DocBauer

I had plantar fasciitis several years ago, and had it pretty bad. It last about 2yrs and it was tough to even stand up when I'd been sitting for a time. It did tend to loosen up after a while of being back on my feet, but the pain never truly went away. Now, I don't know how bad of a case Correa has, but I can sure see where it would put a huge damper on his ability to perform. And while it's been well over a decade now, I recall Mark Maguire having a very bad year for the Cardinals from the same injury. What's been surprising to me is how good his defense has remained. Injury, pressure, both, the fact is he's just not performing like he normally does. And while we hope he gets a little rest over the next few weeks, and has some post season magic in his bat, he's not performing well enough to be at the top of the lineup. And I think Correa would, and has, agreed with that. He should be hitting no higher than 6th, especially if/when Kirilloff is back and the lineup is just that much deeper. Next year is a different story. But for now, what's best for the lineup is for him to drop.

I'm going to say he's up and ready about mid season. No matter how well he's done, he was facing college arms just over 12 months ago and he's on the doorstep to facing ML arms on a daily basis. That takes a little time, and the power is starting to bloom I'm still not sure where he fits. I'm sure he would be great at 2B, but I just keep getting this gut feeling he might be best at 3B. Either way, he and Lewis can cover SS when Correa needs a day off and can help form one of the best INF in all of MLB with Julien and Kirilloff. (Lewis still might end up in the OF). Can't wait to see how this plays out.

A few bullet point thoughts. 1] Jenkins has looked as advertised so far. Glad he gets to play longer. A little disappointed and surprised Winokur didn't join him at A ball. Roster crunch? 2] What's up with Miller? Seems like he's developing his "man muscles" and taking off recently. That's HUGE with his defense! 3] Cossetti just keeps rolling along. I don't think the system is as barren at the catching position as some think, and I've been saying this for a while now. The "issue" is all of the catching prospects were drafted so recently they are just now begining to establish themselves. Winkel is LH and suddenly looking more like the hitter he was in college, if not better. Cardenas is having a solid year and has been on this list previously, IIRC, as an honorable mention. We already know how good Cossetti has looked. Keep your eyes out for Nate Baez, who's been slowed this year due to some nagging injuries. He barely saw the field after being drafted last year and only became a full time catcher his last year in college. He's a tremendous athlete and played all over the field previously. He's got bat and power potential and is a much better athlete than you typically see in a backstop. 2024 might be his breakout season. I'm higher on Camargo than others, I think. He's reportedly a good defensive catcher with a strong arm and his bat started "working" in 2022 at AA. He began this year slow, holding his numbers down somewhat, but has been pretty good for the past few months. I don't think he's ready yet. But if he can cut the K's down a bit, I think he's got a real shot as a backup catcher with defense and power. To me he's an easy 40 man add with an ETA sometime in 2024. Williams and Isola are 1B/DH who CAN catch. By reports, Williams is good with pitchers and pretty sharp behind the plate, but seems to lack something defensively. Pretty sure his arm never came back from surgery in college, and just guessing his movement behind the plate isn't great. Really don't know much about Isola defensively. Hard to ignore Williams bat in his first full season at AAA. The power seems real. He might have a shot as a RH power bat. Isola has long looked like a "hitter" but the lack of power never made him a great prospect if he wasn't going to stick behind the plate. Suddenly, he's unlocked his power potential. Not expecting either to make it with the Twins, but I can also see scenarios where either, potentially, can help as a 1B/DH 3rd catcher if their bats continue to play. 4] Fajardo is interesting. He's older, coming off a down 2022, but has been very good at Wichita. He's no 40 man add, but it would be nice to hold on to him for AAA in 2024. He might have some 4th or 5th OF potential due to his all around game. 5] I've got a good, "gut feeling" about Keirsey. Due to a major college hip injury, he was a bit older when selected, and had a couple minor injuries that held him back initially after being drafted. But he began to put his offense together in 2022 and has taken it to a different level this year. There's a reason he was drafted so high. I think he should have been promoted to St Paul earlier, but appeared blocked. He hasn't slowed down since his promotion. Not every good ML player reaches the ML level by 24yo. Sometimes things happen. I think he should be protected, especially since CF is such a question mark for 2024. Stevenson is a nice story, hope he helps and does well, but I doubt he's protected. But Keirsey is a younger version that should be. He may not be that far off from being a quality ML contributor. And that brings us to.... 6] MARTIN! While admitting to talking out both sides of my face, I can understand the Twins not promoting him at this time. Not saying I agree, but I can see it. FINALLY healthy and raking and looking like the top prospect he was supposed to be, I can understand letting him continue to work on his game and confidence and approach, getting ready for 2024, and running with Taylor, now Stevenson, and MAYBE Buxton to finish this season and having Castro also in the CF mix. And right now, I want to continue to see him play daily. But I can also very easily see Martin in 2024, healthy, and with a strong instructional league and winter, being a strong candidate for the 4th OF spot, and maybe even a starting CF option. MAYBE time sharing some with Keirsey, or POTENTIALLY Stevenson, depending on roster construction. The Twins might bring Taylor back. And MAYBE, Buxton can be a part time CF, but I'm looking at worst case scenarios with Buck out of the mix. I think Martin is just about ready for a full time gig at the ML level. I'm just not sure what role.

