract (some day) has died, and that he would be a bench player at best.

No, not even close. David Price was traded because Tampa couldn't afford his arbitrated salary much less his free agent salary. Most players of his caliber are traded in the last year of control (like this year) not during the arbitration years. Price was just too expensive to retain, especially when the compensation received would be inexpensive (and potentially more valuable).

A corollary to Hermann PH--what does Nunez think? "He picked Hermmann instead of me?

I'm going with: Molitor had a hunch. Managers do that. I would not have pinch-hit for Buxton, but because of Byron's speed. He might score on two hits. But, I would not worry about Buxton's psyche because he might K five times.

No, they don't the "better" team just matches the offer--and the player signs. It's not like an auction, the player weighs in "other" factors: the team, the location, outside income, "fitting in", etc. Consider Mauer, he "always wanted to be a Minnesota Twin", his hometown team. Do you really think an extra million would sway him to Boston, CA, NY, or PHL ? I don't. Perkins is likewise. he could have 'shopped-around" especially considering that it would have easy for him to perceive he was screwed by the Twins--he didn't. An extra million might have worked on Perkins contract, but at Joe's $23MM/ year--not a chance. The type of pitcher discussed--"top shelf", "ace", #1, whatever would be priced around Mauer annual salary. An extra MM is chump change when comparing a WS contender and the Twins.

My second call, I need advice. I have missed this whine line, please keep it open! I had made a statement about the Twins free agent pitchers that they were here because Deduno, Albers, Diamond, DeVries, Worely, (and more!) couldn't hack it in the MLs. Even though Santana, Hughes, Nolasco, and Pelfrey ain't exactly the cat's meow, this guy at the bar says "he can't see the difference". How should I respond?

You assume said "ace" would sign with the Twins. Why would he sign? The Twins were awful and were among the most unlikely teams to be in post-season play. The Twins also have a history of "Not spending to add that extra player" to truly make the team a WS contender. That's why the Twins were forced to sign "middle talent" and "lesser talent" veterans.

The reasons that Hughes, Nolasco, Pelfrey, and Santana were signed was that the Twins did not provide (develop) ML-quality pitchers from their organization and Ryan's dumpster-diving (Diamond, Albers, Deduno, DeVries, etc. were failures and that Ryan and the rest of the Front Office constantly put the blame of losing on the failure of the starting rotation. Fans, advertisers, broadcasters, and other stakeholders complained long and loud enough to convince Executive Management to spend money to a provide ML-quality rotation. Given the constraints of budget, the willingness of "top" pitchers to sign with Minnesota (or not sign), those four were signed to be the backbone of the rotation (Hughes, Nolasco, Pelfrey, and Santana). Why wasn't the Twins organization successful at producing ML-quality starting pitchers? Many threads and beaucoup posts have been made on that subject. There is no need for repeating them here. The posts that "over-priced veterans" are blocking superior pitchers is "beer-talk".

Of course! The conclusion that the team isn't/would not be (good enough) and the need to sell tickets (at full price!), concessions, merchandise all while satisfying the fan base, advertisers, and broadcasters. Given the preseason statements about winning you really can't expect Ryan to publicly admit this team, the one he assembled, won early, and was still mathematically "in the race"--wasn't "good enough"?

Starting May wasn't the problem! Please recall that May was barely used as a RP anyway. Molitor uses the pen very much like Gardenhire--abuses it! Fans really don't notice the incessant use of 4,5, and even more pitchers to win--especially home games--early in the season. It simply appears as if everybody (manager too!) is just doing their job. But no, they are not! Pitch count is still worshiped. "Getting the right match-up" in the late innings is the norm. Why? Because the pitcher tasked either isn't very good or because the manager just loves playing "chess" on the diamond. Compare the two teams in the two games. NYY: sailing along in game 1 (after what had to have been a gut-wrenching series vs. Toronto) until their SP is injured and replaced in the second inning. Yikes!! Sure as snuff, their bullpen got lit-up because they had to use marginal, and perhaps over-used RPs. But, here's a difference--Betances (their "8th inning guy") pitched 2+ innings! NYY "needed someone to step-up" and so Betances was tasked. Would the Twins use their "8th inning guy" for 2+ innings? No. Game two: NYY's BP is weakened, but the Twins batters are swinging away at near anything. NYY's batters are patient, taking pitches, and making Pelfrey "work". Pelfrey gets into trouble in the 6th, and what happens? Darn Pelfrey has thrown 103 pitches, he's "in trouble"--so summon the BP. What?? This (purportedly) BP has come in the 6th? Can't pelfrey "step-up" and pitch 110-120 pitches to finish the 6th? Or, even 135 to go 7 innings? Nope, the Twins worship their pitch-count managing and RP's be damned.

