DocBauer

Every time I watch Kepler do something in the field, or his smooth stroke, I'm reminded of my father watching him at ST a couple years ago and telling me he just looked and moved like a natural athlete.

I don't think the Twins would have won the challenge, not definitive enough but I think he was safe by a finger tip. Rosario would have gotten the runner at 3rd if he could have set himself better.

I've witnessed a lot of Twins baseball over my 45 years+ as a fan. And I'm honored to be part of Twins fandom and TD. And over those many years, and the past 3+ here on TD, I've heard and read opinion, speculation, prosecution and defense of various teams, players, and the FO. In my expertise as a lifelong Twins fan, I can tell you my opinion of this current team is not mere conjecture. I love the young talent and the way they play together. I know there is a great deal of conjecture in regard to the current state and status of this team. And while the jury is certainly out as to the full potential of this team going forward, and the deliberations of what the Twins should and should not do going forward, I am certainly enjoying the process of watching thjs team develop. And I know there are experts out there who offer their opinions on the young talent currently on the roster and coming up, Keith Law being primary amongst them, I like the makeup. I like the makeup of this lineup now and going forward. This is not the usual suspects of the past. And this includes parts of the pitching staff. The evidence reveals we still need pitching help to make our case as a legitimate contender. And hopefully, through shrewd trade or FA move, or uncovering a hidden gem, we will add to Santana, Berrios and the sudden emergence of Mejia to round out the rotation. I'm really liking what this kid is doing. And I swear we are witnessing him growing in to a legitimate ML SP right before our eyes, just not with the same testimony Berrios gets. I know years of frustration with the system, and watching the man running it, can lead to a feeling of being persecuted or disenfranchised as a Twins fan, but I am a believer in the process now taking place. Go Twins! Support Mejia and get some more runs! Beat the odds and vindicate yourselves with a winning series and year, beginning with beating the hated Yankees tonight! Bang the ball and the gavel! I am an optimist. That is my decision!

If Dozier isn't going to be extended, especially if Gordon WERE moved in trade, is keep Escobar. He just brings a lot of overall value as a quasi-starting utility player. And if some trades are made, we could suddenly need all the MI depth we can get

I also believe Hughes is probably done. And I am concerned about the 40 man spot going in to next season. I would guess though, that they won't DFA him until the season is over, keeping him around for depth and hope. I doubt anyone would pick him up, or his salary. So I suppose you could make him an invite next ST if you want to take a flier on improved velocity over additional recovery time.

Not sure if Romero could or should pitch in the pen for the Twins this year. (If there is any concern, then no, protect the arm). Buy can't he be pitching his 5 innings for Rochester going forward? He is clearly ready for the promotion.

The Jax situation us frustrating. I fully understand the comitment and obligation to his military service. But there have been situations in the past, David Robinson being the most well known, where a young man was allowed out of his comitment, or fulfilled it in a different capacity such as recruiting or work in the reserves. Someone please correct me, but didn't the military just change their stance on this after Jax was drafted? Would have been nice to maybe grandfather in Jax, and others like him, and make the change going forward.

Except...he is young and learning and going through growing pains. This is to be unexpected for a young player getting his first real playing time? He got a couple cups of coffee before a semi regular shot last half of last season at SS, which he hadn't played the entire season before then. I'm sorry, but by this logic, any player 25ish who isn't playing at an elite level should just be cut loose.

It us my hope, and my belief, that the absolute best way to proceed is to make that one big FA splash for a SP this off season. We can talk all we want to about signing someone that qualifies as a true ACE on the market, but they are rare and very, very expensive. But financially, this team could afford a really nice, quality #2 type for $18-20M per let's say. The team is rather under budget compared to previous seasons, as well as the ML average. Further, there is payroll coming off the books from Perkins and Santiago. After 2018, Mauer comes off the books. After 2019, Hughes and Santana are then as well. That is enough to make the splash and a couple more signings of value without compromising the ability to keep the roster intact. Further, you keep your prospects, for the time being, for promotion, depth, competition and future trade value for 2019 and beyond. You may or may not have an ACE in the fold, but you put together a quality rotation, continue to work on the pen, and with this young core of position players you have a real contender. 2018 rotation: FA Berrios Santana Mejia Who is the 5th? I could take a flier on someone needing a change of scenery, or stick with Gibson for one more season, probably at similar cost, assuming a decent second half. I could get May back. The pen could be strong enough to audition Duffey. And at some point, if not immediately, I've got Gonsalves, Romero and Jorge all getting ready for shots. And I still have trade options available at this point if necessary.

