DocBauer

Also, very happy for Colina. (Though I'm still a bit confused about the Bailey DFA). I hope Colina can remain in the rotation, but he could be very good in the pen in the not too distant future.

I still don't like the expanded playoffs. But they don't directly affect the Twins. And while I wish the Twins had taken care of business better against the Tigers and Royals...much less that bad series at the end against the Sox...I have to admit I am on pins and needles these last 3 games to see our final seed, not to mention a real shot to still win the division and hoist that banner. Go Twins! Don't stop winning now!

So do we know if this is procedural and he can/will/might be added once the season ends, or, is he hurt again and done for the year?

The bad news is Arraez sprained an ankle in an intrsquad game. That hurts, pun maybe intended, as we need him ready to go ASAP as he brings something different to the table for this lineup. May has been on fire and then had a bad hiccup tonight. Let's hope that's all it was, a hiccup. The robes thing by Donaldson is something I have NEVER seen in all of my years! Oh, I've heard of dinners, and I've heard of watches and other gifts AFTER a season, but I have NEVER heard of a teammate presenting a gift of this nature to his team DURING a season. (Ya think Donaldson is happy being a Twin maybe)? Leave it to Cruz to go the extra mile and make his robe a special wearable in the dugout for team spirit. This team won tonight with power, pitching, grit and determination. Things we saw last season. Don't tell me it was "Just Detroit". This not only clutch time and a race, but EVERY YEAR, there is a team, or teams, that have your number. For every champion team they had a team or two that drove them nuts. It's the Tigers and the Royals this year for the Twins. Four more to go! Need to win them all! *Great confidence building HR for Garver. *Tremdous throw home out for Rosario. *Solid 3 IP for Bailey for his first appearance in over a month plus. Long relief candidate? *Buxton...never going to be the leadoff hitter we all imagined once upon a time. So he won't be the next almost Henderson. What if he's the next Hunter? Guy is starting to really show what a difference maker he can be. Kuddos for holding up and not running in to the wall for a catch that might have been impossible and could have resulted in injury.

Just want to re-iterate that Stringer is posing a question, not stating an opinion. And I get it. But I think Cruz is still at the top of his game. A couple possible positives to come out of this short season is that Cruz, and Donaldson, are playing fewer games in total. This pushes father time's athletic clock for each further forward by almost a season. That leaves more gas in the tank for both as hitters, and Donaldson as a fielder. All of this places Odorizzi in the Twins hands as well, but that is a different topic. I don't believe a recent slump by Cruz diminishes his value in any way. Guys slump here and there. It happens. The problem may be demand from the rest of the league as the DH is sure to stick now. One of the many negative aspects of covid '20 is no milb season. The Twins, and ALL TEAMS, are affected in how to evaluate even top prospect readiness for 2021? Is Cruz worth even more as a proven comoddity? (Hate that term, but just being realistic). Or does age and financial implications keep the market down as we all expect? Cruz is not done, IMO. And he brings a real experience and leadership quality to this team that can't be denied. Maybe just as important, what does Cruz want? The Twins have treated him well. He seems to enjoy being part of this team, a team with an open window even beyond this season. I ABSOLUTELY would offer him for next season somewhere around what be bas been earning. Something between $12-14M. I might even offer a 2nd year with a nice buy out. Do you go a 2nd year guaranteed? Can you afford it? And that's the rub. He NEEDS to come back. But in the strange, unknown financial world of MLB right now, would some team offer him a guaranteed 2yr $30M deal? If so, I think the Twins might have to pass. But I just don't see that happening. I hope I'm right. But I would absolutely bring him back on a 1yr, even with an option that is decent. Sometimes, you have to be willing to eat a contract year, even if you are a mid-market team like the Twins.

We have 4 quality SP to roll out for the playoffs, depending on how you feel about Hill. I'm encouraged and optimistic by his performance overall, especially coming off his last start. There is still room for a possible 5th starting option, but certainly for a long man. That spot is between Oddo if the finger gets right, Dobber and Bailey. Healthy in 2019 and with some tweaks to his pitch selection, he was indeed league average and closed well. He was good in his 1 and only start this season. We're this a normal length season, he could be coming back to provide a boost. As it is, he could still provide a boost as a long man. Don't disparage just yet. There's room for 1 of these 3 to really help come playoff time.

