DocBauer

An outstanding breakdown Parker, as usual! Why aren't you working as a coach somewhere again? One of the best things about baseball is the stories of the players themselves. Some guys have a hot month or two, Refsnyder currently, some have a couple good years, think Led Ford, and some turn in to potential MVP sluggers at age 27+, think Cruz. I refuse to think of Refsnyder as anything other than a guy who got hot at the right time when given an opportunity....for now. His milb career has been solid, but he's never been able to put things together at the ML level thus far. I'm sure there are many reasons why, including the points stated in the OP. But is entirely possible that at 30yo he found the right place and time, and the right coaches to help him coalesce his previous experience and experiments in regarding to hitting for an approach that just "works". Totally agree regression is obviously in order. I also agree that if he could settle in as a .260-.280 hitter, etc, etc, that he could be a RH version of Cave with greater positional flexibility. And that would be a good thing because other than a roster crunch that could force the Twins hand, Kirilloff and Larnach don't appear to be going anywhere and neither is Kepler. What has truly surprised me is his defense, the little I've been able to watch him. He's a 2B/utility fielder who has played some OF here and there, but doesn't seem to have played any CF until 8 games in 2018 and 5 games until 2019. And yet, he's looked surprisingly comfortable and competent in CF with the Twins despite the drop a couple nights ago when a ball hit the heel of his glove.

The biggest problem with this whole idea is two fold: 1] We really have no clue what Berrios is hoping for/expecting OR what the Twins have offered thus far. I mean, is he looking for $18-20M per? With his track record and being only 27yo with upside remaining, he's worth that. Does he want $25M+ and 7-10 -years? Then you're talking crazy numbers. 2] Do the Twins want to compete in 2022? If the answer is yes...and not blow things up...thdn you need a quality pitcher like Berrios and any "who cares who fills his spot" thinking is short sighted and dangerous. The Twins system has more than a few really good looking SP options on their way. And several of them could/shoukd see second half promotions this year. There is a really good chance a few them could be ready to audition late this season. But I can't see a contending club in 2022 just saying "oh, we think at least one of them will come through and shine and we'll be just fine". And I don't buy the arguement either of "we won't pay thjs guy, so we'll trade him and just sign someone else". Huh? I know we're walking an uncomfortable and narrow line of 1yr of control left and will he or won't he re-sign, but without more idea of the numbers involved...and speculation of demands isn't a fair arguement...i feel any trade discussion is premature at best.

I watched a little of the game on lunch break today and had to go back right before Sano came to bat. Ugh! Sure wish I had gone to break just 5 minutes later! What I saw of Pineda was what he always is, good if not great. We all know Happ and Shoemaker were signed to 1yr deals with intent. That intent being, obviously, to fill out the staff and bridge the gap until a couple of the prospects were ready. And while they have been a bit inconsistent, they have largely done what was expected. But, no question either or both could be moved at some point if the Twins don't fully right the ship and get back to .500 relatively soon and keep climbing. makes obvious sense. What I don't want to see happen is trading Pineda and his expiring deal, regardless of their record and any contention , or not. In fact, I'd really like to keep him around for another couple of years, and I suspect he really likes being a Twin and would like to stay. I'm not sure the $ parameters of a deal, but he shouldn't be overly expensive. I know the jury is still out on Dobnak...practically a rookie still...but Berrios, Maeda, Pineda and Dobber are a njce 4-sum to begin 2022, with the kids coming up and trade and FA possibilities available. If you've got something/someone good it seems to be you try to keep it. Way to go Sano! It was only a matter of time until he started making better contact and going on a tear. Now we need Buxton back.

Sorry, typo I meant Winder not Wisler.

