DocBauer

OK, I've got a slightly pointed but also off point question to propose. This touches on poor marketing from MLB, but also touches, albeit briefly, on SD's comments regarding local cable networks possibly having an affect on baseball viewership, etc. So here goes: Is there perhaps a problem with the WAY baseball is broadcast? Consider for a moment in which the way football (college as well as professional) and the NBA present their product. We have pre and post game panels discuss the game(s) ahead, and offer their forms of insight, explanation, debate and opinion. There are recorded interviews with players, including personal stories if interest. There are sideline reporters, and even brief interviews with coaches before games, at halftime, even during time outs on occasion. Both sports, probable football more, have gone to great pains to provide interesting graphics and statistics...even interesting avatars at times...to provide fill in entertainment or perspective. I'm not saying the game of baseball lends itself to a copycat formula, but certainly there have to be additional, similar opportunities to "jazz up" things for the viewer without interfering with the game itself. Yes? Further, along the same lines, I wonder if the work of those actually calling the games couldn't be addressed or re-invented to some degree. Meaning absolutely no disrespect to the current Twins broadcasters, who I actually enjoy, radio and TV, but it seems to me there used to exist a different breed of announcers with more outgoing or distinctive personalities. I miss Herb Carneal greatly. Despite some name screw ups and the such on occasion, I always enjoyed the tremendous joy and emotional honesty of John Gordon. One of the things Twins fans always liked about Gladden as a player was his enthusiasm and a few of his rough edges. He will never be a polished broadcaster, but I enjoy that same edge in the radio booth, as well as the stories. And that goes for other non-Twins broadcasters. (With the exception of Hawk Harrelson. He might like the Twins, but I just can't bring myself to like him. But at least he's unique) Harry Carry was and remains a legendary figure in baseball broadcasting. And while his last few years he might have "lost it" a bit, he was unique and special. There will probably NEVER be another Vin Scully, the patheon of baseball broadcasters, but his style, professionalism, and stories, offers a benchmark perspective. So perhaps, in some way, just the WAY baseball is broadcast these days could be marketed better.

Great post! You actually said some of the same things I had mentioned earlier, but in a very unique and different perspective. Well done! My wife happens to be a HUGE sports fan, and while she enjoys most sports, is in her own personal nirvana right now because college and NFL football seasons are now back in play. She is not a big baseball fan, but enjoys it. She will watch college when the playoffs and CWS begin, will watch some little league, and has grown in her appreciation and understanding of the sport due to my love of the Twins. And one of the comments I have heard from her before is that she enjoys when things happen on the field, but gets distracted or frustrated at times from the length "between" plays, I.e. a pitch or ball in play.

A small counterpoint if I may? When I mentioned, earlier, one of my points about speeding up the game, I should have been specific. The average game time length of an NFL game and MLB game are very close. It's not about shortening the actual time of the game, but to simply speed of the processes of the game. The NFL went to a shorter game clock YEARS AGO not to necessarily shorten game time, but to get more plays/snaps within the game. I also wouldn't want to take away time for pitchers and batters to gather themselves, however, we can enforce a reasonable time limit to avoid human rain delays. Those of us who know, love and appreciate the game, better understand how something different is in "play" with every pitch and count differential. To the less understanding, less patient, "new" or casual fan, getting to that next pitch, that next potential hit, HR, RBI, big defensive play sooner can keep them better involved.

As do I! I've even been known to rewind plays to watch again, and even to point out a great block or great move from the OL or DL. Lol

Berrios goes to AA next season for many reasons. And that anything but a negative! Most kids his age are down somewhere in A or low A ball. The call up to Rochester was out of necessity with normal rotation days and May's promotion to the ML level. This incredibly talented May see the Twin Cities before next year is done.

