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iTwins

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  1. iTwins
    The contrasting quotes are...concerning. Clearly there's miscommunitcation amongst management and players and at this point in the season, that's downright troubling. As for the play itself, I'm not so sure Dozier (or Molitor) WAS wrong. They played Moustakas to pull and he did just that. Unfortunatley, the ball was hit very weakly, allowing him to beat the throw (since Dozier was so deep). The percentages line up in favor of the shift, the Twins just got beat by long odds. That whole inning was full of long percentages falling in favor of the Royals. Ibanez is fooled outside of the zone, gets the very end of the bat on the ball and juuuuust drops it between Dozier and Sananta. The bunt fell perfectly to score the tying run. Butler was jammed inside, but the ball just dropped into RF. Sometimes, things don't break your way.
  2. iTwins
    One spot to address via a major acquisition? Probably accurate. But, I certainly hope they address a lot more than one thing. I'd like to see the Twins add depth this offseason. While Santana looks primed to take over CF or SS, Escobar could fill the utlity role and Vargas could be the regular DH for years to come - I'd like it if the Twins didn't simply assume that they're all going to contribute at their current levels perpetually. Persue a free agent LF (or a LF via trade). They don't necessarily have to be the big powerful bat - in fact a guy who can cover CF in a pinch would be just fine with me. But don't stop at LF and figure "Well, the rookies will carry the rest of the load". Injuries happen, regression happens. Plan "B" is a good thing - and something I don't think the Twins have really thought about over the past few years. I'd love an offseason with one big move and a whole bunch of little stuff. Add depth. Have a plan B. (Please)
  3. iTwins
    As the biggest (only?) member of the Liam Hendriks fanclub during his time with the Twins, I'm torn regarding tonight's start. I want him to succeed...but tonight I hope he gets shelled. (Sorry Liam). For what it's worth, I don't think Hendriks has much to do with Rick Anderson and his struggles - he's always been a "hit his spots" "pitch to contact" guy - the issue has been that his approach hasn't worked at the higher levels. It's not a mechanical issue or tipping his pitches - it's more his stuff may just not be starter quality.
  4. iTwins
    The bad player for bad player swap is an interesting one. Sometimes it works well (Jason Grilli to the Angels after struggling with Pittsburgh) sometimes it doesn't (Ernesto Frieri to the Pirates - AKA the other half of the aformentioned trade). In this case, BJ Upton has been so utterly, disastrously bad in Atlanta that I'd still rather have Nolasco.
  5. iTwins
    The Twins annoucned today that Max will be playing in the Arizona Fall League after the minor league season ends. The move makes a lot of sense for the young outfielder. Max has missed large portions of the season due to various injuries but is just now "hitting his stride" and playing at (or as close as he's been to) full health. The AFL will give Max a chance to make up for some lost at bats from earlier this year.
  6. iTwins
    Sorted in order of my confidence in each prediction: I like the Hughes / Ventura matchup. Hughes holds the Royals (and most everyone else) in check and the Twins haven't really had issues with Ventura this year. Nolasco / Duffy - advantage Royals until Nolasco can prove otherwise. I'm hoping Nolasco goes at least 6 innings, limits the Royals to two runs and shows flashes of being a reliable "middle of the rotation" pitcher. The Twins (and us fans) need SOMETHING to cling to RE: Nolasco heading into the offseason. A few good starts will go a long way. Regardless, I think he takes the loss here. Milone / Guthrie - I liked this matchup in Minnesota a week ago (until the rains came) and I still feel good about it. I can see where Milone could be a great back of the rotation arm. When he hits his spots, he's tough to do much against. The issue is - when he runs out of gas, it seems to happen FAST. The Twins can (and should) hit Guthrie pretty well, so if Milone can put 6 good innings together, I like their chances. I'm feeling a 2-1 Twins series win
  7. iTwins
    Much like Escobar at shortstop - I think Plouffe sticks at 3B until someone takes it away from him. If Sano is promoted and hits like he's expected to (and can field the position) I think Plouffe is shifted elsewhere. (Corner OF, 3B backup, occassional DH) However, let's not just assume Sano will come up and set the world ablaze as the next great third baseman - if Sano needs to moved to 1B or even the OF, Plouffe would certainly be a nice option at third- he's improved his defense to the point where I think the Twins can be comfortable with him at third and his bat has proven to be a valuable asset as well. In short - I think Plouffe has some role on this team in the coming years. Whether that role is at third or as a corner outfielder / bench bat is largely dependent on Miguel Sano's ability to play third base.
