DocBauer

That bullpen for Chatanooga is absolutely stacked! Doesn't there just have to be promotions to Rochester, or even the Twins, in the next week or so?

I haven't agreed with all the moves, or non moves, by the new FO before ST, during, or so far this season. But I absolutely have a feel for their moves, their direction, and any method to their madness, so to speak. This move, however, just befuddles me! This just screams someone off the street to start a game and then move to the pen, or AAA, or just be a rent-a-game player. Nothing about it makes any sense at all. Are they just trying that hard to give Berrios that one or two more starts? I just don't get it! My fingers are tightly crossed that 2-3 pitching moves will be taking place over the next couple of weeks

Nice post! Always felt Buxton would turn it around eventually. I do find myself still wondering what kind of hitter he is ultimately going to be, however. I used to think he would be a quality leadoff batter but would eventually slide further down the order, similar to Puckett's progression. I'm now starting to wonder if he might be more of a natural 3-6 hitter.

Wheeler is on the other line...says he wants to know what he needs to do to get a shot and would be happy to make an appearance on the 40 man roster.

NAILED IT!

Agreed! Dozier Polanco Kepler (Grossmam?) Sano Vargas Thoughts?

I think I know him.

Should be hitting behind Sano

Yeah...too bad Vargas can't hit, right?

One of life's great questions who's answer still eludes me: if more than one octopus means you have "octopi"...then what happens in Vegas if you are in a room of multiple Elvis impersonators? Do you have "Elvi"?

If Greene's "attitude", assuming he does have one, is born from a desire to be the best, I'm OK with that. If it's ego and a long nose viewpoint of those around him, then I would have a problem. Not saying he has any issues, just responding. What scares me about Greene is mixed results in his secondary stuff. I hear average slider that needs work, and I hear devastating slider. Which is it? And, more than likely, he is further away from helping any time soon, but I also don't believe in drafting simply for immediacy. I'm starting to lean towards McKay, not as a negative towards Greene, but because a strapping, quality LHSP who is closer to helping with a floor of a #3 with the potential for better excites me. Those just don't grow on trees, and sorry for saying this, but he does have the feeling of being the "safer" choice.

Replacing Santana and gaining the 40 man spot is probably the overall win here. Adriana can at least play defense, though he might be a bit superfluous with Escobar on the roster. The big win involves Pressly getting straightened out, and the likes of Berrios, Chargois, Burdi and Melotakis coming up. (Though that leaves us short a SP). Mejia!

May I have an AMEN!

You know, there are compelling arguments for both of these guys, and not due to any 2-way preference. Greene is the top guy, no doubt, if you are of the opinion you go for the biggest upside. McKay has quality upside, just maybe not quite as much, but is also closer to ML ready. I think I'd be happy either way.

Your points are all valid. But as I commented recently in a similar blog, I just wouldn't move him unless blown away. He is not a true ACE starter, despite his excellent start to this season, and quality Twins career. The Twins are using him intelligently, and there is no indication of sudden regression. He's quality and affordable to this young, developing and growing team.

I simply can't describe how disappointed I am about Gibson. I truly thought he was a nice bounce back candidate this season. Announcers from other teams have even commented he has solid stuff, but it doesn't seem to translate. Whether he doesn't trust his stuff, his defense, or is just afraid of making a mistake, he seems to nibble to me. I now believe/hope Mejia and Berrios will pitch a good half season, if not more, for the Twins this season along with Santana, Santiago and Hughes. There are multiple options coming up fairly soon for the pen, plus the return of Haley, and I'd send Gibson to the minors for depth, and hope he can find himself again. The Twins will have the financial resources to sign a legitimate FA next off-season, should they choose to, especially if they would choose to let Santiago and Gibson go. There are a couple nice young arms behind Mejia and Berrios that could be ready at some point in 2018, plus a hopeful return for May. I think Gibson's days are numbered.

Nope. Wouldn't do it unless someone made me a he'll of an offer. Why? We need pitching. We have prospects. Other teams have prospects. Prospects remain prospects until they are no longer, for good or bad. But the 2017 Twins are a solid team, playing well, brimming with some top young talent, a couple "youngish" veterans, and a couple older vets. There is no way to know how good, or bad, this team can/will ultimately be. But the core is there and getting better and growing better. And there are legitimate prospects, on the mound and in the field, that will make appearances soon, to continue growth and the rebuild. And with the payroll where it is, some contracts expiring at season end, others that could be declined, there is real room to bring on a legitimate arm next off season to supplement the biggest deficiency, starting pitching. For the sake of the turnstiles, (which remains important), and the overall development of this growing and rebuilding team, I think it's important to maintain a winning culture as opposed to; "nah...screw this season. We want to cut payroll and bring on another couple prospects. You guys, and the fans, can worry about winning later." Just my opinion. But again, unless given an offer we can't refuse, this team is better off with Santana than without.