My takeaway is simple, you're supposed to beat lesser teams. We did that. It's gut check time for the 2021 Twins. They have a stretch where they can fold or reclaim themselves to be a competitive and quality team. The injuries are massive. Coupled with just bad and unexplainable poor play early leaves 2021 as a probable disappointing season. But there is still a shot to do something. Berrios wasn't in top form. But he battled. Isn't that what a top rotation SP is supposed to do? We can proclaim the Twins are playing a lesser team, and I believe that is true. But this also can be a stretch where we just "get right" and play better and gain confidence and maybe, maybe, start to look like the team we were supposed to be and make a run. Kudos to Refensnyder for getting a shot and running with it. Despite a bad ball play he should have had in tonight's game, he has been pressed in to a position NEVER expected and has done unexpectedly well. We are NOT where we are supposed to be for a variety of of reasons from injury to almost unexplainable poor play from everyone all at once. There is still some small hope. The next 50 games or so will determine that hope. But regardless, I will be here as a fan. And I will love watching AK and Larnach establishing themselves and others who may make their appearance. I don't think the 2021 Twins are done just yet. They ARE playing better as of late. They might even challenge for contention. Especially if they could actually get healthy. Pipe dream? Maybe, But we all know baseball is also a reflection of life. There is always tomorrow. The Twins have more than a few potential tomorrow wins in front of them. And IF they can't capitalize, I will love watching the young talent on hand and that will come up the second half. But this team isn't done yet.

Glad I could join late and make it amazing. LOL JK!

When you are vastly experienced in life, can't you do both?

Well, you should know Chief. LOL But it's courtesy of my pastor trying to be funny. LOL

Agreed. Doesn't have to be Refsnyder directly, but a RH version of Cave is what is needed. And no insult to Cave. But AK, Larnach and Kepler aren't going anywhere.

Found a couple Viagra pills that fell out of Chief's pocket, Got "up" for the game despite being tired,

Maybe. But injuries DO happen for everyone. Part of the beautiful, never ending story that is baseball, is wonderful stories like this that happen.

RefDog does it again! And I will forgive him for ruining the timing of my "dad joke".

Dad joke time! How many tickles does it take to "get" to an octapuss? That's right, "tentacles"! LOL

Strange question, but has ANY batter ever used Billy Squier's song "The Stroke" as their warm-up song? If not, I'm willing to start a petition for a Twin, maybe Kirilloff, to adopt it.

Content with victory in life wherever I can find it.

You don't try to quantify it. You just enjoy your team winning and suddenly playing better. It's kinda like drinking Busch Lite vs drinking Stella. You could have just spent a little more for better...but...it's cold and does the job.

LMAO! Tired and blew my energy reserve with a couple posts before sneaking in. I will endeavor to do better! Berrios struggled some but can't argue with the results. He batt,led! That's what a good pitcher does. Can't believe Refsnyder has been playing a solid CF and actually hitting and producing, Enjoy your time in the sun my man! Keep it up! Better?

If there is such a thing as unheralded MVP for a month, can I nominate Refsnyder?

Hello gang, late arrival just enjoying the game and finally have a few moments to sit down and enjoy the rest of a Twins win.

First of all thank you for updates like this, and thanks to all the milb game writers. The milb updates are a true joy for those of us who pay such close attention to the system, in my case since the early 80's. Really missed this in 2020. What still confounds me is the late start to the 2021 season after the washout of 2020. These kids already missed so much time and the late start to the season handcuffs the Twins, and everyone else, when it comes to promotions. There is nothing to be done about late starts due to injury such as in the cases of Duran, Balazovic, Vallimont, etc. But what about guys like Miranda, Wisler and Canterino, for example. If they continue to progress as expected and hoped for. A few extra weeks delay also delays their potential promotions, and delays possible ML appearances. Think about the Twins injury depleted OF. Refsnyder has been, at least, a temporary godsend. And he should be applauded. But what if he crashes and burns soon? What if there is another injury? Celestino got off to a slow start and Whitefield got off to a tremendous and surprising start. What if the Twins have to drop down to AA for legitimate CF help? Would a few more weeks make a huge difference? Perhaps not. But it COULD provide more confidence in promotion for the Twins, but also greater confidence for the player themselves. I may be splitting too many hairs here and I'll admit that. But after losing a full season of development time, I think MLB did a dis-service to the teams and the players with their delayed start and shortened season.