  8. iTwins
    Max has been red hot since coming back from his most recent DL stint. He tallied his 17th double during Saturday's 7-3 Miracle loss and knocked in a (reportedly) beautiful grand slam during Thursday 5-2 Miracle win. (The homer came in the top of the 9th, if there's bonus points for dramatics, Max earned them here). As has been the case all season with the Miracle, there's not much in the way of video to show Max's slam, but firsthand Twitter reports said it looked nice...so, take that for what it's worth, I suppose. Max also made a nice outfield assit during Friday's game, nailing a runner attempting to stretch a single into a double. For the season, he's hitting .260/.333/.391 but those numbers are held down by his very slow start. Since returning in July, he's simply been one of the best hitters on the Miracle roster.
  9. iTwins
    Great points Doc. Mauer was starting to look like the Mauer of old just before his injury and we've certainly seen the 'old' Joe since he's returned. You could tell something was 'off' when the season started - but whatever was causing his issues seems to be gone (concussion, adjusting to not seeing pitches behind the plate - only Joe knows for sure). A healthy Joe Mauer anchoring a lineup of young talent like Santana, Arcia and Vargas is certainly something to look forward to. 2015 could be the year we were hoping 2014 would be. Another year of experience for the youngsters, Dozier continuing to be Dozier, Sano and possibly Buxton making their debuts - all around a healthy Joe Mauer? That sounds like fun. Let's do that.
  10. iTwins
    I think his defense wouldn't play where the Twins could use him. He certainly could be a player at 1B, but with Mauer and Vargas, I don't think he gets a shot there with the Twins. Maybe he slots into LF, but I just don't see him being an acceptable defender in the outfield. That's why I'm adding the qualifier - with the Twins - I think he's got a Major League bat, but unless he's a catcher, I don't see that bat fitting with the Twins, simply because he could be a "man without a position". Of course, a lot can change in short order. A Mauer injury or Vargas developing a hole in his swing changes the whole dynamic and maybe gives Pinto a place to play. Luckily, the Twins don't HAVE to make a decision on Pinto for a while. (He's not out of options, or on the fringe of the 40 man).
  11. iTwins
    I've been on the "Fire Gardy" bandwagon for the last half of the season. Not because I think the losing is any direct refelction on him as a manager - just because I felt the team needed a new voice. New blood. My biggest push for getting rid of him has been because he and Rick Anderson are supposedly a package deal. I think Anderson's time with the Twins should be up - and in order for that change, it seemed like Gardy had to go. Remove Anderson and I'm okay with giving Gardy another year. Do nothing at all...and I won't be too pleased.
  12. iTwins
    It doesn't shock me the Twins weren't ever really in the running for Castillo (or that the Red Sox broke the bank to get him). While It's understandably frustrating when the Twins miss out on big signings, this one doesn't really get me too worked up as his position (CF) isn't THAT big of a need for the Twins in the coming years (see: Buxton, Byron). Yasmani Tomas, however, fits the 'need' profile VERY well (corner OF). Bidding for Tomas will likely beat the final total for Castillo, but maybe...just maybe...the Twins will be players.
  13. iTwins
    I think his role for the Twins is catcher or "bust". That may be as a time sharing catcher with Suzuki, or as a starter (if his bat dictates it) or even as the backup. Either way, his defense has to get up to Major League caliber or I'm not sure where he fits. He'd make a good DH or even a nice part of a DH platoon, but with the switch hitting Vargas looking good (so far) at DH, I don't think the Twins could (or should) bump him in favor of Pinto. I'm rooting for Pinto and I'd love him to become a solid catcher - and I want to be clear that I don't think he's a failure if ONLY his bat develops - but from the Twins' perspective, it may be a necessity if he wants to play on this club.
  14. iTwins
    I wouldn't call next season's (projected) rotation the proof that the rebuild is nearly complete - but it's a sign that it's VERY close to being done. Hughes, Gibson and a healthy Nolasco make a solid core while Meyer / May / Milone can fill out the back end with above average contributions. Those players are vastly better pitchers than the De Vries, Albers, Deduno crowd. I agree with the notion that our next "elite" rotation probably features Berrios and Meyer amongst the names (likely as starters 1 and 1A), but the fact that Meyer can be learning on the job next season alongside some quality starting pitching is a very good sign.
