DocBauer

Even frustrated and disappointed if we are going to play any sort of "blame game"...which I'm not entirely sure is fair or accurate or productive...then I'm going to place a good 70-75% on the players at this point. Let's go ahead and use Polanco, Kepler and Sano as "targets" in this exercise since they've been brought up multiple times. Healthy, we've seen what these 3 are capable of. And they are young enough to still unlock another level of consistency, if not actual production. But let's just go ahead and say they are not as good as hoped for and not as good as what we've seen at times. We could even state the FO has over-valued their abilities. Not sure if that's true, but I'm working within an arguement of ability and performance as its being laid out here. Well then, each of these three examples have certainly been far better previously than they've shown in 2021 thus far. Can we at least agree on that? So did they just forget how to play to any "norms" they have displayed previously? Or is it the FO and Rocco's fault they simply forgot how to play? Sorry, but I have to put this mostly on the players at this point unless there is something nefarious and incompetent going on behind the scenes unknown to us after back to back wonderful seasons. And I am going to nudge "bad luck" higher than 1%. Injuries and covid has kept the team on the field from being the team expected. Players are human. They are used to routines. Being hurt, or I'll, or out because of "contact" disrupts their routine. A prepondance of day games to start the season also may have contributed somewhat to a loss of normal routine for everything from infield drills to batting practice to normal life and sleep patterns. Do I offer an excuse? Not at all. But if we're going to assign "blame" for things, then we also have to acknowledge all of these factors as well. Rocco and his staff have gotten a lot of praise for the previous two season's success. Deservedly so. And Baldelli has absolutely made a few early season moves that have confused me. But he suddenly lost the ability to manage, suddenly lost the team, suddenly became incompetent after the previous two years? Please. As to the FO, I am a big fan but not an apologist. There were a couple areas I think they got "too cute" or however you want to phrase it in their building of the roster. 1] I was OK with the Arraez move to super utility, betting on a healthy Polanco. It hasn't worked out yet, though Polanco has at least been better as of late. I think Astudillo has been fine, though extended a bit, and I really hoped for an "extra" veteran infielder. But really, this hasn't been an issue thus far. 2] I have faith in the future of Jeffers, but I didn't fully trust him for 2021 jumping from AA and wanted an inexpensive, decent LH hitting option for depth and competition. It didn't happen. I didn't want or expect the Twins to dip down for Rotvedt as an option this soon. Interesting that Garver is now looking much better of late playing more regularly. Co-incidence? Maybe. I like Jeffers a lot, as stated, but I would have had another option brought in. I don't think this has made or broken the season to this point. 3] Maeda has been mediocre/poor, largely, after a tremendous 2020 and an equally tremendous ST this year. And he's never pitched this poorly, to my knowledge, in his career. Berrios is throwing as hard and well and nasty as he ever has, despite suddenly suffering the dreaded "one inning" disease so far. Pineda has looked great. Happ has looked great even though he wasn't my first choice. He, and Shoemaker, were signed for 1yr with the idea of Thorpe, Dobnak and prospects being ready later, plus, the flexibility to replace them in 2022 via trade or FA as well. Shoemaker hasn't looked anything close to hoped for. But was he really a stupid/lousy and inexpensive flier as the 5th SP? 4] The bullpen is a mess. And were I the FO, I absolutely would have spent a couple $M more to keep May over signing Colome, despite inconsistency vs veteran performance. It was my one and only real disappointment. Would May have made a huge difference so far? Maybe. But did anyone really expect Colome to just implode the way he has considering his career and his outstanding 2020?? Duffey really found himself. There was every reason to believe Rogers would find himself again. (Mostly, he has). I thought Robles might easily be his previous 2020 self, and he's at least looked solid thus far. My concern was Thielbar, Stashak and others in middle relief. Even losing May, it was the front end of the pen I was most worried about. But there was potential there, and it appeared they had some depth options to turn to. So I was concerned, but not worried. Instead, we had a late start to AAA and no idea who is ready to promote. Every single bullpen arm has been poor or inconsistent. Did I believe too much in the Twins ability to build a pen? Did they fool themselves in to believing the same? So far, this appears to be the case. But, honestly, who might they have kept...other than May...or signed who would have made a difference? 20/20 hindsight is great but BS. I wanted to spend a few more $M here and there, but the pen has been the biggest part of the team that has struggled. But who could they have signed that would truly have made a difference? Did the FO and Johnson just become incompetent? Or did things just not work out as expected? Sometimes, things just don't work out as expected. But at some point, the players also have to produce. You can't have bases loaded and no outs and not bring in a single run. At some point, you can't score more than a dozen runs after the 5th inning. (I may be exaggerating, but it sure seems like that to me). I'm still putting this mostly on a team that should be much better, but the players on the roster simply aren't playing to their abilities.

