curt1965

Another typical, washed up, and inexplicable pickup by the FO. Really? I agree, Seth, someone is going to lose their spot on the 40 man that could come back to haunt these guys. What it really tells me that a possible pickup of one of the remaining free agent pitchers is probably gone. How about we try one of “our” guys first! Looks like Falvine has little confidence in our farm system!

I have enjoyed reading this excellent analysis of why Darvish is going to sign with Minnesota. The authors have been beyond informative and thorough in their presentations. Except for the Super Bowl, this has been the story that all of Minnesota, and especially TD readers, have been salivating over. But do you actually think Darvish is going to spurn the “bright lights” of Los Angeles or Chicago for ................ the Minnesota Twins? Come on!

I started this thread a couple of weeks ago because I highly doubted the Twins would make any significant free agent signings. I was blasted up and down TD territory for disparaging our beloved team so much you’d think I was Steve Bannon or somebody! I too love the Minnesota kids, but despite every front office from Howard Fox to the Falvine boys saying they would add significant players, I simply can’t remember the last time this happened, if ever. I stipulate the current FO must have a plan in mind. However, don’t expect me to jump up and down for someone that has to battle for the last starting job, or an aging bull pen guy that is signed to a minor league contract.

Wolves moved the ball efforately in the first half, and looked super. Then, as great as Butler is, went to a one on one game in the 2nd half with him and Crawford. Ball stopped moving. Last quarter, especially, was tough to watch. Disappointing.

Please refer back to this post when Twins don’t sign any significant players. However, I WILL eat my words if I am wrong!

Twins sign Fernando Rodney. Break out the champagne! Twins agree to terms with Zach Duke. Sign me up for 4 season tickets! So you think the new Falvey/Levine regime is going to jump into the free agent market and create a championship team? Ha, ha- think again, suckers. Pitching is everything, right? So the new front office promised to address this area when they came aboard in 2017. Let me remind everyone of their additions: 1.) Craig Breslow 2.) Matt Belisle 3.) Justin Haley Apparently, signing all the geriatric pitchers was intended to provide leadership and it must have worked! The new save specialist is 41, and the new loogy will be 35 in April. Thank God for these two, for now our bullpen is set and look out everyone. But what about the starters that Falvine said they would address. Hey Twins Territory, we are going after Yu Darvish-trust us! Hey, trust me too-President Obama is coming to my house for New Year’s! Twins fans are so gullible. For years the front office has promised us they were going to sign top line free agents- especially pitchers- so they could compete with the big boys-especially Cleveland in our division. But in truth, they have no desire to spend the money, especially this off-season, since “informed” sources have said the Twins won’t be a major factor until 2019 or 2020. In addition, you really think the stars in this free agent class-Darvish, Arrieta, Lynn, even Cobb- want to play in Minnesota? Instead of the big markets in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles? Or the weather friendly Florida or California teams? For what it’s worth, none of this really matters. Apparently, Major League Baseball is ok with all of its stars being located in just the major markets, with proof of this being the trade of Giancarlo “Michael” Stanton to the Yankees for a dozen used soccer balls. Just save the money Minnesota Twins, so I can afford to take my grandchildren to the games. They don’t care yet who wins or loses!

It would be just like the Twins to sign Rodney-typical Twin move-drafting old, washed up reliever. New front office-same old moves.

My vote is for Brian Dozier, and I really wasn't much a fan until the last 2 years. This year especially! My opinion of him has changed completely. 1.) I believe, when everything is said and done, he is the real leader of this team, especially the vocal one. 2.) It's hard to replace his stats, across the board: 100+ runs, 90+ RBI's, 30+ HR's, 160+ hits (all team leading) .265+ average (remember, these are for a lead-off hitter!) 3.) He has made himself a terrific defensive 2B, weak arm not withstanding (only 5 errors) 4.) He has made himself a much better all-around, team hitter. He now can get important hits to RF when the game is on the line. His B.A. and walks are excellent)

Great news! Glad to see the Twins using all their bullets!

I had never been much of a fan for Dozier- one way or the other. But it's hard to deny the stats he has put up for a middle infielder. I do not see Polanco or Gordon putting up those types of production, and I like them BOTH! I like what Rosterman suggested. Once Mauer and his contract are gone next year, I could see Brian contributing at 2nd, 1b, and DH. I just don't see Planco or Gordon being Power guys hitting in the middle of the order because of their power, homerun and RBI potential. He has also shown an ability to draw walks and steal a few bases too, which could mean he would also be a fine fit at the top of the order to help increase his run projection. He does go through when he strikes out too often, but so do Buxton, Sano, Kepler, and Rosario. The loss of Dozier for an extended time would hurt more than losing Sano for the same amount of time, since I feel Doz can hurt teams in more ways that Sano does. It's an interesting discussion.

Eddie has been fabulous lately, but he gives so many bats away.

Just jumping into this thread now, but I love Gee's tempo. Same with Slegers. It makes the games so much fun to watch! (Also fun to watch when Twins score 6 runs in one inning!)

122 games 69 runs 122 hits 22 doubles 25 homeruns 68 RBI .260 average 4 errors on D 30 years old (Stats before today's doubleheader) After hearing his name mentioned forever in trade rumors, I think it's time to admit that Brian Dozier deserves a new contract with the Twins, and he's earned it. Ok- I admit it. I've done a complete 360 on Dozier. But seriously, how hard would it be to replace these stats? It's looking more likely that last year was not an aberration. He's a team leader in a team devoid of leaders. He's a great p.r. guy for the organization. Put Brian in the picture long-term and the offense looks set for years, with the exception of DH and catcher, and Castro and Garver can platoon for a couple of years. The FO should be able to find a right handed DH to balance the lineup. Then we can spend all the available money on pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Does anyone agree with me?

