DocBauer

In regard to Santana........COME ON! Anyone really going to scold me if I use the term; "reality check"? Who....and I mean WHO ever said anything about Johan? We signed a proven, quality, expensive but market average cost, RHSP with a really nice track record to bolster our team. A guy slightly more expensive and a bit better than the tough luck Nolasco, and the steal of Hughes....again...more expensive, but better overall. Lest we forget, I was in favor of Santana over Nolasco, but not by much, and was OK with the Nolasco signing. Forget his tough start to his Twins career. He is NOT a bad pitcher. Maybe a bad fit in the end, bad karma or bad luck that should force a name change to Murphy, but he is not a bad pitcher. If you look at career numbers, you will see that Santana is, and always has been, a bit better than Nolasco. (Albeit not by a great margin) Just for a moment, can we drop the whole ACE mentality here? There is a difference between an ACE and a #1 SP on most staffs. Honestly, it's a really, really small, almost tiny difference. Sometimes, you even have to break down smaller numbers to see the difference. But overall, generally speaking, if you don't recognize that slim difference, you probably aren't a real baseball fan. Sorry. Truth. Then comes "top of the rotation starter", which really means anything from dominate #2 SP to really good/potentially dominate #3 SP. Career numbers, Santana ranks ahead of Nolasco....but not by that much really. I know it sounds easy to say that a pitcher put up better numbers when he pitched for a better team. But as there is a difference between different players and pitchers, if you remove the elite, there is also a difference in "rising to the occassion" as opposed to doing their best. Hence, an OK SP "rises" when surrounded by quality supporting cast. Santana and Nolasco are similar, quality, experienced MLSP. However, Santana still wins out in comparison. And since when does any kind of warm up or rehab with a ML vet even matter in regard to ML comparable stats?

Shaking my head a bit. What I DONT know: How good Polanco can actually be. And except for a few innings, what he looks like on a consistent basis. How unforced or correctable his errors are. What I DO Know, or THINK I know: Polanco was signed as a SS, a GLOVE MAN, not as an offensive player. In fact, when signed, the talk was about defense and speed with his bat questionable. Kid has turned out to have a quality bat, with pop, ability to hit for average, and a knack for the big hit. He's done so well at it, that he keeps getting dropped from the 2 hole in the order to the 3 spot. And he shows the potential to be even better! I also know that with very, very little exception, I have never seen a quality SS, even a future Gold Glover, not struggle with some errors, not only in the minors, but in the majors as well. Deal with it, it's reality. Santana has a ton of ability if he can harness it. If he can't, he has a chance to still be solid, and useful, and potentially a quality LF who can also help in CF and SS. 2B? Polanco seems more smooth, more natural in what he does. I absolutely, positively would not give up on Santana, (unless traded of course), but I would also not wait too long to give Polanco a REAL CHANCE to show what he can do, not just a game or two. He just might be a viable, long term solution at SS. What are the Twins afraid of at this point?

Yes. Didn't see or hear the game tonight. Don't care what happened when a rookie pitcher with amazing stuff comes up and, apparently from the previous comments, as an egg of indeterminable size. Tonkin can't find consistency. Oliveros needs a ne deserved a shot, but is suddenly not available. (Probably from being used inexcusably incorrectly lately) Out AA bullpen is big on potential, way short on readiness. (And some were calling for various members a to skip AA, AAA, ST or logic and go straight to the Twins bullpen.) The truth is, as long as he's not overworked, (and he has been each of the last two seasons but probably won't be this year), Fien is a real find and very solid. I don't know who this Boyer guy is, but he's surprised the heck out of me! Just don't overwork him! Graham has been almost as big of a surprise, and honestly, I'd like to see him more. Meyer has mad stuff. Meyer will hopefully return to the rotation one of these days, finish finding himself, and be a top starter. If not, he can certainly thrive as a potentially excellent reliever. Right now, he's pitching well, building confidence, finding himself, and offers up a presence and pure power stuff our bullpen just doesn't have. But he probably needs an inning or two to get his feet wet, shake off nerves, and get in a groove of some sort. Or should we just starting taking odds on the first "stick a fork in him" article?

