DocBauer

Great post! And fair as both sides are argued well. With a 40 man roster, there has to be some juggling. You just can't keep everyone, unfortunately. Over the years, the Twins have enjoyed the results and contributions of other players left vulnerable from other teams. It's the nature of the game. You just always hope you are smarter and more lucky than the other guys. I admit I was surprised and disappointed by Rosario. I just had a hunch he would turn out with a little more time. Goodrum is a sore spot for me. I'm not saying he should have been placed on the 40 man. And maybe the Twins offered him a great deal but he just wanted to move on and saw more opportunity with Detroit and Gardenhire. But when I looked at infield depth, Sano coming off such a rough off season, opportunity, his versatility and recent development, I saw a versatile and talented athlete that was ready to become a super utility guy. Boy would I love to have him back! But your premise is right on. Let's not re-hash yet again what has gone wrong. There are other threads for that. This is about what is right. As in, what is right to do now, going forward, for the second half of 2018. How do we know if we have another Hildenberger amongst Bard, Curtiss, Reed and Busentiz if we don't allow for opportunity? Could Slegers prove he's either a 5th SP or a quality swing man unless he gets more than a game or two to show anything? Remember, not so long ago, when All Star and potential ACE Berrios was a disappointment? What if Gonsalves has a rough go first time out? (As Littell has, though he's been put in weird situations to be sure). Mejia showed real potential last season, has torn up AAA before his last start, and IMO, projects as a high quality LHRP at worst. But you have to take a look and challenge guys! Same could be said for Gordon. Flat out, he's still very young. He needs to grow a few more man-muscles. He may not be ready yet. But there is real ability and potential. Since he has to be added to the 40 man anyway, why not a look to learn and drive him? Same for Wade. And for goodness sake, keep playing Cave! You may have found a quality 4th OF who can play and produce. And for goodness sake Part 2, PLAY GARVER! Look, he may never be a great defensive catcher. But he can't learn or improve without playing! He seems to call a good game. He has a strong arm. He has some real offensive potential. Despite various moves to add milb depth and talent at the catcher position, RIGHT NOW, there is nothing for 2019 but Garver and a rehabbed Castro. I don't care...sorry to sound mean...but Wilson may be a great guy, a quality defensive catcher, but he is a AAA catcher, fill in, coach in waiting maybe, who has no business being the starting catcher on a losing team. Two things are paramount to the second half of this season: 1] Continuing to develop what you have. This includes everything from Berrios and Rosario to Kepler as well as Sano and Buxton, and yes, Garver. 2] Make the trade moves that make sense, (Lynn, Rodney, Duke, Dozier maybe/probably, Santana, Morrison huge maybes), and open up opportunities in August and September for those guys who are close. What's more important? Chasing a few more wins in a disappointing season? Or preparing your roster and young talent for 2019?

I hear ya and won't disagree a bit! Maybe its just me but unless there is some sort of "agreement" that lets him know how much you want him back, but this is for talent, and a chance for him to experience the playoffs, etc, but I've always felt you had a better chance to keep someone rather than bring them back. I also should have re-stated my previous arguments that he should be extended.

I know the analogy doesn't correlate directly, but I remember Robert Smith of the Vikings flashing so much potential but often injured early in his career. He spoke once with Tony Dorsett about protecting his body for the good of the team and a full season of production vs maybe fighting for an extra yard at times. Whether that was the answer, or plain old better luck, Smith's career took off and he became one of the top RB in Vikings history, and was one of the best in the NFL before his early retirement. Buxton needs to just get healthy. But his problem is also between his ears. Not that's he's a headache, rather, he's just so talented that so much has come so easily, that at times I think he's missed actual development time in his rather rapid ascent. I think the same is entirely true for Sano, though there may be some maturity/c omitment issues involved as well. Speculation on my part, but I think intelligent speculation. What's most important for these two is not the remaining Twins 2018 season, but what each of them does for their own rest of the season.

No. No. And...um....no. Dozier is almost certainly gone, though I could see scenarios where he stays. Sano is a question mark, though I believe in his potential and a possible big rebound. We aren't certain as to Mauer's future, and Gordon may simply not be quite ready. (Though I've grown to like Gordon and his potential). So we would consider trading, probably, our best overall infielder, with quality offense and versatility, with so many sudden question marks? Somebody better knock our socks off!

