DocBauer

1] Molitor falls in love with guys performing well that he "knows". 2] Molitor can be stubborn about roles, IMO, and keeps holding MaGill out to be the long guy. Having defined roles for the pen is not a bad thing. But when guys gets overworked or slump, it's time to be flexible and creative.

The improvement in pitching this season from previous ones is tremendous. Despite such a horrible start to the season, Lynn has been a part of that improvement, including the in season improvement listed in the OP. And all of this without Santana. It may simply be too late, but how much more fun can the rest of this season be with even a normalization on offense.

I'm not going to disagree with this a bit. I think for both of them, things came so easily that flaws in their game...and developmental time lost here and there to injury...was ignored.

Great post! I won't hide, I have been mostly supportive of most all moves the FO has made while in charge. While certainly arguable, I think most personnel moves have been smart. I really liked last year's draft, FA and trade moves made both seasons, and most of the Rochester shuttle moves made at times. I think they've been intelligent and long-sighted when it comes to building the organization for the long haul. But I still don't understand the Mientkiewicz move. Clearly, there was some personality or philosophical difference that couldn't be resolved. And that's too bad. Is it damning to the FO? I would say no. In any business, change brings about change, even if it means change we don't always like to see. But I think we lost a good baseball man there. Further exasported by the loss of Mauer. But that still seems to be a personal choice, and not a decision by the FO.

I hate to drive in the middle of the road, but I think here in year 4 the jury is still out. I never thought Molitor was a great choice, but never thought he was a bad choice either. No questioning his career, of his baseball IQ, or his relatownships and knowledge of the young core players scheduled to arrive in Minnesota. But he also had zero experience as a manager at any level. I still believe he's learning as he goes along. That's a good thing, but also a bit frightening as were talking about MLB and not being groomed in the minors to lead the parent club. He lead the team to surprising competition in 2015. He lead the team to the horrific 2016 finish in which it seemed all the wheels came off. We can talk modest improvement in record from 2015 to 2017, but not only are they different teams/season's, there was a whole year in between! Rowson was given tremendous credit for the work he did last season. Now that our offense resembles a weathered skelton in the desert, he's a poor instructor? Just using him as another example of good vs bad and where does the responsibility and culpability reside with Molitor, and his coaches, vs injury and the performance of the players themselves? This team was built pretty impressively, top to bottom, if simply looking at the pieces put in place. Please don't talk to me about other teams dealing with slumps and injuries. Every team is it's own microcosm unto itself. And every team weathersm or doesn't weather, poor season's and injuries differently. One team collapses, another has a top prospect emerge and a couple guys with career seasons to compensate. 5 supposed fixtures in the Twins lineup have missed significant time and/or attempted to play with injury, or been lost to suspension. Add to that the rotation's elder statesman and best pitcher the past few season's has yet to make even a single appearance. (Less of a factor now, maybe, but is part of the equation). Sano is so talented, and things have come so easy for him, maybe he was due to have a reboot, "come down to earth" moment. But the keg injury, surgery, rehab and off season situation is not Monitor's doing. Nor is Castro. Nor is Polanco. Nor is Mauer. I seriously doubt either Molitor or Rowson told Morrison to underperform well below his career numbers. Or tell Dozier to have the coldest start he's ever had. Take away the toe injury, and maybe Buxton just started slow and would already have shaken his funk and be hitting the same way he did last season. Maybe this just isnt our season. Baseball is funny that way. If it sounds like I'm defending Molitor, I am not. I am simply taking a long look at the realities of this season. Again, this team is built better, overall, than any we've seen in some time. Especially in the area of pitching. And the responsibility still falls, mostly, fair or unfair, on his shoulders. I think he's been stubborn at times to play with his lineup. I still think he falls in love with and abuses guys in the pen instead of asking for re-inforcements. Maybe with all the offensive struggles the team has had, this was the wrong time to abandon some of his small ball principles. And the team, as a whole, seemed more fundamentally sound in 2017. So what is the answer? Mauer is back. Polanco will be back soon, perhaps with some rust. Buxton will be back, hopefully, healthy this time. Erg should be back in the second half to help. There are some arms in Rochester to help. This is the best staff Molitor has had. Rosario and Escobar are very good, and keepers. Dozier and Morrison are just not this bad. It all comes down to the next 3 1/2 months of play. There is something to be said for an even keel. And there is something to be said for tossing the bats in to the shower! If this team rights itself and plays ball the next 3 1/2 months like we've seen them play before, (and have at times this season), playoffs or not, I'd say he's earned next season. If not, I'd say he's a highly intelligent, articulate, HOF ballplayer who just doesn't translate to being a ML manager.