I don't blame the Angels, or anyone else, for making a bunch of wire moves. It's just strange that nobody else thought of this since the changes in the last deal. The Angels, and anyone else, have the opportunity to save a few $M in a lost season. Further, it might improve any potential draft opportunity for said team to improve their position when losing a top FA while facing payroll penalties. On top of that, a team who has no shot to compete ALSO opens roster spots IMMEDIATELY to bring up prospects to debut where there wouldn't be opportunity beforehand due to the new 28 man rules. ADDITIONALLY, the guys placed out there actually have a chance to MAYBE, join a team that makes a run for the playoffs. Despite the bad inconvenience of moving around too soon at times, those guys get the opportunity to play post season ball. Not a bad thing! BUT, two things need to change! 1] The whole September promotion of TWO...and ONLY TWO...roster additions is complete BS, and I've been arguing this since the change was made. MLB has decided that limiting the September call up that has existed for decades is flawed. They believe it provides an unfair advantage for contending teams to play non-contending teams late in the season with a playoff spot on the line. In other words, if you are a GOOD team, playing a bad/losing team...bringing up a handful of proscpects to audition...and you are in direct competition with another team for a playoff spot who is playing ANOTHER good team who is playoff caliber, you are supposedly being penalized. How is this remotely true? First of all, the schedule is set before the season even starts. Who can possibly predict final records before the season even starts? And when we get to September, we have NO CLUE who will be good or bad when the season starts. What if a team EXPECTED to compete is having a bad year, injuries and the such? So this bad team can't bring up prospects to see about the next year? You are literally handcuffuffing teams that want to look forward to the next season. To limit teams to add ONLY a couple players doesn't only harm their future, but also doesn't paint an accurate picture, but the MLB idea of "competitiveness" isn't really accurate from day 1 to 162. So 2 additions somehow makes everything good and even across MLB. NOPE! Thats why the Angels took a new step forward. It's something MLB didn't see coming. They suddenly save some $, improve their draft stock when they lose Otani. But they also get to promote prospects to fill slots they didn't have before. NOW, MLB has to look at how this loophole figures in to the future. You can't have a hard deadline that replaced the previous dual headlines and allow someone to just "nab" waiver wire acquisitions in August. You pretty much just kept what used to be in place before the trade deadline changes took place. If you are going to keep the hard trade deadline in place, you have to make changes in how future August DFA are going to be approached. Because it's not going to change. The floodgates are open. They need to either go back to the previous trade deadline, OR, make some kind of claim adjustment. Maybe it's a listing of preferred claims so everyone gets a shot. Maybe you go back of the line after one claim. I don't know the answer, but Pandoras box is open. MLB needs to figure out an equitable change that makes sense.

