DocBauer

I don't hate Gibson. Have championed him and believed in him and rooted for him. Would still like to see him pitch well tonight and turn it around. But don't you just feel like it's time to move on?

Nice job to get out of it!

Love it! Give me at least half a chicken dinner. Waffles for the other half? Still good!

Not going to blast Melville or Turley for the first game, but just awesome how the team battled back, then beat the White Sox in game 2, still riding the high tide of their recent streak. There is no quit in this team!

Missed the first game, watched most of the second game while posting elsewhere and figuring up checkbook. Loved what I see from Gee. Have to ask, with the big lead and good pitch count, despite losing a bit, was he taken out too early?

I hear what you are saying about Gonsalvez, and he simply doesn't have the pure stuff of a Berrios. But his stuff is still solid. And like Berrios, he sure seems to have the "it" factor when it comes to competitive fire and "pitchability". I really think he's a keeper, though like most young pitchers, he may ride the shuttle a time or two. Which is also why is really like to see him get his feet wet this season. Also agree with alarp33 that the only thing really holding back Romero is missed time. I am absolutely A-OK with someone that young and talented being brought along a little slow at this point.

Assuming for a moment Verlander would waive his no trade clause, AND the Tigers would be willing to trade him within the division, there are so many factors that give me pause. 1] How much salary would the Twins have to eat...and they could afford to eat a chunk for the next two years...to avoid a big prospect payout to get him? 2] Verlander is still a quality SP capable of at least an occasional great performance. But forgetting the money...only 2 years...is he good enough still at 35, special enough in occasion, to warrant the loss of 2-3 quality prospects that could provide real help and possibility the next couple of seasons? (Yes, I know a prospect is still a prospect until otherwise). 3] In the long run, is the team better keeping their prospects, keep developing what they have, and invest $17-20M in a FA for 4-6 years and not only getting the, potentially, best couple 2-4 years from said FA before facing the decking years later, but also still having the prospects to keep building the roster and providing additional future trade value between them and current Twins players? I'm not opposed to adding Verlander, especially if we can pick up the majority of cost and not have to pay a ton in the way of prospects. At 35yo, but still healthy and with good velocity, and capable of a big game, who says an exciting young team, with a quality defense, a (hopefully) better bullpen and a change of scenery wouldn't lead to a resurgence of some sort and make the Twins look brilliant! Man...but it's a tantalizing prospect isn't it?! But at the end of the day, I think I pass. For a team with such a young nucleus, I think I'd rather keep the prospects, and spend the money for a quality FA SP, RP and DH/1B bat. Put those three with what we have and what is coming up and potentially ready soon, and I think we come out ahead.

I tend to agree with your options. But I believe Slegers will be up again before September 1st. There is opportunity and need, with Mejia out, Santiago out, and Gibson being Gibson. Gonsalves is the mystery man here. He has to be added to the 40 man soon. Would it really mess up his control to add him now and see what he can do in September? I honestly think he's a keeper and part of the future. While there could be growing pains, and a Rochester shuttle ride or two, like Berrios, I think it's time to get his feet wet now. The other question(s) is Reed and Curtiss. Right now, I don't recall their 40 man status. If either, or both, don't have to be added, then I'd say wait. If either, or both, have to be added, then see Gonsalves above for either or both. Agree Garver is here to stay, and both Granite and Palka should be up. Rucinski I'm just not sure about. I'm concerned about a second LH for the pen in 2018 and would love to see someone like Turley claim a role. So he probably gets a shot.

