Lagputter

Ist I thought this was going to be a spin off of a Abbot & Castelo routine.
We still have a ton of options at 1B especially LH. Kiriloff would have 1st shot. Gallo is an option, 1B is Julien's best position & he's knocking on the door, less needed RH we have Miranda & Farmer. We probably have more that have 1B experience that I don't know of.
Arraez slid over to 1B & it became his best position. We have more athletic players than Arraez that can make that transition much more easily if need be. Plus our organization is packed with 1B/ DH players.

I don't disagree with you.  It's just the way it is.  Not only with the Twins but MOST MLB teams.  It's all about the Analytics now whether we like it or not.
 

I have been writing this same "Blog" on the "Fire Rocco" posts for 2 years.  Like is style or not (and I probably lean towards "not"), he's going to be here as long as Falvine is in charge, because he is managing EXACTLY the way they want him to manage.  The questions about his flexibility are valid, but I don't think it's all HIS flexibility.  He has been told by the FO how to manage games, and who to put in in certain situations.  He had no choice but to put Colome/Pagan into games, because that is who the FO gave him, and gave him marching orders to use them in those situations.  I think if the FO would loosen the reigns (which I don't expect them to do) you might see a different Rocco.

Excellent take. The joined at the hip bit I 100% agree with. Yeah trying to get starters out for that 3rd trip when your 5-7 inning type relievers are average at best is not a good formula. Pen should be better in theory this year. I would love to see one more starter and one more solid reliever to help out. As long as Emilio Pagan is limited to mop up I can unclench a bit when the wave to the bullpen happens.

Not sure I could watch 100 cleveland games if I tried, but I have watched the twins long enough and seen Francona manage with the Red Sox and Cleveland. He is fantastic. He truly is that perfect blend of human skills and adapting to analytics having the impact they do on the game. I should have used a different word than perfect in hindsight. I guess my point is that I like Rocco and in today’s game and how the FO wants to do things, a genius strategist isn’t needed. 

Fair enough. In an ideal world I’d agree. Give me a perfect balance of analytics and game feel, I’d love that. However analytics will reign supreme whether we like it or not. It varies in severity from team to team, with the Twins probably being towards the analytical extreme. Because of this, the twins aren’t going to hire a manager that isn’t willing to buy all in on what they are trying to do. This means it doesn’t matter who is out there managing. The same decisions will be made. So why not enjoy Rocco? The guy seems chill. I like him. 
Also, as far as ticket sales dropping, you should check out my previous blog entries on the popularity of baseball. They are truly amazing reads in my humble opinion.

I think you nailed with- "he doesn't get in the way of the players". Now it is a double edge sword with he probably won't make them much better either but we know he won't make Buxton try and hit grounders to 2nd base.
 
I'd love to see him hammin' nails in the dugout and MF'n star players out of spring training like Jim Leyland but that's not what baseball is anymore for better and for worse. 
 
He did gain a lot of favor when he got chucked after the blocking home plate incident. He might have a little more 'dog' in him but it's just not really in the job description to be that guy anymore.... great post, tip of cap 

I'm glad someone else thinks Sanchez belongs in this rotation right now.  The Twins couldn't have hoped for any more out of him.  He seems to know how to pitch and get to at least the middle innings with still having a chance to win.

I'm glad someone else thinks Sanchez belongs in this rotation right now.  The Twins couldn't have hoped for any more out of him.  He seems to know how to pitch and get to at least the middle innings with still having a chance to win.

I agree that its time to make a change with Archer. Pen looks like a good place for him to finish the year. Maybe a piggyback for Bundy?

I'm not totally against an Urshela trade since I'm not seeing him back next year (unless Miranda is involved in a Montas/Castillo/?-SP trade), but...
...the "obvious" move is to simply option Celestino to StP. He has options, has plateaued, and could play every day for the Saints. Kirilloff becomes the regular LF, Sano is 1B/DH, Arraez is 1B/DH/2B, Miranda is 3B/DH, Urshela is 3B. Byron actually rests most days when not in the field (last I heard batting caused more pain that fielding). Gordon comes off the bench. Catchers probably almost never DH.
Also, if (after mashing on rehab) Sano comes in swinging well, he easily has trade value. Lower than most points, but any contending team in need of a power bat would probably cough up a decent relief arm to get Sano. (Though frankly, if he's hitting, I think the Twins ride out the season with him, and I'd be okay with that even if I know he'll drive me nuts several times in the next few months.)

This team's been shut out more than any club in the bigs.  You don't move on from a guy who could be a difference maker.
 

I now have "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" from the Sound of Music going through my head and it won't stop. I hate you. 

I don't know. This feels like a have your cake and eat it too kind of thing. It boils down to this.
Would you rather have the best relievers available when the Twins are up 6-5 or down 5-6? If the Twins are losing in the 6th, even with their absolute best relievers stepping onto the mound, they're still significantly less likely to win the game. At the top of the 6th, the Yankees were a 65% favorite to win and the leverage index was pretty low. Is that when the very best relievers are the best choice? I feel like they'd likely be wasted in that scenario because the Twins were required to score more runs... and lo and behold, they didn't anyway.