I expect no miracles but I wouldn't be surprised if he adjusts quickly. While I've seen very little of him, what I have seen...and read...he seems to have a good swing and good approach. He definitely seems to have a good head on his shoulders. And the power/potential is real. No need for Rooker at this point. He needs to play and work on his defense. Also, Garlick is back. Cave has looked better as of late, more like the performers have seen previously. I wish the roster had an extra spot available for Broxton to play some CF as well against LH. But we'll have to get the best we can from Cave and Kepler in CF for now. Sure would be a good time for Saboto find a groove. Congrats to Larnach!!

Forgetting the fact he was supposed to be picked a round later than he was, it seems the FO not only liked him but felt he might not be available when they selected next. All reports say speed, size, strength, etc. Mediocre pass blocking skills, but what else would you expect for most rookies? (Exactly the player I wanted a round later, FWIW). He was never used as a receiver at Iowa State, but being trusted as a return man, I'd like to think his hands are decent and he could learn to be an option. But he was drafted as a dangerous KR and 3rd string RB who can EXPLODE if given a hole to run through. In other words, he's a more flash and dangerous version of Boone. Combined with the underrated Abdullah, isn't this at least interesting? But he is absolutely a RB.

Any and all of these 4 could, potentially, help and make a difference. Everyone drops down a notch in pecking order and maybe even relieves some pressure. I'm not crazy about making a trade this early as I'm worried about the cost. But then again, not sure any of these teams really expect to do anything in 2021. But might they want to wait until mid-season to better "auction" off their arm? Again, the cost concerns me. On the other hand, desperate times. And this team is too good to do nothing. Further, the system is deep and talented enough to trade away a couple quality prospects in the 20--40 range, maybe 10-40 area, to make a move. I'd do this tomorrow if we could and the value is there. No names because every prospect list is subjective, but let's say a #18 and a #26 prospect. Two quality young prospects from a good system to a re-building team that needs talent. Is that close? Can we keep the top 15 intact? If so, some sort of precedent has been set. I would then consider a second trade based on that precedent for a second acquisition, whether it's another one of these options or a solid middle/set up option from someone. Desperate times. Do 4 of the top 30/40 prospects in the system, keeping the top 15 intact, bring in a couple solid arms in May?