Respectfully, I have to disagree. Now understand, I object to these two guys BOTH starting today in a double header. I think it invites a potentially bad day W-L wise, as well as an overuse, potentially, of the bullpen. I am also a huge fan and believer in Gonsalves. I can't wait for him to make his first appearance, and I truly believe he will be a keeper. The team is on a roll and playing well. But with so many consecutive games to be played, and TWO double headers so close together, SOMEONE has to start these two games. Could Gonsalves have been one of them? Yes. But again, despite being a fan and believer, his very first start could also invite the same results. And for whatever reason...a somewhat different debate...the FO wants to give Gonsalves a little more AAA time. Do you pitch Slegers and/or someone else on short rest? Does that solve the problem? Gee has some ML experience and even some solid results here and there. He's also done well in his brief tenure with the Twins as a long man. Melville was a top prospect of the Royals a few years ago, and a top 100 prospect. He had TJ surgery and never seemed to find himself. For whatever reason, he seemed to again and the Twins gave him a shot. Only 27 still, he's been performing very well at Rochester the past couple of months. Has he done something to NOT warrant at least a look-see? It's not an ideal situation to be sure. But I think it's one of those hard decisions you just have to make and hope it works out. Now, the first game didn't turn out so well, though the team battled back. AS of now, in the second game, they have a big early lead. Slegers will be back. I would bet real money, despite not being a betting man, that Gonsalves will make an appearance yet this season, very possibly as a SP. And I feel Gibson's days as a SP may be numbered. But today is just a tough day with tough and imperfect decisions.

The loss of Sano truly stinks. Especially since it was looking like he was coming out of his recent funk. But the lineup was playing well and producing while he was in that funk. Can they continue? And for how long? That's the biggest question right now. This team genuinely seems to be having fun and genuinely seems to believe in themselves. Going forward, WC or not, that may be the most important thing to take away from all of this.

Nice start for Thorpe at Chattanooga. I know the 4 runs doesn't look great, but considering the past two seasons missed, how he's bounced back this year, and reaching AA with a solid first start, I'm happy for him.

AS much as I follow the Twins milb system, there are guys, with talent, in the lower levels that I just don't know enough about to attempt something like this. Ignoring age and level alone, how do you evaluate guys currently injured vs what they might be when healthy again? And is a potentially high quality bullpen arm really a lesser prospect than a low level SP prospect or quality position player or quality reserve who could develop in to a daily player. Its a tremendous exercise and I applaud you for taking the time to do it. Palacios and Badoo are probably too low. Same with Whitefield. Harrison and Michael too high. Moya ahead of Curtiss? Why? Because he's 2 years younger and LH? Not disagreeing with you or asking for explanations as to your choices. Simply re-interating how difficult this to put something like this together. I thank you for the effort involved!

I recognize your points Jim, but will respectfully disagree with you, somewhat. I'm not sure this team needs to sign 2 RP. I believe they should absolutely sign one proven, high quality arm here. Either a closer, a former closer coming off a rough season, or a top set up man ready for his opportunity. Second to that, honestly, my biggest concern is a second LH option to pair with Rogers. Could Perkins actually have enough left in the tank to help? (On a make good deal of course). Could Turley take his FB and curve and make something of himself over the next month and a half? Could Melotakis regain velocity? Could Jay actually come back strong? From the RH side, I'm very encouraged by Hildenberger, Busentiz as well as Duffey, (Despite his mid year slump he seems to be coming out of), and the strong arm of Pressly, (who has been much better as of late despite one bad outing), along with the potential of Reed, Curtiss and Bard. Sooner or later, at least one of the injured arms has to right themselves as well. This team absolutely has to sign or trade for one more quality SP. (I prefer FA to keep the milb system in tact for development, promotion and future trades), but do they really need 2? Said FA, Santana and Berrios should be a nice start, no pun intended. I am impressed with what I see in Mejia, though some rookie vs experience development is still taking place. The 5th spot could go to May, or Gonsalves, or Slegers, or Romero, or Jorge. It seems Melville is going to get a shot and could be a surprise. (We shall see). And what about Colon? A lot of jokes are made about Colon due to his age and physical stature, but the truth is he pitched very well his first couple of starts for the Twins before running in to trouble after 4 and 5 IP. Stretched out, he pitched quite well to very well sans his last start. He also brings vast experience and a great locker room presence to the team. The FO has already talked about maybe brining him back. And while he could fall of a cliff at any time, he's coming off 4 consecutive quality season's, before the start of this one. If he can keep up what he's been doing lately, would it be so silly to bring him back for 2018? And for depth, as well as future replacement we still have all the aforementioned young arms. I think backup catcher will be Garver. But via trade, rule 5, FA, I would do all I could to find the best AAA and AAAA catchers I could find. Absolutely agree on a legitimate 1B/DH bat. Someone who could split time at DH and substitute for Mauer. Improves the lineup and deepens the bench, though it may mark the end of Grossman, who I like as a useful reserve. (Assuming Granite becomes the true 4th OF).

