DocBauer

Oddo had a very good year, though was better the first half for sure. As stated, take away a rough month dealing with a finger issue and his season is even more impressive. In a 60 game season, anything is possible, of course. I like him a lot, glad he's back, and hope for an extension. But I just can't call him an ACE due to limited IP. He's a good #2 and a great #3. But is there further room to improve? Berrios, younger and still growing, is our #1, IMO. Hill, ready to go for a 60 game short season, could be even better for 2020, however. IMHO, Hill is done after this season, at least with the Twins. If Oddo is back in 2021, I really like that rotation as well. I'd like it better if Duran and Balazovic could gain valuable instruction, if not game time, to help set up 2021.

If Cave could show enough defensively, (seems to have the physical ability but instincts are questionable), or Wade could show enough bat to go along with contact/OB ability, I'd really like to see one of them play CF on a normal basis instead of Kepler. Max is fine in CF, I just hate moving him out of RF on a regular basis because he's so good there. Like Kirilloff and Rooker getting time at 1B. It just makes sense to play them there and develop their versatility and team depth. Doesn't mean either, especially in the case of Kirilloff, can't find a home in the OF. But the more flexible and deep the team is, the easier it is to find room for everyone. Love Blankenhorn playing 3B! It may not be a permanent home, but if he can play it adequately, along with 2B and LF, he becomes much more important as a future piece. (I'd think RF and 1B should follow eventually).

One of these days, Romo and Clippard are going to hit a wall due to age. But nothing we saw last year shows that wall is dead ahead for either of these guys. I absolutely love having these 2 as quality, experienced arms for performance as well as leadership. As stated, it's not like the other relievers are exactly long in the tooth at this point. Having guys like this is going to mean so much, IMO, as a valuable resource for all these young arms.

Of course! Because....Minnesota.

My initial response was this should be easy as we're only talking 2020. And then I read. Ugh. Appreciate your thoughts but can't agree. I LOVE the potential of Chalmers and am happy the Twins included him. His position and value are TBD. But if they have to turn to him in 2020, then something has gone very right or very wrong. Alcala and Poppen and others are ranked deservedly higher. But these guy should CLEARLY be numbered in the 30's. Unless something dramatic happens, Lewis shouldn't see MLB this year. Thorpe and Dobnak could easily make the 30 man roster initially and have solid careers. Thorpe's stuff screams ML starter, or at worst, quality BP arm. His milb career and peripherals in 2019 say the same. Dobnak's problem, IMPO, is he is simply undervalued due to his story and lack of previous prospect standing. While I put Smeltzer behind these two for what should be obvious reasons, so far, he has done nothing but impress and look "solid". I'm thinking a nice career as a long/middle man and spot starter. I appreciate Wiel for all he has done. And he could surprise. But I see him as a "break glass" for 2020 and would have him lower. It's a tough exercise. But I think there are pitchers too low and some position players too high.

Let us continue to remember how good Berrios has been, how much he has flashed, and remember he only turned 26yo in May. Not sure you could ask for better stuff, better determination or work ethic. But it is that work ethic I and others have commented on. Berrios and the Twins have all commented that he needed to learn to dial things down a bit in his regiment to simply maintain endurance for a full season. That began in 2019 when he again slipped in the 2nd half only to rally and pitch better than he bad before. And there was talk all during the off season and during the initial ST he would dial back his routine the 2nd half to maintain endurance. (Immense workouts don't always mean endurance for a full ML season). I was, originally, looking forward to the still only 26yo Berrios to adjust his routine, grow as a "pitcher" with experience and very probably have his best season to date. But right now, with a 60 game season, this whole idea sort of gets thrown out the window for 2020. He is right at the precipice where talent meets knowledge to become his best, I've spoken of this before. He might even be a year or so early. I think Oddo hit the spot last season. Maeda is probably already there, based on previous results and the best year against LH hitters. Hill is beyond that point but not yet "hanging on" based on 2019. He appears to have one more season in the sun on his side. Trust me, Berrios will lead this team in 2020 and beyond with Oddo right behind...who WILL re-sign IMO...with Maeda and a group of talented arms to round things out going forward. Berrios needs to be re-signed long term. Even with the weird economics of baseball right now and future speculation, you have to keep what you have at some point. And not all great pitchers are 6' 2" and 215lbs plus.

