DocBauer

To be clear, like everyone I was enamored with Graterol's arm and his potential. Even as a power RP, he would have been nice to have around. There are 3 possible outcomes with Graterol: 1] He gets stretched out, eventually, and becomes a SP. 2] He fits better and stays in the bullpen. 3] Arm/shoulder injuries continue to flare up and he washes out. I doubt #3 happens. But with EITHER #1 or #2 happening, there is no guarantee how good he will be in either role. I wish him the best. But nobody KNOWS what his future holds, they can only speculate. But if you're going to acquire an addition for the club, you have to trade a talent to receive talent back. Holding on to some need or want to say "I told you so" 2 or 3 years from now still has no influence over improving the club for TODAY and a better shot at winning. Just kinda hate losing both the pick and Raley.

Please, no Take Three!

Mike has a valid point that ALL deals of this nature are ALWAYS pending medicals for everyone involved. (Deadline deals are different and often rushed through with the trading of reports). On the surface, they have done nothing wrong. But I agree with Carol, and others, that something isn't right when you look closer. His previous TJ is well documented and he is 100% recovered from that. His shoulder issue last season was frustrating, but not reported as anything long term. Kid was back at work and throwing bullets afterward. If Boston truly feels, now, that they overestimated his potential to stretch out to a starter, and they want the deal sweetened some, I could get it. But some sort of "we're not sure about him being a SP so we want another top 10 player IN ADDITION" just smells bad. If they had asked the Dodgers or Twins for an additional prospect in the 11-30 range, or similar, I think most of us could buy that, or at least go along with it. We've seen that in amended deals before. This smells of either incompetence, or regret and posturing to me.

Just a complete farce the way this was handled by Boston. Disappointed the trade didn't go through but happy to have Graterol back. Really unfair to the guy the way this was handled. Glad the Twins didn't give in and add more to the deal. Another top 10 prospect when technically the deal went through LA? Please!

Honestly, quoted you without remembering who you were speaking to directly, so forgive. Berrios declined an extension last year. OK. As of now he has not declined an extension this year. Maybe he will. "Reports" say talks are amicable and the arbitration process was not contentious. Reports also say talks are ongoing, while apart, which is why I'm not going nuts over this hearing. Maybe, maybe Berrios will follow the Bauer concept of betting on yourself yearly. Personally, I find that ridiculous in regard to guaranteed contracts, but whatever. Maybe, maybe Berrios is banking on being productive and healthy long enough to escape the whole arbitration and year to year process because he wants to escape Minnesota for a big market city. I also find that ridiculous because if I were his agent I'd be looking for at least a little security in case of injury, if nothing else. He is young, and part of a winning team, who has a wide open window. He's seen a few teammates lock up deals. He's seen the team be aggressive with recent contracts and additions to make the best team they can. They just made a major trade following a franchise record FA signing. Personally, I think he's smart enough to bet on himself and his future, while not being short-sighted enough to bet on "what if" tomorrow and is holding out for more but willing to sign. What that magic number is I don't know. Are we talking something like 5yrs and $1M per apart or $5M? None of us knows. But if talks are truly ongoing and cordial, then something will get done. And $3K+ will mean nothing. I feel this FO is smart enough to know what they have that they will be realistic but not be "cheap".

I'd really like to post this in about 3 different threads, but will probably just stick with this one. What really irks me is the way this is playing out not just for the organizations,and fans, but for the players themselves. I love baseball! I enjoy the NFL, but not as much as I used to, for various reasons, but that is a different discussion. In MLB, I do not take sides in regard to players vs owners. In the universe that is professional baseball, I side with minor league players, and changes I see as an absolute MUST. We're I an owner, I'd be looking at better treatment, conditions and salary for the lifeblood of my franchise. I would be mkre than willing to thumb my nose at other owners for how I did things because it's not only my franchise, but it's the minors, not MLB. But when it is the BIG STAGE, I don't take sides. I find it oddly curious when others do. We argue about billionaires vs millionaires. We argue about MLB players earning well over 500K per season, with additional perks, and arbitration numbers that go in to the millions. And then we harumph when owners when owners when "only" spend X number of millions. It's really kind of crazy when you step back and look at it all. FWIW, never thought an owner should be an owner if his ego and sense of fun didn't allow him to push the envelope. Otherwise, why own a team in the first place? Ken Rosenthal on MLNetwork commented, as others have, that thjs deal probably still goes through. So my rant may prove worthless. We all know enough to realize there are sometimes questions and delays. But this feels abnormal to me. Maybe it was early reporting? But I'm kind of siding on the retorts from the union on this one. Players are caught in the ceasefire. What if the Twins are dumped out of this? What do they do next? Does Graterol feel welcome comimg back? Is he offered up again in a different deal? The more I look at this, the more frustrated I get at how it has been handled, especially on the Boston end. I feel like some amateurs have been brought in to muck things up.

