ShouldaCouldaWoulda

Wow, that Chattanooga group is very very "Twinsie" and uninspiring.

If healthy, their lineup is better than ours. Their top 4 SP's are better than ours. Their BP is improved, and ours is not great anyway. We do have a lot more average replacements though.

I guess all depends on how Sano does in the OF weighed in against Arcia or anyone else would do as the 3rd OF'er. Add on how Plouffe would do compared to that guy and Sano at 3B. Both offensively and defensively. I honestly think it might matter what handed pitcher we are facing even. Would it be the worst idea to play Sano at 3b and Arcia in the OF vs RHP's and Plouffe at 3B and Sano in the OF vs LHP's to some degree? Also think Rosario should get platooned some against LHP's. Just my thoughts.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/dee-gordons-biggest-improvement/ Lets hire this dude to work with our IF's, since Gordon and Santana seem like the same kind of guy.

So, this second half record kinda shows that we were not even a good team in the second half, that Cleveland was above average, and Detroit was terrible. I think any one of these teams could end up on top, and anyone of them could end up on the bottom, without being all that surprised by any of it. I just think Cleveland seems to have the best roster structure to not end up on bottom at least. It will be fun to watch.

So far I have only found Baseball Reference letting me sort out records by the last 30 days of the season, in which ONLY Cleveland had a winning record in the division, and had a 3 game lead over 2nd place KC. So, the Cleveland love is not without merit. Most people knew they were underperforming and had some bad luck the first half, but they turned it on in the second half. I think they win the division if they stay healthy. They now have better defense. ***Edit, I think Cleveland should be the FAVORITES to win the division, but would not be surprised if ANY team in our division wins it. Still, someone please help me if you know how to find second half records.

Does anyone know that the second half division records were? I am not sure how to find that, but would be interesting to see where we were in that mix.

I explained clearly that I simply did a quick dirty search for a reference from Fangraphs Steamer projections because it was the only one that I knew of that was out. They are not MY projections and it was just to point out that we are not very well off by the computers opinion. It is not like I agree with all of those projections...the good or the bad ones.

I agree to some degree. Projections are nice and fun for that very reason...."lets see." However, you do not get low projections without reason...there ARE reasons for them. Those are the projections that their past play has earned them. I do think we will outperform some projections, but without a doubt underperform in some of them. I don't think this is a great team, but we only have to be better than the other four teams in our division to make the playoffs. KC might be returning champs, but I honestly don't see them as anything special this upcoming season, but they might be.

Okay, I was just actually curious now to what early projections had us at positionally and as a team, so I did a quick dirty search. This is what I found, and yes, I know this doesn't mean everything or mean that its how it will all shake out. But, it does give us an idea and perspective of where we REALLY might be positionally compared to others. When we think we are solid, it isn't really necucisarlily the case...we just might not be awful. It is only one projection keep in mind, but just using it as a talking point of reference. Also, there are still many national writers who still think the Twins very much overachieved, and are predicted to not do all that well this year. Again, their opinions do not count for all that much, but when you take it all together we do not look all that special. As a fan, I still believe we can just somehow "find a way to win" again without being special in certain areas, but that is banking on a lot of luck and mojo. The positional individual ranks by WAR (No, I don't consider WAR as perfect): Catcher: JR Murphy #30 (#6 and worst projected starting catcher in the division, with one backup catcher projected to outperform him) 1B: Joe Mauer #24 (#5 and worst projected starting 1B in the division) 2B: Brian Dozier #10 ( 3rd best starter in the division, of 5, so middle) SS: Eduardo Escobar #37 (worst projected starter in division) 3B: Trevor Plouffe #25 (3rd best projected starter in the division, middle) LF: Eddie Rosario #34 (Worst projected LF in the division) CF: Brian Buxton #25 (3rd best in the division, middle) RF: Eddie Rosario #35 (2nd in the Division, top half) DH: Sano #1 We are worst in division at 4 positions, and 3 or worst 6 positions, not including pitching. I know that Sano is moving to OF, Rosario can only play 1 spot, and that we have a new DH, but just going with the first player listed. Pitcher: Kyle Gibson #75 was our best pitcher projected (11th best pitcher projected in division, but our best) We might THINK we are "good" at certain positions, but in comparison, not so much. Dozier, Rosario, Escobar, and Plouffe are NOT the golden boy greats we think they are when compared to other starters in the league, or even the division.