Scoreboard! Something I heard and had drilled in to me years ago. You can take away positives in a loss, true. And woulda, coulda, shoulda all have meaning when you talk about growth, learning and potential for your team. And this does apply to baseball as well. But it is also a very long season, and is played and constructed a bit different than other sports. Run differential would seem to be a strong indicator as to the winning merits and potential of a team, but are made somewhat meaningless when you examine the length of the season and the day after day construction of said season. A stat given out a few games ago had the Twins something like 28-18 vs all the other AL teams in the WC hunt. And they are above .500 and have been for most of the season. So if you have bad stretches here and there, and get hammered by a team here and there, (see Astros-Houston), whether you win by a single run, or get hammered by 6, it still counts as a single win or lose. Again, run differential can be a viable statistic, but it simply doesn't tell the whole story. Despite some poor numbers, which can't be denied, and some ugly performances, which can't be denied and have been easily witnessed, the proverbial "eye test" would also show that pitching HAS been better for this team, with some very, very bad performances equaling out the statistical data. Simply put, if my team pitches and plays well overall and wins 3 games, but gets the snot beat out of them 2 other games, I'm still 3-2 in a 5 game stretch no matter what the data might report. The pitching simply has been better this season. But there should also be no doubt that the defense is also a major reason why this team has looked and performed so much better this season. Sano at his best and most natural position, Planco's surprising performance as a solid and sometimes good SS, (give him a break-he played well-slumped-and has picked it up again), the solid play of Dozier and excellent play at 1B by Mauer, plus quality defense by Escobar and Adrianza. Overall, the OF defense has been excellent, Grossman showed real improvement over last year, and Granite was solid. Don't want to give Castro and Giminez credit? I get it. Should Garver probably replace Giminez soon? I absolutely believe that. But compared to Suzuki and Centeno? No question we are better behind the dish as well.

I've never been worried about Berrios. His stuff is excellent, and despite being a fierce competitor...which sometimes got in his way...he seems to have learned to relax and gain confidence. Everyone goes through slumps here and there, pitchers and position players alike. He was due. I have to wonder if the extra day off didn't help a bit as well. It is, after all, a very long season. Despite some deserved questions about Monitor's bullpen usage, I feel he's done pretty well in handing his starters, including in an extra day of rest here and there throughout the season. I also think his handling of the entire staff has been better as of late. A quick look at Busentiz after tonight. Although the SSS argument can be made. 2017 with the Twins: 13 G/ 18.2 IP/ 1.93 ERA/ .215 AVG/ 1.02 WHIP/ 14 H/ 5 BB/ 11 SO That is a pretty impressive start for the rookie. Despite the unfortunate injuries and delays to Burdi, Chargois, Jay, and even Jones and Melotakis, he and Heldenberger are looking like solid potential additions/attrition survivors. With Rogers and the mostly positive season from Duffey and the arm and recent re-surgance of Pressly, (Despite one horrible appearance), there is some hope for the future of the pen. At least a couple of the injured should rebound in time. Add in Reed, Curtiss, Bard and maybe, hopefully a Turley and/or Moya, and you can see the makings of a nice pen. Especially if we acquire one really nice proven arm at some point. I love the fight and resilience of this team and really wish I hadn't missed this game.

