Derojo

Keaschall has improved with quartering back on balls. He still has much trouble with balls hit directly at him. However, he hasn't played outfield much in his career. He is an athlete, so I expect he will improve. That he's learning OF at the MLB level, and raking means long term success to me.

Buxton moving to a corner OF will extend his career, how? You think he will magically not get injured? That's right, move your best CF (a comment) defender now! Such idiocy; if you moved Buxton to DH, that might extend his career. Buxton bats poorly as DH.

You can't know what "type" of a player anyone is until they play consistently. Clemens demonstrates that. Martin also demonstrated that a hot start doesn't foreshadow a hot finish. We don't know how he will be next year. Lee did not come out of the MLB gate hot. Yet, he has improved with more batting appearances. The MLB game is different than the minors, the playing field just looks the same. It's not the same competition. "He is solid behind the dish with a bat that has shown glimpses." Perhaps the bat has shown "glimpses" because Jackson hasn't played much. Lee has consistently improved, perhaps Jackson would. However, I would wait till September 14th to see if the Twins will be within two games of the third wild card, or the division, because there will be thirteen games left to play. Picking up three games out of thirteen is unlikely.

Culpepper already is the second best competitive batter on the Twins; Keaschall being first. Culpepper should be in the second slot, with Jenkins who's supposed to have more power in the third. I have no clue what you were thinking on that one. Keaschall/Culpepper will drive the pitchers crazy to begin the game.

Culpepper has been more impressive, and his batting appearance against Jhoan Duran was extraordinary. I understand Culpepper has been up longer. He's a handful for a pitcher 8 times out of ten. SS is a more difficult position to play than CF. I'm not predicting, but it is possible Culpepper will have a more productive career than Jenkins. I'm just saying it's possible. Look how Buxton's career has turned out compared to Trout, who's been injured plenty himself. No one knows the future. Culpepper already gives pitchers more trouble than Buxton. I'm not knocking Jenkins; he's not the only player to watch.

I like the analogy; excellent. For the fans: You can't spell Sisyphus, without "phus" or English; "fuss".

Quote: The Twins knew they had a bullpen problem coming into the season, and 2026 has done little to change that perception. Now, Minnesota has to figure out how to turn a glaring weakness into a strength before next season. :Unquote. According to Twins Daily’s 2026 position analysis, the projected bullpen includes Twins Daily: Cole Sands – veteran holdover, expected to lead the group. Taylor Rogers – former Twins ace, now in relief; known for past dominance. Justin Topa – sub‑4 ERA over recent seasons. Liam Hendriks – 37‑year‑old wildcard; elite in 2019–2022, but limited innings in recent years due to health issues. Andrew Chafin – 12‑year MLB career, 3.35 ERA. Eric Orze – recent sub‑4 ERA seasons. Anthony Banda – multiple sub‑4 ERA years. Zak Kent – depth arm. So Taylor Rogers is left. Every other reliever the Twins now put out there is different. Yet, you say the Twins have done little: Current 40‑Man Roster Pitchers (Relief Focus) Baseball-Reference.com A.J. Minter – 32‑year‑old LHP, 6'0", 215 lbs, 2013 debut. Andrew Morris – 24‑year‑old RHP, 6'0", 195 lbs, 2019 debut. Jeff Hoffman – 33‑year‑old RHP, 6'5", 235 lbs, 2012 debut. Travis Adams – 26‑year‑old RHP, 6'1", 197 lbs, 2019 debut. Yoendrys Gómez – 26‑year‑old RHP, 6'3", 212 lbs, 2017 debut. Kody Funderbirk Tommy Nance Hardly any changes at all. If you don't have perceived confidence, you don't. But you can't write that the Twins have done little to change our perception. The Twins have been changing their relief pitching staff all season long. BTW - I haven't caught all the changes: Kendry Rojas, who might return as a reliever. No, I didn't read the article, because when an opening statement is so inane; I'm not going there.

Taylor Rogers is a professional. He is toward the end of his career. The take that he isn't a younger more vital Taylor Rogers is willful ignorance. Of course he isn't. Everybody ages. Players late years in MLB are virtually without exception, not as good as earlier years. Stop stating Captain Obvious statements, and be gracious.

To us older people: Slip Sliding Away, to September, would be an obvious choice for a title; thanks to Paul Simon.

The Twins largest deficit is starting pitching. Jenkins is irrelevant to that. Second, they were expected to be at best just below .500. Third, even if a team makes third wild card, that's playing for experience. Third wild card is weak. The experience is good, that's all.

The chemistry doesn't work? What does that mean? Second, the Twins were expected to be .500 at best. They haven't fallen apart. They have had many injuries to starters. That's a big factor.

Speculation; it's a well written piece which frames possibilities. The Padres were hot when the Twins played them. If a team is seeing pitches we'll, it's tough to pitch.

This season is basically done. Could the Twins get the third wild card or win the division? Yes, but it's unlikely. In any case, third wild card is an invitation to a quick exit. All moves should be done to figure out position changes for next year. I like Keaschall, but I don't see a place for him unless we lose Josh Bell to another team. Keaschall is definitely not well suited for DH though.

Apparently, Keaschall wasn't good at second, but he didn't look lost like he does on hard hit deep fly balls. He does well on routine ones, and ok on short ones. I don't see a place for him on this Twins team. He could DH next year, but I'd rather they sign Josh Bell. It's not a criticism of Keaschall as a person or teammate.

Speculating about Erod is like farting into the wind. A lot of stink and not much substance.

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?