DocBauer

Thank you for updates like this! While TD and milb reports are wonderful, your interviews and various tidbits of information help bring the team and players to life for us.

In regard to bullpen usage, I am generally very impressed the way Rocco has used the pen. (Lineup as well). I really like how nobody seems overworked, and everyone gets used regularly to stay sharp. Used to kill me how Molitor would use his best RP's in a 4-5 run deficit game in the hopes of a comeback. Hard to argue with the results. The only negative I can see, and this goes back to the "rust" idea, is there have been a couple stretches here and there where Rogers and others sat for a good 3 games at a time. Keeping everyone fresh is one thing. And it is a long season. But you also need to stay sharp.

First, foremost and most importantly, a tip of the cap to Smeltzer. Not only for his amazing debut, but for his victory over cancer and to move forward with his life and his dream. If you haven't read about his battle and determination as a youngster, and what he has done to give back, shame on you and start reading. He is already one of my favorite players in the organization. I said thjs in the game thread, but think it bears repeating: The box score may not show he won this game, but he was the winning pitcher. And he's already a winner in so many ways! As to what he did on the mound, I missed the first couple of innings. Heard some on the radio, and watched his last 2IP. It's still only 1 game, and a debut. But what I saw was control, location, change of speed, a mix of pitches, and some stuff that broke the looked nasty. Don't know how good he can be, but I saw enough to think he has a future.

The thing I love is, to a man, you can't say what they are doing is out of their realm of talent. Think about the guys brought on board. Schoop had 2 nice years, a breakout year, and then an injured season. Cron was productive, but not an everyday player. He makes some reported adjustments, gets to play daily, and has his best season in 2018 before being allowed to walk and continue on with the Twins. Gonzalez is not a true slugger, but a nice player with decent power. Always a bit of a slow starter, he's heating up and doing what he's done, mostly, for the last few years. Cruz is still Cruz. And now for the guys held over. Garver may be the only "surprise" but we've heard and seen the potential in his bat in the minors, and some last season as well. While I truly don't expect Rosario to hit 50 bombs...though he could...his potential along with Polanco, Kepler, Sano and Buxton has never been in question. It's been about health, experience and maturity. Back to pitching for a moment, no question there has been a major shift in the entire organization from players brought on, analytics and new coaching techniques. But...and you are going to have to trust me on this because I'm not going to do the research and can't remember who was talking...a couple years ago, when the old FO was still in charge they were speaking on a radio broadcast how the entire milb system had improved velocity and SO numbers as the philosophy (And players to be sure) had changed. But there is no question the new FO has continued this new push.

Slightly off topic, but it occurred to me today, unless I am mistaken, Kepler, Sano, Polanco and Rosario were all acquired over the same two back to back season's. Am I right on this or remembering incorrectly?

Agree 100%. Which is why I'm much more inclined to acquire bullpen help. Unless you trade for a true, top of the order SP...and bump Pineda from the rotation...I just don't really see how you improve yourself. Depth? You don't just trade for a depth guy to sit in AAA and wait for an injury. You hope, if someone gets dinged, that Stewart, Thorpe, Litell, Smeltzer and hopefully Gonzsalves can fill in. I've been singing the praises of the pen and their performance all season. And there is a reasonable chance that 1 or 2 of the "questionable" arms there are for real and will continue to do what they are doing. But long term and playoff time, could really use at least one more quality, proven guy.

This! Personally, I'd make a no trade list of Kiriloff, Lewis, Javier, Graterol and Balazovic. I'd make everyone else in the system available. That still leaves a ton of talent available to other teams! What's the expression, if it hurts to give someone up then you know it's fair value? I could make a list of 20 guys I'd really like to keep that I think have a chance to play ML ball. (For us or someone else). I agree 100% a quality piece or two can be brought in without touching the guys on my list. The system is more than deep enough. (Though a few injuries have hurt some guys' value at the moment). Don't get me wrong though if you were to trade for a legitimate top of the rotation arm I'm willing to move one of those guys in my list. Pitcher to acquire a pitcher for example. Do we need both Lewis and Javier when we have Polanco and other depth pieces? Well, I'd sure like to, but again, in the right BIG DEAL I`m ready to move one of them. Personally, the one guy I would refuse to part with is Kiriloff. I get organizational depth but I think he's going to be special. And there could easily be a spot in a year or so for him daily at OF/1B/DH.

