DocBauer

I would still consider keeping E Santana unless the return is nice. Plouffe, Nolasco, Milton and Suzuki should all be gone soon. Not convinced moving Nunez or Escobar is a good move. I don't feel the necessity to gut the roster for the sake of doing so. And both offer ability and roles, TBD, and offer additional roster depth and flexability. Especially if we do consider moving Dozier at some point. But I want Polanco up. I'd consider moving on from D Santana even though there is still potential there. And both Kepler and Rosario can play CF here and there when Buxton needs a break. Berrios and Wheeler in the rotation now. (Still want to stretch out May, but might not happen now until next year) Chargois and Wimmers up in place of Ramirez and whoever else is moved. I'd like to bring Boshers up too, but we need to see if we actually have something in Wimmers. And as crazy good as he's been, I'm not sure how you don't bring up Hildenberger at some point. Not sure about Palka. I like him. I still hold out real hope for Walker as well. But there are so many AB and Walker is still a work in progress and Palka just got to AAA, so I guess I'm a no for now. Granite and Garver should both be at AAA tomorow. Could see Garver in September, but Murphy needs a fair audition for now.

I appreciate the job Ryan did his first term with the Twins. And his first couple of losing seasons on this second term weren't entirely is fault. But the past few seasons, it just seemed like he didn't have a plan in place. I was of the opinion he was gone, despite arguements of the previous TWINS WAY of doing things. Comments from Ryan himself seemed to indicate he was on the hot seat. But again, I'm really surprised it happened at this time.

Just curious, but do we have any breakdowns for Murphy on a month to month basis? His numbers just aren't good overall, but he also planted himself in quite a hole to begin the season. It seems as though he's been at least a little better the past month or so. Mitch Garver is amongst the Twins milb batting leaders in slugging, OPS, HR and RBI. Every report I've ever heard has him as quality behind the plate and throwing. He's not ready now, and there is no guarantee as to how he turns out, but he provides future optomism. I'd still trade Suzuki if the market bears a solid offer. But it sure appears we'really going to have to sign a veteran of sorts in the offseason.

Interesting and gratifying to see Garver on so many of the batters lists.

I don't think trading Ramos, inofitself, was a mistake, even though it would have been nice to keep him. Mauer was in his prime, there were no concerns with Mauer NOT catching at the time, and they had a tradable asset. The problem was trading for too low of a player value wise. The fact that Jepsen was controlled for a second year didn't bother me. In fact, I liked that we weren't renting a player for just a couple of months. The pen needed help, and the kids weren't ready yet. If Jepsen had performed as a solid, experienced setup man this season and not imploded, there would be so much discussion about him. To the original point of the article, I feel anymore that Ryan just doesn't have a plan. Never directly, since he never announces plans of any sort publicly, he's pretty much intimated "wait until the kids get here and you'll see". But then they jerking Meyer and Polanco around, and Kepler his first time up. One could argue they did the same thing with Vargas last year. Last season, they were going to "go for it" but brought in only Jepsen, and later than they should have, signed Cotts, and moved the wrong pitcher to the bullpen. I didn't want the Tulsa trade and I'm glad we didn't make it. This year, it was fix the bullpen. And we signed Abad and trusted in a full return of Perkins. I've always argued one could dismiss the disappointing 2011 and 2012 seasons due to the fact 2010 was such a good year and the core of that team was back for 2011. 2012 was a return to health and some retooling. But 13 and 14 were a mess! Someone has to play, someone has to pitch, and you need a full roster. So we signed some mediocre SP to long term deals but did absolutely nothing for SS and CF! Where is the plan? It just feels like half in and half out all of the time. NOW, we're starting to see some of the fruits of the milb system take root at the ML levdl...FINALLY...but TR still won't use the "R" word as if it's dirty somehow. There is definately a disconnect somewhere.

I didn't like the Capps trade because I felt they already had an equivalent pitcher on board and I liked Ramos a lot. Though, to be fair, they did have a pretty good catcher at the time. Like any young prospect, particularly one not in your top 10, there is no guarantee that he will turn out excellent and you will later regret the move. My problem with trading for Jepsen is I just wanted a better arm, sooner, and another addition and not move May. ( Pelfrey to the pen may have accomplished the same thing) Regardless of how good, or not so good, Jepsen ultimately is, I don't think anyone could have predicted him being this poor in 2016. I initially liked having him for a second year, and the lack of any additional moves besides Abad, or relying on Perkins, are not Jepsen 's fault.

Honestly, Walker has done better than I thought he would in his first go-round at AAA. He's not ready yet, but he's surprised me. Melotakis is a guy I've had my eye on for a while. If not for injury, he'd be at AAA already, if not the ML level. I'd like to see Wimmers, Boshers,Chargois and Hildenberger all up at some point this season. But at this point, and I can't believe I'm saying this, there is no room for all of them. Not until trades or September anyway.

