DocBauer

I like the DH. I hate the virtual automatic out of pitchers batting. To me, pitching is so specialized it's almost like asking a QB to block and tackle. Or as someone pointed out earlier, if pitchers should hit, then position players should know how to pitch. It just doesn't work. I often see references to the NL game. In both leagues, more so the NL, there used to be more bunting, hit and run plays and stolen bases. It was never just based solely on pitchers in the lineup. But the game has changed. The DH is here to stay and I'm glad. But I'd really like to see it in both leagues. I prefer the divisions the way they are now. We've been arguing in other threads about how ridiculous this idea is. And IF it is to save money, it only does so if you STAY in your division for the whole abbreviated season. The WC has added a lot of excitement to September and October baseball. I'm fine with keeping it the way it is. The ONLY caveat I could see is another WC brought in to avoid the 1 game playoff. How about a couple of 3 game series to continue on?

Punto works at 2B in this scenario because, well, who else? While Ford was fun and did some good things, seems to me pre Red Sox Ortiz is the better choice at DH.

Offensive MVP for the Vikings in 2020? Kubiak! Jefferson needs to gain a couple pounds of strength to play outside at times, which he has done. Thielen has played outside at times. Bush Johnson is not small, but might be a best fit as a slot receiver, though he seems to also have a complete game. Osborn has played outside, and seems to have the quicks and speed to be outside but with limited size. Perhaps young veteran Sharpe, the biggest receiver on the roster, can find his potential with a new team. Smith, the underrated Conklin and surprise Dillon have tons of potential. But run heavy offense or not, assuming the OL can be solid, you need to find a way a slot heavy receiving corps can all function to the best of their abilities.

While I don't dismiss Javier playing SS...assuming sustained health and recovering his prospect momentum...it just feels like he's physically growing out of the position, just gaining muscle and developing. Miranda might be the best 3B option in the system at this point. Cavaco could also end up at 3B eventually as well, though he's a ways away to project to the majors, much as as to which left side spot. Hopefully, we're at least 3yrs away from having to find the next 3B. Agree fully that Lewis could debut as a super utility just based on opportunity. I think you build your roster with the best talent available, with position flexibility, and figure it out. IMO, Lewis has everything needed to succeed at SS as well as 3B. As much as I LOVE Arraez, if your talent level pushes Polanco off SS, his arm just won't play at 3B, even if the rest of him does, as a talent, 2B would be the natural position for him. If I had to choose Polanco or Arraez at 2B, I'd have to go with Polanco.

Agreed his arm is the biggest issue. 100% healthy, hopefully, and with more time spent with his new throwing motion, I look for additional improvement. I also agree that having a better defensive player to his right helps. Let's face it, quality defense is always important, always nice to have. But the game has changed from contact, situational hitting and movement to power and launch angle. "Airtight" defense isn't quite the requirement it used to be. Only 26 and with all his positives, I think he can be the SS for several years barring injury. To me it's more about the rest of the team vs a "how long" discussion. You put your best players on the field. I believe Lewis is going to be one of those players very soon. But does he stay at SS and move Polanco to 2B? Or is there nobody to replace Donaldson in a few years so Lewis goes there and Polanco stays at SS?

Already gave a shout out to Marshall, who others have mentioned. And I had forgotten about Campbell. I'm OK with leaving Marshall off the list, and Corbettm due to actual time with the organization. I hate to be "that guy" who breaks with the original intent of "top 5", but I'm just not sure we'll ever agree on anything other than a top 7 with Campbell and Perkins thrown in.

