curt1965

Ask the fans in Detroit how they like their team right now. Verlander gave up 7 runs yesterday, Scherzer 10 today. Baseball is a funny game. We all get to high during a nice winning streak, and bummed out when we're losing. I agree with Brock's post, though. There is reason for optimism with this group of players: Santana, Dozier, Morales, Hughes, Gibson, and Perkins. And plenty of nice options in Rochester and New Briton.

I'm an Arcia guy, but I wouldn't be adverse to a little trip to Rochester for him. He needs a little bit of humility. Doesn't look like he has a plan at the plate. Don't think he has had a hit since May! Unfortunately, there are no other options. Twins OF is a mess right now, IMO.

120 pitches-I know Bert would be happy, but any thoughts on this?

The Gardy and TR era seem to have operated under the philosophy of "at least we know what we've got-good or bad." With that being said, this is some of the good and bad for our boys: K. Suzuki-good handler of pitching staff, contact hitter with little power, good character player, positive club house guy, clutch J. Mauer- perennial all-star, almost certain .300 hitter, lacks power stroke, adequate defensively B. Dozier-budding star, great defensive player, surprising power hitter, good base stealing instincts, not great average hitter T. Plouffe-steady influence, improving defensively, has learned to hit to all fields, loses concentration at the bat occasionally E. Escobar- surprise of the year, better hitter than expected, adequate defensively, potential base-stealer, question consistency J. Willingham- great power, work in progress defensively, average arm, difference maker when healthy D. Santana-spark plug, better hitter than expected, good base stealer, question how he will react to failure O. Arica-great power, undisaplined, poor defensively, fiery, high ceiling, needs to improve contact K. Morales-professional hitter, good RBI guy, DH only, leader, communicates well with other Latin players E.Nunez- all-purpose back up, good pinch hitter, average to poor defensively C. Parmalee- can play OF and back-up 1B, has some power, disappointing results with the bat, last chance in the bigs E. Fryer-professional back-up, average to poor hitter, knows pitching staff S. Fuld-4th OF, good defensively, poor arm, contact hitter P. Floriman- great fielding SSS, liability with the bat, good speed and base stealer P. Hughes-bulldog, tremendous strike thrower, likes to live up in the strike zone, susceptible to the home run, ace K. Gibson-great sinker, possible future ace, tends to walk to many hitters, still learning the game, great at Target Field R. Nolasco-has pitched in tough luck, not over-powering, consistent winner, will fight through bad situations K. Correa-Twins best starter last year, also not over-powering, too many hits/inning, needs to step up S. Deduno-electric stuff, terribly erratic, lacks command, walks far too many, better suited for long relief G. Perkins-all star reliever, great attitude, team leader, can walk too many at times, strikeout guy C. Fien- solid 8th inning guy, doesn't walk hitters, can pitch multiple days, doesn't lack for confidence M. Guerrier-best times behind him, not a strikeout guy, has experience C. Thielbar-maybe the best of the lefty relievers, can pitch multiple innings, good situational guy, too many hits/inning B. Duensing-situational lefty, gives up too many walks, not over powering J. Burton- great change, has been hit hard, doesn't have definite role A. Swarzak- long relief guy, has been hit hard this year, looks like confidence is lacking Traditionally, the Twins have always been reactionary when it comes to roster moves. Last year, they waited for Arcia to strikeout 12 times in 15 at bats before sending him to Rochester. Parmalee was in a long 0-fer streak before getting sent down this year. Right now the Twins are 5 games behind the Tigers. It looks like there are some players-both hitters and pitchers- that are not helping the cause. If they wait until they are 10 games or more behind, the season could be lost. I hope they would instead be progressive, and give the players a shot in the arm and make some changes that tell the players, like the Morales signing, that the FO wants to win now! What do you think?

Really?

On the baseball front, I was never much of a Plouffe guy, but his absence at 3rd does create a lot of problems.........

Just for the sake of an argument, if Mauer goes to 3rd, who plays 1st?

That's the type of game the Twins typically lost.........

Great AB by Escobar (duh)

Here's why I'm for relief help and the DFA for Burton and Guerrier. Say Gibson has one more inning- Fien-8th and Perkins-9th. But who do you want pitching the 7th in a close game?

TK, and it's not even close. Why does Bert get so much time off?

Watch that bite us ..".......

How great would it be to have Pino in the bullpen instead of Guerrier or Burton?

Looks like the sinker is working, so far..........

I like Gardy, but have been concerned with his insistence to use Guerrier and Burton. If you ask me, Guerrier must have some "naked pictures" he is using to blackmail Gardy! Two clubs released him! I close my eyes every time Burton pitches. I have no way of knowing if any of the guys in the minors would be better, but the Twins are never going to be a serious contender with those 2 pitching in crucial situations.

I know there's problems with Hicks, but can someone explain why he is in the Twins' doghouse? I know he didn't prepare at all, but what are some of the other issues?

I don't get this "poor defensively." Will somebody please explain. Not throwing out runners? Are you kidding me? I was at Sunday's game, and the Astro runners were 3/4 the way to 2nd when Pinto caught the ball. I get the argument that he does not deserve to play, or that he should be playing more regardless, but-IMO- he'll be OK behind the plate.

I agree almost 100% with Chance's blog, not so much with Mr. Pleiss' scenario. IMO- Hicks- don't give up on this youngster. He needs some time at AAA. He's not going to improve at this level. Keep him here until Fuld is ready, then send him to Rochester. Santana-he should stay until he proves he cannot handle this level. No pinch- runner, for Gods sake! Escobar needs some time off (and I worry he might regress), and he presents problems for the opposition that no other Twin can provide. The argument that Buxton is coming up is not valid: when? and you never have enough good OF's. I don't think Wily is in their plans next year. Parmalee- gone when Morales is ready (see BA, and O-fer streak) Burton and Guerrier- gone and SOON. I agree with Achter and Tonkin.

And his options were..........?????

I see Vargas was 0-4 with 3 K's. Do you think that wrist is bothering him?

Jeremy- who was the Indiana kid who didn't sign with the Twins last year, and how high to you think he'll go this year?

The great debate: winning at all costs vs. developing young players. Unless it's an injury replacement, once a player is up from the minors, he generally needs to play. Santana has been a pleasant surprise, and until Fuld is available, he is our only option in CF. I'm a Gardie fan (one of the few apparently), but I don't understand what he is doing with Pinto. He needs to play, and if that's at Rochester, so be it. Same with Hicks: everyone is down on him, but he's just a young, immature young man who was rushed to the show before he was ready. People forget that Hunter and Cuddy went back and forth for years. Parmalee and Kubel really should not be on a major league roster. Bottom line, if more talent was available, we wouldn't be having this discussion!

I was a fan of Kubel for years, but now wonder why he is still with the Twins. I looked at the 40 man roster to find an alternative, and might have answered my own question! IMO, there are no realistic options. Are they trying to make a trade for an OF (Jay?), or just waiting for Fuld to return?

I thought I read somewhere that the Twins were not allowing Stewart to throw sliders. Anyone know if that is correct? If true, it's hard to look at his stats, and get any indication of how he is progressing......

The Twins' minor league prospects had a terrific game in the AFL final. Winners by a 14-7 score, 3 Twins had key roles. Taylor Rogers pitched 2 innings, only giving up a solo HR. Max Kepler was held hitless, but drove in the go ahead run with a bases loaded walk against a tough lefty. The real star, though, was Eddie Rosario, who went 4-5 with a homer and double. His only out was a shot to right in his last AB. What a great platform for these future stars!