The Great Hambino

Buxton definitely gunning for 30/30. Something to root for I guess. Better than half the lineup v. Mendoza, anyway

Balance has been restored to the universe

I could go for a six-pack of Schlittlers right about now

Remember, all they need is Zebby and another dozen or so guys like him to play better next year than they ever have before to be right back in contention!

Is Fitzgerald afraid of the ball? That was weird

RUNS BATTED IN* <ducks for cover> You just want to see this board devolve into culture war chaos, don't you shortround? Or should I say Arthur Fleck? *I am joking. Or am I?

16-12 against the AL East (93 win pace) 50-72 against everyone else (66 win pace) Pretty on-brand for this wackadoodle season the Twins have had.

Best night in Berrios trade history

I can't find what I'd read, might be paywalled, I might've fallen for an East Coast writer stating rumors as more factual than they were. So I guess omit the lack of effort part. In response to the rest of the 2026-directed action, there weren't any players other than Ryan (already discussed, which I granted could be used to support an effort to contend), Jeffers (who they weren't going to trade with literally no catching depth midseason), and Larnach (who could be a DFA candidate this offseason, not exactly in demand for contending teams) who were either arb 2 or arb 3 eligible next year. Beyond them, there weren't any healthy starters or position players available to trade. If you want to count Lewis, who I guess is technically arb 2 as a super 2 this offseason, trading him at the deadline would've been selling irresponsibly low on him. Also, the returns from the trades were not indicative to me of an effort to contend in 2026. Nothing was brought in to impact the position-player side in a meaningful way (if Roden and Outman are regulars next year, you're not contending) and the pitchers acquired with MLB potential in the short-term only have a realistic path to 2026 impact if some current starters are moved this offseason, which kinda defeats the purpose of reloading for contention in 2026. Even if they're moved to the bullpen to fill the gaping hole there, it's incredibly wishful thinking to think they effectively adapt to a new role immediately, which is what would have to happen in order for them to be impactful for contention in 2026. So outside a large infusion of free agent dollars (I'm not holding my breath on that happening), I don't see any path to contention that doesn't involve massive internal improvements in multiple areas and several starting pitcher prospects transitioning seamlessly to the bullpen. In other words, a whole lot of wishful thinking

I'm sure it will be a total coincidence that his ankle will be good to go as soon as Kelly and Darrisaw are back in the lineup

Right now, I don't actually think they're moving Jeffers because of the lack of current options, like you said. However, I can't be sure of anything because we don't know how deep the cuts are going to be this offseason. To me, given that Buxton, Ober, and Lopez were un-tradable at the time for various reasons, the only action they took at the trade deadline that suggests an intent to compete next year was retaining Joe Ryan - and from what I've read, that wasn't due to a lack of effort. So that I suppose is enough to muddy the waters for those trying to discern what their future plans are (assuming they actually have future plans, which I'm not convinced is a given). But if they do move Ryan - especially if they move Lopez as well - then anyone that isn't either pre-arb or Buxton is fair game. If it gets to that point, then why not entertain moving Jeffers? There would be more options in the offseason to replace him than there would be with an in-season move (hence no rumors of him getting traded this past deadline), even if it's a couple Vasquez clones, or even Vasquez himself at a more appropriate price point

Trick question: they're going to be competing for Jeffers' starting spot after he gets traded this offseason once it's clear he's not interested in an extension. I'm kidding. At least I hope I'm kidding.

I think it means he really likes gummies

Ways I am lying to myself to convince myself that everything is going to be alright: Skule/Rouse have no business being out there and Darrisaw will make a huge difference Losing Kelly mid-game threw the line calls into chaos and they'll now develop a better contingency plan JJ won't be bringing a newborn baby into the world every week KOC hasn't yet gotten to the part of his QB tutorial where he teaches JJ how to step up in the pocket without just running forward and waiting to get sacked Addison will be much sharper and have better timing on outs/comebacks than Nailor The Falcons will reveal themselves to be a top 5 defense as the season goes on Dallas Turner will throw a coin into a fountain and use his wish on learning how to set the edge in the run game I'm definitely not staring into the abyss once again with only Christian Ponder staring back at me

Agreed, I thought the shot downfield on 3rd and 1 was a good call, but I also thought it meant they were in a 4-down mindset. Punting made no sense and it all played out exactly how we thought it would. I saw somewhere he mentioned the earlier 4th down failed sneak as being on his mind when he decided to punt. Okay ... then maybe run something other than a sneak? Pretty sure that's allowed.

Joe Ryan is weird in a good way

The "LOL JK" win probability curve

Win: Cole Sands

Not exactly what I had in mind but I'll take it

Trevor if you swing you're fired

Buck scoring the winning run on a play at the plate would give me my money's worth

In other news, Bride and Fedko just teamed up to allow a popup to land on the pitchers mound in St Paul. Really buying into that organizational concept

Rusty K all the way

As someone who is at least a decade away from being able to leave my two kids at home to watch themselves, I heartily approve this message! They'll never do it every game, but they've been trying to market their Sundays as family/kids days. I could see them doing this on Sundays, or at least once a month

And before it gets said, it wasn't for tanking purposes either. It was the final trade to go down. The "tank" had already been secured. The presence of Varland for two more months, given what had already gone out the door, would not have had any meaningful effect on their lottery odds. Certainly not enough to forego a still-pre-arb bullpen option - who would've easily been the best remaining bullpen option in the organization - when they were now going to need those more than ever. This trade was a fairly large bet on Rojas. That's it. In retrospect, it looks to me like Roden and France were there to balance the scales. Also another indication that there's no intention to be competitive next year. The idea that it's wise to use their scarce free agent dollars (whatever that amount ends up being) on a market-rate high leverage reliever to replace a pre-arb one given the multitude of other areas of the roster needing an upgrade is bonkers.