Derojo

Right, your ridiculous comment is not quite as insulting as it is devoid of substance. Since the last World Series in 91, the Twins have been in one ALCS, in 2002. They had no chance at sniffing the World Series that year. Joe Mauer played his entire career not having an opportunity to play in a World Series. I am loyal to the Twins, the actual Twins; the players. When the ownership has fielded a competitive team for the playoffs for more than a rare year; that would be faithfulness. Loyalty isn't blind dumbed down obedience to mediocrity. Thirty-five years have passed since the last World Series, AND one win in a 2002 ALCS is crap. Yet, you imply the problem is the fans. Since the last (91) World Series, more than half of the fans have died; the original fans who watched Killibrew, Oliva, Carew, and Kaat. Minnesota fans have enough of a baseball IQ; (from the Outlaw Josey Wales) "Don't pi#& down my back and tell me it's raining."

The Twins have more pitcher and position player talent in the minors than they have had for a long, long, time. Catcher is the most significant need, and finding a first baseman that can field and hit is second. Everyone points out the bullpen, but the Twins actually have too many pitchers to play them all at this point. Hoffman and Nance will be back along with much younger arms. The future looks bright. It certainly looks much better than the Vikings QB situation. That's a real problem.

There's no collapse. The Twins finished where they were expected to finish; under .500. They are not way under. Second, they had a lot of young talent, and that takes more time to develop. Contrary to a collapse, their batting with RISP reverted more to normal in the second half. The blistering pace of the first half was not sustainable. I think overall, given significant injuries the Twins outperformed a bit this year.

An above average catcher is more valuable for trade than any other position. My opinion...

Lewis appears to look for the "big" at bat. In MLB that likely means at best average. Josh Bell is a hitter who makes the best of what an opposing pitcher offers. Wallner is similar to Lewis. Larnach makes the most of what he has. He's too slow though and we have many OF's. I respect Larnach's better year, batting and he increased his speed. I fear Emmanuel Rodriguez will be like Sano. I hope not.

I just did a search: out of 52 MLB players 46 returned to play. Another statement said approximately 80 percent return to play professional baseball at the same or higher level for at least three years.

Explain the "reasoning" that Buxton having had more injuries than an average player increases healing time. Second, wouldn't it be more logical to review Buxton's past healing length of time compared to an average player?

The Twins only have Caratini for catching next year if they lose Jackson. I guess they are figuring on free agency. I don't think the minor leagues catchers will be ready till at least late next year.

Many Twins pitchers had at least one save this year. The closer role should be a competition. Every other position has competition. Why would one do it differently for a closer?

Good analysis, and the Twins young OF's needed more time. As you stated, next year will be different. I can see Wallner as a backup OF'der. There's also Austin Martin in the mix which wasn't true before this year. He'll adjust to the pitching.

If the Twins give Buck a large say in his handling, he'll be playing CF.

Personally, I like Buxton. Other than injury here's other issues. 1. He's too easy to strike out as he swings at non-competitive pitches. He's not the only one; Caratini, Kreidler. He's supposed to be a star. 2. His batting stats as DH are not good. 3. He doesn't bunt. With his speed that's ridiculous. 4. He rarely steals bases. Again, with his speed that's absurd. Here's the situation: The Twins will protect him more and more given his injury history and age. That makes sense. It will also make him less valuable. BTW - Should Jenkins heat up next year, Buxton will be a DH or sub.

Quote: After spending the first 11 seasons of his career with the Minnesota Twins, Hunter had already established himself as one of the most important players of his generation. :Unquote. Since you didn't specify I take it to mean in MLB. Just simply no way is this true. Torii was a very good player at times; not great. He wasn't most important in MLB. Twins players in 87 and 91 won two World Series. Killibrew, Carew, and Kaat were most important players of their generation. When you write cotton candy fluff, it de-values those who actually had a most important impact in their generation of playing MLB. I very much like Torii Hunter. He was a good Twin and person.

The Twins are where they were expected to be; a sub .500 team. There's no collapse. The Twins vastly outperformed in scoring runs in the first half with RISP. That was bound to decrease as is usual with statistics. Injuries in the starting rotation and in general the pitchers have hurt. They have added much pitching talent for next year, so I'm hopeful. Starting pitching will need to lead to wins. The Twins are actually building for next year, and it's been years since I could say that.

Just simply NO to 2027. Perhaps a call up in September, IF there is no other player for which a September call up makes more sense. Likely there will be other players that fit that call up better.