While he can't play 1B like Gallo can, I've thought for a while he should have been up as a replacement. While it seems we have too many LH OF already, Gallo has been actually playing some CF to give Taylor time off. Why not Stevenson instead? Take 50 points off every metric with a promotion and he's still producing solid numbers. But most importantly, he's a solid defensive OF with pop and speed to give Taylor time off. I don't know how long he's going to be up, but I like the move. I just think it should have been done weeks ago.

Floro has had a career of mostly solid to good. His peripherals say he's been unlucky this season. Since these things tend to end even out, he's due for some better, or more consistent results. And the numbers listed in the OP are clearly better than those of Lopez. So it's at least some addition by subtraction. So I'd pick Floro, if forced to, as a "win" between the two. Of course, he could also just be cooked.

Great to see Helman back. What a disappointing season of missed opportunity for him due to injury. No guarantees, of course, but I'd be willing to bet he'd of spent half the year with the Twins were he healthy. No reason Severino can't be a good bat contributor as a 1B/DH who can help put at 2B/3B. Love that he's a switch hitter. Thought I heard he was pretty good from both sides? Wasn't expecting Festa to be moved to AAA this season. Exciting! Going to agree on several INF points. Gordon is INF only in emergency and might not be back. Lee won't be added to the 40 man until he's promoted to the Twins. (Just no need). Martin will be an OF who can help out at 2B and maybe 3B, though he might not need to. I believe one of Farmer or Polanco is back, but no room for both. When you factor in the $1M buyout of Polanco vs $10M option and Farmer expected to be around $8M, I'd go with Polanco and get him used to 1B to make him a daily option at all 4 spots. But I can see Farmer MAYBE avoiding arbitration and signing for less??? Either way, room for just the one. Castro plays INF AND OF. Prato and Helman do the same and provide competition and depth, depending on 40 man and rule 5 implications. A lot of depth, a lot of options for the 2024 INF.

Grichuk absolutely. He's an immediate upgrade over Luplow. And while I don't know howbgood he is on CF, he's certainly logged time there. He might be an ideal RH OF bat for 2024. He can help now, and by getting to know the organization a bit better, might give us a small leg up to bring him back next season. I'd take either pen arm, but I'm mostly interested in Moore. All due respect to Funderburk, adding a quality, veteran arm for nothing more than the remainder of his 2023 contract is a no-brainer, IMO. Nothing against Lopez, I just think Moore helps..well..more. I'd take either one...along with Grichuk. I mean, we're going to be in the playoffs and didn't a single contract $ other than trading out Lopez for Floro. They can't afford a few $M for some "free" talent to help?

BTW, Ober is sitting just over 140 IP for the YEAR. Have to remember he threw almost 18 innings at AAA before being brought up. This is well above his career high. He's just being rested. Lewis...what more can be said? We keep talking about the young players leading the offense...and we should...but let's not forget Kirilloff and Jeffers in that conversation. Great debut from Funderburk. And they waited until the end of August to bring him up for what reason again? What is up with Winder lately? He's been looking pretty solid. Not trying to look too far ahead, but Castro, AK, and HOPEFULLY Stewart all back by mid September. Awesome things look almost rosy. Twins manage to sweep these home games, probably closes the ALC and gives them a little more breathing room to rest a few guys, Correa in particular.

I only saw replays, and what happened live, so my context is not from the heat of the moment. Was Jeffers hit by accident? Possibly. But a hell of a coincidence don't you think? And yes, it would make a lot more sense to face Gallo, the human K/no contact machine, than Jeffers in that inning. Gray throwing at Garver had to be intentional in retaliation. The fact he's a catcher only helps confirm this. Both sides are very wrong, IMO. Throwing a hard object at a high velocity at defenseless batter is childish, brattish behavior. The whole idea that a player "showed up" or "insulted" an opposing team because a batter, Jeffers in this case, hit a momentous, game winning blast, took 4 steps, and then flipped his bat aside is ridiculous. It's called displaying emotion in a celebration worthy moment. He didn't point fingers at anyone, he didn't talk smack, he did nothing egregious in any way toward anyone. If what he did was wrong, then there should be a plunking and bases clearing fight after every such game when the winning team collects at home plate to a slap high fives, pour Gatorade, dance, and whatever else they decide to do. Surely that far and away is more insulting, celebrating the demise of the losing team And I don't say this as a Twins fan, but as a sportsman and baseball fan. These unwritten rules are outdated and childish.

