DocBauer

Assuming he would waive his no trade just because he's like to, wants a better parking spot, an extra bag of peanuts on flights, whatever, I'd be fine to add him. However, and I think the FO would tell you the same thing, such amdwal would be contingent on Arizona still picking up 30-40% of the deal. Yes, the Twins can afford the whole $30M. Yes, it would require an extra player in the deal, or a slight bump in quality of said prospects in the deal involved. And yes, it's true they are on the hook for the next 2 swasons for payrolls right in line, or less, than this current year. But the FO would undoubtedly like a little more financial flexibility. After all, they may be looking at extensions, other adds, and we still need another couple of SP for next season more than likely.

Not to nit-pick, but Over should have been in the headline as well. Three outstanding performances. A good month plus until the end of the milb season. If Over can stay healthy the rest of the way, I wonder where he may rank on prospect lists.

Absolutely want and need a power arm better than this. But what's not to like about this deal on it's own merit??? Diaz is solid, probably not great, rule 5 eligible, stuck behind a couple higher ranked prospects. Romo is on fire since May, having a solid year, has had a quality career with fine SO and SO/BB numbers and brings a great deal of post season experience to a bullpen that has how much? Oh yeah, none. And we get an A ball pitcher drafted just last season in the 5th round? Unless Diaz turns out to be a stud, this is a real win.

Yes, a great article! And thank you Parker for your additions. 1] I know what certain statistics say and the opinions of others. But while I saw some bad plays last season, I saw a solid receiver overall with potential, and caught some very good games despite being put in a tough position. He wasn't supposed to be the starter last year. 2] Garver, and the Twins in general, missed the experience of Castro last season. Not a great hitter, not the best defender un the world, he is experienced and solid and I liked his signing 2 yrs ago. 3] I like having Castro back. I'd like him to return next season, at a lower salary, but I doubt it happens. It is a tremendous luxury to have these 2 guys to share the load. And I dont doubt part of their success is because they are sharing that load. But I do object to a 50/50 split, if that is indeed the projection ahead. With all due respect to Castro, Garver is the better and more dangerous player. I'd think he should be more than capable of catching a few more games.

I know this thread is about the rotation, but I am going to re-iterate the absolute need for a pair of RP. That HAS to be the priority! I like our rotation. I like it a lot. Some talk about Perez having his bad streak, but he's also looked much, much better his last few starts. Odorizzi has now been in a funk. It happens! More than likely, he is going to come out of it soon. Pineda has done about everything I hoped and expected. Does Stroman, and others mentioned, actually provide a lift? Because unless you are looking to add a rotation piece to be controllable next season, I just don't know that I see any actual improvement being made. There has obviously been a lot of debate about Syndergaard. I am honestly asking...is he an improvement??? He's only hit 180IP one time. His next highest total is 154IP. His ERA...not the biggest determining factor I know...is over 4 this year while being in the NL. He is young enough that i think you are still buying potential, but just not sure I'm actually seeing a difference maker at this point. Certainly not worth the reported asking price. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

Interesting and outstanding, if a bit speculative. Of course, projection or not, kind of bard to compare anyone to Puckett at this point, and for obvious reasons. Despite not being a GREAT player, it helps remind how good of a player Span was, especially with the Twins. I have often referenced Hunter and Buxton in various threads. Hunter didn't have the media blitz or fanfare in his day, but their paths are eerily similar. Hunter didn't exactly explode on the scene, and got sent down a couple of times before figuring it out for good. We can debate how Buxton was handled last season, but in retrospect, doesn't it appear things were done right? I am so frustrated with lack of perspective and patience in regard to Byron. Two years ago, Rosario was a wild card who might never reach his potential. I argued patience and stated if I were a team wanting to trade with the Twins, he would be my #1 target. This past off season, Kepler was a 4th OF in many people's mind and Polanco was a decent to good hitter who couldn't play ML SS. Polanco, deservedly so, was the starting SS in the All Star game and Kepler should have been there. Then Sano should be traded for a hope and a prayer because he would obviously never amount to anything. And suddenly, right before our eyes, all the potential and talent we saw in Sano is starting to come to fruition. All this incredible angst about, mostly, 25yo players not being the next so and so. And this brings us back to Buxton. So he wasn't the immediate Mays, Griffey Jr. So What? Has anyone really spent the time to look beyond his rankings and milb numbers to see how quickly he was promoted despite games missed due to various injures? And here we are now, healthy, bulked up, determined, more experienced, Twins staff even taking steps to play deeper to avoid certain potential injury, seeing what be may yet become. And he is having a borderline breakthrough season. I say borderline because the best is yet to come. Patience, as I have often said, can be an ugly word. But we are just beginning to see what he can become, like his fellow young teammates.

