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Platoon

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Everything posted by Platoon

  1. Platoon
    It will be interesting to see what the new administration does with this opportunity. I am pretty sure the old one would have been very satisfied with being labeled "contenders". It would have mattered little to them that with the addition of the second WC slot the term has lost much of its descriptive value. I had no problem with the decisions made this year to not go all in on acquiring help by Aug. 1. But as they go forward and sort out players, and hopefully managers, I would like them to become agressive and innovative. There's holes to fill, and it may take the loss of a sacred cow to do so, but it's doable. Will be fun to see if they make the moves to complete the roster, or rest on the laurels of 85 win seasons.
  2. Platoon
    it seems Busenitz has some ability and promise. He might have a little less control than some would like, but he seems to have a very live arm.
  3. Platoon
    Buxton is an example of the taking long view on this roster. Kepler will be another. Hopefully some young pitcher(s) will follow suit. But for now this will have to do. This is what offensive based baseball looks like. Win big, lose big. But it's just so much more difficult to operate consistently at a high offensive level than a defensive one.
  4. Platoon
    Once Molitor pulled Busenitz, which he should not have, he was on a roll with no one on base, then he was committed to another change if Buddy Bombed! He made two pitching decisions in 10 minutes, using two completely different principles. Unless of course he actually stuck to his core principle: Always use a mediocre vet, over a talented younger player.
  5. Platoon
    If as some suggest managers have such little impact on the game, then almost all managerial changes, and salaries, are without justification. This also means that myself, or heaven forbid anyone else on TD would have virtually the same success with a roster in the AL Central as Molitor has? With the exception of myself, I doubt that is true! :). I have never thought managers make players better. That's not that easy, and the extent is limited by the players ability, nature, and work ethic. I don't think a manager can cause a team to perform way over its head. If that was so, hot streaks would remain hot, since the manager was a constant. They don't. I think a managers best quality is allowing players to be their best. To put them in positions that their talents are best suited for, and get out of the way. Talent usually wins, but an over thinking and impulsive manager can negate that fact. And so does playing the "hot hand". What you may gain by that philosophy is lost during the regression to the mean, and the ill will of the player who lost his spot to someone less talented on a fluky streak.
  6. Platoon
    The defense has improved. But it took forever for someone to figure out the obvious. That Kepler, Buxton, and Rosario were the best OF options. That Sano was a 3B. That Kurt Suzuki was not a defensive catcher. They still have not figured out that SS is a defensive position. A lot of this falls on Molitor. The question is how much. The Sano to RF and the Buxton to the 3 hole would be alone enough to question his capabilities. Last but certainly not least, the fact that the team is "competitive" in a lousy division is not really a legitimate benchmark for analysis. Instead of being close to mediocre we should finally strive to be close to the best!
  7. Platoon
    There is so much we don't know about what goes on behind the scenes. We don't even really know how much influence Molitor has over roster decisions. He uses the word "I" often, but is it real or being a good soldier. So we are left with observations. His dart board lineups have been a constant since he arrived, so are they now driven by the use of analytical metrics, or just the same dart board? He does not seem to relish the youth movement. His preference for mediocre veterans over promising youth seems obvious. His in game decision on pitchers compounds an already poor pitching staff. He does not seem to "think well on his feet", in game time situations. A lot of these are subjective views. But the fact remains, a few years ago this team was considered on a path with the Cubs, and Astros. We aren't anymore. A lot of that falls on Pohlad and Ryan. Ryans gone, Pohlad ain't going anywhere. If Falvine is going to clean house, and change the dynamics of this orginisation, then a logical step is a new face in the dugout. And I would be all for that.
  8. Platoon
    Garver I can understand. But Park? Just because the precious administration sunk a boatload of money on yet another DH/1B type, doesn't mean that the current one needs to continue the folly. Even Vargas is four years younger and has an outside chance for improvement. Park on the other hand is a slow pitch softball player who will never adjust to MLB pitching. When he hits it, it goes a long way. The power is real. But he would need to improve his clairvoyancy quite a bit. Guess hitters who can't see the future don't end up well.
