KidBro

I'm surprised this isn't looked at a bit more but here is my (amature GM status) 2 cents (I hope this doesn't get too long winded ((WARNING:crap it did)) I think the KC Royals, laid out a fantastic blueprint on how to win a championship as a smaller market team over the last 2 years. I think the Royals, and Cubs have shown how to build a successful team using a stocked farm system. Some of this is hindsight and to late for the Twins to adapt to, and some was apparent, and then ignored by our FO. But moving fwd, I think we still have a window of opportunity, but we need to have a plan, and stick to it.... and is Ryan the right guy for this plan? I'll start w/ how KC and CHC built their teams, and the Twins failed this approach. They had a group of young players, play together thru the minor leagues (For the Cubs it was mostly AAA Iowa due to acquired pieces). KC may have accelerated their players to the MLB a bit quicker, but most all came up and faced the trials and tribulations of the MLB together. They learned on the fly, and stayed true to their game (D and aggressive speed on basepaths). The Cubs are the same, they built a powerhouse AAA team, w/ some of the elite who's who of prospects. Some players got plenty of seasoning at Iowa, and some just had a pit stop before heading east on 80. But for the most part they caravanned east on 80 together. The SUCCESSFUL Cubs and Royals teams were going to be built with the prospects and fill the holes/missing pieces/key additions w/ FA signings (obviously easier for the Cubs). The Twins, no offense to some guys I really like, but have been using barely league avg Veterans and shuffling prospects back and forth willy nilly. Signing stop gap FA (pitchers) to big(ger than normal for Twins) deals, when we really haven't been in a place to make a run (wasted resources????). Where is the objective???? What is our teams identity???? We have had a loaded farm system, that guys have won championships together at multiple stops thru the minors for 3 years now. That's the core group, not (again I'm sorry to these players that I've grown to cheer for) Dozier, Plouffe, Hughes, Zuke, Perkins etc. Some of this plan has already been breached, but it's not to late to be sellers in Jun/Jul and start the core the 2nd half of the season. Learning curves you bet, but look at Cain, Hosmer, Perez, Rizzo, Baez first season and a half (give or take) in the majors.... and now they are the leading pieces to Championship Caliber teams. I need to add the blueprint, since it was in my thesis. Dayton Moore/Yost/KC FO a smaller market team, developed a strategy different from other AL teams. They lost Grienke a legitimate #1, and started the 2014/15 season w/ a rotation that I don't think had a true ace, similar of the Twins. But they had a balanced rotation, that could keep the game close until the 6th inning b/c they had one of the best defenses on the field. They eliminated opposing offenses stealing bases, they eliminated teams going 1st to 3rd w/ fast OF w/ good arms. And then hand it over to the bullpen that we all know what they are. They ranked dead last in HR's hit in 2014. However they put the ball in play, got on base at a high percentage, and got themselves into scoring position. And they weren't afraid to make a deal at the trade deadline last year for a 3 month rental. Whether that was the difference of them having rings or not, I don't know, but they won. I don't expect the Twins to follow exactly, but for teams that aren't able to sign Aces to 10 year deals (I don't want to really) I think what KC did is pretty genius. Unless we develop our own #1's and 2's, it's unlikely we can matchup in October w/ other playoff teams starting pitching. So you have to beat them at the back end. You have to be willing to adapt. You have to be willing to find other teams areas of weakness, and make those your strength. You have to invent ways to win. I don't ever expect the Twins to be the Nikola Tesla's of MLB, but let's not be the last to the party either. Great Job Dayton Moore. Ryan, or his heir successor, be BOLD, and don't look back. I will never fault a non-playoff team, if you Have a plan. Seeing the last 3-4 years, I'm looking really hard to find a plan. (Note)- Most of this ramble is speaking in generalizations. I could have added plenty of specifics, but this is already long winded enough. Just needed a good vent w/ my faithful Twins Brethren.

Next time, could you hack TD Poster Dozier's Glorious Hair acct, and post this from his acct. I think I would have liked it better coming from him........ unless you were to say you are his barber? You must be his Barber.... carry on the good work sir.

Unreal

Sans Arcia and Mad Max........ oh and a Catcher to be named later, today's lineup has a feel of our 2018 Game 1 of the World Series lineup.

I didn't, but you paint a pretty (funny) picture.

Sano still owes us 2 HR's over next 3 games, I call to use 1 here.

I think Buxton is faster than a Ghost Runner..... but good luck getting Paulie to PR Buxton in a critical spot in the game.

If we could just somehow load the bases w/ zero outs 4 more innings, and bring in a well rested bullpen..... it would be chips and salsa time.

I knew we'd get them in the 2nd..... oh wait, bases full of Twins, zero outs, and we only got 1 run again? Well, it's tied at least.... right where we want them.

http://www.autoworksmn.com/Files/Images/blog/dumbfounded-resized-600.pngY Yes???

That was a rather brief rally.....

I thought this was for sure Nunie, but it can't be, his helmet is still on. http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01437/MAN-ON-FIRE_1437098c.jpg

Wouldn't Twins actually have to pay double airfare?

I just booked tickets to Disney World...... boy, I can;t let this win stuff go straight to my head.

You shouldn't be able to start a new inning after a 3 hour time limit......

Here we go Paulie, chance to match their chess move...... use some strategy... HELLO IS THIS THING ON??????

Why does Dick get to determine what Parks biggest hit of the season is????

I hope that at least left an imprint of seams on Calhouns glove hand

Things are really heating up.....

Kepler in, Buxton out

I know the Twins are going thru some tough times.... and it is much more enjoyable to live life staying positive, not looking for every little negative. But at what point do we have to recognize Sir Thomas Brunansky's inability to get this team to recognize what a breaking ball is? What is our players approach at the plate?

Too little wind

"I read Kauffmans whole security checklist, I saw nothing Citing no Moose Antlers."

Sorry, meant more that TB was squaring the ball up pretty well vs him.