DocBauer

Despite a relatively SSS, Stashak has been very effective over w season's before 2021. His FB isn't special, but is OK and he has shown great location and control. Same with his solid slider. Any kind of change or cutter or 3rd pitch to be more effective against LH hitters could make him a mainstay with his control. It's the control and results over 2019-2020 that give me optimism. The problem is, NOBODY has really had control thus far, Stashak included.

Savior? Absolutely not. Way too much pressure on a single and still young player. Can he be a spark? Absolutely! The Twins are in a very unique position right now. They are a back to back division winning team that won 100 games in 2019 and were on a similar pace in 2020 before a couple late season losses took them down to around a 96 win pace. They did a re-tool for 2021 that SHOULD have them on a similar pace this season despite a poor/disappointing first month. Despite initial frustration, we can't lose sight of the past 2yrs or the talent on hand. For instance, NOBODY expected Boston or K.C. etc, to have a good first month. So far, not a lot of things have gone right this first month and there is no reason to re-hash slow starts, injuries, covid, etc. The best thing that can happen is for May to get here, and just get the roster back to full strength and go from there. Why are the Twins in a unique position? Because of the team they HAVE been, the team they COULD be this season, and because they are in a "mini" re-tooling scenario that should STILL allow them to compete and be very good. Again, there is a LOT to like here despite a first month of disappointment. AK is part of the re-tool, but he wasn't ready initially. He now gets a real opportunity to get his feet wet and ultimately provide a spark as a 3 position regular. Larnach could be ready by the second half. Rooker has a shot to do something as a piece of the puzzle despite not looking so great thus far. Remember how he looked before his broken arm in 2020? And there are mkre than a couple pitchers that could help before 2021 is done. None of this precludes the Twins from making a helpful trade at some point. Nor is there any reason a healthy roster can't start to jell and just perform better. And Kirilloff can be a part of that. The opportunity is there for him now. But he's no savior.

"Losing is a disease..." What else can go wrong? I mean, seriously! The Red Sox start terrible and then go on a HOT run. The A's start out terrible and then go on a HOT run. And both teams run over the Twins who aren't exactly running on all cylinders. But how many ways can the Twins find to lose a game? I'll give Maeda a mulligan and just say he had a bad day. It happens. But the offense comes alive only to see the defense and pen implode. As bad as Colome appeared initially, he also pitched well enough for the Twins to win. TWO routine ground balls were blown to give away the game. (Shaking head). You can, if you want to, blast the FO and Baldelli. But the talent, depth and potential of this team is too great to be playing this poorly. Period! I don't have any answers other than hoping a flip to the month of May will somehow bring a sense of "normalcy" to the team. Yes, there has been bad weather, injuries and covid. But the players on hand are still quality. And they need to look in the mirror. There is no Hunter dance party or Redmond walking through the clubhouse naked to loosen up the team. This might be the perfect time for veterans like Donaldson and Cruz to step forward and hold a players only meeting and chew some ass while also building up their teammates. SOMETHING has to be done to shake up the roster, at least a bit, and to shake up the players on that roster.

Simmons has been everything I could have hoped for. And I don't think we've seen the best of him defensively yet. The bat will regress to normal, but he's still an OK and smart hitter. I thought Robles was a smart under the radar signing that could be important. I think he looks good. Colome...man, it's early still and he's been so good previously...butI am VERY disappointed thus far. I thought he was a smart and good signing. There's a lot of season for him to right himself. And we're not talking about lost velocity here. But early impressions are not good. Happy wasn't my first choice. I wanted Odorizzi and was interested in a few others. But career history, including 2020, I was fine on a 1yr deal. And I think the 1yr was important to the FO with Dobnak, Thorpe, Duran and Balazovic, etc, available and coming up. He's looked OK, and he's a little behind. So there is just no way to accurately judge him at this point. Everything about Happ pretty much applies to Shoemaker. Remember, we're talking about a 5th SP who has been pretty damn good WHEN HEALTHY. I've seen good mixed in with not so good so far. I think he's still getting his legs under him and looking to get in a groove. Same as Happ. My hope is he can actually stay healthy enough to get in that groove and give us at least a half season plus. More is just gravy. The ideal scenario is those veterans do what the FO hoped and be quality, veteran place holders for the aforementioned Dobnak, Thorpe, Duran, Balazovic, etc, to settle in the second half of the season or at least get their feet wet for 2022. But honestly, it's just way to early 3 weeks in to make any real determination.