I liked what I saw of Paddack after the Twins acquired him and tweaked his approach. Hopefully he comes back 100%, but it's not guaranteed. And even if he does, how quickly does his "feel" for his pitches come back? Varland looked really solid in his 2022 debut, with a pair of games in Yankee stadium IIRC. His ERA was lower this season, while maintaining his K rate, right up until his final 3 starts when the wheels suddenly came off. I like his future. But why not 6 arms to start the season, like this year, instead of 5? I mean, you're going to need 7 or 8 before the season is done. I love watching Maeda pitch. He's a craftsman. And his rebuilt arm looks to have some good life left in it. Still, he's not getting any younger and we don't know for sure how he will hold up up for an entire season. So I don't think we're talking a $20M deal. I'm thinking somewhere around $14-15M per for 2yrs. I'd love a 1 and 1 with a buyout, but I think demand will be high enough that it will take a guaranteed 2yrs. I don't know who becomes #7,8,or 9, but I like our first 6, especially if we finally deepen the pen.

I never liked the Gallo signing, though I made excuses why it was a smart flier. And really, it was with questions about Larnach and AK being healthy and Wallner ready to go. I still wouldn't have done it, TRUSTING in Larnach, AK, Wallner, and even Gordon at the time. Isn't that what you do as a mid market team? For this year, so far, I admit the FO stubbornness for Kepler and Pagan has been right. More than willing to eat previous words. SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY, Kepler is FINALLY squaring up his bat and hitting the ball HARD. And while HR are great, I mean he's SUDDENLY hitting singles and doubles as well as HR. Is he, 30yr old, SUDDENLY, FINALLY adjusting his approach? Because he's suddenly looking like the player we always thought he might be. I just can't help but believe Pagan is going to implode every single time I see him come in. That's 2022 and most every season before. But damnit, he's mostly been good for 3 months or more. So changes in stuff, or approach, he's been good. I can't deny that. Is that stubborn or smart with those two? And then there is just stubborn/stupid. The FO was all in with AK and Julien when given opportunity. And to be fair, they have treated Larnach somewhat fair. But they have watched Gallo as a black hole offensive for months now. They FINALLY gave Wallner a shot and he's been producing and playing better defense than predicted. And the toguS producers have been the young guys, along with Jeffers...also a young guy...and the resurgent Kepler and somewhat resurgent Correa. And the stubborn portion of their thinking has been holding on to Gallo this damn long thinking snd hoping SOMEHOW he SUDDENLY turns everything around! Its not going to happen. Almost ANY bat from AAA could exceed what he's done the past few months. The FO did a great job to about 90% of what they COULD have done. They built one of the best and deepest rotations in all of MLB . PERIOD. But that rotation needs support.if The offense isn't entirely on the FO, though an approach change is necessary. They ARE approaching a different contact, speed format, but it doesn't happen overnight. But now that the "kids" are starting to make a difference in the lineup, we can start to see the changes. But right NOW, we are seeing either their stubbornness, OR, misguided attitudes to the pen. I Absolutely believe you bring in various arms to help make a pen. And for a while it sure looked like Stewart was a steal. And maybe DeLeon as well. But they should have been ADDS, not counted on. While I know bullpen arms are hard to predict, the FO, and their scouts, should have been smart enough to taken a shot on THIS GUY. And if we want to re-right history , and look back, there were a couple of arms who were in camp and let go that have had good seasons. And that's more where I'm looking at failure.