Love it. Improving the team, but from within. Not normally a big fan of the idea of moving someone out of position to help the club only to move said player back again. But after a nice last season, a rough personal offseason, arough begining to this season, I think this still continues his development and provide even abigger boost to his confidence.

The pen is hurting, in borderline agony from the left side these days. But there are options at AAA and AA to run through and take a look at, relievers and starters. I'd much rather take looks at those guys than a recently drafted pitcher who has yet to throw a single inning of pro ball. Maybe he could handle it, but I just don't see the point of another 40 IP, then bring him up only to send him back down again next season in a different role. Just sounds awkward to me. What I WOULD like to see is a game or two out of the pen, Ft Meyers it looks like, and then start. Starting working on his stuff and his preparation, and start now. Treat his starts like a bullpen game. Go in knowing he will only pitch 3-4 innings. When the IP begin to rise a bit near the end of the season, you will have the choice to shut him down OR move him back to the pen for a few more appearances.

With his stuff and potential and not even 21 yet, he should throw his first ML pitch 23-25. 23 would be awesome, but if he doesn't stick full time until 25, who could complain? Big, strapping, hard throwing LHSP who can dominate and get SO's are just so rare the a little patience/impatience may be well rewarded.

Maybe it's just the new uniforms with the Klondike gold trim. Which I like a lot! (And I will continue to say Klondike gold because it's cool, it's fun, and I can't remember what in the hell the Twins tried to name it) I don't just like the results, I like what Molly and his staff have done overall. Ryan, Molly, everyone in the organization present and past, have always been very good and very coy in regard to the truth/reality of certain situations. I don't mean they lie! Being coy and overly optimistic while dusting over bad stuff isn't exactly lieing. For instance, the inexcuseable way CF was handled this past offseason..."fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. TRY to fool you a third time, I should be looking for an island somewhere." But Arcia in left, Someguyinatwinsmluniform in CF, and Hunter in RF with his walker...(seeing eye dogs still not allowed on the field due to MLB policy and the fact that they could potentially catch and throw better than the player assigned to)..has given way to... Now, and for a while, we have Molly favorite Rosario playing LF & RF daily. (Isn't it cool as hell to have a HOF player as manager who knows your milb talent as well as anyone recognizing someone as a favorite?) Robinson has performed WAY above what was expected, Hicks came up to play and provide a lift, and now Buxton is up. Now, this isn't all Molitor moves at all! But really, really awful offensive production and defensive play has been ushered aside one way or another to suddenly provide actual good offensive and defensive play....without fanfare. Offense stinks. Nobody is thrown under the bus, (NOT saying the previous staff would), but tweaks are made and they work. SP needs juggling....and it works. If you think about the past 4 seasons, all the changes, attempts both pro and con to change things, talent on the way up, talent not yet arrived, expectations had the Twins fighting and clinging to a life preserver for a chance to NOT finish last in the ALC, and not last in all of baseball. Hey, top 5 draft picks are kinda neat...but sooner or later we wanna talk about winning and not prospects. Molitor and his half staff...half new, half old, more or less...has this team competing and in contention. They juggle the lineup. They juggle the rotation. Their hitting and pitching coach actually make both better. OK reality check. It's also health, and the players themselves. But in regard to the rotation, what I have seen and heard, Allen has done nothing wrong and everything right. Love to blame the bullpen on him, but can't. I'm not sure I can agree with Vargas being sent down when he was showing life. But he performed in Rochester, came up, got a pep talk from his manager, went out and had the best day of his young career, and is hopefully poised to stay. Not as sure about Santana, but we shall see. The team hits a really tough spot in the schedule against top teams and mostly top pitchers. The team plays well, even though they have a losing record. Fans panic. Twins are still above .500. The sky has not fallen. The Twins are actually still a quality team in the thick of things with a chance. Reports have the team happy and energized. The rotation is the best it's been in years. We are winning, competitive, and in competition for an actual playoff spot. Kids are, mostly, getting shots. Nobody is being tossed aside. This team is fun and exciting. I could argue the bullpen, and probably win. I could argue what seems to be an inordinate number of base runners being picked off, and possibly win. Molitor would argue young players, lack of experience, some bad calls, buy the next round, and maybe win. We'll call it even. Which means....keep doing what you are doing because it is working. Fix the bullpen where, if, and when you can. Keep the spirits up for everyone, especially the kids, and keep nurturing them. It seems to be working. Tell Ryan not to overthink everything. I think we're a year ahead of schedule for competitiveness record and playoff wise. Keep this up, make and nurture a few more moves in the second half, and you may have a real challenger next year. Or maybe it's just tequila and the new Klondike gold trimmed uniforms.

