Twins_Fan_in_NJ

I know the line-up has holes. But for the love of god - we're talking about a historically bad line-up in terms of batting average, hits, and strike outs. Hard-pressed to believe that at least a major culprit is approach and scouting - falls on Popkins. He needs to go.

They do, which is also weird, but either of them would be better than Popkins.

Popkins' resume is laughable. The guy has zero business being a hitting coach at the MLB level. This is a prime example of Falvey and Levine trying to prove they're the smartest ones in the room and they won't own up to the mistake. As I wrote in another thread, it is up to the Pohlad's now.

Nail on the head...

Yankees fired their hitting coach....so it can be done.

Fewest hits by the Twins in the first half since...1995. Yeah, the lineup has holes. But for a hitting coach to survive this, it's absolutely bizarre.

You bring up a good point on the weight loss. Thought it was a good sign when they talked about the commitment to fitness and getting in better shape - then I saw him in spring training and couldn't believe how thin he was. Looks like a completely different person.

The Twins' pitching staff - especially if Stewart gets back healthy and Lopez regains his stuff - is good enough to win a pennant - IMHO. It's just that the offensive production is what you would expect from a 75 win team and that will be their undoing. The tantalizing thought of the pitching carry them deep into October is enough so that the Twins aren't sellers. But they also won't be buyers. Falvey and Levine have lost most of the trades they've made and I don't think the Pohlads give them a green light this year. Even though not necessarily a small market, teams like the Twins just can't survive dumping prospects year after year. Regarding Gray, Polanco, Kepler, Maeda... Polanco's stats aren't eye-popping but there always seems to be a correlation to his being out of the line-up and the team struggling. His salary next season isn't cost prohibitive and while Julien has shown flashes, he might not yet be ready to start everyday - I would be surprised if the Twins didn't pick up Polanco's option for 2024. Kepler's in the fans' doghouse more often than not and it is time for Larnach to be an everyday player. Do the Twins feel the same about Wallner? Wouldn't be shocked if Kepler's also back in 2024. If Maeda pitches well the rest of the way, wouldn't mind him back on a one-year deal. Next year's rotation has a big unknown (Paddack) and we've seen that you can't have too much pitching depth. Ryan-Pablo-Ober-Paddack-Maeda with Varland waiting in the wings would be my preference but I can understand if the Twins want to move on from Kenta. Even if the Twins want Gray back, he's gone, IYAM. Don't think he loves playing for Rocco.

Duran hasn't been as sharp this season but there's only him and Jax for high leverage situations.

Friday was fools gold as it's been all season when the offense produces. Home runs. Mixed with strikeouts and missed opportunities. A good team would have scored 10+.

Rocco's take still seems like a bunch of hot air and nothing more. Players holding themselves accountable. Leading film study before the games. Ummm, yeah, that's great. WTF is the role of the hitting coach then? I'm done with Popkins. Should've been fired weeks ago. These last two games are further proof.

They had to re-sign him at that price, at least, IYAM. But you can't play scared and that's what has happened. I'd rather roll the dice with an injury and have him do what he does best.

That's fair, Mike. But if I go down that road, then I think the biggest indictment on this FO is how they've handled Buxton. MAT is starting because of Byron. Twins opted for Joey Gallo over Justin Turner because there weren't any AB's for another DH in the line up. If he's the face of the franchise and the guy you believe in, then you play him in centerfield. If he's injured, he's injured. I'd rather use him and max out his talents taking the injury risk rather than pussy footing around and turning him into Miguel Sano. I can't fault Rocco or Popkins for that. That's on Falvey and Levine, and ownership. But the problems that this roster faces - it's a domino effect from one gigantic mistake - the mismanagement of Byron Buxton.