I am not a marketing expert...never even met one. Still think they just get lucky sometimes. So I don't know that I have the solutions to the problems in a practical sense, but think I can at least identify the areas of concern that need to be addressed. 1) Eliminate or reduce inter league play. I liked the idea initially. It sounded neat. We get to play who this weekend? But the novelty has worn off. And it has also taken any novelty away from the All Star game. If you want to continue inter league play, make it not only limited, but squeeze it in to limited time frames. Am I nuts? But I swear when inter league began it was for a stretch or two. Now it feels like it pops up on the schedule as only another series that does nothing more than, maybe, raise an eyebrow. 2) Promote your stars! Baseball is not unlike the NBA. It's a longer season, and while it has mass appeal, studies and TV ratings have shown there is a regional bias to ratings and popularity. No surprise there. But while most of the free, and not free world, knows about LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, how much of the world knows about Mike Trout? (As example) I can almost guarantee you that you could poll a 1,000 people of mixed race and age in this country and they would be able to recognize those mentioned NBA stars, to some degree, at least at a 50-60%. But I bet Trout would be known at least half of that rate, unless you happened to run in to a string of baseball fans. 3) Promote the game! I'm 48, I'm not young...I'm not old. But I have memory and perspective. When I was very young, you heard commercials and reflected public commentarily about Chevrolet, hot dogs, apple pie and baseball. (I'm not just being nostalgic, this was reality) Now we hear about Japanese cars, (3 out of 4 in my household), burger wars, whatever, and football. In this arguement, the NFL. I've heard and read how the baseball "game of the week" used to be a big deal, but now we're simply saturated by baseball games and we've lost magic with game saturation. What the hell? Basketball is almost as long of a season, and is on multiple stations every day all season long. The NFL, and college football to a degree, is on 3-5 games a week. Baseball is BIG in central and parts of South America. It's grown in Australia, and has a foothold in Europe and even Russia. Not to mention Asia. But what has MLB done to promote the sport? He'll, it was an Olympic trial sport, then a medal sport, and just died after a few years. What did MLB ever do to promote itself over all this time? The NBA is Olympic and Global. The NFL has had NFL Europe...a domestically nice minor league option that failed globally but should be re-visited stateside at least...but still attempts to go global with foreign games and cable appeal. 4) Appeal to minorities. This isn't about race, it's about PEOPLE. It's about the beautiful game of baseball and the men who play it. The legitimate all time HR king in baseball is a classy and deserving black man who endured a tremendous amount to arrive at his top of the mountain named Frank Robinson. The steroid era "illegitimate" HR king is also a black man, Barry Bonds. Jackie Robinson went through absolute hell to become the first black player in MLB. Oh, he also became a legendary HOF player. Regardless of how you feel about FA in baseball, it was a black man, Curt Flood, who stood up for the rights of baseball players. In our beloved Twins history, Kirby Puckett could be argued as the best and most popular player in franchise history. Where is the black athlete in baseball now? There are precious few these days. There have been efforts the past several years, spurred especially by former Twin Torri Hunter and others to bring baseball back to the inner cities. 5) Speed up the damn game! It's a BEAUTIFUL game if you understand it. But too many younger generation watchers and potential watchers/ lovers get distracted before they really understand what's going on pitch to pitch, batter to batter, inning to inning. Put a clock on the pitcher/batter between pitches and stick to it. Put it on a big clock around the stadium. Whoever decided it was OK for a batter or pitcher to walk around for 20-40 seconds between every pitch to adjust and gather themselves? 6) Call the damn strike zone the way it's in the rule book and described to be called! Hitters are all different. Some hit low, some high, some inside, some outside. But pitchers all throw differently as well. The rule book states above the knees and just below the letters. It's been this way since before I was born. I can deal with painting the black, or just outside, if the ump and pitcher are both consistent. But someone please show me where a strike should be called only if below the belt line.

No, the rotation is not "fine". (Bullsh*t! Hair is "fine")...brought to you by George Carlin in attempt at humor and brevity. Nobody has claimed we have an all star starting staff immediately. The question/concern is to whether in the long term, perhaps short term as well, committing a high salary 3-4 year contract is a wise and prudent move when you already have 2 solid options in place, 2-3 top prospects either ready or nearly ready sometime in 2015?

