ShouldaCouldaWoulda

Love the increased use of the changeup, but if I had to choose my best non fastball pitch, I'd want it to be a nasty curve or slider. Using the change primarily against opposite hand hitters, and the breaking ball against both. I liked the Jepsen trade, and think he will be a nice add for the rest of this year and next. I have a feeling the FO are going to overcompensate, and make dang sure our bullpen is lights out next year. I think that means May likely stays in the pen, and Meyer continuing to be hope and a prayer as another key piece next year. A improved Meyer, along with May, Jepsen, and Perkins; that could be a great bullpen. Of course that is only if May, Jepsen, and Perkens all pitch as well as this year or greater. However, odds are at least one struggles next year with either loss of velocity, injury, bad luck, or losing command. It just happens with pitchers overnight, and we have to assume that this will happen to at least rotation arm and at least one bullpen arm on any given team. This flip side is that you sometimes find someone else who has an improved season for whatever reason. Heck, a guy like Wimmers can come along and be lights out for you out of nowhere. I mean, before last night Wimmers had been dominant since the moment he was placed in the bullpen. He even was having a great outing last night, until it fell apart. Just an example. I digress...I like Jepsen, and his changeup;)

I have been pleased with Duffey's last two starts, but realize he could a Gibson-like pitcher, of great game and then gets shelled. Liking the results right now though. One thing I am concerned about though, is his velocity in his three starts. I don't even mean I am concerned in his below aver velocity, as a Twins fan I'd expect nothing less. What I am concearned about is that his velocity has declined significantly in all 3 of his starts. He want from sitting roughly 92, 91, to under 90mph. Yes, the results have been there with the declining velocity, but the worry comes in the form of fatigue and or hidden injury. Velocity is a proven indicator of future DL stints, so I am interested to see where he sits in his next outing, and whether has an underlying issue that is about to explode in the form of TJ surgery. Oh, and his curveball might look good, but overall it has gotten him a negative value so far. The only pitch he's had a positive value with overall so far is his fastball. Now, in his second start both the curve and the change he had incredibly high value outcomes with, but he had negative values with the curve in the first and last starts. I do like the "looks" of his curveball though, and think it could be good if Suzuki calls for at the right time and in the right spots.

I think that Rosario is a valuable player due to his defense, and overall decent bat/speed. I am surprised at how excited and optimistic so many in here are about his future though. And yes, statistically '14 Santana and '15 Rosario are very similar with the bat. Santana was actually more successful though. Santana walked at a terribly low rate (4.4%/22.8%) and struck out far too often, especially for a non-power hitter....Rosario is actually walking less and striking out more (3.1%/24.2%) than Santana did. Yes, Rosario has more power potential than Santana, but he doesn't profile as having good power by any means, especially for a corner OF. Keep in mind Santana plays/played up the middle at SS/CF. Rosarios 2nd half so far are even worse, and that he is already regressing. His 2nd half bb%/K% is 1.6%/26.2%, with 269/279/496 avg/obp/slg. I will admit that he is slugging well, and has been helped by 6 triples in the past two months. Overall, it is not a promising profile for a corner OF'er. He MIGHT cut down on the k% and he MIGHT raise his bb%, but not likely to a degree that wouldn't still make him a hacker. He might add a little bit more power, but is probably a 15-18 hr max guy. The problem is that when you dont walk and you strikeout a lot, you rely so much on luck, which can be flukey. I wouldn't be surprised if next year he hit .285/.320/.450 with 15 HR's next year or in the near future. But it wouldn't surprise me if he hits .260/.265/.325 either. A player like him might just flip-flop between those types of numbers from year to year, basically dependent on how things drop and what not. Go to any sortable leaderboard, like Fangraphs, and look at the guys with a 4% or less BB%, and over a 20% K%, which he's actually worse in both areas. Look at those names, any year, and it's a pretty bleak picture. Most of the guys that did fairly well with those rates in a season, rarely sustained their success. He is not a future all-star OF'er though, like someone stated. Even in his good years, he will not likely come close to the numbers of the best AL OF's. Like I said, useful player, and I like him vs RHP's, as like a #5-7 hitter, but he should probably make a super platoon with Hicks in the future. Yes Seth, he will be "fine," but "fine" but as a hitter he likely never "good" compared to the other top corner OF's. Nice glove though.

It probably does not matter. There might not be too many situations where a late inning guy is important. I'd give May the first shot though. If just to reward him for being yanked around so much and team seniority.

There isn't anyone to pinch hit for Suzuki?

Bert, " Rodriguez likes that fastball down." You mean right where Suzuki asked for it on the GS?!

Best funny I have read on here in quite some time.

