mikelink45

Very nice analysis

I really enjoyed this and look forward to it monthly. On a side, but hopefully related note, I hope that Sano's plunge to A ball wakes up Rooker and others that we want more than 30 big swings a year. If it is HR or nothing I am not interested and maybe the Twins won't be either.

I think that there is an issue with managing the new system - relief pitchers were not regularly schedule from inning 5 on and while a few bullpens have accumulated the arms to handle that demand, there are not enough to go around. I do not envy Molitor. If we need at least four RP per game, Taylor, Belisle, Magill, Duke, Pressly, Hildenberger, Rodney, Reed, and Pressly. We do not want to overuse them so which ones do we use. Put four together and then another four and then another four. No one is going to pitch 9 so we have to keep calling on them. Yes we have good arms in the minors, but to do it right we have to keep calling them up and sending them down. This era has created a problem, but no answer. I do not blame Molly for this.

I like Baseball Reference’s similarity scores so I thought we should look at our lineup and see it in an alternative universe – with the most similar players according to the reference (with Sano still in the lineup): Brian Dozier - Earl Williams Eddie Rosario - Yasmany Tomas Eddie Escobar - Jose Castillo Miguel Sano - Michael Conforto Max Kepler - Elijah Dukes Logan Morrison - Garrett Jones Robbie Grossman - Bud Metheny Juan Castro - John McDonald Jorge Polanco - Tim Anderson Since Mitch Garver and Ehire Adrianza have no similarity listed. I went to Juan Castro and Jorge Polanco. Mauer has a similarity score that matches Dustin Pedroia. Byron Buxton has his similarity score match Byron Browne. Look at the similarities and substitute them in your lineup. Would that lineup be one you want to go to the season with? Put in Byron Browne and Dustin Pedroia for Mauer and Buxton and you still have a lineup that has no punch. Most of the equivalents are not names any of us know. Going down the similarity scores you will eventually find current or known entities, but I just wanted to move from our home team bias and see where our players rank within baseball history. We have a ways to go. I think Rosario and Escobar will bring up even better names if they continue like this, but really, somethings need to be done. On the pitching side: Jose Berrios - David Nied Fernando Romero - None Jake Odorizzi - Danny Salazar Lance Lynn - Mat Latos Kyle Gibson - Steve Parris Addison Reed - Chris Perez Fernando Rodney - Jason Isringhausen We do much better, as expected with pitching. Berrios will move up as he continues his development and so will Romero, but I still hope for more from Gonsalves. So this is your Minnesota Twins team by equivalency. How do they look when their masks are off?

I wish I could have seen Sano's reaction. I would hope he does not resist the work on body and fundamentals if he finds he can blast the class A pitchers. If they can straighten him out is Buxton next? And then the rest of the lineup not named Eddie? I have never seen such a lineup collapse. It is so bad we are not talking about Reed and Duke.

It is true that we need an infusion, not sure that the moves we made ended up with the players we need in MLB. Where is Wade, where is Gordon. There is a post siting his poor AAA start, that will change, but right now he is the best we have unless you are calling up Royce Lewis. We have tried LaMarre, Cave, Grossman - can Wade have a chance? Sano needed a refresher, I do not know that I think he needed to go to A ball where he can mash on the pitching. But it is a start at doing something. So what do you do about Dozier? He can hit 50 HRs in the second half and it will not make up for the terrible first half. What about Kepler. He looked like he was ready to make it Eddie, Eddie and Max for a while but he has been a perfect with with our under-performers. At the beginning of the month I said LOMO stunk and got kick back that he had turned it around. It is June 14, and he still stinks. Catchers, our big duo of Reed and Duke have been much less that expected. Sorry to say, but Molitor is not the big issue.

When you are going to turn things over to Addison Reed, I would think twice about making a change too.

That's why we got that old dependable Vet Belisle. Why would we used some young and lively arms from the minors?

I do not think the Twins smart guys ever talked about Niko and many laughed when Gardy grabbed him! Who wants Palka went you have have Grossman and Morrison? And now we grab Belisle instead of a minor leaguer and leave Gordon in the minors. What is going on?

