DocBauer

Lol. I just love auto correct!

Just a few comments on Kepler hitting leadoff: 1] Maybe he will simply embrace this spot. Different guys react differently where they are placed. His career OB is nothing special, but we've seen a good eye and good contact when he's going well before. 2] I hate to "waste" his LH bat and power potential in RH heavy lineup at leadoff, but in the 40+ years I've followed baseball, there just aren't that many Henersons or Raines to fit an ideal. I've seen a Coleman with low OB but tremdous speed and disruption on the basepaths, and Boggs or Downing provide OB and power. The key is PRODUCTION. For all the negative crap Dozier received, when he was on, he was amazingly productive from that spot. Not his fault his efforts sometimes lacked for no batters were OB for him, or power lacked in the lineup behind him. Polanco: He is an obvious choice to hit #1 as the team is constructed as of now. But he also SP perfect to hit in the 2 or 3 spot for all the points made. Cruz: The ideal spot. Period. Rosario: Perfect! Even with a healthy and productive Sano, this is the way I'd build the lineup. Even beyond something as simple as swapping out RH and LH batters, this guy is powerful, dangerous and exciting. Would you want to pitch to him with runners on base? Gonsalves: Being honest, he's penciled in here because Sano is out for now. He makes sense here for everything already stated. But I have a question. If he can handle 3B defensively for now...and I think he can...are we better off with the high contact and decent power Astudillo playing and hitting here and letting Marwin just do what he was brought in to do, which is play everywhere? Cron/Schop: Simply, might depend on matchups and who is not. Buxton could easily slide in to one of these spots and be dynamic. But setting aside OB, these two can hit and easily produce 20+ HR each. Both are dangerous. Castro: Here is where I have a question mark. I like Castro as a catcher. I think we missed him more last season than anyone wants to admit. While inconsistent and not great, he's a decent hitter for a catcher with double digit HR power. But is really the #1 guy here? Garver showed a lot of improvement the second half last season. And his bat plays very, very well. (We all know ST numbers only matter so much). IF Castro is #1 coming out of spring, I think his hold is tenuous at best. Buxton: Despite his impressive spring, this is perfect for him. For now at least. Especially if he appreciates his position here. Not only less pressure, but the opportunity to produce and still be a tablesetter for the top of the lineup. Things will be fluid. But I really like Rocco's thinking thus far.

Romero was awful/wild on Sunday, though he wasn't helped by a ball off of Austin at 1B and a bad play by Rosales at 3B. But did I miss something, somewhere, about him going to Rochester to begin the year? I could see it, for various reasons but he's also one of the best arms we have. I am NOT convinced Addison Reed makes the opening roster. After some solid appearances late in 2018 I thought he would be ready following the off season. But he has looked really bad. If you want to put your best team on the field, I'd say Reed is cut over Cave with hope Reed goes unclaimed. But Cave having an option means they could decide to give Reed a little more time. Speaking of options, there are various scenarios where Austin makes the club for an extended audition, especially with Sano beginning the season on the IR. Austin hasn't walked once the entire spring! And he struck out THREE TIMES on Sunday before his HR. But his BA and production and potential are interesting. I think Adrianza is safe. Poor Torreyes, he's destined for Rochester to begin the season. As to the THREE BATTER RULE...i just don't know. Seems a strange attempt to add interest. But a few points: 1] It affects everyone, not just the Twins. 2] Strategy doesn't go away, it just changes. Potentially, it's an interesting change. 3] The end of an inning caveat changes the complexion. EXAMPLE: SP starts an inning and gets 1 out. LHRP comes in to face a LH batter. Gets him out we will say. Then he has to face a RH batter who walks or gets a hit. Unfortunately, it could be a run scoring hit. (Again, the rules affect BOTH teams). Then he faces another LH batter. Three batters, he's done, plus the inning is done. If he can get proposed RH batter out, the inning is done after only two batters. NOT saying I like it, but I don't think strategy is gone, just changed.