I love me some Kepler, for footnote. I did not say that he lacked power, but only that he lacks HR power, which is CURRENTLY true. He had a brief HR streak recently, but not "valuable" 1B type of power. I want him in the OF, where he can produce Yelich, David Peralta, Zobrist, Gordon, and say Heyward type of batting profiles of decent avg/obp/iso/sb numbers. I say keep him down until the final super-2 deadline though. I think he will be the type of guy whose number will be better in his late twenties. My "DREAM" is to propose making the "Ultimate Barrier" into a super-utility Ben Zobrist or Kelly Johnson type of player, who could obviously play 1B and DH, but also focus on the corner OF spots, and also 3B, and possibly even 2B. This would just leave CF, SS, maybe 2B, and of course C that he would not help at. People might shout that he can't play those, but we don't KNOW that, and its not like he would be regulars at them. We might also find that he can play decent at one of these positions, which opens up more 1B/DH time. I know he isn't as fast or athletic as he used to be, but there are some pretty pathetic 3B and LF/RF, and some bad 2B guys out there. This would play well with the fans because it make him look selfless and as someone who can help in multiple ways. Zobrist almost gets overrated due to this, though he is useful. He might even get on board with it as something fun...and as a learning process for latter managing;) Along with making Joe more valuable and fan friendly in the field, in the batting order place him lead off vs RHP's because he still has very solid OBP vs them, but hits way too many ground balls. He won't hit into as many double plays to start a game in this scenario. Vs LHP's he is devoid of power, but also rarely gets on base either, bat him 6th or later agains them, and sit him more and more slowly as well. He still would get several at bats due to batting leadoff vs RHP's, and his overall rate stats would look better since he would be getting much less at bats vs LHP's. Again, this is MY dream, but I also fully believe this is a viable and reasonable solution to try in order to allow more at bats for our young guys, while not blocking any one type of position player. Yes, it won't happen, but I think it would be a nice answer and would be using the correct type of game theory of the assets we have. Hey, if the guy is more likely to get hurt or need to sit more by playing these positions...I think we would not be decimated or too sad about this. I propose this because I like Joe, and it tears me up to see him fade like this. I think it would be a good look and help his image. Just my stupid thoughts.

Hicks will only be traded if he falters...and we are able to sell low.

I am guessing the Twins will not want to waste 1B on another player that is more valuable at another position...and that lacks HR power. At least, I personally wouldn't. We have plenty of other plodders that should only be DH/1B.

This is weird, I actually posted in the game thread how impressed I have been with Nunez's defense this year. Whenever I have watched I have noticed that he has looked decent. But, over the past week I have seen multiple plays to his right that he had rush the ball out, and gunned down the runner in time. Now, I get that he might not have the range that others do, and that those plays should not have to be rushed out of his glove on the Jeter jump-twist-throw, but he has been money doing that lately. He has been getting to everything. He looked good tonight too, minus that last weird play, that is not a normal situation. I was told he was terrible defensively over and over, but my eyes were saying he was pretty good when watch him. So, this prompted me to check the defensive metrics. With SS's with at least 150 at bats, he is 13th in DRS and 4th in UZR/150. Escobar was 22nd and 21st. The past two years, Nunez has hit RHP's well ( OBP/ISO/wRC+) 321/132/104, while Escobar has faired well against LHP's 304/155/104. They make a decent SS combo, and both can play multiple positions.

I watched all the condensed games since May's start, and honestly, most of the hits are on pitches thrown exactly where they were called for. Often its some sort of fastball or changeup in a very hittable location. Not many breaking balls being called for, and not many asked for outside of the zone.

I know that Suzuki gets hammered on here for his bat and poor framing. However, I have been watching where he sets up and where our pitchers throw. It sure seems that when I have been watching lately, that our pitchers are getting pounded, but they are actually throwing right where Suzuki is asking for it. Is it possible that Suzuki or the Twins are doing a really bad job of pitch selections and placements? Been the case most of tonight and last week, and I have been watching hard. There have been some missed locations, but mostly when we get hit, its right where he asks for it.

Not sure how much this has been discussed on here lately, but Nunez has really impressed me with his defense this year, especially going to his right and getting rid of the ball. The stats back this up. He also is hitting RHP's well. Makes a good platoon split with Escobar, as he has hit LHP's well, but not RHP's.

Why a fastball on 0-2? I mean, I get that for some pitchers that might make sense, but not for someone like Gibson.

6 fastballs of some sort to start the game?

Would like it if he didn't hit so damn many ground balls. With the shift, he will not be very successful in the MLB, if he doesn't start getting a little more loft on the ball.

He is kind of the "it" guy in the scouting industry right now. He is very plugged in and talks to a lot of the right people to get the information that he doesn't see himself. So if he is saying that is because it either came from his own eyes, or a scouts in whom he trusts as reliable. He/they could be wrong of course, but I definately don't think we can just chalk up his very low K% to only development. They might simply trying to turn him into a pitch to contact two-seemer/sinker pitcher like Gibson or Pelfrey. Not that they don't have value, but certainly not the type of pitcher that will consistently shut opponents down. Unless, he is playing behind a top 5 defense. Our IF defense in 3-4 years will be a big part of how he ends up I am guessing. Sounds like a great kid, just not sold on him, and just personally can't stand pitch to contact two-seem/sinker guys who pitch in the zone too often, and I am guessing that is what will be.

