DocBauer

Actually, never had a chance to listen to Smalley much before. I'm enjoying him. Seems to share a good grasp of what's going on and relaying it well.

IMO...FWIW: No to Neshak unless he may be open to re-signing and only cost a decent A level prospect. This team is still finishing a rebuild and there are young options close, or that should already be up. Maybe on Hand. But the cost to get him shortens prospects close to contributing, and shortens trade options for a possible SP now or in the off season. Maybe I'm just an optimist, but despite injuries and the such, there are several guys right now deserving of their shot to help this season and next while building for the future. Doesn't it make sense to promote and work with these guys? There is both FA and off season trades next off season if we just aren't happy with development. And again, if we're going to trade prospects, I'd rather go the SP route.

A team in Cleveland named the Turkeys? Well...there should be.

Great question. But also, doesn't his promotion and success make it all the easier to begin the movement to Rochester for the big 3?

Each prospect, his stuff, his mental makeup, what he needs to refine, etc, is unique unto himself. I think it's a bit arbitrary to simply say "this guy did it", (jumping from AA), whether it be a past Twin or someone from another team. And the jump to the majors is so large that even a very talented prospect with huge future success, (Berrios as a possible example here), will almost certainly have some growing pains. I'm not saying you shouldn't consider ML promotions/auditions for these guys. And there is no question the rotation for the remainder of this season and going in to next season is greatly enhanced if one of them can become established now, as Berrios and Mejia seem to be doing. But with the exception of a start such as the one Jorge had, I'd get all 3 of these guys up to AAA NOW. Challenge them. Work with them. Then let's see where they are by August. It's safe, but still aggressive. They all appear ready for the next level.

Rortvedt? Wow! Not sure what has happened there but he has been hitting and shows no signs of slowing down thus far. (Hope I didn't just curse him there). I know he's young and is at least a couple years away, but it sure is nice to see a potential top prospect in the system...to go along with Garver...who is a catcher.

A really, really good game overall. A couple of thoughts: 1] I've said for some time now, echoed by non-Twins announcers and press, that Gibson seems to have all the ability in the world to be at least a solid ML pitcher. But it seems at times as though he nibbles, tries to be perfect...as if he doesn't trust his stuff or his defense...and then gets in to trouble. The numbers and results seem to indicate a change since his demotion. Even in the game, I want to say against Seattle, where he got the win but was rocked, he pitched much better after Molitor visited him on the mound and politely laid in to him on the mound. I've defended Gibson in the past, gave up my case when the season began, but have decided to re-open said case now recently. Is it possible he is starting to "get it" now? He wouldn't be the first good arm to wait until his late 20's or hitting 30 to really figure out his game. If he keeps this new, more aggressive attitude, I'd bring him back next season. 2] Can we just get off Buxton's back because he isn't an all star yet? Today is yet another day where we see the potential of this kid. He's STILL very young. He exudes ability. He was moved quickly through the minors, despite missing time, because of his success and ability. Hunter struggled at first. Span struggled a bit at first, if I recall. The Twins have up on Gomez too early. It appears they may have rushed and given up on Hicks too early. Can we just accept the difference he makes defensively, and all his tremendous talent, and accept that it may take a little time for him to put it all together? I know there have been teasers. I know there has been conflict in approach and batting stance. And I know there needs to be production, sooner or later, vs just potential. But can we ease off just a bit on expectation vs the process of development?

I had high hopes for Mejia this season. There's still a long way to go, and maybe he will tire in September who knows, and there will probably still be some bad days as well, but I'm really excited for this kid and his potential. I see a potentially string #3, and at worst a really strong #4 in him. He seems to want to take the ball and compete. He seems to have the build to suggest a big IP guy who's only real problem, other than being a rookie, is learning to economize more. Do the Twins now have 3 starters that can, more or less, count on? That's HUGE when considering the past few season's. And two of them are YOUNG. Can Santiago get his head on straight? Can Gibson keep attacking batters? (And be fair, he's been much, much better since his demotion). If so, the Twins may be able to focus on the pen for now and address another starter via trade or FA in the off season.

Der Kaiser with a shot!

Mauer! Wow! Was he using a Sano bat?