I hear you Seth and won't disagree entirely. I liked the Cave move. Being able to bring back Vargas, who I have been a supporter of in the past, seemed nice. But Carter was an afterthought. Wilson seemed smart, and would be smarter without the Castro injury. Petit and Featherstone just don't move the needle for me. They fill out the Rochester roster, but just didn't feel they offered legitimate depth. Maybe he just wanted to move on, but Goodrum would have been a real nice re-sign to me. Maybe money vs opportunity just didn't line up. I would have liked to see a Buscher type, or an Aybar sticking around. I just felt there was enough of a depth/opportunity situation to bring in a couple more experienced AAAA guys for depth.

Forgive my math as I was distracted, but I did a little research and found the Twins at 16-20 vs teams with an above .500 record. (My math has us with 1 extra loss that shouldn't be there, though I'm not sure if the extra loss is against a winning team or not). What I found frustrating is I almost believe in a curse against the Yankees, 0-4 for the season. But we are 1-6 vs the Mariners. Of the other above .500 teams, we are 15-10. Have we taken care of business? Not at all! There will always be outliers where you just beat up on or suck against certain teams in certain years. Which means, ultimately, we are what we are at this point. Sorry, wish I had better news. I think it still comes back to the 1 run games and what happens going forward. This was a GREAT second win for the weekend! I didn't get to watch the game. Can someone tell why Romero came out of the game so early?

Can't like this post enough! Yes, we are all so totally confounded and frustrated by the Sano we have seen this season! But we have all watched him closely since day ONE! We've watched him through his milb career and his MLB career. If you want to frustrate yourself more, as well as tease and tantalize yourself, go look at what Sano has produced the last 3 season's. Even not yet living up to his full potential and expectation, we are SO MUCH BETTER with him. Weight, dedication, injury and titanium rod and rehab, off season controversy, everything comjng so relatively easy for him at this point...take your pick...he needs the reboot he's getting right now. He can be very, very good. Or he can be a future HOF type player. Its up to him. But RIGHT NOW, yes, your point is taken and they are better off without him in the temporary.

I echo "great post", though a game late now. My only argument is Duke as a LOOGY. For his career, he's been equally effective against both sides of the plate.

Doubt we should be concerned about May unless told otherwise. This is still about getting full strength back and getting in to a routine, I would expect things lime irritation or inflammation to be normal here and there. I've always thought he might help, in some capacity, the second half of this season, with an eye toward a bigger role, potentially, in 2019. Motter is just a fill-in who still has a little potential and can play almost anywhere. Guys out and the Sano demotion means we need another utility guy. Of course, I have stated before the one area where I feel the FO failed was not constructing a better AAA player roster. Still not sure I understand LaMarre over Cave unless they just trust his defense more at this point and want the RH bat. I am expecting a big second half from Ft Myers!

Must be saving Magill for later in the series for a higher pressure situation. (Yes, that is sarcasm). Trust the guy or get someone else. I like Rogers. His stuff is pretty good. But he's just so damn inconsistent! Other than being another LH bat, I think they should have kept Cave up. Bigger bat and some actual potential. Maybe they just like LaMarre's defense better? Great for Gibson! Has to feel like the monkey is off his back.

Falvine, I believe it was, during a game broadcast shortly after the draft also commented they definitely believe he stays behind the plate. His approach to hitting not only sounds good, but that power and OB are mighty impressive for anyone, much less a catcher. I find it very interesting he mostly called his own game. It's been my understanding that fewer and fewer college catchers are doing that, deferring to the bench.

I applaud this move for many reasons. This is not a punishment, nor should it be viewed that way. This is a mental and physical time out to work on his eye, approach, and just get back to being the talented and dangerous hitter he can be. What I am NOT a fan of is sending down Cave. He's got much more potential than LaMarre and doesn't look the least out of place. Unless this about a RH vs LH bat, I'd of kept Cave.

