curt1965

Terrific highlight on Poppen, Seth! Most people miss that point!

Mejia, May, and/or Busenitz would be an insult to the Marlins. We are never going to be able to make a trade with second or third tier players included. Like Doc said, the trade is going to hurt if it’s going to work. The position the Twins are in right now, IMHO no one is off limits!

I hate it when a thread likes this comes out, because everyone, including me, would really love to get Realmuto! Don’t think the Twins will do it- it just isn’t in the team’s DNA. But IF they DID, it would be a sea change for this organization. Here’s what I would do. I’d first meet with Realmuto to see if he’d sign a 3 year extension for $60 million. Think I’m crazy? The Twins paid Mauer $24million/year for 8(?) years. If he agreed, we’d have him locked up for 5 years. I don’t know anything about him personally, but he could be the face of the franchise! I’d include Lewis if I had to. Something like: Lewis Gonsalves +another Top 20 prospect I said in an earlier post that I’d do Sano for Realmuto even up. Doubt the Marlins would do that, though. But I agree with Nick- someone is going to make this deal- might as well be us!

Helleva scouting report! Well done! Thanks for reporting!

I agree-terrific article. Here are the things I would consider. First, implement terry1947’s option #5. Immediately, as suggested. Wilson will have my eternal admiration for how he handled that heat situation in Chicago. But, really, 9 for 79? .114 average? As a major league player? If Garver is so terrible behind the plate, tell him how he needs to improve and PLAY him! How can he improve if he sits and watches? What’s the worse that can happen? More losses?? That’s hilarious! The season is gone- we needed some answers for 2019 and beyond. I might understand if our pitching staff was comprised entirely of rookies, but that is hardly the case. I’d pitch Gonsalves for the same reasons. He has been mostly good at Rochester, but has had a few stinkers. He also has seen Slegers, Romero, Littel, and Mejia called up ahead of him. Personality or performance problems with him? I think it is unfair to bring him up in September and give him 4 starts and base those stats on whether he is a factor in 2019. I think you can tell a lot about a player when he fails........(if that happens). Finally, please.......let’s not look for scenarios when the Twins trade for Realmuto or anyone else! When is the last time the Twins made a deal like that for a good/great player in their prime? (Answer-never)Plus, right now, Minnesota is not a destination town for any stars.

Nice article, Ted. My hope is that Falvine doesn’t bring up Buxton and Sano until they figure out AAA and A respectively. Both seem to be striking out with the same frequency they did in the majors. It’s tough to watch the losing, but if the FO shows that it is dedicated to finding players for 2019 and beyond, I can handle the losses piling up.

I think many of the posters do not realize how potentially life threatening this was. I have battled several heat stroke scenarios, and the symptoms alone are frightening! I was aware of past experiences, hydrated extremely diligently before going outside, and still had symptoms. These young athletes, with trainers available, certainly prepared for the possibility of dehydration, before and during the game. With 4 players having obvious problems, I hope Major League Baseball looks at ways to prevent this from happening more often. It was difficult for me to watch this game. Today it WASN’T for the crappy performance by the Twins, as has been the case for much of this year!

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..........

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.

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.

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.

Paraphrasing Seth in his article on Belisle, “ Molitor trusts Reed.” WTF? My question is what would Reed have to do for Molitor NOT to trust him? Berrios pitched his butt off, but didn’t get any help from his manager. Beyond disheartening! Despite the lack of hitting (as usual), this was a winnable game.

How many games in a row has Reed given up a HR? As Chris Carter would say, “ Come on, man!”

I agree with the Chief and Mike-catcher is such a premium position that if you are talking about Realmuto, you are going to have to overpay. I would do Sano for Realmuto straight up, but doubt the Marlins would do it. We have been waiting for Sano to develop into Micky Mantle, and that’s not going to happen. It’s going to take some of our best prospects to secure someone of Realmuto’s caliber! If I was Miami, it would have to be Gordon and Gonsalves,...............plus. (What Doc just said)