Kwak

I don't think Hunter will be re-signed. Not only has his performance plummeted I think he may have "voiced some discontent" with the results of the July trade deadline. Besides, the Twins have many OF options that didn't exist last fall. Hunter is gone!

I have this image in my mind: Molitor is driving a bus. In the window above it is written: Route 90 L Express

They got rid of Reyes--sort of addition by subtraction there.

He didn't--he signed up to his first year of free-agency. In short he agreed to the value of his contract during "the controlled years" (arbitration). It's sort of like buying insurance--he gets paid even if injured, or becomes "awful".

You could have said the same about Toronto--last year--and now look at them? Remember when darn near everybody criticized KC for 'going all-in' to acquire Shields?---and...? How often was Detroit criticized for "all-in"--yet they emerged from the ashes of the late 90s-early '00's to 5 ALDS including 2 WS appearances. And people are actually going to watch their games in Detroit! Taking risks to succeed is "risky". Alternately, a team can sit on its hands, control payroll, and play in a near empty stadium--and still make a profit!

This is a 2-part question: 1) Too much bunting in general 2) The 9th inning bunt. 1) Yes. Bunts work best with an element of surprise. There needs to be a reasonable expectation that the bunter can reach base. But, with the infield up, maybe even someone charging, a base hit expectation is lower. Giving up an out--that's what a sacrifice means--reduces the probability of scoring more than those already on base. Is scoring one (or two) enough to be decisive is the real question? Let's be blunt, the Twins scored three in the top of the first--Toronto scored two in first then tacked on Seven (!) more. Throwing away an out early doesn't make much sense. Which brings us to Part 2)--the bunt in the 9th. Does a sacrifice bunt make it easier to score two? Maybe marginally. BUT, here's the key, scoring two runs cannot win the game. Three are required. There is even more evidence. Tonight the bats are alive--it's already 9-7--there has been a lot of scoring, and more is to be expected. Runs have been scored in bunches! The lowest scored has been two in an inning (when there is scoring); Toronto is known to be a high-scoring team with HR power aplenty. Fact is, the Twins just plain don't know how many they need to score to win--except that that number is more than two runs. More evidence--LaTroy is pitching--a known entity, and he is wobbling! Two of Minnesota's "non-stars" got hits! This could be a huge inning! LaTroy is a strikeout/fly ball type pitcher, not the ground-ball (DP-inducing type). Plus, Robinson is tough to double-up anyway Finally, if Molitor truly believes Robinson can't hit LaTroy--he should pinch-hit! Hunter has XBH power, and two hits may not be needed to score two--or even three runs. A double, and two "productive outs" nets three runs. Preface the double with a sacrifice bunt (and the two outs)--Oh no!--only TWO runs score. Yikes!

Examine the photo and the title used for this thread. I would modify as following: put Ryan in a Sabres Jersey and re-title "Playing for the Draft Choice--because This Isn't Our Year".

Let me see...Ryan ponders, "Good thing I saved almost all of my prospects--especially the 'top' ones." "The bullpen won't be a problem next year because...(?) 1) RPs are easy to get in the off-season 2)they are cheap too 3) next year one of my SS options will 'take charge' and solve that problem and 4) I am positive that one of my back-up catchers can bat a buck-fifty so I can rest Suzuki and get him back to two-fifty!"

Clearly the Twins have won more than expected. Hicks is a major league player. Gibson has matured. Hughes can compete against the best. The rotation isn't putrid--it's average plus. Mauer isn't as bad as some claim--it's just that he is ordinary now (except for that salary)--but sadly that everybody wants more. The OF defense has definitely improved. The INF throws to first have improved markedly. In short, the team isn't beating itself so often. The Twins have actually rallied late to win! So, yes there are positive things.

The bunt was awful and indefensible. I still support the selection of Molitor as manager--but the bunt is anti-percentage. A one-run inning is useless, two doesn't even take the lead. In short, as the visiting team in the 9th inning, it is unknown how many runs will be needed to win--the home team gets its turn to bat. Worse, Toronto is known to be a high-scoring team (especially at home). Even a one-run lead is "on very thin ice". Worse, "The Hawk" has been known to implode--in fact it was almost 14 years ago to the day, that Hawkins blew a three-run lead in the 9th--with two outs and the bases empty! Sorry, I can't excuse this decision it was awful. ETA: ...and Hunter was on-the-bench--PINCH HIT!!

Part of me says there was a "gentleman's agreement", "you start your meatball tosser, and I'll start mine."

For the record, I hate that sacrifice bunt. They need to play for many not two. Toronto still gets to bat!

he's not up to Blyleven's level.

...inside-the-park!

Well, if it's to be 11-7--then Toronto will win. Q recording..."Turn out the lights..."

I had predicted an 11-7 game--so it isn't over YET!

Which is why, I think, Aj wasn't "brought back"--he would have been unbearable.

I sincerely doubt that anybody other than a #2 catcher could be had in a trade without a (good) SP included in the Twins offer. Plouffe alone won't get it done.

Saving him for PH/defensive replacement duty!

Hence my estimate of 2-3 starts for Duffey.

No. The Twins are not in a pennant race. Go observe your toilet flush. The Twins are in that peak volume swirling around--just before the inevitable glug-glug.

Can anybody see beyond their nose? Many of you have posted "play the prospects". So, tonight one of them starts--why the angst? Likely three starts to assess Duffey's potential as a SP for next season. There will be trades made, free agents signed, and next years team determined before 6 months elapse. Is Duffey viable? As for the selection of Duffey, he was likely the most successful of the "college RPs into SPs program". The Front Office needs to justify that concept given the stench of the bullpen and that said college RPs were the most likely to "fix the bullpen"-but couldn't because the FO "made them" into SPs. They (FO) need a success story to justify "their concept"--and Duffey has been declared "it". Tonight is the first test.

Revenge of Ryan ? Do nothing, show the players that the owner considers them migrant workers, so the team completely collapses. Ticket sales evaporate, the stadium empty, over-priced concessions go unsold, and the season ticket buyers are all-up-in Pohlad's face. Sounds like an outline for an October horror movie--or is it a political thriller?

Amazing how so many grab the "Arcia Strawman". It's like he's the panacea--despite previous experiences when he was part of the problem.

Trade Plouffe for a Catcher? Why not trade him for a hitter?