I am trying to correlate the positive statements about Thorpe and his choice as pitcher of the day with six innings - 7 hits and a walk - and 4 runs. That is not a standard that excites me.

No innings limit, instead we are in such a stat dominated period that we should see when spin rate and velocity take a dive and then we give him a rest. Use the tools not some artificial limit. Is there a difference between 155 and 156 innings?

I have had my FO ratings going down all year and this is another blow to my respect. I know he has been here before and we have, somewhere, all these former Twins to give us clubhouse charisma (where are they?), but I do not think the BP is where Veteran leadership really impacts the team - don't we already have a 40 year old closer? Belisle failed with Cleveland, but our minor leaguers continue to succeed. If you want leadership show the minor league players that they have a chance to make it to the big club. I do not buy this move for any reason. If we are preparing to sell when we should be making moves to succeed I am frustrated.

After two weeks of guiding hiking and birding trips my mind automatically finds feathered beauty and details so, of course, as I move back to the details of baseball my bird attention shifts with it. I see Blue Jays, Orioles, and Cardinals so the transition is easy. Baseball is filled with bird incidents like the pigeon that landed on the field and then wandered over to Greg Bird on first base. There was the Kestrel that entertained Twins fans during a cold and rainy night when it was on the jumbotron catching insects (2010). The Toronto Star reported on an incident with former Twin and Twin City hero – Dave Winfield, “On August 4, 1983, more than 36,000 watched the Toronto Blue Jays play the New York Yankees at Exhibition Stadium. When Yankee star Dave Winfield threw a baseball at the end of the fifth inning warm-up, it came into disastrous convergence with a bird that had been watching in right-centrefield. The bird slumped lifelessly on the Astroturf. “A police officer sitting on the edge of right field thought it was an intentional hit. Winfield said it was an accident. He was taken to 14 Division and charged with causing “unnecessary suffering to an animal.” The charge was later dropped, but the moment never really went away.” The Minneapolis Tribune wrote an article about Gene Glynn, our Minnesota Coach, who watches birds at his home in Waseca. “I find birds in every city in every park near the baseball stadium,” Glynn says. “In Florida the shorebirds are all over the place, on the West Coast it’s all about gulls, terns and herons and in Central Park in New York you can see just about anything. Birds get me outdoors and keep me occupied.” Besides the team baseball has Robins. Like Robin Ventura from the White Sox and Robin Yount from the Brewers and Robin Roberts from the Phillies – a pretty good threesome! Aaron Crow brings another of our common birds to the diamond and Dean and Don Crow had the proverbial cup of coffee. Mike Parrott played from 1977 – 1981. Hawk Harrelson represents our raptors. Andre Dawson was known as the Hawk too. Turkey Gross in 1925 and Turkey Tyson in 1944 represent the bird that Ben Franklin wanted to replace the eagle as our national symbol. The Eagle was represented by Bill Eagle in 1898 and the Grey Eagle – Tris Speaker, hall of famer. The German word for birds – Vogel – can be found in Otto Vogel from the early 1920’s and Ryan Vogelsong added the lyrics of our avian world too. The Bird is well represented from the diminutive Birdie (actually he was not) Tebbetts, catcher, to Doug Bird, the pitcher who lasted 11 years in the majors. There was also George Bird in 1871, Frank Bird in 1872, and Greg Bird – current. But of course THE BIRD was Mark Fidrych who took the baseball world over during his too brief career. THE BIRD would go 19 – 9 in his rookie yearwith a 2.34 era in 250 innings and the Tigers were 74 – 88 even with him. His 9.6 WAR and his 1.079 WHIP would satisfy any stathead, but his story goes downhill fast. He lasted five innings and won only 10 more games total and he would only live to be 54. There are numerous bios on Youtube but this one really captures the excitement of his year: and in books The Bird, by Doug Wilson, but seeing him in a Tigers Uniform that magic summer of his rookie year is something no one could forget. On the ground shaping the mound with his hands, and with his general demeanor Mark connected with the fans. Willie Horton, his teammate said at his funeral, “Everyone playing in the major leagues today owes a debt of gratitude to Mark Fidrych. He brought baseball back to the people. He made it popular again. He helped save the game.” Bird came in as the game was at a 1976 low point – owners had a lock out, free agency was just beginning and fans were disgusted. But Bird had such enthusiasm and charisma. People loved it when he talked to the ball, when he ran off the mound to congratulate teammates or when he shook hands with the umpire after the game. He played for the $16,000 minimum wage and still loved everything about the experience. The unwritten rule (yup, one of those) in those days was not to take curtain calls. The Bird changed that. Described as “gawky, noisy and energetic with a huge mop of curly yellow hair…” he did not look like a typical ball player. In fact, he looked like Big Bird from Sesame Street and that gave him his nickname – a perfect fit. His career ended because of a severely torn rotator cuff, maybe from his 24 complete games, but that was before the TJ surgery and the advances that now save pitchers careers. He was what baseball needs right now, a personality. Burn all the unwritten rules, we need authentic heroes on the diamond, we need real people we can relate to. THE BIRD was a savior and we need more of them. We may have a big fish – Mike Trout – right now, but it is the Bird, Reggie Jackson and others who jump out of the game and into the hearts of the fans that really make baseball.

