DocBauer

Did you see how long he's been married? Answer is NO. Lol

Brian, a very real and sincere congratulations. God Bless and many, many more!

I don't know, I guess I thought a lot of players in all sports had 2 homes for years now. Their seasonal home, bought or rented, and their permanent "home" wherever that may be.

Money being equal, were I a FA pitcher seeing this team compete as they are, see the vast improvement in defense, all the talented young players who will only get better, and playing in one of the best ballparks in the league, is be considering Minnesota as a destination spot.

LOVE the article and perspective! Aggressive? Yes. And positively so! Now, put the hammer down...damnit...and get Gonsalves, Romero and Jorge up to Rochester! Gonsalves may be the best and most ready SO for a promotion and is kicking butt and he's stuck in AA. Who is blocking him exactly? Romero may be even better! Great! Why can't he pitch 5 innings at Rochester instead of Chattanooga? Jorge has started 2 games for the ML club but can't pitch at AAA? Once again, who are blocking these guys?

Understand your sentiment. I get it. I really do. But the team needs 5 starters who can pitch some innings and give the team a chance, just like all teams do. And half the teams in the league, if not more, have some questions about the back end of their rotation. Honestly, while Gibson appears to be what he is, if he could continue to, mostly, pitch the way he has since his demotion/promotion he isn't that bad. (Guy has stuff, needs to trust it and pitch angry once in a while. Does he speak Spanish?) Santiago is also OK if healthy. Not great, nothing special, but OK. While waiting for someone else, Colon is seriously not a bad card to play. Again, his career numbers, his last 4 years, his last year numbers. A last gasp? Perhaps. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Right there with you Tom! 45 years of watching this team, living and (figuratively) dyeing with them as well. Still remember sitting in my car listening to Kirby Puckett's first game on the radio. Remember the '82? team of Gaetti, Hrbek and others that fulfilled so much promise...eventually. And I remember the second WS team that offered so much hope and promise. And while some want to poo-poo really good Twins teams who couldn't advance, much less win it all, a few years back, there was some real fun and mighty good baseball played in those days. Maybe it's just one winning season in 5 years to this point. Maybe it's just Twins red, white, blue and Klondike gold colored glasses, (my personal joke on the Klondike gold), but I REALLY LOVE this team. "They suck! They're toast! They're done! Oh wait! They won again!" We ALL love our Twins. If you don't, then find another website! Lol But praise or hate Ryan, (or Smith), praise or hate Falvey and Levine, (in their very limited tenure), there is just something fun, hopeful and engaging about this team. Their ultimate destination is unknown, 2017 and beyond. But as a fan, I'm having more fun than I have had in years. Maybe it's the rollercoaster experience...but maybe...just maybe...its because I see the talent, the potential, the way these guys love playing the game, and a future I can see. Can we, just for a second, forget that every 25yo and under player is not an immediate Sports center highlight and enjoy what is building here? Go Twins! Thank you Tom! (Hopping off my soapbox hoping I don't sprain an ankle)

Seriously, I enjoy your stuff and have told you this. This post and discussion should be moved to the front page.

Absolutely! You've taken the best sports fan site and actually managed to take it to another level! (No pressure mind you-lol) On a side note, this YOUNG Berrios kid has some good stuff and looks like a keeper doesn't He? On a second side note, sure am glad the Twins, and Berrios himself, didn't listen to claims he was a "never was" after his rough indoctrination to the Majors in 2016. Almost makes you think we shouldn't give up on other talented young players on the team who may be learning/struggling at points. (Nice guy laughter, not the twisted, evil kind)

Considering his career track record, and his last 4 seasons, and the fact he actually looked pretty good for the first 4 innings, I'm totally on board with a couple more starts. This could be the year he finally hits the wall and is toast! But then again, look at his career, the past 4 seasons, and the fact he won 15 games last season. Not to make any sort of excuse, but the past 10-14 days have probably created a bit of rust. (Old jokes placed here). And his Rochester appearance was pretty much a tuneup. With everyone, including the Twins, looking for help on the back end of the rotation, what could possibly be wrong with another couple of starts to see?

