DocBauer

A fun exercise to be sure. Forget what Berrios signed for, would he have done similar with us, maybe a year or two less, should they have offered a large and long deal a year earlier, etc, I didn't like losing him and really, really wanted to keep him. And I'd bet he gets himself figured out. I know it's a "what if" exercise, but I think Lynn was in a poor mood with how his offseason went and just didn't fit. But Ryan could take his spot. I'd be happy with Ryan over Lynn.

I was intrigued about Chalmers and thought he might turn in to a really nice bullpen option. Was there anyone who didn't hold out great hopes for Romero? I mean, he was the real thing, right? (sigh) Jay was a big one for me. I wasn't sure about the conversion to being a starter, but I thought at worst he was going to be a top, back of the bullpen arm. Just a huge disappointment. Rich Becker is one of the biggest disappointments, "I was so wrong", player prospects for me. And if I want to date myself, and drag my memories across hot asphalt covered in broken glass, there are about 10 pitching prospects around the mid-80's that were all seemingly can't miss starters or at worst, quality bullpen pieces.

I actually kinda like this idea. The 2023 payroll should be able to handle Snell without much difficulty. Take on the salary, give up nothing, might get a steal back. There is no losing on this one. Just make sure to add a couple of RP as well. Can't get wrapped up in a potential steal and forget what needs done the most.

THIS! I just can't believe we are having the 3rd or 4th thread about catching. In regard to the OP and the passed balls and SB % of Jeffers from 2021 to 2022. Both worse. Is it injury? Is it adjusting to new pitchers? Is he just having a tougher year for whatever reason? If his 2023 numbers for caught stealing and passed balls are better Is he owed an apology? The single, #1 job of a catcher is "handling" the pitching staff and calling a good game from about 30 arms you are going to have to work with. 25-30yrs ago or so, catcher was a defensive only position. Think Boone, Sundberg and a plethora of high quality catchers. Then there was a sort of Renaissance at the position with Rodriguez, Carter, Santiago, Mauer, Posey, etc. And Mauer might have been one of the last, along with Perez from KC, who might be nearing the end. Jeffers is a quality receiver who has the trust of the staff. He's only 25yo in the middle of his 2nd full season. But he stinks and is not part of the future because he's not as good as 2021 in some metrics? Maybe it's his fault. Maybe it's the staff. Maybe he's in a rough patch and will get better, and closer to his 2021 numbers. Maybe if his bat was working better everyone would just dismiss his lower caught % and PB numbers? FWIW, he's been hitting at about a .300 clip his last 15 games with power. I just find it ridiculous we're trying to tear down a 25yo catcher in yet another OP who is still growing and learning but who is a solid overall receiver and has a ton of potential who had just barely eclipsed 2 full years of roster time. Just sucks he's not already Mauer or Posada right? I am far more worried about his 2023 partner than I am Jeffers and his ability and potential. And I'm even MORE worried about the 2022 and even 2023 pen than I am about a young catcher who is solid and has potential. Hating on a young backstop who is solid and has a ton of potential, and who has flashed, is just old vs other needs in the pen is simply not worth debating yet again. You want to talk 2023 at some point? I'm with you.

Reminds me somewhat of Turner when he slipped a few years ago after a so-so season with the bat. What a steal! I can only assume Lee is being rumored to slip due to dis-belief in his sticking at SS.

Lots of great days in the system, but... 1] Povich. WOW! 2] Javier, wouldn't it be something after the injuries and the setbacks if his last 2 months are for real and he's actually turning a corner? I think he needs to finish 2022 a level up to see if the trend is real.

With all due respect and great love for ALL of our TD writers, Tom Ciaccio is impressive! Again, with all due love and respect, any chance we can convert him to Twins fandom and bring him on board? Work on him John! Show him the way! LOL But seriously, these two games are at home. The offense has being doing their part. Winder has been doing his part, as a long man and as a SP almost perfectly since the year began. Really, for this year and beyond, hasn't he earned a full time spot at this point? The only logical "no" answer would be a solid, more experienced veteran holding place, the rotation fully healthy, and letting him continue to prepare for 2023 and doing what he's been doing. (Ober is going to have a say as well when he's 100%, but that's a different discussion for a different day) Even with Ryan being a "rookie" and not having a good last couple of games, his numbers are still very good, as the OP stated. He's just due for a good game at home. I think the Twins are due for a sweep with our offense and the staff just doest implode. (Looking at you bullpen). And then comes the Dirty Sox, but I'll wait to comment after the Brew Crew leave town.

