DocBauer

I know this was discussed previously before MLB and most of the world stopped spinning in a normal fashion. But after baseball for 2020 actually became a reality...however it ends up playing out...and we suddenly started talking about rosters and taxi squads, and odds of winning, etc, I was suddenly reminded again about Pineda's situation when I read and responded to comments in other posts. Let me yet again state my personal opinion that I don't like cheating in any way! There is a funny line, that we all know, that is: "if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying". And we all laugh. Various edges gained in any competition are part of the competition and not cheating. I mean, is a batter cheating if a pitcher tips himself? Of course not. But I think we can all pretty much agree what is outside the rules and what cheating really is. (Ugh, this isn't about trashcan banging)! Pineda was suspended for taking a diaretic that could be used as a masking agent for other drugs. Maybe he was guilty of that, maybe he was innocent and truly looking for a way to keep his weight under control coming of knee surgery and just made a bad decision. MLB felt he made a mistake and lowered his suspension from 80 games to 60 games. Regardless,the is guilty of making a mistake. No problem here. And I know there are so many factors going on here in regard to how this whole negotiation has been bungled to how the 60 game season will be played, to how rosters will be constructed. The last thing anyone is really concerned about right now is a suspended ballplayer. But something isn't right here, IMO, even if it doesn't seem like an immediate priority. I don't know Pineda personally. Maybe he's a primadonna jerk, or the nicesest, sweetest guy and best teammate you could have. But he screwed up. By rule, and simple math, he was sentenced to miss 50% of a season, which was reduced to 37% of a season carried over 2 years. So he is now scheduled to miss the first 39 games of 2020. 39 plus 21 in 2019 equals 60 games, or the agreed on 37%. Except now, with only a 60 game season, he is facing a suspension of 65% of the 2020 season alone! He has already served a suspension of 13% games missed in 2019. I'm sure someone could break down the math better than I can, but no matter how you factor it, his punishment will be 70%+ games missed while the original intent was 50% and reduced to 37%. Service time, unless I missed a change somewhere, is still being pro-rated for all MLB players for 2020. Please correct me if I'm wrong here. So Pineda's punishment should now be OVER pro-rated? He should now be punished for almost double the games played/missed on a percentage basis despite full positive pro-ration for everyone else? This is not just about him helping the Twins in 2020. It just doesn't sound or smell right to me.

My humble opinion despite not being the target of your question. And I have commented on this some time ago. Please understand I agree with punishment for breaking rules, whether deliberately done or not. But the punishment for Pineda was based on "normalcy". 80 games, then reduced as they believed his transgression was indeed accidental. Fine. But the punishment handed out was still based on a normal season. Terms of service time are being pro-rated for 2020 Despite it being a shortened season. Meaning 100% proration for service time despite what will now be less than half a full season. Pineda's suspension was originally half a season, or 50% of a season, carried out over 2019 and 2020. The lowering of his "sentence" comes out to approximately 43%, give or take. But with no proration for his punishment, he is now looking at something like 66% of games missed for 2020 ALONE. This doesn't even include games missed at the end of 2019. Combined, his punishment will now be well over 70% games penalized, which is not only more than his reduced number, but well over the original penalty guidelines. Again, OK with punishment. But how can you "award" extra service time on a prorated basis for some but "over punish" someone else in regard to the same abbreviated situation?

Something I was thinking about this afternoon when out for a run is exactly what you DO with these guys on a daily basis. They obviously can't be sitting around playing cards all the time. And I'm sure the Twins have a plan in mind. But it got me thinking. 30, then 32, then 34 guys who make up the taxi squad after rosters decrease over the first few weeks to 26 men. Only 3 guys travel on the road with the active team, which I now understand being the rule. (Wonder if the Twins are actually forced to carry a catcher since Astudillo should already be rostered? That is the rule correct?) I would hope/assume the remaining members would be working out with coaches and instructors on a daily basis. I would assume something like simulated games 3 days per week, 2 days per week doing bullpens and side throwing development/instruction while the position players work in the cages and defensive drills. A short Saturday for meetings and video, maybe a little side work here and there, but the rest of that day and then Sunday off. This would make a ton of sense to me. Keeps everyone sharp and furthers actual development in lieu of no milb season and any unknown fall league work.

Agreed. IMO, this team is just too good, too balanced and too deep to not be targeting 40 wins. It would take massive injuries, illness or meltdown not to make a serious run at that number.

