DocBauer

Cats vs dogs? Can't we all just along?! (But seriously, dogs are better. They are the one "person" who loves you and is overjoyed to see you no matter how crappy a day you may have had)

OK then, that changes the dynamics. We should at least see him come September then.

I feel badly for Hughes, not only as a Twins fan for what it looked lime we found...right time and p,ace in his career, shades of Povano truth be told..,but he really seems like a good guy. Tip of the cap to Colon and what he's accomplished in his career. Not everyone was happy about the Twins bringing him on board last season, but you can't argue he was fun and that he didn't give the team a lift. With the rotation we have, giving credit to Lynn for his past and 2 of his last 3 starts being good, and with Santana and May comjng back and some interesting arms at Rochester, there wasn't room for Colon on this team. But I have to be honest, I kind of miss him.

Going to disagree on Gonsalves and Littell slightly. Between DL stints and double headers, either could be seen before September. Agreed there is a crunch coming with Santana, May, Mejia and even Slegers. Still a lot of season to play out. But it's a nice problem to have! I actually like Garver and what I've seen, save for a few goofs. Given the primary job, I don't think Wilson is a horrible backup. Astudillo is rather interesting, but I honestly don't have a clue about his defensive ability. While I like Gordon and have faith he's going to be a very nice player, I wonder if we'll see him this season. Sano back, hopefully to stay, and Polanco back for the second half, I could see Gordon having to wait. I may be mistaken, but I don't believe he has to be added to the 40 man this next off season. Or am I incorrect on this?

This could be a real problem. Don't have the information in front of me, but just some mental calculations sees a very hard time protecting everyone we need and would like to protect on the 40 man next season. I know there a couple easy selections to remove, and I know there's a few guys on 1 year deals or looking at FA, but at the same time, a couple will be re-signed and/or the Twins will sign ankther one or two from outside the organization. We are either going to lose a couple decent prospects, or, it could be the perfect time for a package deal somewhere.

Awesome write up! Carter be damned. The problem with Sano is not talent, it's between his ears. This is NOT about his weight! He's an elite athlete who seems to carry his weight/muscle quite well, thank you. But long term, it absolutely has to be a concern. And I can't believe that his rehab and off season publicity hasn't affected him, to some degree. But his biggest problem is between his ears. Not just getting in better shape for a longer and healthier life and career, but just understanding his ability and how to play ML baseball. He just needs to understand how talented he truly is. You don't need to try to blast a 450' HR when a 415' HR would suffice. Or how a simple hit, a sacrifice or even a BB when pitchers are afraid to throw to you could make a difference.

Saying agin I absolutely love this new addition to TD! Great perspective and open debate. High 5's all around. Gonsalves: He's a pitcher, not a thrower. He's going to be Good! But I expect the usual speed bumps. He will be up this year, but in what capacity I don't know. He's a legitimate SP prospect. And he could be, and I think he will be, a fixture for several years. But you simply can't ignore what Slegers has done. He deserves a shot as well. But Santana and May are getting so very close. Hard to believe, but with Lynn having a couple good starts, and a veteran track record, with Santana and May close, the Twins aren't hurting like they have been in the past for SP. It may take double headers, an injury, trade, or September call up, but we'll see Gonsalves this year. Littrell: I honestly believe he's a sleeper. But we're talking 2019 due to experience and depth. Gordon: His shot was when Sano got hurt. But I get it. Glad to see he's up at Rochester now. I think he's really close. I forget, does he have to be added to the 40 man this next off season? I don't believe the FO would keep him down just for that reason. But with so many guys to protect, would it really be stupid to finish 2018 at Rochester and invite him to 2019? Lewis: This kid has as much talent as Buxton, or anyone who has passed through the system in the last how many years. He should be at high A soon, and probably be at AA to begin 2019. I'm expecting 2020, unless the glove follows the bat potential. Rooker and Khiriloff: I'm putting them together for a reason. Khiriloff looks even better than reported or expected, especially missing a whole season. AA to begin 2019 with a shot, but probably a fixture 2020. Rooker is heating up. Always laughed at those he'd make a ML appearance this year. Milb pitching is daily facing guys he only saw on Friday night's in college, with an aluminum bat. And while he has been off to a great start start in 2017, and now heating up in 2018, that's an awful lot to expect from a guy playing in college this time a year ago. Khiriloff 2020 and Rooker sometime in 2019. Khiriloff could be 2021, but I'm willing to be aggressive because I think he's a natural hitter. I put them together because I think they could be the DH/1B/spare corner OF the future. SD mentioned Thorpe. What a great story he'd make! He has had a ton of bad luck. But the stuff appears to be there. I'm expecting 2020. But it's also easy to see him being the 2019 version of Romero.