No hyperbole, he's a generational "hitter". Period. That includes his contact and OB ability. While he will never be a power hitter...and who cares...it's not surprising that only 25yo and gaining experience, he would be having his highest SLG% at this time. He's just learning now, with his eye and some quality offseason work to add muscle and cut fat...thank you Nellie for helping with that...to turn on pitches he likes to drive the ball further for doubles and a few more HR. Despite a few bad errors at 3B and 2B here and there, my personal eye test, and a few analytics I've read here and there, take them for what they're worth, says that is defense at 3B and 2B are solid/average. I can live with that. Especially considering youth and bounced around quite a bit, and even being asked to play some LF early, and even a few appearances at SS. His play at 1B has been really fine, IMO,especially learning it on the fly. Let's face it, kid is just a "ballplayer" and if Rocco turned to him tomorrow and said we have nobody to catch the rest of the game and asked him to throw on the mask and pads, he'd probably say "no problem". 1B and DH are his best spots. I'd argue he's already solid at 1B and maybe above average, especially with so little time there. And we don't have to debate 3B/2B because really, we're talking about his transcendent offense at the moment. I don't know how many caught it, but there was a day game on MLB last week featuring the Twins. I believe it was against the Dirty Sox. They put up a graphic of PLAYER "A" and PLAYER"B" through 319 ML games. IIRC, stolen bases was not included, but everything from AVG to OB to SLG and RBI and R and OPS was included. Player "A" was ahead in almost every category except HR, but all the numbers were very close. Player "A" was Arraez and player "B" was Carew. Again, through 319 games and it wasn't intended as an Areaez vs Carew career comparison, that would just be silly. But it was posted as an example of just how good and unique Arraez is at this point in his young career. I have stated many, many times how the DH spot in baseball can be handled in a myriad of different ways. There is no written or un-written rule that states the DH position should/must be handled by a power only hitter, or an aging veteran who can't play the field any longer but can hit. Or some combination of the two. That's a perception based solely on past usage and viewership of the spot. The Twins won their 1st WS with the DH being shared. They won their 2nd with a primary DH. There are no set rules. Arraez CAN play the field in 3 spots and aquit himself decently, if not well. (All debatable. I get that). But he can also be a time share/primary DH. With the way this team is set up in the lineup for the next few years, he's PERFECT just being the player he is. Now we can debate as to whether he should bat leadoff even against LHP, knowing the first guy out of the pen might be RH, or if he should be lower in the lineup against a LHSP waiting for the oppositions pen, or sit as a destructive PH Godzilla batter on some days. But he is a very, very special hitter at 25yo and is only going to get better. Anyone notice that his knees are better after his offseason workouts with Cruz where he cut bad weight and added some good muscle? He is an ABSOLUTE offfseason extension MUST!

Part 2, as I had to pause to fix a late supper, LOL. 1] Congratulations to Buxton and Arraez and their very deserving All Star selections! 2] Miranda is just getting better and better, confirming his top prospect status and proving he is turning out to be the kind of hitter the FO thought he might be, and proving 2021's breakout was not an illusion. More on him in a minute. 3] Very surprised Kirilloff wasn't mentioned in the OP, unless I missed him somehow. The kid has basically been raking since coming back. His 30 game, 15 game, and 7 day numbers are all trending very high. And more on him in a moment. 4] I'm OK with Max in the 4 hole against RHP. While his BABIP is still frustratingly and confusingly low, it's still better. His hitting is about normal, which would seem to indicate actual improvement with offensive numbers still generally down. (Though it does appear numbers have been climbing). He's actually having a pretty good year. 5] Despite lauding Kepler, and no disrespect to one of my favorite Twins, by next season at the latest, he's going to be sliding down more in to later portion of the lineup to make room for AK, Miranda, and maybe even below Larnach who I think will turn out to be the even better overall hitter. We've already seen what he can do last year and this year when healthy. I think he surpasses Kepler very soon. 6] Sure hope this trend continues...crossing fingers...but Jeffers has been hitting a rough compsite of .300 with power and decent OB his past 15 games.

