I would let Rooker start at 1B. Cruz has to be brought back even if it's a two-year deal. Sano needs to earn to start at 1B or he can ride the bench. Adrianza and Astudillo need to be let go or demoted. Garver needs to improve or he should be demoted. I have a lot more faith in Rich Hill than Dobnak. Rogers and Thielbar should be reevaluated. Wisler should be brought back instead of Thielbar. Rogers need to improve and I would like to see two more effective lefties in the bullpen.
Well just like you, I started to pay attention to Twins as soon as I came to USA and then moved to Duluth for college around winter time in 1991. I then moved back NY a few years later and I have been a Twins fan ever since.
I would give May, Stashak and Duffey another chance. I don't want to see Romo and Dobnak. 1B-somone who can hit, that would be Rooker. I might give Buxton another chance since he was hit by a pitch, it's at least uncontrollable this time. I also suggest to send Duffey and Rocco out for vacation as soon as the regular season ends.
I would not mind seeing Hill to replace Dobnak in the rotation next year and I certainly hope May can be brought back. Twins need to add at least one maybe two good bullpen arms (lefty preferred).
Again Rocco pulled the starter too early just like last game. Some of the players need to be let go or traded. Polanco, Rosario, Garver and Rogers need to be sent elsewhere. Say byebye to Romo. Sign Clippard, May and Wisler. Sign a good closer. Sign a good defensive catcher. Promote top 5 prospects aggressively. Let Rooker play regularly. Don't be afraid of letting Sano or any key player ride the bench if he struggles consistently.
Baldelli has a tendency to make brainless moves. He just made too many of them in this important game. Let Baldelli manage the long season and then promote anyone else to manage the post season.
By taking Jeffers out, Baldelli was rewarded with a 4-pitch strikeout (looking at all 4 pitches, I don't think Garver was even ready), a double play (first pitch swinging) and a poor framing catcher to play the defense.
This team has a new record! Twins just set a NEW North American post season losing streak record. They will have a chance to extend the record tomorrow. Well it could also be their last game of the season. As noted by MLB.com's Sarah Lang, 27 of the other 29 teams have won a post season game since the Twins last won one. The Mariners and the Marlins are the other two exceptions. Since then 18 teams have won at least 10 postseason games and 10 have won at least 20.
Maeda should get one more inning, May should get one more inning, even Rogers could get one more inning, Alcala should be on the roster and he could give at least 2 innings. Dobnak should not be on the roster. What a mess of managing the bullpen!!!
It's going to be like minor leaguers with couple standouts against major league home run derby team. Yankee players are also experienced and smart and their manager is not stubborn and sometimes brainless like Rocco.
Why do you want Romo and Clippard walk? They don't cost much and they are still quite effective. Why do you want Adrianza stay? He is really not that important and can be easily replaced by a prospect. Why do you want to extend Buxton for 8/$160 if he can't stay healthy to contribute?