Good day on the farm. I'd love to see Stevenson back for St Paul next year for depth and questions about CF and depth since there are uncertainties about Kepler's option, even though I suspect said option will be picked up. But he might see greater opportunity elsewhere. Isola, IMO, is a clone of Williams. He CAN catch, but he's not a catcher prospect. But the bat is starting to play as a 1B/DH as the power is starting to catch up with BA and contact/OB. IF the CATCHING part of his games improves, he might challenge Camargo as the 3rd catcher, but he's still a good half season or more from that. I think Williams and Isola should not be ignored, but it's up to them to force their way as both catchers and bats. I think, right now, they are interesting bats but Camargo is an actual catcher prospect. I believe Festa is a legitimate prospect, with work to be done. They were aggressive with him this year. And while his performance has been a bit unsteady, he's done very well. I'm worried about the Saints rotation for 2024, but I wouldn't mind Festa getting a month or so at AA to begin next season.

Still not sure how they will run a 6 man rotation, if that's the direction they go. A straight 6 man? Or do they run a 5 man and skip everyone once a week...assuming they keep their lead. I agree he was helped out by the ump's zone against Pittsburgh, and he still might have been OK with a tighter zone, but wouldn't have had 6 perfect innings for sure. And that's OK. Facing the Rangers is a whole different situation. I'd expect something closer to the Phillies game...though maybe not as bad...where we just hope for 4 or 5 OK innings and keep the game close. But even if it goes bad, 2 OK or better and 2 bad, might still get him a 5th start to see. And he's probably earned that. I give him tremendous credit for him working hard to come back and try to compete and continue...or go out on his own terms...but I don't expect more than a few games to just help mitigate the IP if the other starters. I think it's still very much up in the air if he's on the team foe the rest of the season. No to the playoffs unless it's as a middle/long man. But good for him.

I feel compelled to say this again: Buxton as a full time DH, or mostly DH and part time CF WORKS if he's semi healthy and producing like the Buxton he's been offensively the past few years. Yes, it means making the mental/physical adjustments necessary to be a DH or DH/part time player. But that's probably more for the future, and not NOW. He's reportedly feeling better, but he's by no means 100%. He's going to get rehab time, probably split between DH/CF, to see what he looks like and get the bat warmed up again. At that point, the obvious hope is he can do the same thing up with the Twins, DH and CF on a game by game basis to finish out the year. Unlike early in the year, Lewis, Julien, Kirilloff, and Wallner weren't up, much less producing and help lead the team offensively. The unfortunate truth is those young players, with the young and improved Jeffers, and the suddenly resurgent Kepler have lead the offense for months now. (Correa has been better). And while the offense has remained inconsistent, runs scored have risen, mostly without Byron. And I hate saying that. The hope and trial will be for him...the rest of the season if not the future...is for him to play a couple days in CF, a couple games at DH, and probably sit a couple days based on lineup construction, how he feels, and how he looks at the plate. I WANT Buxton to be healthy enough to do exactly that now, and 2024, and beyond. Be at least a part time CF and part time DH, make that illusive mental/physical adjustment to be sharp and engaged as only a part time player. But as much as it pains me, I think that's the extent of his CF career. I sure hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. But for now, the roster has changed a lot, and for the better, and his role is to give CF his best shot for at least a couple days a week.

I would have had Williams up weeks ago to play 1B and provide some hopeful upside with the bat that Gallo isn't giving, and he might even help some against LHP. Said it before and will say it again, better to have a younger player with some upside than a veteran...who won't be back next year...who is performing at worse than replacement level. But it looks like he won't get a shot this year. I didn't realize Boyle was throwing as well as he has been this year. Like Stewart...who might make it back...and DeLeon...who is definitely out...Boyle is a 29yo veteran reclamation project I hadn't been paying attention to. The Twibs need BP help in general, and from the port side in particular. I'd make room for either him or Funderburk and give one of them a shot. There's absolutely nothing to lose, and a possible gain. I have some faith in Henriquez's future potential considering age and stuff. I'm not convinced he's ready yet after a rather SSS of "turning it on/around" but he is on the 40 man so he might get a look. I mean, Balazovic is back down and Winder sure hasn't been doing the job. So maybe he gets a shot. But what is there to lose trying to see if we can get some LH pen help?