Like this post a lot! I know some losing, disappointing and frustrating seasons lead to impatience. But Rosario is very talented. He's only 25. He came in to this season with somethibg like 770-780 ML AB. Total! There's a nice Blog about him and the improvement he's made offensively here at TD. I'd invite anyone who hasn't read it to do so. Gomez is a great example. So is Hunter. Hicks, with the Yankees, is yet fully proven, but offers up yet another cautionary tale. You just don't give up on young, talented players with this much potential too early! He may never be more than a very dangerous and exciting player who lacks the discipline and consistency to hit better than 6th or 7th. So What? As to his defense, all the ability in the world! We've seen it. Coaching and experience can help smooth out wrinkles. Pure ability can't be taught.

Really like this post a lot! Though I have doubts about Tonkin and Rucinski. I'm not insisting the Twins stay pat for this season, and I'm not insisting they don't sign FA or two in the offseason. In fact, building a strong bullpen is a great way to offset some rotation issues. But if the Twins decide they've had enough of Belisle and Breslow at some point, staying pat for now and going in to next season: RHRP: Kintzler Duffey Pressly Hildenberger Chargois (unless a shoe drops) Curtiss Reed Busentiz LHRP: Rogers Boshers (sorry, quietly OK) Turley (real potential there) Melotakis Again, love a FA or two, but actually like the RH side and potential quite a bit. Concerned about a second LH though. But isn't it time over the next 2 1/2 months to continue the promotions/auditions?

Agree on Turley as a RP. Could be a find for a shorter stint...if he could just better control of that curve! Bring up Besentiz. I'm OK with Pressly going down until September. He's got the arm, but no consistency at all this season. We also have Curtiss and Rees to look at, at some point. Kintzler, FA, Rogers, Hildenberger, Chargois, Busentiz are all nice pieces to potentially build around next season. Maybe a flier on a LH coming off a bad year, or a failed SP prospect converted to a relief role.

I've wondered about him hitting 3rd with Sano moving down to cleanup.

I know Slegers doesn't have the upside of Berrios, Romero or Gonsalvez, but I'm a little surprised at the lack of love. If I'm not mistaken, this is first go around in AAA. (Or did he get a cup of coffee late last year?) He's held his own and then some. Sure there have been a couple clunkers, but he's been solid and occasionally excellent. By reports he sits high 80 to low 90 with solid control and a somewhat deceptive delivery due to his frame. He should absolutely get a shot, in September at least.

I believe he's just scratching the surface of his potential. And while I won't compare him to the powerful and dangerous Sano, or the uber talented Buxton, I wouldn't be surprised in a year or two if he isn't the Twins most complete hitter; factoring in AVG, OB, SLG, total bases, etc.

WTF? Was that a pep talk from the home plate umpire to a Yankees pitcher????

Yep. Didn't totally stink, but those were a couple hangers there.

OK...I know a lot of these posts are good fun, but Polanco has been mostly good to very good this season until just recently. Tins of ability offensively and defensively. Can we give him just a little more time before we make a permanent decision/opinion? That being said, I've been impressed by Adrianza...who has made a couple bad plays himself here and there...both offensively and defensively. Who shared the post recently from a scout or expert who stated Vielma reminded him of Vizquel? Magician with the glove who won't hit his first few years but could develop. Could we live with that and move Polanco to 2B?

Wonder if Molitor didn't challenge considering the intent of the rule? Right or not, may have been too close to call and risk losing the challenge later. I still think he was safe...but soooooo close

Wait...that doesn't leave me open for my first ever warning points does it?

All I can come up with. Offered up everything in my portfolio with the "legal" post.

I need some Mejia cervesa?

No doubt!

Out!