My frustration has turned in to borderline depression at this point in regard to the pen. But I'm also shocked by what has happened. And I don't know that I have any answers/remedies to offer up. But I do think we need to examine/realize a few points. And yes, some of this is just my opinion. 1] The ridiculous move to delay the start of milb means that some of the guys we might bring up and "try" are just getting started. And the taxi squad and alternate site is not a direct substitute for actually playing real games. So, unfortunately, this option might be weeks away. 2] I'm OK with the Greene idea, but, he's unsigned for a reason. He might do well. Why not take a shot. You might get lucky. But he's no savior. 3] As someone else pointed out already, it's just CRAZY that EVERYONE has struggled AT ONCE. How does that happen? If you want a silver lining, then surely the law of averages would see a couple of these guys begin to settle in. 4] I like the idea of making an early season trade to a non-contending team. And there are some interesting options presented in a different thread. But it is unusual to see that happen this early. Desperate times? And this last one I feel really strong about. 5] Exactly how did the FO blow the off-season in regard to the original intent for the pen? Now look you can't predict injuries OR poor performance, but as has already been pointed out, some of the guys NOT signed are already injured and out. How would they have helped us now? Robles was coming off a horrible year, but had his best year in 2019 and a few really good seasons before that. (I'm encouraged by Robles). Colome has been very consistent and coming off his best year ever and is only 31yr old and not some sudden loss of velocity aged veteran. Did ANYONE see him being this bad? Duffey might have been our best arm in 2020. Roger's stuff is there and looks better than last year. But the control or consistency or SOMETHING still isn't right. My biggest concern was the middle part of the pen, Thielbar and Stashak, for different reasons. But hey, you can dip in to your pool for another middle guy or two of you need to, right? Would we really be better with Romo, the injured Clippard or Rosenthal and whoever? And please don't tell me Hendricks. His contract is nuts and I think even LA and NY teams were shocked by his deal. Notice they didn't make similar offers? This goes beyond stinking to the point of suckage. And I am not an optomist for a sudden turn around, even though I am generally optimistic by nature. This is NOT going to be an easy fix. There is no young fireballer waiting to be promoted after a few good weeks to start the year. Go ahead and sign Greene and get him ready if the deal makes sense. But he won't be ready for a few weeks. Work the phones and try to make a deal if you can that isn't nuts. There are at least a few arms who have been at the alternate site who have at least been throwing consistently. Can Colome have an injury? BUT, unfortunately, what you are STUCK with for right now is trying to figure out how to right the arms you have. This is not the FO blowing anything. This is, crazy, everyone just being off and pitching poorly all at once.

Really looking forward to it! I'm excited! I only wish the link to preview the new site had worked so I could have sneak-peaked it. My tablet didn't like it for some reason. Absolutely love the idea of this fantastic site growing!

The thing that has always puzzled me about Rotvedt is we have seen slow starts followed by better splashes of offense. We've heard about good AB and solid approach and a decent eye and pop/power potential. But the overall numbers say mediocre offensive potential. Is it just me, or hope, that just seems to think he's been promoted based on his defense and his offense is about a year behind every step of the way? That's how I've seen him for the last few seasons. DECENT hitting potential with pop/power potential but needing his offense to catch up to his defense. Am I wrong? From ALL milb reports and scouting reports and the few times I've watched him in ST games and his brief ML appearance, he appears to be a well built athlete with power and a decent eye. Does that translate to being a decent hitter at the ML level EVENTUALLY? Maybe. Hopefully. I'd like to think, at worst, he could be a great defensive catcher who could hit in the. 230 range with power. And there is value in that. And I don't expect miracles, but is there enough potential over the next couple of years for him to at least provide contact and decdnt OB? Kid has a lot of potential, whether it be a solid back-up catcher or stud back-up catcher.