Not speaking directly about the Belisle signing, because it's brand new, but one thing I appreciated last season...when the rotation wasn't nearly as good...the FO rotated guys in and out of the bullpen in an attempt to keep live arms available. I get Slegers and Duffey both going down after long appearances. But Duffey's last stretch was looking good and they sent him down for Cave. Yeah, Cave is nice and had a good re-appearance. But is he more important than a trusted pen arm when Pressly and Reed have been over-worked? Who the he'll is Magill? I still don't know. But he's pitched very well when given rare opportunity. He deserves a roster spot but doesn't deserve to give Pressly and Reed a break? The arms at Rochester, unproven but talented, are just so suspect that they can't displace the seldom used Magill and require the signing of Belisle? I'm sorry, but there is some kind of disconnect here. And with Sano DH tonight, we began the game without a single reserve infielder available? For the first time, I'm starting to question the new FO.

You know, with thread after thread of pessimism, this is very refreshing. Oh, I'm as frustrated and disappointed as anyone, including being confounded and confused as to just how bad the offense has been, but it's still an interesting piece. The truth is, the Twins chances are fading fast. None of us likes to admit it, but it's the truth. And I'm an optimist! Top to bottom, this is a better team on paper than last season. The FO stepped up, helped build this team, and did a great job overall. Not talking results, I'm talking about what was done. Sano remembers who the hell he is and how much talent he has and "reverts" back to who he bas been big difference. Morrison "reverts" to career norms, he's a nice piece. Dozier suddenly becomes Dozier again, there you go. Blast Buxton for a slow start before his injury? Fine. I get it. But what if it was just a slow start...we're talking a few weird weeks...and he was healthy? Just saying, a lot has gone wrong and has been weird this season. And injuries HAVE been an issue. Maybe it's just not our year. It happens. But with the best pitching we have bad in years...and Molitor and the FO not abusing the BP and making moves when needed...maybe Sano and Morrison and Dozier begin to produce like "normal". Maybe Buck comes back actually healthy and does what he did last season. A lot of "maybes"? You'd be right. But we are also not talking about utility players suddenly turning in to All Stars. We're talking about guys just doing what they are capable of doing. Baseball is a funny game. No rose-colored glasses. Maybe its just not our year. But it's summer, there is baseball,there is hope, and there is Gordon and Wade and others knocking on the door along with hope for struggling regulars. Didn't the Indians and Dodgers on unexpected runs last season?

Yes. It's an interesting story about a young prospect with ability and potential with the system.

Didn't watch the game today, just kept checking in, I made a comment the other day it was too bad there wasn't room for Cave, (With LaMarre), since he seemed to have some ability and was doing well at Rochester. Lo and behold he comes up and creates a huge spark. If the team goes on a roll, you will know who to thank.

3-13 in 1 run games is just crazy! Make that .500 and we're right in this thing and have the potential to make a real move the rest of the way. It's just so....so....i can't even find the right word.

Sorry, but after today's game and another "feel good" thread here on TD, and something I posted there, I just have to make another comment/comparison. Every player/person is different in their development. Arguments and debates aside, I think we can all agree on that at least. Not so long ago, 2016 to be exact, with additional moments here and there in 2017 and a brief rough stretch early thjs season after a couple good starts, where Berrios...the savior and potential ACE of the rotation was either a bust, or lacking the upside we had so longed for. An ERA over 8 in 2016. He was much improved in 2017. And his numbers, in virtually every single category, have improved this season, his age 24 season. Can we compare Berrios to Buxton and Sano directly? Absolutely not. Hunter didn't "explode" until his age 26 season in 2001, 2 years older than Buxton now. (With a trip or 2 down to AAA). Gaetti, the 2nd greatest 3B in Twins history arrived with HR power and hands of stone before turning in to a star player. But it wasn't until his 5th season, age 27-28, where he produced his first OPS above .724. Sano, despite his struggles this season...i was wrong he's 25yo now...has a career OPS of .828 even with his current struggles. His previous 3 season's of OPS are .916, .781, .859. Just some stuff to think about.

Just to be fair though, Littell looks like a very nice prospect. It was his ML debut. While I love Gonsalves, not sure if he wou,d have done better or not first time. Agree on Gordon.