He's been teasing us, but this is the Kyle Gibson we've been expecting and waiting for. With all due, respect, appreciation and hope and love for Perez and Odorizzi, don't be surprised if Gibson isn't out second best SP come playoff time. In the FWIW category, Adrianza is nothing special. But in his last two seasons, he has been a quality utility glove man with an above .250 AVG with some pop and a few stolen bases along the way. He's been solid in his role. He got off to a BRUTSL start to the season. Currently his slash line looks like this: .231AVG/ .306OB/ .359SLG/ .665OPS But after his brutal start, and with mkre regular playing time filling in here and there, see what has been going on: Last 30 games: .240/.341/.413/.754 Last 15 games: .333/.432/.611/1.043 Last 7 games: .438/.474/.813/1.257 Yes he's been on a hot streak. No he is not that good of a performer over the long haul. But it still shows he's not some waiver wire utility guy. And his past 2 solid season's add to that. There is a reason he hasn't been some automatic DFA to make room on the roster. Man this team is fun to watch!!

First, another great and realistic article Nick. I'd like to break down my thoughts in 3 parts: Injuries: They happen. We've had a couple already, though not severe, but the player roster clearly has depth and versatility. Personally, I DO believe that MOST teams would feel a real crunch if a top arm went down. Yes, you try to and need to build and provide depth. To compare the Twins to the Yankees or Dodgers is a bit of a tough pill to swallow, however. Those teams need do their diligence, but they generally have more $ available, period, to take shots/chances on guys. That doesnt mean the Twins cant improve their depth, however! So let's move to the primary 2 points: Rotation: Pineda has a solid history, and is showing signs of improving and returning to more "normal" production. There is no problem with him as the 5th SP, IMO. He'd be the Twins #3 starter most of the past 5 years or so. Part of the hope here remains in AAA. I say that because the team likes something about Stewart, and he did look decent his last Twins start. Gonsalves is finally back, opinions vary on his future. Despite some inconsistencies, most believe Thorpe will be at least a solid rotation piece. I am holding out some belief on Smeltzer at this time, but we may have found something there. On the radio yesterday, not sure who was in the booth, but they were talking about some things they told him to work on before the start of the season. He seems to have listened. This is not all daisies and songbirds. This is to suggest that if someone goes down at some point, if we are OK until say July, we may have a decent/solid arm or two to call up and fill in. I am not saying dont get someone. But realistically, unless we are all being fooled, Pineda, our #5 SP, would technically be the guy replaced. We are talking a healthy pricetag to acquire a 1-3 rotation arm. Bullpen: There is no denying what the pen has done so far. We can debate the FO plans/Hope's for Reed, Hildy, Mejia and Romero. What we cant deny is poor results. The good news part is Mejia and Romero are young and have live arms. Could either or both still be ready come July 1st? Fortunately, there is still time to see. I am disappointed in May thus far, but not giving up. I've seen too much to like to do so. Again, I dont know who, but someone was talking on the radio the other day that they may have been focusing too much on a couple of pitches instead of letting him use all of his stuff. We shall see. I dont know if I'm still counting on him, but I haven't given up. Regardless, and no matter how well this pen has done, sustainability is the issue. There is a real chance Magill's stuff is for real and he can be a useful piece. It's also very possible Harper and his incredible mix of curves and changes of speed can continue to be effective. Its is also possible Johnson's work with Duffey, and his new velocity to work with his CB could allow him to turn a corner. But as Nick states, to buy in to all of that is a fool's errand. What this team/bullpen needs is a reverse Pressly deal. (And please, let's not re-hash the same arguement about something that has already happened). There is enough depth in this system to give up a couple really good prospects without touching certain elite prospects to bring in a quality pen arm, hopefully with an additional year of control. Further, if we can wait until July, we not only have a little more time to work with what is on hand, but by then a few more teams may simply decide they are out of contention and be willing to sell. Yes, there could be additional teams looking. But a couple of this teams, barring injury, may not be as anxious to add to their already solid/expensive pen. To sum up, add a high quality BP arm around July 1 to strengthen and deepen the pen with Parker and Rogers. By that time, not only could May settle in, but one more arm could rise up. Depth could/should very easily come from all the other names mentioned. I'm still a bit uneasy about adding a rotation piece, and at what cost. Despite the window/door being wide open, the fit has to be right. I want to win as much as anyone. But if it takes Lewis, Kirilloff or Graterol for a rental, just not sure I could do that.

I never had him ranked that high, but he was really close in my opinion. After his first couple of years, the bat came alive and just kept getting better. Now, not sure I expected him to hit like THIS, but his second half of 2018 and second half of 2019, always felt he'd be at least some combination of the two years. Like you, I always disagreed that he couldn't play SS. He showed the range and athleticism. He just needed time and repetition. Minor league history is filled with future top ML SS who had high error totals early in their career. We have a good one here!

