DocBauer

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.

I've kind of stayed out of this loop for a while deliberately to see what would happen. And I won't even pretend to understand the complexities of the NFL salary cap..,which will probably jumpy to $200M next year...but it was my understanding that despite some "dead cap" $ involved with players let go, that most all of the re-negotated salaries in place included a lot of various signing bonuses and such that don't count towards the cap. Please tell me if I'm wrong. But it sure sounds like a lot of off the NFL salary cap books being paid out by the Wilf's to me. But there is also a reason why Bryzinski is an assistant GM and very well paid and in demand. Simply, he may be the smartest person in the league when it comes to actually understanding the league and how it's structure works. BUT, in regards to FA, I have a few opinions. 1] Losing Reif could hurt badly. But did they have a choice? Maybe. The entire roster needed various help and the reduced cap necessitated moves of some sort. It did for most teams. The Vikings "trusted" in new funds for defensive improvement. Will they prove to be right? Only time will tell. 2] On the surface, every defensive player signed is an improvement. Or at least a quality replacement with upside. Woods could be a nice S addition. Replacing Stephan is an improvement. Alexander never should have left. Now he's back. But he's a negative a year removed why? Weatherly should have never been allowed to leave as a nice rotation piece but he's back now as the same and a negative why? The answer is they should have found a way to keep Odenigbo AND bring Weatherly back. Rhodes stunk and then had a sort of re-emurgance with the Colts. But to some, signing Peterson is a mistake. You can't have it both ways. I think Peterson is signed for too much, but not that old at 31 and tons of experience, can you go wrong? Especially if he's ready to impart knowledge to the young CB room? Vigil is a so-so replacement option for Wilson...and Davis and Gedeon, for someone who plays defense 33% of the time. We're just better off signing Wilson back at this point. And he remains unsigned, unless I missed something. Bring him back now for next to nothing. Trading a 6th round pick for the young Mason Cole is not a bad move. And while not a FA move, I include him as an off-season move. Youth and potential to replace the solid but never used Jones is the ONLY reason to make this move. If Spielman has any other intention, then he just moved towards the "hot seat" as the GM. 3] I drifted a bit, but re-signing Dozier is either stupidly, or a cheap move for experienced depth you think can get better. Time will tell. 7 picks in the first 4 rounds is nothing to dismiss. And Spielan better get it right and just STOP grabbing a "gritty" kid and trust in athletic talent and his scouts and coaches. 1] Draft 2 high quality OL. Make up your mind who Cleveland is, G or T. Work around that. 2] Draft another talented DE and 3 DT with potential and trust in Patterson. Hell, trust in Patterson's choices! 3] Draft the best S you can find and trust in your staff to develop him. 4] There COULD BE a QB or 2 in the 3rd 4th round mix that has a lot of potential if allowed to sit and develop the next couple of seasons. Grab him if you really think he's there. Otherwise, just drop it and look for an athletic LB you can work with. 5] Assuming no steal at QB by now I may pass for 2021.With 3 picks left I look now at RB, TE, LB and potential 2nd dip at WR. The draft unfolds as it does. And guys you want get snaked away. And potential steals also can come your way. The Vikings are in a great position because they have enough talent right now to draft the best player available. But you can't just dismiss team need either. Spielman has had a couple pretty good recent drafts. His 2020 draft could be tremendous with a little more time. His 2021 Draft could define him.

So, the earth is still spinning at 1-1 and the Twins still have a chance. Right? Lol! Great win!! TREMENDOUS performance by Berrios and the BP! What a game!!

Let's hope it's not a hamstring

Perfume or cologne I don't care as long as he finishes this game off right. Like a rose, he will smell just as sweet. (Not talking the locker room, just to be clear)

Always wanted one. Problem is, I'd always want one in my size so I could wear it on certain occasions to completely geek out. But how would I post or take a rest break? That's where my dream ended, alas. Lol

100%. But, I would be forced to answer with Henderson.

NICE!! Great pitch!

Come on Duffer...be yourself!

Commercial wise, just happy for something different. Nice. Will undoubtedly be bored and frustrated in a few weeks.

Long answer trying to be short, he practices in the field and carries an OF/2B/1B glove. But his range is very limited and he just hasn't been in the field for years. Could he? Yes. But think Chilli Davis when pressed, or Willingham, or Thome at 3B at 40. He could do it. But you don't want to see him do it.

Man, if this kid could could ever learn to hit.....

ARRAEZ!!!!

Man, I love an opposite field singles hitter. (Wink)

Who is this Cruz guy?

Sorry, but 1st game of the season for Berrios and only game 2 and 160 more to go...Berrios was an ace tonight. CUE: Ash pulls out the Major League moment between Taylor and Vaughn aaannndd...GO!

Early vote for best post of the night?

Rogers looking really good so far

Beat me to it!! LOL

Man, I love football. But isn't the whole world just a better place during baseball season? Me waxing....

Not convinced just yet, but I'm starting to be a believer!

How can you not like someone named Byron??!! Not that I'm prejudiced or anything. Lol

BYRON!!!

No hitters or not only the 2nd game of the year. Have to think about pulling both starters don't you?