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. Yes, other teams have injuries. I don't dispute that, or that some teams have dealt with it better. But no Santana at all, no Polanco for half a season, Castro playing injured before having to give it up, the injuries/disappointment with Buxton and Sano, Morrison performing well below career norms, etc, is just an awful lot for any team to overcome unless you have a hell of a bench, or some quality prospects ready to step in. I'm not arguing Molitor or a bench that could have maybe been one player deeper, or a lack of "decent" options at AAA. I hate to use terms like "unlucky" or "snakebit", but really, there has been a rash of injuries and issues that have plagued this team. A contender if everyone is relatively healthy and performing at close to expectation? Make up your own mind. But this would have been the best Twins team assembled in some time otherwise. Tell me all of these things were to happen before the season started and I'd have given you a big "oh vey"!

Reminds me of watching Mejia last season. The stuff is there! Where does stuff and knowledge meet reality and you just "learn" to economize and get those outs?

Generally speaking, the Dodgers and Red Sox have not been shy about being aggressive to win in the past. Which makes reported offers for Dozierin a deal to the Dodgers last year a bit strange. They seem the most likely suitors as they wouldn't be afraid of his remaining contact, (pretty small really), or his potential contract if they decided to bring him back, (Especially with a seemingly depressed market). And again, they have shown tendencies in the past to make big moves to put them over the top. If I'm either of those teams I'm actually pretty excited to make the deal. (Especially since I have nothing at 2B currently). Dozier is a good guy and good teammate. Make jokes if you want, but he's solid defensively. He has a pretty nice record of production, albeit with a proven reputation for strong second halves. (Which is the point of acquiring him now as well). His contract for the remainder of this season is no burden. And I can let him go after the season if I just don't feel like its working out. The bad news for the Twins is, he's only a half season rental and hasn't turned up the temperature of his production to normal standards yet this season. I think it's 50-50 he goes in a trade. I think it honestly comes down to a decent overpay for one of these two clubs, or the Twins keep him and make a decision in the off season how to proceed.

Not knocking any of the previous prospects, or their potential, but it's at this point of the rankings where I get positively giddy. (Yes, I said "giddy"). Not saying he's the most talented player in the system, but could Rortvedt maybe be the most "important"prospect? This team is starving for a long term solution at catcher. If his production/development hold status quo going forward he would be an above average offensive catcher with outstanding defense. Absolutely agree Thorpe could fly up this list the second half. Only thing holding him back is a possible IP limit or a potentially tiring arm. Yes, he needs to stay healthy, but the bought with mono following his missed year due to surgery was a real freak thing, not an injury. I remember when Blankenhorn and Cabbage were drafted, it sure sounded like they drafted the same guy twice. Athletic multi sport athlete with power potential. Sure seems like Blenkenhorn is the better looking of the two at this point. Seems from various scouting reports and game logs he runs fairly well and possesses good instincts. I think he has a real chance to play somewhere in the Twins future infield along with Gordon, Polanco and Lewis. Personally, while I am anxious to see him, and agree on a September promotion, I like the patience the organization has shown with Wade this year. He may turn out to be a better version of Grossman. And that is not a bad thing! But if he can develop a little more power, he could be a much better version of Grossman. Just waiting for Enlow to take off. It seems everything is there for him to develop in to a top pitching prospect. But at 19 in his first full season only 2nd season period, and to be holding his own at A ball is very encouraging. And I think age is a fair point to bring up here. Rortvedt is only 20 and at Ft Myers. Thorpe is only 22m already at AA, despite missing back to back season's due to surgery and then a bad case of mono. Blenkenhorn is 21m in his 2nd full season year at at Ft Myers. At 24, Wade is about right for AAA, certainly not old. And I already mentioned Enlow. I thought the Twins didn't promote aggressively?

Arraez is simply an amazing hitter with contact and OB ability. Even with solid play at 2B, eventually, he will have to fill out a bit and drive the ball more or his his hit ability will be nullified. But as I've said before, he has me re-thinking my ideal infield in the future. I get Person being, IIRC, an athletic 3rd round pick, and I get youth and adjusting to pro ball and wooden bat, but to me he was a "let's see" after a not so great debut. (Though with a decent finish). So far, so very good. Can Jeffers really call a game and catch and throw? Or is he another LeCroy? Time will tell. But hitting potential, decent eye and power potential at least have me intrigued. What is it with Davis? I'm no scout or expert by any means. But there must be some potential I'm not understanding that ranks him so high on so many lists. The production just doesn't seem to match rankings thus far.