I don't want to play the "overly optomistic" card, but Ryan is, for all intents and purposes, a rookie. He's doing really well, but a couple speed bumps shouldn't be unexpected. And it also would be unexpected to see him start to pitch much better again soon. He's a pretty savvy kid. Agree Gray just hasn't been the same. Days off and the break could do wonders to get him righted again. And let's hope so as we really need him. I like Smeltzer a lot as a person/story and a wiley LH. I think he's better than his last couple of starts, but not as good as his first 5-6. But he might be perfect as a mid/long/piggyback arm in the pen and just keep Winder in the rotation. The pen is what it is until re-inforcements arrive. And there should be a couple by the end of the month. A healthy Alcala would be a huge boost as well. Duffey's time as a Twin may be coming to an end, but he's experienced and savvy enough he might just finish off this season as a solid middle guy. The offense deserves better. Should have swept the Dirty Sox, but will always take 2 of 3 in any series. Was very disappointed in losing a pair to the Rangers. They do have some real talent, but I just think we're the better team. Need to finish strong before the break.

Absolutely NOT disagreeing with your thoughts on the matter. As I stated above, I'm OK with a couple additions and one or both having control. But to re-state, any short term rentals can also be re-signed if they look good and seem to "fit in" with the team. Further, rentals will cost a little less to acquire. Additionally, there may be an arm or two ready for the pen next season such as Alcala and maybe Sands or Canterino transitioning, for example. And if the FO starts taking the pen more seriously, there may be a FA or two to consider next offseason as well. That just costs a contract. So just saying, NOT getting Additional control is not necessarily a bad thing as far as next season is concerned, providing more flexibility, as long as the FO doesn't remain passive.

I'm not opposed to spending more and getting an arm or two that have control though I am also a bit leary on new "breakouts". But would just like to point out that trading for a rental doesn't mean there can't be mutual interest and a re-signing. The Romo and Dyson trades cost little in 2019 and while Dyson ended up being hurt and didn't help, both additions were smart moves. And Romo was really nice to have around in 2020. If Dyson had been healthy and not a head case, (which nobody knew until after the fact), they might have gone 2 for 2. Help is needed, however it comes. Just reminding that being a rental arm isn't a bad thing, and doesn't mean they wouldn't be back.

Thank you for all your hard work Jeremy, including this mock, getting ready for the draft. While the names may change, the draft aa you've proposed here sounds very "Twins like" with thus FO. Take the HS SP in round 2, grab a bunch of arms that they can work with and develop from the college ranks, and maybe even draft an injury flier or two with high upside, e en if you have to wait a year on them. (They've done that before). Can never have enough good pitching, that's for sure. I'm a little leary of the P/Player imbalance here, but the past few drafts and a good deal of the international signings have been pretty strong in player numbers so I guess I'm OK at the end of the day. Really would like to see a higher/better catcher or a pair. But they drafted 3 last year, (though only 1 is doing anything with the bat so far), and from what I've read and heard, just sounds like a down year for backstop. Cross just makes sense at #8 if nobody falls. He's either a better hitter than Kepler, or a faster version of Larnach. Both sound good to me. But if the Twins believe Neto would stick at SS, I just wonder if he doesn't provide such an overall balance to his game as to be the better selection?