Hey Dan, love your analysis and agree with you just about everywhere. But think we are going to differs little bit here and there. Not saying either of us are right or wrong, time will tell, just saying we differ a bit on initial thoughts. Surratt: I'm going to admit he wasn't a guy I knew about, or checked out, until AFTER his selection. He was a fast-riser who some saw as early as a potential 2nd rounder. Why? Athleticism and projectability. The game is so built these days on speed and that athletic potential that he has that Andre David kind of "potential". Only 2yrs at LB and real potential, I'm higher on him than you after watching tape and reading about him. Jones/Robinson: Basically agree with your grades. I like Jones better because of what he's done. But FL State still gets athletes, though they haven't done much with them lately. No clue how good Robinson could be, potentially, but he's an awfully talented prospect to grab where they did to work with and develop. I think both these kids got the Patterson "seal of approval" for kids he wants to work with. Bynum: Maybe I'm just an optimist, and safety depth looked deep and there were guys I really liked, but I'm going to trust Zimmer on this pick. I love an experienced, intelligent, team captain CB being selected to play safety. I can't help but feel this kid is a young Newman-like player Zim wants to transition to safety early. I'm encouraged. **aside: I keep seeing Zimmer and his staff looking at the SAFETY portion of the board and just nodding to one another and nodding in agreement and picking Bynum over the other safeties on the board and making the pick. ISM: I think they got "cute" here and may have made a mistake. Look, I think WR is one of the hardest positions to predict. I think history has born this out. Recent Vikings history supports this, not to mention the NFL at large. There were guys available here I liked better. Period. But there is no doubt this kid has quickness, speed and even some "jumps" to be developed after coming out of a conservative offense. But I've watched his play enough over the past couple of years to give him a solid "C" at this point. He has to develop his routes and route tree better to be anything special, much less good, but there is something to build on. IF he was drafted only with ST ability in mind, it was a bad pick. Nwangwu: Not sure I fully get this pick, but it's not an "F" for me. Every report had him picked a round later. Obviously the Vikings felt he could help and were worried he might not be available if they waited. As a ST player, not sure you could do much better, draft wise. I WANTED them to draft a speedy RB to work with as a ST'er to be a quality #3/4 RB who could bring something different to the offense when used. He produced as a reserve behind a quality starting RB. He produced as a KR on ST. He has a physical build and amazing speed. He has "dangerous" potential when used right and developed. Sorry, no way can I can grade him an "F" based on potential and ability. He's at least a "C" for me on potential. Just my thoughts.

Haven't seen any video as to his punting. Nice to know be can. Vikes don't suck at TE with their top two. They obviously like Dillon after 2yrs of development. I like what I've seen too. And this kid is in no way ready to play NFL football from 2 levels down and missing last season entirely. But MAN he looks like a kid you want to develop for a year!