Just a few thoughts, in reverse order. 4] Not going to happen 3] I just don't think the Twins will trade Buxton or Berrios at this time. They want to keep both, if possible. I think their value, IF traded, would be best in the off-season. Not sure anyone would take on Donaldson's contract, and that's not a knock on him. 2] If the Twins hit July at .500 or really close, have continued to play better and get a run of decent health and the division of a possible WC don't appear as pure fantasy, I could absolutely see a RP added with a 2nd year available and said role player, probably a spare OF. 1] I can absolutely see expiring deals being moved. But I don't see a fire sale. No point in that, IMO. Happ and Shoemaker would seem obvious with Dobnak in the rotation and an open spot for Ober, Duran, etc to audition. Gut feeling is they'd keep Pineda and are looking to re-sign him and that he'd like to stay. Despite the disappointing performances in this season's pen, I think the Twins like their ability to build a pen. And there are arms coming up and FA next year, so Robles and Colome MIGHT provide value at that point. I'm not sure about Cruz. He gets right again and the Twins appear to have little chance, it might be doing him a solid to go to a team on a run. It would allow for more AB to the likes of Kirilloff and Larnach, etc. But if the offers were only a bag of balls, maybe they keep him to keep fan interest.

Going to echo a few other opinions and say I buy....or at least don't go on a selling rampage...if the team is healthier and playing better and crawls up to .500 IF the top of the division, whoever that may be, hasn't run away with it. Not being able to make a Wild Card and having little to no shot to win the ALC would make staying pay a fools errand.

I don't want to trumpet Cano as any bullpen savior, but to be fair, he was seen as a fast riser when signed. A lost season shouldn't affect any trajectory as to what he could be. I would dare to say his reports at signjng and limited time and projection and performance would say his floor is a solid middle man and a potential set-up guy. Anything more than that is gravy. But age, stuff and numbers and experience indicate he should be a pretty quick promotion to AAA. From there, we will see. But he clearly has arm talent. It's the reason he was signed in the first place. Selfishly, I WANT Chalmers to stay in the rotation. I WANT better control...which he has flashed at times...and a 3rd pitch that is at least decent to remain a SP. But I think we've all known for a while now that his projection is a RP. Now, he still needs to work on control, but being a little wild as a RP is not a killer with big SO numbers and poor contact. Some kind of 3rd pitch is still beneficial and I hope he can still find/maintain at least a decent offering there. But his projection is floor as a solid arm to ceiling as quality set-up to potential closer. It's up to him, but he was a great flier no matter what. Hackimer follows a great tradition of ML and Twins RP who throw side-arm, or lower, who produce and flash. So very few have had great or long careers. I hope he defies the odds. He has to be able to throw 90+ consistently with control and also have a couple other pitches. He doesn't have to throw mid 90's due to deception and arm angle. But arm angle alone doesn't do it. He needs to "drop in" breaking stuff and change of speed to be anything other than another milb arm.

I was honestly a little surprised that Wells and Badoo were selected considering Wells basically missing 2yrs and Badoo so young and having played at such a low level. Even still, I had thought/hope that either or both would be returned. Unfortunately for the Twins, they were selected by re-building teams that appear determined to keep both regardless of performance in order to keep both players. I wish them both the very best. Unfortunately, you can't protect everyone.

1] I agree with Smalley that that was one of the best 4R rookie performances I've seen. Ober wasn't great in any way. But I saw a decent FB and off speed stuff with movement that kind of surprised me. Almost looked his stuff moved too much. Over amped? Unfortunately his change betrayed him a couple of times. I do think he got squeezed a couple of times. I am NOT an Ober hater, but I actually expected the worst tonight. I say that despite AMAZING milb numbers and being a seemingly intelligent kid, but despite his numbers, he has so few milb IP in his professional portfolio. But the FO has liked enough of what they have seen and at least some projectability to put him on the 40 man. I'm not sure his future value other than a 4th or 5th SP, with time and better control, especially his change after what I saw tonight. And I love that his velocity has crept in to the 90's to go along with control and deception. Really surprised how fast he's been promoted with limited time. A little more control...mmmm...mjght be a solid back end SP. And that's not a slight. IMO, the Duffey pitch was lack of control or a slip on a dirty mound. LaRussa had already apologized to the Twins for the HR the night before. In the history of "retaliation" pitches, have you EVER seen one that was so wide and outside it was almost a wild pitch? Even IF it was an intentional pitch ,it was so crazy outside and unintentional in appearance that any removal from the game was BS IMO. But kuddos to Rocco to being kicked out for defending his team and pitcher. Maybe we need a little more of that. Maybe too little, too late, not his fault for everything that has transpired, but kudos for Sano to FINALLY find himself.