  9. Platoon
    I don't think the Twins tanked after the ASG. I think they simply found the level of their current talent was not competitive with real playoff level baseball. This is not a knock on Falvine. I think they realize it, and I think they intend to do something about it. It might be a very active winter.
  10. Platoon
    The stats above show exactly why Dozier would not work in the middle of the lineup. This year, for the third straight year he going on his annual statistical binge when it is least needed. Two years ago he flatlined during the heat of the 2nd WC hunt. Last year he awoke about the time the team was statistically eliminated. The fact that this was at the ASG break is irrelevant. And this year he has been pretty low key during his teams rise, albeit temporarily, to the top of the division. Needless to say upon the waving of that "white flag" he has again went on a meaningless tear.
  11. Platoon
    Chief?
  12. Platoon
    The trade was made with what's happened in July in mind, not what might have happened last off season. Adding two mid level relievers would not have made this team a contender. The SP simply would not allow that. Throw in an offense that I still think has not matured, and lack of a lynchpin SS and you really aren't a contender. Relying on some other teams slow start to a season to chase a second WC slot is not the groundwork for a solid orginisation. We traded away two very mid level pitchers from a team that is not yet ready to play with the big boys. And since Kintlzler is a FA, we can resign him in the off season if we want to pony up the cash.
  13. Platoon
    At the risk of repeating myself, despite decades in the game Molitor seems to have no "feel" for either a game, or the part of the season the team is in. His decisions are jerky jerky, someone said panicky. I think he has managed with an eye on his job status, far more than on the teams development. A bad manager will drag a good team down far further than a good mangager will lift one up. Putting Buxton in the 3 hole to start the season should have alone been cause for immediate termination.
  14. Platoon
    Sports is easier to watch if you concentrate more on appreciating effort than the simple metrics of W's and L's. With a few exceptions it's a well known fact that half of the teams playing in any one game lose. But all their fans had expected both of them to win. Once, when umping a Legion game a manager ran behind me on the way to coach third. He had been (unjustly I am sure) dissatisfied with a non balk call earlier. He said, "we're trying to win a game here". During the next inning change the other manager ran behind me and in a loud stage whisper said, "just so you know, we are too" . Needless to say, despite both their best efforts, one of them did not.
  15. Platoon
    An independent blogger used the word "panic" the other day for the way Molitor used his pen. In a manner I agree, but refer to it more as managing for his job. I agree, they need to clarify his position. I only hope Pohlad kicks him upstairs, I think he will do less damage there. While I sympathize with his having to deal with this pitching staff, I simply do not see a MLB manager when I watch him operate. While Pohlad tried to do well for his friend, he did a disservice to the team leaving a lame duck in place during an important developmental phase.
  16. Platoon
    This is maybe a simplistic version of whether to buy or sell. But, the Twins should no more make their decision on buy/sell on the Oakland series, than on the Dodger series. They should make it on what they need to do to be (truly) competitive. Whether they sweep the A's or get swept their strengths and deficiencies remain in place. They have 3 shortstops, one can't field at a high level, one can't hit, and one can't currently do either. They have a ground ball closer who is starting to be abused. They have no bench bat. They have some excellent young positional talent. They have an expendable second baseman, DH (RG) and the aforementioned closer. None of this changes this weekend. Beating Oakland is the same as losing to the Dodgers. You still retain middle of the pack mediocrity. Let's use Dozier or Santana as an example. Those who say that both will help the Twins next year are to an extent correct. But unless you use them, or some other players who would also fall in that category as trade chips, it's a moot point. You cannot win with this roster, and whether it's Santana or Dozier or ???, that is the problem. And it does not change no matter the outcome in Oakland.