I have a soft spot for LH pitchers and catchers. My interest in catchers probably pales to Seth's great love, by I appreciate how very important they are, and how rare really good ones are at the ML level. And with discussion about the impending draft, there has been a lot of discussion about the drafting of a catcher(s) this year. This article is about what's in the Twins system right now, and NOT intended to yet another debate/opinion piece about Jeffers or Sanchez on our beloved parent club. Let me just briefly cover the obvious: you like Jeffers and his defense and his bat potential or you think he's a backup only, and Sanchez is improved from what we expected but may or may not be back and you either like that idea or hate the idea. There ya go. Jeffers or Sanchez ARE appropriate to discuss in regard, generally speaking, to the depth of the system. The Twins have not ignored the catcher position, despite Jeffers being the only high recent draft selection. They have moved players to catcher in hopes of finding something. They added David Banuelos from Seattle in a trade a couple years ago, as well as Jair Carmago from the Dogers. They also drafted THREE catchers in 2021 in the 8th, 9th, and 20th round. Of course, they've drafted and signed others in the past few seasons as well, though again, not necessarily high. So they haven't exactly ignored the position. For some of us, there is a hope that Parada will somehow slide to the 8th spot and the Twins would jump on him. Despite being ranked in the "teens", there are some scouting reports...and let's face it, the ML draft is always a "who knows"...who think Susac is a really good option who might be as good or close. But what do the Twins have in the system right now? FIRST, THE BAD NEWS: Banuelos' defense is reported to be excellent. The Twins have had him in ST each of the last 2yrs and kept him late in 2022 to work in games. But the bat hasn't been very good and isnt good this year, though he is slightly ahead in every area but BA. But slightly better still brings only a .700 OPS at AAA. He's only 25yo, so there may be some hope still. Signings Godoy and Cisco have, frankly, performed poorly and have quad slash lines below their career milb numbers. At 27yo each, there's not much hope. Fellow journeyman Roy Morales, also 27yo, has actually performed beyond his career quad slash. He actually had a pretty solid year for Wichita in 2021, is slightly below those numbers with only 85AB this season but again, ahead of career numbers. Not sure what to hope for there, but at least his bat has been trending upward. Looking lower than AAA, converted 3B/1B Andrew Bechtold just hasn't hit well at all, which is disappointing as it looked like he may have found his bat and power in 2021 after losing it post his first year in the system. The Twins sent him to the AFL to work on his catching conversion, but the bat has regressed. Being brief and ignoring a few more catchers who have done nothing, the biggest disappointment might be Charles Mack. The former 3B, 6th round pick is hitting an anemic .168/ .256/ .286/ .592. NOW THE GOOD NEWS: Converted infielder Caleb Hamilton, still playing in the dirt at times, is providing a quad slash of .243/ .384/ .451/ .835. All career highs. The BA might not be there, but his other numbers show pop and strike zone control. Could he be a decent backup/3rd catcher option? Even at 27yo? Jair Carmago got off to a great start with Cedar Rapids before a promotion to AA. His numbers have slipped since the promotion, but he's only 23yo. A slash of .282/ .299/ .511/ .810 are all career highs. Alex Isola perked real interest in 2021 with his bat while catching and playing other spots as well. The 23yo in 2022 is slashing .307/ .400/ .500/ .900. All career bests so far. A big surprise might be 25yo Chris Williams. He was a cheap senior sign a couple years ago who had an arm injury his senior year that limited him to DH and 1B. Personally, I had high hopes when the Twins drafted him. But basically, he was pretty lousy his first couple of seasons. But here he is now, catching at AA, and putting up some really great numbers of .287/ .381/ .534/ .915. Battling injuries when drafted, is he a late bloomer? I've heard positive reports about his game calling and repore with pitchers. Pat Winkel, 2021 round 9 pick is hitting solid at Cedar Rapids, .266/ .330/ .456/ .786. (His fellow 2021 draftees, FWIW, Noah Cardenas and Dillon Tatum are doing nothing in the first full seasons). Hamilton has a shot. I'm much more interested in Carmago. And I'm really, really interested in Isola and the late blooming and finally healthy Williams. I want to see more and hear more about them. I don't think the system is entirely EMPTY, but I think there's real room to add to the catcher position in this draft. But I hope I've presented at least a relevant discussion point to look at.

What's not to be excited about here? He's LH, throws 4 at least decent pitches (reportedly), with solid control. If the 94-97mph he's been reported at is consistent, he's absolutely deserving of his ranking. He only threw 10 innings after being drafted last year split between rookie ball and A-. Currently he has fewer hits than IP, a solid .232 BA against, better than a 4-1 SO/BB ratio while jumping straight to A+ this year. Walks are a little high but not bad. Only real negative I can see is 7 HR in 63 innings. Filling out doesn't necessitate his becoming huge. It means getting a little stronger to potentially further increase velocity, but also to be able to maintain velocity over multiple innings. He was listed only about 185lbs when drafted, so I'd love to see him add a little muscle. Not sure it's going to be tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him at AA for a handful of games to end the season.