I think it's great MLB has allowed the taxi squad and the development team at an off site to get ready for 2021. But until someone from MLB can give me a really good reason for the delay of milb starting at its normal time I'm going to again question Manfred and his "leadership". There is no substitute for preparation than playing. But that has been removed. So what to do when you want to make a roster move? Taxi squad and extra site sounds like a good idea. Except, just like last year, no games and limited experience until games start. Teams, and prospects, are largely handcuffed until late May or June. Your comments on Gordon are disappointing, if not unexpected. But I have to wonder still, with a little more time to gain strength and endurance after his covid 2020, could he be servicable at SS with time and strength?

I am frustrated and disappointed with the start to the season thus far, make no mistake. But I am not in panic or knee-jerk massive change mode. Why? Because I've been watching baseball for 50yrs...OK, I was a small kid the first few years...and I have seen a ton of teams start slow and then ramp up. And I've also seen many teams start hot and fade. So despite how disappointed and frustrated I am, I'm giving a pass, grudgingly, for April unless we just tank the rest of the month. That doesn't mean changes can't be made or shouldn't be made. What would I do at this point? Well, it's to say because MLB, in their infinite wisdom, (extreme sarcasm), has decided to delay the milb season and messed how you play with your roster early in the season, despite the taxi squad and the reserve roster working out at St Paul. Lineup wise, you just can't "give up" on Polanco and Sano at this point. Sano is MISSING barreling up, but is doing everything else right. He's taking good AB and not flailing, which is what we want. Polanco hit before before some bad things happened in his life and he got busted for a substance. But he hit when healthy after those events until his ankle got messed up. Healthy, reportedly, he had a great ST but has looked BAD so far. Is he just finding his stroke and timing? Can you give up on him this soon? Same with Garver and Kepler. Even if both never approach their 2019 seasons, we've seen they have the talent and ability to be productive hitters. Two weeks is NOT time to freak out for anyone, no matter how disappointing the start to the season has been. I like Cave as a 4th OF. He has a solid 2018-2019 but a bad 2020. I excuse a lot of guys for a bad 2020. He had a bad beginning to 2019 before being sent down and then coming back up strong. I believe he has an option left, so despite no AAA play at this point, I'd send him down and bring up Kirilloff and run with him. We're looking for a jump start so why not? He can play 3 spots and Kepler can cover CF here and there. And it shouldn't take away from AB for Arraez at all. Speaking of Arraez, just put him at #1 and leave him there. He's at least OK against LHP and it provides stability. With Donaldson behind him, be should be even better. Cruz and the crazy and now ready to go Buxton should/could make a great first 4. Tell me, convince me, with previous history, that Kepler, Sano, Garver/Jeffers and Polanco shouldn't start to hit and produce over the next couple of weeks with any sort of "normal" taking place? Sometimes, baseball, football, basketball, sometimes your lineup just needs time as well as tweaks and changeup. It really stinks that BOTH Rooker and Garlick are out right now. But a shakeup is needed once in a while. Especially when you don't have a backup catcher who walks naked through the clubhouse to provide relief, lol. I've seen enough of the rotation thus far to be VERY encouraged! I've seen enough of the pen so far to go from "concerned without worry" to begin to worry. I'm not going to let myself plunge in to panic mode at this point. BUT, something needs to "click" soon or changes will have to be made! I think Dobnak has a real future in MLB. And he's had some good IP. But not everyone can transition to the pen easily. I'm starting to wonder if the best thing for him isn't pitching at St Paul and then taking over a rotation spot when someone is out. Of course, once again, there is no AAA going on right now. If the 2021 Twins were a car, an engine, back in the 80's/early 90's, I would say they were an engine ready to drive hard and fast with a tuneup to the carburetor and/or plugs. It's up to not just the players, but to Rocco and his staff and the FO for said tuneup. Again, I'm willing to give April a pass due to a lot of things. But May 1st is coming up. Things are going to get real soon. And while I am a huge fan of Rocco, I don't think he's been on point thus far. But it's still on the players to produce as well. But I laugh at those wanting to replace him, especially after what he's done thus far, with someone who spits fire. Even TK, and his not quite as successful protege Gardy, preached an even keel approach. How many of us have worked for a day to day DRIVER, or watched such for a sports team, and have felt/witnessed a lack of direction due to being hit over the head day in and day out? That method of management just doesn't last beyond a short period of time.

