DocBauer

Please don't anyone take this the wrong way...but I almost don't care if the Twins win the wild card spot. Sports to me is as much the competition, the striving, the game in and of itself and at times, the final outcome doesn't matter as much as the journey there. And this journey has been pretty special to me. As Twins fans, we can whine all we want about no WS since the early 90's and four straight, poor losing seasons, but there are a lot of teams and fan bases that would be envious of our past 10 years or so. Even still, our Twins seemed to just fall off a cliff for four years. And suddenly, here we are, playing fun and winning baseball still in contention with only a few games left. The kids we have been dreaming and drooling over have begun to arrive, with more on the way. I don't know how this will end, but I just love this journey!

Wait.............Rosario walked?

Adding Jepsen earlier would have helped. I, like others, maintain they should have picked up a second arm. Benoit? Someone with an expiring contract wouldn't have cost much and would have provided much needed depth. If we lose out by a game or two, all I'll be thinking is...."why, oh why couldn't we just throw out that first week of the season?"

The Twins being down offensively this year is certainly disappointing. But what I do like about their lineup is the fact that it works, more or less, as a whole. The total equals a greater whole than the sum of the parts. But there is certainly the potential for more! Would be interesting to compare the Twins scoring and overall numbers to the rest of the league as it seems scoring and offense in general are down.

I feel the Santana/Escobar situation was handled correctly initially. Both coming off excellent seasons, though Santana played largely out of position. But with 2 guys for 1 spot, you have to make a decision at some point. Pure talent and potential, Santana projects better. It made sense to go with him. Where the whole situation was NOT handled correctly was Santana probably got a little too much rope. And when the Twins did make a move, they kept yo-yoing the spot between Escobar and Nunez and a suddenly recalled Santana instead of just sticking with Escobar and letting him play himself in or out of the spot on a permanent basis. Santana still has a lot of ability and potential, whether it be with the Twins or elsewhere. I think it would be best for him, and the Twins, if he were to get some quality AAA time, but also learn to play 2nd, and still see time in the OF. If he settles down defensively, and we can see the offensive potential come alive again, great! But if he just can't handle being an every day ML SS, then he might find a real niche as a multi-positional utility player.

Watch the Tigers debacle. Forget anything I may have said earlier. No. I hope my vote changes next season, if not this one.

Not talking about the immediate post All Star meltdown, but now, back and reportedly rested and rehabbed; are we having this conversation if the 2 runs didn't score the other night? I think it's a fair question based on perception of the box score vs said post AS game implosion. Absolutely love Rosario and he has been mostly awesome in the OF this season. But that misplaced to a "double" changed the complexion of that half inning. And as a result, perhaps unfairly of Perk.

Also, agree with a lot of TNT's points. I am of the belief, as of now, that Berrios and Kepler will be integral parts of the 2016 roster and onward, but that both will begin the season in AAA. And not just for a delay in their start clock, but rather, overall depth of talent may force the Twins to open one way in regard to their roster, and then tweak as they go over the first 30-60 days. Not uncommon, of course. OF: Rosario, Buxton, Hicks and Kepler are your OF. Somewhere on the club, probably here, I'd like to see a solid, veteran LH bat for PH and occasional DH or in the field play. (Mauer would be perfect for that role..but..well..you know) Could the team keep 5 OF's? Yes, due to the veteran bench bat role. A Robinson or Danny Ortiz could fit in here initially if Kepler begins the year with Rochester. This might be where we find Arcia, out of options, not yet traded, and with the parent club as a role player to begin the year. IN: Plouffe, Sano and Mauer share 3B/1B/DH duties on a rotational basis. Once Kepler is up, we have 7 rotating in to 6 spots. Not hard to do. Escobar is at SS, Dozier is 2B, Nunez..probably...is primary utility. There is room for a second INF if the team only carries 4 total OF. Santana? Polanco? Beresford? I see Vargas, for now, in AAA playing every day at first, unless Plouffe is moved this offseason. Then there becomes a more immediate shot for him. (though a FA DH suddenly becomes a possibility) C: Suzuki and unknown. FA or trade...something happens here. SP: Hughes, Santana, Gibson, 2 of May, Duffey and Berrios. Again, Berrios could be in Rochester initially. RP: (7) Perkins, Jepsen, Duffey or May, Milone takes up 4 spots. The team should and I say will sign a FA RHRP. Ditto from the LH side unless they keep Cotts. That leaves 1 spot left to audtion Tonkin, Pressly and the such.

