Possumlad

It's either a bad haircut or a mediocre hairpiece....

Agree on Keaschall, but Winokur's been a disappointment so far. .686 OPS this year in 138 at bats for FTM.

Royce Lewis is locked in to 3rd for a long time. He's not moving to the outfield.

I've been very critical in the past, particularly about Popkins as hitting coach. I was wrong. Not just because the last 6 weeks have been so fun, and we just won our first playoff series in 20 years. But because the combo of this roster & farm system looks poised for a very strong 5+ year run. This FO has earned some very meaningful runway - we have a very appealing combo of vets, controllable young talent, and farm support backing both. Given the strong position we seem to be in, it can't be dumb luck - seems to be the result of the FO's long-term (and as you say, stubborn) plan finally paying off. Bravo.

It's close to impossible.. per Fangraphs the Yankees have a 1/200 chance to get a WC slot as of today. Not impossible, but...

I won't keep beating this, but it bounced forward (in the direction of seats), then hot something and bounced up and back. That's the part that cannot happen if it hit the yellow or below.

Playoff atmosphere in the game = playoff atmosphere in the thread!

Yes we do, behind the padding are home runs :)

Lol. The physics of that being a double are literally impossible. Literally and without question. You can say it whatever silly, pedantic, technical way you want. Still impossible.

Anyone know why Walker Jenkins has played exclusively DH in his 10 games so far?

Since there's really no other place to put it: rehabbing major leaguers in the minors is one of the dumber MLB traditions; one I hope dies soon. If a player needs to rebuild strength or flexibility after a long lay-off or specific injury, it makes sense. But a straight-forward injury like Royce's is either healed or it isn't. Once he's ready to go, he should be on the big-league field. We're currently wasting about a week of production @ AAA. For no reason whatsoever outside tradition. Can you imagine the Wolves sending Ant or KAT to the G-League for a week of starts coming off an injury? No, because it's idiotic. You're just risking further injury with no discernible upside. If the idea is to test readiness in a game situation - fine, give them one game @ AAA. But once the question is answered, get them out of there.

I wish I were more optimistic, but Gordon returning all-but-guarantees we'll be starting another well below average player nearly every day. Rocco LOVES overplaying guys like Gordon - the supposed utility/spot guys who end up playing 4 games a week seemingly every single year. Best case scenario is we never see Gordon in a Twins jersey again. Frankly I don't think Rocco can help himself. He loves to get cute with rest, match-ups, and never-ending line-up changes. The net result being that the Nick Gordon's of the world somehow make it in to the line-up nearly every day. Rocco will never let a bench/spot guy be a bench/spot guy - his ego won't allow it.

I think it's a bit of an odd take. Correa's undoubtedly having a bad year, ranking 16th currently by WAR of only ~20 eligible shortstops. But he's 28 years old and shouldn't be anywhere near past his prime. And he's had "off" seasons before - in 2018, he posted a 101 wRC+ & 3.4 WAR. In the shortened 2020 season, 94 wRC+. Those seasons were sandwiched between very good ones. Last year he was a 4.4 WAR player with a 140 wRC+. He was similar for Houston the year before that. I think it's reasonable to expect (not just hope) that he's somewhere between those extremes going forward. Or at least there's no reason not to expect that (other than frustration & recency bias). I don't have an analytical take on why; just that it would be extremely odd for a player of his caliber to fall off the way he has @ 28. I'd expect him to be at least a well above-average starter at a premium position for the next few seasons.

I would put good money on no more than one of those players being a better than average MLB regular. And I'd be shocked if it's anyone but Lee. Those other players do exist, and they do play middle infield. Nothing about them is really "nuts."

Jenkins situation (if it is one?) is odd. I haven't seen mention of any concerns or hangups by any local media - has anyone else? Best guess is he'll sign later tonight or tomorrow, given that no one locally or nationally seems to be talking about it.

"The game calmed down, entering the usual see-saw to nowhere that many baseball games see for a few innings." I just wanted to say this is a great piece of writing. Very evocative description of a certain mid-game rhythm we all know well. Something about those meandering middle innings reminds me of half-listening to games with my dad on the garage radio, deep in to the middle of a seemingly endless boyhood summer.

Eh, I don't mind it in Lewis' case - he's now had two significant knee injuries, the most recent playing OF. And he's a good third baseman. In general, sure... you'd hope players were wiling to do whatever's asked of them. But it's not a common problem, and Lewis is a unique case. I understand the desire not to be jerked around - I wouldn't want it either as a number 1.01 pick & top prospect.

I don't believe Austin Martin or Gordon will ever be meaningful ongoing parts of the roster - at best, they fill the role of Gordon last year and Castro this year. Spot utility guys when the line-up looks the way it should.

Great thoughts. If I remember correctly, Lewis & his agent have made it very clear that they don't want him in the OF. Assuming I'm remembering that correctly, I'd respect that preference. I don't see a reason to move him off 3B.

Good thoughts. My thought (maybe just hope?) is that Miranda's likely out of the everyday plans for now unless something changes drastically. My other thought is you have to find a place play Julien every day - he looks to me like a solid .800 OPS regular, something this team is sorely lacking. You gotta keep playing him at least until / if he proves otherwise. Doesn't seem like a mirage to me - his approach is sound, great plate discipline, and no obvious holes in his swing to exploit (unlike Miranda).

Figured this may be worth a fruitful discussion - something I was thinking about last night watching Julien mash his way through another big night. When Polanco & Royce return, how do we manage the left side of the infield? We'll have four worthy every-day starters across the left side - Royce, Correa, Julien, and Polanco. AND perhaps by the end of this year, a fifth in Brooks Lee. How would you manage this, both for the rest of this year & beyond? I tend to prefer less screwing around to more... I like to see "everyday regulars" who know their position, know their position in the line-up, and are relatively locked in for ~80% of games. Likely not all that difficult until Lee pushes his way to the majors, but a couple things I'd like to see: Royce @ full-time 3rd base Correa @ full-time SS (He's signed through 2028 - no reason to consider anything but full-time @ SS for the time being). Julien & Polanco rotating @ 2nd, with the other generally batting DH when not on the field. Polanco is signed through 2024, with a team option in 2025. Do we consider trading him at the deadline? Hard to stomach given the state of the offense, but I could make a case for it. Things get more difficult when Lee makes it to the majors. Royce needs to be locked in to 3B, but most projections have Lee's defense playing better at 3B than short. Assuming neither Royce nor Correa is going anywhere - where does Lee go? Obviously these questions answer themselves is one is injured for a stretch - but wondering what everyone thinks for periods when they're all healthy?

Harder to hide awful hitters when you're starting a bunch of other awful hitters. Twins are starting 4 players tonight (Farmer, Castro, Vazquez, Buxton) with an OPS @ .700 or below (OPS+ below 100). And that doesn't include Gallo's mirage of an OPS.

Part of its roster decisions - Wallner should be up instead of Garlick (and Kirilofff should be playing every day). The infatuation with these AAAA retreads is infuriating and needs to stop. It'll only get worse when Gordon's back.

Honest question: does Rocco believe Solano is a better hitter against lefties than Kiriloff? I've seen nothing to suggest that. For all their supposed focus on advanced stats and matchups, some of these lineups are real headscrstchers. We're starting 6 players I'd call at least slightly below average major leaguers. And as is often the case, it's by choice.

The Twins are obsessed with the Kyle Garlick's of the world. It's amazing how many at-bats they give yearly to AAAA sorts at the expense of deserving young players.