Absolutely. There are guys who come up as RP earlier in their career as they are already groomed for the job, or in some cases, are groomed via on the job training as a rotation is already full and they have a good arm that can help. And while I'm not going to do tons of research and name names, we've all seen a lot of quality bullpen guys that had very nice careers after "failing" as a SP, or perhaps lose time and development due to injury and re-invented themselves as a RP. This includes a lot of really, really good relievers for the Twins in the past. Joe Nathan was an injured and failed infielder converted to pitching, was acquired as a budding setup man and became a top closer. Aguilera was acquired as a solid SP, but not a front man, and became a top closer. Guadardo, Hawkins, Mahomex, Trombley are just a few other names internally who found success in the pen in mid to slightly later 20's. Can Turley be one of those guys? Who knows?! But he sure doesn't look like a ML SP. But with some life on his FB and a nice breaking pitch, he sure is worth looking at at 27.

At the moment, the rotation contains Santana, Berrios and Colon and for the time being, Gibson. With Mejia out, there is a revolving door, temporarily at least, for the 5th spot, plus the double header on Monday. So things are in a bit of a flux right now, allowing Gibson to hold his spot for the time being. And it makes roster sense for the immediate. While I think Gibson may be on the way out, he's still an experienced pitcher with a bit of a known quantity to him. Even with 90 pitches to finish his past two starts through only 4 IP, he kept the team in those games at least. Keeping him, for now, instead of 2 new arms would seem to make some sense. And really, not only can the team still shuffle after Monday, September will be here in a couple of weeks and it would be that much easier to remove Gibson from the rotation, go to a 6 man rotation if needed/wanted, put Gibson in the pen, or even sit him if wanted.

With Boshers performing poorly as of late and the Enns injury, I really like the Turley promotion. While his starts for the Twins were poor, he flashed some velocity and a nice breaking ball. I'm anxious to see what he might do as a RP. Could be a find. As for Perkins...welll...I really think he should have pitched a few more games in the minors first. But there was an opening, and sooner or later you need to take a look. I guess that time might as well be now. Slegers will be back, and soon. Excited to see Gonsalves possibly make his first start on Monday, but I'm also really curious about Melville. With a pair of double headers and so few days off, I think the staff is going to continue to be juggled until September gets here. Once things settle down, I'm really curious about a rotation of Santana, Berrios, Colon and 2 of Slegers, Gonsalves and Melville. I just think it's time to move on from Gibson. Happy to see Garver up and I hope he plays rather that sitting. But would really like to see a healthy Granite back up soon as well.

What a great day for the entire organization. I believe Slegers could have been kept on the roster, despite being the 26th man for the double header, as a replacement for the injured Grossman. However, with the double header on Monday, the Twins will need another SP option. I believe Slegers will be back, and soon, but this a move to balance the rotation for the next week. Consider his age, the bump to AAA for his first start, encouraged by Stewart's performance. The 4 good IP out of 5 is pretty solid for a debut. And yeah, sure seems like something has been clicking for him lately. Despite still being a rookie, Rooker is already at A+ ball and performing well. The SO may be high, but he's also hitting .258 with an OB a 100 points higher. 9 doubles and 14 HR with 42 RBI in 52 professional games! Could he be in AA to begin 2018? Great news on Thorpe making it to AA after 2 lost season's! I like all the recent promotions throughout the organization. I just wish they had begun a couple weeks earlier.

Great game! Great win! I really think this team believes in themselves. Does Molitor have a hand in This? I have to wonder. Sanos power is borderline illegal. As is Buxton's speed. From the replay, he's at 2B before the ball is even touched! Wow!

Hope Enns is OK and will get another shot or two before the season is done. Been a fan and believer in Gonsalves since day one. I am very anxious to see him in a Twins uniform. However, I have to say, I'm also super intrigued by seeing Meville and would have no problem seeing him come up Monday. Is he just a now healthy AAAA pitcher? Or is he a former top 100 prospect who battled command after injury and has found his way back? I believe he warrants a legitimate look.

You can just s÷ his confidence growing. He is going to be special, no doubt. It's starting to slow down for him and all beginning to come together. Never forget how young he still is, how quickly he raced through the minors, and some of the development time he missed. Natural ability served him well. But at this level, natural ability is not enough. He's learning how difficult this game truly is, growing, learning and making adjustments.

Why am I so intrigued about Turley as a RP? Just a gut feeling he could be good there.

Nice game!

Oh, I like This! Turley getting a shot.