Ahhh...Rick Allen.....the greatest 1-armed drummer in the history of Rock-N-Roll.

Very frustrated and disappointed in Mauer as well. And while I am not playing the "then who else" mantra for the 3 hole, I do have to take issue with the reference to the detriment of the team comment. Its easy to say he has shortened innings by failing/flailing when there is nobody on base...but...you also have to weigh that against the way he has hit and producedbruns when there is someone on base. In other words, 2 rights make up for 1 wrong. More or less.

Part of the problem with the whole ole LOOGY idea is the apparent definition. It's as if this ONE GUY can come off th bench to pitch to just ONE GUY. Period. And sometimes, I guess that is true. I prefer the idea of short or setup LH, who might be used as a true LOOGY once in a while, but also might pitch to 2-3 batters depending on the half inning. Face a LH, then a RH and hope for the best, (even a .300 BA is still an out 2/3 of the time), then face another LH before the inning is over, of the RP is pulled, or perhaps he gets 2 outs and then manager might let him finish the inning. But that's your short LH'er. Thielbar: why wouldn't you look at him at this point. Love and respect Duensing, but at this point, UGH. However, might look at Thompson more in this role, but I'm growing skeptical. Was sooooo hoping for a big year as a full time reliever from Darnll. Hasn't happened yet. But these are a couple guys I'd be looking at as my short LH. Rogers is just one of a few guys at Rochester and Chatanooga who are SP that could be really nice audition options for the "long-middle" LH spot. Milone could b another even though he fits best as a starter, but figures to be pushed aside with Santana back. As I stated elsewhere winning or not, this is still a rebuilding year. Nothing wrong with running auditions. There is NO good reason why Oliveros has not been up and given a shot yet this season. He was practically dismissed during ST. No clue why. I really want Tonkin, big and throws hard, to take a big step forward. He still hasn't. NOBODY wants Meyer to be a reliever instead of a starter. But right now he's relieving and doing well at it. And if there is truly value in the whole idea of establishing yourself as a ML reliever first before transitioning yourself to ML starter, this kid should be a poster child.

AND he hits LH. If he is JJ the encore, I'd be very, very happy with that. Just a hunch, but I feel Rosario may have a little bit more power ultimately