Nice post! And I really want to speak about the Rosario portion of your comment. While he has always been a bit of an enigma and may always be, he is very talented and has been very productive, especially when healthy. While I don't recall a "serious" injury at the ML level thus far...one that would rob him of serious time...he has battled a shoulder issue in 2018 and the knee in 2019. There have been posts about age 27 being when a player begins to hit his peak. Still only 28yo until late September of this year, I think Rosario could argue he has mostly hit his peak years when healthy. Recent comments by him state he recognizes his need to be more disciplined in his approach and just lay off certain locations. (Though we all know Eddie has also delivered and crushed balls at times that he just shouldn't have been able to). Now, is this lip service or real maturation as a ballplayer? Only time will tell. We have all concluded, myself as well, that 2021 will be Rosario's last as a Twin simply due to economics and the talent behind him. And that may turn out to be true. But only 28, if healthy, what can he do the next 5-6yrs for us or someone else? Despite the economics of baseball right now, I'd expect Rosario back in 2021 at this point. No matter how well the Twins manage development of Kirilloff, Larnach and Rooker without an actual milb season, don't you still bring back Rosario in 2021 for what will still be a pretty manageable contract? And couldn't any trade value only increase with a healthy 2020, short season or not? I'm a fan! But somebody has to move eventually, whether it be Rosario or a prospect. But IMO, just like Buxton and Kepler, we haven't seen the very best of a still maturing Rosario yet.

Nick, really appreciate your efforts, even though I, of course, didn't like the final outcome. Lol FWIW, I actually thought the system was pretty true to final statistics. I have to say, hitting/production wise, I think Arraez was a little high and Kepler a little low. I also think the game penalized Buxton for time missed in the past vs his production when healthy. Buck's numbers just don't equate with me. Pitching wise I really have only tiny quibbles that aren't worth mentioning, only to say a real season might have produced slightly better numbers here or there. But the game seemed to have a real built in prejudice against Hill. I assume that can only be related to coming off his surgery and whatever projection algorithm they used. If early reports are correct, and based on history, the game blew it's read on Hill. It was a lot of fun and I thank you for all your work.

Generally agree with you. Might be weird having not only 2 AAA teams 45 miles apart, but also ALC affiliates. But the Salt Dogs seem to do OK for themselves. Clearly a second choice, but fits the profile for a closer proximity AAA team for the Twins with great facilities and good track record. Of course, being that Twins fan in Omaha it wouldn't exactly stink either. Lol

Rochester has been pretty good to the Twins from everything I have ever seen and read, though I have read a few things here and there how the fan base hasn't exactly embraced the Twins organization due to geography. Swear I read somewhere how their store is filled with Yankee gear. (Ugh)! But I guess it makes sense. From the Twins perspective, a good fan base and connecting flights sounds good. Any maybe it's just being in the Midwest and loving a Midwestern team all my life, as well as watching the great partnership between the Royals and their Omaha affiliate, but I've always wanted the Twins AAA team to be closer. In all my almkst 50yrs following the Twins, I think Toledo has been the closest AAA affiliate they've had. The "conglomeration" of Ft Myers, Elizabethton, Pensacola and the GCL makes great sense for weather and proximity to one another and the Ft Myers facility. And the Kernels, despite distance, just seems like a perfect marriage you'd hate to breakup. I never realized until I read a few things and actually looked online just how great the Saints facility was. That is a beautiful ballpark! And there are obvious changes being put in place to re-structure milb and the number of affiliates. (A different discussion, a different time, but one I'm NOT fully behind). But all of these changes WILL affect various cities/towns across the country including independent ball. So change is absolutely on the horizon. With so much change in the air, and so many unknowns, it's very hard to speculate. But one thing that has to be asked: Do the Saints WANT to partner with the Twins and MLB? On one hand, they could reap huge benefits from an established fan base who would love to watch AAA baseball and current and future ML talent. On the other hand, would they see diminished returns because they lost a special niche no longer being "different" with a local fan base who will see those players with the Twins at some point down the road anyway? If the Saints don't work out, for whatever reason...and it would be very cool if it happened...I offer up a second proposal. The Lincoln NE are part of the same independent affiliate. They have had great success. They play at Haymarket Park, home of the Husker baseball team, which is one of the TOP facilities in all of college baseball. It has been host to many regional and super-regional playoffs over the years. And there are obvious ties to Omaha and the CWS 45 miles down the road. And this is a state and fan base that loves amateur and semi pro sports without having a pro team of it's own. If the Saints aren't interested, or don't trust being an affiliate just across the river from the ML team they would support, the Twins should look a little south to Lincoln and call the Salt Dogs their AAA home.

