DocBauer

I'm a Granite fan and think he has a future. But seems to me early returns are someone not yet ready or pressing. Can we just stop now with how easy it would be to trade one of our starting OF?

Every time I watch Kepler do something in the field, or his smooth stroke, I'm reminded of my father watching him at ST a couple years ago and telling me he just looked and moved like a natural athlete.

I don't think the Twins would have won the challenge, not definitive enough but I think he was safe by a finger tip. Rosario would have gotten the runner at 3rd if he could have set himself better.

I've witnessed a lot of Twins baseball over my 45 years+ as a fan. And I'm honored to be part of Twins fandom and TD. And over those many years, and the past 3+ here on TD, I've heard and read opinion, speculation, prosecution and defense of various teams, players, and the FO. In my expertise as a lifelong Twins fan, I can tell you my opinion of this current team is not mere conjecture. I love the young talent and the way they play together. I know there is a great deal of conjecture in regard to the current state and status of this team. And while the jury is certainly out as to the full potential of this team going forward, and the deliberations of what the Twins should and should not do going forward, I am certainly enjoying the process of watching thjs team develop. And I know there are experts out there who offer their opinions on the young talent currently on the roster and coming up, Keith Law being primary amongst them, I like the makeup. I like the makeup of this lineup now and going forward. This is not the usual suspects of the past. And this includes parts of the pitching staff. The evidence reveals we still need pitching help to make our case as a legitimate contender. And hopefully, through shrewd trade or FA move, or uncovering a hidden gem, we will add to Santana, Berrios and the sudden emergence of Mejia to round out the rotation. I'm really liking what this kid is doing. And I swear we are witnessing him growing in to a legitimate ML SP right before our eyes, just not with the same testimony Berrios gets. I know years of frustration with the system, and watching the man running it, can lead to a feeling of being persecuted or disenfranchised as a Twins fan, but I am a believer in the process now taking place. Go Twins! Support Mejia and get some more runs! Beat the odds and vindicate yourselves with a winning series and year, beginning with beating the hated Yankees tonight! Bang the ball and the gavel! I am an optimist. That is my decision!

Not sure if Romero could or should pitch in the pen for the Twins this year. (If there is any concern, then no, protect the arm). Buy can't he be pitching his 5 innings for Rochester going forward? He is clearly ready for the promotion.

The Jax situation us frustrating. I fully understand the comitment and obligation to his military service. But there have been situations in the past, David Robinson being the most well known, where a young man was allowed out of his comitment, or fulfilled it in a different capacity such as recruiting or work in the reserves. Someone please correct me, but didn't the military just change their stance on this after Jax was drafted? Would have been nice to maybe grandfather in Jax, and others like him, and make the change going forward.

Yes to including Gordon, but I'd rather see a team in rebuild mode wanting/accepting the younger and maybe even more talented Palacios. If Gordon js gone and Dozier not extended, we suddenly go from a lot of MI depth to very little. To be clear, I love Polanco and believe the bat will be there given a little more time. I like Escobar a lot. We may have a real find in Adrianza either as a utility player or solid starter, short term at least. But the jury is very much out on Vielma and everyone else is in A ball.

I absolutely include both Rosario and Polanco as part of the core. Rosario has tons of talent and potential and similar number of AB as Sano last time I looked. And thus really a rookie season for Polanco. His first real opportunity to play daily and gain experience. Add Granite, Gordon and Garver as 3 more solid to very good young players and this player roster is nearly complete.

And you are absolutely right Chief! There is no reason that every season can't include this season. Except for 1 caveat. I actually like the new FO and think there is the making a of a really intelligent plan in the works here. I think this new FO really "gets" what needs to be done to build up the entire franchise. I'm very encouraged by a lot of things I've seen done, even if some of them are little things. But not only are our beloved Twins surprising a lot of people, but I'm sure they've surprised Falvey and Levine some too. But they have literally been in the job for something like 6 months now and are still learning the organization, from FO staff to field staff to players. And while I get the sense they want to support this team, and make various internal moves/promotions/auditions, etc, I have to wonder if they truly have enough of a grasp yet on the talent in the organization, as a whole, to make any big moves that wouldn't come back to bite them later?

A lot of work and very intelligent thinking went in to this. And while I am absolutely loathe to trade Buxton, I see what you are doing here and it makes a lot of sense. However, and this is meant with respect and not disregard, it kind of reminds me of a fantasy mock draft. It just seems like too many moving pieces to be able to pull off successfully. But I absolutely commend you on the process!