I believe there is a vast difference between excuses and reasons. Has time, even in his early 30's and never a true flamethrower, and the league just caught up with Colome? Well then, you can make all the excuses you want but reality is what it is. Now, is just fine but struggling with mechanics? Was not 100% during ST and we don't know it and he's still finding himself? Then you might have a reason for his poor performance. And this could apply to more than Colome. The bite is, for a proven performer, whether you slide him temporarily to a low leverage situation or not, you are forced to stick with him for a while longer to see if he "finds" himself...or not.

Thanks Seth! Really missed milb last season and just love the way you and the rest of TD are so informative and thorough in regard to the Twins system. AA should have an amazing staff this year and I'm not sure how you find room for everyone. Hopefully, half of them will reach St Paul this year. Regarding Oliveras, don't care if he just transitioned to the mound and has a long way to go. If you can throw that hard at 18yo and show ANY affinity for breaking or off speed stuff people should be paying serious attention to you. Not sure what it is, but I just have a hunch Steer is going to be GOOD, whether he settles in to a primary position or becomes a super-sub.

There is just way too much talent and depth on this roster to be this bad and make these many mistakes over this stretch. Has anyone informed the baseball gods it's NOT 2020 any more and things are SUPPOSED to "normalize" now? Roughly 2 weeks until May 1st. Things had better "normalize" by then or some serious changes will have to be addressed. I'm not one to panic or knee-jerk, but this team is too good to be playing this poorly. On top of that, they are ruining the mood of my vacation. Go Twins!

Despite his struggles, I believe Polanco IS a good hitter. But but man has he been struggling! Really disappointed as he had a nice spring, Now, to be fair he hit when Molitor was the manager as well, so this isn't all about Rocco seeing him produce. His use of an illegal substance has been brought up. But IIRC it was one of MANY players who were guilty of a banned substance and not necessarily steroid related. I think that distinction has to be made as he hit before Rocco, and he's hit since came on board. I just think his timing has been completely out of whack for whatever reason. Maybe he's coming out of it now. But be should absolutely drop down otherwise until he figures stuff out. And a day or two off wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Great article, I only wish it was longer. A lot of it is about development, especially at the lower levels. You’re trying to develop kids, so putting the best lineup on the field isn’t always what you’re doing. There’s times when you’re not putting the best guys out there or you’re putting guys in positions that they’re not the most comfortable in,” Gardenhire said. “It’s about trying to develop those guys, so that when they do get up to the Big Leagues, they’re ready for whatever gets thrown at them. It’s a lot about development at the lower levels. As you get going up, then it’s not as much. Then you’re trying to win more games and stuff like that.” I really liked Toby's comments and perspective here. If he can bring all of his player perspectives and coaching perspectives together, he could be a very interesting amalgam of old ways of doing things and new school analytics. He's not the AAA manager due to nepotism. I think we know the FO better than that. I'm excited to see what he does and accomplishes in his role. Bench coach at the ML level in a year or two??

I think what we are seeing from Buxton is unsustainable because he's just been lightening and thunder at this point. But I think we are seeing growth and development that is real and being a mild, consistent thunderstorm is probably real. Sooo frustrated with Polanco and Sano at this point. But I can't dismiss Polanco being healthy and having a good ST and have to feel he's going to get going. Sano has been laying off bad pitches and "just missing" good contact. Now, he can't just "keep missing" for much longer. But I'm considering his past and not worried yet. I'm actually more worried about Cave at this point. He's proven to be solid, but he just hasn't looked good at all thus far. I'm pleased with the rotation, even though Happ and Maeda are still rounding in to form. Happ needs innings and I'm wondering if Maeda is just lacking a bit of "feel" with colder weather at this point. I won't lose "season" faith in Colome because he's been so good for 5yrs and his game has never been about pure velocity and super high K rates. But at this point, he's looked OK a couple games and just aweful the rest. It's time he gets low leverage. You have to pitch what you have. And you have to use everyone and make moves as needed. As pointed out already, 2019 didn't start out great but the pen worked out very well after some time. I like Rocco so much as a manager! And I laugh when people talk about having a "firey" manager that would make a difference. I think, maybe, a football coach with fire can help motivate to some degree. But that fire tends to burn out rather quickly. And I don't believe fire works in a day to day sport well at all. Kelly, so revered, and deservedly so, had an old school and occassional "red ass" approach, but generally preached a calm and day to day mantra because baseball IS a day to day game. But I do believe Rocco blew the game Sunday. Now, we can't scream to leave SP in longer, and then complain when it backfires. But, especially this early in the season, I don't understand pulling Pineda with about 70 pitches one day and leaving Shoemaker in for as long as he did when it looked like he was running out of gas. And while the intent Sunday was for Dobnak to start a clean inning, sometimes you have to make adjustments. I just don't think Rocco handled Sunday well. I hate the extra innings rule and believe it should be implemented in the 11th inning at earliest and would prefer the 12th. And you will lose a few games as the rule is in place right now as is. Really not sure a bunt for the first batter is some magical and automatic move. First of all, hunting is not automatic, especially in today's game. Second, who's up to bat? Not happy with 5-4, not happy with missed opportunities, unhappy with a couple of Rocco's moves. NOT depressed or filled with anxiety after 3 series and 9 games. While all games matter I learned a long time ago how little the first month matters in the marathon that is MLB unless you just stink. Nothing truly stinks after 9 games except for some blown opportunities. Despite some flaws and missed opportunities, this team is trending in the right direction. What DOES STINK, IMO, is the delayed start to the milb season because, IMO, it creates unnecessary confusion and lack of opportunity for any team to make changes for the first month plus.