A second point. Loved Mauer taking over leadoff and dropping Dozier down. Just made obvious sense. But with Mauer out, why move Dozier back up? Lime him or not, after a horrible start, Grossman has been performing much better. He sees a lot of pitches, makes contact, and gets OB. In fact, his OB the past 30 games is .343. He's over .400 for the past 15 games. Why on earth wouldn't you slot him at leadoff and keep Dozier in the #2 spot, or lower, to deepen then lineup and create opportunity?

Good for Goodrum, even though the wrong team won. He will probably never be more than a quality, versatile piece on a roster. Maybe the FO didn't want him back, maybe he wanted a change of scenery and a chance with Gardy as his manager, but he was a guy I was really, really sorry to leave the organization. I really thought he had some value and could help the club this season. It seems most every team has a hard luck pitcher every season. For the Twins, it would be Gibson so far this year. And it's really to bad because he's been pitching as well as he probably ever has. I have to agree with h2oface in regard to Pressly. Not necessarily about today, but overall, I'm worried he's being over used. I've believed in the guy and felt he was "This close", (Maxwell Smart voice if you get the reference), to being a very good and maybe even dominant RP. And he has really matured this season, but I'm worried about him being overworked. Maybe it comes down to roster construction but my one complaint with Molitor is bullpen usage and relying on just a few guys too much. The Hughes DFA may help with this. But maybe he needs to throw a Magill out there for a second day more often and just see what you have, or don't have.

Slow starts aren't unusual in baseball, especially for power hitters it seems. Not sure he's a true FB hitter, which is kind of weird for a power hitter. But then again, he hasn't been a true power hitter for his career. And I don't think he's a true cleanup type of hitter. And Molitor has seemed to recognize this, though the slow start probably has some play in this, hitting him 5th-7th which is just fine. His signing was a good one. And I agree he's probably somewhere in the middle, production wise, regarding his bad start and hot streak. He's more than capable of 20+ HR with 20+ doubles and an average in his career arc of around .240-.250. And that is just fine with the lineup the Twins "can" field. He's also been OK at 1B and made a couple nice scoops tonight vs Detroit.

I'm an optimist at heart, so I always have to believe. Unfortunately, wouldn't take much to have faith rewarded. 3 runs in 5 IP. (Shudder)

How I live my life sometimes. You spying on me? Lol

Wasn't so tired, I'd go grab me some KFC just to celebrate!

Didn't see the whole game, to be fair, but the last 3 innings were filled with great pitching, patience, hustle, and some great defensive plays. We should all be smiling!

Dilly dilly!! Lol

Man that was a fun game!!

Great catch!!! Do they give game balls in baseball like in football? He won this game!

Oh crap, hate they just showed Lynn starts tomorrow.

But he read the situation and saw the nonchalant attitude of the OF who expected the easy out.

Agreed. But that was heads up ball there!

Maybe I'm just a fan, but for every bad play he might make, I swear Rosario makes 3 or 4 great plays!

OMG!!! That was amazing!!!

Rosario...my God does he have great hands and great hit ability! Only thing holding him back is some of the crazy stuff he swings at. And then he does something like that...wow!

Still only 1 out! Wrong to cheer for just a decently hit fly ball?

NICE!!