In regard to game 3 with the Dirty Sox, considering how crazy that game was, with Thursday off, as well as the coming Monday, and having had the previous day off, and only throwing 9 pitches, I felt Duran should have gone out for the 10th. I appreciate monitoring our unbelievable and talented rookie, but again, he wasn't spent and had the next day off, plus the day off following the Ranger series. I don't agree with that move. In regard to Ryan, 85 pitches in only 4 innings meant he was being battled, going long in counts and just didn't have his best game. And let's not forget, the 2 runs he allowed were in the 4th. His arm could have handled another inning, but I think the consensus was he was pretty much done at that time. In regard to the rotation in general...and I'm not going to research weeks of IP and number of pitches thrown, and I really shouldn't have to...listening/watching the games and just looking at box scores would reveal a number of games the past few weeks where just about every member of the rotation has been throwing 90-100 pitches. There's also been a number of 6 IP games, and even a couple 7 IP games. Even Archer threw 2 or 3 5 IP games until his last one before being placed on the IL. So while the rotation hasn't been cranking out 7 IP games on any regular basis, they have been stretched out more than they were the first couple of months. The pen remains an issue. But the rotation has been stretched out, due to being ready, as well as the pen now being 1 arm shorter. So it's also by necessity as well as readiness. Even as poor as the pen has been, there are times in a game when you have to ask yourself what makes more sense: throwing a SP in the 90 pitch range facing the heart of a lineup for the 3rd time, OR, turning to a poor/inconsistent fresh arm out of the pen and crossing your fingers a bit?

I was going to say Larnach with better wheels, but I like your analogy as well. The more I've read and heard about Cross the more I like him. You can never have enough good players and you try not to draft solely for need. Therefore, I'm not against Cross as being "redundant" at all. I think he'd be a fine pick. But I'm still holding out some small hope for Parada or Collier. But I'm not gonna be disappointed if it's Cross.

1] 5-6 wins but I think 7 is really, really do-able. 2] We're the better team and have 6 home games. Miranda and Kirilloff are hitting well and that compliments Buxton, Arraez, Correa, etc. 3] Keys? The offense keeps producing and doesn't waste too many opportunities. (See point 2). The pen won't be great...duh...but there will be fewer implosion. 4] The FO is going to add a pair of quality set up types, who might even have a little closing experience, similar to 2019 when they added a pair of arms without having to pay a premium. (Just no injury screw up like Dyson this time). So probably guys on final years, with the idea of a possible re-sign. Might they pay a little more for 1 of the 2 to have additional control?

A surprise or two, someone believing and liking someone and looking for an under slot signing and someone falls would be ideal, and maybe probable. (I think teams looking to save money for pitching in the 2nd round makes sense since there are few top arms in the early portion of the 1st). Parada or Collier dropping to the Twins at 8? YES PLEASE!