If you keep him in the 3 spot, I think a strong argument could be made for Kepler hitting behind him. If you bump him down to cleanup, how about Dozier-Polanco-Kepler with some combination of Vargas/Grossman/Park batting 5th behind him?

"So long Sano"

Have to believe both Burro and Melotakis will be up to Rochester very soon. Time to take the kid gloves off Melotakis? I would guess that is not due to last surgery, as was the case last year, and more due to the oblique strain in spring training.

Berries up, and that's pretty obvious. But keep Romero at AS for half the season, I say. First taste of AA, young, plenty of time to promote him. Let him really get cranked up and going at AA for now.

Interesting that Goodrum is listed as a 3B on his milb page but has been mostly playing SS and CF. Hes slumped a bit lately, but is still holding his own mostly and contributing. Granite and Garber both doing well! Glad to see Granite ready to play! I know we're a mostly young and still rebuilding team, but it's nice to see the AAAA guys at Rochester doing well. Makes you feel comfortable that there's a couple guys who could come up for a week or so if necessary and not embarrass themselves. Just have to believe Burdi and Melotakis are close to a Rochester promotion.

I've had him in my mind as well. Really, he's been promoted pretty quickly and seems to be doing well, all things considered. Still showing inconsistencies, which you'd expect for a young pitcher, especially hitting AAA for the first time. Seems to me he generally has good control, and while he doesn't have the velocity you might expect for such a big guy, I believe reports I've read indicate his length and delivery help hide the ball and play his FB up. I'm honestly thinking we may have to add him to the Berrios, Mejia, Gonsalves, Romero and Jorge list of young SP we have hopes for.

Couple points that I believe are important and in some cases worth repeating. 1) Both these guys are young, learning and developing. Just as they were in the minors. Nobody ever said they were promoted and plugged in gold glove ready and deserving. They are playing solid, occasionally outstanding, with some mistakes mixed in. We shouldn't expect a few growing pains while they still develop? 2) When Polanco was first signed, he was considered a defensive first player with a questionable bat. Until last season when he was inexplicably taken off AS, he did continue to play the spot on a regular basis through the minors, splitting time at other positions, like most young players. (Just like Gordon seeing time at 2B now). As to still needing work and not being 100% polished, refer again to point #1. 3) This the first time Sano has been allowed to focus on 3B at the ML level. Yes he's put in a lot of work, and that's a good thing! But he's also being allowed to play his natural position. All reports I ever read when in the minors was he was solid, with potential to be better, and that he worked hard on his defense. Talk of him moving off 3B, possibly outgrowing the position, we're generally listed as "eventually" and not immediate. And once again, a reminder, remember how good Gaetti and Koskie were at 3B? If so, then also remember how they struggled initially. Gaetti had stone hands and Koskie was stiff. A couple years later they were amongst the best overall players at their position, offensively and defensively.

Right now, Gibson is the bugger disappointment for me. Like him or not, we have seen what he can be capable of. Seemingly healthy, working hard on his arm and mechanics, putting up solid performances in the spring, I really thought he was ready to get back on track. I don't know exactly what his problem is, or how to fix it, but he seems, IMO, to pitch tentatively. Does he not trust his stuff? His much improved defense? Is he just too afraid to make a mistake? I am very concerned about Buxton, of course, but less so. He is very young still. He oozes with talent and ability. We have seen this before, years ago, from Hunter. (Similar at least). And we saw it with Gomez, also young and talented and probably given up on way too soon by the Twins. SOMEONE needs to work one on one with him to find a stance, stroke, approach and relaxed mental state to let him get going. Maybe Hunter? I'm unconcerned, at this point, about his first 50AB or so, and more concerned about his next 450+. Players and pitchers have streaks, and very seldom, if ever, does everyone get hot at once. But just imagine another 2-3 wins for this improved team if Gibson and Buxton were just performing at a "solid" level at this point.