DocBauer

I agree that I think Granite is the odd man out, at least initially. It may not be fair, but it's the reality of manipulating your roster and options. Especially when your roster has 3 awfully good and versatile OF, plus a couple really nice utility guys. I can't say exactly how many AB each guy gets where, and nobody can predict injuries, but Vargas and Grossman will still play in the field here and there when guys get days off, as well as spend time at DH. Depth is a good thing! While adding a bat could easily be justified, I just think the concentration should be on pitching additions and pretty much roll with the same position players next year.

Way to go Buck!

Nice Kepler. He WILL hit LH in time.

Bullpen question: We need to acquire another SP. Period. Even with some talented kids getting close. There is a convincing argument to acquire a DH bat, who can hopefully fill in somewhere. The Twins have some BP arms like Rogers, Hildenberger, Busentiz and maybe Duffey and Pressly. Curtiss is close. Bard and Reed may be close. With a tiny bit of luck, Chargois and Jay will be ready soon, and Burdi by mid season maybe. There are a couple other interesting guys and a SP or two who could help. So how big do you go in the off season for BP help?

Man, I am so glad Dozier is still a Twin! I'd like to see him remain a Twin!

What I find so compelling is all the complex and varied arguments you can make regarding a potential lineup. Why not Grossman and Mauer hitting 1-2? Get those guys ON ahead of Dozier and Sano's power. Of course, Polanco coukd also be good in one of those spots, as could Buxton. Of course looks really nice in the 3 spot right now and he hit there a lot in the minors. And if Polanco doesn't hit in one of the first 3 spots, he coukd slide all the way to 8-9 and be priduvtive and help turn the lineup over. I could still see Kepler emerge as a #3 hitter. Molitor tried Buxton there...too early...but what about next year? And this doesn't take in to account an upgrade at DH before next season. Whew!

I may be wrong, but my hunch is, despite Vargas playing the "option" game, some within the organization like him, will bring him back, and concentrate on a couple pitching additions rather than a new DH/position player. If Granite begins the season, there is room for both Grossman and Vargas, (assuming no addition). Everyone needs days off here and there. Even half days. You have a stud OF, but Grossman can play an OK spot here and there. Mauer needs days off. Someone has to DH daily. Utility does what utility does, but you still have about 550-600 AB for the DH spot over a full season.

And that is where the really tough calls come in to play. With a 12 man staff, what gives you, daily, the best 4 man bench after allowing the backup catcher? Do you go with a DH/1B type with 2 utility players and 1 OF? Grossman really isn't aweful as an occasional OF, and Adrianza has looked decent in LF. Or do you play speed and defense and eliminate the true DH player with a deep, talented and versatile club? Do you stick with just 1 utility player? I still believe Kepler can and will hit LH eventually, decently, should play daily, and not sure you really need a 5th OF. But both Grossman and Granite have value. Do you rotate DH? TK did that a lot of the time with guys who could still play a position. I just don't know that there is an easy answer here. I think it comes down to this: 1] is your team better with that additional bat and you lose that extra OF or utility player or 2] are you better off losing that bat and having more roster flexibility. I'm just not certain which is the right choice. Push cone to shove and I was FORCED to make a call, I'd say sign or keep the bat, keep Granite over Grossman, roll with the 2 utility players, and trust the rest of your lineup.

Well, hopefully you only have a 12 man staff. That leaves Garver as the backup catcher. Escobar and Adrianza as utility. I'd like to have Granite, Grossman AND a DH/1B. But that's one too many. Barring someone on the DL. So you have to make a cut somewhere or send someone down. Hate to put Granite back at Rochester, but he does have options. Tough call.

I still wonder what Vargas would really do playing daily and get those 500 AB. If he produced the projected numbers I posted in the opening, I'd be pretty happy and I think most of us would be. That being said, I find the Grossman situation interesting. He slumped for a while but has been picking things up again lately. He has some power, works counts, has a high OB, and doesn't run badly. What about him batting leadoff ahead of Mauer and dropping Dozier down? Is that a better option than Vargas? I mean, assuming they don't just upgrade the DH spot.

Colon is not a trainwreck. Performance and a lift for the team, we may.nit even be in this position without his contributions. Could he be running out of gas and not be as good against top playoff teams as a result? Yes. But he could prove very useful. I think the debate is, if you need that 4th SP, do you start the harder throwing Mejia on a short leash and have Colon as a veteran change of pace middle man, or start the experienced Colon on a short leash and have the hard throwing Mejia as a middle man?

