Teflon

One weird stat is that the Twins starting pitchers' batting average against on balls in play is an oddly low .278 while the Twins bullpen's BABIP is an abnomally high .348. Normally this number ends up close to .300 for teams and leagues and nearly all pitchers not named Kershaw or Sherzer. (Last year it was .299 for Twins starters and .296 for Twins relievers) I don't know what to make of that, exactly. If it was attributable to bad alignment on defense - or something controllable like that - it should affect the starters, too, but it hasn't. They seem blessed with some better-than-usual luck. Considering Berrios, Orodizzi and Gibson still all have ERAs under 4 with the battering the Twins have taken, this doesn't seem outside the realm of rational thought. Once the relievers' BABIPs start regressing toward the inevitable .300, things should stabilize - providing thestaff can keep the controllables - HRs and walks - reasonable.

Mauer's unique set of accomplishments puts him in a select group of players. The most comparable player to Joe in the context of these is Larry Walker who also won a triple-slash title, three batting titles, an MVP award and a number of Gold Gloves. Walker finished his career with 2,160 hits and spent a good deal of his career playing in an offensive-skewed ballpark in Colorado, which is why his Hall of Fame voting results have been low. (Although improving as of late) [Obviously the Gold Glove award and MVP did not exist for some or part of these earlier 20th century players.]

Very interesting read - although to me, pitch framing is sort of like turning double plays. It's dependent on an opportunity for it to occur before it can occur - and those opportunities vary depending on the quality of the pitching staff and the mix of home plate umpires involved. (Framing should be adjusted for umpires and pitchers just like hitting stats are adjusted for ballpark and era.)

I like your idea of opening the Bat & Barrel for road games. Hopefully it catches the Twins ears.

The Twins' one-year $50 million windfall from the BAMTech sale to Disney gave them a one-year window to spend short-term on free agents. I doubt they intend to spend the same amount on payroll in 2019 or likewise pursue free agents.

Kudos to the Twins for spending HALF of the additional $50 million they received in the sale of BamTech.

Or Aybar could be a minor league filler after another one of the Twins shortstop prospects gets dealt.

Odorizzi pitched fewer than 5 innings in 10 of his 28 starts in 2017. That number was 4 in 2016 in 33 starts. His walks per 9 innings also increased from 2.6 to 3.8 between those two years. If the Twins were getting the 2016 Jake Ordorizzi I would be happy for this deal. He didn't look like the same pitcher in 2017, however. This smacks of Vance Worley.

The trouble with front offices now getting "sensible" about the returns on free agent contracts is it takes money out of the overpaid end of the system that won't go back into the underpaid end of the system. If this is going to continue, players need to reach free agency quicker so their peak seasons earn them more equitable pay.

This is exactly how the Russians would rig baseball if they couldn't do it through Facebook.

Very nice rememberance. Thanks, Seth. Puckett was one of my favorite players, too. I've wondered recently how different the perception of Puckett would be today. Fan blogs would have a gripe thread bemoaning his weight and an analytical thread showing how he played too deep in CF and another criticizing his strike zone judgement. All I know is that when he played, unlikely events became likely and it often felt like magic.

Perhaps a different incentive for posting rather than the $2 per page view? Maybe the top ten contributors (page views, comments, or likes) listed on the main page of TD with links to their blog homes? Could there could special blogger social events scheduled? Other perks -perhaps a select a blogger article to feature in the off-season handbook? Perhaps a free copy of the off-season handbook to bloggers with X number of yearly page views?

Somehow I'm not excited by the prospects of a pitcher who would rank third in something on the current Twins starting pitching staff. That would mean he's better than a guy with a 5.00 ERA.

According to estimates on www.statista.com, the Twins took in around $249 million in total revenue - which ranked 23rd in the MLB. The Yankees, at the top of the list were estimated at $526 million and the Rays, at the bottom were estimated at $205. The Twins estimated major league salaries in 2017 were $104 million (Baseball Reference). Assuming the club plans financially for 2017 from 2016 income, the Twins would have spent 42% of their 2016 income on 2017 MLB salaries. This ranks 19th overall - similar to the percentages spent by the Indians, Cardinals (42%), Giants & Cubs (41%). The Padres were the team that spent the least percent of income on salaries (19%, $49 million in payroll, $259 million in income) while the Rangers spent the most. (70%, $207 million in payroll, $298 million in revenue) The team with the least income, Tampa Bay, spent about 39% on MLB salaries ($79 million) while the team with the highest income, the Yankes, spent 35%. ($192 million) Overall, the league average is 44% For fun - let's say the team that spent the largest percentage, the Rangers, made zero profit and that the 30% of their revenue not spent on MLB salaries is then the expense for funding the rest of their baseball operations - travel, minor league salaries, corporate and administrative staff, scouting, Domican facilities, ballpark upkeep, etc. That works out to around $90 million in total other expenses. If the same $90 million were deducted from the Twins revenue minus their MLB salaries, there'd be $50 million left over. How much of that $50 million would you say is available to be spent on salaries, if needed, and how much of that would you say is untouchable? I'm going to say at least half is untouchable - paying back the Twins Target Field contribution or reserved for the owners. Still that leaves about $25 million in potential wiggle room.

I can't believe it's page 4 and no mention of stocking hat night - the best of all annual Twins promotions! For the last 6 seasons these hats have been the concilatory and comforting send offs to the cold of winter - but tonight they return once more to being a jaunty and joyous accessory to your postseason wardrobe! Thank you Twins!

I like the approach. To further mess with the Yankees, I would officially change everyone's uniform numbers prior to the game and then periodically send position players down to warm up in the bullpen throwing ephus pitches and knucklers. To further disorient them, I would also have the third base coach actually stand in the third base coaches box during the game.

Can't argue with Buxton's contributions on defense. His range in center actually makes Kepler and Rosario/Grossman more valuable as the Twins can shade them more to the pull fields. Also a big part of the reason that the Twins opponents BABIP is .286 this year after being .320 last year. I don't know why the previous Twins front office so undervalued outfield defense - especially with the types of pitchers they employed.

Since they have been passing on higher-ranked pitching prospects I'm wondering if the Twins will possibly be targeting more back-up type catchers who can pitch in the later rounds?