This was awesome! Mike, your memory is scary good! How do you do it? I have to vote game 7 of the '87 series just because. I mean, our beloved Twins actually won the darn thing!! Finally!! Game 7 and Jack's performance is #2 only because of my vote for #1. And yes, he is absolutely a HOFer!! Not on your list, deservedly, but the entire series against the Tigers in '87 is special because we weren't supposed to win, but did, with defense and pitching and hustle. (I still remember Randy Bush making a difference and stealing 2nd at a crucial point). And while I didn't get to watch the WS with my dad, we did get to watch most of the Detroit series together and had real hope. Full confession, I shed real tears when we won in '87. So that remains #1 on my list.

I think everyone does better when allowed to play on a regular basis. TO was great at that and once made a comment, paraphrasing now, "how can I expect someone to come off the bench to perform or PH if they haven't been playing on a regular basis". I think Gardy and Molitor were pretty good at this philosophy as well. The big difference with Rocco, IMO, is he isn't stagnant with roles for players. And I think this goes back to the FO as well. As weird as it sounds, it's a Little League approach at the ML level. You are a ballplayer. So be one. That's not to say everyone can pull it off. I think we all still shudder at remembrance of Sano in the OF. Not everyone can pull it off. Marwin was brought in for a very specific reason, and he has been all we could have hoped for. But like Brian has stated before, you can also develop your own super utility players. There is a power difference, but Adrianza reminds me much of Escobar. A solid milb player, solid numbers, just waiting for opportunity for continued growth and development. A chance. Adrianza was not great the last 2 years, but solid and productive. Be bad a great ST this year and then a horrendous start to the season. But Rocco saw something. And then look what happened. Arraez has potential, but is a 2B only. Except, he's not just that and is proving that. Some of us love Astudillo and believe in him, some don't. I get it. Some say his production last season was an illusion as it was late in the season. And they want to point to some bad stretches this year. Except, he hit before be got injured. He didn't look good after brought back. Then be raked at AAA, looked good again, then got hurt again. It still comes back to the player. But Rocco is very smart and very forward thinking. He seems to understand the limitations of his players, but also sees their potential.

Preferencing my comments by saying I am a fan and believer in Thorpe, and always have been. I believe he could be the Twins 5th SP at some point next season, depending on how things ultimately shake out. And I admit to a man crush on Smeltzer. I dont think the Dodgers knew what they had, but the Twins sure do. I'd like both of them to continue to be SP options. But this year, and going forward, you want the best arms on your club you can have! I actually really like the dual trade proposal with KC. Makes an awful lot of sense. I am not opposed to bringing in a LH, but I feel what this team needs is a pair of RHRP we can count on. The market is so slow, and so strange right now, I'm just not convinced we are going to see the major moves some speculate and wish for. I think, if it happens, it will be in the last 48hrs. I'd pick up 40-50% of Kennedy's contract. KC gets salary relief and a couple of decent prospects outside our top 10, IMO. I would think something like Romero or Alcala and a young OF, (more than a few options), would get it done. And that might even be an overpay. And I honestly don't know who the second RH would be, as there are so many viable options mentioned. Maybe, as Tom mentioned, someone like Mychal Givens or Scott Oberg, this year's version of Ryan Pressly. But I'm still betting on someone on the "2nd level" list who is controllable and who the FO likes. For the most part, the FO seems to have a pretty good eye for what/who they like. Back to the beginning comments I made, I'd roll with Thorpe and/or Smeltzer as my 2nd LH option. Either or both could return to starting next season. You pick up some salary, trade 4 guys from the system, all of which are probably out of the top 10, and bring in a pair of RHRP that will each be back for 2020 at least. Your pen: Rogers Kennedy TBD trade May Harper Duffey Littell Thorpe/Smeltzer And the beauty is you still have guys like Poppen and Stashak to roll up and down with Duffey and Littell and Thorpe/Smeltzer for those last couple of spots playing the option game. You might even be able to run with a 7 man pen to keep an extra position player when everyone is healthy. The Twins have one of the best and deepest rotations in MLB. I remain unconvinced any major SP is going to be available. In fact, I think Strohman may be the only one. And while he is nice, would he really be an upgrade??? Hey, if a TOP RP is indeed available because someone decides to punt on 2019, that's great. But in this scenario, you pick up some salary, (which you can afford), deepen and improve the pen with 2020 in mind, ride the Rochester shuttle for the last couple of spots with some nice looking young arms, and still keep your top 10 prospect list intact for next season, the offseason, or in case a special SP is actually made available NOW.

