DocBauer

Yeah...too bad Vargas can't hit, right?

One of life's great questions who's answer still eludes me: if more than one octopus means you have "octopi"...then what happens in Vegas if you are in a room of multiple Elvis impersonators? Do you have "Elvi"?

Sorry, but as a follow-up, I think Gibson's biggest problem is fear. When I watch him pitch, he just doesn't seem to trust himself or his stuff. He seems to nibble instead of attacking. It's as if he's just afraid of making a mistake. And that always seems to lead to...you guessed it...a mistake.

I do not fault the idea, or your sentiment, and you could be right. It may, indeed, prove to be the best role for him: throw hard, throw only your best couple of pitches, dont face anyone more than once. The counter argument would be, even with Berrios up sometime soon, the Twins are going to need another starter. Not trying to be overly optimistic here, but what if all the encouraging things we initially heard about his new approach and overall solid performance in ST comes to fruition with some time at Rochester and he can come back at least solid? Or, what if solid results with the Wings could entice some team in need to make a deal for a solid prospect? I think the bigger question is, why someone like Rucinski for the pen vs Baxendale or even Wimmers? Baxendale offers youth and upside. Wimmers had a strong 2016 and ST before beginning this season hot and cold. But even he offers some upside vs a quad-A journeyman.

As we all know, the Twins have a couple top but very young SS way down in the system. Won't talk about them at this point because of that, and I suspect that is why you didn't mention them either, Brandon. So let's just concentrate on the more immediate. (Nice read, BTW). I agree with Bark, let Gordon and Polanco sort it out in time. To confess, yet again, I wasn't sold on Gordon initially when drafted. Scouting report numbers on the scale spoke average across the board, and that didn't excite me for such an early pick. But I've really come around on Gordon due to his improvement, as well as his tremendous work ethic and attitude. (Kid works out with Barry Larkin in the off season for goodness sake and calls him "Mr. Larkin")! His strong AFL was cause for celebration and he's carried his improvement over to the start of this season. I'm a fan, and on board. But Polanco's bat and overall feel for the game is very real. Defensively he's been better than solid, overall, and he will only get better with time, work and repetition. However it shakes out, these guys will be the Twins keystones combo in short order. Vielma has a real chance, I think, in becoming a nice role player utility infielder. Al Newman part 2? He lacks size and pop, which concerns me, but could still fill out a bit more. But he has shown some ability to hit, make contact, take some walks, and run a bit. You didn't mention him, but I am really, really intrigued by Goodrum becoming a valuable and versatile super utility type. Some say I'm crazy, but I still wonder about extending Dozier and moving him to 1B to take over for Mauer. He has the bat to play there. He's only 6', not that plus 2-3 inches, but does he have to be to be an effective 1B? While still relatively young, it's a position less physically demanding as he ages, he is athletic with good hands, and has years of experience playing defense on the right side of the infield and chasing pop ups and foul balls. I really don't think I'm crazy for suggesting this. Sano stays at 3B! Guy is solid, will only get better, is a beast at charging slow rollers and throwing to first, and his bat is even more valuable at 3B.

If Greene's "attitude", assuming he does have one, is born from a desire to be the best, I'm OK with that. If it's ego and a long nose viewpoint of those around him, then I would have a problem. Not saying he has any issues, just responding. What scares me about Greene is mixed results in his secondary stuff. I hear average slider that needs work, and I hear devastating slider. Which is it? And, more than likely, he is further away from helping any time soon, but I also don't believe in drafting simply for immediacy. I'm starting to lean towards McKay, not as a negative towards Greene, but because a strapping, quality LHSP who is closer to helping with a floor of a #3 with the potential for better excites me. Those just don't grow on trees, and sorry for saying this, but he does have the feeling of being the "safer" choice.

Replacing Santana and gaining the 40 man spot is probably the overall win here. Adriana can at least play defense, though he might be a bit superfluous with Escobar on the roster. The big win involves Pressly getting straightened out, and the likes of Berrios, Chargois, Burdi and Melotakis coming up. (Though that leaves us short a SP). Mejia!

My problem is not the signing or a few street arms to help out AAA. I can even excuse, quite grudgingly, but signing at least ONE high quality bullpen arm to go with Breslow and Belisle due to a number of "available" arms to sort through and a number of talented youngsters that seem painstakingly close. What I can't excuse is needing help and turning to a journeyman, or 2, with poor numbers and experiences over a younger player. Rucinski over Baxendale, for instance. Really?

