DocBauer

I argued vehemently against any of the proposed trades involving Kepler because if his talent/potential. And I felt he would start to break out this season. He has, but I also agree we haven't seen the best of him yet. Despite some struggles, the fact is Buxton is the singularly most athletically gifted player on the roster. Rosario and Kepler aren't that far behind. (Personally, I don't think Polanco is all that far behind in #4). But if you look at the total package, I believe Kepler ranks only slightly behind Buxton overall, with pure speed being the biggest difference.

Agree with you 100% Romero is looking like a phenom. Even in his first "poor" performance the other day he threw some good stuff. Shouldn't we expect a few bad days? Berrios will only be 24 in a couple of days. His stuff, ethic and mentality is terrific. How good can these two guys be when they actually figure stuff out? Odorizzi is flat out good, if not dominant at times. Despite a clunker the other day, there is no longer a SSS regarding Gibson. He has been a different pitcher since the second half of last season. A stud? Nope. But a really solid SP. Better late than never, right? Now....someone to replace Lynn. (Still a smart sign at the time). Where, or where can the Twins find a 5th SP between Slegers, Gonsalves, May or Santana? I am encouraged and frustrated by the bullpen all at once. The weather has heated up, and so has Rodney. Surprise! Pressly has been, mostly, stellar. As has Reed. Hilgenberger has started to look like the guy we saw in 2017. Duke was Jekyl and Hyde but has started to round in to form. As has Rogers of late. But I'm still worried about over use due to Lynn and Hughes providing ZERO value. And if Magill is good enough to be here, then USE HIM. If not, rotate someone else up. The offense, defense and base running all have to improve, absolutely! To my eye, the defense has been better the last week or so. But man, would I like to see Adrianza back in the bench right now. Here's hoping June begins with no new injuries, Buxton getting a groove, (And he looked better today), and Sano back up doing what he does. A short DL for Mauer to put Grossman back on the bench, or other, would also be nice.

A well thought out and well written article Nick, but personally, I feel a bit pessimistic. Yes, the Twins are only 19-23 and absolutely missing opportunities and performing inconsistently at times, I'll be the dead horse beater yet again, but I predicted they'd be around .500 the first couple of months before taking off and playing much better ball. My theory was based on 2 factors: 1] Still so many key players 26yo and younger. All players will be hot and cold at times. And I'm not making excuses, but to be real, most of those guys have 2- 2 1/2 full season's or less of ML service time. 2] Rosters take time to gel, in any sport. Even veterans sometimes need to adjust to new cities, coaches, teammates, usage, etc. We all know the weird spring weather affected a great many teams. So no excuse there, right? Sorry, but not so sure. Not only did the Twins play in awful conditions for the first few weeks of the season, but it was so bad they couldn't even get in fielding drill workouts or batting practice. Puerto Rico was fun and very cool, but also a weird blip on the travel schedule. What frustrates me is the games lost due to mistakes and missed opportunities! Bad weather, bad plays, bad hops, etc, this team is so close to being .500 right now. What encourages me is a 10-8 record in May after that disastrous stretch to end April. And even in the losses, most of them, the games have been close. A few direct responses: Buxton: Anyone who wants to give up on him or write him off is foolish. Slow start followed by injury with no rehab. Just give this supremely talented 23yo some time. Sano: Yes, for health sake, he should WANT to be in better overall shape. Man do I hope he gets it! But don't tell me his recovery and unfortunate off the field distractions didn't affect him at least somewhat. Biggest problem is between his ears. He doesn't need to crush a 450' HR every time when 415' will suffice. And sometimes a BB or good solid hit will be just fine. Morisson: Good signing. He IS hitting much, much better. Dozier: We've seen the slow starts before, and he makes adjustments and kills it. Should we be shocked? Loved him hitting behind Mauer, but now that's an issue. Lynn: Come on, this was a good and smart signing. No excuses at this point, agreed, he's just not performing. It's like he doesn't trust himself and is nibbling. Time to dump Hughes...is there really any debate at this point?...move Lynn to the pen and bring up Slegers, Gonsalves, or May if he's ready before Santana. There ARE options here! My own FO take: I like the FO and most everything they've done, even if all moves haven't worked out. But there were 4 things I felt were an obvious MUST before the season began. They needed a middle INF for Rochester, at least, for depth to protect against Adrianza regression and to not rush Gordon. (This before the Polanco suspension but became heightened after.) They also needed the very best AAAA 3B they could find to protect Sano's recovery, and help free up Escobar. They needed a solid RH corner OF to challenge/compete with Grossman. (Didn't have to play CF with Rosario, Kepler and Granite around). And they needed a 3rd catcher who could play a bit once they parted ways with Giminez. Wilson was an OK signing, but that was it. Inexcusable! We are hurting at SS and 4th OF right now. Maybe Cave can help. Still don't understand the use of LaMarre. Whoever and whatever he is, he was hitting and is still hitting at Rochester. You can't tell me Slegers and Gonsalves would perform any worse then Lynn at this point in the rotation. At least until Santana or May are ready. Hughes brings nothing! I still dont know who Magill is, but in SSS he's at least performed. But if he's worth a roster spot, then USE HIM instead of overworking the guys you have! And if not, then rotate the young bullpen arms at Rochester until you see what sticks. Didn't we do that last season? Off my soapbox. Sorry I got so long winded.