Just a couple points of clarification: 1] Unless I read it wrong, I think the original point was looking at Bauer as a FA target next year, in relation to how the FA situation has changed for the Twins. Hence my thought/question was his desire for 1yr contracts and does that fit for the Twins organization. 2] While the topic of the Dodgers holding down payroll has been brought up, considering the sure amount of $ on their books, and luxury tax implications not withstanding, I don't believe it's ever been confirmed that was their intent. Two items I have read from various outlets are: A] Despite success and quality numbers, his second half numbers may have slipped, here or there at least, and with available depth on hand, they moved him late to the pen. B] With available ST depth on hand, and questions about their bullpen depth, the Dodgers moved him to the pen for depth there in the stretch run and playoffs. Considering his results in the pen, and his best season results against LH batters in 2019, and from the sources I've read, I subscribe to possibility B myself.

In regard to milb, IF there will not be fan attendance, or none for a portion of the season, why not follow the original AZ/FL proposal that was brought up for MLB? I hate the idea of cities/towns losing out on their team's season's for a variety of reasons, whether it be for the entire shortened season or a portion of it. And I have no idea what kind of facilities the other 29 teams have at their ST complexes, but unless I'm grossly mistaken, don't they all have multiple fields and living facilities to accommodate their milb ST? Let them play there for 70-80 games or so and play the teams in their respective states.

Not afraid of the Twins playing anyone and I'm sure they aren't either. But this re-alignment proposal makes absolutely no sense to me. Unless they propose to only play the teams within your division?? No trips to the coasts, if you're the Twins, no playing any team within the other divisions is the only way you save money here. Even in an abbreviated season, you think the Twins, and other teams, don't want to see the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc, come to town? Now if there are no fans at any point, then the hoopla of different teams goes away, and you might as well just play your own division. Then, yes, you save expenses. If you want something at least resembling a normal, though abbreviated season, you avoid such things as a quick 6 game trip out of town. You have slightly longer road trips where you "sneak in" 2 game series against different division or league opponents. Example: Twins head out west to play the A's and Angels, maybe finishing with the Mariners, before you come home. While out west, you play a couple 2 games with the Giants and Dodgers mixed in. How about going old school and for one year there are no league cross over games? Eliminates any DH controversy like this proposal inherits. We're going to have a shorter season that will always have an asterisk beside it. But why make it even stranger and harder of a season with an even larger asterisk? Just keep things the way they are aligned, play fewer games, mix in a few double headers, play a few 2 game series, and organize road trips to be more efficient. And again, you could just eliminate cross-league games for a season if it makes sense. Doesn't that just make a lot more sense? *and yeah, the Atlanta thing just boggles the mind.

I think there is an easy arguement between Nathan and Aggie. It's not just numbers, but also relative to the quality of the teams they pitched for. In that context, not sure Perkins doesn't make the list and bump someone else. Glad to see mention of Corbett. As well as Rincon and Gurrier at the end. For a short time, let's not forget what Berenguer meant. He only pitched for the Twins, in reality, for 2 full seasons. But for those 2 seasons he was OUTSTANDING. Mike Marshall has to have an honorary mention.

Football is far away, especially for us Twins fans waiting and hoping for some kind of season. But the draft and the 2020 Viking season is still in my forefront thoughts at the moment. And while I may be a bit old school at times in my thinking, I believe fully 100% that one thing has never changed: the game still comes down to the DL and OL. Couple things I don't get: 1] How can Hill actually look pretty good when he comes off the bench, and seems to have everything you want and need in an OT, but never perform in extended opportunity? Is that all be is? Is he a slow learner? Is he strong enough to play G and maybe that's where he should be, less isolated? 2] Why can't Collins, who looked a potential UDFA steal just stay healthy for once and show what he can do? (Oh yeah...Vikings curse). I actually believed he was ready to challenge Elflein for the LG spot last season. 3] How can Elflein go from such a promising young interior OL to paper tiger so quickly? I absolve him from year 2 due to dual surgeries. But to play so poorly at G, a position he has played before and seems to have the skill set for in year 3 is just amazing to me. 4] The Vikings traded for Jones, keep re-signing him, and he plays well when inserted, or in the preseason, but they won't play him when other G stink up the joint. The Vikings have enough $ room to bring back the solid Kline if bridges aren't burned. They have enough draft capital already built up for next year to make a trade. They have a couple big, talented young guys to "audition" for G as they've stated it's open season. I find myself very intrigued by Brandel, Hinton and Lacina as projectable prospects a year from now. Stronger, more polish, Brandel comes from a lower power 5 conference with vast experience. He COULD be a legit swing tackle. Hinton and Lacina could be easily dismissed. And then you look at size, speed, strength and accolades and realize a year of development could see them as legitimate contenders for at least viable backup options. But none of their potential speaks to 2020. Kubiak is in charge of the offense, clearly. His boy, Dennison, is well respected, and in charge of the OL. Reiff should be solid for one more year while Cleveland develops. RT is fine. Bradbury shows real potential. But with all the draft options presented to us, and nobody brought in early, that either means the FO and coaching staff are idiots, or they actually believe Udoh, Samoa and others really have the ability to step forward. If they're wrong, it could be a long and brutal season.