Not going to apologize to anyone when the Twins have a great season and win around 40 games. You play the games presented to you and you go out and win them! I fully appreciate how the Twins path is supposedly easier not facing the East or the West. I get it. But every season is fresh and has all its own unique surprises between health, development and career years. Cleveland is still good and shouldn't be taken lightly. I know this sounds crazy, but the Royals scare me more than the Dirty Sox because they always seem to play the Twins so tough. We could dominate Chicago and yet have a losing record to KC because...well...baseball. (shrug) With very few exceptions, the Cardinals are never bad. The Brewers were a playoff team in 2019. The Cubs still have the ability to run away with the NLC if they can figure out their pen and replace Quintana to some acceptable degree. (I had forgotten about his injury). I had dismissed the Reds early on this year when conversations started because it just felt to me they were treading water. I guess I didn't give them enough credit because after reading this. They have the potential be dangerous. Paraphrasing Cruz in a pre-workout speech he gave: "look around at the talent here and ask yourselves, why not us?" And I agree 100%. This team is even deeper and more talented than the 2019 version. I think any sort of "cake walk" to a division championship is misguided, especially in a short season where anything can happen. But if Rocco and the leadership on this team keep their focus, why on earth shouldn't 40 wins be the goal? It could be argued, and I mentioned it briefly in a different OP, that not playing certain other top teams over the course of this abbreviated season could be considered a negative when it comes playoff time. In sports, don't you tend to get better playing against the best? Or is that too much hyperbole, especially in a short season? After all, those other teams don't have to play the Twins! This team is one of the deepest and most talented in MLB, short season be damned. Once again, it's all about focus. Some say it's no longer a marathon season but a sprint. Maybe. Or maybe 60 games is a mini marathon filled with question marks and injury and the best and deepest team will prevail. Focus on 40 games, and then take on all challengers. As Cruz said, "why not us?"

Thanks Tom! I only caught the last couple of innings so it was nice to hear and see Thorpe threw well vs only hearing about the HR he allowed to Donaldson. I still think this kid is going to begin to be an important arm in the future, hopefully beginning this year. I don't have the same eye you and others have, but as I mentioned in another thread, I liked what I saw of Wisler. I had a hard time discerning between his FB and his slider at times, which I take as a positive. Would mean the batter had a hard time doing so as well. But it appeared to me his FB came in a little flat with late movement that impressed me. Who knows how good he could become, but I see why the Twins like him. Makes me think all the more if he had ANY kind of 3rd offering be could flash at even average ability he could advance from good to very good.

Agree with your list. Wondering due to age, injury and being a half season performer...no matter how good...is this Hill's swan song? Whatever luck, pull factors, etc, are involved, there is another level to Kepler's game if that BABIP can just rise up to normal levels. And Buxton just NEEDS to find a way to preserve his body, or find a rabbits foot that works, and just stay on the field. Even if he never achieves the Griffey and Mays kind of level projected for him, he is a stud and All Star caliber player as is as long as he is healthy. Were this a 162 game season I would have included Berrios. His second half issues are well known, though he rebounded late in 2019 to indicate growth and changes coming. And changes to his in-season routine were coming this year before the covid stop that I think would have paid big dividends. In a 60 game season, none of this should be a factor for 2020. But I would have included Sano on this list as a 4th. His 2019 was slowed initially due to his freakish injury in winter ball. He looked good, slumped, worked through it, and began to look like the hitter/ force we all thought he could be. I think he has really matured and is ready to step forward, though he may defer to Cruz and Donaldson in the lineup for a season or two. What I find so interesting about this team is something touched on in the last paragraph. The comment being no matter the success of the team in 2019 they still lacked that true top ML talent. (With the exception of Cruz, I would say). Of course, Donaldson on board raises that talent level. But it's easy to forget how young some of these guys really are, mostly because it just seems they've been around for so long. I don't have exact ages in front of me, but Sano, Arraez, Polanco, Kepler, Buxton and Berrios are all still around 27yo or younger. Just coming in to their prime. Despite fighting some injuries and various wild aspects to his game, Rosario has been highly productive and I believe won't turn 29 until late in the season. Garver is a late bloomer that doesn't have a ton of mileage on him. We could argue/debate Odorizzi, Rogers, May and Duffey all around 29-30yo, but especially for relievers, seems to me these guys are just entering their 3-5yr prime where stuff and experience will have them at the top of their game.