A lot of work done here and very appreciative of the effort. And no question there is some interesting numbers for comparison across the league. Thanks for taking the time! I'm going to be a bit contrarion here in my opinions, but I'm OK with that. I've watched and listened to a load of Twins games this season, as I always have, and that includes watching Jeffers in his 3yr ML career. Recently, injury or lack of concentration IDK, Jeffers has had a few passed balls. Now, maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's just a current negative view of Jeffers because of some of the painful losses, but I honestly don't recall passed balls being an overt problem previously. Secondly, IMO, the most important parts of being a quality backstop is game calling, setting a good target, and having good communication and trust with the staff. I think he does that. I accept he's not great at throwing out runners. No argument there. But I have to state, for the record, the pitchers holding on runners is part of the caught stealing equation as well. And the current philosophy the Twins employ, right or wrong, agree or disagree, is to worry more about the batter and just getting outs vs focusing "too much" on the opponents running game. And it makes some sense to me as teams simply don't run any longer like they used to. Still, his throwing needs work, may never be great, and I am in agreement. I think the biggest issue is the disappointment in Jeffer's bat. If the bat is better, I doubt there is as much angst or debate as to his value or quality as a catcher. I never bought he was going to have a great 2021 year at the plate despite his "breakout" rookie 2020 season. He was pushed to MLB pretty quickly and did well. But I expected regression in 2021. What's surprising to me, and very disappointing, has been the lack of improvement here in 2022. Frankly, I expected more. Every time he seems to get on a roll for a week, he suddenly slumps the next week. And I don't have an answer. But while it seems he's been around for a long time, he's got the short 2020 year, 2021, and about a half season here in 2022. He's still only 25yo, has only 500AB, and he hit in college and hit in the minors. He was a bat first catcher when drafted. I feel the talent/potential is still there to be at least a decent hitting catcher with power. I buy in to him as a solid defensive catcher, overall, with some room for improvement to be sure. And I am surprised and disappointed in his bat right now. And call me an optomist if you want, but I think the bat is going to come around over the next season or two. I just wish said transformation would begin NOW.

Agree with Shaitan above, where's the love for Polanco? He's not going anywhere soon, I'd wager. I'll leave Lewis out FOR NOW simply because he needs to get healthy and stay healthy. He does that, he's definitely part of the core. But AK, Larnach, Miranda are all to be considered by next year if not now. Oh heck, let's just have a core 12!

Congratulations to both young men. They clearly deserve the honor. Both should be ready some time next year. Two more really nice young players to add to an already good mix.

I feel kinda bad here because I didn't have an opportunity to comment on the Neto post. I mean, as much as I love my Twins, my son getting married July 4th kinda took over any blogging, lol. I admit to no previous knowledge of Williams at this point, other than presented here as I haven't taken time to read or look at BA. Again, been busy and sidetracked. Height doesn't bother me. Big time power doesn't concern me. Again, think Arraez as a fallback, Steer...a little bigger...and sorry...but to compare Altuve to anyone is pretty unfair. Never understood where "gamer" and "ballplayer" became negatives. Again, think Arraez. Just from what I've read here, without additional research, I'm thinking this is a very, very interesting option who has a lot of tools to work with, especially hit and OB tools, combined with some speed. And a few years from now, someone will have to eventually take over for Polanco, though they probably won't be the same player. But injury to his arm has to be a concern. Does he have the arm to stick at SS or play CF "old school" where you are outstanding with glove and arm and do all the important things such as HIT and get OB? He just might. Despite Miller as the top SS in the system, I'm OK with another top SS draftee, IF the arm checks out. Especially if under slot brings in an arm in round 2. But while older doesn't Neto offer almost the same profile? Neto is a 50 on defense, which concerns me, but has seemingly more proven "hit" ability and probably as close or better power and speed profile. He also fits the 'gamer" and "ballplayer" profile, which is not a bad thing. He can potentially "do it all" with a little more certainty than Williams. Also, there still might be a $ savings for round 2. I'm very interested, but not sure Williams is the right choice.

Detroit is like kryptonite, in the Central at least. They are either going to bottom out further, OR, they are going to be very dangerous in a couple of years beyond the Central. I'm not 100% on Ryan finding a certain pitch. His stuff plays. And his increased slider usage really plays up his deceptive FB. He's still, basically, a rookie. There's a lot of general learning left to do. And he's smart enough to figure it out. I think, for now, his problem is just getting back to "rhythm" coming off his covid. I don't have a lot of faith in Megill in pressure situations. But I've watched him in games and ST and was kinda wowed with what he threw. And I've been thinking since I first watched him throw in ST; "if he could do this consistently....". Maybe a silent steal, but he should be nothing more than a middle guy at this point. I think he honestly has a chance with some time. Did an absolute "spit take" in reference to Jeffers having the decency to SO to give Arraez another chance to hit. High 5er to make me laugh that hard after a loss.