This win was HUGE as there are so many implications involved the next week and a half. I HATE the 60 game season but love baseball and have clung to every crumb of this season that I could. If you truly love baseball, as frustrated as you may be, this is proving to be a September to remember for the post season, no matter how you feel about expanded playoffs. The Twins return home now with 5 games left they CAN win and maybe NEED to win. Things are not neat and tidy right now. There are a few things to play for, and let the chips fall where they may. I was beyond disappointed by the Sox series. And PO'd when they lost that first game to the Cubs. But the pitching is THERE. The Defense is solid. Can the bats step forward? Boy, they sure did so the last 2 games. Is this team peaking at the right time? There are signs that they are. I sure hope so. Cautiously optimistic, let's go home and win the next 5 and finish strong!

Wow! You've loaded this post! Lol. 1] They haven't accomplished anything? They have won been competitive, been to the playoffs, won a couple games there. Advanced further or been to a SB, much less won one? No, not yet. But they've done nothing? I beg to differ even though there is more to accomplish. There are a lot of teams that haven't had that kind of success the past 5-6 season's. 2] Zimmer is a good coach? I think he is a good coach. I think he's done a decent to good job. Has he been great? I would argue no, not to this point. The Vikings have yet to take the next step, advancing further in to the playoffs, much less reach the SB for a shot at winning it all. And maybe he's not THE GUY. But that is yet to be determined. Again, how do you define success or accomplishment? And I refer to their being competitive and doing well but not hitting any apex yet. As well as my previous comments. At the end of the day, the staff to run the team is up to Zimmer, even if Spielman gives his blessing. The scheme is up to Zimmer. If your ultimate level of judgement is reaching the SB or winning it, then everyone involved is a failure at this point. Same with about 26-28 teams the last 5+ years. But believing Zimmer is a good coach but ultimately the "fall guy" responsible if they don't get better doesn't mean he's a bad coach. It just means he's good, but not great, or still learning, or maybe not the right guy. And yes, I absolutely question some of his choices from picks to players. And so, IMO, the axe, IMO, falls on him. But he HAS produced some good, competitive playoff teams. Like it or not, he now has at least one more season to show what he and his new staff can accomplish. 3] What GM let's his top 3 CB leave? I am so perplexed by thjs I can't even begin. But did you watch Rhodes last year? He was awful and argued on the sideline with coaches and teammates. I always felt Waynes was better than given credit for, but never great. And there was no way he ways worth what be got in FA, nor could the Vikings have been able to afford him. I wanted Alexander more than anyone else. But he wanted a chance to start. Despite reports he embraced his role of being a nickelback, he wanted a chance to start. He was reportedly upset he was "forced" to play the last game last season when he tweaked his knee. He never appeared to fully buy in and want to come back. What GM would let his 3 top CB walk? Unfortunately, no apologies for Spielman needed here as I'd gladly call him out, but toast and finances and not wanting to come back make a difference. Again, we are talking a re-build/re-tool with all 3 CB in question at the same time. 4] Cook! I think they overpaid, forgetting/ignoring what the 2021 cap may be. He has played 3 seasons but only been on the field for approximately 2 full seasons. His numbers are elite and amongst the best in the NFL WHEN ON THE FIELD. I can only reference Smith and his first couple of years and what he meant to the team and what he did when he overcame injury. Imagine what Cook could do if he can remain healthy. I think they blinked and overpaid. Period! I guess the good news is the contract, beyond the signing bonus, is at least manageable. But what he's done in 2 games with a poorly constructed re-building team is not relevant.

OK...I'm going to take partial credit for that! Lol

YES!!

BTW...just Kinda checking in. Both pitchers dealing, but Twins have the lead. Just have this feeling the Twins are ready and primed for another couple runs soon. Anyone else feeling the same?

May or may not have been ready to come back when be did. Obviously his timing is off. On the radio broadcast now, so taking solace in the fact they commented he is hitting the ball bard tonight vs soft contact and pop ups. So he's getting his timing down?

Yeah, I have the game on in my bedroom upstairs, but running errands and doing stuff so I have my phone on the radio broadcast.

Can't stick around tonight, but wanted to echo Stringer's intro and comments I made on the front page. This game is HUGE, and not just for the road trip. Yankees and Sox lost earlier today. Sox have to battle Cleveland and the Cubs to finish out. Yankees have a 4 game road series against the decent Jays. There is a lot to be determined yet. And there is a lot riding on the last week and a half. Twins NEED to step up and take care of business! They do that, there is still a chance for not only home 1st round, but MAYBE a flag to fly for 2020.