  15. iTwins
    I'd love it if Escobar was the longterm answer at short for the Twins. I'm still skeptical, however, and think he likely ends up as a utility guy for them in the coming seasons. That being said, he's a great player to fill that utility role. I'd keep him on the roster just to be a rotating infielder, if his short stop success suddenly disappears. I think Santana is the future SS, but it's hard to say what we have with him defensively or if his bat will continue to be leadoff quality. One thing's for sure, it's nice to have too many options, for once.
  16. iTwins
    I disagree with the premise that his value will never be higher and I completely disagree that it would be better for the Twins to sell now. As mentioned before, his BABIP and K% both point to his average being a bit lower than it should be at this point. He's a low cost player with years of team control and the numbers he is posting now (which are still solid) may actually be a bit low. His value absolutely could be higher. Second, I'm not so ready to hand the gig over to Rosario, Polanco or any of the other candidates. You risk creating another void in the middle infield after FINALLY finding someone who can perform above average. Yes, we've seen a great season from Escobar, but I still think he's a very good utility player on the next contending Twins team and I have even less faith in Nunez ever being a fulltime second baseman. Dozier is exactly the type of player the next contending Twins team needs. He's young enough and under team control for long enough to be a part of the next contending team. Trading him now would delay the rebuild, in my opinion.
  17. iTwins
    I'd say he's up with the rest of the September promotions, and he may see a good bit of time behind the plate during that last month. I certainly wouldn't take plate appearances away from Vargas just to get Pinto in the lineup (So, no DH, unless the Twins want to rest Mauer frequently towards the end of the year). His bat was never really the question, but it's still nice to see that he's still an offensive threat while in AAA. If he can round out his defense, he's got a role on this club. As a pure DH? I'm not so sure.
  18. iTwins
    I'd go with C) none of the above. I think he's a piece to the bullpen, but as others have suggested I don't see his ceiling being much more than a Swarzak, or "mop up" guy. But, that's a useful element to have in any bullpen. His presence doesn't really swing the team in either direction (good or bad), so long as he's reliable and cheap, he's simply "part of the 'pen"
  19. iTwins
    I recall reading something prior to the season (possibly from Dave St. Peter on Twitter) that the 'Twins' blue alternate was out of the rotation for this season at least. I'm curious to know what others think of the blue tops? I really don't like them, but I don't really care for the road grays either (at a passing glance, the home grays look too much like the Braves' gray unis - yuck). I love the home whites, and enjoy the occassional mix in of the cream throwbacks. But those blues...not a fan.
  20. iTwins
    Last year's team imploded epically. That last month was simply unwatchable, and I watch nearly every moment this team is on TV (so...I can put up with a LOT of bad). This year's team has been posting at or just below.500 records each month and has avoided some of the long skids the 2013 Twins endured. I also think the young talent will help this roster win some games - 2013 featured some veterans running out of gas or battling injuries.
  21. iTwins
    It's been a tough year for Cuddy, but Colorado has helped him post some very nice numbers over the past two years. I'm glad to see him do well (when healthy) this year. Last night was fun to watch as it developed. It STILL bugs me to see him in a Rockies uni. Morneau too.
  22. iTwins
    I don't see Cabrera being that much of an upgrade over Escobar / Santana. If the Twins were going to pursue a free agent SS, I'd rather they go big and get a star (Hanley Ramirez, for example). Of course, the odds of that happening are the same as me being named the new commissioner of baseball...so, I'd stick with the in house options and use the free agent money elsewhere.
  23. iTwins
    I hadn't had any issues with these, until today. I had pages with TWO video ads running at one time. I've got screenshots and I'll send them your way shortly Brock.
  24. iTwins
    Max Kepler continued his red hot second half by going 3 for 4 with a triple and an RBI last night against the St. Lucie Mets. Kepler also added a walk to his totals. Max is now hitting .253/.335/.374 for 2014, but those numbers are rising fast. Over the last 10 games, Max is hitting .351 with 4 RBI, 3 BB and 6 strikeouts.
  25. iTwins
    That's the feeling I had after reading the article as well. It felt like a case of (intentional or not) selection bias. As you pointed out, the Cubs have basically drafted like the Twins have over the past few seasons, yet it's only the Cubs that are "flying in the face of conventional wisdom". Interesting points, but I think the article tried too hard to make a conclusion that really wasn't there.
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