We began this debate months ago, maybe even a year ago. One question I raised, which I never saw answered then, but seems to be answered with Toronto's move, is whether there was any restriction on what a parent club could pay their milb players. The answer seems to be no. I argued at the time, as an owner, it would highly intelligent, IMO, to pay more than most teams. In the billionaire game of baseball, raises salaries across the board in your milb system would cost very little. But it could provide dividends in the form of loyalty from your players, and those you'd make offers to to join your system when available. It would be beyond just a PR move. While very few guys ever actually make it, or make it "big", or even to a mediocre level, they are the lifeblood of your organization. Why not pay them better and treat them better than organizations do? Yes they get some per diem and get fed at home and on the road, but aren't all employees happier and more loyal if treated well? I still think there is a lot of blame to the union for not taking a stand, seeming only to care about players once they make it, but the owners can make moves as well. In a fantasy world, were I an owner, I'd really like to own as many of my franchises as I could, while partnering with the locals as they do now. Next, while team names and uniform colors would vary for the local franchise, whether I owned them or not, EVERYTHING from how we drill on down would be run the same way. And I would follow the Jays way of paying more to build my brand and loyalty as an organization who cares and believes in their "lifeblood". Only makes good business to me to build your entire organization from the top down.

And I find that interesting, don't you? At some point, wouldn't he and his agent have taken a step back and lowered their demands or looked for a decent 1yr at worst just to get him in camp and going? And yet, 2 weeks or less to go and he's still out there. Are his demands still that high? I remain very skeptical about Perez. And while intrigued by a age, LH, previous prosoect ranking, his velocity jncrease and mostly good ST...I remain skeptical. But I am considering all these things when I say I am intrigued now. The numbers listed in the OP are really puzzling. How could he throw his worst pitches so much when data seems to clearly show a negative pattern? Sort of reminds me of Gibson, who changed his approach, changed his mix, became more of a SO pitcher and developed more of an attacking and "bulldog" mentality. Is it possible a change of scenery, a fresh approach, a new pitching coach could really turn him around and in to a solid SP at 28? Again, skeptical, but intrigued.

Jealous of you being there. My dad was there a week ago and had a great time. He's been there a couple of times, Ft Myers once and Orlando back in the day. Where in Nebraska do you hail from? (Omaha here)

Awesomeness!!

Nice article and very spot on, both the good and the bad. I truly dont believe a team has to have an ACE to be a contender. Give me 3 #2 SP and a couple nice, solid #4-5 that aren't just filler and I'll take my chances any day/season. The problem is, Berrios and Gibson often pitch like real #2's, sometimes better. Berrios has potential he has yet to reach. Gibson, with Johnson's help, still only 31, could take his new and improved self up a notch for the next couple of seasons. But there isn't third guy. I'm OK with Pineda and Odorizzi both. You may ne able to talk me in to Perez if this spring isnt smoke and mirrors. But we're still short 1 guy from real contention, IMO. Unfortunately, I dont think he's on the roster at this time.

But what's great about all of this is that it proves building a bullpen is not just a science...sign this guy and that guy and trade for that guy...its more of an art. I have often mentioned previously, and did earlier in this thread, about the Tiger teams that seemed to have everything going their way for more than a couple of years but could never get over the hump because their bullpen was always a mess. I still feel the FO blew it by not bringing in a single, talented, experienced arm to settle the pen. Just too many factors, issues and inexperience not to make that one important move. But Nathan and Aguilera weren't proven. Neither were guys like Trombley and Guerrier. Until proven otherwise, I am high and optimistic in regard to May, Rogers, Romero, Parker and Mejia. I question Hildenberger, but know what he's done in the past. There a couple of fliers that could turn out, initially or brought up from Rochester. I am NOT sold! But I am optimistic.

Control of his electric stuff is an issue, like it is for a lot of young pitchers. And I agree, something off speed has to be developed or he will remain in the pen. That wouldnt be a terrible thing, of course. I sometimes wonder if he is just too focused on heat. Maybe if he lost just a mile or two off his FB and slider, and continued to refine SOMETHING off speed, he might have better control and fool the batters more. That could slide him right back in to the rotation mix in the near future.