Happens to me a lot, at least when I use my I-PAD, which is often. I find if I post, and then click the "edit" option, and then save the post again, it seems to fix everything.

BTW...while I have generally backed both Ryan and Molitor with their decisions, actions, and in some cases non-actions, IF the team were to open next season with May AND Duffey BOTH out of the rotation, I think there should be some real hell to pay.

And you are absolutely right about a team putting the best 12 arms on the staff...or in some cases...15 when you think about injury at some point. However, while this is correct in theory, it's not always practical. A guy with really good stuff doesn't automatically make for a SP. Likewise, not all guys can handle coming in to a game with runners on base, or working with the frequency that a RP often does. And, while I generally don't like single batter or couple batter specialists like a true LOOGY, at times in the pen you do need that guy who can help better in certain situations. Nolaso MIGHT be one of the Twins top 12-15 arms next season, (depends on if they make a trade or FA signing or two) but I doubt he sees the bullpen. I don't think there is a team in baseball that would stick a $14 arm in the bullpen for long or middle relief unless it was temporary or post season. Nolasco needs to go, start over, and the Twins will probably pick up half the remaining contract, maybe toss in another lower level prospect, all in hopes of freeing up the spot, the other $7M per, and get something more than a bag of balls back. So while I agree with you to a certain point, and while I think the Twins have about 10 arms I could click off right now that I think are near certainties for 2016, I believe roles still have to be considered and sometimes subtraction must be made for the good of all involved.

Based in his milb numbers, which just seemed to get better and better as he gained experience and adapted more and more to starting, as well as the almost 50IP thus far at the ML level, I'm thinking we may be beyond the SAS concern. Even with Nolasco gone, (should be one way or another), and Berrios beginning 2016 in the minors initially, (maybe-probably?), there is remains a logjam that puts May or Duffey in the pen for now. (with Milone perhaps as a LH mid-long-swing man). May has transitioned well, but has real SP stuff and potential, and should go back to starting. Meanwhile, Duffey is a converted RP with experience in that area but h a transitioned to a quality AP. Tough, tough call here.

As of now...yes....a PAIR of milb champs in the Twins organization this year! Ever happened before? My memory doesn't recall.

So much for my dream scenario. Oh well, GO TEAMS!

Poblano hits a run scoring double to tie the game and then Kepler hits a 2 run HR to take the lead and HR trot the team to victory!

Section 1: 1* rookie league or not, Wade looks tremdous. Look at his numbers again before we move along. 2* it IS borderline amazing how the Twins have virtually zero MI's in their entire organization...and yet...a few years later...we have the top 2B in all of baseball...arguably. No diatribe repeat necessary...Escobar ladies and gentlemen...along with the still talented and potential-filled Santana (future super utility player I think), possibly very nice utility players in Beresford and Michael, and then young studs like Polanco, Gordon and possibly Vielma. Wow. One of these days...maybe...someone should give SOMEBODY kind of credit to the Twins scouts and FO and whoever for all the milb talent in the system. Section 2: 1* I know it's a half season league. And I'm not stupid or naive...I know it's a half season league. But come on...WOW or DAYUM should be the first word that comes to mind in regard to Palacios. I am rather concerned by the lack of BB. But am encouraged by the lack of SO's, and frankly, every other single number. I guess that's where my "wonder" quotient resides. Do I worry about a lack of walks and a future lack of walks...Palacios proving to be a free swinger...and wonder about future OB numbers and possible growing SO numbers? Or do I look at all the other impressive numbers and lack of SO's to tell myself that he didn't walk much thus far simply because he didn't HAVE TO? 2* I absolutely DO NOT want to get in to comparisons, BUT, the Twins recent history in to the foreign FA market has been anywhere from good to outstanding. There are some talented question marks in the lower levels to be sure, as well as some nice looking early successes. But if we look at the larger contract signings the past few years...of which Palacios is one...we witness first and foremost Sano. Anything else to add? No? Good! Next is Polanco who has been on about a 3 year tear of potential for a middle infielder. The question remains, which position for sure, and which team? Ironically, he made it to the SHOW twice before Sano did. Then comes Kepler. Who should have already been here a week or so ago...probably...but will be in a few days...probably...and who could open the 2016 in the Twins OF...maybe...but will be up at some point, probably early at worst...almost definitely. All of the scouting reports I read on Palacios were in one camp or another: a) talented but erratic and hard to predict, might not have a sustainable bat, possibly the top talent available on the amateur FA circuit. How does he look now? I don't want to put the cart before the horse...but...but...what if "b" is right, and we signed the next big amateur FA Sano-ish level talent, but in this case, a legitimate SS version?