I also agree that some of the pen is back, and fairly solid with Perkins, Fien, Thielbar, and possibly Duensing. I get the feeling Darnell could be a nice LH option in the pen. There are a couple other LH options that could also compete, at least until Melotakis is ready. He could be one to pay real attention to in the AFL. I'm really torn from the RH side. I don't buy that Jones or Burdi are going to be ready any sooner than mid-season. Part of me really wants to Twins to sign a quality RH setup man to team with Fien, then throw the door open to Pressly, Tonkin, Achter, Oliveras, Swarzak, Deduno, Pino and others. Another part of me wants to not sign anyone...not sure if that's prudent or not...and throw the door open to all of them.

Good or bad, right or wrong, I'm going to beat a dead horse and repeat that someone needs to be re-assigned so that a quality Latino coach can be brought on board to help better relate to the influx of Latin players such as Arcia, Vargas, Santana, Pino and others on the way. Preferably someone who can help preach a quality approach at the plate for more overall discipline to reach potential.

As to the rotation, I maintain we have a solid threesome to build around for 2015. I'm not saying the team has an ace, but then again, aces are pretty tough to come by. We have May, Meyer, Milone and Pelfrey available to round things out. They also have a couple 6-7 SP types to fill in if necessary. Of course, Berrios may be ready at some point in 2015 as well. So is it prudent to bring in another FA signee on a guaranteed contract to leave only 1 spot for our young pitchers to fight for? I'm not saying I'm opposed to doing so, only saying for a rebuilding team with young pitching talent, is this a move that should be made? I'd be kind of surprised if we made such a move, but then again, the Twins did make a big attempt to sign Garza even after signing Hughes and Nolasco last off season.

Back to the original point of the thread...now that I'm home, off work, and can actually read and respond...I want to say that I'm in almost complete agreement with the original points of Nick's thread. Let me clarify my opinion, and I believe Nick's as well; it's NOT that the Twins are SET at all positions, but rather, simply, there is a solid player/prospect currently in place and/or available at almost all positions that making a major move to acquire a replacement, especially with some top talent on the way, simply doesn't make sense. Suzuki, Mauer, Dozier, Arcia are set. Vargas is an impressive talent with a potentially big future and looks very good so far. That's 5 spots there. And I know there is debate about Suzuki, and hope Pinto will mature in to the starting spot, and I hope it happens as well, but Suzuki is solid, signed, and it would take a major move to aquire someone "better" to replace him. Plouffe has now developed in to anywhere from solid to good to maybe better than good defensively, depending on how you feel about him. Currently, he ranks 1st amongst all 3B in doubles, 7th in RBI, and 13th in OPS. That's a solid 3B folks, any way you slice it. I'm not saying he will or will not become even better...but...he is still only 27, and has worked hard to improve himself, and HAS improved continuously. SS and CF are a bit in flux, true. But with Escobar, Santana, and possibly Hicks if his new-found milb confidence and production can carry over even somewhat. Buxton, of course, is the future at CF. Santana, Hicks and possibly Rosario could prove to be short term options until then. And I am NOT against a FA signing for a short term option there. However...there are options there for the now. Really, that leaves LF as the one spot where the team can add someone to further deepen the lineup, take some pressure off of the young Arcia and Vargas, and hopefully provide quality defense as well.

I actually kind of like this. I don't see it happening, but I could get behind it. Doubt the Dodgers would trade Kemp, but think they could be in on Ethier. I'm no expert on Either, but I've heard some bad reports about his defense.