OK, here's the thing. Its really tough to predict what will happen over a 162 game season, much less a 60 game season. (Guessing Vegas is going nuts about now)! One thing to consider is, barring Covid, most teams are physically healthy right now, including the Twins. I have wondered at times about the short season and not playing top teams like the Yankees, Astros, Dodgers, etc. Does that make you less prepared for BIG BOY competition when the playoffs start? And then I not only remember how deep and good this roster is, but I also reflect how "easy" the Twins schedule is supposed to be. I'm sorry, but I just don't buy in to the Dirty Sox for 2020. Cleveland has enough talent to be scary. And even though the NL Central is supposed to be down/easy, and we play them far less than our own division, I find them to be a worry. When is the last time the Cardinals didn't field a competitive team? They always seem to have pitching and defense and enough offense to be dangerous. The Cubs have a lot of good talent on hand still. The Brewers were in the post season last year. The Reds are a mystery team, but could be dangerous if a few things break right. This is NOT some insurmountable gauntlet, to be sure. And on paper, the Twins should be the better team vs any Central team they play. But other than Cleveland, I'm more worried about the NLC than I am the ALC. Stumbling against the NLC could be disastrous. Not saying it will happen, only saying this "weak schedule" may not be as easy as some say. You still hàve to go out and play and win. But I keep thinking about the report of Cruz standing in front of his teammates and asking them to look around and asking, "why not us?"

In a short 60 game season, who knows what could happen. I would also take Hill over Keuchel at this point. I liked Cron and just wish he hadn't been hurt late in the season. But I will take Donaldson and Sano all day! Maybin would have been smart and nice. Never quite understood the Twins not making a move there. Or did they? Maybe they did and he just wanted a starting job? Or did the Twins just like what they had? I actually like Cave, but I would have gladly traded him for a season of Maybin were he interested. No reason to sign Smoak after Donaldson.

Went to my dad's to do our normal Thursday night thing. Totally forgot about the video thread! Only caught May and Wisler. May looked OK to me, but seemed to miss a little bit here and there. We both got distracted by the comment portion that we didn't actually watch Wisler as close as we should have! Lol. But what we both did see was a FB that seemed to come in straight and then seemed to have a sudden and late break down or a "hop" downward. If his reported slider is as good as advertised...SSS and we were distracted...and his FB can continue that late break, I can see why the Twins are so intrigued.

I've touched on this before, but will again. The FO has put together a 60 man group...OK, 59...that is AA and above to go all in for depth with prospects available that could conceivably produce, or at least not be embarrassed, if called upon. So A ball and lower are left out. Makes perfect sense to me. But the initial omission of Balazovic is a mystery, and could be related to visa, injury, illness, or some sort of "wait" scenario. He is every bit the prospect Duran is, though younger and no AA experience. But had 2020 been normal, he surely would have been at Pensacola for this year, with honest expectations of reaching Rochester at some point. Expectation and hope would have him making AT LEAST an appearance at the ML level in 2021. So the forwarding thinking, new age and aggressive FO is going to let one of their top 5 prospects sit for a year? I don't buy it. I have no clue if Balazovic is hurt or sick or anything else. But I'm betting when the smoke clears, and ST 2.0 is done, he comes on board at some point for instruction and development as part of the 60 man roster.

40 games started behind the plate. That's 66% of games caught. That equates to 107 games in a 162 game season. That shouldn't be an issue, even in a "sprint" season. He can be pulled the final couple ofinnjngs for any game out of hand. (Either way, but hopefully a Twins blowout). Even with a limited number of days off, Rocco is smart enough to put Avila in for a last game before a day off to give Garver 2 days off to re-fresh. And in a 4 game series? Most of the time you'd expect at least 1 LHSP to make an appearance to let Avila make the start.

He reminds me so much of two great Minnesota athletes a generation ago. (And sorry that I've stated this before). He reminds me of Robert Smith of the Vikings and Torri Hunter. Smith learned from Tony Dorsett that you have to preserve your body for a full season because your team needs you for that full season. And sometimes fighting for that extra yard just isn't worth what you give up later if you aren't out on the field. His career took off after that, co-incidence or not. Hunter learned to conserve his body after a few early injuries early on in his career as well. I may be wrong but after harping for some time now that I wished Hunter would work with Buxton to offer perspective and tutelage, I believe he did so at some point late last year, this last off-season or during ST 1.0. Buxton can be outstanding while still pulling up here and there. I know he loves being great defensively. But he can still be great 8 or 9 out of 10 plays by NOT risking himself physically. And I would gladly have him NOT make 4-5-6 outstanding plays over the course of a season to keep him on the field and in the lineup on a mostly daily basis. Offensively and defensively, a healthy and productive Buxton would more than make up for those handful of plays he "could have made" if he had risked injury.

I'm not so sure this isn't one of the most impressive thing I've heard about Johnson. He does "nothing" but remind a talented pitcher who and what he is and what he can do. Reminds me a bit of Viola back in the day when he was finally convinced how talented he was and that he was a power pitcher with good stuff and didn't have to be a nibbling LH. This is awesome.