Hey Roger, I know you aren't necessarily defending keeping Gallo around, and you're right that 1B are suddenly in short supply, which is CRAZY unto itself, but I quoted your post to make a point, and not to pick on you. 😃 I think Gallo is a fine defensive 1B! Borderline excellent. Tingler was right about that. And I only got to watch about half the game today, but if I'm understanding the OP, comments, and box score correctly, Gallo was brought in very early to PH for Luplow. There are 2 very major flaws with that tactic: 1] Not only was it way to early to empty a roster spot in the game, but as a team, the Twins PH have a sub .200 BA. Last I heard, it was somewhere around. 160-.170. So why on earth would you delete a RH batter who might face a LH later in the game, but PH hasn't exactly been a strength all year. 2] Other than a few BB and the very occasional HR, Gallo has literally been the worst bat on the team for months now. His K rate has been about 50% since June/July and his BA in the .160-.170 range, with an OB below. 300. And so I will re-state yet again...when youth is leading your team offensively...generally speaking with respect to Kepler and Correa doing much better...and you have other options available, other than pure blindness or stubbornness, why hang on to Gallo? I mean, at all! They have a still only 26yo 1B/DH/C in Williams at St Paul having probably his best season. He's not a top prospect. And we have no idea how he'd do at the ML level. But he's blocked because of a sunk $11M in Gallo who can't hit or produce much of anything at all, but he's a veteran and a LH batter who can't hit? Williams would almost have to TRY to be as bad as Gallo has been offensively for months now. He'd also allow the team to put Jeffers at DH with Vazquez at catcher on their alternate days against a LH if they want. But some emergency catcher being needed happens how often over how many seasons? Vazquez can, and has, played 1B. Julien played some 1B in college, and his 2021 milb season. I've heard he still takes grounders there. Even Luplow has played a little 1B. We are SO PAST THE POINT where Gallo offers anything other than good defense at 1B, and a HR every couple of weeks. The FO has lost a ton of "bonus points" in my opinion of their job with their resistance to move on and try SOMEONE that might actually produce and maybe have a future. [Larnach should also have been given a 1B glove a couple of months ago just to see]. Again, I only saw half the game, and missed parts of innings here and there. I saw some very nice pitches from Keuchal. He looked Maeda-esque at times. But if the zone was as wide as I glimpsed, and hear about, it sure looked like, and sounds like, both teams were treated equally. I don't think the robo umpire is coming soon, but I'd sure love to see the challenge system in place for 2024. The Twins were screwed TWICE on ONE PLAY Saturday by the replay system. But there was a Saints game a few weeks ago, Williams was ironically catching, where he challenged twice on called pitches and won. So again, if Kuechel benefited here and there, sure looks like the Pirates did as well. I think all we've ever asked for is something consistent, even with some human error. Tip of the cap again to what Kuechel did today.

Very disappointed we didn't sweep as I feel we just gave away game 2 with missed opportunities and one freaky roller that opened a floodgate. Still, I'll take 2 of 3 all season long against anyone. How about Julien with the only 2 RBI, a sacrifice fly...which is a lot harder for this team than it should be...and a rocket double to the gap to drive in the second. I thought the idea of giving Kuechel a shot as a possible August/September fill-in to help stretch the rotation made sense, though I expected nothing. An impressive ERA in AAA from a veteran didn't do enough to fill me with any confidence. His first start was OK, I guess, but hardly dominate. And not a SINGLE K? Then he got destroyed the second time out and I wasn't surprised. Smoke and mirrors from experience can only get you so far. But I figured he'd get one more shot, and he did today. Wow! His smoke and mirrors was a hell of a magic trick! You might be tempted to say, "but the Pirates aren't very good'. Well, they're still a ML team and over 6 perfect innings is really, really good, no matter who you are, or who they are. I'm still not expecting much, but I wouldn't be surprised now by a 4th start to keep everyone fresh.