Remember when some thought adding Arraez to the 40 man was an OK idea but unnecessary? Wow, am I glad we didn't take the risk! But it's still only a handful of games. I have a lot of faith in the kid, and I think he's going to be a nice ballplayer, whether starter ornutility guy with a productive bat. But it's only been a few games. You can call me old fashioned or limited in my scope of thinking, but Adrianza is a glove first utility guy. That's what he is. For that,his bat is actually pretty solid. I want to see more of Arraez as well. But unless the FO and coaching staff feel that he and Gonzalez would be OK at SS should anything happen to Polano, I'm thinking Arraez goes down and rides the shuttle from Rochester the rest of the season.

I argued repeatedly in the past that with everything that went wrong in 2018, that team should have list at least 90 if not a 100 games. The fact that they actually went 78-84 is a testament to how much talent and potential was still on that club. IMHO, I felt the baseline for a healthy, (at least mostly), 2019 Twins team was about 85 wins with the potential form 95. I didn't like every move the FO made, or didn't make, but was happy overall.

Everything stated and displayed seems to make perfect sense. But along with those changes, I'm again reminded of something Cruz, reportedly, asks Buxton on a constant basis: "Did you go up there with a plan? Did you have fun?" Being healthy and playing daily...building on experience...along with these changes has to make a difference. I believe he came in to this season with only about 1,000 career AB

Based on history of success, I'd still be in for 1yr at fair value. (Not sure what that $ is, to be honest). A club option wouldn't be bad, but doubt he would go for it anyway. But for me, that's about it. I'd rather invest a couple solid prospects in to a trade acquired arm that's actually pitching now and pitching well. If we signed Kimbrel tomorrow, hes probably not ready until mid June at the earliest.

I was just thinking about this subject a couple days ago. Thanks for doing this so I didnt have to take all the time for research, lol! All of this, and the results and waiving of Addison Reed should show us, as does past history, that the FA RP market may be a bigger crapshoot than any other spot. Now, that shouldn't preclude signings in the future. Some do work out. And if you have a pitching coach you really trust and believe in, so much more the reason to make a move or two on the FA market. But clearly, IMO, we need to be a little more forgiving for the FO going the flier and internal development rout this past offseason.

Wow! That stinks! But a little surprised its Arraez coming up. Didnt see that one coming.

I think this is a tremendous OP and discussion. And I don't want to turn it in to a Kepler/Polanco post because that's not what jts supposed to be. But I have to, for a moment, as stated, Kepler is hitting #1 against RH batters, where his OB is at least acceptable, combined with power. Polanco may actually be the best #1 hitter in the team. But if be thrives so well where he is at, and a flux of Kepler, and previously Garver, do the job ahead of him, does it make sense to change at this point? Honestly asking as it it is working! Before I can honestly address Buxton, I have to regress a bit. When I heard rumors about a Cruz signing I didn't buy in. Didn't think it would happen. Personally, I wanted McCutchen or Brantley for greater roster/lineup flexibility. When I heard Falvey talking about the possibility of signing a veteran bat who could be productive and offer leadership and experience to the lineup and the team in general, I felt Cruz was a done deal. Shortly thereafter, it was. And there was a lot of conversation in regard to Cruz being not only productive, but a great role model for Sano and others. For those who may have missed it, about a week ago, during a telecast, Morneau I believe it was, was talking about Buxton going up to bat. The report was when Buxton returned to the dugout, Cruz would always ask him; "Did you have a plan? Did you have fun?" THAT is leadership, and it is HUGE! Even some of the greatest talents in any sport can take time to find themselves. Because Buck wasn't Griffey Jr out of the gate is no reason to penalize him. He beefed up, and came in with a different attitude this season. The attitude was simply, paraphrasing, do what feels right, trust in it, quit worrying and tinkering, and just let his natural ability take over. Do you realize he only has about 1,100 ML AB thus far? Buxton remains uber talented. His new found determination and approach is working. He is STILL learning, but producing! On a talented and deep team, he is making the most of his opportunities as the #9 hitter, behind decent hitters, and ahead of other good hitters for one of the most prolific lineups in the ML. What on earth could be wrong with letting him be relaxed and productive in the 9 hole for a few months more, or even the whole season, as he grows in experience and his approach? I am reminded many years ago when Manny Ramirez didn't want to hit cleanup. He wasn't comfortable there. Imagine that. One of the most prolific batters of his generation not initially comfortable with being pressed in to that spot. We all know how it eventually turned out. What is happening with Byron right now is working. He is growing and learning on a winning team with a hell of a lineup. Don't be too quick to ask for change. It seems unnecessary right now.

Can't like this post/idea enough!