Can't disagree with a thing you said, mostly because I think I said the same things, lol. There are a lot of ways to get outs. While SO the side is exciting, it's not so great if it happens after a walk and a 2 run HR. But a baserunner allowed with a couple groundouts and a fly ball can be even more effective. I don't know. I miss May. But if Colome pitches as he did the past 5 seasons, aren't we better off with fewer K's but as good or better results? To me, jury is out and still too early to make any decisions. Especially with Robles looking solid and the potential of Alcala. A few weeks from now, this pen could be outstanding.

Am I happy the Twins have lost 3 games, all in extra innings, that they could have and should have won? Nope! Nada! Nyet! Am I worried about the pen at this point? No. Not yet. Nor am I worried about a slow start for Sano or a healthy Polanco, who had a fine ST. I'm just going to panic or be worried after 8 games. A couple brain farts and a mis-handled ball and 2 of those 3 loses likely don't happen. Likewise, just another clutch hit or two from an offense that has generally looked solid so far and those games don't go to extra innings. If the pen was actually imploding, those 3 close games don't even go to extra innings. Think about that perspective for a moment. I think Robles could be a sneaky good signing. Thus far he's looked like such. Colome has been back and forth so far and I admit some frustration and concern, but I am not reaching for a panic button on him at this point. Same for Rogers who has also been 50/50 thus far. Sorry to play the old tune, but such a SSS, despite the frustration of the losses, does not call for decision making or desperation. Despite his inconsistency at times, my "worry" was losing May, not Clippard, Wisler or Romo. Despite some cold spells that made you want to throw your hands up, May could bring pure heat and SO potential you just need sometimes. Alcala may be that guy, but I don't think he's ready for that role just yet. But I don't think the pen is worse or less talented with the elder Romo and Clippard, or 1yr flash Wisler gone and replaced by Robles, Colome and Alcala. Someone to take that May role does give my pause at the moment. Rogers and Colome settle down over the next week or so, this becomes a non-issue and we won't even remember talking about it. Now, that doesn't happen, THEN we can talk about real issues with the pen. Until then, 3 close losses but the pen not exploding/imploding, looking like an old Irwin Allen disaster movie, after only 8 games is frustration and nothing more.

