JaleelWhite FanClub

Good news, bad news. I would've loved to seen a Hicks-Buxton-Rosario outfield. Hopefully I still can sometime in September. I didn't see or follow the game. What was Hicks's injury? What's the guess on length of DL stint? 7-day? 15-day?

I think the majority of the criticism over the past month stems from Ryan's comments right before the deadline. He praised the team and stated now it was his job to go out and find pieces to add to the roster to give it a better shot at making the postseason. In this regard he failed. Jepson has been good, but his addition obviously did not solve the overall problem of the bullpen. Meanwhile the starting rotation has gone up in flames and the lineup has failed to produce runs consistently. The calls for his job are more tied to the recognized mentality and methods the FO has continued to employ with the same lousy results. Moves that have become commonplace and expected, like "buy high, sell low" trades or signings, the tendency to rely on known, low-risk veterans, and the apprehension to make innovative, more drastic changes continue to be employed and are now frustratingly expected. The criticism is fair and should be as expected by the front office as their lack of results has become to fans.

BUY HIGH! BUY HIGH! The Suzuki extension was horrible. Here was a guy outperforming his career norms by a wide margin with rumors swirling about the Twins potentially trading him (like any smart, forward-thinking FO would do). But what do they do? They extend him, and he has since tanked. The Hughes deal is looking like another overreaction and misread of a performance that far outweighed his career norms. I can't blame TR for the Nolasco and Santana deals. I'm hoping there was no way of knowing Nolasco would be so horrible. But the move was at least acceptable at the time and fans could see some logic. As for Santana, I think it was foolhardy to believe he'd be able to hit the ground running midyear after the long layoff and perform up to his contract against guys with a 3-month headstart. I'm hoping he'll be fine under the regular schedule next year. Mauer's deal is Mauer's deal. It was the ultimate "BUY HIGH" deal. MVP year, power numbers way askew from career average, one year before FA. Nothing can correct the $/year remaining. All that can be done is to let his perfromance determine playing time, spot in lineup, etc. rather than size of contract.

Yep, I feel like Nolasco and Milone will be the two "we'll take anything for these guys" guys for the Twins. Milone could be the other LHP reliever if he is still around and performs well. Nolasco could start the year in the pen if he's still around (which he'll probably be since any team that would take his contract would be insane). That may give Petersen some time in AAA if needed.

Okay I'm running with this thing. If the Twins can work out a trade for Plouffe (let's say to SD for Hedges), here's a possible 25-man roster next season (probably mid-year). Starters: Hedges © Mauer/Vargas/Kepler (1B) Dozier (2B) Polanco (SS) Sano (3B) Rosario (LF) Buxton (CF) Hicks (RF) DH Platoon/4th OF/#1 PH): Arcia Walker Bench: Escobar (IF, emergency OF, #3 PH) Mauer/Vargas/Kepler (1B, #2 PH) Suzuki © Starting Pitchers: Hughes Santana Gibson May Berrios Relief Pitchers: Perkins Jepson O'Rourke Meyer Duffey (long guy) B. Petersen ??? - go get a stud LHP I'd be pumped to watch that team and impressed with the front office. Minimal moves, which they like, deserving promotions, and a young exciting team, which everybody likes.

Do the Twins need 8 relief pitchers? I always thought 7 is pretty typical. As far as PHs go, whoever doesn't between Arcia and ABW would be a big power-bat option. I'm thinking someone among the trio of Mauer, Vargas, and Kepler will be next year's starting 1B, leaving one of the other two as a really good option as well. The other utility infielder could be Escobar in the case Polanco gets the starting job. With those options, who needs the backup catcher (Suzuki if the Plouffe-for-Hedges trade goes through) to pinch hit? As far as a 4th, defense outfielder goes, do you need one with a starting three of Hicks, Buxton, and Rosario?

(8) starting position players (1) regular DH = Arcia (5) starting pitchers (1) backup catcher (2) infield utility guys (1) DH / 4th outfielder = ABW (7) bullpen (25) Total - active roster So what's the problem?

He could go home.

If he comes back in September, what are the chances Tonkin actually gets to stay with the Twins? I don't know how great he is, but at some point he should at least as long a leash as the other under-performing Twins relievers get, right?