That would really hurt, IMO. Which it means it might work. But I'm betting you'd have to replace one of those guys with Kirillhoff.

Only 24 and emerging as a potential true ACE. A definite all star. Especially pitching this well for a losing team. (Kills me to say that last part). What is really disappointing to me is Rosario having to fight to be voted in. Has anyone, anywhere watched him or looked at the numbers? He should absolutely be in the game! Man, he scared me in ST and his first couple of appearances, but Hilgenberger is a stud! How awesome could this pen be with Pressly not being abused, (Maybe he should close, said it before), and Reed pitching to his normal level and someone lime Reed, Curtiss or Busentiz do what Hilgenberger did last year? That is, RUN when opportunity presents itself! Yes, Rodney has blown a few saves, (though mostly that was to begin the season). A little scary at times to be sure, but a 3.06 ERA, 36 SO in 32 IP, and 20 saves before the break for a team with a losing record. Man...what a horrible signing, right?

Yep. No matter how talented a prospect is, he's still a prospect. Might regret it later, but a lower level prospect is still easier to acquire...as a replacement draft choice of international FA...than someone on the roster or kicking in the door at the highest levels.

Not saying yes or no. But I am going to comment. No to Lewis. Yes to Kirillhoff if you can make the rest of the deal work. I say this due to overall OF depth in the system, the recent drafting of Larnach...who could be a viable "replacement" in the system...and the current ML unit of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler. (Put away your pitchforks folks, we still knkw all the potential of this group). If I had to include one of Romero or Graterol, I guess I'd include Graterol. Romero is still very young, has a great ceiling, and has, more or less, arrived. Graterol would seem to be a couple seasons away. But that would also be 2 or our top 3 or 4 prospects, depending if you still can Romero a prospect at this point, and that scares me. We'd probably have to throw at least one more top 15-20 player in there, and that just sounds like an awful lot for 2 years and hope for an extension. I get how good Really do is. And I'd feel different if he had 3 years of control left. I hate to sound complacent, but I think I'd feel more comfortable making a deal for someone younger in a system, or who may seem blocked, and bring him in to compete with Garver and a hopefully healthy Castro. I'm not sure who that would be, but there have been some names thrown out previously. Don't misunderstand, I'd love to have Really do behind the plate for us! And maybe I sound naive or overly optimistic to some, but I'd rather concentrate on the return/development of Buxton, Sano, Kepler and Polanco to lead the offense along with Rosario and Escobar. I'd rather look for a better DH/1B or OF option to replace Morrison. I'd rather concentrate on Gordon in the infield, or a veteran stop-gap for a season or two if Dozier is gone. In what has been a disappointing, frustrating, maddening season, I still think it behooves us to remember and realize the potential of this team, and its young core, especially if augmented with 1 or 2 big or smart moves. Catcher is such an important position for defense, game calling and just handling of the staff. A guy who can provide decent to good offense is outstanding. And they are rare! Again, not saying no, but the 2 years of control to give up so much just scares me. I think I'd hold on to what I have for one more season, find the best young prospect/back up I could find, or the best veteran stop-gap/FA I could acquire as a second alternative, and see if 2018 wasn't just a bad nightmare and watch my young talent, hopefully, flourish in 2019. But if they DID make such a bold move, try to move as many lower level talents as possible. It would still hurt, but would also be easier to replace those guys over the next year or two than lose someone like Romero who can be pencilled in for 2019 and beyond.

We talk a lot about promotion time. I think he got his first shot a bit early. His second shot was a bit of mess, coming out of the pen. Plus the initial confusion he was comjng out of the game vs defensive realignment. I think he could be OK, but was rushed some.

I love that the Twins won. Thrilled! I love that Wilson has probably as many RBI as hits. (Sarcasm and humor folks). And he may be a great guy and good defensive catcher, but overall, he makes Butera look like Mauer at his prime behind the plate. Maybe we lose today without his hit, and Garver behind the plate instead. But when does a losing team play for the second half, development, and 2019? The more I watch Cave, the more impressed I am. Maybe the elite fleet footed Buxton makes a couple of those catches look "easy". But none of the plays Cave has made are easy at all for normal mortals. He has the chops to play a quality OF. Keep playing him daily! He may surprise. He may be a quality 4th OF. But he shows ability, potential and LIFE when he plays. The OLD Gibson may have shut down after a tough first inning. He responded with 6 shut out innings after. (Don't give me the "it's only Baltimore" crap.) He is the Twins second best SP, and the best 3-6, 3.59 ERA hard luck SP in MLB. There is no SSS any longer. Unless you are overwhelmed, you keep him.