Agreed. But "blame" is somewhat suggestive. Are we talking blame for this poor start and what I expect to be a .500 season at best? Or blame they haven't reached the SB yet, much less having won one? Not that all of this happened under the ownership of the Wilf's, but when I reflect on the coaching since Green and see the results of Tice, Childress and Frazier, I am not entirely displeased with the job Zimmer has done. I think the Wilf's made some strange and bad choices early on their tenure to be sure. Can you remember the "triangle of authority" without a shudder? But since placed in charge I think Spielman and his staff have done a good job. NOBODY hits on all their picks and we all know that. The Vikings have blown their share of early picks...and bad a couple really unfortunate injuries that affected their roster and approach...but everyone has misses across the league. Since Spielman has been in charge, the Vikings roster has been amongst the room of the league in additions via the draft and rookie FA. Let us not forget the head coach also shares in responsibility for draft selections. And I will agree their have been some combined head scratchers. Making no excuses, but when Norv Turner suddenly stepped down a couple seasons ago, I think that really affected Zimmer. And I believe he's been scrambling since then. Kubiak is so proven, I can't help but think his being fully in charge of the offense will be huge whether it be now or next season. Or has time passed him by? I'm willing to bet not but can't say 100%. I can object to Zimmer getting his extension, or the length of it. I can question a few choices on the staff that have been since Turner left, with the blessing of Spielman, of course. I can lament the death of a well respected OL coach and a bit of a scramble before Dennison was brought on board with Kubiak's selection. And we can continue to talk about covid and the ZERO off-season program and no preseason to build the team. And Spielman always has a say in the construction of the staff. But if there is any true failure in the Vikings potential previous to now, or this season, I think the onus is on Zimmer. A bad FO is always the culprit at the end of the day. But I don't feel the Vikings have a bad FO. That leaves Zimmer and his scheme, his staff, his approach, his recommendations to the GM for what he wants. He may have an extension, but he may not reach the end of it.

Going to re-state what I posted in the off season thread; this team is in a re-build or at least re-tool mode. Personally, I've always expected a .500 season, or slightly below. Too much talent on hand not to win at least 6 and maybe 8, IMO. The OL is a mess, WR has big question marks. CB is being rebuilt on the fly. ST was questionable and bad once Pierce opted out. Part of the reason they had such a big draft class is they KNEW they needed to bring in fresh talent. With projected comp picks, I think they are already looking at something like 13 or 14 picks next draft. Not making excuses but with ZERO rookie camps or OTA's and no preseason games, the Vikings were behind the 8 ball getting ready for this season and any influx of talent. I think they have great ownership. I think they have the best cap man in the business...though I DO question some of the contracts. Despite a few misses, I think Spielman and his scouting staff have generally done a good job acquiring talent. I think Zimmer is a solid coach who recognizes his expertise and limitations and turns over what he doesn't know well, mainly offense, to those who do. NOW, I think Kubiak COULD make a big difference fully in charge. BUT, with the aforementioned limitations in place, this offense is NOWHERE where it could end up. I blame everyone involved for the OL. In fact, with all the missed opportunity to make changes due to covid...while I get playing it "safe"...even more I would thrown the door open and just run with young guys to build the future. If you want to blast the Wilf's for keeping both Zimmer and Spielman instead of going with a complete re-build I'll argue with you. If you think keeping Spielman but cutting Zimmer loose...thinking he has done all he can do, and who also has a say in the draft...I'll debate you and might end up agreeing with you. We can also debate tearing everything down from scratch but I think that would have been a mistake. Despite standard coach speak, I've never bought in to anything but a re-build or re-tool. But I think there's too much talent and potential to just blow it all up.

They do for NOW. The problem is next season when the cap will probably not rise for the first time in years and might even lower. There will be some cuts, Reiff for sure, possibly Rudolph, and savings from a small few others. Cousins could be re-worked yet again. The good part about the Cook contract is the bonus money, as I understand it, helps offset the yearly somewhat. But we are going to be up against a cap wall again, potentially, in 2021 and will probably lose Harris at S which could be huge.

