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specialiststeve

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Everything posted by specialiststeve

  1. specialiststeve
    Let's be clear here that this is not rocket science and it is NOT about the metrics. Too many of our coaches and Front office are focused on this and not the actual fundamentals of the game! And THERE lies the problem. The fundamentals of our hitters at this point IS the issue. The "pull" mentality has been the main issue here as players that are Good at using the whole field have been pulling off the ball to try to hit it Mach 10 and into the 3rd deck instead of putting a solid swing on the ball and hitting the ball where it is pitched. It is SO evident to those that have played and coached that most of this team "pulls off the ball" and their frontside is gone on a good majority of their swings. Result of this is that we hit poorly when in need of situation baseball as you can't just turn that on and off. Preaching and teaching this all the way down the system is and needs to be a priority. When that happens ... our hitting numbers will improve.. until then... expect more of the same. Unfortunately.
  2. specialiststeve
    My issue is with our approach or lack thereof. With the changes in rules and incentives to play more station-to-station baseball we stay stuck in the Swing for the Fences mentality. Not sure what our hitting coach is doing but watching this team "pull off the ball" trying to hit it 117 mph is just plain dumb. Metrics like most statistics and numbers are what you want them to be... Old time fundamentals and playing the old "Twins way" is what this team lacks. Hitting, Fielding and running the bases mostly. As good as our pitching has been Rocco has continued to mismanage the end of the game.. with no end in sight...
  3. specialiststeve
    As I had said before the season and I will stick with it.. Polanco needs to be the every day DH. We has so many good options at 2B it only makes sense.. Options in center.. well not so much. If Bux is healthy his value is AS much in the OF and likely more than at the plate. Just have to tell him.. NO running into fences-time to grow up and pull up!
  4. specialiststeve
    Not sure why the new hitting coach has not worked with Buxton on his front side flying. He is pulling off the ball on almost every swing. He needs to start working on hitting everything to center/right center to stay on the ball longer. Advanced scouting on other teams I am sure are seeing this and he is NOT adjusting....
  5. specialiststeve
    Rocco on the pregame tonight was asked about this exact topic and just like a politician danced around it and said nothing ... Then had the DELUSIONAL statement that he thought that his team was a very good situational hitting team. OMG. If he believes this, he REALLY needs to be replaced.
  6. specialiststeve
    The other elephant in the room is Rocco and his use of the bullpen... he is the other one that needs to go. He is just not a good manager.. period.
  7. specialiststeve
    To say our hitting coach is over his skii's might be the understatement of the year. That and the continued swing for the fences mentality at all times .... I also hold Baldelli accountable as he is supposedly in charge.
  8. specialiststeve
    Starts at the top... Baldelli and this coaching staff has not shown the ability to coach sound fundamentals since he arrived. Our focus on HR or bust mentality is showing it's ugly face again. This starts with manager and hitting coach... not good. Baldelli stating we would be much more aggressive on the base baths. Just shows a lack of commitment and guts to get off of his hands and manage. Argh. Love our Twins but as an old coach the lack of fundamentals on defense and understanding situational hitting and holding players accountable for this ... is tough to watch.
  9. specialiststeve
    He has been TERRIBLE. Period. If the Twins want to make a serious run at the playoffs and "more".. he needs to go. Clueless with the pitching staff... clueless in extra inning situations... Clueless in demanding improved situational hitting. Nice guy and well spoken but just not a good manager.... time to move on.
  10. specialiststeve
    Best time to trade Kepler ... is now... he is hitting. Soon to be followed by a dry spell of a month. 1st Let the rook spend some time in the minors to make sure he is good to go.
  11. specialiststeve
    Pretty clear to me that Ober is the better pitcher at this point and with his future being promising he should be at the show. That being said one thing I have not seen is that in my mind the front office is likely wanting Maeta to pitch as a starter to keep his trade value up. There will be teams that are going to be wanting a starter as the injury bug continues to hit. Keeping his value up for the next month seems to make sense to get some decent pieces coming back. This FO has done a fair job at getting value back for players that are on their way out... see this as the same situation.
  12. specialiststeve
    This is a "coaching/Managing" issue... clearly the coaching staff STILL overvalues the home run even given the change of rules. Do we try to run... NO. Let's swing for the fences and take good overall hitters and try to make them "yank" and hit for power. Drives me bonkers.
