Derojo

Caratini like Buxton swings at junk and gets himself out. The Twins makeup and approach can't afford that. No easy outs, and put the ball in play has to be the way. The Twins need to run more. I'm surprised Culpepper on first base, didn't try to run with Keaschall at bat and two outs. Why not?

Quote: but Minnesota may not have enough starting pitching depth to simply pencil him into the rotation and assume everything will work itself out. Pablo López, Mick Abel, and David Festa are all working their way back from injuries. Even if all three are healthy when spring training begins, the Twins will have plenty of uncertainty behind them. :Unquote. You seem to be convoluting two very different points concerning Matthews. 1. The number of starting pitchers. At this point we have too few, so why not use him? 2. As regarding next year, there is uncertainty as you stated: Cole Sands being an example. On both points Zebby should be given the opportunity to start, now and next spring. Do you mean MN may have enough starting pitching depth, so as to not pencil Zebby in? What about the uncertainty next spring? As I stated: convoluted writing, it is.

Keaschall played a little outfield (mostly center) in the minors. Of course he looks rough. He hasn't had enough plays, especially in right.

The Vikings #1. Yea, here's why? They're like having a relationship with an enticing promising woman, who always disappoints in the end. The Vikings can be the number one sports team in MN. That's not good. Meanwhile the Twins did well in three World Series, and won two. That's a positive relationship.

Let's not do a Buxton here, bringing a player back to soon. Will this be enough rest to help Ryan's arm? I hope we'll see. I like Ober, but if he is to succeed he can't miss in the zone with his pitches except on a rare occasion. Ober could be a four slot pitcher.

Long term, the Twins don't need Kremer to be a 1-2 starter. They need a quality 3-4 starter. The five slot and extended (six) reliever can be young guys with plus pitches that need to learn. I like the term "six" for the extended reliever, because he covers the team's six, so to speak when it's exposed.

Gomez has good movement, but he's too passive like he doesn't trust his pitches, so he often trails in the count. Second, too many non-competitive pitches are thrown which takes the pressure off of the batter. Morris throws competitive balls a lot, which makes his strikes play better. Third, there's much potential to be realized with Gomez yet. Fourth, between the early additions: Gomez, Banda, Rojas, and Morris (and recent signings) the Twins have done well. Funderbirk has improved much. At this point the Twins pitching looks promising next year. I love the way the Twins bat as a team. They are a consistent pain in the arse for opposing pitchers. I don't know if I've ever seen such consistent two strike production in Twins history.

There are those who wear as a banner, life isn't fair. Then there are those who live courageously. It's difficult to experience multiple disappointments and set backs, and to continue to live well.

Basically, a b.s. story. Not that the story isn't factual, but that doesn't mean it's about reality.

Buxton returning isn't an issue till he returns. It's not a given that he will return this month since his hip issue is a recurring problem. It wouldn't shock me if he returned and became injured again. Which Buxton will return, the locked in one or the version that swings at outside balls and low balls?

Quote: Minnesota checked every major box on its deadline wish list, but what did it cost? Here's how each move stacks up. :Unquote. I don't know if the Twins had a box for clean-up or power hitter, but they should have. You can't count on Buxton to be healthy, and he swings at too much outside balls anyway. The Twins batters have surpassed expectations, and that likely will not continue to the end of the season. One miss is that the Twins will get nothing for Jeffers, and still won't make the playoffs. If I'm wrong and he stays, that would be good.

Hoffman hasn't been as consistent as Gomez so far this year. Gomez, obviously does well with closing games. I'd keep Gomez as the closer, with right/left handed batter being a consideration. Since the Twins are making many moves, it might be a good idea to get a couple of AAA players up, or at least one. The others can come in September. I like Larnach, but if either he or Jeffers is traded, Jenkins can come up now.

Hoffman has next year too. Unless they plan on re-signing him this move makes little sense, if he would want to sign. I guess the Twins think they'll be in play next year for something bigger. All of this, I hope, isn't merely to be a Wild Card, or even to win the division. The World Series must be the goal. If not next year, then in two to three years.

This team is at best a Wild Card team. We finally have a top ten (5?) farm system to work toward the World Series. BUT it's going to be at least two more years. How about building toward that? We don't need more rounds of Joe Mauer Wild Card purgatory. That's no knock on Joe, but if your goal is Wild Card playoffs, that's what you get. The Twins were fortunate in 87/91. The American Leagu is much more competitive at present. Making the playoffs means nothing, if that is your goal.

Larnach has competitive productive at bats. However, he's a defensive liability because of his speed and arm. I'd like to see what Martin and Roden could do with more reps. We have a couple.more outfielders in AAA, so now is the time for consistent starting. I will say that Larnach is a ballplayer.