I think tonight's game is HUGE despite being 1 game. The entire road trip looks much better with a win and the Dirty Sox and Yankees both lost earlier today. We can pick up a game on each with a win tonight. That could be huge in final standings. The Yankees have to play 4 on the road against a decent Blue Jays team and the Sox have the Indians for 4, on the road, before a final 3 against the Cubs. The Yankees finish against the Marlins for their final 3, and the Sox clearly have the tougher finish. Can we pass the Yankees if we take care of business? Can we catch Chicago? Good time to be Blue Jay and Indian fans to close out the season.

Fully appreciate your nod to Glavine, while fully acknowledging you aren't saying that is who he is or who may expect him to be. I found myself also about Mark Buehrle or even a more modern reference to Dallas Keuchel, albeit a RH version. And in NO WAY am I saying at this point I see him being of the quality of pitchers of their career standing. But I believe there remains room for lower velocity pitchers who can maintain control with "heavy" stuff who can be effective. Dobnak will almost certainly never be a high SO pitcher. And there will be times when his stuff is just barrelled-up for a hard hit ball or two, of course. It seems to me, after such a relatively SSS, is if he can continue to learn and adapt and find a better "out" pitch to eliminate some of those prolonged AB he has a chance to continue to be solid and consistent and thrive as a quality back of the rotation SP. Doctor Gast referenced infield defense behind him. I think that's an important consideration. IMO, the addition of Donaldson and growth of Polanco help provide that. Unfortunately, 2B hasn't been as kind to our defense with Arraez playing on a bad leg, though Marwin and Adrianza have been at least OK filling in.

Matt, I fully appreciate your sentiment and perspective. But I'm absolutely convinced you might like Berrios a little bit less in 2021 than now. Why? I believe it will be his best season thus far in his young career. Unfortunately, 2020 might have been that season were it not for the very strange nature of the year itself. I'm not going to get debate who is and what is an ACE caliber SP. And there are those like myself who believe in Berrios, and those who don't or just "like" him but don't love him. And for those that aren't the biggest fans or believers, I get it. There is the WANT for him to be a consistent, top of the order stated that is so palpable that anything less diminishes his achievements to this point. I'm not going to dig up stats online or from last TD articles that list them, but his first half performance/numbers in 2018 and 2019 made him a deserving All Star selection. It's has also been well documented as to 2nd half fades each of those seasons. Except, it's also been agreed by the Twins and Berrios himself his intense training/workout routine may be at least partially to blame. (In addition to still being a young SP gaining experience). Hence he began to reign in his in-season routine late in 2019 and rebounded to finish solid again after a poor stretch. The plan WAS to do the same in 2020 before the weird and shortened season. You are absolutely correct there remains a very human element to the ballplayers on our favorite team, and players in general. And it doesn't take a genius to look at the Twins, and players across MLB in 2020 to see all sorts of regression and weird stats to realize a pair of short trainings and an abbreviated season has thrown some guys out of whack. While the Twins have been mum on the point...to my knowledge...there was a very interesting OP a few weeks back suggesting Berrios was making some adjustments on the fly to begin thus season. (I believe by Parker but I could be wrong about that). His velocity is up, his control and "nastiness" seems to have come around after his mediocre start to 2020. Combine everything involved, I believe his best full season will be happening a year later meaning again in 2021. It will be when experience, tweaks, adjustments, work ethic and pure stoff coalesce for the best stretch of his career. And if that makes you "like" him a bit less as a result, I'm OK with that. (Wink and a nod)

If only Rosario weren't so bad at baseball. A HR and clutch RBI single is no way to be productive. Anyone can do those things. [sarcasm!] But seriously, it was a team effort in this win. Bombas, walks, singles, etc. Also nice to see Rocco not just sit back and relax. If we had done some small ball Friday, who knows, might have actually scored a run and won the game. What can you say about Wisler? I keep waiting for him to be revealed as something he's not like the Scooby Gang unmasking old man Withers, but he just keeps doing a great job. We didn't lose any ground, but didn't gain any either. Sox have a tough end to their season and the Yankees can't win out can they? All we can control is ourselves, win, keep winning, get sharp, and see how it all turns out.