Tend to agree with Dman on lack of "elite" prospects. But honestly, I'm not sure how you define what an "elite" prospect really is. What's the ranking system? He has to be 60 or higher on 3 categories? 4? Is is just opinion, similar to, "I know it when I see it?" Has to be a consensus top 5/10/15/20? I believe Buxton was considered elite. I believe Lewis would be considered elite. Top 5 or not, I'd dare to say Lee is an elite prospect based on projection and how well he's done and advanced in about 13 months. Rodriguez avoids the injury but, raises his BA a little bit, cuts the K's a little bit, yeah, I could easily see him being an elite prospect. I'm not going to project that for a rookie like Jenkins who has a couple weeks in a pro career, but considering the tools he's got, and his ranking pre-draft, I could see him "elite" in a couple of years. As mentioned, Arraez never ranked high on prospect lists. But he's one of the top AVG and OB bats in the league, with some XB pop, and just flat out hits better than almost anyone. He's pretty special, if not elite. But he sure wasn't elite coming through the minors. The faster, more powerful Julien is a somewhat similar player to Arraez when you talk about lower rankings but some potentially elite potential with the bat. I'm not calling him elite in any way, but if Wallner can keep hitting in the .240-250 area with a .340-ish OB and that huge power and arm, he's a younger, better version of Gallo with the bat at least. I guess you'd call him "very good" at that point? So I'm just not sure how you call someone "elite". But I think we've had a couple of guys the last few years, and a couple who might be. I can also see a handful that easily fit in the "very good" category. And when the nucleus of your team is in the process of changing over to younger almost everywhere, prospect rankings are going to be in flux as guys graduate and a couple more get added and develop. I'll take a couple elite young players and a bunch of very good ones to build my team. Without going too deep in to names and possibles, I think that's where the Twins are right now.

Winder has potential still. Too soon to just give up on him. But he's nit throwing well at all. Why isn't he in St Paul working on his stuff? Sands has a great breaking ball and OK velocity that should uptick some as a reliever. He's been mediocre with the Twins, in SSS, but good at AAA. But HE'S the one sitting on the bench NOT pitching while Winder is used? Makes ZERO sense! With a really good starting staff the Twins have seldom needed a long man this year, unlike last year. And they have the ability to bring someone up at any time if a bad day happens and they have to overuse an arm. So they are literally wasting a roster spot. And all the while, Funderburk isn't getting an opportunity when he's doing a great job for the Saints and might give us another usable LH pen arm. NONE of this makes any sense to me at all. If someone isn't doing the job, give someone else a shot. If someone has potential, then use them.

Lopez...great. Thielbar...eeks. But I still trust him. Jax...great. How can you be great 90% of the time and all anybody remembers is the bad 10%? Pagan..............how long do I have to admit he's been pretty good all year and great the past few months? It leaves a weird taste in my mouth and my nerves still tingle when he pitches, but the guy actually has been very good. Duran...so he's human. Once in a while he'll have a bad day. Maybe his control or sequencing hasn't been on target lately. He's still mostly gotten the job done. His stuff tonight made me knees weak, and I was sitting down! Boy oh boy do I hope Wallner is OK. Painful as hell, but if it hit the "meaty" side of his hand, he should hopefully be OK. We can't afford to lose him. I KNOW the Pirates pitcher...Ramirez??...surely didn't mean to hit 2 batters. But I wouldn't have blamed Rocco for jumping out of the dugout, make a scene, demand the pitcher be removed, etc, etc. Nothing would have happened other than a possible 1 game discipline for Rocco. Still...I wouldn't have blamed him for going on a small tirade.