I think Spielman and the Vikings had a very good draft last season. I think they may have done just as well, if not better, here with fewer picks. First kudos to Spielman for making a smart gamble to trade down in round 1. Kudos also for not getting "cute" and trading up and down for the sake of doing so. The team needed talented bodies and he knew, and announced, that there was a "sweet spot" of player depth in the 3rd and 4th rounds and kept the Vikings there. I DO think the trade down shouldn't have included the 4th round pick, OR, should have come with a bonus 6th rounder, but I'm not going to quibble. Being an expert at being an amateur GM, I would have done a few things differently, but I just can't argue with these results. BREAKDOWN: #1] Darrisaw is primed to be a STUD LT for years. He has everything you want and need, despite being a rookie who will still need to develop. Cleveland should now play LG, where he SHOULD HAVE BEEN last year. #2] How good could Mond be? I don't know. The jury is out. And it will be out for a couple of years. He is talented, experienced, and has improved his game/numbers every year. If he never develops in to a quality stud starting QB, he is ALREADY the best backup option we've had in years. And there IS potential there. #3] I confess I knew ZERO about Surratt, despite by normal pre-draft routine, until this pick. And then I dug and read and watched and was reminded how smarter the professionals are then me. He is a 2yr LB convert who displays speed, athleticism, pop and power and instincts combined with PRODUCTION. Everything says he is only beginning to tap in to his potential. And he gets at least a year to further his development. I have become a quick convert of "who" to "wow". #4] Davis, I hope, will be 100% healthy and ready to go. He should start at RG day 1 unless something holds him back. Guy is a STUD and probably would have been a 2nd round pick coming off 2019. #5] Jones and Robinson are EXACTLY what the Vikings are looking for at DE. They are both long, athletic and have decent speed/quickness to be developed over the next year or two, along with Wonnum and maybe a healthy Willekes, not a bad athlete at all but who may need a practice squad year after missing last season. #5] The Vikingsm I hoped, would draft a reserve RB with speed and ST ability, they did that with Kene Nwangu from Iowa State. Not sure this would be my guy or the round, but productive as a reserve RB with a nice build and TREMENDOUS speed and crazy KO return numbers. He's replacing a decent #3 RB of similar frame, but nowhere close to the same speed, who was also a "time share" RB in college. It's hard to find this kind of speed and potential on the FA market. We might have drafted him a round too early. But I'm not going to complain. #6] This draft class was filled with solid safety options, though nobody really special. While I would have liked a "proven" safety from that group of prospects, Spielman, the scouts, and Zimmer saw Bynum as better than the other options. His ability to play CB, his intelligence and experience and Zimmer's perspective? I'm giving this one to the staff. #7] WR Smith-marquette, this is the one pick where I think the Vikings got "too cute" with a pick. Kid has great speed and quickness. Despite playing in a deliberate and run heavy offense, he was a dynamic threat. Being a Husker fan, I've seen, unfortunately, what he can do on the field when given a chance. His production numbers don't suck. He is an ATHLETE with quickness and speed. He has potential with good coaching in an NFL offense to grow. They liked what they saw on film last year scouting Stanley. I just woukd have gone a different direction. Hopefully I will be proven wrong. #8] When the Vikings drafted Conklin a couple years ago I thought they had a really nice developmental project. When I saw glimpses in the 2019 preseason I knew it was true. Really disappointed he wasn't used that year. But they FINALLY began to use him in 2020. And they OBVIOUSLY like small school Dillon. And if you've seen his limited action you can see why. The Vikings have a history through various staffs and FO, of finding and developing quality TE. This Davidson kid in the 5th round is an absolute flier who has no business being on a 2021 roster. But this kid is also 6' 7" and runs a 4.6 40 with great hands and is a former basketball player. He DOMINATED division 2 with his ability and over 20 yards per catch as a TE. Tell me another 5th round or later TE you'd like to see on the PS to get quality coaching and bulk up about 10lbs while learning to run routes better and sink your hips better to block? Whew! A lot to ask! But I've seen the numbers and watched the tape and this COULD be a steal with some work. Sorry, I LOVE the TE position and always have. But in the modern day NFL, how do you find stud TE unless you look for them and develop them? #9] Despite this draft being a "down" year, reportedly for DT, did the Vikings maybe get the steal of the draft in Jaylen Layman? OK, maybe he's not quite as tall or long as you'd like, but his production and ability and projection had him as at least a 2nd rounder if he came out last year. But he opted out for 2020 and then had an overweight and poor pro day prior to this draft. So he slides to the 6th round despite his talent and previous production and prospectus? This could be the best pick the Vikings made. With a year to learn and get himself in shape, much less developing under Patterson, we COULD have a 3 technique DT we need, though he has to fight Lynch and Watts. Other than drafting a backup RB/ST and similar WR too high, maybe, how can you not love the potential of this draft? Spielan pretty much hit every mark.

Used to be AAA was the final stop for prospects. Not so much any longer. Now it's an even greater mix of final step, a step-down for a re-fresher, and a collection of guys for depth. This looks like a very good and complete roster that accomplishes all of that. With a little good fortune and development, that staff is going to have some really nice promotion prospects by mjd season. Really hoping Riddle and Lin pass through and make it to St Paul. I think Blankenhorn's bat will end up playing at the ML level, at least in a complimentary role. He may be a big kid, but he's an excellent athlete. The question remains, can he translate his athleticism to being more solid/dependable with his glove? I feel really bad for Gordon. The kid has been a victim of injury and illness his whole career. He had a couple really bad bouts of an intestinal/gastric condition that hindered starts to a pair of seasons before reportedly getting it under control. Then, he gets injured in 2019 when he might have been having his best season and was bypassed by Arraez for promotion. NEXT, he has an aggressive covid situation that not only causes him to miss the 2020 reserve/taxi squad opportunity, but causes him to lose over 20lbs. And this from a kid you would love to add 10-15lbs to his frame! The FO has been amazingly "indulgent" with keeping him on the 40 man why? He has no ties to them. But they see an athletic young man who still has potential to fill a role if he can just be healthy, add some muscle to his frame, and get to play. The best thing that could happen to him is to play daily at St Paul, get a second helping of good food daily to add some weight/muscle/strength, and get ready for 2022. I mean, if he can't stick at SS, maybe he can at least cover it. Did you watch him in ST and see how his uniform hung on him? Give him 2021 to see if you have something after all.