In regards to management sticking with the status quo if these young...and still getting younger...Twins have a quality 2nd half; I'm not convinced that would be the case. For starters, this makes 5 90+ loss seasons out of 6 (probably). Further, management has already been on record saying they are taking a hard look at the organization from the FO on down. Additionally, even a strong 2nf half can't erase such a poor and mismanaged 1st half. If anything, it might reflect just how poorly the initial roster construction really was. I say enjoy the kids, enjoy Berrios, Chargois, Polanco and anyone else still to come up, and realize the dreaded "rebuild" that Ryan won't utter is actually taking place. We'll see how it all plays out.

He's pitched just under 70 innings on 13 starts before his promotion. No telling how many innings the Twins want to hold him to this season, but he should definately have room for a few starts at AA before limiting him down the stretch.

What is up with Wimmers? Has he really found a role for himself? After such a so-so career, and a not so great AA to begin the season, he's pitched quite well at Rochester.

While anyone's milb track record is never a tell all, much less any form of guarantee, he hit reasonably well in the minors and showed some of the pop we've seen from time to time, with SB ability. And while his one excellent year with the Twins, when he was possibly promoted too quickly, is certainly not his ceiling. But we've seen flashes where he has had good AB and good games. And the one thing that was pointed during a game once was his quick hands. Whether it's with the Twins or not, with time and a better developed eye, I think his tools and quick hands could still make him a decent hitter.

LOL. Not snarky at all. Just saying, he's young enough and athletic enough to continue to improve and possibly turn in to a useful super utility type ballplayer. Maybe one we'd even regret losing. But with the 4 OF's we have now, I'd rather lose him to get Polanco up than Escobar or Nunez, both of whom I like to man SS and utility along with Polanco. At least for the next year or two until the likes of Gordon and Vielma prove ready.

Gladden's game calling leaves something to be desired. But I like him as the color guy. I enjoy his perspective and stories as a former ML player and former Twin.

Call me an eternal optomist if you will, but I don't believe D Santana has hit his ceiling yet. I believe the youth and talent are there to be a useful bench player. Potentially. But I think with the OF we have now, he is the guy to lose vs Nunez or Escobar. I think the two vets make us a better team as SS and utility options WITH Polanco until the likes of Vielma and Gordon prove ready.

Frankly, the truth to all of this is probably somewhere in the middle. Park is adjusting to the ML level of play, and at SOME POINT has indeed probably had/has some form of injury that is hampering him. Further, not only do most athletes play through dings and dents and the such during the season, but there is always the pressure to endure, succeed and not let your team down. Not only is this true for "rookie" Park, but he's also carrying the attention of his home country focused on him. Dozier to be honest, until the recent health and promotions of Sano, Rosario and Vargas, the other options were somewhat limited. (Not getting in to the whole Arcia debate again. It happened) Right now, he just needs to get healthy and get his swing back, get in a groove, and worry about the rest of the season.

We'received all agreed, you don't trade Santana or Dozier unless the return is a good one. Maybe even unexpectedly good, the market will tell us I guess. Will the market be better now? Or the offseason after teams begin to re-examine and re-build their rosters? Or next July at the next trade deadline? I think the most important question is what's best for the Twins going forward. No doubt to continuing the rebuild and making room for the prospects. To me, this clearly means parting ways with Nolasco, Milone and Ploufe and probably Suzuki as well. I'm not so sure that should include Nunez or Abad, neither of them would be expensive to keep another year or two, and the team may be better with them than without them. And nkw, and to at least begin 2017, I'm not sure keeping g either of them actually blocks anyone at this point. But keeping them, or moving them, is an interesting debate and one where I can see both sides. But the real debate here is Santana, and now seems to include Dozier as well. And so I ask again, what's best for the Twins? Of course adding good young players to your organization is always a good thing. It's the life blood of your entire organization. Not only in terms of new, rising talent but also providing trade options. But is keeping each of them maybe better for the team for the immediate future? It's not unreasonable to see Gibson, Berrios, Duffey and May as 4 of the 5 SP options for 2017. But who fills the 5th spot? Dean appears to be a fringe player (though I like his approach) while Wheeler is a complete unknown at the moment and Meyer is a mystery (though we'd all like to see that mystery solved) Our top pitching prospects are a good season away. Keeping Santana, for now, provides a solid, useful veteran presence in the rotation. We're I a betting man, I'd wager he's got at least one more solid year left in him, and is more of a cost-controlled and known factor that what next year's crop of FA options would provide. More or less the same for Dozier, for now, until we know better what we have in Polanco. Again, not saying don't move them if the offer (s) are good ones. But in regard to 2017 and various comments about not giving up on a season that's not even here for some time yet, I ask again, what is best for the Twins? And I'm not so sure the immediate future isn't better with them than without them.