Considering how well he has done, and looking at some of the guys who have been in the rotation at Rochester this season, I'm a little confused Dobnak has been bouncing up and down. I'd think he's up to stay this time.

Marwin is the poster boy for a super utility player with a quality bat, and deservedly so. While Adrianza is not quite at his level...though with a little more power he might be...he might be referred to also as a super utility player. For that matter, while it's still early in his career, Arreaz could be thought of the same way. He's played 4 spots, done just fine, and can obviously swing the bat. While he may end up being a starting 2B in the near future, he fits the description at the moment as well. And while he can't play SS and there are varrying opinions on his bat and potential, Astudillo could also be claimed as a super utility type. Have to really like how this roster is constructed!

Thank you, Patrick, for a great article! And thank you, Tom, for these statistics. Points: 1] I was as upset as anyone the FO didn't bring in at least 1 big pen arm. Smart or lucky...I'm going with smart...they did the right thing initially. 2] Over a 6 month season, there will be highs and lows. If not, 110-120 win seasons would be a norm. You win and lose with all facets of the game: offense, defense, starting pitching and relief pitching. You don't have one of the best records in all of baseball near the end of July, even with a recent rough patch, with 1 or 2 of those areas being terribly insufficient. 3] The statistics above show that the Twins protection of leads from the 6th inning on are above league average. And to this point, they have lost one...ONE...game in the 9th inning. This is not because the offense has pounded every team in to submission. In fact, the past few weeks, it's been quite the opposite. For the second half, for crunch time, for playoff time, the pen needs an arm or two. The FO has handled the pen about as perfect as it could be handled to this point. And it has absolutely not been the dumpster fire some want to make it out to be. Necessity is meeting opportunity here as the deadline approaches. Will the FO continue to be smart?

Great to see Lewis continue to do well. We just have to be honest and realize there is nothing wrong with him. He reached A+ as a 19yo, the league made adjustments, he was slowed by injury, and now he's healthy and adapting. How sad is it that I want to give Romero and honorary pitcher of the day for 2 nice IP out of the pen?

Agreed if you are OK for a rental. Guess my point wasn't fully clear. If you already have 3 SP without contracts you have to make decisions on, do you want a 4th? If the answer is yes you'd better be thinking that new guy is going to make a real differences and worth the cost of obtaining him. Is Bumgarner that guy? Seems to me if they were to add a SP it would be with 2020 in mind as well. Greinke fills both roles, difference maker this season and back for next season. But for the record, I'm also not sure Greinke is truly available.

Sorry, but Bumgarner scares me. The SO and ERA look nice, and he's not close to old, but he is simply not the pitcher he was, has a lot of miles on his arm, is a short term rental, and would be changing leagues. Stromal is quality, but no better than what we already have, IMO. Same with a lot of guys I've heard mention. I think I could get behind Greinke. He's pitched in the AL, he's not a rental, the prospect capital shouldn't be as high, and other than a somewhat disappointing 2016, he has been a model of consistency and his 2019 numbers are right in line with career norms. It appears he has enough in the tank to actually make a difference the next couple of years. And isn't that what we need? An experienced difference maker. As for the bullpen, we all know the names, just TWO PLEASE. But if we can get the big RH arm, I'd like to toss out Tony Watson from SF as an experienced, solid LH who shouldn't cost much. His SO numbers are down this season, but he has had a very nice career and still looks good.