Any additional information on Laweyson's injury or Rijo's temporary inactive status? I thought Rijo had at least a decent chance to start at AA this year.

I know I stated previously I'm over the ages of some guys, but it is becoming glaringly obvious that advancing prospects for EVERY organization...whether they become stars, fixtures or role players...will be making their debuts a good year to year plus later than they probably would have originally due to the lost 2020 season. Catcher and infield look a little light to me here. A little surprised Kerrigan isn't at AAA. That 4 man IL looks ugly. We know Lewis is out for the year, but really hope the others are healthy and ready to go soon, especially Balazovic and Valimont.

With further thought and reflection, I'm over the ages of some of these guys, though I TRY not to focus on that aspect. Losing an entire season even with taxi/reserve units and the fall development period, every team is undoubtedly looking at rosters that are about a year older than normal...average age...simply because you have to plug your prospects in SOMEWHERE that makes sense to begin the year. Without getting to AA yet, I am a little surprised to see Enlow and Canterino at high A. I'm guessing not for long for either of them. I hope the injury to Chris Williams is minor. Through no fault of his own he's a little long in the tooth after being a college senior draftee and then missing a season. IIRC, a shoulder injury in college had him debuting at 1B with the Twins before transitioning back to catcher in 2019.

Thanks Seth! I'm starting my read at low A because it feels natural to do so. Just so damn excited to have milb again and be able to follow the system! I know/recognize the position players more than the pitchers. I think that's undoubtedly due to the layoff and several of the pitchers only getting brief work in 2019. My only "concern" here is age. It feels like there are a lot of 22-24yo guys here, which seems a bit older than expected for low A. But again, I would expect the missed 2020 season has a lot to do with that.

Sorry, I'm very confused by this OP. Where did I miss that Polanco has always been a better LH hitter before his knee injury, but not fixed the first time before supposedly being fixed the second time before this season. He was practically staggering at tbe plate in 2020 because his knee was so bad. He lost all power and ability to barrell up. Reportedly, the knee is good now. Early struggles not withstanding...getting stroke and timing back...he's healthy and ready to go. At this point, unless there is something going on we don't know about, it's all about confidence and approach and getting his stroke back. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn t he always been better from the LH side of the plate?

The baseball gods are fickle, but they aren't without mercy. We have all seen many pitchers and players struggle with performance and injury in their early years before health and experience and physical/ mental maturity take hold things just begin to "click". This may be Byron's time. Finally! It may also be Berrios's time. Good and bad for the Twins to find some way to keep both.