I would absolutely keep Plouffe for now. So many teams scramble constantly to find a quality defensive 3B who can actually contribute offensively. Even if Plouffe is, as expected, a stop gap, he will have actual trade value when Sano is ready. But unless someone offers a deal that is stupid to turn down, I don't think you weaken your infield and offense by trading him at this time. Now, Sano ready, and Plouffe keeps playing and hitting the way he has this season, still with improvement possibility, then we will have to consider trade options vs a quality role player, possible LF. For now, it's not worth fussing about. He's our 3B for the time being.

I don't worry about Sano playing 3B or throwing. Generally speaking, TJ surgery for a position player is just not as big a deal as for a pitcher. A pitcher has to regain speed on his fastball, but also confidence and feel for his assortment of pitches. A position player is looking to get the ball from point A to point B, not throw it by someone or put break on his throw. Further, Sano is reported to have a very strong arm, so even should it take a little while for full strength to return, he should still have more than enough to play his position. To me it's the same as it always has been, the footwork and glove to play the position. And despite some error issues, not surprising for any young left side infielder, the former SS has impressed with his work habits and his improvement. Scouts have all indicated he can play the position. The concern isn't his arm, but just shaking off the rust and getting back on track. To those who can remember, it took time for Gaetti to turn in to the outstanding defender he became, same with Koskie, and the same with most young 3B. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Sano struggle some defensively at first as well.

Have stated before I think a solid AAAA type CF would be a smart signing for next year. Someone who could fill in, possibly compete for the 4th OF spot. Even with hope for Hicks and Rosario, there is room for such an option to provide additional depth and flexibility. Kept or released and re-signed, Schafer could be that guy. I'm going to disagree that he's another Mastroianni or Presley, however. At least, not a post injury Mastro. The jury is out yet, but if he can hit even a little and play solid decense, his speed tool and ability to steal bases could make him a unique specialist off the bench. But no question whoever the Twins acquire for LF next season has to be able to play quality defense in addition to his offense. With CF and SS not exactly settled yet, Arcia improving but not outstanding, we need to know LF is covered on a daily basis.

I think they're all pretty good choices. As long as he is physically up to it, I think Buxton is an obvious choice. What little time he got this season wasn't enough to really "develop", but probably just enough to keep the status quo and not get Rusty. He obviously needs the AB's to get ready for New Britain. Glad to see Kepler finally coming to life and getting the extra development time in the AFL. I really thought this was the year Kepler was going to make a big leap. He's obviously very raw, still young, has a lot to learn but seems to ooze athleticism and talent from all reports. Not sure what's held him back this season. But again, nice to see him on a roll and finishing the season strong. I'm still impressed with Rosario's potential. I can forgive a young man being stupid and doing what he did, pot right? But my concern is continuing infractions. Did we ever hear what he did recently to be suspended for a few games? Was it a form of cautionary moment to make sure his head stayed screwed on straight, or do we have an attitude problem to worry about? I hope it's the former as I see a quality LF who can fill in at CF, maybe 2B, and be a hit machine with a lot of doubles and consistent double digit HR power. Can he develop 20 HR power eventually? I think as he settles in and develops more physically it's possible. This should be a nice springboard for Melotakis to hit the ground running at AA to begin 2015. I'm OK with keeping Burdi out, though his innings totals are not high. But then again, he is a RP and not a SP. He would have had fall ball before college ST and a full season in college before about a half season of pro ball. A little time off might be a good thing.

Also a big fan of Plouffe. He has, in my observations, turned in to a quality defensive 3B. Overall, he has turned in to a solid ML hitter with a pretty good knack for hitting in the clutch. And while I still think there is legit 20 HR potential there, he has been a doubles machine this season. Long term, I'm still mixed. He could have real trade value when Sano eventually arrives. There are a lot of teams that could really use a quality defensive 3B who hits OK, produces a lot of doubles, and has HR power flashes. (BTW, unless his powerful arm falls off, don't worry about Sano's arm. It's about his hands and feet, and reports the past few years have him showing constant hard work and improvement) Plouffe provides a great option until Sano's arrival. Many of us have compared Plouffe to Cuddyer, or at least a poor mans version. He has the arm for the OF, and enough athleticism to at least play LF. Could he see a HR jump like Cuddy did with the move? If so, he could be a nice LF option who could also fill in at a couple other positions. I don't think Sano's arrival at 3B defines Plouffe's role. I think it's the rest of the roster. If he excels in LF, for instance, he could have the afore mentioned value. If his Twins role is utility player with big bat, I'd love to have him, but his trade value at 3B may be too great to ignore.