Unless the team suddenly sinks, I don't see being sellers. Even then, would trading Santana, and what we might get back, truly build a better 2018 than having him? A recent article/interview clearly stated the team wasn't really looking to make trades unless they were for guys who would be part of the team for a few years. I think this team pretty much stays pat and continues to develop and audition from within, and continues to evaluate all personnel, coaches/managers and players alike at all levels before make decisions in the off season.

Garver does belong. And he offers versatility at 1B and maybe now the OF in a pinch. Granite also belongs, though he is there now. The problem, really, there is nobody on the ML roster who deserves to be gone. Even Vargas, for his inconsistencies, has contributed and performed well at times and still has potential. And you simply can't have 15 position players. Eventually, by next season, Garver should replace the solid Giminez. Also encouraged, but cautious, with Stewart. Sometimes things just sort of click for prospects at some point. Could this be the time, for this season at least, where than mechanism unlocks? Let's hope so.

Absolutely concur with both of your responses here. From the top down, this season is about evaluation of the GO, analytics, coaches and players and the entire system. Why on earth would you trade some quality prospects when you have half a season to evaluate what you even have at this point? As to Hand, or someone like him, it makes some sense to acquire someone cost controlled you could hold on to for a few years. But even with the unfortunate injuries to Burdi and Jay...(almost waiting for a 3rd shoe to hit the floor regarding Chargois)...Busentiz, Curtiss, Hilgenberger and Reed are all showing some ability and potential. Pressly still has a good arm but just appears lost right now. But there are guys to work with, audition and develop the second half of the season to go along with Kintzler, Duffey and Rogers. Maybe Hughes even finds a successful role in the pen.

Just for fun, I looked up Colons numbers for the past 4 previous seasons: Season W-L ERA IP H BB SO WHIP 2013 18-6 2.65 190 193 29 117 1.166 2014 15-13 4.09 202 218 30 151 1.226 2015 14-13 4.16 194 217 24 136 1.238 2016 15-8 3.43 191 200 32 128 1.210

The absolute truth is neither the Twins, nor any team, will have any real idea if their draft was successful for 3-5 years. But despite being a bit confused and flummoxed initially by the early portion if the draft, I'm pretty much on board with how it turned out. 1] In a non-consensus top pick draft, the Twins drafted the top HS position player in the draft. He was a consensus top 4-5 player with great talent, potential and makeup. The Twins weren't cheap or "saved money". They "saved money" on a top prospect selection to use elsewhere. 2] Whether or not you like the overall strategy, this new FO HAD a plan and a strategy to implement and they DID. Kudos for having and doing so. 3] The "experts" in the tremendous crap shoot that is the baseball draft laud the talent brought on board. At this point, I am appeased and very hopeful.

Really nice to see Jorge get another start. He could take the experience from the first start and look as good or better. He could also battle nerves and inexperience, as well as the Orioles, and not pitch as well. I really don't have expectations, just hope. But he could very well be part of the future and it is so refreshing to see him get this opportunity instead of a street FA.

I'm not saying we don't have a chance. (I actually think we have a really nice club that is pretty close and going to keep getting better). And I'm not saying to not make a trade, especially if it's for the long term rather than the short. But I find it interesting how conversation has shifted over the past few months...generally speaking...how this team wouldn't even finish .500 and we need to play the prospects. Now, this team is over .500 and playing the kids, and starting to play more of them. For example, Jorge getting a pair of starts, Hilgenberger, Busentiz and even Randy Rosario getting a first shot. ( Though we do need to see more of both Hilgenberger and Busentz). Reed and Curtiss are looking fantastic and should be in line for a look-see in the not too distant future. So which is it? We were supposed to be bad so play the kids. Now we're pretty good so trade some of the kids for other veteran players? Again, not saying the Twins shouldn't make moves, or that it would be a mistake. It's just an interesting twist of expectation vs results for this season. Personally, I'd kind of like to see how the pen shakes out a little more with the kids before making a move. It bodes well, potentially, for now and the future both, while allowing us to hold on to prospects for maybe a SP trade at some point.

Very interesting read and far more encouraging. In the game thread tonight, someone stated Buxton has been hitting around .258 since his initial 2 for 49/50AB to start the season. And he's looked so, so much better the past few games. Hopefully, we are seeing the awakening of Buxton's potential at the ML level.

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?