I'm excited about Garver. This team definitely needs a right-handed presence in the lineup. I believe Park got hosed at the spring training cutdown, and indications he would be brought up soon never happen since an injury ruined his first two matches months at Rochester. Vargas has been horrible from the right side of the plate all year. I hope we address this obvious weakness in the off-season.

Looks like Garver will (finally) be called up. Whether he's going to take Grossman's spot or not is the question. I just read that Granite is banged up. There are few options if you are limiting your choices to the 40 man roster. Granite and Palka are the only OF to choose from. I'd like to see them give Palka a chance, in that case. You'd still need one body to go down if indeed Garver is coming up. I'm hoping Gonsalves gets called up for Monday. He's earned the opportunity. As for Gibson-I agree that he's had his chances. Time to cut the cord permanently. Did anyone recognize the pace of the two games today? Granted, Sleger's prevented runners on the bases, but his tempo kept everyone on their toes. Baseball needs to institute the 30(?) second clock.

Best news I've heard since, well, winning the WS in '87 and '91 I guess!

All professional teams take on the personality of their manager/head coach, IMHO. No doubt Molitor is a true Hall of Famer, an all around terrific player, but I don't see his players play with a lot of intensity. Again, just my opinion. I'm sure it's difficult to succeed in a small market where money and attraction of free agents is difficult. All of us second guess all the managers, and when your team wins everyone is a genius. Molly failed as a hitting coach for Seattle, and very few humans have as much knowledge of hitting than him. So go figure. In the end, I'd like to see the new regime have the say on "their" manager. Personally, I'm a big fan of Dougie Baseball- a guy who has seen many of the current players on the way through the system, and someone who relates to the younger players.

How many games are left in August? You're saying Garver's presence couldn't possibly win the Twins a game or two this month?Nobody said the Twins were trying to lose! (Please reread!) I'm sure there are plenty of factors that determine when players are brought up, most of which I'm sure most of us are not aware of. My entire point is that if the Twins are actually making a concerted run this year, why not have your best players available? I'm willing to bet when the final standings are in, at least one club will miss making the playoffs by a game or two!!

Twins can do whatever they want with Garver-they're paying the salaries. But then no BS by the front office or TD posters saying they're trying to win this year!

Skipping to the end of this thread, but I'm asking why in the hell Gonsalves isn't up? (Garver, too) Since when do we not suit up our best 25??

The 2 G's- Garver and Gonsalves. Also a "C" for Curtiss. Wins and losses are not that important at this time. Hopefully the new management will turn over this roster and get a lot younger.

Amazing, disgusting, embarrassing effort by supposedly major league players. Totally unwatchable. I was planning on taking my grandkids to a game this weekend. I am not going to spend good money to watch these guys. Why would any decent free agent want to come to Minnesota? The culture in this clubhouse must be something. My personal thought is that this type of play starts with the manager. And, really, how much actual talent is on this club? Sano and maybe Buxton would play on the worst team in baseball. MAYBE. I'd love to see some kind of ass kicking, but that's not in this club's DNA. Curt out

I've been quiet (well, somewhat, anyway) in criticizing the performance of this Twins squad. However, the last 10 days results finally were straw(s) that broke the proverbial camel's back. This is a seriously flawed team that overperformd the first six weeks of the season, and got most of us excited about basically the same team that lost 100+ games in 2016. This is the reality, folks. The reason I've now decided to pontificate(wow)at this point in the season, is that I remember a promise by the owners to do whatever it takes to bring a championship team to Minnesota once we built this terrific stadium. BS!!!! The fans of this team are used to seeing what we have come to see as an "average" product. And a pretty boring and uninspiring one, for that matter. I realize that every fan base doesn't get to have a Trout or Harper or Kershaw or Judge to put fans in those new seats, but the players we have been promised to lead us to years of excitement have been slow to excite(we're looking at you, Buxton and Sano). And the pitching that Tom Kelly has said was the key to any teams success, well, that has been virtually horrible for years. Our new team President and G.M. decided to address this concern dead on by signing every ancient and discarded pitcher they could find. Good idea if you are all in trying to win the World Series in 2017, but not exactly a good long term plan, IMHO. This rant originated after I had finally had enough of watching shi**y baseball. You are in the majors and don't know how to bunt-really? Can't score with a runner(s) at 3rd and no out? Don't hustle or throw to the right base? This time we're looking at you, Molitor. While he probably was one of the best players of his era, his low keyed attitude that his players have adopted hasn't translated to wins on the field. So back to the title of this piece: how many Hrbeks or Gaettis or Pucketts or Brunanskis or Blylevens or Violas do you see playing right now? Hell, I'd like a few more Gagnes!! I'll keep watching our Twins on TV, and maybe take my grandsons to a few games this year, but not because I care if they win or not, but because I love baseball.

Nothing personal, but that is terrific news! The Twins need to act like a major league team, and bring up players have have earned the right to play in the majors. Busenitz and Garver are the two that come to mind for me. The Twins have a pathetic lineup versus lefties, and Garver would be a huge improvement.