Kwak

Perhaps you've noticed that the Twins manage by pitch-count? They have that counter in their hand just in case they need a reminder. Deduno "isn't that type of pitcher", nor is he the manager. If the Twins were winning 60+% of the games he starts I suspect they might be more tolerable. Sadly, that doesn't happen and Deduno gets replaced too early, too often for the Twins. The Twins have managed to stockpile a barrel of AAA pitchers who have "been there" (reasons are obvious) and some of them have "earned a chance". So.....

There's only one guy blocking them--Ryan.

NO, blame Gardenhire. Nobody trades "one of his guys", ergo he was "on the outs". Gardenhire clearly stated that he wanted "more speed" ,etc.

A few toughts on the trade deadline. 1) The scenario has changed. Very few "prospects" for veterans-type trads. It seems that team either value their "prospects" so high that tey aren't available--or they demand major league proven talent in return. 2) There had to have been an agreement to trade for Suzuki pending his either/or decision on the Twins offer. Since we don't know (and probably never will!) what that trade was, I can't comment on that deal. I had posted before that the Twins should re-sign Suzuki and agree with the deal. There just isn't much behind Suzuki. 3) Backflips over the Fuld trade is way too much. Milhone is yet another from the Diamond/Albers/K. Johnson/Darnell mold. He truly might have a good season in his quiver, but those results won't be repeatable. Milhone will start at least two games for the Twins this season. But, there is a 50% chance he is traded in the off-season. Other teams need pitching. 4) someone posted that the Twins staff wasn't even average. The Twins defense has statues and Iron Mikes in RF/LF and guys with their right foot pegged into the ground at 1B/3B the staff is punished by substandard play. Let's not forget CF--there isn't anybody resembling a yong Hunter out there! Plus, Twins official scorers are loathe to charge errors. In short, Milhone's stats are helped by his teammates and the spacious OAK home field, while Twins pitchers are penalized by substandard defense to make a fair comparison between everybody. The Twins require corner OFs who are at least average offensively and defensively for their respective positions. I think some of those pitchers will be traded--especially when many are interchangeable.

It seems that the Twins have an excess of starting pitchers. I wonder if they trade one or two for CF?

"Hells Yes."

OK. So who of you want to see "the present" Worley in today's rotation? None?this thread reminds me of a sunfish I caught, but threw back in the lake. Someone else caught him and ate him--and I'm OK with that.

Oh my, the spin about 2011. The crazy fact was even after the poor start, the tean rallied before the AS break. Combined with a Detroit slump, they still had a chance because of a 12 game homestand right aftr the break. They went 6-6 which ended any realistic chance at a playoff spot. The lineup was changed to play the minor leaguers and the bench reserves tht caused the team to collapse. In short, they weren't terrible, even without Morneau and Mauer, they just weren't a playoff team. But, they quit. The records of the team after he 2012 and 2013 ASB were very close--a losing team, but not a terrible team. But in came the "callups"--and then, disaster. This wasn't bad luck and injuries--it was team that quit. The "callups" were basically useless at the MLB level. That wasn't bad luck. The cupboard was bare and there was a lack of professionalism displayed after it became apparent that there wouldn't be any post-season play for the Twins. That's not bad luck. At the start of '12. '13, and this season as well there were comments made that implied that the problems were "fixed" and all that was needed for a successful season was "no injuries and for Gardy to work his normal magic". The implication was that the eam was victimized by circumstances beyond its control and the need to patch some holes. I never conluded that the FO believed that a complete rebuild was needed for the team. Things won't get fixed until the real problems are recognized and the excuses stop. Refer to the comments made not long ago by the Rangers. They admitted failures and will start addressing them. That need to happen with the Twins.

I was thinking about why Plouffe wasn't promoted to the Twins (even for a cup of coffee) in the same period mentioned. Your comment was spot on with respect to the Twins left-side infield in that period. Was Plouffe in stasis because of Gardenhire's demend for "vets"?, his man-crush on Punto? or was it due to Plouffe "just not being good enough". I mean, he should have been promoted--or released.

There have four signings of big impact players recently: Tanaka (NYY), Abreu (CWS), Puig (LAD), and Cespedes (OAK). Perhaps these guys were "steered" to certain teams (Tanaka, Puig). But I don't think Cespedes and Abreu were "directed". It is clear the Twins need hitting: power, average, and timeliness. Especially someone who is a true "cleanup" hitter. They got one good year out of Willingham. But, they stopped. Morales? I believe he was intended to be a one-year rental all along. He was to put some lipstick on this pig and then be traded to receive a generous return. Well, everything above a happened except the "generous" part. I still think they are "on a budget"/"holding pattern" until the FO is ready to promote "the pipeline" to the Twins. I don't believe that will be next season either.