Want to echo the comments about a promotion for Wells. I only pretend to know things, but why isn't he being challenged at the next level at this point? There have been several promotions as of late. But it still feels like we are being a bit slow with some guys.

Breaking it down in the most simple terms, you are short sighted and downright stupid if you don't play guys like Garver and Cave daily. Garver has a strong arm and calls a good game, and might actually gain enough polish defensively to be OK while providing a quality bat. Cave may prove he can play quality ML defense and hit a bit with some power and decent speed to, I don't know, supplant Grossman? I don't care if it's Baltimore. More games like this PLEASE!

Look, this is yet another quality thread with quality opinions. And I'm not going to pretend my thoughts are so much smarter than anyone else's. Nor will I pretend to have all the answers. Nor will I make excuses. But here is my opinion. 1] The front office has been on the job, literally, for a year and a half. Not sure what magic dust they were supposed to sprinkle to create an immediate turnaround. 2] Depending on your viewpoint, of course, the FO made a couple small moves that helped the 2017 team surprise. They even made a couple moves during the season that some question, but have largely looked good. They also used tbe Rochester shuttle fairly effectively. 3] This new FO had what, is perceived to be, a very good draft last year, and played with international FA money to acquire a couple more solid prospects. 4] Forget results for a moment, the new FO made aggressive FA and trade moves like we haven't seen since McPhail was in office. Oddorizi was NOT a bad move. Nor was Duke, Rodney, Reed or Morrison. Or Lynn, who has looked pretty darn good the last month plus. 5] The FO is not directly responsible, so far as I can tell, for Buxton or Sano, or sudden regression from Reed. Nor are they responsible for Polanco's suspension, Castro's injury, Santana's injury, (or Sano and Buxton for that matter), or Dozier and Morrison having the worst seasons of their career. However, they ARE responsible for putting together a AAA roster filled with nothing but internal pitching options! I only liked the Wilson signing to play at Rochester and be a temp fill in if needed. No way they could predict Castro's knee, but still think they set their sites low. The rest of the player roster, except for the injured Granite made me scratch my head. Cave was a smart move, IMO. And it makes me cringe a bit to say it, but I miss having a Buscher or Tyner at Rochester. But let us not lose perspective on the ML issue at hand. When half your projected lineup, and your #1 starter from the year before, miss all, or large parts of the season, you tend to struggle. When a useful piece like Grossman or Adrianza3....maybe being unfair to Adrianza...become regulars, you will tend to struggle. Honestly, the FO punched almost every button right in the off season. At some point, injuries play a factor, whether you like Molitor or not. Rowson was a GREAT hire a year ago as hitting instructor. Now he's awful because of the poor offense? He suddenly made Sano, Buxton, Dozier and Morrison bad hitters? At what point to you just blame the players themselves, accept injuries and weird off season developments, and other intangibles and just say "it's not our year"? Honestly, and it may not be fair, but if I was FORCED to lay blame, and couldn't blame crappy luck and circumstances, I'd put the blame 50-50 on the players and Molitor and his staff. What's IMPORTANT is what happens next. Exonerate Molitor and his staff, but shed whoever you don't see next season. Pick up some prospects if you can, for future trade, or to fill in holes in the system. Audition guys who deserve a chance to see what they can do. They might surprise you! Tell Molitor to play them! Arent you his boss? A lot of milb teams employ a 6 man rotation. Sometimes straight, sometimes by skipping guys every 5th or 6th turn by pitching out of the pen to stay sharp. Be inventive! You are supposed to be a new age FO, then show us you are by getting ready for 2019! Play Garver as much as you can! My goodness, you really think playing an aged defensive catcher who can barley hit above .100 is going to let you win more games? Play Garver, strong arm, good pitch calling, more than average offense potentially, and let him grow and learn! See what you have! Audition your rotation and bullpen arms. One more time, aren't you supposed to be innovative? Prove it! This season, for the most part, is NOT on the FO. Nor is it entirely on Molitor and his staff. But the onus is now on "what do we do going forward for the second half?" And it is a very, very important second half for trades, auditions, promotions, development and even leading in to off season moves.

Exactly! Motter is actually the kind of high potential, low risk many have advocated right here on TD. He's relatively young, athletic, versatile, and has shown performance in milb. He becomes available, so you take a loom-see to see if you are the right team, the right place and time, concurrent with maturity, where maybe he starts to figure stuff out. Motter is not the problem with this season.

