DocBauer

I could get Wheeler to be a long man, get his first shot and all, but...nothing personal...i didn't understand Rucinski. Understand it even less now.

This is like a really bad horror movie that I can't stop watching! Do I really have to see how it ends???

Seriously, this team really needs Pressly. But at this point, doesn't he have to go down to figure something out? But Chargois out, Burdi out, Jay out....who do you bring up?

Forget what I just said

Do I get slapped if I say something about the Twins having 2 more innings to attempt a rally?

"Should have gotten a live chicken."

This just....I don't know what it's is

With a big lead and Pressly struggling, I guess I can see him getting a 1 inning shot. But holy crap! What has happened to this guy? And I agree, but big lead, why wouldn't you put the fresh arm out there to get acclimated?

Generally, I like what I've seen from him. He's got decent stuff and a sturdy build that should allow him to throw a lot of pitches/IP. Greater consistency and economy of his pitches is the key, but that comes with time and experience. He is only 24, a rookie, and has less than 100IP at AAA between last season and this season. I think you could fairly state he's been promoted aggressively. But he's not just important for a team short on SO options this season. He's important for 2018 and beyond. There could be some growing pains here and there, and I hope the Twins be patient with him and stick with him. Despite such a good, fun and successful season thus far, I think it could be argued this team is still building for 2018 and beyond.

Good for Wheeler! He finally gets at least some kind of a shot. I think I may have gone to AA for Rosario, but in Wheeler they probably have more of a long man they feel they needed for right now. I don't believe Vargas was demotedin any way, shape or form. If you look at the roster, and options, the only real choice was to lose Adrianza or send Vargas down...temporarily. Right now, we need Gibson to start and cross fingers. There just isn't any way to skip the 5th spot right now.

He does belong. Stick with him. His future, and the team's future, means living with him and working with him and giving him a real chance.

Injuries, no matter how bad they suck, are part of the game. What would be interesting to me, were it possible to find or quantify, was if the Twins had more TJ type injuries over the past few seasons vs other teams. Even then, would it be bad luck, bad drafting knowledge, or bad development and procedure? Could we ever Know? I don't know anything except this sucks. For Burdi and the Twins. Watch him take 2 years to get back and suddenly turn a corner and become a stud. Just hope it's with us.

There's a lot of backroom conversations I'd love to be privy To! That would be one of them.

Personally, IMHO, part of the overall success and quality play of our beloved Twins this season has been the addition of Castro and Giminez at catcher. Of course, it goes way beyond just these two additions. The improved pitching results are still pitchers throwing better. Neither Castro nor Giminez have anything to do with vastly improved defense, except for their positions directly. Credit simply must be given to the coaching staff, including Molitor, better use of metrics (FINALLY), and the talent and development of the young players themselves. But unless you are living or viewing in a vacuum, there is no doubt the Twins are enjoying the best overall catching, defensively-game calling-etc, that they have enjoyed in years! And Giminez is part of that, even as the 2nd catcher. In a pinch, he can play both infield and both OF corners, (though I believe he's only appeared at 1B this far), and has even mopped up a couple bad games from the mound. But with all due respect to contributions made, and a quality guy from all reports, I believe he's also the most vulnerable and easily replaced position player on the roster. By all reports, Garver is a quality receiver with a big arm who works hard on his defense. In 22 games for 2016 he hit .329 with a .815 OPS in AAA. So far, 23 games in 2017, he has a .270 AVG and a .886 OPS. For a mostly young and still rebuilding club...even though the "rebuild" may be reaching an apex...isnt it about time to bring Garver up? He can receive well, throw well, hit better (much better-potentially at least), than Giminez, with some pop and can even play some 1B. When and how and why do you make the move? Is it deserved at this point? Do you mess with a good thing going? Are we waiting for another team to have an injury to make Giminez more valuable as a trade option? Eager to hear your opinions and thoughts.

Season long and begining the season injuries has been a HUGE downer thus far. But what I find so interesting about this list...while still opinion of course...is how many recognizable names and even close to probably/maybe contributing names are this low. Makes the top 20 list that much more intriguing and exciting!

It's a great point, but somewhat moot as mentioned above, you take the top couple of performers off most any team and you change the dynamic appreciably...usually. And, as stated previously, it's more a question of who else emerges. With 9 man lineups and 5 day rotations, as well as normal hot and cold spells, baseball is a unique sport. Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Polanco, Vargas, Berrios and Mejia are still so very young and developing that their ceilings are still a ways off. Mauer is starting to click along with Dozier. So yeah, its more about improvement than any regression from two pkayers, IMO.