I'm going to cop out here and say yes and no, while showing my age somewhat with naïveté toward advanced metrics in this area. I've seen teams in the past rank at the top of defensive statistics simply due to few errors. But the eyeball test showed the team was filled with statues who simply didn't make mistakes. And to be sure, there is value in making the normal plays and not shooting yourself in the foot. But the eye test has also shown me teams who ranked below the top, who had more errors, but also more range and athleticism, made more great plays, and who's "errors" came on plays where other teams never would have reached a ball in play. I think Arcia is looking better and better in RF, something I've been outspoken about. He's not there yet, but he's getting there. And the arm is very good! Maybe I'm missing something when I watch and listen, but how is Mauer bad at first? It's a work in progress, never really playing the position until last season, but I think he's OK and will probably get better. Dozier is a stud at 2B in my opinion. Nobody is perfect, and I speculate he's still learning a few nuances to a new position still, but I actually enjoy him playing defense. SS is solid with Escobar, despite a few errors. And he's been a godsend there. No question Santana offers more range, and probably an even better arm. I think SS is still a bit in flux, but still far better off than it's been in a long time. Plouffe has grown, IMO, in to a quality 3B. Suzuki is solid behind the plate. The real questions are CF and LF. Speaking of Santana, I am so impressed with what he has shown in CF, not that he's great, but to do as well as he's done, and actually show improvement under a very difficult situation is impressive. I still believe and hope we sign that quality bat for LF, but also someone who can actually play quality defense out there. I think it could go a long way to helping the defense. (Sorry Hammer...over 500 words. Lol)

LMAO! Believe it or not Hammer, I'm actually trying. You should meet my family. Lol I'm told it's the Norweigan in me. Apparently we're a talkative people. Lol

This thread IS about "enough offense", though pitching is definitely part of the team equation. In a return to the original intent of the conversation, going to address more toward this point. The potential of the Twins offense over the next couple of seasons could be top notch! Of course, the exact start date this actually happens remains unknown. It could begin in 2015, even without Buxton and Sano initially in the lineup. Wherever he ends up playing, LF, CF or SS, I think we have to factor Santana in there somewhere. Can we just stop betting against this kid? Even with regression, he could actually show improvement by walking more and stealing more bases. Dozier is the real deal. Mauer is looking like Mauer...and that's the reason for my recent post reminding us all of what he brings to the table. How much better does the lineup look next season with him being himself for 140-150 games as our 1B and occasional DH. Arcia still possesses massive potential, and we may be seeing some of it to close out 2014. I'm a big believer in Vargas and have been for a while. But these two kids are still very young, and each pretty much jumped to the majors with little or no AAA time. There are still questions about consistent production over an entire 2015 season. Plouffe has grown in to a good to very good defensive 3B, and while he hasn't hit great, he hasn't hit bad, is turning in to a big doubles maching, and still has some untapped HR potential. Suzuki could regress 25 points in BA and still hit in the .270's with contact and some discipline. I could go on, but the point is, there is a lot of potential even with Buxton and Sano slowed by a half to full season. But there are still questions and openings. Some argue that RBI is an arbitrary and almost meaningless stat. And there absolutely statistics that can be used to make some arguement in this area. But RBI being meaningless is all well and good until your team doesn't have enough of them! Quote measurements and stats all you want, but when your team doesn't drive in a runner from second, or third, with less than 2 outs on a consistent basis, then talk to me how unimportant RBI is as a statistic. Despite potential in our lineup, and better run production this season, we've also suffered some bad stretches where we just couldn't score. And BTW, no matter how good your starting staff, they are even better when the team scores runs for them. I'm not sure who or what or how the answer is brought, but how much deeper and better is the Twins lineup next season with an experienced bat playing LF...ideally with good defense...hitting behind Mauer, and ahead of Vargas, Arcia, Plouffe and others? There have been some really interesting ideas posed here. And top of the cap to Dave for the Markakis idea as I totally blew who broached the idea.