Anything that allows for baseball in 2020 is fine by me. But divisional re-alingment like this is ridiculous! I get a shorter season. I get holding down travel costs due to revenue shortfalls. But for the most part, divisional opponents are already in relatively close proximity. Just skip some of the crazy 6 game series on a coast. You can even keep cross league games...or go old school and not do it for a year...by having slightly longer on the road trips. Twins can go play Oakland, Angels, hit Dodgers and Giants for even a 2 game series, finish with the Mariners, and then return home. You might have some longer road trips, but you would probably have some longer home stands as well. Not appreciably longer, but a little longer. Braves in the same division with the Twins is nuts. Similarly, they make a Midwestern run, they can slide over to KC, Minnesota, play the Dirty Sox right after they play the Cubs, etc. Come on MLB! Use your brain or find someone who has a better one!

Been trying to keep up but been busy. Really appreciate your efforts! Couple things that have surprised me...and I've bad a hard time believing...is that in all the various simulations Donaldson and Berrios all seem to have under performed.

Very sad news to come home to today. No BS. He should be placed in the Twins HOF. He was a special part of all these teams and all those players and staff for decades. We've all heard stories over the years. He is a big part of the history of our beloved team.

I'm not a big fan of Bauer, though I clearly don't know him, only because I've heard different whispers and innuendo that he's really not that nice of a guy. Then there are incidents like the launched ball. Now, maybe he's a swell guy and all his teammates have love him. I could care less about his politics or anything of that nature as long as he is good in the clubhouse and not disruptive in it or out of it affecting the team. Period. As a ballplayer, my one concern is his determination to only sign year to year deals. Does that work for the Twins? You get one year, hopefully a great one, but then you're back to bidding again or looking to fill. That is my concern.

Which I still don't get. The guy had the resume coming out. He looked like a potential fixture after his first year. I can understand a poor season following a pair of surgeries, not being able to work out properly, etc. But he looked just awful at times last year especially in pass pro, stiff, no balance or footwork, and get bowled over at times.

According to a report I just read on CBS Sports...(I don't have the link handy)...former Astros scout David Brito was intending to auction off his 2017 Astros World Championship ring for charities in New Jersey suffering from the covid-19 virus. Proceeds were to go to a hospital and to purchase personal protective equipment for additional care facilities. Apparently, there is an agreement that any ring to be auctioned off must first be offered back to the Astros for $1. That's right, a single GW bill. Needless to say, the charity auctioning of the ring is now cancelled. To be fair, it was also reported a former Cubs employee attempted to auction off a similar 2016 ring, but there is no reporting to exactly when, and whether that cancelled auction was for charity, or which one, or for personal funds. The same $1 buyback option also existed. So again just being fair. But in the time of this world wide pandemic, and for an organization already embattled and embarrassed, isn't this sinking to an even worse low? To deny the raising of funds for a hospital and care works during this pandemic seems reprehensible to me. I can't even imagine anything other than stupid pride is involved here. Any thoughts or reactions?