Just a thought/observation: As of today the Twins have 82 wins with 6 to play. They split, they have 85 wins after the debacle/nightmare that was 2016. Indians have 98 wins and will probably hit 100 or just over. Astros have 95, probably won't hit a 100 but you never know. Boston has 91, NY 87. Replacing Molitor gives us a potential 5-10+ more wins??? Is that even feasible??? This remains a mostly young team just coming in to it's own who needs another quality SP, probably one proven bullpen arm, arguably an upgrade at DH, and some more young players and pitchers to step up. And those improvements will hopefully come this off season, regardless of who manages the club. But it would seem to me with the growth and improvement of this team and a couple more additions, this team should be even better next season. But replacing Molitor with someone else would seem to greatly pale compared to said roster tweaks.

Room for both if Grossman is again the 4th OF with Granite in AAA, at least to start the year.

I won't be upset if he's gone simply because the new regime simply sees a different direction going forward for this team, especially considering youth, analytics, etc. But to me, Molitor deserves to come back. 2 out of 3 years he wins and is, presumably, in the playoffs one of those and didn't miss the other by much and went down to the last dew games of the season. His team and all the players on it have seemingly improved. Sure, tons of credit to the coaching staff, which Molitor helps select and oversee. This team plays hard, has fun and believes in themselves. There has not been a single utterance that I'm aware of regarding player disgruntlment with Molitor or any of his coaches. Is the bunting a bit ridiculous? Have unseen questionable calls andnusage of pitchers at times? Yes to both. But I've seen Molitor get better the second half with lineup construction, pitching decisions, etc. Never a manager at ANY level before getting the Twins job. I think he's been learning on the fly a bit, but I DO think he's been learning and growing.

Dont blame another Vargas article on me! Well...not entirely anyway. My mind seldom shuts off, sometimes works in weird and mysterious ways that even I don't understand, (or always like), and even though this season is not yet complete, part of my brain has already contemplated the future and potential of our beloved Twins going in to next season, potential changes, etc. I know that on this point I am not alone, as we do a lot of that right here at TD. But the radio crew brought up the whole Vargas with 500 AB arguement/debate on the radio today and it got me thinking. (Dangerous I know, but they deserve partial blame). Vargas has been inconsistent overall, and we all know this. But then again, a lot of players enjoy hot and cold streaks, and even this year, on this team, we have seen what rewards can come from sticking with a young player and letting him grow and develop. Vargas, unfortunately perhaps for him, was granted another option for 2017 and the Twins used it/him to make a series of different moves throughout the year to juggle the active roster. As of today, Sunday, with a sweep of the Tigers, Vargas has the following numbers: 232 AB/ .263 AVG/ .323 OB%/ .461 SLG/ .784 SLG/ 33 R/ 13 2B/ 11 HR/ 41 RBI Assuming he was allowed a full 500 AB at his current pace and numbers, he would produce 71 R/ 28 2B/ 24 HR/ 88 RBI It could be easily argued these numbers would finish lower with more exposure and AB, and it could also be argued just as easily they might increase with more consistent AB. There have been various arguments regarding the validity of Vargas as a still mostly young player requiring opportunity vs him being what he is, which OK, but not great. If the proposed numbers over 500 AB were actual, I'd say an argument for him sticking around would be pretty strong. And there have been various arguments that improving this one roster spot would go a long way toward taking a quality, mostly young and still improving lineup, and make it that much deeper and dangerous. But after the comments in the radio today, and my own reflections and curiosity, I thought it worth discussing Vargas yet again.

Gibson's improvement/turnaround, IMO, is not an illusion. A former apologist who thought he would turn it around this season, I was ready to move on almost immediately at one point. I believe his turn around us due to a variety of factors: a change in regime and mechanics that took time to pay dividends, the move to the other side of the rubber, a different mix and reliability on his pitches (well documented here), Buxton noticing him opening his shoulder in a bullpen, and a different mental attitude that Gibson himself has spoken about. I think we're seeing a late maturation of a pitcher that many, not just Twins personnel or fans, have speculated in the past should be better than he was simply due to size, length and overall stuff. I think he's finally learning to really pitch, to have a better feel for his stuff, and to trust it and his defense more. Further, I can absolutely see a difference in his attitude on the mound. Between his demotion and the rather public butt chewing he got on the mound from Molitor against Seattle when the Twins had a big lead a couple of months ago, he has looked much "stronger" on the mound. Witness his recent game where his 1st inning was awful, (rumor had it he was squeezed but the ump as well), but proceeded to throw another solid 5 or 6 innings and not wilt. And there have been a couple other games with similar moments where the "old" Gibson may have caved in but stepped up. How good can be be the remainder of this season and next remains to be seen. But again, I don't think this is an illusion. I would probably include both Mejia AND Colon on a true playoff roster should we win the WC game. Despite experience and the success he has had and brought to the Twins this season, I'd keep Colon with the idea of joining Gee as a middle/long man. If I decided I needed a 4th SP, I'd go with the young, talented and harder throwing Mejia for 4-5 innings and piece it together from there.