In my own mental handicapping, I've had him ranked lower. Admittedly unfair when I look at his age and reflect on his first half of last season. I see a projected 1st round selection with a major school scholarship offer and the best curveball in his draft class and I just expected/wanted more. Reading this report, his growth physically, increased velocity and better K numbers and I become optomostic. Fair or not, I'm waiting/hoping for a real breakout 2020 where we see dominance across the board before I feel comfortable putting him in the top 10.

This. The Twins don't dislike Graterol. He has a very talented arm with a huge potential future in front of him. And he's still very, very young. He might yet be a fine to great SP if nurtured a bit. But the FO brain trust sees him as a power BP arm. And that is still valuable, to the Twins or Boston. But the prospect cost to bring in a quality starting SP is not some low level flier, or a couple of them.

Absolutely. And I would do nothing to hold back his development. But surely he is the kind of player/prospect who will be in the lineup almost daily. Let him play all 3 spots and see where he settles in, I say. For various reasons, some guys are just better or more comfortable in LF vs RF. The foot placement and action at 1B is different than the OF to be sure. I just hope they don't restrict him too soon.

Addition: The one thing about Rooker I don't like us his position use. Milb is for player development. I just can't believe he was never used at 1B last year. Players do tend to gravitate to certain positions and settle in there. But he should be learning both corner spots and 1B for now. Look how much positional flexibility aided the Twins roster last year. In ST last year, the Twins even worked Raley in CF to see what he could do, even on an occasional basis.

Really wish we could combine this thread with the one I wrote a couple days ago. I concentrated on WAR of the past 4 rotation staffs and where they ranked in MLB and the AL each year. Really like the look at K%. Am also wondering now if we should also look closer at WHIP.

Well done! And I agree 100%. The rotation is as good, probably better, and has more depth. The pen also begins the season stronger and deeper than it began last year.

What I have always appreciated, and where I have found faith/hope with Rooker is he has shown the ability to make adjustments at every level. 2018, IIRC, he started rather abysmal at AA and then flipped a switch. He was OK in 2019 at Rochester and then the same thing happened before his injury. He may not mash immediately at the ML level when he gets a chance, but I believe he will make adjustments, as he's always done, and build from there.

Dyson had been pitching hurt, but pitching effectively. And he never informed anyone. The medical reports given to the Twins, reportedly, indicated no issues to be concerned about. It is also my understanding that in deadline deals, especially last minute ones, there is generally no physical involved, only traded medical reports by the teams.

Considering the early results we have seen from Wes Johnson, I wonder just how good Maeda might be if that FB could be tweaked a little bit.

I am about the last person you would ever accuse of being a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe this is, at least mostly, a power play by Boston to get something added to the deal whether that be player or additional $ savings. My hunch? As expected, the deal still goes through with the Dodgers giving in something small. I think they really want this to happen. Despite hopes and dreams of Graterol becoming a top of the rotation SP...and he could still be with some time and development...the Twins FO is having doubts about his long term viability there. Doesn't mean they don't like him, just that they believe the pen is his destination. I doubt Graterol's health is the hold up here. He was just fine after his shoulder impingement and there hasn't been so much as a whisper this off-season about any issues.

1] No knock on Miranda, and I know he's still really young, but I just sort of keep waiting for that breakthrough season. 2] Really unsure what the ceiling is for Sands, but how could anyone at this point. But could you ever have expected a better debut season? With a couple guys graduating from rookie status and another year this good, top 10 next year??? 3] Like most young pitchers, I have also read the 3rd pitch isn't there yet for Colina. Biggest knock I think I've heard is lack of height in regard to downward plane, etc. Guy can bring it. Really hoping the secondary stuff really settles in soon. 4] Blankenhorn has always reminded me of a great multi sport athlete who goes to college to play football and finally gets to concentrate fully on a single sport. Were that to be true, he would now be physically and mentally ready to make a big push in what would probably be his junior year. In other words, he started to make a move and is now ready to really show off.