Mays or not, the sooner he reaches at least 75-80% of his potential, the better and deeper the entire Twins lineup is once he is capable of providing that leadoff spark. There are a few candidates to hit 2 and 3, including Dozier, who could also hit 4 or 5 in different variations. I think he's a real catalyst for the future of the Twins lineup, any way the batting order shakes out behind him.

1* a nice list and some impressive numbers and performances. (Minus a couple high BB totals) Overall depth is even more impressive when you notice some talented arms that aren't on the list. Plus the hopeful return of Melotakis. (?) 2* no question JT is a great story! But how about Bard? Low A or not, his coming back and performing so well might be a better one. 3* these guys plus others not listed, and several milb SP options should bode well for the Twins bullpen in the immediate as well as the future. I just hope they don't get complacent and choose to do nothing this offseason. Another good arm or two could really set the Twins bullpen up for a strong 2016.

Been a huge fan and believer in Berrios since day one. From the very start there's just been something tough and determined about him. My fear isn't whether or not he breaks camp with the Twins or not. No. Day one or a month in, he'll be up...he'll contribute...and he'll be important. My fear is that with what the Twins have on roster now, plus the addition of Berrios, they might be tempted to keep May in the bullpen rather than look for an addition from elsewhere. And that would be a cry in' shame. Next to Berrios...and possibly right beside him...he's arguably the team's top young SP...at least from the RH side...major or milb level.

If it weren't for Berrios, or he was already in the majors, just think how much more we'd all be chomping at the bit in regard to Gonsalves and his season. Perhaps next year?

I wonder, if this were not a brand new affiliate, would the situation be handled differently?

The picture is of Jorge yes? Did he lie about his age? He looks all of 16! Maybe I'm just getting that much older. Good on him. Great performance. Great year.

I believe Berrios is special. I'm not going to declare him an ACE or future HOFer yet, but there is something special about the young man. I felt when the Twins drafted Gonsalves they may have gotten one of the real steals in the draft that year. While it may seem strange at first to attempt to compare the two of them...RH vs LH and 6' (maybe) vs a listed 6' 5"...there are some correlations that are at least interesting to consider. Both are 21, Berrios about 6 weeks older, both are coming off big years at two different levels...though Berrios was a full step higher...but Berrios has also been in professional ball, and the Twins system, a year longer. Berrios' age 20 season, last year in '14 at A+ and AA, is probably the closest comp you could make. No matter how you slice it, Berrios has advanced further, faster, than Gonsalves. But again, there is the advantage of the extra professional season. And for whatever reason, Gonsalves was held back in 2014 in EST. but both young men have some tremendous milb numbers, both are very young, and both have at least one big year of split level results to reflect on, if not compare. The whole point being...WOW. Go back and take a look. You'll be glad you did! The one thing I'd question and be interested in knowing is whether the taller Gonsalves is really his listed weight of 190lbs. If accurate, you'd have to expect another 15-20lbs of bulk and muscle yet to come wouldn't you? That could lead to even more endurance and velocity out of Gonsalves.

Big, strapping, athletic Southern League MVP Kepler with 13 TRIPLES! Can I get a universal WOW from the crew? I don't know if this talented young man is on the opening day roster for '16 or not, but something tells me it won't be long if not.

Big, strapping, athletic Southern League MVP Kepler with 13 TRIPLES! Can I get a universal WOW from the crew? I don't know if this talented young man is on the opening day roster for '16 or not, but something tells me it won't be long if not.