The best thing about this game is the Twins looked like the Twins we expected to see in 2021. And I don't mean 6HR in one game on a consistent basis. That's just nuts. But a quality start, a pen that did the job, no errors, (or at least no egregious errors), hits and RBI and power and contributions throughout the lineup. The reality is Cave and Astudillo should be nice bench pieces. But injury and covid have had these guys in the lineup almost daily since the season began. That's just not the way it was drawn up originally. Much less Blankenhorn and Riddle and others being pressed in to action. Cave has stunk so far offensively, but has shown some recent "life" with his bat. Astudillo has been solid so far and actually better than I projected. But for a day, we saw the Twins play the way they were built and supposed to play. Garver even looked more like Garver today. Question is, can THE TEAM be happy and feel some weight removed off their backs and get ready for a return home and start to play to their potential? For whatever reason the Twins have been even worse at home so far. Bad mojo from 2 great seasons humbling them before the baseball gods or bad choice of socks, who knows. But April is almost done, May is nearly here, and injuries and covid IL are days away from having the roster at full strength. Perspective moment: Did ANYONE see the Royals leading the ALC a month in? Did ANYONE see the Red Sox leading the ALE a month in? Did ANYONE see the A's leading the ALW a month in? The answers are no, no and maybe. Despite some BAD play, our Twins ran in to Oakland and Boston HOT. The Royals have some talent and some talent on the way. But does ANYONE see sustainability? The answer is no. Things WILL settle down to reality over the next few weeks/months. But the Twins can't just lie in the weeds for too long or they will bet burried. I thought the Royals had enough to fight for a .500 record or slightly better depending on what Cleveland did. But I NEVER thought I'd say a late April/ early May tilt with the Royals could be crucial. But here we are. And it's not really about the Royals...who WILL regress...but more about the 2nd place Dirty Sox. The Twins need to embrace today and a return home and the change of the calender. They need to embrace fans, home, the moment, and a chance to just "perform to their abaility" and not let things slip away. The Royals always play us tough, even when down. The Twins NEED to win 2 if not sweep. It would make a real statement! Then work at taking 3 from Texas, if not a hopeful sweep. 5-2 or a hopeful 6-1 does a lot to right the ship and get us back on course. The pressure is ON. Let's hope the Rocco clubhouse talk and today's game motivates everyone to crank it up another notch.

Quoting you because I like what you said, but also because it allows me to make a couple general comments. #1) I wanted Oddo and was strong for another couple of guys for multiple years. But I was and am happy with Happ for 1yr. And I think the 1yr was intentional for future flexibility including room for a handful of really nice arms on the way. Despite a late start, I've been impressed with Happ at this point. And he should be even more consistently solid as he builds up. #2) Not worried about Maeda long term because he's just been too good previously, even with regression from 2020. And he had an amazing ST. Is he a victim of EVERYONE pressing and starting slow? Has weather and a weird early schedule affected him? I just believe he's about ready to right himself. Shoemaker, healthy, has been pretty damn good. He's healthy now. He's looked good at times so far this season. But he sure hasn't looked like his previous self so far. Again, is he a victim of a ridiculously weird slow start for the majority of this team so far? Will he remain healthy and find himself soon? Is he just trying to find a "groove" again? I'm not betting against him doing so. But if he just can't find his old self, the good news is we have Dobnak and Thorpe ready to take that 5th spot when/if available. #3) I am going to disagree with the semantics of your description of Buxton being the player, finally, that we've all been waiting for. He was SUPPOSED to be a good hit speedster with pop who could table set. But I absolutely agree he may be better than what was expected. Much like Puckett all those years ago, he has morphed in to a dangerous power/RBI hitter with speed...way more speed than a young Puck or about anyone else...instead of the projected leadoff hitter we expected. And that's a good thing! Great post bighat!

He COULD easily be a major cog for years to come. He COULD be a major factor yet this season, probably in the second half, maybe late. But he has to keep using that nasty slider, as already pointed out, and he has to find better control/consistency. He's young and relatively inexperienced. He's been handled with kid gloves to a degree thus far, and that's not a shot. It's what you do with a young pitcher to gain experience and confidence. His future is bright. But he needs time. Now, nudging him in to higher leverage roles might not be a bad idea, especially considering the state of the pen at this point.

I have NO EXPLANATION, much less ANY answers as to how and why this team's record is virtually flipped from what was expected or projected. Not just from me, or us as fans, but from the press and purported experts. NOTHING has really gone right past the first week from injuries to covid to unexpectedly poor performance. And while I enjoyed the OP and the various perspectives, at some point a talented and pretty deep team HAS TO PERFORM even to "normal" standards/expectations, forgetting anyone having a great season. Knee jerk reactions certainly aren't the answer, or warranted. And I'm as disappointed as anyone! The FO and Rocco didn't just become incompetent overnight, despite a few real questionable calls from Rocco here and there. Johnson didn't just become a bad coach. The available talent, ability, proven past production and potential off the players on this team just didn't disappear in a snap, despite the poor results we've seen. For whatever reason, all but a few players seem to have begun the season in simultaneous slumps. Is it a fluke? Is the roster just a bad recipe of ingredients that don't work together? I'm not trying to be an inexcusable optomist, and at some time changes via trade or promotion will probably have to take place for a jump start and new "recipe" mix, but the best thing that could happen RIGHT NOW is for everyone to be healthy and back and for the calender to flip to May. I know that sounds ridiculously simple, but how many of us at work, or in life, have just had a bad month. And when the next month started, we just took a deep mental/emotional breath and everything just started to go and work better with a feeling of a fresh start? This team needs to get healthy and start the next month with a new attitude. From there, the FO needs to start being aggressive with moves/changes.