I think change is good for the growth of the sport. And baseball changes so very little. And change doesn't have to decrease the integrity of the sport. I greatly prefer the recent change to overtime in the NFL. I always hated the first time that scores wins. I don't have any statistical data available at the moment but my perception/memory was that the team that won the coin flip won the majority of the time. One decent drive, one big interference penalty, and a field goal later and the game is done. In the new rule, of course, a successful FG gives the other team an opportunity. Only an initial TD finishez the game. Whether you like the college OT rule or not, after 2 OT, I believe, teams must go for a TD, no FG allowed. I can understand, while not liking, the extra inning rule for milb with a runner on 2nd. I'm not sure how it applies to MLB in a shortened season unless they they will have less days off and more double headers. But I also say just for 2020. BUT, if it is to continue, then it should implemented only after 2-3 standard extra innings, IMO. In regard to statistics, I agree the pitcher should not be charged with a run scored. But on reflection, I do believe the runner and batter should have their statistics counted. The RBI should count at the very least as the batter did accomplish his function, no matter how the runner arrived on the field. And really, how many extra inning games can we expect in a 60 game season? 10-15 would seem abnormally large to me, but let's run with it. Say it's as high as 15 and the Twins win 10 of those. That's only 10 RBI split between a potential dozen or more hitters. I don't see any statistical anomalies involved.

Should still come down to the Twins and Indians. I firmly believe the Twins are the deeper and better team. Not being a downer or a pessimist here, just asking, but does not playing against some of the better teams in the East or West hurt the Twins come playoff time?

I think this roster makes sense and seems the most likely. I wouldn't sleep on Poppen. Just have a hunch he's the next young RP to step up. And ST 2.0 could offer up a reprieve for Chacin, who didn't look very good in version 1.0. I like this team A LOT!

But if the Twins win it all, it will make 2020 suck a little bit less. And if they do, I could care less what anyone who isn't a Twins fan thinks. Given the situation, they came out in top.

35-25 might get the division. But 40-20 sounds like the target I'd like to see and that I think this team is capable of.

I'm banking on Snell rounding back to form and riding a hot streak. You can still piggyback Pineda if you need to. WAY too much talent available to get crazy.

Without taking time to put pen to paper and really go in depth, I think Matt's and Seth's roster are both interesting and largely accurate. With 3 catchers already rostered, and Jeffers as an absolute addition, I'm really not sold on Graterol or Telis. Hopefully, the taxi squad will get hands on instruction and play some sort of simulated games. I like Seth's idea of Rortvedt getting developmental time as the 5th catcher. Never in a million years did I consider Javier as part of the 60 man roster. But I think it's a brilliant choice. Most, if not all, of the extra 20 guys selected will not see the field. Hopefully. So it's about coaching and development. Wander remains an enigma, but is also one of the most gifted players in the system. And he's had a run of injuries/bad luck. It makes so much sense to keep him around to work with him and get him ready for 2021. I hadn't thought about Ober before this OP. And he may or may not turn in to anything special. But healthy, his numbers are crazy good. Considering most, if not all of the "extra" 20 are about prospects, who are really included for development and potential emergency, why not let Johnson work with him and see what happens. I mean, we're talking about one of the last spots on the 60 man roster.

We agree on Oddo. FA and I believe arbitration are going to be greatly affected next season, and for a few seasons beyond. And despite a taxi squad, with no milb season to be had, and at this point no sort of fall league or expanded EST in the works, are Rooker, Kirilloff and Larnach really going to be ready to replace Eddie in LF for 2021? Rosario's arbitration $ for next season is not crazy and could be cheaper. And again, will someone be truly ready to take over? Of course, Eddie could also rake in a short 2020 and earn every $ possible, which would be a good thing. I don't disagree necessarily about Berrios. Hell, he could be a potential Cy Young candidate. But with the flux financially baseball will be in the next couple of seasons, and with all the unknowns of the next CBA, I could see him coming in cheaper than previously expected for security sake.

According to a report on mlb.com, each team will have a 3 man taxi squad with 1 player being a catcher. If this is true, then we might as well cancel the season now.

Just read an update on mlb.com concerning the proposed season. It makes no mention of expanded playoffs, which was proposed earlier and which I assumed was a given. Further, it speaks about a 30 man roster that reduces down to 26 after 4 weeks with a 3 man taxi squad that must include a catcher. I have taken no sides in this cluster mess, though I confess a slight 51-49 in favor of ownership just based on pure financial logic. But after everything we have heard and read of proposals and rosters and taxi squads comes down to a 30/28/26 man roster with only a 3 man taxi squad....then my opinion has shifted towards the players and I will call out the owners as complete idiots!! There is no milb season. We have no idea about effects of covid, much less normal injury. So we have a 3 man taxi squad? If this is factual, then just call the season off now! This is an absurd joke if true.