Definitely Personally, I'd put Gibson in the "good" category. He is young, in his first full season, and still has a good deal of upside. He's certainly had some stinker games, but that's to be expected here and there. Even the best pitchers have bad games. I know it's easy to say, "when he's on he's really been good", because that's a very arbitrary comment that can be said of most pitchers. Still, the truth is, when he HAS been on, he's shown flashes of near dominance at times. Based on his age, stuff, potential, I think he rates above average at this point. And I know there is debate as to whether WINS truly exemplifies the quality of a pitcher's performance, however, they are supposed to pitch well enough for their team to actually win, aren't they? And don't wins, or more to the point, having a winning record, mean maybe a little more as a measuring stick when playing for a losing record team? I'm a bit torn on Nolasco, mostly because I'm not overly familiar with him, never having really followed him, or the Marlins, previously. I've looked at his numbers, and I've read variable reports on the type of pitcher, and various opinions of his quality/worth. Up until this season, he has been reliable to take the mound and eat innings. And that is a good thing. Some feel being able to "eat innings" means you can't win, but can toss a lot of in vs in a losing effort simply to save the bullpen for another day. But it doesn't. It means you are reliable to take the mound, and usually pitch well enough to keep your team in the game, and don't shoot all your bullets in 5 innings. I see nothing dominate in Nolasco's stats, but I do see a winning career mark despite pitching for some pretty bad Marlins teams. I see more hits than I'd like, and a BA against higher than I'd like, but a decent Whip and a good SO/BB ratio. Despite a lost season, magnified all the more being his first with the Twins after a nice FA contract, I think we have to do a better job of separating disappointment with past career reality and potential for 2015 and beyond. None of these 3 guys are in the true #1 category, though considering age and potential still not met, Hughes has the potential to at least come close. Point is, I think these 3 are a very good place to start in building a rotation. Could the Twins add another high quality arm this next offseason via trade or FA, yes. Do they have the finances to do so, and the marketable prospects if they go the trade route, again yes. Do I think the Twins should continue to horde as many quality prospects as possible for at least another year and then maybe make a big move somewhere? Again, yes. In no way would I be upset or disappointed if the Twins made some move for a high quality starter to add to the rotation. But...with May getting his feet wet, Meyer a little behind him, Milone and Pelfrey as a couple fall back/temp options, and Berrios possibly ready at some point in 2015, I just wonder if it's a prudent move to make for a team getting younger and rebuilding.

I disagree on the pitching. Why you ask? To me it's relatively simple. Pitching is still the bread and butter of a team. Period. But aren't the Twins rebuilding? Didn't they sign Hughes and keep Gibson to largely good to excellent results? If healthy next season, after struggling through an arm situation this season, shouldn't we expect a healthy, proven veteran such as Nolasco to pitch to at least career norms? So with all the angst over May and Meyer, and all their potential, and all their AAA numbers this past season, and all the clamoring to have them up at the ML level, are we just going to cut bait on them now to make another big FA signing or big prospect for veteran SP trade? You can't make a big offseason move AND promote your top pitching prospects. There is some real offensive potential with the Twins right now, even more when Buxton and Sano arrive. But there is also room to add one more quality, experienced bat. LF makes the most sense. They can do it via FA or trade. I'd rather go the FA route and hold on to every top prospect I can for at least one more season. That FA could be a short sign for a make good or possibly final 1 year deal, or a 30 yo signing a 2-3 year deal. And since when did 30 suddenly become old and AARP elgible for a ML performer? I'd love to say Arcia and Vargas are cranked and ready to set the league on fire next season. But do we bet on that? Or do we spend available money to deepen and improve our lineup?

