Twins_Fan_in_NJ

Good call on the differences between 2019 and 2023. It does seem like this team is focused on dead-pull and trying to lift the ball and that would have worked in 2019.

Fair point but I think that team has major chemistry issues and things going on behind the scenes. Maybe the Twins have the same issues, I don't know. But just from an approach standpoint, I'd like to see if Cruz could offer a different insight. I think we can all agree whatever it is that Popkins is doing - it isn't working.

Interesting regarding Lewis and while I get where he's coming from, this just solidifies what a joke the front office is. Lewis might turn into a franchise player. But he is no where near the point where he should be dictating the position that he plays. If the Twins had a legitimate opportunity to get Arenado, they shouldn't think twice about it - go ahead and make a trade. Let the dust clear afterwards and figure things out with Lewis.

Popkins wasn't ready for the job. He's too inexperienced. Sometimes thinking outside of the box works. Sometimes, it doesn't. There's nothing wrong with trying something and failing - if you see the mistake and correct it. The Twins are incapable of doing that. Speaking of thinking outside of the box - I'd say Nelson Cruz. IYAM, the Twins' success in 2019 had as much to do with his presence as it did Rowson.

Oh, and when I say Popkins isn't going anywhere - he should have been fired in May. Actually, he should never have been hired. But nonetheless, there's 0% chance that the FO will move on from him. If the Pohlads bothered to check-in once in a while, perhaps things would be different. But alas...

This is my fear. The Twins' FO doubles down on their mistakes rather than admit them, fix them, and move on. Popkins isn't going anywhere. He's their guy and they'll continue to provide puff piece interviews where they can't stop speaking but don't actually say anything of substance or meaning.

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.