It was a good, well played game overall. Discouraging the opportunities we slept slip away, but a couple key plays and hits win the day! Really stinks Odorizzi couldn't get the win, he really deserved it. I know it's only 1 game, but Buxton looked much better at the plate today, much more comfortable and confident. Sitting yesterday and his talk with Molitor might have actually helped. Rodney has been on fire after his rough start to the year. If only we could have predicted that. (Sarcasm) I'm as frustrated as anyone for the poor/inconsistent hitting and lack of clutch hitting. And there is no way for Escobar and Rosario to carry the team forever by themselves. And we know Dozier runs a little hot and cold, especially to begin the season. Polanco has been lut all year. Buxton missed time. Sano is out. Castro is out and was playing hurt when in. The bench is weaker than it should be, etc, etc, yada, yada. Still, I winning record for May. Believe we are 2 games above .500. Despite poor or inconsistent performances, injuries and the such, this team has been playing much better ball. And even the frustrating losses have been mostly all close games. There was a conversation in another thread concerning the offense, and Riverbrian noted how many other teams have young players as well. Still, I feel it has to be pointed out...yet again...Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Sano and the suspended Polanco are all 23-26yo, (Garver is 27yo rookie catcher with potential), and, overall, have completed less than 3 full ML seasons. I still have a lot of faith in the potential for this offense.

I am willing to give some benefit of the doubt to Adrianza and Grossman because Adrianza performed well last season, and Grossman has provided some value and seemed to improve defensively in 2017. But that's an awfully thin margin to get on. Not going to rewind time and play the name game as to was available and when. But with all the moves made, and the money spent, there were 4 moves I felt screamed to be addressed they were so obvious: OF with a RH bat, an INF for insurance at Rochester, (even before the Polanco suspension), the best AAAA 3B you could sign for Sano/roster insurance and a 3rd catcher. The only move they made was signing Wilson. Considering experience and defense, it wasn't a horrible move, especially to have him at Rochester to work with the talented young arms there. Maybe I'm crazy, but I almost would rather see At bar at SS right now over Adrianza. And I absolutely agree on LaMarre. If you liked him enough to keep him on the 25 man, and he was actually hitting, then why didn't you play him?

First of all, I am not blasting the work and efforts of the FO. I think they've done a very nice job, overall, thus far. But where I feel they fell short was a quality OF bench bat to challenge/replace Grossman and another INF option once the Polanco suspension came down, particularly with Sano coming back from injury. I'm still a bit perplexed by the At bar signing. He actually hit well in ST but was then released. No way to absolutely predict Sano's injury, but shouldn't have there been additional insurance brought in?

Call me crazy, but if Grossman is going to be in the lineup, and his strength is seeing a number of pitches and getting walks, why doesn't he bat leadoff with Mauer out? Dozier can keep hitting second, or wherever, and the lineup becomes a bit deeper.

Nothing wrong with your logic here but have to bring up 2 points: 1] May had been a starter his entire career until his move to the pen in 2015. It should have been Pelfrey as May was pitching well at the time and showing real improvement with the exception of a clunker, as I recall. Further, he was looking very good in ST 2017 as a starter before his injury. 2] He had back issues when pitching out of the pen in 2016, and that has been at least partially attributed to the workload and routine change from being a reliever.

Brian, I want to like this post. But I feel it's such a mix of sarcasm and honesty that I don't know what to do with it.