Nice shout out to Morris and Smiley for their seasons. Erickson remains one of my biggest disappointments to this day. He just looked like he was going to be a stud! I want to say he developed a bum shoulder? Does that sound right to anyone?

My surprise alteration? Replace Buxton's defense with Arraez's. Because if I could have a player that had all those other abilities, I want to find a spot on the infield for him.

Agreed on pressure helping cover up the secondary. It also helps if Hughes is 100% and Hill keeps his head on straight. Having a pair of Pro Bowl safeties sure doesn't hurt. I still wonder about Griffen coming back. It seems a viable option for both parties. But I think there's only about $8M in cap space at the moment. Despite drafting 3 CB and signing an UDFA there that has a real shot, they could still sign one of the decent veteran options out there on the cheap. Does that blow up a plan to go young? Does it diminish Griffen coming back? (Nobody else seems to be knocking at his door at the moment). And then what about G? Other than Kline deciding to come back, are there any other G options out there worth looking at? I don't see any way that $8M brings in anything more than 2 guys. So where does the priority lie? I'm not objecting to the draft, how it played out, or the talent brought in. But the G situation is disappointing. I think Cleveland is a great fit, but even if he comes in and surprises and is ready the way O'Neill was, I don't like moving Reiff to G after the Remmers fiasco. But the coaches are far smarter and more in tune with their roster than we are. Maybe it would be a great fit. But trusting Elflein to suddenly turn it around, and trusting in a pair of 2nd yr guys like Samia and Udoh who barely saw the field in 2019 is scary. Collins can't stay healthy, Dozier is a decent backup, and they refuse to play Jones even when he looks solid. Really perplexed here. So I repeat, with about $8M available to still spend, where do you look to use it?

Not a knock on Leius, who was a sound player overall, but if I could improve at 3B and run with the rest of that lineup for most of the 90's I'd actually be happy. Now, that lineup would only take you so far, the majority of the pitching....

My biggest takeaway is 6 guys with an OPS of .800+. NICE!

Three biggest concerns following the draft: 1] Finding CB who can play from all the talent on hand. 2] Finding 2 G who can play between Samoa, Duo and Elflein getting his crap together. 3] Can Kubiak find a way to mesh a collection of slot receivers to cover the wideout portion of the receiver corps? Still a lot of talent on this team, but I'm not sure which of these concerns me more.

Really not surprising a pitcher starts to really learn his craft around 29-30yo. We've seen it many, many times before. There are those rare SP that come up and just dominate early on. And some of them continue to do so. But how many start to flame out? I have always argued that so many top starters...from my years watching baseball...really hit their peak in their late 20's and early 30's where talent and experience meet. (Why I also keep arguing that the best of Berrios has yet to be seen). I'm not saying Oddo is going to evolve in to an ACE caliber pitcher, but he's right on the precipice of his best 3-5yrs of production. I'm still hoping for an extension and remain disappointed it hasn't happened yet, as I felt it was a good time to work one out before all this covid 19 crap disrupted things. Hoping it still happens.

What a ridiculous joke! My favorite part was near the end when the writer states the "outrage" in N.Y. for Jeter not winning. Duh! Just utter nonsense! While we're at it, let's revisit the 1982 ROY votes shall we? I mean, we're talking a SEASON right? Cal Ripken had 60 more plate appearances than Hrbek, and more R scored and more RBI, a plus for a plus 17. And he did this while playing for a contending club that won 94G. In 60 fewer plate appearances, for a team that only won 60G, Hrbek surpassed Ripken...rather substantially...in BA, OB%, SLG% and OPS. Ripken: .264/ .317/ .475/ .792 Hrbek: .301/ .363/ .485/ .848 So would an "outraged" TC population demanding for a revote today get one? And as mentioned by benchwarmerjim, can we get a revote for the Cy Young Santana was robbed of? Again, this is ridiculous and is borderline yellow journalism.