Frustrated but I have to disagree with the blanket approach of thjs statement. They came on board fall of 2017. They've made changes throughout the organization, both initially and since. Buxton and Sano, the obvious biggest question marks, were here before them. Is a year and a half sufficient time frame to judge this aspect? If it is, then credit the development of Berrios and Rosario to them.

You know what, I have to admit I feel the same way. At least at first. And then I thought about it for a while and ran some things through my head. And afterward, I'm not so sure. These 5 guys are about projection. Jay may be a washout. But how many times have we seen a big arm just "get it" after a few seasons? With just a little more consistency, that arm is still plus. The same could be said for Stewart. He was a top selection with a huge arm, all the athletic talent in the world, and we were all tempted to think we drafted a big horse #1 SP. He has teased and frustrated the hell out of us. We've heard report after report about velocity and weak contact. And we've also heard, over and over, about how he was football first and was still very raw as a pitcher. (Also heard a few innuendos about attitude and maturity). And now, here he is, on a bit of a hot streak, at the ancient age of 23, hitting AAA with the highest SO numbers of his career. Maybe he simply has been a longer term project than we hoped. Leach is a big project, with projectability, and I think we all know that. Think Balazovic, also from the baseball hotbed of Canada. Miranda should bring excitement and optimism. Not trying to spin things. Just taking a step back and looking closer at this group. Jay is 24. Sucks he isn't already what we hoped for. But what if he's 26 in 2020 and rocking it in the pen? Not the SP we hoped for when drafted, but what if he's a big cog in the pen then? Would still be a quality contributor.

Great post! And a lot of really good comments! Going to try to hit all positions quickly and directly: ROTATION: Trade Lynn for best prospects(s) you can get. Keep the Rochester shuttle moving, employee a variable 6 man rotation maybe, and get Romero, Slegers, Mejia and Littell as many opportunities as possible. Not sure a 100% healthy Santana is gone for sure. Could receive a low 1 year offer with incentives with ML invite. But the kids need to pitch! BULLPEN: Trade Rodney and Duke. Cut ties with Belisle. Audition the kids and keep that AAA shuttle going. Some of the young starters can pitch out of the pen between starts, hence part of the 6 man rotation. CATCHER: Not sure how to address this, really. But for now, get rid of Wilson and let Garver play. He calls a good game. There is potential with his bat. How will you ever know what he can do or become sitting him for a 34/35 vet who can barely hit above .100? Austadillo COULD be a decent 25th man. But he can catch, at least a little. How about seeing how well? What's he going to do, lose games for you? INFIELD: Keep Escobar and re-sign him. Let's not be silly here! Trade Dozier for what you can. Since Gordon has to be added to the 40 man anyway, give him a taste. He may not be ready yet, but it might give him something to build on. Don't know what Joe will want to do, or if he's cooked, but keep playing him to see if 2017 and the first half of this season is for real. He's auditioning for himself, and the organization. OUTFIELD: Keep playing Kepler and working with him! Young and talented, pretty much skipped AAA, loads of potential, and really, started a step back of most HS age players considering his background. Might be time to just move on from Grossman. Keep playing Cave. There is potential there as a useful piece. Not convinced Wade is ready, but see Gordon comments above. Excited about Rooker and his potential. And I'd like him to see even a little AAA time to get ready for 2019. But he literally has just over 1 year or pro experience at this point. And with 40 man roster decisions to be made, I'd hesitate a ML audition at this point.

No statistical evidence, just my opinion and observation watching the game for 45+ years. The steroid era and Sportscenter highlights started the demise of the bunt, situational hitting and stealing bases. Post steroids has brought about concentration on exit velocity and launch angles. This has done a couple of things. 1] slowed down the pace of the game as hitters are looking for pitches to drive out 2] increased SO totals as a result of a more free-swinging approach and smart pitchers throwing stuff high. Most sports see evolutions in their game. I almost wonder now if you build your team with more contact, speed and situational ball you wouldn't be considered "innovative ".

Ahhh, Joe Benson, I had almost forgot about him. Probably deliberately. Might be one of my personal biggest disappointments over the last 20 years or so. Just seemed to have so much potential. Jersey was still a high selection, but from what you read about him, if there are no additional problems with his hip, and his speed comes back fully, or close, have to wonder if we got a steal there.

Curious about your defensive comment regarding Bechtold. Thought he was supposed to be a true 3B, glove and arm.