Agreed to a point. But... Vazquez: .259 for his career - .227 thus far Jeffers: .220 for his career - .260 thus far Gallo: .199 for his career - .189 thus far Kirilloff: .255 for his career - .265 thus far Solano: .277 for his career - .271 thus far Farmer: .264 for his career - .253 thus far Correa: .274 for his career - .212 thus far Castro: .247 for his career - .256 thus far MAT: .239 for his career - .212 thus far Kepler: .230 for his career - .198 thus far Buxton: .240 for his career - .203 thus far Julien and Lewis excluded; the former's a rookie and the latter doesn't have enough to data to draw upon. Of the 11 batters, 8 of them are below their career averages - and of the 8, the average drop from the career average is 27 points. Of this group, Vazquez and Solano are the only ones I would term 'old'. The others, at their respective ages, shouldn't be falling off a cliff. When a group underachieves as badly as this line-up has, someone gets fired - usually the hitting coach or manager. It's hard right now to pin this all on Falvey and Levine when nearly every hitter is failing to live up to reasonable expectations, i.e., their career averages. They didn't all turn into pumpkins over night.

Gallo won't be DFA'ed. For some reason, the front office wants to continue to make nice with Boras. A more likely scenario is sending Gallo or Kepler to the IL with some 'injury' and giving Larnach and/or Waller a shot. DFA'ing Pagan would be a welcome move but I don't think we'll see it. Falvey and Levine will hold onto him until the bitter end.

Rocco's not a good manager. He's just not. Some guys have great in-game instincts and they always seem to push the right buttons. Others are great tacticians but have those intangible leadership qualities that seem to bring the best out in a roster. From 2019 through current day, I don't think Rocco has show that he has either of those qualities. With that said, he's also been put behind the 8 ball with poor roster construction and bizarre personnel decisions - i.e., the handling of Buxton, Kepler still being on the roster, Pagan still being on the roster, etc.. I think those decisions are above his pay grade until either Falvey / Levine make the changes or ownership forces their hand, we're going to see more of the same. One thing I am curious about is Popkins. Does Baldelli pick his coaching staff? If he has the green light there and if he continues to keep Popkins - especially after yesterday's comments - than the woeful offense lands at Rocco's feet.

Good stuff - being a Twins' fan in NJ isn't always easy!

Sad, but incredibly true.

We still have a few of those circles in the area, especially as you get closer to the shore. Just mind boggling that they exist when you consider how dangerous they are! Absolutely good to know there's a fellow New Jerseyean here :) Been a fan since 1986 when I got to see Kirby play against the Yanks. Been a long road but 1987 and 1991 make it worth it so many years later.

Oh, I remember it well! My oldest sister had a nasty accident there (she's fine, totally unharmed) in the early 80's. It's been gone for years and years. I currently live about 5 minutes from the Raceway and it's still a hot spot for the trotters.

Know the Montclair area well. My wife was born and raised a few towns over. I'm in Freehold - which is about an hour south of Montclair. Born in Freehold in 1978 and never left - save for four years in college down in VA.

I've always felt that in team sports, player leadership and peer pressure go a long way in setting the tone for a team's performance and effort. In 1992, the Twins let Danny Gladden and Jack Morris go and may have upgraded their sports with John Smiley and Pedro Munoz but they a big part of the heart & soul of that WS team. In 2015, Torii Hunter almost single handedly had the Twins in the post-season and then the wheels fell off when he retired. As much as I blame Rocco and Popkins, when things get this bad, players need to look at themselves and step up. Correa's been lauded for his leadership for years. Vazquez, too. If the reports are true and their was legitimately a closed-door, players only meeting after this game, then hopefully Correa or someone else says what needs to be said. Enough is enough.

Firing Popkins is such low-hanging fruit. Why hasn't it happened yet?

Wonder how different the standings would look if the Twins and Guardians traded managers...

Baseball aside, hope Lopez gets right and is in a good place mentally. He seemed off all season in terms of his body language. I remember the last game he pitched in before he went on the IL - he caught a pop up and sprinted into the dug out and down the runway. Was very odd to me at the time.