  17. Platoon
    I understand your point, to a point. That said, I can't see either Santana or Doziers trade value increasing. But it could easily decrease. I should have added Robbie Grossman to the list. Some have considered Rosario. I at this time would not. Granted he does not play baseball like a rocket scientist, but he has talent. I remember when KC had all that youth. I also remember it seemed to take much longer for it to come to fruition than the good folks in MO thought acceptable.
  18. Platoon
    I wrote a shorter version of this the other day. There is no worse place to be than treading water. . I had made the observation that the Indians were not being curteous enough to run away from the division, and that was unfortunate. It would be nice to believe this team is "there", but it isn't. So far Falvine has resisted the temptation to trade off the future for a faux run at the second WC, and their stated intent is to keep that philosophy. I also hope they add this thought to their operating modus. Trade Kintzler, Dozier, and Santana for the best talent you can get. None of them will be an asset when and if this team is relevant. I waffled on Santana as he is a pitcher, but he has reverted to what he always was. Jekyl and Hyde Santana. And focus on pitching, pitching, and more pitching. I still think the offense will mature. I know the opinion stated is not popular after the last 6-7 years, but if we don't want another lost decade, we need to improve the roster for the next 5 years, not the next 5 weeks.
  19. Platoon
    I would love Bautista, and am no fan of RG. I still think Vargas has at least an upside. But to me, any money, prospects or veterans traded, should solely go into the pitching pool. Abysmal doesn't even begin to describe our pitching.
  20. Platoon
    I can't see there winning % continuing for many of the reasons stated above. And I can live with that because frankly they just do not have the arms to contend. And it's not just one arm short, it's basically half a staff, with no realistic way to acquire them in time to help this year. It has been written by some that the Twins "owe" it to the fans and players to go all in for this year? I think what they owe the fans is to finally put together a sustainable orginisation that plays fundamentally sound baseball with a decent roster construct. Basically, I hope Falvine and Molitor don't do any serious damage in a vain attempt to make this team something it isn't. Every move made should be to improve the team so that the young core of this roster can succeed in the next 4 years.
  21. Platoon
    And if someone wrote a similar post it would be "also shabby". .
  22. Platoon
    I thought Granites catch was "not too shabby". But that was about it. I find it hard to believe that Buxtons defense is being challenged by someone who managed to run back on a high fly ball and not drop it. Barring injury Buxton should be a fixture in CF for years. If Molitor starts jerking him around so he can play Granite, I would find it necessary to take up a Twitter, so I could tweet my displeasure in real time!
  23. Platoon
    I would be of the sell mode, and it would Dozier, and Grossman. Rosaio if I got more than I expected, and Santana in the same frame. Sadly, I doubt you will get any young pitching for anyone other than Erv. As one can see by watching this years baseball pitching is not easy to come by. But in general I would be in sell mode. Not tear down mode. Sell, with emphasis and tweaking the SP. Sanatana is the problem. He is the only practical value we have to trade, and we don't have enough pitching to trade pitching.
  24. Platoon
    As to the steal, the runner on third had to have broken very early, otherwise the way it was defensed gets him. Even with Doziers arm, which btw seems to be getting a "little less stronger" lately. Dozier did what he could, chasing the guy at first was not going to keep the run from scoring. On another point, yes we could have electronic everything, but why stop at balls and strikes. 3 video umps per game. (the older ones who stopped at the brat stand too often) . They watch every play. See a shoulder twitch, BALK! A close play, REPLAY! A player mouth the F word. EJECTION. There would be no end to the level of technology or insanity, the amount of replays or the length of the game. Ugh!
  25. Platoon
    Oh please, please, let's not have electronically called balls and strikes. I managed,and hated umps! Then I umped, and hated managers! But they have to be part of the game. i watched most of the game, but missed a few parts. I read that the Twins suicide squeezed with two outs? And had no one to PH for Castro in the 9th as we were carrying 9? relief pitchers? Maybe we also need electronic FO people, and an electronic manager? Too bad someone doesn't invent a game we could play on like a TV screen, and eliminate all the human beings completely!
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