I've heard various arguements that the Twins should look for a SS in any trades. I wonder if this should be so. With Gordon a top prospect, Vielma an intriguing one and Escobar and Nunez holding down the fort for now (each with solid to better than average bats), plus maybe Polanco, I think I'd direct my attentions elsewhere. Despite Garver looking good at AA and Murphy still a possibility that shouldn't be given up on so soon, I'd probably look at catching help as my top priority. With top pitching arms at AA, at least a year away, if Santana is gone it creates a need for a ML ready or near ready arm. And I have to wonder if there is a Joe Nathan-like arm out there just waiting for an opportunity who could help solidify the bullpen? I think these are the areas I'd be looking at.

Not going to attempt to put words in Brock's mouth, but I don't believe he is actually saying the Twins will contend in 2017. I think he is simply saying not to write offor the season before it begins because things can happen. Am I correct? Loook, I'm not saying I expect the Twins to contend in 2017 either. There are just too many IF'S that have to take place. But, the team is actually playing better. And what if the young OF, and Sano keep developing and are even better next season? What if Gibson is healthy and keeps improving, same with Berrios and Duffey and hopefully May? Add someone at C, add a reliable arm to the pen, and a .500-ish finish the second half of this season could provide optomism for 2017 to be a .500 or better club. Last year, neither the Twins or Astros were supposed to compete, so things do happen. That being said, I'm not opposed to moving Santana or Dozier. And I think we universally all agree the return has to be worthwhile. Otherwise, wait until teams recalibrate their roster's in the offseason, or wait until next July. The simple question that has to be asked, IMO, is "are we better with what we can acquire? Or are we better off keeping these two guys for the time being so as to not create more immediate holes?"

Agree that he should only be traded if we get a surprisingly good return. His stuff still plays decently. His next 2 years are affordable and fair value, even if he begins to decline in the final year. It makes little sense to move him for anything other than a surprise, and then go sign another similar starter next offseason. (If there's even one as good and affordable) Dump Nolasco and Milone ASAP and bring up Berrios. Stretch out May, IMO, but also consider giving Wheeler a shot.

Well an injury would help explain the sudden drop off after he seemed to be getting in to a groove. But why oh why didn't someone think to DL him and get healed up?! Especially in a lost season, why are we playing a guy hurt who is not producing? Just dumbfounding!

At this point, as fans suffering but with rather obvious changes in the roster/lineup these days with more to invariably come, don't we have to divide the season in to entirely different halves? I mean, we're not going to erase disappointment, frustration and a generally horrible first half. But we are opening the second half of the season with an OF that includes Rosario, Buxton and Kepler with the "old man" Grossman being a solid surprise. Sano is now playing where he should. Vargas is up and getting a shot. Some guys in the bullpen are looking like keepers. In the not too distant future, as I stated earlier, Berrios, Chargois and Polanco should be up. I don't know if this new look, younger version of the Twins will play .450 ball, .500 or .550 ball. But I'm looking at the second half of the year as its own season at this point.

I pretty much agree with the original list as well. I think Garver is also a must. And I'd really like to keep Granite. He could be a solid 4th OF and potentially a starting LF and quality leadoff candidate. I just don't see Thorpe being taken based on health, recovery and limited level advancement. No to Harrison at this point. Also agree on Wimmer and Wheeler getting some time the second half to see what we have in them. Wimmer is doing surprisingly well at AAA but he doest scream draft steal at this point.

You have to believe that Chargois is going to spend the majority of the second half of the season with the Twins. Don't you then HAVE to move Hildenberger to Rochester for the second half as well?

As of today's promotion to AA, Jay has made 13 starts for FTM and 69.2 IP. I don't know what kind of IP limit the Twins want to hold him to this season, but I would suspect 110 to a max of 130. I would think he'd be in line for 4-5 GS at AA before finishing in the bullpen.

This is my feeling as well. I'm focused...even amidst a dreadful season and the entire TR will he or won't he be back...on how we play and finish the rest of the season. I'm focused on this because a} frankly, better baseball and my team playing better and winning is a good and fun thing, (duh!) the actual play of the youngsters! As bad as the season has been, there are a lot of things to pay attention to and enjoy: *Buxton is being allowed to play almost daily, and there are positive signs *Ditto with Kepler *Sano can still mash, will only get better, and is playing 3B *Rosario is talented, bashed AAA, is back up *Grossman, I think, is a nice overall player we uncovered *Gibson is rounding in to shape and pitching much better *Ditto for Duffey, who still doesn't have a full season under his belt yet *Rogers, Pressly and Tonkin are all young RP looking positive *Berrios should be up soon to finish out the season *Chargois will be up again, and probably fairly soon *I'm thrilled Vargas is up and playing and I hope he runs with the opportunity *Polanco? (Sigh) Hopefully up soon. These are all good, exciting things to watch the rest of the year from a nice collection of young players. With more to follow.