Opinions will vary and only time will tell if it as a mistake to not protect Badoo. But I do agree that "gave up" is the wrong title/approach to the OP. If this was the Twins from 4-5yrs ago, losing 90+ games a season they probably would have protected him on the 40 man due to potential and lack of talent. But that's not the case today. They are a TOP contending team that needs to protect youth where possible while also providing depth for a long, contending season. And as was already pointed out, there are only so many teams that could "afford" a roster spot for an A ball player, even a tools one, who had barely seen the field the past 2yrs. And I don't buy in to the "spots were available" arguement. The Twins, like most clubs, especially those who should be contending..fill their 40 man with a combination of today and tomorrow while usually leaving a spot or two or three for FA signings or trade acquisitions. Two important items to consider here: 1] How many contending teams...Yankees, Dogers, Astros, Dirty Sox, Etc...would have had room to add a toolsy, no hit, A or A+ OF who had played little or not at all the past 2yrs who didn't "figure" to contribute in the next season or two? 2] Want to argue room on the 40 man for said player, Badoo in this example? Fine. You keep him instead of Wade and cut Wade loose. Now you lose Wade for nothing. One example. The Twins signed and kept some pitchers only to demote them off the 40 man to add someone else? Happens all the time. But it's also a "timing" issue. Cut someone too soon, they get claimed and you lose them to a team still trying to set their roster. Wait a little, as the Twins did, and those guys tend to sneak through. Think about the entirety of the 2021 season and the potential of Clay and Waddell to contribute. Coming out of ST, both looked like great additions who could help. 5yrs ago, they make the opening roster, but not now. Waddell is up now only because Colina was transferred to the 60 day. But at least he's available. Let's say they "crowded" the 40 man with Badoo, who honestly didn't figure to play for a couple years at the ML level. Then, you cut him before ST to make room for Shoemaker, Happ, Garlik, whoever. He then passes through waivers. The Tigers couldn't have just picked him up THEN? The only difference, from Detroit's perspective, is they had to wait a few more weeks to add him if they liked him and had their eye on him. Tell me the last guy the Twins, or anyone, "lost" an A ball player via rule 5 that turned out to be a stud player that turned out to be a "mistake" by not protecting". Most "loses" by the Twins, or anyone else, usually come in the form of AA or AAA players lost who find new life with a new opportunity. 6 games and 11 AB, despite a hot ST, indicates NOTHING at this point. Simply being a Twins fan for more than a few years...much less a baseball fan...you could make a decent sized list of guys who had a great ST or early season hot start only to never be seen again, or need to be demoted before coming back again later. 2020's missed milb season is going to have an affect that we can't even see at this point. Badoo plays a full season in 2020, he might have been an automatic "keep" no matter what. But you CAN'T make 40 man roster decisions based on a non-existent "what if" scenario! History and statistics would tell you Badoo is going to have his balloon burst in the next few weeks. Time was, unless there was an IL stash and manipulation, Badoo would then be returned to the Twins and we wouldn't have this debate. But things have changed and Detroit will have the option of a re-building team to just stick with him for the duration regardless of any balloon burst. No doubt the FO played 90/10 or 80/20 odds at worst that Badoo wouldn't be selected or would be/will be returned. And as a baseball fan, it's not hard to root for Badoo to defy odds and have a good/great career. But the Twins did not make a mistake not protecting an A ball player with a questionable future from A ball.

So any implication to steroids for Cruz dates back to 2012, over 9yrs ago. Nothing since. So??? He is Ortiz 2.0. He is a well conditioned and experienced and smart hitter who is very well prepared and ready to go unless I see evidence of anything else. These kind of players come along once in a while. Witness Brady at QB and the recently retired Brees. Sometimes, you just can't quantify a player's development, nor their career projection. Unfortunately, there still remains the age factor. Baseball has so few players who exceeded normal production past 40yrs old that at some point you just have to expect a loss of ability. Right now, Cruz looks like he is ready to defy age and have another good/great season while turning 41 soon. Were I to make a bet, despite his greatness, he will be on the market in 2022 as the Twins will move on to younger talent and not take on the risk. I'm betting on one more good/great season in the sun before a quiet fade with someone else. Bless him if he could achieve the 500HR milestone but I just don't see it.

I'm a very smart amateur psycholist and sociologist only but damned if you didn't make me LMAO with this post! Thank you!

Not sure we can take a lot of speculation for 3 games, now 4, but everything so far has looked very encouraging. While only ONE Game not going to lie that blowing the opening game with some Keystone Cops play doesn't stink. Giving a game away is never a good thing, but knowing you coulda/shoulda won and would most days is a tiny moral victory. Glad to see Colome come back. Glad to see Robles get off to a good start. I've said for months now he could be a real key to the pen. Forget 2020 and look at his career before that. THAT GUY is really good and should give us a really nice back end to the pen. Alcala's stuff looked good to wicked. Imagine how good and how important he could be to the pen a couple months from now when his confidence groes?