Great points! Concentrating just on the bullpen side of things, it seems the FO has made some really smart, small signings. Now, I know it's only ST and that SSS vs career numbers and stuff has to be taken with a grain of salt. But the truth is, a couple of the arms brought in have looked good. Morin and Collins may not be special, but they have had real ML success and experience before being derailed by injury. I am still trying to figure out Harper! With his tremendous numbers in his milb career, and that AMAZING curveball, why has he bounced around and never had a cup of coffee? Does he have a bad FB? I really want to know! One of the things I like about this new FO is they aren't afraid to look for opportunity. I didn't like the Perez signing, still very unsure about it, but he's had a great spring, is slinging mid to upper 90's, and the former top prospect is working with Johnson on his approach and pretty much everything else. Is this a potential find? Jury is still out, of course. I don't think this FO, or this new staff, is playing favorites or "scholarshiping" players. Witness Duffey just being sent down. I really enjoy all the new approaches I'm seeing being implemented. It seems the staff is really refining everything from delivery to pitching to strength for each individual pitcher. It's WAY too early to see if they will be successful. But Romero to the pen makes so much sense as he continues to develop his secondary stuff. (Maybe he overthrows)? Could Magill harness his FB and slurve and take a step forward? Is Harper a find? This staff and FO seem to understand that building a bullpen is a nuance, and not an exact science. Now, will they get it right? Only time will tell. I am really hoping at least a couple of these guys will pass through waivers and end up at Rochester for depth. I'm not "settled" in my opinion of the pen. But I am more optimistic than I was a month ago.

Hilarious! I wasn't blessed with great athletic genes, just a small/average amount and a lot of effort and "want to", lol. But when my dad and I used to play catch, he would always comment and laugh that I had a natural break to everything I threw. If only I had been born LH!

Nice to know we can disagree...but not by much. (Including Ash in this as well). Especially with the pending 26 man roster, I can see room for a Cruz or similar bat to be just that, a bat. No arguement there. And I think we can all agree that a Grossman as our DH is just an immediate stopping point! Lol (No insult meant to Robbie). The sticking point to our two opinions is; "most players don't have max tools across the board". Agree with you 100%! My contention is simply that over the next couple of seasons, with what is on hand, and what is coming up, some of them very quickly, the depth at OF/1B/3B could be such that instead of having a "bat only" DH, you could be rotating Sano, Khirilloff, Rooker and others between the field and DH. Simply means your roster is deep enough and talented enough that you wouldn't have to carry a bat only player because your roster was deep enough and talented enough you spread around the playing time. Is that a pipedream? Meh...maybe. But the potential is there, IMO, to have this "problem" of too many good bats on hand. A fun debate! Let's hope I'm right and the Twins have too many guys to work in to the lineup!

Just a few points/thoughts to throw back at you: 1] While Garver has things to work on, he showed real improvement as 2018 went on and continues to work hard. His bat plays! I think he sticks, though I see your point. I remain convinced the starting job will be his at some point. 2] I could see Cave going down, not because the Twins don't like him, but they may want to use his option for a longer look at someone else. Possibly Reed, as you have him on the team. My best guess? Cave makes it and they hope Reed slips through waivers and goes to Rochester. 3] What do you think about Astudillo starting at 3B with Sano out and letting Gonzalez do what he was brought in to do, which is "super sub" all over the place?

What I saw of Astudillo last season, and the clip you presented, I just don't understand anyone questioning his ability behind the plate. It's just feels like his versatility, and not "slotting" in to a certain category of hitter or potential Gold Glover has allowed him to slip through the cracks and not be appreciated. I feel the Twins have corrected that mistake and understand his fit and potential. I love his versatility. I'd be happy with him as my catcher, at least as a backup, if not a starter. (Unless there is some game calling issue I'm not aware of). I think the bat is for real. Honesty, I'm not sure i wouldn't start him at 3B and keep Gonzalez in the role he was brought in for. As to Harper...yeah...that curveball is magic! He's not in the handbook. I'd really like to know more about his other stuff, because he looks like a real surprise who is going to be a contributor at some point.