Crap happens. You can't win them all. Period. We are having a very good season and are in 1st place in our division and control our own destiny. These, and a solid rotation and a lot of good and good young players and pitchers are part of all of the good that is happening. And we won this series. So the sky isn't falling. Again, crap happens. BUUUUT, there were some pretty bad things I saw in my 2 innings watched, and the box and just following the GameDay tracker when I could. Ryan is good, only going to get better, but just didn't have it today. His strike percentage was good, and only allowed 2BB, but 85 pitches in 4 innings doesn't get it done. I'm going to have to assume some deep counts, despite the solid strike percentage, and a lot of foul balls. Only way you can have that many pitches in just 4 innings. He's been in the 90 and even 100 pitch range previously. I don't know the answer, but did he look "done" after 4? Or was he looking strong enough that maybe the Twins should have tried for a 5th inning? I have to guess after allowing 2 in the 4th he was just toast. I am not upset at Jax for allowing a run. He's been a wonderful and unexpected surprise and maybe the 2nd best arm in the pen this year, despite being barely past rookie status and in his 1st year transitioning to the pen. I'm not even mad that Moran lost the game in the 10th. Disappointed, absolutely, but not angry. He's a talented young arm with a future who's looked pretty good so far, placed in a pressure situation against a team with some pretty good bats and it wasn't his day. I sort of WANT to be mad at Megill as he's got a live arm and has some promise, but he should be about the 12th man in a proper pen plan and should be "breaking in" with the Twins as an extra/middle innings spot until he proves to be capable of something more. Who AM I angry with? I'm angry with the FO...again who I like and mostly support for a myriad of different reasons...for not taking the 2022 pen more serious. They couldn't have predicted the injury to Alcala. They didn't know...how could anyone really...how fast and furious trades and the such were going to happen post-lockout? By the time they made the deal with SD, there really wasn't anyone left to sign. But they needed another arm BEFORE they traded Rogers. And that may be more agregious than the trade itself! Look, a year from now, we may be loving having Paddack and the young prospect who escapes my memory at the moment. Plus, who says a healthy and productive Paddack isn't a quality re-sign? And yet, I still wouldn't have made the deal. I would have kept Rogers, signed another arm I really liked, and hoped for a Rogers re-sign if he looked like he deserved it. Even with the trade of Rogers, how much different might the pen look, and different results, IF the FO HAD made that ONE good addition to go along with what is currently on hand? And I'm ticked off that I'm beating an obviously dead horse for about the 7th time. And I'm ticked off at Pagan. NOT as a person. I'm sure he's probably a really good guy. But as a PERFORMER, I'm disappointed and upset. Despite a high velocity FB and a new splitter that seem OK, he just can't deliver. Period. He's not an inexperienced rookie just adapting and feeling his way. And I understand injuries and lack of arms is impacting Rocco and decision making. And while other guys have garnered 3 or 4 losses over the past couple of weeks, it has been his veteran, experienced arm that has directly and only somewhat indirectly lead to at least 5 losses in games in which the starters and batters have done about all they could do. (As well as some good pen performances). The Twins lead in the Central is a solid 4.5 games. But it could easily be 10-12 games right now without some huge meltdowns. This also affects end of the season numbers that could influence playoff positioning. Do I dismiss the FO for the W-L record and Central lead being better due to mistakes made? Absolutely not! But sometimes you have to look at an individual performer in any career situation and just realize this individual just doesn't do the job. And sorry, that's Pagan. He just shouldn't be a Twin any longer. Literally, almost any young arm brought up by the Twins could pitch as bad as he's been, and hopefully better. It's just time. As far as Rocco...who I also generally support and believe in for a number of reasons...I understand Correa had today off. And I understand that Thursday is a day off and arguements could be made he should play no matter what with that in mind. Not sure I agree, but I understand the frustration. It's a long season and he's pretty much been an iron man when healthy. So give him the day off! But he can't pitch hit in a crucial situation and just play an inning or two with Thursday off??? I FULLY 100% SUPPORT BEING CAREFUL WITH DURAN AFTER LIMITED IP IN 2021! Did I announce that loud enough? LOL. And I want him to continue to grow and develop and keep his arm fresh for the entire season and a playoff run. But 20 pitches Monday, off Tuesday, only 9 pitches today and an off day Thursday? Twins probably win today if Duran gets another IP Good year. Sky is not falling. Our destiny is in our hands. FO has to make a couple good moves.