DocBauer

De-railed The Train!

YES!

With this lead, isn't it the perfect time to see Curtiss?

Going to officially label Buxton a STUD.

But I looked at the past 4 years and how good he looked in those 4 IP and thought...hmmm...what if he just needs to build a little arm strength? Being perfectly honest, I really didn't know or think he would do this. But I did think he could. Glad the could turned to would. My biggest disappointment was not seeing "Big Sexy" on his weekend jersey.

<---hanging head in shame. Lol No crystal ball, but I'm honestly not surprised.

I thought this might be fun. Especially since the answers may not be so obvious. In my case...I would be torn. I have a nickname of Byronious Maximus. Since that might prove a little long for the back of a jersey, I'd be "Doc". What would you choose as your jersey nickname?

Really? Not saying it's wrong, but with a 4 run lead should you pull Colon with 2 outs. He's looked pretty good.

Why I still wonder about depth with Colon and not feeling urgency to play a prospect...though I like a lot of the kids and can't wait to see them.

Twins collective: "Lost a tough one in Chicago we should have probably won. Then we kinda blew 2 more. No problem! Let's go to Canada and kick a little bacon!"

Personally, though they still need to make the one big trade or FA signing, is like to see Big Sexy back next season. Depth is better than just counting on prospects. Isn't it? I don't know...I'm just a fan.

I thought it was smart and could work out. Man can I be smart about 10% of the time!

Personally, I really love Polanco and Gordon manning the middle of the infield, regardless who fits at which spot better. Dozier could still stick around at 2B/1B/DH if re-signed, IMO.

Optical illusion, or does the red of the Twins sleeves not match the red if the "Twins" script?

So far, half way through first Stella for supper. (Just off work and at a watering hole here in Omaha).

Remember way back when, when Molitor thought Buck in the 3 hole was a good idea? Well...its been happening as of late and looks pretty good. Does he stay there when Sano comes back?

This is really about the prospects down in the system, though a couple are really close to making their MLB debut. Further, readiness proximity does have a future impact on the current team going forward, i.e. Polanco, what happens with Dozier, overall depth if an INF IS traded at some point this off season etc. Not going to discuss Escobar or Adrianza, though I like both, as they aren't exactly prospects, but slightly older, good, quality ML utility players. Also not going to discuss Polanco to any degree except to say this: you have either followed his career closely, or you haven't. You have either watched him play a, mostly, surprisingly good SS this season with room for improvement with youth on his side and a potentially quality offensive game, or you have paid more attention to flaws and limitations and his mid season dovetail and decided you don't like him. Personally, whether he proves he can stick at SS or becomes an even better 2B, I like the kid and his potential. SS has been a perpetual problem for the Twins since Guzman gave them a few nice seasons. Now, to be fair, there's been a couple seasons here and there with some solid play. But overall, it's been pretty bleak out there between 3B and 2B for some time now. And there is certainly a lot of conversation concerning the position, so I took a little time tonight to just take a look at some of the milb SS in the system to see how they are doing at this point. Elgelb Vielma: We have all heard the reports about his glove work. A good month or so ago someone posted...quoting a scout/expert...that they believed Vielma was very similar to Omar Vizquel in his early days. Great defense, couldn't hit the Mendoza line, (with some potential), but that his glove could be worth it. Slightly built and no power but with some speed, it would only be fair to point out Vielma has hit .265 or better for 2014-2016 with an OB of .313 or higher. This year? BA OB SLG OPS XBH R RBI SB Rochester: .205/ .230/ .260/ .490/ 11-2-0/ 34/ 15/ 1-5 Chattanooga: .286/ .362/ .328/ .690/ 5-0-0/ 7/ 18/ 1-3 Nick Gordon: He's been a little down the second half of the season, but putting up impressive numbers overall after a quality 2016 and a great AFL. His errors are a concern, and there remains debate about his sticking at SS permanently. Personally, I discount a lot of infielders error numbers as they advance, develop and begin to play with better pkayers around them. AVG OB SLG OPS XBH R RBI SB Chattanooga: .279/ .353/ .422/ 775/ 28-8-8/ 75/ 63/ 13-7 Germaine Palacios: After a blistering start to his 2017 season at Cedar Rapids, he was promoted to Ft Myers where he has cooled somewhat, which is to be expected, but continues to put up quality numbers and flash potential. AVG OB SLG OPS XBH R RBI SB Ft Myers: .292/ .326/ .383/ .709/ 7-3-2/ 28/ 25/ 10-7 CedRap: .320/ .362/ .544/ .907/ 13-6-11/ 52/ 39/ 9-8 Royce Lewis: The top pick in the draft, the best HS position player in the draft, and some said the best position player period, has not disappointed. The debate, of course, is whether or not SS is his ultimate destination or somewhere else. But isn't that pretty standard for most prospects his age? (Of course, all numbers here are very SSS). AVG OB SLG OPS XBH R RBI SB CedRap: .349/ .356/ .442/ .797/ 1-0-1/ 8/ 10/ 2-1 GCL: .271/ .390/ .414/ .803/ 6-2-3/ 38/ 17/ 15-2 Wander Javier: Signed out of the Dominican Republic and only 18yo, I don't think direct comparisons to the also 18yo Lewis are entirely fair. I think coming from the D.R. to the good old USA to play ball and missing most of last season should be accounted for. And 18 is still 18. In fact, any comparison should only further enhance the ability and potential of Lewis, not diminish Javier. In fact, Javier began the season a rung higher than Lewis initially. AVG OB SLG OPS XBH R RBI SB Elizabethton: .326/ .417/ .504/ .920/ 13-1-3/ 31/ 18/ 4-2 To be fair, there are a couple of other names to consider in the low minors, Jose Miranda and Ricky De la Torre, both drafted from Puerto Rico, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Both were drafted as SS and both had favorable scouting reports, though it appears each has already spent time at other spots early in their careers. Miranda is at Elizabethton with Javier and De la Torre at the GCL. AVG OB SLG OPS XBH R RBI SB Miranda: .285/ .346/ .461/ .807/ 5-1-9/ 40/ 37/ 2-3 De la Torre: .258/ .338/ .356/ .694/ 2-1-3/ 21/ 12/ 5-5 Just thought it would be interesting and fun to take a look at the depth of the position that, just a season or two ago, looked pretty desolate and bleak. How good any of these youngsters become, or how far the advance, is still open for a lot of debate and waiting. But it's kind of hard not to be encouraged. Thoughts? Debate on potential or rankings? Do we feel better about losing someone in a potential trade scenario? Who do you like best? The floor is open.