Let me be clear, I don't want a 60 game season. I want 82 games and normal playoffs for something approaching a "normal" season. Unfortunately, barring both sides of this stalemate pulling their heads out, this appears to be what 2020 is going to give us for baseball. I am also greatly lamenting a lost milb season as I greatly enjoy watching the growth and development within the system, and watching and projecting the future of Twins baseball. For a moment, I want to forget what we don't have, or are missing out on, and I want to dismiss the potential disappointment and fandom horror of what 2022 could be and concentrate on the now, and 2021. Am I crazy? Am I too forward thinking when 2020 hasn't even happened yet? Perhaps. But we ALWAYS discuss the future along with the present don't we? So follow me for a moment here. What stinks: (Beyond a shortened season) 1] We lose half a season of the great but still aging Cruz and over half of the first season of Donaldson. 2] We get less than half a season of what could be Rosario's final season in a Twins uniform. 3] As pointed out in a front page OP, we lose out, potentially, on the age 27 seasons of Kepler, Sano and Polanco when they should be at their prime. 4] We lose out on the development of milb players in one of the best systems in MLB. The positives: 1] Father time will eventually catch up to Cruz and then Donaldson, who is obviously younger. But does an abbreviated season set each up for a little extended health and productivity? Does Cruz now get a relief from Father Time for a 2021 season to shine in the sun as a great player for another year? Does Donaldson have better legs to stick at 3B for one more season on his 4yr deal? 2] League wide, finances are going to change for everyone involved for at least a season or two even IF both sides miraculously come together to prevent a stoppage beyond 2021. It's just a factor based on the pandemic and all that transpires because of it. FA and arbitration and extensions and so much more are going to be affected. Doesn't that bode well to keep Odorizzi, who wants to stay, an extension for Berrios, or even keeping Rosario and anyone else wanted for a new deal? 3] Despite developmental loss for milb players...for everyone, not just the Twins...the Twins may be in an enviable position. The bulk of milb talent throughout baseball will stagnate for a year, unfortunately, unless something changes drastically like a partial season or some sort of U.S, based "winter league". (There are rumors of independent leagues and MILB cities attempting to cobble together their own versions of milb and inviting players to join in). But despite a top ranked system with depth and seemingly nowhere for lower levels to play, the Twins have a number of top 10 prospects who have already spent at least some time at AA and above who could/should find themselves on the proposed taxi squad for 2020. Think Kirilloff, Larnach, Jeffers, Gordon, Balazovic, Alcala, Duran and Lewis. How much they scrimmage or just practice and work with ML coaches and players, that is better than nothing. I'm trying to be glass half full, I'm trying to shine a tarnished silver dish. Whatever. But am I really misguided here that a crazy, short 2020 season could actually help the Twins for 2021 and beyond?

I don't want a 60 game season. I still want 82 games. But I will take what I can get, as will the rest of us. But barring big injuries, or covid outbreak, even with hit streaks and slumps, I do believe 60 games is enough for the cream to rise to the top. The Twins were one of tbe best teams in all baseball last year despite the finish. They have done nothing but improve and deepen the roster since then. They have a powerful, dangerous and productive lineup. They have depth everywhere. It appears they have a strong pen and a solid, deep rotation. The one ongoing "complaint" is lack of a true ACE SP. But while I felt an adjusted routine, as well as experience/maturation would give Berrios his best season yet, a 60 game season should allow him to shine. And, as already pointed out, Oddo had a great season, really finding himself, and would have been a legitimate ACE and Cy Young candidate over half a season. Berrios would received votes as well I'm sure. Now we add Maeda and hopefully Hill for a half season along with depth, I think the rotation holds its own against most anyone. My concern, strictly from wanting the Twins to do well and win it all, is the expanded playoffs, echoing Ash's concern. The Twins could legitimately go 40-20 or 45-15 But face a lesser team in a short series that they just don't match up well against and lose out. Unfortunately, it's not an uncommon phenomena for a great team having a great season but a lesser team, even having a losing season, just has a team's number at times. I think we have a tremendous team with as good of a chance as anyone. I just really wish we had 82 games and a normal playoff for something close to a "normal" season.