Throwing my hat in the ring here on a variety of topics, FWIW. 1) Injuries, weather etc: Yes, all teams are affected by these. Agreed. But no batting practice the first few weeks, and missed games has to have at least some affect on routine and continuity. No Polanco, no Santana, Castro trying to play injured and now out for the year, Mauer, Buxton and Sano all to the DL...this All has to have some affect. 2) Bullpen usage: I don't think Molitor is a bad manager overall. But he absolutely rides certain guys too much. Not even sure this is open for debate. If you're down by 3, maybe you save Reed or Pressly and throw someone else. Maybe Molitor is too much of a competitor at times and wants to win them all??? 3) Sano's weight: He's a large man. He will always be a large man. He carries his weight well. His weight doesn't affect his arm or his ability to hit. (Made a tremendous play a couple days ago very few could make). But long term health and flexibility in the field, it should be a concern. Maturity and another off season not recovering from surgery could help. 4) Sano and Buxton overall: To the heart of the article. Perhaps I'm too much of an optomist. Perhaps I'm too patient. Perhaps I just have a different perspective having been a Twins fan for 47 years. I'm as disappointed and frustrated as anyone. But maybe wants and wishes and the hype train skew perspective. These guys were at the absolute top of the prospect rankings for a reason. We've seen what they are each capable of. Is it possible, as disappointed and frustrated as we are, that there is a lot of over reaction? Buxton starts slow, which he has done before, but migraines or not, what happens without the toe injury? Is he looking like the last half+ of 2017? What if Sano doesn't have to spend the off season dealing with leg surgery recovery and off the field controversy? Does he look more like his past self? (Maybe the hamstring doesn't happen because he got even a little more work in). Maybe? Yep. But these are factors to consider. So at 24yo each, I believe, they are busts and we should move On? Despite immense talent and potential, not everyone is a Trout or Harper (or Mauer) who becomes an instant star at 21-22yo. Could they both bust and never figure it out? Yep. Could they also have strong 2nd halves, quality off seasons, and begin to really shine in 2019 as 25yo stars? ABSOLUTELY!

I don't disagree at all. With a little more consistency, he seems to have been a potential steal. But to me, I'd still think Thorpe is the better possibility. Berrios Romero Graterol Gonsalves Thorpe And all home grown!

Nice! Very clear perspective on all 3 guys. Gonsalves: At every level, he has shown the ability to learn and make adjustments. Not possessing the pure stuff of a Berrios or Romero, his stuff plays well, as does his pitching acumen. Might he struggle a bit when first called up? Yes. But most pitchers do initially. Just a little more consistency, and he will not only be up, but be a fixture. Right now though, nobody to replace. Gordon: I think the bat is going to play. We've seen the development, even with the case last season. Maybe Polanco will be the better choice at SS. I know I'm a fan and believer and feel we've seen both improvement and potential. I don't pretend to know how good, or bad, Gordon truly is at SS. But I do know looking at milb error totals is a waste of time. There are a lot of All Star SS whose milb error numbers would surprise you if you looked. (I have). Did the Twins miss an opportunity to bring him up already or were they being prudent? Hard to say. But one way or another, he will be up this season. Rooker: I don't care how great his final college season was, to mash as he did last season in pro ball with wooden bat was outstanding. And already at AA in his FIRST FULL SEASON and beginning to mash after a slow start is impressive! Agreed 100% he just needs to reign in the contact numbers. He does that, he could finish in Rochester. From reports, he's no Grossman in the OF, but wondering if his "fit" will be 1B/DH/backup OF.

I know it's one game, one play, and one error that wasn't called as such, but that boot tonight by Adrianza was really bad and really costly. I don't expect anyone to be perfect, and errors happen. But that was bad. And I was actually tempted to post tonight how much better he has been playing of late. I tend to be conservative when it comes to promotions, letting guys develop and achieve success. Too old school? Perhaps. But I have come to the point now where I really believe Gordon needs his shot. Petit should be back at Rochester. Gordon should get his shot. Polanco is still a month or more from being available and ready.

We won't know anything for years, of course. Its the same in any draft year. The draft does feel rather "meh" to me. I think losing/trading 2 picks and picking 20th helps lead to that. What I DID like was the number of catchers drafted. Sometimes you just need enough darts thrown at the board to see what hits. Falvey did comment during the game tonight they really like Jeffers behind the plate. The other thing I liked is there seemed to be some sleepers here, especially on the mound. There seems to be a number of guys who spent last season coming off injury and could have decent ceilings 100%, and a few guys who were transitioning to positions, or as a SP in college, who might be better back in the pen.