Doing some thinking, reflecting and debating. These are three key points for the second half of the season, IMHO. 1] Don't get wrapped up in "must make moves". I am absolutely not saying to throw in the towel or dismiss this season thus far, or put a kabosh on what remains of it. And I fully understand the idea of supporting your team and supporting a team and season that has post season possibilities. But this team was not supposed to contend. A few months ago, there was great debate whether or not this team could even finish .500. (I predicted .500 and possibly a couple games above). There is so very much to like about this team, mostly young in regard to position players, with a few nice arms flashing. But don't get swept up in any sort of all in mentality. Unless its a relatively low prospect to trade away, don't go for any rental players. Likewise, unless a big prospect trade for a high quality, controllable SP is truly available for now and the future, don't overspend. Don't get caught up in the moment. Imagine trading away Gordon and at least one of Romero and Gonsalves, if not both. Santana is done in a year or two, Dozier is potentially gone after 2018, as is Mauer. So now we need a 1B, another SP, and quite possibly another MI. I love Polanco and his potential and fully believe the bat will be OK. I really like Escobar as a quality almost full time starter/role player, and Adrianza has, frankly, been better than expected and may have been a find. Vielma still offers some potential. But all other MI depth is in the low minors at this point, and we may be having to look to another trade, or FA, to find additional depth and options. And 1B is still open now, at that point. How much better do our trade options look in the off season when we now have a full season of development to truly and more fully evaluate not only the ML roster, but the milb talent to make a move? Or make a move, or two or three, via the trade and FA route, complete with the full off season to tweak the roster in a more full capacity. 2] Which brings up point #2. Get serious and aggressive with promotions. The FO and manager/coaching/instructor information is far greater than anything we know. But there is no-one in AAA to block Romero, Gonsalves or Jorge from a promotion. They have proven themselves at AA, even dominated. It's time for the next challenge to develop them, and better prepare them for possible roles at some point in 2018, (if not traded). Of course, this creates a natural trickle down effect to AA and below, but there are prospects there that are seemingly ready for the next challenge as well. 3] Keep rebuilding the bullpen from within. The team hasn't been shy about making various bullpen moves to offer a few auditions, and to help keep the pen fresh after bad stretches of use/overuse. But it needs to continue and go the next step. One way to offset the lack of rotational depth/dominance, is by building the strongest bullpen you can. I get that Breslow and Belisle are really good guys who may have influence in the clubhouse. But Breslow has been nothing more than a mop up arm, and despite some nice appearances, Belisle has simply been a trash can fire far too often to offset those good games. And neither is part of the future of this team. The injuries to Burdi, Jay and Chargois have been disappointing, to be sure. But Hildenberger has shown something and needs opportunity. So does Busentiz. Reed and Curtiss are having outstanding season's and need their shot. Bard is ready for AAA. Turley stunk up the joint as a starter, but there is at least some potential as a reliever. I'd much rather see him tried as a third lefty than Breslow. You have Kintzler, Duffey and Rogers to form a base. Bothers is at least serviceable, and was last season as well. You're stuck with Hughes, and can only hope for healing and better results, as a reliever or starter again. Pressly has an arm and may be worth keeping around. Maybe he's overthrowing? But there is both room and opportunity here. Do something productive and pro active with it. My 2 or 3 cents worth. Go ahead and let me have it.

Yes to including Gordon, but I'd rather see a team in rebuild mode wanting/accepting the younger and maybe even more talented Palacios. If Gordon js gone and Dozier not extended, we suddenly go from a lot of MI depth to very little. To be clear, I love Polanco and believe the bat will be there given a little more time. I like Escobar a lot. We may have a real find in Adrianza either as a utility player or solid starter, short term at least. But the jury is very much out on Vielma and everyone else is in A ball.

Think he was a little hard on Rortvedt. Kid is very young and has really turned it on after a slow start. I suppose it's true that most teams have talent and potential in the low levels. It's what they do when they start to hit high A that separates them. Still, I think drafts and signings have been pretty good the last couple of years.

I absolutely include both Rosario and Polanco as part of the core. Rosario has tons of talent and potential and similar number of AB as Sano last time I looked. And thus really a rookie season for Polanco. His first real opportunity to play daily and gain experience. Add Granite, Gordon and Garver as 3 more solid to very good young players and this player roster is nearly complete.