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.

IMO, the Vikings knew/know last year and now they are in a re-tool mode with enough talent to still compete. Because of that, even with the salary cap potentially jumping as high as $200M-ish in 2022, the team didn't want to give up too much $ and too many draft choices for 1 player, even a good one, with holes to fill and a need for additional depth and future starters at different areas. In other words, they may need to re-work Hunter, Smith isn't getting younger, Barr may be gone, Peterson and Alexander are signed to 1yr deals, etc. Now, we can debate all day long which is the right path to take, but I think that's the reasoning for not making the trade. In regard to the draft itself, I still maintain how they view Cleveland has a lot to do with the 1st round. There is a very, very good reason to draft a DE at 1, and there are 5 guys who could project in the 1st round. However, you have one of the best DL coaches around and a number of long, talented, athletic edge guys available later that could be excellent players very soon. And IF the Vikings LIKE Cleveland at LT...the position he was drafted for...there is a LOT of G depth to draft after the 1st round. My HOPE is that the draft will unfold in such a way that the Vikings can trade down a few spots and gain a 2nd rounder...maybe with a later round 2021/2022 pick to sweeten the deal, or maybe even another 3rd rounder without a sweetener. Rumors are the Vikings want to trade down. I think these are factual rumors if the 1st round plays out right. Assuming a trade down happens, the Vikings can go the DE route...you know the names... and pick up a couple really nice G options the next couple of rounds. Assuming they are smart enough to grab a couple good guys that fit their system. And this means they believe in Cleveland at LT. Based on virtually every mock draft and prospect rankings, the Vikings can still grab a top OT even if they trade down a few spots. Leatherwood, from Alabama, is an All American and Lombardi winner who came in to the season as one of the top 2 OL in the entire draft. Suddenly he's a forgotten man, which is crazy to me. I'd even be happy if we stayed at 14 and picked him. Trade down if you can, IMO. This draft is very deep at many positions. Grab the very best OL or DE you can at #1, and then draft best player available by team need from that point on. 1st round pick STILL comes down, IMO, to how and where they see Cleveland.

I tend to agree with Brock that Garver not hitting, especially on fastballs, is just weird. I am not going to argue his defense at the moment. And while I offer no excuses for his poor start to 2021, I've tended to give a pass to anyone...on the Twins or any team...for 2020, especially if injury was involved. Players get in grooves. Players have routines and rhythms to their approach. Despite a normal ST, are we seeing guys have a difficult time finding said grooves and rhythms coming off a strange season? Almost as if a player, Garver and anyone else, was coming off an injury. (Garver actually is in this case). But regarding Garver specifically, he was an excellent hitter in college. He was a good to excellent hitter throughout his milb career. He was more than competent in 2018, his first full season. He was amazing in 2019 at an unsustainable pace. Then 2020 happened, with injury. At 30yr old, I find it virtually impossible that Garver has simply "lost it" already. No question he is out of whack. His timing is off, I'm not smart enough or informed enough, to know about his approach. I would venture a good guess his confidence is down. Work and playing are the only ways to find himself again. There is no AAA to play at right now, IF the Twins wanted to try that option. I have no answers. But for a guy who has had a good/great bat his entire career I just dont beljeve he is washed up at 30, IMO.

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.