The Hicks and Pelfrey "problems". Hicks I was a bit surprised when he was drafted, given that Revere was drafted the year before. I smiled when I read the "5 tools" description, but I stayed hopeful. When I read that Hicks was "assigned to EST" for '09 I was "Oh, Oh. Something stinks". Years past. 2013 promotion--"YAH". 2013 results "UGH". But to conclude that he was "promoted too fast"? NO! He was 24. Hicks didn't fail because he hadn't spent more years in the minors--he failed because wasn't good enough. Some selections just fail--Hicks is just another one of them. But it's not bad luck. Pelfrey I contend that this injury is a "blessing in disguise". He wasn't very good last year and re-signing him wasn't bad luck--it was poor judgement. By not pitching a useless Pelfrey the Twins provided opportunities for others to pitch and potentially prove themselves as a future fixture in the rotation--a description that doesn't apply to Pelfrey.

How much different would the roster have looked? Hardly any change at all! Aaron Hicks would have played 3 games out of of 4. We would never have seen Santana or Polanco (because they need endless service time in the minors). The Vets were on the Active Roster for a reason--hence all those young guys would be in the minors waiting for the promotion that isn't coming! It's difficult to watch a losing--but there isn't any need to spin their problems. But, look on the bright side--there will be yet another year where the Twins can boast about having a superior minor league pipeline. Which isn't all that surprising given that they never seem to get promoted to the Twins and stay there!

I don't think much will change. Ryan has Pohlad's confidence that he can cheaply fix the team's problems and put a 75-win team on the field. Sadly, 75 wins appears to be the new standard of quality for the Twins.

What happened to all of the previous comments?

I'm curious why Wheeler was removed after 5 innings. It seems to me that at this level (AAA) that pitchers should be challenged to see if (they) can handle pressure and a measure of fatigue. The Twins couldn't tolerate 5-innings starts for very long from their rotation, so those at the high levels (AAA and AA) must demonstrate that they can "eat innings" in order to demonstrate that they are viable contenders for a Twins rotation spot.

It has been reported that AJ has signed with StL.

One thing I find frustrating is that during the period after the legislature approved the new stadium and before the slotting system/penalties for the Rule 4 draft was started, that the Twins didn't budget a sizeable increase for new player (amateurs). There were (still are) guys who weren't selected as high as they thought (which usually limits their signing bonus) yet are available later in the draft--but still requires a large bonus in order to sign. The Twins knew that a huge increase in revenue was coming--but just plain refused to significantly increase the "draft budget" along with the Major league payroll budget (40-man roster). The cupboard would not have been barren had they invested the future revenue to ensure that the talent pipeline would be full after Target Field (2010) opened. Penny wise and pound foolish.

Contact!

My Q for the lineup is: Why Nunez instead of Plouffe? Are they showcasing Nunez for a trade or seeking a replacement for Plouffe?

Changing the subject from assault(s), how many of you saw the cover of the Strib where the byline was of the Knoblach case but the picture was of a young Scott Erickson? Oopsie.

But at the end of the year when the owners count the very sizeable profits one can see why the present management is retained. I expect other candidates for GM et.al, start conversations with something like: "Give me complete control and a budget of >$100MM...". Yeah, I can envision that statement as the end of discussions.

Ryan's "forte" is sifting through the rosters of others seeking underappreciated "potentials" that are cheap, controlled, motivated, and likely easily obtained. While it's true a team can be assembled from the souk there are many problems under the surface: good results are generally unrepeatable, the team loses focus on developing from within, rookies can be perceived as "the enemy" as opposed to "potential saviors", and the worst problem of all is that fans get confused as to who are these guys and are they worth supporting year after year. Most teams, and not so long ago, most Twins' team had predictable line-ups comprised of familar players. Now? NO! It's not enough to put a guy in a uniform and command fan loyalty (and their money!). In entertainment people pay for stars or at the very least performers who are known and trusted by the audience. A revolving door of no-names--even worse guys who can't be projected to be future stars (which can be done by in-system rookies) simply diffuse fan loyalty. My greatest fear is that the Twins will become a team of one to three fixtures worthy of contracts and a bunch of never weres and neverwillbes because they are cheap and serve to fill the roster, keeping the payroll down.

One curious point: Seattle apparently doesn't make their college-age draftees slog their way through the minors one level per year. They challenge them, and keep/cut them before fungus grows on them.

I believe a roster spot will be cleared within a week--Matt Guerrier. That would allow the Twins to keep Correia until 5 healthy bodies are found to man the rotation for the rest of the year.

Or, compare his results to in-house options.