I think that it would only be to Buxtons overall benefit to be in the majors as long as possible to end this season, even if he doesn't start next season in the majors. He needs to know what its like at that level, and then let it marinade over the offseason.

THIS season isn't over yet.

I just don't see the Twins calling up Berrios. I think they SHOULD, but gut says they find a reason to keep him down, or a better reason to start someone else. I am not against starting Duffey, like Seth mentioned. I think Berrios is both better, more ready, and deserves it more, but I also know better to think that is the way it has or will be done. Would be at least interesting to see how Duffey responds to the pounding he took in Toronto, and being shipped back and forth. Test his metal, and see what he's made of I guess. Just wish he was sitting closer to 93ph than 92. Anyone know where he was "sitting" when he was in the bullpen?

Our only two "tradable" 27+ old hitting assets are Plouffe and Dozier. I like them both, and everyone likes guys that are producing now, but they are likely peaking. And, we have ready alternatives for them both immediately in Sano and Polanco. No one every wants to discuss trading Dozier, but I think it should absolutely be an option to consider. He is great and I like him, but he's certainly flawed, and I fear his dead puling ways will only get exposed more and more as he ages. He hits so many "barely cleared" HR's that it could get ugly when he loses 10-15ft/fly ball. He would likely get us the most in a package, and with a decent replacement, it might be what is best in a the right trade. Unfortunately there is neither much of need for contending teams at 2B or 3B. The league is swamped with under 25 year old 3B's right now. The only team in need of a good 2B right now is NYA, and they are linked to Kendrick this offseason. They are more likely than to buy the talent than trade for it right now. The teams in most need of 3B are within our own division...that doesn't help.

There is a lot of grey area here, and subject context and content matter. I am full on board with the no personal attacks, especially that having nothing to do with the topic. I.e., TR "old" comments are personal and attacks, calling him out for the failure of the team in any way one feels is plausible and just...go ahead. Calling Joe out for being a "wimp" is a personal attack, but any sort of complaining about him on the field should be fair game. Attacking character, appearance, intelligence, etc is just mean. However, again in context. Calling a player out for being out of shape, when it might effect his and team play is fair, but only when applied to his ability to play. Calling TR out TR, Moliter, or a player out for a "dumb" move/decision/play is fine, but not calling the person actually an intellectual pejorative. Discussing and listing things we are upset about when it comes to team rosters or a players performance are kind of the meat of topics when discussing important topics. It should be expected, and the more knowledge and honest fans are going to be giving positives where they are due and negatives where they are due. TR deserves the criticism he is getting right now for the roster, but the dude also deserves a lot of credit for where we are...and he's received both. Same with players, and their performance. People do not come to discuss things that they are not passionate about, and passion usually produces both optimism and criticism, and often both at the same time. People do not come here to read and discuss Twins Kool Aid content alone. Look, we are all Twins fans and thats why we're all here. We root for this team and people on the team. Calling TR out for several missteps of the roster lately, does not mean he is not liked or has done a good job. Saying we want Robinson or Boyer off of this roster like yesterday, is not an insult or bullying. They are by all means probably great guys that we only wish the best to, just not on our lineup. That isn't bullying. That is honesty. Writing that on a persons social media account IS bullying, but discussing their play in a content specific forum is not. They should be going out looking for our comments about them, and I doubt they do. When things get negative, is it "not optimistic" or constructive "criticism", or is it just hot air non relevant crap negativity? The first two are fine and interesting to read, but some may choose to get bored with them and move on. Just because one feels sick of hearing about shortcomings or missteps does not mean everyone needs to stop discussing Arcia, Pelfrey, bullpen, or what have you. Those refusing to discuss any criticism can be blamed as being apathetic or ignoring things of importance. And, it can be just as annoying reading comments that are overly positive and inflated, than those that are equally negative criticism. Eye roll my eyes at both, and often of my own thoughts and comments, which I do think about how they are written. Sometimes the optimists can come across as condescending, or passive aggressive, which again I am probably guilty of. Point being, that content specific and relevant criticism is why many, if not most are here for, along with the positive end. No one is here to discuss the mundane. In bad times there will be more players and staff being criticized and in good times, praised. Nature of the beast. I love the Twins, Joe, TR, Moliter, Arcia, etc, yet I feel just fine criticizing baseball specific topics about them here, without feeling like a bully. Heck I'd blush like child to spend 5 minutes with any Twin, whether Boyer/Robinson or Sano/Berrios.

Okay, but really scares me is the small chance that the Twins are tempted to keep Buxton down long enough to slow his clock, by Nygaard's post would be around the Allstar break next year? Is this about right?

...and Gallo, Seager, and Baez.