Unfortunately, Vargas has been a victim of having an option year this season when the FO/Molitor have been so aggressive with the flux for the pitching staff. Not complaining of the moves, I've actually applauded being aggressive and using the entire roster, but the end result is Vargas riding the shuttle more than most. It still doesn't take away his inconsistencies at both levels. You'd just think he would mash more at Rochester wouldn't you? I actually think Vargas is OK at 1B. I actually doubt he's a 30HR guy despite his size. But a legit 25HR with 500 AB? Yeah, I think he could do that with regular playing time with an OK BE and low .300 OB. Push is coming to shove on Vargas, however. And I have to agree with an earlier assessment made that the DH doesn't necessarily have to ONE GUY who fills that role. When TK managed, there were times when there was a set DH. But there were a lot of years when guys like Bush and Larkin, amongst others, rotated through DH and the field. With this OF and it's potential, Sano, Polanco and Escobar solid, Dozier, (ignoring he could be gone after 2018), the argument I've made is a 1B to play with Mauer and DH, something we hoped Vargas could be. You can also give guys half days off. I'd really like to come up with a position player and not just a bat only guy.

I have to agree with Brian. Also a fan of Vargas and believer. Also think he got jerked around in 2016 and wasn't afforded the right opportunity, especially when he was playing well and producing. The potential is still there. But is it too late now? I'm sure riding the shuttle has to be frustrating for him. But there is just no consistency, this year at least, at either level to truly indicate what's he's capable of or how great of a chance he has "earned". That being said, boy would I love to see him take off the next 6 weeks.

I'm not certain that the approach has been different with our new FO, but I think the results have been better. And there has been a quicker hook when warranted, and better juggling of the staff and use of the 40 man. Plus some guys have actually received shots. All much more aggressive than the old regime.

Crazy thought came to me tonight before game time: This is a good team. They've been above .500 most of the season and have been in the playoff hunt all season. And they've been there all season BECAUSE of the pitching staff. And they haven't "secured" a spot and been as good as they could be BECAUSE of the pitching staff.

As a BIG Dozier fan overall, he is a bit of a lightening rid, similar to Mauer. There is a real dichotomy in regard to his value. 1] Overall, his production can't be denied. Guy plays quality defense, hits decently, has a decent OB, produces 60 XBH every year and has speed. BUT, he's also, arguably, still one of the easiest players to replace with Polanco, Escobar, Adrianza, Gordon, Vielma and Goodrum here and on the way, with other very talented players in the lower minors. 2] His reputation as bad in the clutch is probably skewed by hitting #1 so much with poor hitters in front of him previously. 3] Trade demand wasn't there last off season. Will that change now? And why? And dies that lack of trade demand skew his future contract offers and FA possibilities? 4] He's good, not old, and a sudden drop off in production is pure speculation. Couldn't he continue to be very productive as a 2B, 1B, DH over the next few seasons? Couldn't he still be very valuable with a said extension, even with the young INF talent on the way? I don't have the answer. But it seems he's not a big trade mover, unless combined. If an extension isn't too long, or too big, if say his value is to be kept.

"Doesn't matter how they look. What matters is you see.:

Rambling I know, but even with Kepler out due to illness, I kinda like the lineup tonight.

The problem with Gee pitching last night, and pitching so well, is he's not available tonight if we get another short start from Gibson.