Caught a little of the game in the background at work today, (had to keep changing the game back because the boss kept golf on, lol), and during my lunch. Really liked what I saw, of course. A couple comments: 1] Cruz, what a bum. Instead of taking a ball and waiting for a better pitch to try for a HR TRIO, he instead inside-outs a rocket double down the left field line. (Hehe) The guy is just amazing and early indicators are he is ready to defy age for another good/great season. 2] I never panicked about Kepler having a bad ST. He's done it before. He even spoke recently that be was "trying different stuff" in many of his AB. I really like him sliding down in the lineup and I think when all is said and done he's going to look like his 2019 self. 3] First start of the year and a big lead, I was happy Rocco let Shoemaker pitch the 6th and stretch himself out. It's one thing to protect your starters and believe in your pen, but it's also valuable to let your SP a full 6 when you can and save the bullpen as well. 4] I really would have liked Thielbar to get an IP today instead of giving Dobnak 3. Felt unnecessary to me and I don't believe Thielbar has pitched yet. As far as Dobnak goes, I wasn't able to watch the last 3 innings. But looks like he pitched 2 clean ones. Not the first guy to finish a HUGE BLOWOUT while allowing a few runs. Even for a professional, a competitor, sometimes the juice just isn't there with a 14 run lead and you're just getting your work in and mopping up. Sure I'm disappointed he didn't just put away everyone in the 9th, but I've seen this before over the years and not going to freak out. 5] Really glad Buxton and Arraez aren't hurt, simply ill. Personally, no disrespect to the Tigers at all, but I'd probably sit both tomorrow and have them in reserve roles. We have enough depth and a talented enough roster I'd rather see both Buxton and Arraez just have another day off to recover and get their strength back. 6] I missed Rooker's great catch. Wish there was a replay. Not trying to be dismissive of Garlik's effort to make the team or his ability, but as long as Rooker is here I want to see him play and not sit. 7] Send down Cave after FOUR GAMES? Not going to happen. He's earned more than a little leeway at this point. Now, if he's still struggling in a week, some re-set time could be in order. 8] Come on, you KNEW there was going to be as Astudillo comment, right? History has shown he can hit a little, and he's developed more pop/power since joining the Twins organization. While nothing more than average defensively...i actually think 3B might be his best spot...very few teams can toss the last man on the bench in to a game and he can still produce at least a little bit. Blankenhorn and perhaps Miranda may replace him in the next year or two, but I just don't know how anyone can't appreciate him as a last spot on the bench player. I'm really excited, with the "lights turned on now", to see what Happ can bring tomorrow. I'm really hopeful for 5 solid IP.

100%! A veteran RP with a 5yr track record as such from good to elite. A bad game, some close calls, a frustrating loss. Stinks losing the first game when it seemed locked up. But it's also why they play 162. Robles and the rest of the pen looked good. Too much focus on one bad game. NEXT!

I have been turning this idea over and over in my head for WEEKS now! EVERY team was affected by the loss of the 2020 milb season. And every team had their 2nd site. And every team got the end of season instructs. But further, every team also lost some lower level affiliates meaning there will have to be some sort of upward mobility "bump" of prospects in order to keep your best talent. Unfortunately, that also means some guys are going to end up looking for baseball work other places, but we already knew that. In regard to the Twins specifically, I have to wonder about guys like Duran. Super talented, at the 2nd site plus the instructs, does a few games at AA allow him to move to St Paul at this point? Because you also have to look at Sammons, Jax, Ober and Barnes. It seems to me the initial St Paul roster is a bit incomplete and has a lot of veteran arms still looking for opportunity and examination while a few arms may be in Ft Myers ramping up there. Robinson Leyer and Chandler Shepherd appear to be former starters moving to relief, or have begun to do so already. But I see them as temporary/fill-in SP at best. Frankly, despite getting a few appearances in ST, they may have a very hard time making the Saints in any capacity just looking at depth. SAINTS SP OPTIONS, with comments: LH: Thorpe: done deal Smeltzer: done deal Albers: a successful SP oversees. A temporary/swing option? Sammons: 16 decent AA GS in 2019 Barnes: 3 levels in 2019. Appeared in ST games this year. Waddell: Former SP that is being groomed for the pen. Hot ST. RH: Duran: TOP prospect. Talent and instructs enough to move to AAA? Ober: ubelieveable numbers. No instructs. Ready for AAA? Jax: appears poised and ready for a lengthy try at AAA. Gibaut: Former starter being groomed for the pen. Sparkman: Former starter being groomed for the pen. Farrell: Let's just says ditto. MY best guess to open the year? Thorpe Smeltzer Barnes Ober Jax I think Duran has a shot though. Just like the Twins, there will be flux and need and movement. It might be more fun to figure out the Wichita rotation and speculate how many of them are ready for St Paul by mid-season.