  13. specialiststeve
    Rocco back at his misuse and lack of understanding "roles" in the bullpen. Why would you use your second best reliever in the 6th. Lopez has to be pitching either the 9th or 10th. Argh!
  14. specialiststeve
    Kinda surprised that Austin Martin is not heading the list... Can't see him at SS with Correa now planted there... Not the tools to play OF... not enough power to play corner.. CF would be the possible option but not seeing it... Not playing 3B... See OF... Leaves him and his future with the Twins at 2B. A high OBP guy with speed and good defense. I would plant him at 2B this year and depending on how the 2B shakes out with Polanco, Farmer, Gordon.... He may be the future of the Twins at 2B. I would be fine with that if it shakes out that way.
  15. specialiststeve
    Amazing that guys keep writing articles and continue to not discuss the obvious. Stop me if you have heard me say this but the smartest choice here is Polanco. Switch hitter with continual health issues. Keep a quality bat in the lineup on an everyday basis or get 90 games... this isn't rocket science. Polanco NEEDS to be plugged in and left there. Occasional game at 2B in case of an emergency but otherwise... plant his A** on the bench and let him DH. His bat is TO valuable.
  16. specialiststeve
    You may get tired of hearing this but... Polanco NEEDS to be our DH. Fulltime. Only play field in a pinch.
  17. specialiststeve
    Put him at 2B and 1B in AAA .... see if he can hold his own.. There will be opportunities. He has to show he has a spot.... and he can hit AAA pitching... we shall see.
  18. specialiststeve
    You will get tired of me saying this but the DH ..NEEDS to be Polanco. Switch hitter that the DH'ing will keep him healthy. 150 games played ... That IS a difference vs the 90 or 100 if he plays 2B and gets dinged. As far as Julian... Let's all take a deep breath!! Let him start at 2B in AAA and see if they can make it work defensively. If not put him at 1B as those are the two spots other than the DH. We shall see how his bat responds to AAA pitching .. one more step up the ladder. There will be opportunity if he continues to rake.
  19. specialiststeve
    Rocco said earlier this spring somewhere that his goal was to get as many pitchers throwing 100 mph as possible.. STUPID! We are asking for more arm troubles. Can't blame the players as it is "notible" to throw 100 and will get publicity and if clearly hard to hit but..... We are also playing roulette with these guys arms. Wonder why there are so many arm.. elbow and shoulder issues.. Look no further. How about throw mid 90's and have great control and a mix of pitches to keep hitters from sitting on the FB? We are going to have a bunch of guys burn bright but a short burn.
  20. specialiststeve
    You may be right .. okay not zero percent.. but still not seeing that they will go with what they have ..
  21. specialiststeve
    ZERO chance they don't make a move before opening day. Not going to spend the money they have spent and go with a castoff from the Marlins as their everyday guy. It's LA man.. they will go get something as Lux was questionable there anyway. I hate to say it but the Dodgers and the Yankees match up really well.. Yanks have too many middle infielders and Dodgers have a need.
  22. specialiststeve
    Would take more than Farmer but Getting Rushing who is LH bat would be ideal. Max and Farmer for Rushing and one of there seemingly endless number of quality arms in the minors...
  23. specialiststeve
    Given his stature .. listed at 5'10 and 155 he is most likely to be headed to the bullpen for short but "big" stuff. It appears as he would be what they call "high effort" and that leads to injuries if his arm is not used right. Saw Baldelli say somewhere that his goal was to get as many guys throwing 100 .... umm... Goal should be getting guys that have great stuff and can locate and change speeds. Drives me bonkers the throw it hard and nothing else mentality!! a majority of Major league hitters will catch up to ANY fastball if they know it is coming..
  24. specialiststeve
    Folks, stop whining about the rule... It is in place and we have to deal with it.. As far as it hurting the Twins and why the Twins have taken it in the shorts since the rule is in place as Baldelli and the coaching staff has forgot and stopped focus on fundamentals of "small ball". He has stated he will adjust .. we shall see. Old school... man on second... bunt over to 3rd.. 2 shots at a base hit... sac fly ... error.. put pressure on the defense to make a play... Baldelli and much of baseball... Swing from the heals and see what happens. Just bad baseball. Am hoping and praying that the new rules bring back movement and actual baseball "activity"... Bunting... hit and run.. stolen bases.. all the lost parts of the game.
  25. specialiststeve
    You and I both Brother!! Someone in the FO please listen!! LOL
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