Personally, I'd take Kimbrel tomorrow, and I haven't previously been 100% on board with that to date. I think a 1yr deal is not only the way to go, but what he probably wants at this point as well. I'd really like a 2nd yr option, and we could afford it, but would, again, say he wouldn't go for it. I'm a little confused as to what would have to be given up draft pick wise. I've heard a 3rd rounder, or the signing team's 3rd pick, which ever round it was in. (Meaning a possible 2nd round pick if there is a compensation pick involved). I really hate to give up an early pick like that, especially since this FO seems to have a good eye in drafting and acquiring talent. But the simple, honest truth is, only a handful of guys from any draft class make it, much less make it for a long and steady career. The developmental highway of EVERY MLB team is littered with top prospects/draft choices that failed to meet expectations, or make it at all. On a team with this much talent, playing this well, there is real opportunity for someone like Kimbrel to make a significant difference. That has to be weighed vs an unknown draft selection that may or may not ever pan out. Regarding others you mentioned, to dismiss the arms/potential of Romero or Mejia at this point would be misguided. I think we all know it's not as easy of an adjustment to make as just saying: "go to the pen and throw hard and dominate." The FO was probably hoping for that. It could still happen. But whether it be mental or physical preparation and adjustment, it hasn't happened as of yet. I have honestly been surprised by the, so far, sustained success of Harper. Magill has the velocity and breaking ball to be very effective if he can control the BB and HR he allowed last season. Either, or both, could be fine, or very good, as 7th-8th men in the pen. But as of now, there is no 2nd LH to rely on at all. And while I like Parker, and feel May is going to settle in nicely, there is a very real need for a top fireman to join Rogers. It's great to think about what a couple of these guys could do come the second half of the season, and what they could bring then, and for the future. But that is a dangerous "what if" game for a team looking this good. If not Kimbrel, for various reasons, so be it. But the FO needs to be aggressive with at least one big move. Kimbrel costs money and a questionable draft choice. A LH option costs a couple prospects in a deep system. The FO has been very clear about adding to the team if the window for contention arrived. The window is wide open at this point!

Just wanted to touch on the whole Hildy vs Duffey scenario. I think Hildenberger has looked pretty bad recently. Not banging on him, just stating a fact as my eyes have seen it. Doesnt mean he cant get back in a groove and be good again. Maybe he could use that AAA re-set. I dont for a second believe Duffey is any kind of pen savior. As Seth quoted in response to something I said elsewhere, if Duffey pitched all the time like his last appearance, he'd never be sent down. True enough! What I DO LIKE, however, despite SSS is his great start to the season thus far at both levels AND increased velocity. Hes no savior. But he might be developing in to the more consistent pen arm we've always wished he might be. More of the Johnson effect. Hopefully.

Not worried about Rooker at this point. Only 24yo and in his first year of AAA and 2nd full professional season. Further, like last year, he has started to heat up after a slow start. But IMO, Raley has surpassed him as a prospect. I want very much to believe in Smeltzer. He is obviously a "pitcher" and not a thrower. Some guys just figure it out and know how to do it. But I think we still need to see some more.

100%! He is not maxing out or realizing his potential at all. And I say this as both a fan and a believer. I cant explain his BAIP numbers. He shows a good eye, solid contact skills, a sweet stroke, and plenty of natural athleticism and power. But it's all of those qualities that tell me how much room for improvement there is in his game. He played club ball in Germany, not at an elite HS program or a participant in traveling teams or specialized camps. He made steady progress before a seeming breakout in AA and then practically skipped AAA. Hes still only 26!

Duffey has been such a frustrating enigma. Looked like the move to the rotation was a smart one, and then it blew up. No problem, just move him to the pen again. Except, he's just been so inconsistent there as well. But it's not only a new season, but a new staff. Early results are excellent at both Rochester and with the Twins. SSS, but encouraging. To me his biggest problem has been lack of consistent control and location of his curve. If he can find that, and this increased velocity is for real, he could be a huge help. Is this more of Johnson's work? If so, it's a small piece of the puzzle most have dismissed that could pay real dividends.

Might be the first time I've ever listened to an interview with Stewart. Agree he sounded very candid about today, no excuses, knew what worked and what didnt and made some adjustments. Still only 24yo until after the season and in his first full season of AAA, and yet it just feels like he's been around forever. He scares me when I watch him sometimes as it seems he's just on the edge. But as he stated, if he can get that 3rd (of 4) pitch working most nights, he shows he can at least be solid. I think we all know by now he's just not going to be the top of the rotation guy we hoped for. And at 24, he's not exactly a late bloomer. He just is what he is and what he's going to be, which is probably a nice, solid #4-5 SP. There is still real value in that.

I liked the Cron signing but had no clue he could play defense like this! It's not hyperbole to say he's played at a Gold Glove level thus far. His low AVG and OPS mentioned are misleading. His numbers clearly show he has been productive. He started slow, had a bit of s hot streak, then cooled down again before this most recent outburst. Numbers fluctuate a lot in the early going. He was such a smart sign!!