Twodogs

I have seen this topic come up numerous times over the last few weeks. I was giving it some thought as there are some people on the board that suggest that since the Twins are in playoff contention you have to think about being buyers instead of sellers. Then there are others that say even if the Twins are in contention for playoffs, they should still be sellers because even with a wild card or a division title in a weak division that the Twins have no legit shot at the World Series because of some of this teams limitations. So I just took a look around, and these are all just based off of my opinions, to see what teams out there, on paper have a legit shot at going to the World Series, teams that seem to have everything. Solid pitching with a couple of Aces, Solid hitting and solid defense; all three facets of the game that need to be in place in order to contend for a World Series title. As I looked around I only really see a few teams that meet that criteria in my mind. Houston Astros, as long as their starting staff gets healthy, seems like they have some nagging injuries but no season enders. Los Angeles Dodgers seem to have all facets with a legit Ace. Washington Nationals also seem to have everything in place. There are others on the cusp, that for whatever reason are not living up to their potential or seem to have some flaws. They are New York (a little shaky starting pitching? Sabathia??) Boston (again starting pitching to me is a little shaky), Colorado, (do you trust that rotation in the playoffs?), Arizona?? Chicago (barely .500, must be something wrong), Cleveland (again barely .500) Milwaukee need I say more (Matt Garza?) Anyway so if most of those teams take the exact same approach as the Twins and decide that if they can't win the World Series that they should be Sellers instead of Buyers there is a possibility that there will be 24 - 26 teams all trying to be sellers at the trade deadline? I know of all of the people that want to sell, sell, sell many of them are talking about selling Santana, selling Dozier, etc.... They say you need to sell high and buy low and that guys like Santana will never be higher as far a worth. However, if everyone is sellers wouldn't that put a guy like Santana and his value even lower?? If there are limited buyers, say 4 or 5 teams and a multitude of sellers wouldn't that depress a guy like Santana's or Dozier's value?? Again you would just simply have to wait until it gets closer to the deadline to see what actually happens and I am just throwing out a Devil's advocate scenario here; but, if it comes to fruition that there are way way more sellers than buyers at that deadline which in turn would depress the Twins players values wouldn't it then at that time be better to switch thinking and buy?? Since the market would possibly be depressed it might be easier at that time to buy low which I know at the deadline doesn't make sense but if the market is flooded with sellers then that would lower the value of what is out there and that might be the time to pounce on a deal?? Just looking at it from another angle.

I think a team with very little pitching available would be very stupid to trade Santana. That would give the Twins even less pitching for the next couple of years.

A Bird in the Major Leagues is worth at least two or three in the Bush leagues.

Compare last year's starting OF of Arcia LF, Santana CF, and Sano in RF with Rosario LF, Buxton CF, and Kepler RF. It's no wonder Hughes did OK up to his DL listing. Gibson is like 4 - 4 right now, if he had pitched last year like he has this year he would have been 0 - 8.

Well there have been only 2 #1 picks not make it to the bigs. Brien Taylor '91 and Steve Chilcott '66 prior to 2013 draft.

He will need Tommy John surgery by the end of the year as many innings as they keep pitching him

Just working ahead in the count was so important. I was at the Angels game where Pujols hit his 600th, it just seemed that all night he was falling behind in the count, last night he was consistently ahead in the count. I'm sure all pitchers go through it, some bad outings and some really good ones. As long as Erv can limit his bad ones he will be the Twins best option. I don't think they should trade him, they need him and they need to sign a legit FA in the off season to go with him and Berrios et al...

Hopefully he catches lightning in a bottle, has a good half of baseball. I think the Twins are probably just seeing what they have with him.

Maybe they can get Rodriguez's dad to come in and be a special instructor to all of the Catchers? Ha ha. Rodriguez seems to be pretty old to be in A ball, they should try to move him along quickly see if he has what it takes. He is already like 25. Can't ignore complete games with 10 K's however get him into AA see what he has!

Well Rodon is on rehab for the White Sox now, so probably in about 3 weeks Pelfrey will be available.

I totally agree with your sentiment. My thing is that they opened the pocketbook for 3 average guys (Santana, Hughes, Nolasco), I mean what kind of a pitcher would their 3 salaries combined bring in, if they just open that thing up for one great one then with Berrios, Mejia, May, then fill in whoever comes along it looks like they have a fair chance with this current lineup.

Well they went out and spent money on Hughes, Nolasco, and Santana a few years ago, maybe now with Berrios, and Mejia developing hopefully with half a year of Trevor May next year maybe they can combine resources and go out and sign one big time pitcher instead of 3 average ones?? Pipe dream I know, but it is hopeful. Then if they can hit with the #1 pick this year where in 2 year or 3 they have someone else to bring in along with any surprises that happens, maybe a Turley or Gonslaves, etc... They need that one dude for the future of this lineup that is in place.

Santana After that, Berrios and Mejia barely have more than a handful of starts, so to include them as #2 and #3 that would only be based on the last few weeks worth of work. Duffy at the end of the summer two years ago looked like an ace too. But now he looks like he has settled into a role where he has been successful. So I'd say Santana Duffy Berrios based on potential

So do you think that Kintzler could have pitched 2.3 innings to get the Twins to Rogers in the 8th? I mean I get it, Duffy has done a great job, but I don't think that without Duffy bridging the gap to the 8th and 9th the Twins wouldn't even need a closer.

I wonder if Sonny Gray could be had? Oaktown is in last place I believe. He probably has some control left in his contract and with Santiago gone after this season it would be a nice replacement?

Taking Mauer out of the DH slot could prove problematic if the Angels tie the game up? No?

Tony Gwynn

I wish pujols all the best, just not tonight while I'm at the park

Jammed up on the 57 right around Diamond Bar. Heading to the right now.

What is the prognosis for Trevor May next year? Will he be recovered, is he being looked at to take over a rotation spot?? Just curious. Also, I don't see anything wrong with snatching up Dyson or Broxton just to see what they could do??

I know that the game is played differently these days, I know no one will ever throw 235 pitches and go 13 innings like Nolan Ryan did in the 70's, I understand that with all of the video and such that often times hitters the 3rd and 4th time through the lineup will hit the starting pitcher more as their secondary pitches don't fool them anymore the 4th Tim through. But this game was a classic game where Santana probably could have come out to pitch the 8th inning. I know he had 114 pitches, but Molly basically had a bullpen he couldn't use either and from what I saw in the 7th is that Santana had the momentum going for him, he had the feel for getting the guys out. I know there isn't an analytical stat that shows feel for the game, but you have to admit Pressly sure as hell didn't have it. Also everyone knew the bullpen was spent. So I just don't understand why you don't send Santana back out there? As soon as he gets in trouble, then bring in someone, I get it, we are all talking in hindsight, and this would be a totally different conversation if there were a few arms in the bullpen that hadnt been burnt up already. I'm sure Santana could have thrown 130 - 135 pitches and still been just as tired the next day? Especially in the situation that they were in at that moment. Again, bringing in a fresh Pressly or Duffy is the right call 90% of the time, but in that situation, I think Santana could have come back out?

If the Twins lose a game its not a big deal, but when you take a 5 - 3 lead into the 9th the day before and then you take an 8 - 2 lead into the 8th and lose both games, those are bad losses. every team will lose games this year, but the bad losses hurt a little more and they should have been wins which could make a huge difference at the end of the year.

Probably should have hooked him right after the bean ball.

No, next year he starts and hits a buck 90

Why did they only pitch Duffy 6 pitches yesterday in a 15 inning game??