First, this is a tremendous addition to TD! Can't believe it wasn't suggested before, unless I missed it somewhere. I agree with the consensus that these things tend to work themselves out because ultimately SOMEONE gets injured and needs a DL stint. But ultimately, Romero is absolutely in the rotation. And I get the various IP arguements...and I spoke about this in another thread a week ago, somewhere, lol...but it still has to be a consideration. Now that the tsunami/winter apocalypse that would never end seems to have ended there will probably be at least a game or two PPD, plus the All Star break, not to mention September roster expansion for Romero to skip a start or two. Can we be honest for a moment? It doesn't necessarily change his IP, but as talented as he is, Romero could hit a rough stretch which demands a return to Rochester to right himself. Hope it doesn't happen, but it's a real possibility. Unless his finger injury is just some tremdous handicap, come on, Santana is a fine pitcher. He, Berrios, Romero, Gibson and Odorizzi is your rotation. May has time and options on his side, and the Twins side. Lynn....i just don't know right now. But right now, trade or release or bullpen, he's the od man out. Sorry to be insensitive, but Hughes should have already been gone, freeing up a spot for someone else who can actually get guys out. Liked the Lynn signing. Think most of us did. But Romero has arrived, or at least partially so, TBD. Santana will be back. Slegers, May, Gonsalves and Littrell wait in the wings. There is just no room for him, soon.

Hate to beat a dead horse with a broken record, but have to say again I felt this team would hover around .500 to begin the season and then take off. Why? Despite some good veterans, there's still a lot of young players that make up this team, and it's future, and all players get hot and cold spells, but a collection of 24-26yo players are still going through learning curves. And there is the intangible complexity of just adding a number of new players to the roster. Other than Lynn, we are starting to see this team mesh as of late. But to the key points: 1] Gordon and Wade. Love Gordon's season and potential. I know he's still working on things, but he'd be able to play almost daily...if given the opportunity...and it's sort of a "Why not" considering the Polanco suspension and Adrianza's play thus far. (I wouldn't just dump Adrianza). No to Wade. I like him, but I just don't see him coming up to mostly sit on the bench. Grossman has been hitting better. Grossman has some decent value. But not brining in someone to challenge/replace him was the one major guffaw by the FO this past off season. It's not too late. At this point, I'd rather have ST sensation and early season performer LaMarre. But go out and find a solid, quality bat/OF to be that 4th guy. 2] Buxton to the minors. Didnt happen, probably not going to happen. Still think the Granite injury complicated this situation. I would have loved even a few games just to get some timing back. But his defense, and even the bunt and his base running the other day shows his value even as he works his way back. 3] Get a catcher. There is a whole different thread on this so I will be brief. You have a young, inexperienced catcher now thrust in the limelight. But he has potential, has picked his bat up with more regular play, has caught several outstanding games, and deserves a chance...for a few weeks at least...before pulling a trigger for something other than depth. 4] Shake up the lineup. Molitor has done that. I like Mauer leading off with Dozier hitting second. Molitor has been experimenting. I like that as well. The biggest problem has been clutch hitting. THAT is not on Molitor. (A poor 7-9 with bench players hasn't helped). Mostly, this remains about patience. I know this is about offense, but consider all the new pitchers. Consider Santana out, Sano out, Buxton out, Polanco out entirely, bad weather, missed games, lack of consistency, travel schedules, etc, and we're sitting around .500 and playing much better as of late despite that horrendously bad stretch. Morisson is starting to heat up. Find a legitimate replacement for Grossman offensively and defensively. Give Garver a real chance for the next few weeks. Make room for Gordon and start his clock and play him daily because, why the hell not?

Overall, I like Castro. For a catcher, OK offensively, good over all defensive skills, and experienced. He's not a star. But how many catchers truly are? It's about game calling and defense first and foremost. I feel he was a nice addition last season and was part of a team that turned things around. I hope he comes back strong and healthy next season. Sort of ironic that the young Garver is suddenly a lightning rod of discussion similar to Mauer, a former Twins catcher. I like Garver's bat a lot. He's shown proven production in the minors. He has a short, quick swing that produces real pop. His arm seems more than strong enough, and had nice CS numbers in the minors. I like that he has caught a few of the best pitching performances we've seen this season. I like that the limited time I've seen him he's blocked quite a few pitches in the dirt. What I don't like is his overall inexperience, and some WP and passed balls you'd expect a better/more experienced catcher to handle. But there is potential there. Do we really run out and make a major trade of 2-3 quality prospects at this point without at least giving him a couple weeks to show his stuff? I know that's debatable, but I say no. Wilson is, by reputation, a good defensive catcher with a light bat, but his defense is why he's still around. Butera comparisons anyone? I think a move of some sort has to be made. A trade for Giminez wouldn't be the worst option. There is virtually zero depth now. But I would Garver at least a few more weeks of steady play to see how he looks. THEN, I'd decide if I need depth or a major move.