I'm not opposed to a 6 man rotation, and I can see Arguements for it. But I just don't think it's necessary. This isn't about player development. Hughes's season is down, no doubt, but it doesn't suck. Let's be honest. And like last year, he seems to be turning it around and cutting loose. He's just doing so later than last year, unfortunately. Gibson has the potential to be a stud, and is starting to look like it. He lost to the Cubs today, and absolutely stunk up the place. He stunk up the place allowing 6 hits in 5 IP with 2 ER and 3 BB and 6 SO. Wait....what? That's what we call a bad performance these days? Answer: YES. May has as good of stuff and control as Gibson, but is probably a little more SO and fly ball and a little less grounder prone. Pelfrey has a guardian Angel on his shoulder who is either...not to sound morbid...a: granting Pelfrey a final wish, or b: granting him a new lease on life where he he begins to fulfill his potential after gaining experience, perspective, the right atmosphere and coaching after leaving NY and gaining health. Take your choice, which is more believable? A top pick SP is mediocre in his ML career before going under the knife. Once he comes back, he comes back way too early admitted by himself and everyone else involved, in a different city and league and atmosphere...pretty much sucks except for a few flashes, and then finds a half season of actual success in the new place before the sky comes falling down...OR...all of the above....except the sky doesn't fall in, and what he really needed was health and a change of help and scenery. You tell me, 'cause I don't know. But you ride his ride for now and hold on for dear life. You DO NOT offer him an extension. You DO offer him a QO, unless someone comes calling with a nice trade offer. You do so in case this isn't smoke and mirrors, because you can afford the shot, and because you get a draft pick if he walks. It's not fair to Milone, but he's the odd man out. I don't know, maybe the soft tossing Milone is a LH version/weaker version of...I don't know...fill in the blank. And maybe he is just vastly under appreciated. And maybe all the scouts from the Twins, A's, Nationals and other organizations just don't get it, and if allowed to pitch every 5th day for a year, he would absolutely surprise everyone. But right now, all of us seem to see the same thing, guts and guile. That's commendable and solid and can be productive. But not viable consistently or enduringly. I don't think his stuff plays in the pen, and he might be better off staying stretched out in AAA until needed or traded, but right now, I don't know that we have ANYONE from the port side for the bullpen that is remotely reliable. So for now, I'd say to the pen with him. Nolasco....if he was making $5-7M I'd say throw him in the pen when healthy. But he's not, and I don't know that it's reasonable at his price, and experience, to make such a move. Push has to come to shove, and the rock simply has to impact the hard place. In other words, Ryan has to do something he doesn't want to. He has to move a SP regardless of cost or market. It's just a bitter reality that seems almost impossible since we are talking about the Twins here. Nolasco has to go, probably to a NL team, needing some rotation help, probably with a throw in, a reliever like Pressly or Tonkin say, and anywhere from 1/2 to 2/3 of the next 2 years salary picked up. How good of a return prospect/talent the Twins get back depends on how much salary they pick up, and how good of a toss-in they include. It doesn't mean Nolasco sucks, or was a mistake, it just means it didn't work out, timing and fate didn't match up, and now we need to find the best way to move on.

Thank you Pitz. Really, really appreciated. And whether you do so on your own, or with Seth and Parker and others, I'd love to read and learn more. If and when you have something to report of course. I know news from the DSL can be a bit intermittent. I and we also know news of these kids is like reading about the local high school team at times, and trying to speculate who might make it. Hell, scouts have a hard enough time trying to tell the Twins which 18 yo American HS player to draft, much less sign a 16-17 yo South American kid with hole in glove and hole in both shoes kid to sign.

"We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We will make him better....stronger....faster than before."--Terry Ryan in regard to Alex Wimmers. Err....OK....so I'm paraphrasing liberally here. But man, complete, unfortunate washout to what he's been doing? Wow! And it's not just the past 3 starts. He's been hot and cold this season, shut has had other good games. So this doesn't appear to just be a hot streak. It appears he's actually growing and getting better. And I may joke about being bionic, but he really has overcome a lot. And for whatever reason, better velocity or not, it appears his SO's are up. Great story!

Not a clue. (Mostly) Funny, but these things kind of work themselves out. Already happened twice this year for the Twins with Pelfrey back in and May back up when Santana was suspended and Milone back up when Nolasco was hurt for the second time. Hughes is a no-brainier, as is Gibson, as previously stated. And, as stated, May is pitching quite well to very well, and probably even better than surface numbers indicate. But also, winning or not, this team is still in transition, and May is part of the future. It would be grossly irresponsible to remove him from the rotation barring injury or just sudden and prolonged slump. It has to be Pelfrey or Milone. And let's be honest, while NOBODY, not even his momma, saw Pelf having this kind of success this season, you HAVE to ride his year until I ends or stumbles. Milone has to be the odd man out, deserving or not. And while I completely agree Milone doesn't seem to play in the bullpen, at the same time I have to ask, who else from the port side does right now? What is better for him and the Twins, Rochester to start until needed again or the ML bullpen for now?