It was a good look back. I think I predicted 77 wins, but I also stated something to the affect I could easily see 80-82 wins with health and a little more improvement here and there. Glad I was wrong, more or less, twice. 82 wins after sweeping Detroit today and a real shot at 85 and a virtual lock for the second WC spot. The entire team deserves credit for this, and I think it only fair to pay a few kudos to Molitor and his staff as well. Escobar is absolutely a part of this entire season, but also has stepped up big time the past month plus with Sano down. I absolutely think he should be brought back next season. In fact, while I think it is time next season to run with Garver as the backup catcher, I think you could easily argue the entire roster should be back position wise. Now, could they and should they maybe look at a better DH/backup 1B option? Yes. But this a good and balanced roster with a ton of potential still be be fulfilled.

Down the stretch of this season, trying to win every game you can, I get days off or postponing. I really do. And maybe this is something, as suggested, that should wait until next season, at this point. Regardless, this kid is the next prospect ready to explode. And his talent level is as high as just about anyone on the roster. And next year just might be his year to do so. But I am frustrated he hasn't been allowed to learn and develop as much as he could have this season.

I absolutely am rooting for that final WC spot and a trip to the WC game. What an accomplishment for this team, especially after last season. And I don't buy in to whether or not the Twins ARE a true playoff team or not. They are playing winning baseball, are in the hunt, and have been most all season. If you are one of the top 5 teams, you are one of the top 5 teams. But even if they would lose to the Yankees again and not advance, or somehow far at the end and not make it, this season is a resounding success and the future is looking pretty bright for our favorite team.

Rodriguez is not a prospect, and I get that. This is a 2017 milb Twins all star team. With the exception of him, and arguably Beeker, (who's lack of pure stuff may not translate long term), it's a list of some interesting prospects. Despite Palacios season and talent, still a little surprised he got the nod over Gordon. Understand not including Zach Littell, (who I mistakenly revered to as Beeker in another post recently), due to his limited time in the organization. But a little surprised Beeker over Romero, and very surprised by Beeker over Slegers. Question #1: Are we sleeping a bit on White? Already 25, but is he a late bloomer with some upside? Or did he just have a nice season. Question #2: Considering Rooker's potential and pretty mad stats, are we looking at Chattanooga to begin 2018? Because it's looking that way to me.

I just have to say Maker's resurgence has not only been amazing, it's been an absolute treat to watch. I've always been a fan and supporter, but really thought he was about done and definitely done after 2018. Now I'm starting to wonder if he doesn't maybe have even a couple more years in him.

A comment on Kepler: He's having a solid season. He has all the ability in the world. He runs well but lags behind Buxton and Rosario in pure speed. But I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes the best overall hitter of the three. I know hitting LH has been an issue. But I believe he will come around there. He has a great stroke, solid discipline, and his hands just look so good. One thing we can't forget is he practically skipped AAA, and despite his athletic gifts, he had a big hill to climb initially playing ball in Germany as a youth. I would honestly expect a breakout season in 2018 similar to Rosario this year.

Back on track...and late to posting...i love this post. And I've been on my soapbox all season about rolling with the kids on this team and giving them time. Once again, coming in to the season, Sano and Rosario were the most tenured of the youngsters and they had less than 800 ML AB! What's the old line? There are lies, damned lies, and statistics. You look hard enough and you can make stats say almost anything you want, pro or con. Is this a perfect team? No. Is there need and room to add a couple quality pieces? Absolutely. But this article underscores development, a team effort, further hope going forward, and the fact that some guys are not as bad, or having as bad a season as perhaps was perceived. Perspective people. Further development, adding another few pieces...I'd say 3...and this could very well be a 90 win team next season.

After reason this, my mind suddenly flashed to Keith Hernandez.

You can measure, or attempt to measure, a lot of defensive statistics for a catcher. I get that. But no matter what, some will always be skewed. For instance, caught stealing; what if the staff isn't very good at holding on runners or several have slow motions? I don't think Castro is special. But watching him through the season, using the eye test of watching him, I think he's better than Suzuki. I think we absolutely upgraded. For all his flaws, is still say Giminez is a better backup than we've had recently as well. The problem with trying to "measure" a catcher is all the intangibles involved. Things like game calling, leadership, making the pitcher comfortable or calming them down, are impossible to measure. He's experienced, solid, not expensive, and not awful at the plate. All that being said, I think it's absolutely time next season for Garver to receive a real opportunity to play.