Yes and no. Depends on where we think we ARE and where we think we are GOING. You cannot simply look at if we have "decent" guys at a position, or if we have "improved" at a position. You have to look at how our guys are while comparing to the rest of the league currently, and future/youth/prospects. At some positions we improved offensively and or defensively last year, and are perceived to do so this year again. However, it MIGHT NOT be the case this year, nor is necessarily good enough. It would be interesting to see someone do a projected positional and pitching ranking via WAR, other metric, or pure opinions for current upcoming season, and for 2-4 years from now. How would we come out? Looking at that would help get a better picture of where we are and what we need to address for the future. We might be improved in areas, but maybe not to where we need to be in some areas, and not even close in others. Although, of course we are likely solid and multiple positions, but how many will we be top 1/4 at positionally, or even top 1/3?

Beresford does not appear offer much in the terms of potential, nor is he all that great. I would not have him blocking anyone at all. If he needs to be turned into a utility role or flipped, then so be it. Not saying Micheal is all that amazing, but he seems to be be turning thins around and does have more potential.

Playing to the park and copying Toronto.

I am hoping that he has #2 lineup potential, where he can hit 12-15 HR's, but would be pleased with a leadoff hitter who gets on at a .350 OBP and steals 20+ basses.

I really like Thorpe, but I think we will be saying this all about him in 2 years, not next year. I am guessing that they will be cautious with him, and that it might take a while for him to get back on track. But, I agree that this kid has unreal talent and potential to be a beast. Much more than the pitchers listed in this original post.

I've also been wondering if there is any more insight on him. What do the team insiders have to say about him last season. Was there an injury or mechanical issue? Has he been doing anything different in the offseason? Do we see him at all part of the future, or are we looking to give up on him, burry him, or sell super low on him?

I agree.

I am guessing it was calculated. He probably had someone look at what teams would likely or likely be competitive in the next 5+ years, teams that might be more stable, pitch vs hitter parks, and potential defense. Just speculation, but these seem like the type of things a pitcher would look at...outside of money. The Twins should be competitive the next several years, they have a pitchers ballpark, should have decent defense, and look to be stable in general.

I am just excited about Buddy Boshers. Just reminds me of the days having funs saying Boof Bonser.

It seems to me that ABW would benefit from incorporating a more athletic stance too. I believe he is not really utilizing the bat speed that he could by the way he is standing so upright. Players built like him seem to benefit from a more lower/wider/bent stance. Just my thoughts.

Yeah, I think this might have been the same article that pointed out that the #4 hitter might actually be your most important spot in the lineup. The reasoning was this; first, if any of the first 3 hitters get on base to start the game, you'd be able to begin the game with your best hitter up with at lest 1 man on base. Second, if your first 3 hitters start the game by 3 up and 3 down, now you at least begin the second inning with your best hitter leading off, which could string a rally. So, essentially the #4 hitter has two ways in which he can be involved in a good sequencing situation.

I also used to really want the Twins to move Mauer to LF or RF, but it is looking like he is becoming pretty slow these days, and no longer the "athlete" he was 5+ years ago. Sadly, I personally think the best thing to do from here is to give him about an extra day a week off. I do not care how they choose this approach, but this would open up Sano to 3B/1B possibly during those days, or the new guy to play 1B and Sano DH those days. Also, I have a gut feeling that we are in for an extended Mauer injury stint this upcoming season. If so, I think it would be best to immediately move Sano back to the corner IF. I would prefer that they flip-flop Sano and Plouffe back and forth from one side of the field to the other depending on what type of pull tendency lineup we would be facing on that day; with Sano being on the weak side every time.

Didn't realize that Buxton still qualified as a rookie. That should help garner some positive attention next year. If he starts the year in the big leagues I think he has a good shot at the award, if he plays elite defense only though.

Speaking of BABIP, what about Rosario then? Where will his BABIP be, and what will his numbers look like if they land south of a .296 BABIP? I was hoping that Hicks would would take turns platooning with Rosario and Arcia, letsing him hit vs RHP every so often to balance out the AB's a bit, depending on who was responding well and who wasn't. Twins seem like they have never been too forward thinking in taking advantage of platoon splits, but more stubborn in their thinking of same guys and same lineups vs any pitcher of any handedness.

Like from watching Mauer?