Sorry Halsey, but you may indeed be the only one. I think we get obsessed with pure velocity sometimes, and Gonsalves sits in the low 90's. Nothing wrong with that, especially being LH. He won't be 24 until July, and is sitting at AAA, where maybe he should have been to begin the year. Have there been bumps in the road here and there and a few bad games? Yep. But wouldn't you expect that of any young pitcher? He has always seemingly made adjustments at each level and produced. Not a SO machine, and a few problems with walks here and there, nevertheless, he's never had a WHIP above 1.14. In 514 IP he has allowed 366 hits. And he is just shy of a 3-1 SO/BB ratio in his milb career. What's not to like there? I wouldn't expect him to come up and flash like Romero. And there will be some bad days, I'm sure. (Sooner or later, Romero will have his too). IMO, he has that "pitchability" quotient that is so important. I think he could end up being a quality #2, probably a very nice #3, and at worse a really good #4.

Or even Slegers. Hasn't he earned another Look? In a few weeks, Santana should be back. (Maybe May). Not sure Lynn as the long man, but what else do you do with him unless he's willing to go to Rochester to regain himself? There is a good blog written by Ted that discusses Lynn's velocity and SO ability and suggests he's nibbling.

Santana, May and Gonsalves say hello.

Arrived late. Too nice outside not to go for an evening run. Just in time to see the big inning. Hell of a bunt by Buxton! Unbelievable homer by Wilson! Looks like Berrios is back! Liked Berrios going out for the 8th. Too bad he was pulled but I think the right call after such a great performance and to avoid pitching from the stretch. Nice game Twins!

Great write up! This one of the few times where I will direct blame at the Pohlad's. The new FO has been quick to make decisions, some I haven't always liked, or agreed with, or questioned. And they have been quick, sometimes too quick in my mind, for pitchers to ride the Rochester shuttle. But it just feels like they are being forced to hold on to Hughes until his very last breath as a ML pitcher. And I think the last gasp has already come and gone. Magill, a no name journeyman who has looked nice in a very SSS has looked infinitely better than Hughes is on the roster. For today, and tomorrow, it's past time to move on from Hughes and ride the Rochester shuttle for Duffey, Anderson, Moya, Reed and Curtiss to audition for real help.

Surprised about his CS thus far considering his past rep and production in this area. SSS thus far, or pitchers not holding runners better? I've seen good Garver and not so good Garver behind the plate. I think we are looking a bit at a work in progress all things considered. Coincidence or not, we've seen him behind the plate in some of the best pitching performances this year so far. I like the bat potential and the compact swing that seems to really pop.

Would be interesting at the end of the year to compare 2 things: 1] Does the new format actually speed up the average time of extra inning games.... ...and related... 2] Compared to years before, has the average of NUMBER of extra innings played to finish a game changed significantly. I can see where the rule could actually assist a milb RP learn from the situation. But just doesn't "feel" like professional ball to me this way.

An unfortunate event but an excellent article. Thank you for your expertise!

Awesome to see May back and throw that well first time out. I think he will help at some point this year and be a bigger factor next season. Not arguing promotions, but with all the crappy weather and postponments Rochester has had, I'm beginning to wonder if that's part of the reason for so many guys at AA to begin the season you thought would be in AAA.

Second night in a row I fell asleep before it was over. Am I becoming a good luck charm? Maybe I need an afternoon nap today. Only thing that stinks is Gibson can't seem to buy a win no matter how well he pitches.

Had a good feeling about the game. Lost my good feeling about the game. Fell asleep early. Woke up to a good feeling about the game. Twins win! Ain't life grand?

I think this is important. Half a season of high A ball, if that, in his very first pro season, and an immediate jump to AA the next season, and we're worried about a slow start and now showing improvement? Can we give him half a season at least before hitting a panic button?

No wonder they make more sense!