I really appreciated the article and effort it took. What it comes down to, in a nutshell, is how do you build a bullpen? If there was an easy answer, then teams like the Tigers, a few years ago, would have taken their lineup and amazing starting staff and won at least one WS. For all the gruff Ryan has endured, one thing he was good at, being a scout at heart, is he found ways to build a pen. Guys like Guardado, Trombley, Nathan, Guerrier, and so many others weren't FA RP that signed up. They were trades, fliers, failed or average starters. Again, were it easy, everyone would do it. Going back even further how many quality RP did McPhail find? Considering the volatility of the position, I can forgive the FO, a bit, for not making at least a solitary move other than bringing Parker in. To help stabilize things, there wasn't ONE GUY you felt good enough to take on board? That bothers me. Even with Reed looking like toast and needing IR, at least, I see the potential here. But even with a smart FO who has brought in a couple interesting fliers who have performed well and could surprise at some point, is there somebody here who we can really count on? Romero and Mejia could both be in the rotation still at some point, 2019 or 2020. But they also have the stuff to be excellent relievers. May is a potential stud. Parker is nice. Which version of Hildenberger do we get? Rogers is very good! Can Johnson get Magill to take his heat and slider/slurve to a more consistent level? I am very hopeful when I look at what is on hand, and the backup options awaiting, potentially, at Rochester. But right now, I am feeling concerned we don't have that #1 guy we can count on and turn to and lead our bullpen.

This will sound like another advertisement for my love and belief in Astudillo...which I admittedly have, lol...but I remember late last season when he was behind the plate...and I forget who was doing color...but they commented how he seemed "quiet" behind the plate. That spoke volumes to me. As Castro said, it's more about just making sure a strike is called as such. Yes, there will always be some "allowance"from an umpire. While we all like perfection from an umpire, there has always been some leeway for a pitcher who consistently paints the edges. My understanding of this technique is to give umpires the best view to call a strike correctly. This goes back to being "quiet" behind the plate. No umpire worth his salt should ever call a 6" glove jerk a strike. But if the catcher can be "quiet" and offer a good view for the umpire, and just receive the ball effortlessly, possibly with a subtle flick of the wrist, suddenly a strike, or borderline strike, gets called as such.

I respect your comment, but we are going to have to agree to disagree to some extent. To re-iterate, I like the Cruz signing a TON. My preference was Brantley or McCutchen because they are good, dangerous, productive hitters who can actually play a position, thus increasing roster depth and flexibility. In said scenario, you roll different guys in to the DH slot for half days off. There is nothing wrong with having a difference making hitter like Cruz, or an Ortiz, on your team, filling their role. And it's OK if you disagree with me, but let me better explain myself. And considering the recent rule changes that begin in 2020, we will use the upcoming 26 man roster. Regardless of who, we will go with a 13 man pitching staff. That leaves 13 position players. We will also say there is a given 8 man "starting" lineup. Next, we will add a backup catcher, a traditional utility player, and a 4th outfielder. We are now at 11 position players and 2 spots left. Could that be a special bat who can realistically only DH? Yes, of course. But let us consider a very easy to predict roster "crunch" over the next season or so at OF and 1B with Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Cave, Wade, Kiriloff and Rooker. (Note, I'm not including the real possibility of Larnach fast tracking, or anyone else taking a step forward). A nice problem to have, yes? Now, let's plug Lewis in at SS and move Polanco to 2B. As talented as Javier is, as highly regarded a talent as he is, he could be knocking at the door as early as 2021. (A small stretch, I grant you). For purpose of discussion, the newly dedicated and fit Sano is your 3B, who can also play 1B. (Just like the OF/1B situation, I am not including Miranda, Arraez or any other surprise or fast riser). I would rather have this kind of positional player logjam and roll different guys, who are legitimate players in the field, in to the DH spot rather than reserve a spot for a DH only bat. I create competition, matchup situations and depth for guys hurt or struggling. Even with the possibilities of trades, 1 or 2 guys not reaching their potential, there is still a fascinating and tantalizing depth "problem" here that is good to have. And even then, there are guys not even taken in to "consideration" as I've broken down the options listed here. Again, just my opinion on how I'd like to address the roster construction and DH spot.