There is 1 major difference between Chacin and Wisler, however. Despite a few poor and injury affected season's, Chacin has actually produced some solid seasons and OK career numbers while the younger Wisler remains an example of unfulfilled expectation. There are similarities between both of them, as well as vast differences. What they both have in common, IMO, is a need for some kind of successful FB. Whether you throw 90 or 100, you need some kind of FB to make everything work. Sneaky, heavy, tailing, rising, you still need some decent form of the pitch. That would seem to be Johnson's #1 priority/opportunity with both of these guys.

1] Musgrove and Alcantara might be my top 2 targets based on youth, projectability and availability. Miami and Pittsburgh aren't going anywhere soon. I'm not convinced on Boyd yet, plus there is the whole inter-divisional situation. 2] I fluctuate between Ray and Gray. But I absolutely don't like only 1yr guaranteed on Ray. 3] Boston absolutely has to perform some sort of rebuild/retool. Really not sure they will be ready to move Sale. And if they are, I want to feel confident he is on the rebound, even if that obviously means a higher cost to the Twins. Pretty much how I rank everyone at this time, leaving out Price and just really unsure about Archer. It's interesting to think about this mid-year scenario even before the season begins. And there are a whole of things that can and will change between now and then, not only for the Twins, but for other teams as well. But speaking ONLY about the Twins situation, as it unfolds: 1] What if Berrios, Odorizzi and Pineda pitch just as well as last season? For Berrios in particular, it's not just about improving, but carrying his numbers/ability through the entire season. 2] What if last season, especially his last couple of months, Bailey is 100% healthy finally, and his change in approach is not an iillusion? You might have a really nice and experienced back of the rotation arm. 3] I believe it was Thrylos who recently posted career comparisons between Gibson and Chacin and I was really surprised. What if previous seasons, especially 2017-18 are the real pitcher and he surprises in 2020 by being that guy again, or at least close to it? 4] What if Dobnak and Thorpe just keep getting better and better? 5] What if Hill isn't 100% ready to go until end of June or early July? Do we care? Wasn't he signed, really, to be a 1/2 season SP with the ability to perform well and even dominate for that 1/2 season? 6] Totally forgoing any 2nd half season internal surprise like Duran, Balazovic, Colina, Graterol back in the rotation, etc, what if our bullpen really is as deep and good and most of us believe it is/can be, to offset any "limitations" of the rotation? We can say there are a lot of "what if" possibilities here. But it doesn't take rose-colored glasses to acknowledge that these possibilities are not the least far-fetched. And I am not dismissing a big move of any sort to push the Twins of 2020 over the top. My point is, a big 2nd half trade target, assuming availability, simply may not be the all in necessity that we may believe is needed as we sit here today.

My apologies. Typed too fast and didnt notice auto correct changed Wells to Lewis for some reason.

Should also mention Lewis coming back from surgery as well.

Long story made as short as I can. (Shut up Chief! Lol) I believe in old fashioned football, even in today's game. SF has a great defense. I think they have the better running game. But unless they self district, the modern game favors the offense. KC has speed that kills, the better QB and the more experienced coach. I'm about 50/50 in general. But I think Mahomes is special, and KC wins 35-31. Remember Vikings fans, not only is the son of a former Twins player in this game, playing for the Chiefs, but it's been 50yrs since super bowl 4. Karma! KC wins.

One thing I have really wondered about in regard to the modern day athlete, baseball and Donaldson included, in regard to muscle injuries, is the use of yoga and/or Pilates. While weight training and aerobics are important for general strength and conditioning, I have often wondered if athletic training still remains behind the times in regard to these activities to focus on core strength and flexibility.

Took a few moments to just look up his career numbers and they are crazy. There is a great TD blog post breaking his career down in to "ACTS". It's very interesting. Let's just say that despite a very uneven career, he had moments. And if his 2017-18 performance had carried over to 2019, he wouldn't be signed to a milb contract. Not sitting here hopeful we signed some #3-4 SP who is going to surprise everyone. Just saying for a milb deal I'm in the "hmmmm" frame of mind.

This really made me truly LOL