To address a couple issues brought up: 1] Love the potential of Granite as a quality 4th OF with starting potential (OF and backup CF) but he's just getting his feet wet in AAA and I'm a Rosario believer. His defense is excellent and he oozes potential and ability. He may always be a bit inconsistent and undiscipled, but there is so much ability and potential. I'd be committed to him for the entire season. 2] Even with the unfortunate Burdi injury, there remains the real possibility of at least one, if not two, from Chargois, Helgenberger, Reed and Curtis being ready about mid season. From the left side, I'm looking at one of Melotakis, Jay or Rosario to do the same. 3] Santana is very good. Berrios belongs, but don't be surprised if the young man rides a few lows to go along with his highs. Santiago is solid, sometimes good. I'm encouraged by Mejia. I'd rather "survive" with Berrios and Mejia in the rotation for the rest of the year to build for a better tomorrow. I'd ride Gibson and a re-habbed Hughes for June in the 5th spot, for now. July comes and we don't have a 5th SP, move Duffey to the rotation if one of the young RP emerges. Audition Haley, Wheeler, Slegers and maybe even Turley. I want to keep winning. I get "going for it" instead of sitting on your hands. I just don't feel this is the time/season to part with prospects unless it's a cheap (prospect wise) veteran or a major, long term controlled top of the rotation option. Despite fun now, and the frustration of several seasons, I don't want "slow and steady for the future" to be replaced by "expensive but going for it now".

Recently, last Sunday I believe, on the pre-game show they were talking with someone...want to say Antony?...but mention was made that Gonsalvez would be considered as a promotion candidate from AS if the Twins needed another starter. Now, he's have to be healthy and pitching well, but I found it an interesting statement.

OK....who wants pie?

I LOVE pie!

Well.....I was having a nice day. (Sigh)

I've always preferred the number of the hot girl down the way.

I absolutely love the defense, most of the offense, especially when you consider that half these guys are still feeling their way towards their potential! Very exciting! I agree the bullpen issues...though not terrible...could be handled internally. But are you sure about your numbers? 75,000 sounds a bit low to me. Lol But I'm still torn on any trade for a SP. You can trade next to nothing for a solid piece, salary dump, etc, OK. But for a young and growing team, still finishing a rebuild, I'm not sure I wouldn't roll through Gibson, Hughes, Wheeler, etc, for now and see if something sticks and hold out for now. Maybe even Duffey, when a couple young RP are ready. He'll, maybe even audition Haley! I don't want to just give every 5th day away, of course, but it always seems as if half the teams out there can't field a full 5 man rotation. As long as you have some options to run through, shouldn't you at least run a roll call of options for now rather than trade? Just a thought or two.

Except...look how much better the offense could be? Dozier hasn't really heated up yet. Buxton and Mauer are just starting to. Rosario is in a slump right now. Not disagreeing with your assessment, just pointing out the offense could be that much better in the coming weeks and months. A couple relievers for the second half ready, Santana, Berrios and Santiago healthy, and Mejia solid and being allowed to pitch and grow and develop and I'm actually feeling pretty good even without a solid choice for the 5th starting spot...as of today.

I absolutely love This team! (Most parts anyway). They are, generally, productive scoring runs, and most of the young guys are still learning and growing and haven't even hit top form yet. They defense is good to sometimes excellent. Bunting and situation ball is better, (compared to how disastrous it was previously). They seem to believe in themselves, enjoy playing together, and are learning to win together. Is this a finished product? Absolutely not! But we are seeing the fruits of painful labor, (mostly waiting), coming to fruition. The bullpen needs work, but has been stable for the most part. (Thus far). And the rotation, frankly, has been better, and better than expected. (Though it obviously still needs at least one more arm to come through). I hope this team continues to grow and develop and win. And I think they can. But it is still a team built mostly on youth with a couple veterans and a couple guys hanging on. It is STILL in rebuild mode, IMO. I completely understand the sentiment of improving a team and "going for it" when you are winning. And I can't, and won't, object to a move made for a starting pitcher. But I truly think this team's window begins next season via development, guys still on their way up soon who aren't there YET, and maybe a quality FA or two to really set the roster. We should honestly see a couple young bullpen arms up mid-season or so, if not before. This may allow a move of Duffey to the 5th rotation spot if necessary. For now, I'd roll with Santana, Berrios, Santiago and Mejia and hope for Gibson, or a rehabed Hughes, or experiement with Haley, Turley, Wheeler, Slegers. Is it ideal? No. But especially with a new FO in place, and only in tbe early stages of their tenure, I'm just really loathe to trade much of anyone...barring a steal scenario...until we can at least get this one, first, full season played.