When the initial roster was set, there was a fair amount of angst. My statement at the time is the roster would remain somewhat fluid the entire year and April would be treated, roster wise, almost like EST. And that's exactly the way this has played out. Adriana replaced DanSan. I think this is at least a slight upgrade. If Santana goes unclaimed, personally, I'd like him to sign with Rochester. There is still talent and ability there. Perhaps it could yet flourish with AAA time. I believe the pitching staff is going to probably remain fluid the next couple of weeks. I'm not sure how much the Twins will need a 5th starter the next couple of weeks, but right now, looks like they don't have a 4th starter either. Is it Berrios time with Tepesch in the pen as a long man until Haley comes back? Shaggy isn't an option for the pen right now. I find it difficult to believe they will reach down to AA for Burdi or Melotakis at this time, though both should be in Rochester soon. Considering what he's done previously, even at the beginning of this season, I wouldn't be quick to dump Pressly. He's struggling a bit right now, but it's still early, he has the arm, and stats for relievers can be volatile, and a couple bad appearance can be quickly magnified.

May I have an AMEN!

You know, there are compelling arguments for both of these guys, and not due to any 2-way preference. Greene is the top guy, no doubt, if you are of the opinion you go for the biggest upside. McKay has quality upside, just maybe not quite as much, but is also closer to ML ready. I think I'd be happy either way.

Based on talent and need, I really don't think it's far fetched at all that we see both Berrios and Mejia get at least half a season in the Twins rotation this season. I also think it's pretty reasonable to see 1, 2 or all 3 of Chargois, Burdi and Melotakis from July on. A healthy Chargois possibly in June.

Someone was saying about DanSan today? Lol

I also want to see Berrios, and soon. I see little reason for him not to be brought up and continue to develop and learn at the ML level. For goodness sake, while it was a short stint, we opened the season with Mejia getting an early shot. But this is a new leadership group. Berrios did miss most of ST. We don't get to watch him daily, or have a definitive idea of the things they are looking at to feel he's ready for his next shot. Command, control, slide step, tipping pitches, holding runners on, over exuberance, we just don't know. So I will give some allowance to this new FO for the moment. We're a whole month in to a long season. We honestly haven't needed a 5th starter much yet, and there has to be some hope, finger crossing, even desperation regarding Gibson. I agree it's not if, but when. I suspect when is pretty soon.

Disagree on the value of Rosario's value. He's only scratching the surface of his ability and potential. He's never going to be the most disciplined or consistent player, but you can see his ability just watching him. He's only going to get better and better. I appreciate Mauer's defense, and I agree he's been a little unlucky offensively this season based on metrics, with matchups and days off, there is absolutely no reason 5 guys cant fit in to 5 lineup spots and everyone gets to play consistently. The potential Vargas has, what he he has flashes in the past, his nice start thus far in 2017, you would have to be dense not to play him and make this work.

Your points are all valid. But as I commented recently in a similar blog, I just wouldn't move him unless blown away. He is not a true ACE starter, despite his excellent start to this season, and quality Twins career. The Twins are using him intelligently, and there is no indication of sudden regression. He's quality and affordable to this young, developing and growing team.

I simply can't describe how disappointed I am about Gibson. I truly thought he was a nice bounce back candidate this season. Announcers from other teams have even commented he has solid stuff, but it doesn't seem to translate. Whether he doesn't trust his stuff, his defense, or is just afraid of making a mistake, he seems to nibble to me. I now believe/hope Mejia and Berrios will pitch a good half season, if not more, for the Twins this season along with Santana, Santiago and Hughes. There are multiple options coming up fairly soon for the pen, plus the return of Haley, and I'd send Gibson to the minors for depth, and hope he can find himself again. The Twins will have the financial resources to sign a legitimate FA next off-season, should they choose to, especially if they would choose to let Santiago and Gibson go. There are a couple nice young arms behind Mejia and Berrios that could be ready at some point in 2018, plus a hopeful return for May. I think Gibson's days are numbered.

I recall many years ago, when David Robinson was in this situation, part of the reason he was allowed out of his military comitment...or so I read...was the Navy felt him playing in the NBA was actually a useful recruiting tool for them.