Kepler and Rosario in the corners (whichever) and Buton in CF. Could be September, could be next June. You don't need a backup CF on the roster because you already have two. Not saying no to Hicks, but decreases any urgency for a 4th OF to be able to play the spot. If roster crunching left you with only 4 total OF's, Arcia could be that guy. That starting OF offers up not only daily talent, but soooo many options and possibilities for reserve spot/roster scenarios as well as trade options to fill other needs.

A double edged sword at the moment gang: all this OF talent and potential, but not all of the OF and potential ready or realized and nothing necessitates making a decision TODAY. And tomorrow row is half a season away, which gives more time for offensive and defensive development, successes, promotions, etc. Mauer: Not going anywhere for at least a year. Contract and history both say he's earned that right. He might rebound, he might not. But cut, retire, urged to retire and bought out, whatever, ink him in for 2016 as a 1B and DH. Could he be OK in the OF? Meh...potentially. Still has a good arm, decent athlete overall, and I've seen worse in the last, and still see worse out there today. (Baseball, not necessarily the Twins) But I just don't see any scenario in which moving Mauer to the OF overrides any other scenario. There are just so many other possible options that make more sense. Arcia: I don't want to trade him, much less trade low. He played and hit the best I've seen the last part of 2014. I just don't understand what has happened this season. Still a boatload of offensive talent and mediocre to OK defensive potential. Call me crazy, his youth, flashes, and potential still hold some value in a trade scenario, especially as part of a package. Losing him if he rebounds won't hurt as much depending on what the final return is, and if Kepler and others would have made him superfluous anyway. I think he can DH and be a part time 4/5th OF. But if Kepler is or can be ready soon, then I'm OK with an Arcia move to bring in that catcher the team could really use. Speaking of Kepler: huge fan and believer. Been immensely intrigued and hopeful since day one. Unless his swing just lies flat like Mauer, (I've seen nothing to indicate this, just saying) more HR's will come from his big and athletic frame. Suddenly finding himself is awesome. But I don't want him promoted so fast that he loses himself again. I think AAA for the second half is the right thing to do. And it's not that anyone is saying he's of MORE VALUE at 1B, it's just that, with so many options potentially available and viable over the next year or two, putting him at 1B fills that position very well and puts another potential quality OF in the field. Rosario: really, up until last season, he has always hit, always produced, always shown tons of potential and natural ability and always been young for his level. While not setting the world on fire YET, he is playing excellent defense, slashing some speed and power, and looks natural on the base paths. He'll probably never be a high OB guy, but I can live with that and all off is other skills and potential. Not all players, and not all great players, are necessarily disciplined, high BB hitters. Hicks: offensive and defensively, despite a few bad moments, the player I saw out there this 3rd time looked much, much more like a confident, bonafide ML player than the overmatched and defensive kid I watched the past couple of seasons. I hesitated at his promotion as his stance and stroke were re-worked, productive, but still in their infancy. I still like his potential as a starting CF for someone, with decent to good potential offense. But for the Twins, I think he's a 4th OF. And he could be a really nice one, and I'm OK with that. But like Arcia, he could be part of a package for a young catcher. (Think of the Twins desperate and bungled CF situation these past few seasons and a former top prospect drops in your lap as part of a deal) Sano: can we just drop this for now? Please? Kid misses the entire 2014 season, has a half season at AA 3B under his belt, and is suddenly destined for 1B and/or the OF...positions he has never played before except for like a single inning....because....why? Because he will be an instant HR champ slugging All Star with the move off of 3B? Because he can't play 3B? Who says? I have read speculation that he MAY have to move off 3B, at least eventually depending on growth, but have read nothing that says he can't be at least an OK 3B. Said it before, and will keep on saying it, gold glove 3B don't get promoted, they develop. I'm not down on Walker or Harrison, it's just that there are more holes there to close, typical of most prospects. Each is a good year away. And that's OK! I'm also not as down in Santana at SS as some, though I believe Polanco just might be the best option going forward. Based on what he showed flashes of potentially, could he unlock that potential as a LF who can backup CF and SS? I think it's worth considering. Like Arcia, and Hicks, his talent and potential could make him part of a trade package as well. Hunter: absolutely love what he's brought and how this story is playing out. I don't think he should be brought back, almost regardless of how he hits/plays the rest of the year. HOWEVER, I will say this; injury, trade(s) or poor performance of say Arcia and/or Hicks, I would at least consider Hunter back on a 1 year, provided it was friendly, and it was understood he was a DH who might get a start here or there, but NOT a big signing as a starting OF option.

