Hosken Bombo Disco

I mean, is there really a book on Larnach already that justifies playing the third baseman over by second? Lol

Little plays like that pop foul that don’t show up on the fancy front office computer systems

The Kepler fly out — indeed

This being 2021, Twingo cards are usually a bad sign..

The shift worked there, and the Twins get out of the inning before Maeda was on his way to 38 pitches in the first

It’s what we now call, a “Pick to Click”

Current active hitting streaks: 7 games - Alex Kirilloff 4 games - Kyle Garlick 3 games - Huascar Ynoa (it’s all in fun, people. Plus, Buxton and Kepler are also on three game hitting streaks as well, and they are way better hitters than Ynoa..)

I agree with your observation @chpettit19 that Buxton is a hard player to place a value on. Thats why I think the easiest answer is also the best answer in this case: let Buxton play out his contract through 2022. This assumes as I do that this is still a very good team having a very bad year, and that next year they will rebound (assuming bullpen improvements are made, and so on).

R.I.P. championship window, 2019-2019

From the Twins social media account, a declarative statement of fact, if there ever was one: “We faced the Rangers and Tigers this past week.”

Atlanta Braves sign Shane Greene for bullpen help

That was my take on it, anyway. I’d be glad to get someone else’s take and talk it over here if someone else was listening.

Levine did give an interview to Provus this morning on Inside Twins. He came over the radio as a little anxious about something, so I will give him a pass. Bottom line: Expect the good things that are happening to continue being good (for example, batted ball exit velocity), and the bad things to stop being bad (inherited runners scored).

Sounded like Berríos could not get on the same page with Rortvedt. Sounded like lots of shakeoffs and stepoffs.

I was out for a walk this morning, and up ahead, I saw a man on the bridge who was climbing onto a railing and looked like he was going to jump into the Mississippi River. Very awkward but tense situation, and I knew I had to do something. “What are you doing?” I shouted, but he didn’t answer. I picked up my pace and caught up to him. “Nice day, eh?” “Doesn’t matter anymore,” he said, and swung his leg over the rail. An awful pause followed. I felt terrified and had no idea what to do. Out of instinct, I blurted out, “how about them Twins? Sure are terrible this year.” Still no reaction from the guy, but he did stop moving, and just sat on the railing, looking out at the river. I noticed that he did chuckle. Then I heard him whisper, “yeah they are terrible.” Maybe this was my opening! I said, “Baldelli has made mistakes, but I can’t lay it all on him. The bullpen has been awful.” The man thought about it, and nodded. “The bullpen is awful,” he said. “Yes! The bullpen is truly awful,” I said. A rush of energy surged through me. I seized on this. I asked him, “do you think Baldelli has mismanaged the bullpen, or did the front office not give him the pieces?” “The front office did not give him the pieces,” he said. “Yes!” I said, and asked, “Do you think we should trade or DFA Colomé, or keep him in low leverage situations until he gets straightened out?” “Keep him in low leverage situations until he gets straightened out,” the man said. “Yes, me too!” I said, and asked, “do you think it’s too late or can the season be fixed?” “The season can be fixed,” he said. “Yes, I agree!” I said, and asked, “do you think we should keep calling up journeyman veterans like Derek Law, or call up some good young starting prospects to pitch out of relief?” “Call up some good young starting prospects to pitch out of relief,” he said, smiling. “Yes! Me as well!” I said. “We should go watch the Twins game today,” he said. “Yes, let’s go watch the Twins game today!” I said. “Come on down from that railing!” The man who had been so ready to jump off the bridge asked if I could help him back down onto the sidewalk. Seriously an amazing moment. But then he said something about trading Buxton, trading Buxton, and honestly I just have no patience for that sort of thing and I pushed him into the river after all. Maybe I should have asked him what he meant, if he was serious or joking? Not sure (h/t emo philips)

Really good point about potential demand for Cruz.

Most fans are thinking about winning and watching their favorite players. Only geeks on Twins Daily talk about stuff like this. Trading Buxton will have a cascading effect that won’t be pleasant. Someone else here described it as a house of cards. I agree. The whole Falvey+Levine project probably collapses if Buxton is traded. But as you say, we are not at that point yet, either way.

I really wonder if they can turn it around this season. Time is short. This team seems to have the same momentum and same energy they had in 2019, except in reverse. They seem so cavalier about their losses. Making the same mistakes, over and over again, and expecting different results. It’s crazy. That said, assuming they don’t turn it around, I still don’t think they can trade anyone who is still on contract after 2021. That means Cruz, Simmons, and Pineda if he stays healthy, those three are trade candidates. Cruz should fetch a lot (American League team obviously). Maybe Robles as you mention in your blog. Some of the starting pitching prospects received in the 2018 sell-off should get a chance later this summer. And then I’d sign Cruz back again for 2022.

I disagree that we don’t have the pieces. This is largely the same lineup that it was in 2019.

How has what worked? I didn’t say anything about signing Buxton to a mega-contract like Trout or Pujols is on. The choice was between trading Buxton or not trading him. I say keep him and see what happens. Washington kept Strasburg in his walk year, they won the Series, and Strasburg signed back with Washington. You want to trade Buxton for prospects and thereby push out the contention window even further. You are entitled to that opinion. I’m entitled to mine.

The Twins are approaching the point of no return in 2021. Win tomorrow, sweep the Tigers, and then give your guys a day off and set your team up to compete against the White Sox in 6 of the next 9 games next week.

You are on quite a Journey

I only see two people running—but keep it your secret; don’t ruin the mystery for us Welcome!

Im so glad you knew that reference