Very sad Garver couldn't have spoken to Swanson last season. That's just wrong! Something my father and I were talking about when he came back from his ST visit last week and various comments we both read here at TD and other places. The pace of practice has picked up with nobody standing around. Duh? Isn't that the way things are supposed to work? I read how practices at the ML camo have improved, including little thjngs like the catchers getting batting practice early, before they get tired. The milb staff decided this, and other changes, we're a good idea. Holy hell! MLB or milb, isn't this still the same organization? Shouldn't things be done the same way from the top on down? And I have recently read various comments how coaches and advisors from the ML camp have been spending more time on the milb side. This wasn't done before? All of this is dis-heartening to hear initially. And then you stop and reflect how much change that Rocco and the FO are making and it lifts your spirits. This organization is finally getting on the same page. As to the catchers themselves, I get the low strike and clear umpire view. I'm just glad to read they are not ignoring the high strike as the way the game is evolving, with power/launch angles/mad SO totals, the high strike can be a weapon.

I will admit Cruz wasn't my ideal signing. I have always believed you put together the best player roster you can for production, depth and versatility. TK was pretty successful largely, not having a fixture at DH. In today's game, with expanded pitching staffs, it becomes even harder to carry a "bat" no matter how productive. But I love Cruz on board for his bat as well as his professional influence on the lineup and the young players on hand. (Something Falvey spoke of weeks before he was signed). I have always been a proponent for the DH, as well as a lover of the NL game. And that is not a dicotemy. Never been a fan of asking pitchers to hit. It's like asking a kicker or QB to block and tackle. I never thought the NL game was interesting via strategy of PH. You're down and the pitcher is up? Oh my, what do I do? No. It was about the concepts of hit and run and speed, especially considering that, for a time at least, it seemed the AL parks and NL parks were not only different sized, but there were turf vs grass issues. Sometimes what was old suddenly becomes new again. What's wrong with a roster where you can play to power...the IN thing...but also "surprise" the opposition with speed and some situational ball? I think Cruz will pay big dividends the next year or two. But your best roster/lineup is 12/13 guys who can play and hit and you roll through the DH spot for days and half days off. I like Cruz and think we will benefit. But I think we are on the precipice of not needing a "designated bat" on the roster.

Larnach, probably, based on age and talent, will be rather fast-tracked. Kirilloff is one of the top prospects in all of baseball and could be ready in 2020. (I always hesitate to play the "this season" game). I think Wade has a chance to be a really nice player, though I still feel he's more of a complimentary 4th OF type. Rooker has real potential, and seems to know how to adapt, though there are a few holes in his game to be answered yet. Let us assume for a moment Kepler continues to improve and a healthy Buxton begins to at least scratch at his ceiling. Those two and Rosario make up an OF that could very easily be amongst the best in all of baseball. Oh, and Cave had an awfully nice rookie season. (I snicker when people talk about regression for Cave. Couldn't he also learn and improve?) Not even counting so many talented young OF in the lower levels, the Twins could easily have a logjam of riches for the OF/1B/DH as early as 2020/2021. A nice problem to have! It's also part of the reason I've never bought in to Lewis...who I really believe will stick at SS...moving to CF. Let's just say Buxton never figures it out. Sucks...but OK. With all the options present and coming up, does that make sense? The future is hard to predict, of course, but it sure seems there are a TON of OF options that Lewis could/should just stay in the infield regardless. Lewis would appear to be on a fast-track as well. Javier, and Miranda, would appear to be a good year behind. But if Javier is fully healthy and ready to go, he could be a potential top 100 prospect this time next season. That's not my opinion, but the opinion of many others. What if he just turns out to better at SS than Lewis? Do you put Lewis in the OF just because when you have so much talent there, and so many options? Or do you make a left side of your infield a mix of Lewis and Javier? (Possibly moving the talented Miranda out of the picture). Some have said that would be a waste of Lewis's talent and potential. I ask why? That's like saying a talent like A-Rod or Machado should move to the OF because they could. Really? If the OF talent, and potential, is for real, how would moving Lewis to 3B...IF Javier proves to be the better option...be a detriment to his talents? And you know what, it could work in reverse with Javier taking over 3B. Who ever decided you couldn't have stud athletes playing the left side of your infield? Things are in motion. We won't be there tomorrow. We're a season or two away from these questions being answered. But there is so much talent, so much potential, so many options even if a couple guys DON'T turn out, that the player situation is going to be very, very interesting over the next couple of seasons.