Gotta throw Deunsing in to make the deal work

Agreed. But then again, the draft was only a week ago, signings have begin, and it's right around now, traditionally, that the Twins make all their second half promotions. There should be a bunch coming real soon. And on that note, the Lookouts have a top 100 player, a soon-to-be named top 100 player in Kepler, (bank it),and a possibly named top 100 in Polanco, (strong candidate). Would suck for Rochester, but you could almost make the move for all three to skip AAA. Almost.

Oh...the Twins are playing the Cards and then the Cubs? Oh yeah, that's right, they're in the NL aren't they. Yawwwwn! I mean, seriously, it used to be kind of a big deal. Twice a year, for a couple of weeks, the AL and NL just sort of stopped as a season long entity for a little while, and we had this little baseball vacation fantasy time. Now it just seems kind of Ho-hum, teams drifting in and out of league ballparks, just another game on the schedule.

I absolutely want Meyer to get another shot at starting, do well, get promoted, do well, and in a year or two become a #1 or #2 starter. And it could very well still happen. That door is in no way closed, IMO, and I believe the Twins feel the same. However, what if he does stay as a hard throwing SO capable relief pitcher? Really, would that be such an awful thing in the scheme of the Twins universe? Fien and Meyer blowing away hitters to get to Perkins, with Meyer as a possible future closer. Jay, perhaps, along with auditions of Darnell, Hurlant, Thompson, a rehabbed Melotakis, and the various LHSP options at AAA and AA....suddenly you have a TOP bullpen to go along with a rotation of Hughes (better than he's shown this year), Santana, Gibson, May, Berrios as well as a few other depth options and some really nice options down in A ball.

Not a coach or scout, but with roughly 10 weeks available, and plans to make him a starter, I'd like to see him ramped up as a starter to build his arm, work on his arsenal, and then ramp him back down again to finish in the bullpen. Of course, I suppose he could pitch multiple innings per appearance as well. I have to say, I have little to no angst against in regard to Jay's "bust" potential. While it would be great to see him evolve in to a high quality starter, if you told me we were picking a hard throwing, SO capable LHSU man who would be a big factor in the Twins bullpen and might even have eventual closer potential, I'd say "way to go!" A contributor of that quality would be well worth the #6 pick in the draft. If you doubt that, look again at the current list of former #1 picks in the various posts here on TD that washed out in the crapshoot that is the baseball draft.

Never seen him in person, but always been impressed with all reports of his build, his natural athleticism and his attitude. (My father met and saw him ST a couple years ago and was very impressed). I thought he was a pick to click last season and so glad to see it happen this year. Although it's kind of a surprise that he actually moves up a level and finds his very best year. I'm betting there is more HR power to come, and I'd be very happy if he was a consistent 20 HR type to go along with everything else he seems to bring. Doesn't have to hit 30 dinners to be very good and very valuable. Thinking he's in the top 100 this offseason for prospect rankings

Going to disagree here, rather strongly. I have absolutely no doubt Kepler could, would, will be an excellent ML outfielder. But defense at 1B is pretty important. And while stating the obvious, you can't just stick someone over there with a glove and say; "go play and do well". Kepler offers a big target and athleticism. And with the intention of putting the best 8/9 guys daily on/in to the field/lineup, Buxton and Rosario as probable starting OF's leaves one spot open. Walker? Harrison? Hicks? Plouffe? Arcia? Not betting on it, but, Sano? And I don't kid when I say possibly Santana with a conversion to the OF (mostly full time at least) and really finding himself as a dangerous and exciting top/bottom spot in the lineup presence. So Kepler can man 1B if and when one of these options claims that third OF spot fully. He doesn't have to be the Twins 1B of the future, but I'd say there are way more OF options available than 1B options at this point. Think Erstad with more power and a little less speed.