Hilarious as usual. But it's funny how there are some teams that just hold our personal disdain. I mean, we can all agree we despise the Yankees, right? Lol And for obvious reasons we don't have to state. But while I love confidence and can fully appreciate a degree of cockiness, the reason I have loathed the Dirty Sox for years is not any game or player I can immediately think of. It comes from watching games on TV listening to Hawk Harrelson. That guy just rubbed me the wrong way. How weird is that? I think the Twins are absolutely the better overall team during a 162 game season. And the Sox are absolutely taking advantage of the weird, crazy 2020 60 game version. But I admit fully that their pitching staff has performed far better than I ever expected. Again, 162 games....we'll never know. I will admit though, that I am tired of the Dirty Sox hyperbole for the future. Don't get me wrong, they have talent and more on the way. And we're going to have to deal with them the next few years as real rivals. But position after position, spot after spot, it's not like the Twins are devoid of real talent. And we don't exactly have chum coming up through the system with Jeffers, Rooker, Kirilloff, Larnach, Lewis, Alcala, Colina, Duran, Balazovic and others not mentioned. The Indians won't just go away. But even with turnover, the Twins and Dirty Sox should be rivals for the next 3-4yrs easy!

I absolutely think Dobnak could be a great fit for the pen as a middle/long man. And I don't know you would possibly exclude him. With 8 games to play and some question about Odorizzi, he could still be your 5th SP, were one needed. Biggest issue I see...beyond trusting Hill and Odorizzi being healthy...is the pen in general. If Spycake is correct and we could have 14 RP, I still count 15 candidates, even while leaving Littell and Poppen off. Unless someone gets hurt, someone worth keeping and deserving is going to be left off the roster.

I almost posted this in a front page thread but decided it needed it's own. I know we are in a playoff push with mixtures of optimism and consternation, but Dobnak has been brought up more than once lately and I thought it was time for some evaluation and honest reflection in the guy. There has been so much "story" and early success surrounding him that I think perspective has been lost. I think what gets lost is he is a ROOKIE MLB SP. He pitched a total of 29.1 innings in 2019 which is about what a late fill-in/September audition might be expected to tnrow. And he has all of 49.2 IP in 2020 to the time I post this. These are his current ML numbers: W/L ERA IP H BB SO AVG WHIP 8-5 3.12 75 77 18 50 .266 1.27 Yes, the ERA is not a be-all stat and is skewed from his 1.59 in SSS from 2019. But his 2020 is still only 4.05 even with a couple recent bad games. Regression was always going to happen. There is nothing in his repetoire/arsenal that suggests he will ever be a big SO pitcher or a dominate front of the rotation SP. I counter with "so what"? He is a sinker/slider control pitcher who induces pop ups and ground balls with the occasional hard hit liner. He seems intelligent seems to have a bulldog mentality and has the frame to throw a lot of pitches and innings...as long as his stuff is working decently...though Rocco has pulled him "early" in a few games. Time will tell how good he can be. It's easy to say his last couple of games are reality and he was just a good story or an aberration. But again, we are talking about a ROOKIE SP with 75 IP under his belt. Simple math shows that to be about 1/2 of a normal season to this point, OR, he has pitched roughly 1/3 of a "normal" season if you only look at his 2020 numbers. I am NOT attempting to build him up to be anything but a back of the rotation #4 or #5 starter. But look at the numbers thus far, or even just his 2020 numbers...still solid and not going to bore everyone with tons of stats...and tell me you wouldn't be at least a little excited the Twins had found themselves a nice back end rotation piece? There is no room in baseball for a sinker/slider guy with control and SOME projectability with experience going forward? Again, I'm not projecting stardom for the Dobber. And the 2021 rotation starts with Maeda, Berrios and Pineda. And we will have the off-season to debate any additions or a re-sign of Odorizzi, but I feel pretty comfortable going forward with Dobnak as my #5 starter with some other really nice arms coming up behind him. For now, he probably fits best in the pen for the post season, with everyone healthy. But I don't think a productive rookie with a couple bad games recently should be dismissed for what be has accomplished thus far and what he could potentially develop in to.

I can't believe Kepler's poor throw to 1B! He has a great arm and just doesn't make mistakes like that. I'm not blaming him for the loss, but that was a huge mis-plays. Buxton never should have been sent home on the one play. But damned if the replay didn't look to me as if his left hand slid between the catchers legs to beat the tag! I think he was safe, unfortunately, no challenge available. And the replay probably wasn't conclusive enough, but I think he was safe. I couldn't help but laugh at Donaldson. But what he did was immature and just shouldn't have been done. My only hope is it will provide both a laugh in the clubhouse but also spark a fire with 8 games left. But it never should have happened.