Another to consider, referring to the recent article by Seth regarding the trio of pitching prospects at AA, is that he's been pitching better and better as the season has gone along. This is a bold move to be sure, but I think a wise one. Forget street FA, give a top prospect a day in the sun to experience ML life.

I like the idea of thjs move provided the Padres would be interested in a couple lower level prospects. I know said prospects could offer up a ton of upside, but lower level prospects, even talented ones, would be easier to lose and replace than guys that are the nucleus and pending nucleus of this team. Otherwise, I'd think strong about holding on to Kintzler. But if this move were made, he himself might bring back a decent prospect or two to help replace what is traded away.

Absolutely live updates like this! We get the daily milb game recaps with various tidbits. And we get various articles as well. But "quick hitters" like this give us a bunch of nice information in bunches. Love it! 1* Granite and Garber both deserve to be up. There's just no room right now when you see how the overall player roster is constructed, their potential, and how everyone is contributing. But it's a nice problem to have. 2* Live the Jorge move and think it makes sense. He's young talented, on the 40 man, a lot of this season is about evaluation and promotion, this offers him a taste of the league for a day, and how could he do any worse than some of the street FA that have had a shot? 3* Still think Pressly could be a factor and welcome addition at some point. Despite his good guy nature, veteran leadership and the such, Belisle being good 70% of the time and just awful the other 30% has got to give way to someone else. Despite awful luck with Burdi, Jay and Chargois this season, Reed and Curtiss are picking up the slack and making moves. (Bard is a little further behind). There is still some real hope for some young guns to assist the pen this season and going forward, even with the mentioned setbacks.

I believe Granite has the potential to be a future starter and pest at the top of the order with hitting, OB and speed. At worst, he's the same as a quality 4th OF. I also am a fan of Garver and believe he will stick and be solid, at least. Both deserve a shot. I just don't know that I give up on Vargas yet, despite a recent slump. Hey...guys run hot and cold. Adrianza has been hitting better than expected and is a nice looking player. Does he deserve to go? Barring injury, these are the questions that have to be addressed, and I'm not sure I have the answer. Frankly, it's a nice problem to have.

I don't think there's much doubt or debate a healthy Gonsalvez would have begun the year at AAA, or would already be there. But at this point, with his stuff, his acumen, his AA experience and success last season and this season, he simply has to be moved and challenged with the opportunity soon. Dies that mean he's ready by August or September? Maybe. Maybe not. But it would make him a hell of a lot closer for 2018 than not affording him the opportunity. I have no problem with Jorge or Romero pitching the whole season at AA. Doesn't mean they have to, but they are young, still improving, and no matter how intrigued we are by Romero, he's the youngest of the bunch and missed 2 full seasons. Excitement and expectation are one thing. Prudence and patience for such a talented young arm is something different.

Appreciate the idea. It's sound. Personally, I'm not convinced Granite can't be a full time starter, AVG/OB/SB leadoff guy with good defense. He understands and embraces his role. Further, he's showing continued improvement which is always a good sign. And he probably deserves to be up. (So does Garver probably). But it's not just that simple as he then takes AB from others, or sits too much. Would Vargas really deserve to be send down again? He's been slumping a bit lately, but guys do sometimes. And then they work out of it. And if I'm not mistaken, his AVG against LHP has actually come up a bit lately. And he recently hit his first RH homerun. More opportunity as of late? Things just equalizing? Hard to say. But while a fan of Granite, I'm still not certain it's time yet.

Seriously, isn't it about time for Jorge to be up at Rochester?

Love me some good chicken. But can't we come up with a winning phrase about steak, or even burgers? I mean...just for some variety?

Seriously...this might be a missing draft or FA strategy! Name me a Smith, Jones, Johnson Twin that was great? Surely our new FO is intelligent enough and plugged in enough to create a formula that eliminates vowels to bring in players with odd names. The more consonants, the fewer vowels, the better. And if you can plug in q or z or x somewhere, you just might find a HOF player. Lol

But ever notice the best Twins players, and the best teams, had guys with odd names or names predominately obsessed with consonants?

Santiago healthy with his head screwed on straight. Please baseball gods.

Gee has the potential to surprise, at least. (Crossing fingers and toes, eyes, whatever)

Seriously, overall, despite some injuries and deficiencies, we have a good team here. Why in hell can't we play better at home?

That was fun!

Sorry..but that looked NASTY!