I posted shortly after the draft that there was a common theme regarding all 3 position players drafted, in addition to other "corner" type players drafted in the past few years with our FO and revamped scouting department. You obviously want and need some HIT ability. Pure "80" power does nothing if you can never put the bat on the ball. But it appears the Twins look for power and potential power with BB ability and will live with some SO. Think Sano. Sano has great power, but can hit. He also takes BB and usually maintains a solid to high OB despite his SO totals. Sabato is pretty young, so I don't expect a fast track being a 21yr old sophomore, but who knows maybe. I live his approach and the mentorship his hitting instructor gave him. Despite not being a versatile player...in the least...not every player on your roster has to have positional versatility. There is absolutely room for a quality 1B/DH only who can hit and mash. I'd like to think that coaching, work and repetition can turn him in to at least a decent fielding 1B.

All for giggles, but my knee jerk ranking when the draft was done as as follows: 1] Matt 2] Seth 3] Steve 4] Ted 5] Cody 6] Jeremy According to Zips I was way off on Seth and Jeremy, but really close everywhere else. (A couple of my rankings were only a point apart). But I am curious about Zips and their career projections. Are these milb career projections or a deeper crystal ball projection to ML careers?

I mentioned this in a post elsewhere, but a couple weeks ago on national radio a journalist, Heyman I believe it was, stated he had read the March document and it contained a provision to open dialogue again as more information was gained, such as no fans in attendance.

Despite velocity issues with Stankiewicz, how can you possibly ignore his incredible production? And velocity isn't everything. Being able to PITCH is is still paramount. Not everyone can do that. If they could, well then there would be a bunch of guys on fliers we recently had who would still be here. And hopefully, Stankiewicz, and his big frame, will find another notch or two uptick with his velocity along with everything else he bas to prove a steal. But a young college LHP with that frame and some decent stuff to work with? My vote for #1 post draft FA signed. Great interview!

There really is no progress. Both sides are entrenched not for 2020, but already looking forward to the next CBA. And I think we all recognise this. I'm really worried about the future of MLB and I absolutely blame both parties. Instead of nurturing the golden goose, each side wants to hunt it, claim it, and have it dressed up as a delicacy to their liking. I miss baseball so much I can't even describe it. The world is just better when there is Baseball. Today stunk, but there is always another game tomorrow. Game threads, box scores, milb games and numbers, discussions, a game on the car radio with static, I miss it all. Forgive me, but I'm so pissed at both sides and their posturing and short-sightedness that I almost want the season cancelled. Maybe then both sides would come back in 2021 with tails between their legs and less ego and posture and realize they need one another. Damn! I miss watching a game with my dad and just talking baseball! IF they play some sort of season this year, I admit I will watch and root. And no matter what happens, I will look forward to 2021 and a hopeful full season of both MLB and MILB. But I will know, in the back of my mind, that 2022 is basically a fantasy. Every other sport is working through issues to make their sport work. Except baseball. They are mired down in posturizing on both sides for today and tomorrow that they can't see the forest through the trees. And NEITHER SIDE seems to have the ability to look at the success of other sports to realize what a common framework of cooperation could bring. So I will watch and follow 2020 and what it brings. And I will do the same in 2021. And I will expect little or no baseball played in 2022. And I will watch both sides destroy a beautiful game and part of our ingrained society. And I will HOPE, beyond hope, that when players actually play, win, have fun, cash checks, fans rejoice, owners watch and enjoy, that each side will realize they need and want one another and want resolution that benefits everyone. Before it's too late.

Velocity alone does not a pitcher make, much less a successful one. His results are outstanding! Guy obviously has decent secondary stuff, control and the inate ability to pitch. But with his size, still surprised he tops out in the low 90's. I'm guessing the Twins see a velocity increase with coaching tweaks to go along with his positives.

So I'm trying to dig in to Zarion Sharpe a little more. I'm seeing 6' 5" and 205 lbs, up an inch and 30lbs since HS. Drafted by the Cardinals in the 19th round last year. From a couple pictures I've seen he appears lanky with a build to add more weight/strength. Low 90's velocity with 2 additional offerings, slider and change. That and the numbers listed above are all I could come up with. Solid numbers and a great start to last season. Sounds projectible.

I might nudge Canterino a bit higher despite his short debut. In a normal season or not, just a hunch, Wallner could be better than Rooker or Sabato. No milb season really screws with Javier and Cavaco! Here's hoping for some kind of expanded EST format so teams don't squander young talent. *Normal season, even with depth in the system, allowing for graduation or not, if Celestino could pick up where he left off...top 10 next year no problem.