A silver lining? It's not his calf. It happened early in the season and not in the middle of a pennant drive. (Yes, I know all games count). My only concern is not his age, because he is a well conditioned athlete who works hard, but rather that hamstrings can linger sometimes. For now, I will take the word of Donaldson and the Twins that it doesn't appear too bad and they are "optomistic" as to how he's responded at this point. I think the Rooker move is a good one. No need to panic and make a larger move by shuffling the 40 man to add Riddle at this time. Rooker adds an extra bench bat while still playing 2 games in the NL and a 1B option behind Sano. Please, can we avoid another debate about how much we do or don't like Astudillo? The Twins at least sorta like him, see some value, and he's in the roster. If you listened to the season preview podcast the other night, Seth and Nick alluded to Astudillo as now being an infielder who can catch. I think that may be an accurate description. Further, while no disrespect to Arraez at all, Nick's opinion was that Willians might be the better "backup" 3B defensively. Having watched him there the last couple of years, I think there is some merit to that arguement. I'm not trying to sugar coat how much this sucks, but the depth of the team is such that the Twins can weather this setback if it is truly short term.

Betting Wiel and Celestino are in Ft Myers

Losing game 1 hurt because it's game one of fun and optimism and it seemed we had it in the bag. And there was a lot to like from Arraez and Kepler and Buxton and most of the pen. Honestly, I'm PO'd with Colome. But he has been great for about 5yrs. So this was a horrible first appearance! But it's still 1 game, no matter how bad it was. Not going to bang on a quality RP for ONE GAME. But it was disappointing. But one game is not enough to bring panic to 1 game.

Bullet point approach: 1] Garlik over Rooker is a surprise to me, despite Garlik's ST, and a bit of a surprise. Did Rooker look that bad the last week? I guess I can understand this move...and it's initial, not permanent...but I would have gone with the younger player with upside. Garlik has borderline great milb numbers but it's never translated to the ML level at this point. Maybe he's ready to do something really good at this point. Maybe this is short term. Maybe Rooker is up before you know it. But despite a great ST, I would have sent Garlik down for the younger Rooker despite a bad week. I would disagree with this choice, but I can understand the initial choice even if I don't like it. 2] Astudillo made it, and I always expected he would. And it makes sense. Despite a few bad streaks when hurt or coming off the IL and getting in a rhythm, he has shown he can hit at the ML level. He's even developed some pop/power over the past couple of seasons. You have a 26 man roster, not 30. When it comes to the last position player on the team, you can keep an infielder who can pick it but not hit, OR, an extra OF who you have to try playing time and AB for, OR, you can keep a guy who can play decent/mediocre defense at multiple positions without embarrassing himself and who can hit some. You don't have to be a fan of Astudillo to rezlize he has value as a fill-in/role player to provide roster flexibility. Not sure if he has a spot beyond 2021 with some guys coming up soon, but he fits a role for now. 3] A few years ago, the Twins would keep Waddell and Law on the roster. But there just isn't room NOW because the pen is filled out right now, even if you have a little trepidation about how well the pen is going to perform as constructed currently. Who would you replace at this time? Further, who would you cut and probably lose off the 40 man at this point when you don't have to cut anyone AT THIS POINT? You don't have to cut anyone RIGHT NOW. Not until there is a need, and THEN you have to make a decision. But not today. 4] Riddell over Lin and Farrell over Law on the taxi squad surprises me. Riddell over Lin must be pure SS decision, but surprises me. Farrell over Law kinda shocks me unless Law tweaked something recently. Always remember, this is the opening day roster, not the one that will be the bulk of the season roster we will see. Every team, INCLUDING contending teams, run through 8 SP or more. They all run through an extra 3-5 RP at some point. They all have a position player or two who gets hurt, washes out, or who isn't ready, etc. * Dobnak and Thorpe are going to play big roles for the staff. * Law, Waddell and possibly Farrell and others, including a couple prospect arms, are going to factor in the bullpen at some point due to need, injury, etc. The FO has built depth options, but there could be a couple rough 40 man moves to be made for them. * Kirilloff, and maybe Rooker, are going to be up at some point. Kkrilloff will settle in as the LF on an almost daily basis by sometime in May. * Gordon and Blankenhorn will help the infield, but hopefully not too much. That would mean our infield stayed mostly healthy.