Very nice report and offers up a lot of context why things have been so quiet here just past mid month. The Reds and the Diamondbacks would seem obvious sellers to me. Some of the other clubs, I can see their reasoning/optomism. There are quite a few guys mentioned here I'd be interested in.

I've argued against a move like this as I didnt feel it moved the needle enough to make a difference. Either guy, most days, is the equivalent of Odorizzi or Gibson. Other than depth...and retention of said arm for next season, of course, what does this do for THIS season? I like both options and won't be upset to either one if brought in. I just think it's a couple RP and call it a day unless you can get that difference maker rotation piece. I'm OK moving prospect assets to better the team. But at some point, you can end up trading too much for too little return/difference. If that makes sense.

There ARE interesting internal options. The problem is a lack of guys proven in that role to be an upgrade. Littell is up and looking very good! But I'm not trusting him 8th inning of a playoff game yet. The Duffey we are seeing now, the best Duffey have ever seen, ditto. Short term, Thorpe could be a good guy. He's has enough stuff and career SO numbers. But he's only a rookie and never relieved previously. Another ditto, this one for Poppen. There are options, but nobody who feels fully reliable at this point. And that's what is needed, a couple guys experienced who you can trust.

Great way to begin the series. Great perspective. IMHO, 100% 1 of Odorizzi, Gibson or Pineda is back. Better than 50% its 2 of them unless this upcoming trade deadline brings in a rotation piece.

Unless someone can point to an example and prove me wrong, and please do so, when a team trades away a top arm, they are looking for quality prospects. They aren't looking for a FA to be catcher. Again, in such a trade, during a season and not off season, I dont recall a team trading a daily regular, such as Sano, in any kind of package. It handcuffs the contending team. Thor would be very nice, but a trade for him would be based on prospects.

Unless someone can point to an example and prove me wrong, and please do so, when a team trades away a top arm, they are looking for quality prospects. They aren't looking for a FA to be catcher. Again, in such a trade, during a season and not off season, I dont recall a team trading a daily regular, such as Sano, in any kind of package. It handcuffs the contending team. Thor would be very nice, but a trade for him would be based on prospects.

Agree the Giants proposal us ridiculous for a pair of rentals. IF Bumgarner was not a rental and the Twins truly thought they could work with him to beat #2 or really, really good #3 I'd consider it. Again IF the Jay's trade was real, I like it so much more for many reasons. Were it a reality, trying to look at it from the Jay's perspective, I think I'd lean to option A. Again, from their perspective, I think I'd want another 5th player thrown in to the deal. There is enough question about Javier and Badoo and their 2019 seasons and low level in the system...despite talent and potential...that I would need that 5th piece, or swap out someone I felt was closer to the ML level or felt more SURE about. Maybe Larnach instead of Badoo, OR, toss in Gonsalves or toss in Blankenhorn as the 5th option. That kind of deal hurts, but does nothing to decimate the system. From the Jay's perspective, I have, of course, PROSPECTS, but some immensely talented prospects. I may have to wait a couple years for some of them, but it would be worth the wait. This would seem fair to me.

I still believe in Gibson, and my faith is wavering only a little. There has been real growth and an emergence from him the past 1 1/2 seasons. Giving him an excuse/break for his first few starts while building up strength, he has been up and down. But you have to look at the good/great starts and not just the poor ones. There is still time for him to even out. This bullpen has been surprising good for about a month now. I'm not saying it doesnt need a couple arms for a real WS run, but the pen has been good. Someone has 1 bad game and the entire pen is "blowing up" right before our eyes. That's just not the case. In fact, with May improving, Duffey pitching the best he's ever pitched, and Littell looking like a keeper, the opposite is true.

Agreed on Lewis. What he did was silly, if not outright dumb. Even still, it was clearly a poke at himself. Throwing at a guy for a silly/dumb joke is bad enough without throwing at his head. Pure BS. Unless Rooker said something really bad, his ejection for a muttered comment looks lame.

Again, great article Ted! Always felt Garver was going to do what he is doing. Big shout out to Cron at 1B and Marwin being so solid wherever he plays. But let's not forget that Adrianza is having a great season and been very valuable.