NOT a part of this discussion overall as too much math makes my head hurt. I was an Enligj major. Lol But the discussion is interesting, and has made me smile and laugh a few times. I am, however, reminded of the old line...how does it go now..."there are statistics, damn statistics, and lies" if I remember correctly. Baseball has forever been, and will be, a game of statistics and numbers. Everything gets crunched nowadays. I feel it's gotten to the point where we're trying to measure a SP taking the mound, on a day game, vs a certain team, with a certain umpire calling the game, if the sky is clear vs cloudy, if Mr Smith and his pitch framing numbers are behind the plate, and if the SP, Mr Jones, had regular Cheerios vs the Honey Nut variety. Did I mention it was a start in July on a Tuesday vs an August start on a Thursday? My point is statistical information is very important, and helps measure and qualify certain measurables that may help measure or predict an outcome. But they are not necessarily quantitative in final result. For instance; tell me a team hits on .240 and I can tell you that team is poor offensively and with such a poor BA, is probably a losing team. Now tell me that team is amongst the team leaders in OB% and HR production, and suddenly my perspective shifts, even though I still haven't seen the W-L record yet. Next, you tell me that team is amongst the league leaders in SV% and team SO's, and my measuring stick moves further up the scale, again without seeing a W-L record, further impressed with what this team must be accomplishing. Then I find out their team ERA is in the top third, and I'm convinced this is not only a winning team, but maybe a championship caliber team. Then I find out team defense is at the bottom of the league, they lead the league in un-earned runs, and rank last in BB allowed and suddenly I'm thinking we have a real problem team on our hands without yet seeing the W-L record to this point. 2011, the Twins were supposed to be one of the top teams in the AL. We know what happened. We still don't know for sure what happened in 2012 and 2013, but what we do know, and saw, was a team that seemed to lack any direction, lack of depth of talent and result, and had an awful lot of embarrassing results. Results that forced us, the most dedicated and did-hard fans, to turn the station. I don't know how the 2014 final record is going to turn out yet. Nor does anyone else. I'm hoping for a strong finish to August, and a fun September for the first time in a long time. Final W-L record for 2014 compared to the last three years? Not a clue. But here's the difference, statistics be damned. THIS season has been more fun than the last three, and there is no doubt of that. Why? Because tuning in or attending your favorite team in person and seeing them losing 7-1 in the third inning is very different than seeing them playing a competitive game 3-2 in the third inning. Losing is still losing. But watching a promising 23 yo player making things happen in a close game is not only more inviting than watching a struggling 32 yo trying to make a contribution. The point is that statistics can lie. Or at least prove to be deceptive. The eyes are a powerful tool of observation and information collection. And this team is flat out more fun, more interesting, and more competitive with a brighter future than what we have seen the last few years.

The really nice thing about Hughes' season is that nothing about it screams fluke, luck or regression. He was one of the top overall pitching prospects a few years back. While inconsistent, he has shown flashes with the Yankees in the past, including some good seasons and very good stretches. He's still young, and has a solid frame; meaning durable and strong, no unexpected sudden loss in velocity as he hits 30. And to top it off, considering his splits of home vs road when with the Yankees, you could argue this season was almost expected. Almost. You still have to go out and do it. And he has. I believe there may even be room for some improvement, but I'll take a repeat season with no worries. As stated, when Hughes takes the mound, I actually expect a win, as opposed to crossing my fingers and thinking there is a chance. He's not quite there yet, still a little too inconsistent, but I pretty much feel the same way when Gibson takes the mound. What a great pair to begin your rotation with! Now...if Nolasco in 2015 is the guy we thought he was, and the guy he mostly has been previously......