Personally, I absolutely love the Twins handling of Santana right now. They have a chance, even if the season is early, to say "We can give you a day of extra rest to make sure you are full bore and ready to be our guy the rest of the season". He's been good to borderline excellent since the Twins signed him. Why mess with a good thing? Santiago. I just don't know for sure. But the guy has been to an all star game. When the Twins acquired him, he was pitching lights out. He stunk after he came to us. For whatever reason(s) he pitched very well his last 5 or so starts last season. He looked good in ST. He's been solid to very good in April. Where would we be without him? Extend him? Not now...not yet. But if he keeps it up, I could see it. He won't break the bank, and the market for SP has gotten downright crazy. Hughes. I honestly thought he'd be in EST to begin the season, then rehab before hopefully joining the rotation. He's been way short of great. But he has surprised the he'll out of me at this point as he is re-inventing himself. He may stink as he sees teams the second time around, or, he may continue to develop himself as a pitcher and remain solid, if not better. Wild card. There is absolutely room here for Berrios and Mejia to make their mark this season. And I hope they do. We are ONE MONTH in! Expiring contracts, potential contracts traded or not retained, under last season's payroll, and below the MLB average payroll, this team ABSOLUTELY has the room for one major, quality FA SP addition next season. Forgetting May, Gonsalves, Jorge and others, we could be looking at FA, Santana, Hughes, Berrios and Mejia if things play out right. Santiago? I am not saying no. Depth is great and something we haven't had or enjoyed much lately.

Because, right now, we are talking about a backup catcher. A veteran who is solid behind the plate, and who has been at least decent against LHSP, whom the FO is familiar with, who is a quality clubhouse guy, and a guy who is probably only a place-setter until Garver is brought up. I'm a huge believer in Garver, and have been for a while. But his AAA is very limited, and I think Giminez's time remains limited. In fact, wouldn't surprise me if he is flipped for an A prospect as soon as someone has an injury at the catcher spot.

Nope. Wouldn't do it unless someone made me a he'll of an offer. Why? We need pitching. We have prospects. Other teams have prospects. Prospects remain prospects until they are no longer, for good or bad. But the 2017 Twins are a solid team, playing well, brimming with some top young talent, a couple "youngish" veterans, and a couple older vets. There is no way to know how good, or bad, this team can/will ultimately be. But the core is there and getting better and growing better. And there are legitimate prospects, on the mound and in the field, that will make appearances soon, to continue growth and the rebuild. And with the payroll where it is, some contracts expiring at season end, others that could be declined, there is real room to bring on a legitimate arm next off season to supplement the biggest deficiency, starting pitching. For the sake of the turnstiles, (which remains important), and the overall development of this growing and rebuilding team, I think it's important to maintain a winning culture as opposed to; "nah...screw this season. We want to cut payroll and bring on another couple prospects. You guys, and the fans, can worry about winning later." Just my opinion. But again, unless given an offer we can't refuse, this team is better off with Santana than without.

One game over .500, in all games except maybe 2, lost a couple we shouldn't have lost. This looks almost like a completely different team than the one that was playing last April. If course, in many respects they are. This was not the OF we had at the beginning of last season, nor the left side of the infield. Like them or not, Grossman and Santiago were not on the team this time last year either. The defense has been, largely, excellent and there is every reason to believe it will continue to get better. Offensively, the team is performing well, making contact and walking at vastly higher rates. They've been doing well despite leaving runners on, Dozier and Rosario off to slow starts and Buxton and Mayer being awful. Hits are starting to fall for Rosario now. Dozier is still contributing and should heat up soon. Buxton has recently looked completely different. Hopefully, we see at least some of the old Mauer soon. If Hughes can keep re-inventing himself, I feel better about the rotation, but it obviously still needs work and Berrios and Mejia both, eventually, hopefully. The pen is OK, but will need re-inforcements at some point. Thankfully, there are a couple guys on the way. All on all, happily surprised by April but not shocked.

If you keep him in the 3 spot, I think a strong argument could be made for Kepler hitting behind him. If you bump him down to cleanup, how about Dozier-Polanco-Kepler with some combination of Vargas/Grossman/Park batting 5th behind him?

"So long Sano"

Have to believe both Burro and Melotakis will be up to Rochester very soon. Time to take the kid gloves off Melotakis? I would guess that is not due to last surgery, as was the case last year, and more due to the oblique strain in spring training.