HitInAPinch

Meaning?

Mike, for me I see people doing a lot of slicing and dicing to show how good a hitter is. You know, over the past couple weeks he did this, blah, blah. Show me a season like Hicks had at AAA: .333 BA, .403 OBP, .523 SLG and a .927 OPS then Buxton is ready to go!

IF Yeah, I'll stop you right there. Where a player is ranked on a prospect list doesn't mean anything when you're talking statistics. If we're counting the current MLB stats of Rosario, Buxton and Hicks, it's not pretty. If we give them a mulligan because of their age/experience, then we're not talking statistics again. WAR, too me, is more of a diluting of the pool. Take a player, compare them to the league average player. Good concept. Keeps things like "fear factor" out of the game: Being a hitter facing a N. Ryan or a R. Johnson. Or a pitcher facing a R. Jackson or a B. Bonds. There's a pretty big difference in what you and I think of as "power". A Home Run get's me at least 1 run. Doubles and Triples are extra base hits. Something else has to be in place or needs to happen to get that run. Extra Base Hits, of course, are more democratic

Arcia tripped over his feet, how many times?

There is something about being a Right fielder: It's sort of a glamor position. Like Reggie Jackson. I just can't get a grip on an outfield with no power like the one most are projecting/clamoring for: Rosario, Buxton and Hicks.

Don't know what it is with Arcia. Probably best to shut him down for the year and get him some time in the Winter Leagues. Vargas seems to be moving in the right direction. Jermaine Palacios: is his long term position 3B?

So Hicks is finally reaching his potential and after 204 AB's you want to change him? That's one of the dimmer ideas I've read here.

You got that right. Especially when you consider the 1st post was:

If nothing else, it's nice to see some decent MiLB depth at the position.

I don't know what to do about Arcia. Change of scenery may be the best option. "He is a career .600 hitter in AAA." FUNNY! Can anyone point me to video of Buxton's AB's?

Yeah, saw this earlier. Makes zero sense for ATL.

No no no. Wedgie. You always give them a wedgie before you steal their girl

If Sano gets a lot more playing time @ 3B, I think we'll have our answer.

4 consecutive 90 loss seasons and this season make it year 5.

I've never been as high on Buxton as everyone else seems to be. I view him, development-wise, as following a path similar to Hicks. I'm not saying it will take Buxton 3 tries to stick in the MLB, but wouldn't be surprised if it did. At this point, health and staying healthy is more important that getting a few late season AB's with the Twins.

How about Sandy Alomar Jr. ? 20yr career, all as a catcher, I believe. All Navarreto needs to do now is: Do it again tomorrow! Baseball can be a cruel mistress

It's pretty simple: even without the trades, Toronto has much better players than the Twins. Toronto bought their way to success; the Twins are in, what is it now, year 6 of rebuild-mode. I think 2 things should happen: 1. Take up the Pohlad's offer that they will "spend what is necessary" to make the Twins successfull 2. Have a chat with Dan Duquette, if he's still available. Building via the MiLB is a crap-shoot. You need to supplement them.

The whole thing with Duffy was a shame. I get the "reasons" but don't like kicking a kid when he's down. Development-wise, there's nothing gained. I'm not buying the "not stretched out" commentary on May. I'm with mike wants wins on this one: Teams have brought up MiLB starting pitchers and placed them in reliever rolls for a long time. Give them a tasted of MLB hitters in short spurts to get them acclimated. Cards seem to have been the most successful at this.

Bleacher Report has Dozier listed at #30 and ESPN has him at 53rd. Elias has him ranked much lower, 94. I like the guy, but if you are looking to build for the future you need to consider trading anyone. No matter how much you like them. Sources: http://espn.go.com/mlb/playerratings http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2517503-updating-the-top-100-mlb-players-at-2015s-midseason

The league is catching up with the Twins. It's just that simple. Buxton is probably a year or less away; like Hicks a year ago. Dozier had Torii should have been put behind Sano weeks ago. SP got off to a hot start and are now melting. For those still bashing Nunez, this from today's Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/twins-nunez-polishes-his-defense/320716011/ He's hitting .254 in a mear 133 AB's and has played 5 different positions [plus DB]. I'd call that a "value add".

It's a balancing act and catch22 situation. 1st: After what they did in the 1st half of the season, you can't just bail on the MLB roster. They deserve better than that. However... 2nd: After the teams who have the tools to make major upgrades to their rosters have done so, the Twins are getting left behind. So what's the point behind the false hope that they'll be contenders? Why not start the rebuild now? 3rd: With all the prized talent in MiLB, the Twins should be able to plug them in and really start rolling next year. However... 4th: During the past 2 weeks, did you notice the absence of any trade rumors where other teams were targeting the prized talent of the Twins? What's my plan? Glad you ask In the off-season or late in the season, I'd start trading veterans where you know you have replacements readily available. And I'm not going to attempt on speculating what the return would be. 1. Swap Dozier for Polanco. In a very small sample size, Polanco can hit MLB pitching. It's reported he has throwing issues at SS. Makes him an idea candidate for 2B. 2. Swap Plouffe for Sano. I'm very leery about Sano's ability to play 3B. But I also think he has the ability to "out hit" those issues. Catch and throw, just like Gold Glover Gary Gaetti. 3. 2 for 2 sale! 2 SP's out, 2 MiLB starter in. Oddly, it looks like the MiLB starters [i'll go with Duffy and Berrios] are easier to define than the MLB starters [try hard to move Pelfrey before he's gone, Milone] 4. Robinson with Torii going to the bench for OF, DH and PH duties. Need to see Arcia and Walker soon, to make a call. Development-wise, Buxton is pretty much where Hicks was a year ago: needs to heal [wrist sprain AND slight tear] and needs to refine his hitting mechanics.

Made my day!! Got me off to a good start.

He's still only 23. Worth a look. But I think Plouffe is worth more than a player you'd be taking a pretty sizable chance on.

It's over. It's over. It's soooo over....

Trading a pitcher who is pitching well is the only way to trade a pitcher. Overrating the Twins chances of being in the playoffs is dumb.