The signing of Matt Belisle on its own isn't some terrible decision. Given the factors at play however, it's one that Thad Levine, Derek Falvey, and Paul Molitor should all be questioned for. Yes they should be questioned, maybe even put on the rack. Going backward is one thing, but going downward is unacceptable. Nice jo Levine and Falvey - is this the best you've got? Where are all those statistical wonderkins?

I am flabbergasted. I wants something to happen. I wanted a change, but Matt Belisle? For gods sake Cleveland sent him to the minors and the AAA team released him. This is our big move? This is how we fix the BP? Look at this quote from Twinkie Town - "Certainly the presence of Belisle is to lessen the workloads on fellow righthanders Addison Reed, Trevor Hildenberger, and Ryan Pressley. However, it’s a little quizzical that the front office was so quick to bring him in when Alan Busenitz (31% strikeout rate, 0.38 ERA, 1.76 FIP) and John Curtiss (33.7% strikeout rate, 1.61 ERA, 2.63 FIP) are dominating Triple-A. This is likely a case of Falvey/Levine wanting Belisle’s veteran presence (veteran presents?) while Busenitz and Curtiss are still rather green." Is this Ground Hog Day? Is this what all those great stats whizzes came up with? Once upon a time we had a Twins FO that brought back anyone who wore a Twins Uniform, even if it was a costume part. I thought those days were over. I think the answer to our current bullpen questions was in the minors, but of course the FO did not sign them, like they did not sign Wade and they have already proved that they want their fingerprints on every move. Falvey if you want to bring a new culture to the Twins this is not the way to do it. https://www.twinkietown.com/2018/6/12/17453818/minnesota-twins-sign-matt-belisle-dfa-gregorio-petit-cleveland-indians-bullpen-relief-alan-busenitz Would I rather have Petit - yes. Belisle's 5.06 ERA in 8 games is not a stat I take pleasure in. I gave our FO a C- in an early posting. Today I make that a D.

Not much to say about this report except that I really enjoy them. The detail that jumped out at me is how Wade keeps getting hits. There is a major league team that could use that kind of production.

I wonder what they are writing on the Tigers equivalent of TD? I know that Niko Goodrum is helping Flint with bottled water - http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/06/detroit_tigers_player_niko_goo.html - any Twins doing community service? Fansided has these notes about the Tigers - "With the trade deadline looming, Kurt Mensching thinks that the Tigers should cash in on Jose Iglesias‘s hot streak. Menshching points out that since May 1st the Tigers shortstop has been heating up and the Tigers should sell while he’s hot. Especially given that he’s in his last year before free agency. Over at the Detroit News, Bob Wojnowski writes that the Tigers have been fun to watch so far but the reality of playing bad is right around the corner. For now, the Tigers and Tigers fans should enjoy the rally goose and all the strange fun times it’s bringing to Comerica Park." And they are ahead of us. Detroit Tigers News and Rumors says - Detroit — "The Tigers hang around and hang around, and here we are in mid-June and they’re still hanging around. It’s been fun, even fulfilling at times for fans, getting to see younger, faster players. But reality has a nasty way of intruding, and it’s likely on the way. It was on display Sunday against the Indians, when the Tigers had a chance to win the series, but no real chance in the pitching matchup — Cleveland two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber versus rookie spot starter Artie Lewicki" I know we are Minnesota Nice, but why are we reading an article that basically says we stink, but believe in the team anyway? I do not say that we cannot do better, but I need the team to show me that they believe this before my bandwagon is pulled out of the back forty.

