curt1965

Get Wilson the hell out of there! Don’t they know what he’s dealing with!

There needs to be some consideration in playing in that type of heat. I’ve had problems with heat stroke symptoms in the past, and it’s scary! Hope Rosie is alright.

So this is what a train wreck looks like?

What a cluster ............!

And by the way, Molitor is NOT the first manager to go from worst to first: Tom Kelly did for the 1991 World Champion Twins!!!

Very well stated, Doc, and I agree this was a terrific article! I have a couple of additional comments. I’ve always thought a team took on the persona of its manager. It’s only my opinion, but because Molitor is so laid back, I wonder if his team takes losing to easily? In addition, while granting the present team’s talent level is as bad as it’s been for a long while, I always look at the little things a manager can do to get more out of a player than is expected. Maybe a hit and run, a big change in the batting order, or really anything to cause a spark that might shake a team out of their doldrums. One thing is certain, also. It doesn’t help that good players are sent back to Rochester (Busenitz), while others are given extremely questionable roster spots for no apparent reason (Belisle).

Agree 100% Rosterman! Especially with your point on line-up construction. The batting order is almost exactly the same every day, with no regard to players that are going good or slumping (looking at you, Dozier) Same thing with relievers: Presley, then Duke, then Hildy, then hopefully Rodney Doesn’t pitch guys like Magill for 10days, then expects him to be lights out. A team adopts the attitude of their manager, and he takes losses to easily......

Unbelievable! Busenitz back to Rochester? And Belisle still with the team? Losses are understandable, injuries happen, but decisions like this leave me speechless! What’s your take, Seth?

PERFECT!!!!

Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought Twins Daily gives all of us a forum to discuss the pros and cons of the Twins. You have been critical of many players this season with a “ get rid of this guy” attitude. Which is your right. I think it’s also ok to criticize managers and coaches who may or may not have contributed to this horrid season. For what it’s worth, I think Paul Molitor might be a great guy and was a terrific player, but IMHO, he leaves a lot to be desired as a manager.

Today was a first in my life-turned off the TV with my favorite player pitching and a 3 run lead. Saw the hand-writing on the wall, and even worse, wasn’t even pissed when Jose gave up the grand slam. Something about this team is off..........

Eddie has always been, to me, a player that had to fight for playing time and for respect. Obtained from the White Sox in 2012 in mid season, I believe he was viewed by the organization strictly as the utility player and probably 25th man. During 2013 to 2016 he seemed to solidify that role- hitting from the .220’s to the .270’s. Last year, however, with Sano’s struggles and injuries, he blossomed into a player that I bet frankly surprised the Twins. He produced career highs in AB’s, hits, runs, rbi’s, SB’s, and homeruns, and played a terrific 3B. The first half of this year has seen him eclipse last year’s production to the point that he is a possible selection to the year’s All-Star game. OK, OK, you say. We ALL know this. Get to your point, Curt. 1. If traded, we would have no one to play 3rd the rest of this year, and most assuredly next year as well, and I think the Twins know that. 2. To this point in his career, let’s just say Eddie hasn’t made the “big Bucks.” So, therefore Eddie can hardly wait to get to free agency, so he can finally be PAID. 3. For this reason, I’d offer an extension immediately (3-33 reasonable) and I think he would do it. Why? a) his remarkable climb has happened so rapidly, I think he realizes it could go in the other direction just as fast, and the free agent offers might be down to only a drizzle if he chose free agency. See Point 1 above. The Twins have no one capable of playing 3rd for the remainder of this year AND NEXT YEAR. c) He’s a much better value for the Twins than Dozier d) He is the Twins’ clubhouse leader, without a doubt, and I would go as far as to call him a fairly popular Celebrity in the Twin Cities. e) This is just a guess, but I think he likes this area, and I bet someone has already talked to him concer- ning possible business opportunities after his career is over. Get the checkbook out Mr, Pohlad, and get him signed now!

What Doc said! With regard to Sano’s fielding, I use my eyesight sometimes when evaluating players, and although his “stats” might say his fielding is poor, I say he can make all the plays, is fairly mobile for a big guy, and hasn’t hurt the team with his play defensively. Can’t remember any games his play there resulted in Twins’ losses. The bigger point, and what I’ve said in the past, is that Sano and Buxton are still very young. Their biggest fault was being labeled “ can’t miss” and “superstars of the future.” Expectations can be a bitch, and unfortunately their problems and lack of production has left the team with very little talent offensively. Rosario and Escobar have carried this team for the past month, and it is unrealistic to assume they can continue that play until Sano and Buxton return. I can’t produce the actual statistics, but I remember Hunter, Cuddyer, Morneau, and recently Dozier make return trips to the minors when they had problems. Unfortunately, Buxton, Sano, and Kepler needed to play immediately, and now when they need to return to Rochester/Fort Meyers, there is a precipitous drop off in talent. Twins fans better get used to the losing in 2018. This subject is obviously very emotional for us posters, and I think I know a possible reason. Where Buxton and Kepler are outwardly disappointed with their play, Sano’s weight issues and lack of perceived attention to detail and perceived lack of interest rub us the wrong way. My hope is that both of the future stars are not rushed back to the show, and that they only return when they are ready. This year is toast, but let’s get everyone ready for next year, find out who we can and cannot count on, and hope that the front office figures out the roster construction much better next year.

I often laugh at myself, making recommendations that I believe would help our beloved Twins. In truth, Falvey and Levine have never even asked my opinion about which ball boys the Twins should hire! But like other posters, I’d like to know the FO’s reasoning here. If he is indeed loved by his fellow teammates, hire him as a coach!