While off topic, I'm pleased you brought Jeffers in to the conversion. There have been a few of us...I'd like to think I've been at the front...that have embraced his game calling, handling of the staff, and overall OK defense as being positives. A bat first catcher has grown right in front of us defensively, though not surprisingly to those who have watched him. He's continued to work hard on his defense. And let's be honest, throwing guys out isn't always or only on the catcher being better, but part of it depends on the pitcher as well. Better arms, work by Jeffers, suddenly he's throwing better. And the "bat first" catcher is starting to see the results of his potential and ability through hard work and experience.

I actually agree with the premise. Whoever we play in the 1st round, all 3 games are at home. The starting staff stacks up against almost anyone, but I do think its debatable as to which 3 start, and who goes to the pen, at least for the 1st round. We can hem and haw about a few bad games, but Duran, Jax, and a healthy again Thielbar is a nice trio. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but Pagan has had a pretty good season overall, and has been even better in the second half. Doesn't mean I don't want to chew knuckles every time he comes out of the pen, but I can't discount what he's done. I really wish ONE of Moran, Headrick, or a late look at Funderburk would step forward to offer up another LH option. And I can easily see Varland cranking it up for an inning or two to help. The bullpen cupboard isn't bare, it's just, uncertain. (And that needs to change for 2024). The suddenly, almost inexplicably, suddenly hard ball hitting Kepler and 5 youngsters, plus the suddenly improved/developing Jeffers, lead this team offensively. Castro is a weapon on the basepaths, even though he probably wouldn't actually start a playoff game. Can Correa continue his previous post season production? Can Buxton feel just a little better physically and have his "hitter head" in the game? If so, even with all of the frustrating inconsistencies the lineup has provided for the season, they remain capable of 5 or more runs in any game. I DO believe they might not only win a game, but actually be capable of winning the 1st round series. Unfortunately, I don't know that the pen and offense can do more than that. And if the opposition can toss out a couple competent LH arms, the Twins would seem to be toast.

**Adendum: I wanted to state, and forgot to in my original post, that if Polanco is indeed brought back, I think he'd make a fine 1B as well. He's got good enough hands, isn't small, and it would allow him to play 3 spots and maybe even be the 3rd option at SS behind Lewis, 4th if and when Lee is ready. It makes total sense to me.

Is there a roster crunch in the INF? If not yet, there will be pretty soon. I've been pleasantly surprised and pleased with what Solano has brought to the team this year, but I don't see him back. Very disappointed in Miranda, but I'm believing more and more his shoulder bothered him a lot more than was initially thought/reported and I'm hoping he's healthy and back next year looking like his previous self. Lee is going to be very, very good...but it doesn't meant he's ready YET, or opening day next year, but he's not far away at all. Severino is a little further away, but very impressive with the bat, and is now playing a little first as well. He could help at some point in 2024. And less we forget, we've got Lewis, Correa, Julien, and Kirilloff all part of the INF. Oh, and then there's Castro, a big surprise this season. And he might be challenged by Prato and a healthy Helman next year. (I'm not even including Martin in the discussion as I believe he's going to be a primary OF who can play a little INF). And while Farmer has disappointed with his bat this year, he's one tough dude, well liked, a reported leader, and a really solid glove man. Lastly, but not last, there is the man being discussed here, Polanco. ALL of this is to say there are a lot of options here now, some on the rebound, and more on the way. and that's a good thing! But to me the argument really comes down to keeping Farmer or Polanco for 2024. I'd love to keep both, but not only is that expensive, you can't just keep everybody. The roster just isn't big enough. But ONE of them provides a veteran leader and solid player for 2024. I'd trust Farmer to be the better overall defensive player, and that's not an insult to Polanco. I'd trust Farmer to be healthier and more available game to game, week to week, month to month. Polanco is the better hitter, if his legs are under him. And that's the problem, his legs are about 8-10years older than the rest of him. But if his legs can hold up, he's a much better offensive threat than Farmer. And they aren't going to be earning salaries that are vastly different in 2024, potentially. Do you like Farmer and better defense and better projected availability? Or do you like Polanco and switch hitting and better offense? I'm torn. But because I have been such a fan in Polanco, I guess I'd bet one one more good year for his legs and let Farmer go and pick up Planco's option for 2024.