I think there has been a lot written about Buxton. This week in review is not about him because he was not part of it. It is a separate topic. But Sano was part of it and I found it interesting to listen to the radio announcers talk about Sano. The impatience is not just with the fans. He currently has a -0.2 War and this is year four. It is not a sophomore slump. He has now accumulated 533 Ks - too many. He has 78 Hrs - not enough for his power. Danny Gladden was showing his frustration with Sano and his rally killing ability. These are the top five batter comparisons from Baseball reference - Michael Conforto (960.5) Wily Mo Pena (959.5) Phil Plantier (958.5) Jesse Barfield (954.6) Pete Incaviglia (951.9) Not great. Harmon Killebrew is number seven on the list, but remember that Harmon was on the big league team for 5 years with minimum playing because of the bonus rule for signing young players. No minors, just big league bench. The comparison does not hold up - sorry, wish Sano was Harmon.

Sano needing to be treated like a Superstar is a symptom of attitude problems that has been discussed here, but no one has an answer and there seems to be a real issue that is being worked around. Attitude has a big impact - think of Torii Hunter coming back - and it can also be a tremendous burden on the team. Miquel is a big boy in many ways and he has been in the majors long enough to be treated like a major leaguer. If his feelings have been hurt, too bad. Confront him, help him grow up. Do something because what we have right now despite any metric you can put up is not good. And if we are pampering him out of fear that he will not like what he hears than we need a veteran who gets in his face. Something has to be done if we really want him and the Twins to reach potential.

Not ready to put our new draftee this high. I need to see him play a month in a professional league. I am also against Javier in this list until he comes back and proves himself, unless we are so weak in prospects that there is no #16. I like a few from the list, but overall think our listings are dropping in quality from the last two years - to be expected. However, I think Lewis might be the one that really does what we have expected Buxton to do.

Yes - we need this, a young OF who takes his opportunity. Time to move past LaMarre and Grossman. Cave and Wade should be getting their ABs. Was this Escobar's preview at 2B for next year?

Thanks for that note. I have to admit I thought it was another year.

I have nothing to disagree with in this article, but I want to emphasize that when a team struggles they look to their veteran leadership and that is Dozier. Escobar is doing what Dozier should do. Tell me how Dozier at lead off is helping us. Our catchers are a negative, Logan Morrison had a nice spurt, but not a nice season and Grossman gets all kinds of plaudits for his veteran play in a run down that let Rosario score today. The fact is the first baseman screwed up and did not throw to 2B for a force. It was not that outstanding baserunner - Grossman, but a poor 1B play. Yet Grossman remains a key roster player. Adrianza should be on the bench which means Gordon should be starting, and LaMarre and Cave join him as players the FO acquired instead of promoting from our own minor leagues. I have a grade of C- for our new FO so I have to add them to the list.

I see Santana gone next year, the last year of his contract we are paying for DL, I am not a believer in May - he has been in the TD columns for years now - start, relieve...He is not doing that well in rehab. Lynn should be traded. Pineda looks good because we have not seen him all year, but for me I would have Gonsalves slated for the rotation with Berrios, Romero, Gibson, and Odorizzi (who also could be traded). Rooker is a younger Sano, Morrison, let him cut down the Ks before we pull him up (and I was one who really hoped he'd soar to the top. For me, we have wasted the year with Gordon. The Polanco suspension was made for giving him a trial.

I am not sure I can criticize Molitor on BP use. We do not have the arm that we can ride like some teams. Our collection is definitely middle of the pack, not an outstanding pen and with the current over use of the pen by all teams I do not think there is a great formula. However, using a pitcher (Pressly) until he burns out is not good strategy. Berrios pitching 9 and Gibson 7 is a good formula. I am running out of ideas for this team and my desire to see some of our upside minor league players is not going to fly with this FO.