Let me be perfectly clear that I am 100% for changing the Washington mascot name! I did a very poor job of stating my thoughts in my original thread! I only meant that to fans of the NFL, or football fans in general,who grew up with that name for decades and didn't see the the negativity associated with it, they saw the name as benign. It just was it was for DECADES. Just...accepted. No harm, no foul, it was just accepted. But especially in the last decade or so, we knew in the conscious mind what the subconscious knew all along. Its wrong and needs to change. Dan Snyder may end up reaping benefits from a name chance and new labels and whatnot. Fine! But what is right will be made right. I am simply not smart enough as to who should change what and what is offensive. But I DO KNOW that Redskins just NEEDS to change! I've believed that for years now.

I thank you for your response Brock...even though I said I was out of here after my response. LOL I have always respected you as an owner of TD, and I have always respected you for your Twins and baseball perspectives, even if we didn't always agree. (Though most times we have). And my respect for you only grew in other sensitive articles when you spoke about your family and their experiences. I tip my cap to you sir for being an intillegent and good man! You are amongst many that I truly hope I can meet one day at Twins Fest or other gathering. You are correct that my second post was more in keeping with my intent and my beliefs. In good conscious, I can't just say "I was wrong" with my first post simply, as I stated, I was simply TRYING to open up dialogue and asking questions I don't have the answers to. To me, asking honest questions is never wrong for those of us who want to know, and embrace knowledge and change. I HONESTLY offer apologies if my first post was simply done poorly! Again, I attempted to be more clear in my second post. I was just attempting to add and open dialogue for this important subject. And in no way was I attempting to be dismisivve of the topic or sensitivities regarding such. I ABHORE any sort of discrimation! It's not me, how I was raised, what I believe in, or what God and my Savior Jesus Christ believes in. (Yes, I'm a Christian). And I am a humble man. And while my intent was pure, it sure seems my intent was done poorly, though I swear I thought I was being clear. It sure appears my intent...at least the first try...was badly done. And again, if someone took offense or didn't understand my intent, man, I really, really apologize.

Agreed! We often hear about head coaches and managers being "players coaches." But I think sometimes that description CAN mean a negative. While their level of success varies, all coaches and managers were players at some point. The "negative" perspective of being a "players coach" is you are soft, or coddle players too much. Or, in some cases, you cater to the STAR players. But the positive side of such a coach/manager is he just GETS IT. Rocco was a top prospect, and for a short time, he was an elite player. While I'm sure he has always been a hard worker and smart guy, he then went out and re-invented himself as a coach and now manager. He can embrace analytics while also having the experience to relate to his players, having been one, and a good one, not that long ago. He seems to demand the right stuff from his players. He also understands...as part of the new direction of the FO and system...that players are individuals and not cookie cutter plug and play pieces. Yes, he had the basis of a great team and roster for his rookie season. But he and his staff did a great job of maximizing and utililizing the talent on hand. Despite a questionable bullpen early in 2019, he made the best of it. When thjngs changed, he and his staff continued to get the best out of who arrived. Injuries happened, but depth and smart usage still maximized. We shouldn't discount the FO, who appears to work in harmony with Rocco and his staff and for the moves they made. It's one thing to have talent, to bring in talent, and another thing to make it work together. And then we read and learn more and more about our skipper from articles like this and I become even more impressed. Just like a player, how much better can he and his staff be once they gain even more experience and really figure stuff out?

I should probably do what I had planned on doing and keep my fingers still and just leave the boards for a few more days. I even told someone who reached out to me that I was doing so. But it's also not my nature. So here I go, treading in the water when I should probably be quiet. I received several responses to my post that I didn't expect. Some filled with vitriol. Let's just say it was unexpected. I literally stated in my post at least a couple of times I wanted names of teams changed if they were offensive. I also stated more than once I was asking open questions for discussion sake. Period. (Re-read if you wish). When I made the statement "up until a few years ago..." my intent of context was related to DECADES of team names. For not being more obvious or clear in my comments, then I apologize. I was, again, attempting to speak in a historical context of time. And once again, I stated repeatedly about change if names were offensive. I also stated I was asking honest questions. I have been surprised by the personal accounts of posters here which have strong ties to Native Anericans in their lives. And that was really my intent. To simply ask questions and open discussion. Whether this discussion, the Griffith statue removal, or any other discussion thread, where have I ever stated intolerance or intent for status quo? I only meant historical perspective in regards to time frames and to have open discussion. If anyone read something different or interpreted something different from my post, then I am sorry we didn't connect on the level that was my intention. Other than that, I'm out of here.