And you are absolutely right Chief! There is no reason that every season can't include this season. Except for 1 caveat. I actually like the new FO and think there is the making a of a really intelligent plan in the works here. I think this new FO really "gets" what needs to be done to build up the entire franchise. I'm very encouraged by a lot of things I've seen done, even if some of them are little things. But not only are our beloved Twins surprising a lot of people, but I'm sure they've surprised Falvey and Levine some too. But they have literally been in the job for something like 6 months now and are still learning the organization, from FO staff to field staff to players. And while I get the sense they want to support this team, and make various internal moves/promotions/auditions, etc, I have to wonder if they truly have enough of a grasp yet on the talent in the organization, as a whole, to make any big moves that wouldn't come back to bite them later?

A lot of work and very intelligent thinking went in to this. And while I am absolutely loathe to trade Buxton, I see what you are doing here and it makes a lot of sense. However, and this is meant with respect and not disregard, it kind of reminds me of a fantasy mock draft. It just seems like too many moving pieces to be able to pull off successfully. But I absolutely commend you on the process!

Unless the team suddenly sinks, I don't see being sellers. Even then, would trading Santana, and what we might get back, truly build a better 2018 than having him? A recent article/interview clearly stated the team wasn't really looking to make trades unless they were for guys who would be part of the team for a few years. I think this team pretty much stays pat and continues to develop and audition from within, and continues to evaluate all personnel, coaches/managers and players alike at all levels before make decisions in the off season.

Garver does belong. And he offers versatility at 1B and maybe now the OF in a pinch. Granite also belongs, though he is there now. The problem, really, there is nobody on the ML roster who deserves to be gone. Even Vargas, for his inconsistencies, has contributed and performed well at times and still has potential. And you simply can't have 15 position players. Eventually, by next season, Garver should replace the solid Giminez. Also encouraged, but cautious, with Stewart. Sometimes things just sort of click for prospects at some point. Could this be the time, for this season at least, where than mechanism unlocks? Let's hope so.

Absolutely concur with both of your responses here. From the top down, this season is about evaluation of the GO, analytics, coaches and players and the entire system. Why on earth would you trade some quality prospects when you have half a season to evaluate what you even have at this point? As to Hand, or someone like him, it makes some sense to acquire someone cost controlled you could hold on to for a few years. But even with the unfortunate injuries to Burdi and Jay...(almost waiting for a 3rd shoe to hit the floor regarding Chargois)...Busentiz, Curtiss, Hilgenberger and Reed are all showing some ability and potential. Pressly still has a good arm but just appears lost right now. But there are guys to work with, audition and develop the second half of the season to go along with Kintzler, Duffey and Rogers. Maybe Hughes even finds a successful role in the pen.

What happens when granite hits limestone?

Just for fun, I looked up Colons numbers for the past 4 previous seasons: Season W-L ERA IP H BB SO WHIP 2013 18-6 2.65 190 193 29 117 1.166 2014 15-13 4.09 202 218 30 151 1.226 2015 14-13 4.16 194 217 24 136 1.238 2016 15-8 3.43 191 200 32 128 1.210

Honestly, were I a betting man, I'd lay money he finishes the season there.

Anyone else frustrated and confused by Vargas? Looks great and then slumps. Gets demoted and comes back and looks good again. Does he just need a threat to get him going again?

Seriously? Anyone is upset about this? Why? I know his age and weight have been sort of a running joke for a while now...but has anyone looked at his numbers the past few years? Guy pitched 190 innings and won double digit games last season alone. So what if he's been bad this season? He's on a milb contract and maybe finds himself and can throw even close to what he did last season. Look at his numbers people. If he's toast...he's toast and he's gone! But thus could end up being pretty smart.

The absolute truth is neither the Twins, nor any team, will have any real idea if their draft was successful for 3-5 years. But despite being a bit confused and flummoxed initially by the early portion if the draft, I'm pretty much on board with how it turned out. 1] In a non-consensus top pick draft, the Twins drafted the top HS position player in the draft. He was a consensus top 4-5 player with great talent, potential and makeup. The Twins weren't cheap or "saved money". They "saved money" on a top prospect selection to use elsewhere. 2] Whether or not you like the overall strategy, this new FO HAD a plan and a strategy to implement and they DID. Kudos for having and doing so. 3] The "experts" in the tremendous crap shoot that is the baseball draft laud the talent brought on board. At this point, I am appeased and very hopeful.

Really nice to see Jorge get another start. He could take the experience from the first start and look as good or better. He could also battle nerves and inexperience, as well as the Orioles, and not pitch as well. I really don't have expectations, just hope. But he could very well be part of the future and it is so refreshing to see him get this opportunity instead of a street FA.