Back in the old days of strat-o-matic baseball, we used to have a “waste” pitcher- a guy you could bring in to just get you to the end of the game. Instead of using up most of your good pitchers like the Twins did today. So your bullpen wasn’t a mess tomorrow. Duffy or Slegers would really help this team in that situation. Instead we get Belisle.

It’s a funny game with unbelievable roster blunders........

Molly is definitely a HOF player...........As a manager, I think it’s more of a Elizabethton type of situation.

From my perspective, Doc, this is a lost year, or maybe expressed better, a year of making the playoffs is gone. Zero wild card chances, and a less than 0.005% chance of catching the Indians. Injuries and extremely poor front office manipulations are the main culprits.So to answer your question, I would hope the organization would look to 2019 and beyond, and try to figure out who is going to be in their long term plans, and if there are questions of who those may be, play them starting July 1 to see what you might have. With regard to our current roster, I would guess on Rosario, Buxton, and Kepler (and probably Sano), are certainties on offense (I personally would make every effort to include Escobar). And Polanco. The pitching staff is even harder to project. Berrios, then probably Gibson for the starters. Don’t think you can automatically include Romero. Hildenburger, Pressly, Reed, + Rodney would be the leaders in the clubhouse for the relievers. But how about seeing if the younger guys in the organization might work out during the last 3 months(Busenitz, Curtiss, Moya, etc). Include Gonsalves, Mejia, May, and I suppose Slegers as possible starters. Let’s try this for a change-2018 didn’t work too well!

I understand Mr. Belisle is a great guy. I don’t like to see anyone hit like he has the last 2 nights. But was the game over after 8 innings? Looked to me like there was only a 3 run deficit going to the top of the 9th. Belisle must have been the only reliever available to pitch.............. Did I hear Jack Morris say they only had 1,2,3,4, 5-guys ready. Whoops! 5 available relievers to pitch the 9th inning in a game that was already over........ I’d really like to hear Molitor’s reason for this. I do really feel bad for Belisle in this case!

Don’t get me wrong- I love the Twins! But it beyond frustrating to see decisions like this. To me, roster spots are sacred. Every player, whether it’s Joe Mauer or the 25th man, whoever that may be (Belisle?), has a chance to affect the outcome of a game. A win in April, May, or June counts the same as one in September. Don’t believe this? Matt Magill came into a undecided game last week and pitched 3 no hit innings as the Twins went on to win. The point I wanted to make in this post is this: it’s not a big deal that Belisle sucked in a game that was most likely lost when he came in. More importantly, what are you telling your young players when they bust their butts and do what the organization says to “give us no choice but to call you up,” (paraphrasing, obviously). Thrylos’ on the mark comment concerning Alan Busenitz is spot on. What more is he expected to do? Finally, what is the organization telling its fans? While most fans are unaware or don’t understand situations like this,many of us wonder if the Twins are really trying to give the team the best chance to win by rostering the best players. Right now, they can’t convince me they are!

I did not understand the organization’s thinking when they picked up Matt Belisle from the Indian’s trash heap. Honestly, I was even more astounded that there wasn’t significant outrage on TD. To his credit,I believe Seth actually did question this decision in his uniquely polite manner. For me, when there were several younger options available in Triple A relievers who had earned this promotion, the decision was highly questionable. Moreover, the pickup required roster manipulations that left them without a backup infielder. Thank God they found this stud Motter to solve that problem! I was at the games yesterday and today, and today observed an appearance by Mr. Belisle. Here are the results of the top of the 8th inning: Leon- solid single Bradley-K Betts-ROCKET to left that Grossman makes a super play to prevent at least a double Benintendi-crushed HR Martinez- another ROCKET to dead center for a double Moreland-cruise missile for another double Bogaerts-pop out (I think to Mauer, but my view was blocked) I know this was just one inning, but why are we picking up players that have been released by reliever-starving clubs?

Best, most thoughtful, and analytical article written describing the state of the Twins. It is obvious that Nick struggled to find the defining reason their play has been so dreadful, and carefully looked at Molitor’s impact as manager fairly, from both a positive and negative standpoint. I think his conclusion that Molitor bears some degree of criticism for the Twins play this season, or maybe he doesn’t, is spot on. There is something missing from this team, and it’s hard to make a definitive judgement on Molitor ‘s contribution. I think ‘Old Twins Hat’s’ idea is one very definite possibility. In addition, I’ve always thought that a team took on the personality of its manager, and his lack of outward emotion might have translated to his players in a negative way. IMHO, that might be another possibility for this teams’ sloppy play and lack of complete concentration for an entire game.

This is going to be a very interesting 30 days: the Twins are not going to be winning many games (or scoring many runs), and the crowds at Target Field are going to thin out. Whatever games we DO win will be because of our starting pitching, and prayers are needed that Molitor won’t screw up the bullpen on the days they have a chance. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but how long can Rosario and Escobar continue their offensive dominance? If Dozier doesn’t have one of his patented hot streaks and Mauer doesn’t give us his usual OBP, let’s face it-we’re screwed! Morrison, Kepler, and Grossman are hitting .187, .229, and .225- players at positions that are usually the main run producers. Cave/LeMarre are career minor league ‘filler’ options. The catching position is sad. I think the offense will be infinitely better when Polanco comes back, but that won’t be for another 15 games. It’s true that injuries have hurt the team, but organizations that constantly win prepare for these situations. I’d be willing to cut the new management some slack, but the addition of Belisle this week told me that building up our system now is not a main priority.

Twins don’t have a lot of choices, if you look at the 40 man. I think it’s time to try Chris Carter, and I can’t believe I just said that. And he is not on 40 man, either. But team needs a jolt!

Molitor only trusts “veterans (old farts), and obviously can’t relate to younger players. This has been the MAIN criticism of him in his tenure with the Twins. I think it’s pretty obvious he cannot manage a major league pitching staff.