I still want a pitch clock/better clock, however you want to look at it. I'm OK with a hard trade deadline, but I would have gone with a compromise of 1st or 2nd week in August to give more time for all teams involved. But roster depth, 40 man roster and AAA are there for a reason. Still, I could see another week or two. I LOVE the 26 man roster. It's about time! NOT in favor of the 28 man September roster. I understand keeping competitive balance during the stretch. But the expanded roster is not just about rewarding players. It's about an audition for young players for the next season. Cap it at 30 if you need to, but I don't like 28. Initially, I balked at the 3 batter minimum. But I like the substitute pitcher for a PH. It just makes sense. But it's the "end of an inning" caveat that I like. It seems to me that often a RP is brought in for an inning at a time. If he's brought in for more than that, he can be replaced at any time after 3 batters. And THAT RP could be in for as little as 1 batter. In regard to a SP, it's really the same. Many times a SP may be removed after an out or two. In this scenario, again, he only has to finish the inning. I think it's an interesting move that adds to the strategy.

Very neat Seth! Thanks! Love the personal side of the players. I'm still trying to figure out Harper because he looks really good and I just can't believe he's still floating around as milb FA. Morin, I do confess, I either forgot about or didn't know much about. Guilmet is a complete stranger to me. These perspectives and personal sketches are very cool!

Not surprised by Duda surging. He's had a solid career and some good seasons. I can see a place for him, out of the gate, as a partner with Cron, and most past season's I'd see his chances as being better than now. The reason being Austin. I don't think the Twins want to double up on RH hitting 1B, but if they were going to keep someone for an extended look, I think it would be Austin. Were a trade to happen, I could see Duda making the club over someone with an option. Rosales has done all he can do. And he offers versatility. But there's also a reason he's here on a milb deal. I can't see anyone knocking down any doors for him. His best bet, IMO, is to go to Rochester and see what happens. It's the bullpen options I find Interesting! I am still trying to wrap my head around Harper. His milb numbers are beyond good. His breaking stuff looks outstanding. Is that all he has? Are his milb numbers a result of a good breaking ball and nothing else but smoke and mirrors? Or is he one of those guys who somehow slip through the cracks? In the past, the Twins often came up with guys like this. Guerrier comes to mind. Is Harper another Magill but better? I thought Eades was a bust before settling in to a pen role. Now I think we may see him at some point in 2019.

My only comment is I'm a fan and believer in Kepler. Always have been, though I was disappointed he didn't have his breakthrough in 2018...which I thought he might. Weird splits, ups and downs and lack of consistency aside, I see a tremendous athlete with power/power potential, a good eye, and a smooth and quick stroke that still tells me it's going to "click" for him. Very interesting he commented recently that perhaps he was being too patient waiting for a pitch, then not seeing another one he liked, and being more focused on just being aggressive this spring. I still believe everything is there to hit at least .270 and higher, while still making contact and having a quality OB with 20+HR power. Is 2019 his year? I sure hope so.