The thread says "bad contracts", the posts say "bad players". Those are different items. FWIW, I think Nolaco will make a "Pelfrey-like" comeback/turnaround next season. Santana will... (get better at drugs?) improve a bit. All would benefit from some serious PT before and during the season so they don't tire so much.

I guess they just figured since there won't be any games to save...

NO! His shoulder/hip movement convinced me that Nunez was on "auto-pilot"--and was throwing home--but after the muff, "auto-pilot" directs "throw to first".

People are spoiled because first half was perfect. Fact check: Perkins wasn't perfect before nor should he be expected to be perfect. Better defense might have made a difference tonight. Then again, give the chances the hitters generated it seems they should have scored more. As an aside, did anybody else notice the Yankees not bunting in situations the Twins invariably bunt?

You would have had some credibility if you had posted this comment before his misplay tonight.

Strongly disagree. Money isn't unlimited. Example: Hunter is signed for a far more typical $5MM. The "savings" would have been used elsewhere--like the bullpen, perhaps a back-up catcher (likely both!). Or, last year--with Morales. They 'shot' their mid-season budget on him--and are still bandaging their foot. Maybe the present does "like" Hunter--but some one-year contracts go to people that are destructive, especially if the largesse of his contract is part of the problem. Blanket statements like "no such thing..." are to be avoided.

Amen! Some posters "selected" Arcia as "their hero" a couple of years ago--and they are reluctant to admit a mistake. The passion for Arcia explains why "super hero" movies sell so many tickets.

Don't rule out that Boyer might be signed for 2016! I have the distinct impression that the additional $20MM allocated for free-agents this season isn't permanent. Santana will remain (they are stuck with him) but cost-control will be ruthless for next season (both Dozier and Plouffe will get sizable increases). Bargain-basement pitchers will be the norm in the bullpen except for those with contracts in hand for next year.

Arcia is not the second best power hitter. Clearly Sano and Dozier are the top two. Arcia can't even crack the Active Roster! Best DH option? No. Arcia is the sort of hitter who has a brief scorching hot streak followed by a lengthy, ice cold slump. Vargas is probably better than Arcia as a pure DH--he is not hopeless when required to bat on his "weaker" side. Where is Plouffe in your scenario? He plays someplace--and is a better option than Arcia. Then, there's Mauer--he will play somewhere. True, Mauer will never be a power hitter. Nor will he ever be worth his contract--but Mauer will get paid and will hit more consistently than Arcia--just not at at a $23MM level (or even close). Are there power hitters available on the open market? Yes, and much better ones than Arcia.

Or, #6: Got passed by younger men who have "played a 'better' game". Hicks has developed into (almost) the guy the Twins thought they drafted--he is a ML player. Rosario has also "brought a better game" than Arcia. Hunter has been what the Twins wanted him to be (except he needs considerable rest). Buxton is still the Twins #1 prospect--and there is an OF spot waiting for him (whenever he "seizes it"). Others have shown that they have (or at least may have) ML stamped on their forehead. In short, Arcia got "squeezed-out" by others. The start of Arcia's Rochester rehab went well--but he wasn't promoted like before--Arcia learned he was no longer "anointed" and is now "sulking" (Reason #2). Reasons #3 may be due to his "weaknesses" have been exposed even at the AAA level. I think Arcia perceived all he had to do was "mash" some HRs and he's on his way to "Millionaire Acres"--he has found out otherwise, and hasn't adjusted to a "new reality". I expect his future is not in a Minnesota Twins uniform. Don't cry "Masher Fans", the Twins have better options in the OF than Arcia.