I wonder what, if anything, making this move now signals about the FO feelings on where the organization is and how they'll approach FA this offseason. My initial thought was that they wouldn't make a change if they weren't going to push to be competitive immediately next year. But after the press conference I'm not as sure.
I would agree with you if Santana, Dozier, and Castro weren't under contract after this season. Not trading them makes the 2018 and 2019 Twins better. Plus, who's to say any of those players won't be shopped around after the season?
I was disappointed Molitor didn't use Dozier's 11th inning strikeout looking to stick up for his players and light a spark. Sano ended up being the one to give Cuzzi the reaction he deserved but that should have come from the manager.
Some of my thoughts after the Dodgers sweep of the Twins: The Dodgers are clearly a team that is and has been ready to contend for a World Series while the Twins aren't quite there yet. But, the Twins had the lead in the bottom of the 8th inning in 2 out of 3 games against the best team in baseball and were a few pitches away from winning the series. That's very encouraging for a team that is just getting into what should be a multi-season window of opportunity to win a championship. I'm not ready to completely give up on staying in wildcard or division contention this season quite yet, but the Twins need to take advantage of playing mostly sub-.500 teams over the next 2 weeks.
I'm just curious how any manager is supposed to balance his relievers when the bullpen is short on reliable arms to hold a lead. I'm sure Molitor would love to have the option to be more flexible late in close games but that's just not possible right now with what he has available. I think he's done a pretty good job using what he has to get wins that are there. If that's overtaxed the bullpen, it's more due to lack of depth than mismanagement.
I think it's pretty clear a big part of the bullpen issues have to do with a lack of talent. I'm not sure how you can judge Molitor's ability to manage a bullpen based on the options he's had available.
Presley hasn't been a long man since his rule 5 year in 2013 and is in the mix as a set up guy, recent struggles aside. As for Haley's immediate value, one thing is having him fill the long role leaves more options to use Duffey depending on how he develops out of the bullpen. The other problems you mention aren't caused by Haley and don't magically disappear if you give his roster spot to any of the current replacement options.
I completely agree. Haley has shown enough promise to be the guy filling that role this year. Small number of appearances, but it's clearly worth investing a roster spot this season for his potential value in the future.
Those wanting to move Mauer way down in the order, keep in mind Mauer's BAbip is incredibly low and he's not striking out. Recipe for those hard hit balls to the OF to find some gaps soon.
Have to like what Haley has done so far especially if you take out the last 3 ABs of his outing Saturday. And while I type this, triple and RBI single...
They're not platooning at catcher to begin with. Castro is going to get 110+ games behind the plate, so he isn't going to sit vs. 100% of LHP. Giminez gets 30 or so starts with Hughes on the mound (some of them will undoubtedly be against LHP) and another 15-20 games, which hardly removes the ability for Molitor to rest Castro sometimes vs. LHP.
I like pairing the backup catcher with one pitcher when the backup is only going to catch 1/4 of the games rather than a true platoon. Giminez and Hughes can build a chemistry and Castro knows when he's going to have a day off. None of that has anything to do with deserving or earning a personal catcher, and I don't think that's why Molitor would decide on that pairing either.
Wonder why Gibson didn't come back out for the 5th? Another sign they're not messing around with the same frustrating mistakes or reading too much into it?
One of these days Gibson is going to listen and trust the movement of his fastball, right? Nibble, nibble, nibble with a 3 run lead. It has to drive Molitor and Allen crazy.
Breslow is the clear guy out for me. A LHP who hasn't been good against lefties for the last few seasons brings little value going forward. I was surprised he made the team to start the season, and Molitor's decision to only go to him once so far tells me it wasn't his choice.
Breslow's 40 man spot could be used for Park once/if he gets healthy or anyone who has more value on the field than a old arm veteran pitcher.
One thing I was curious about going into the season was how the team would respond when they're not playing their best baseball after a season of long losing streaks. That's not something that can be answered in the first week especially with the hot start, but it was nice to see them win to take the series after losing Saturday.
I'm sure no other team especially in the NL would be interested in taking a chance on a switch hitter with good speed that can play 6 positions. Right?