The outfield train may have left the station. The defensive potential of the Hicks, Buxton, Rosario trio is too great. A combo of #2 & 3 would be ideal. Trade Plouffe to SD for catcher Austin Hedges. Arcia makes the Twins as a DH next spring. Then, by the middle of next season, we could see a DH platoon of Arcia & ABW in Minnesota. WHOA!!! MATCHUP MASHING!!!

With May now gone, I hate every single relief pitcher on the roster. Perkins only because it's after the All Star break. But hey, I'm glad I got to know his feelings on advanced catching metrics earlier this week. Blaaaaaaah! How about worrying about saving games instead of pontificating on the intricacies of catching defense.

Berrios not being called up for a spot start is fine by me. The only way he should get the call is if he would stay up with the Twins. I'd like to see Duffey get another shot. He faced the hottest team in the majors , with the most potent offense, on the road in his first start. Hard to expect success given that. He doesn't impress, then perhaps you can keep him up and let him get some bullpen innings.

The ironic thing is if the Twins remaining in WC contention, there's no way Molitor or Ryan have the brass to give Vargas or Kepler or Sano or Plouffe more time. Mauer will keep batting 3rd because, you know, that's what would have gotten them there.

What I would do ... August 12th thru 31st - Continue playing him at first, but increase his days off giving Sano or Plouffe more games there. DO NOT BAT HIM 3rd UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!!! Anywhere above 6th is probably too generous at this point. September 1st thru the end of the season - Call up Kepler and Vargas. They get shared time at 1st with Kepler seeing some action in the OF. Mauer shares time with them as well as Sano at DH. Spring Training 2016 - Open the 1st Base job for competition. Mauer is on equal footing with Vargas and Kepler. Whoever wins the job wins the job. 2016 Season Opener - Mauer either starts at 1st or serves as a PH/defensive replacement.

Wow! I was just about to post a question asking what was going on with Pinto. I hadn't heard anything since April or May (whenever he suffered his concussion). Considering the Twins and upper minor lack of quality catching options, here's to hoping Josmil advance quickly and maybe (just maybe) get a September call up.

I love the Nolasco note. Couldn't agree more. Out of the list provided, Nunez and Pelfrey make the most sense. All of the starters have looked terrible lately. Moving Pelfrey and having Milone on the DL should mean two spots open for May and perhaps Berrios. A move with Suzuki, I think, would be great. Having his contract for next year may make it tough. But a trade would open up the possibility of looking for a quality FA in the offseason.

Huh, well then the Twins should just give up on him then. They should trade him then for another setup guy. Who needs homers? Let the Astros and Blue Jays take all of them and see how they end up. Meanwhile the Twins can keep running out a #3 hitter with a .375 SLG. Sounds like a solid plan to me.

Really? Aaron Hicks - 1.5 WAR so far in 2015 (per Fangraphs) Eddie Rosario - 1.3 WAR Joe Mauer - (-)0.1 WAR Mauer has to stop getting a pass and the old "he'll be fine" routine. He's not the same player he was. Negative WAR from your typical #3 hitter is ridiculous (yes, part of this is commentary on Molitor continually writing him into the slot). Come September, after the playoff hopes are gone and the big prospects are called up, are you going to want Mauer blocking a Kepler or Sano (with Plouffe at third), or Vargas if he shows some life (or Arcia at first???)? Shortstop and catcher were the positions that got all the attention last week. But what to do at first base, considering the prospects we have coming, I think, will soon become the biggest question for the Twins going forward.

Why does Mauer get to go? I get his contract means he'll be with the Twins through 2018, but am I the only one who thinks he's starting to look like a guy who might block some prospects (Kepler) starting as soon as September? 0.1 WAR per Fangraphs as of this week. NOT GOOD!

I'm curious for a comparison, in terms of stuff and workload during their college careers, between Duffey and Jay. Did Duffey have any special characteristic coming out of college that you can point to now and say that was a sign of his success to come? Are there any well-known similar success stories among pitchers in the majors currently? In the past?

I'm happy for Duffey. I agree with the article. His story has to be one of the best development stories to come out of the Twins system (one that has had very few in recent years). Good luck to him tonight. I can't imagine having the first four batters to face in a pro debut being Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Bautista, and Encarnacion. SCARY!!! At least the Twins bats have been rolling lately. (hahha)

The freefall has already begun. God, they almost got no-hit tonight. Split the next two vs. SEA. Lose 3 of 4 in TOR and so on and so on.

(BTW – This entire email is being written with “Taps” playing in the background.) Chih-Wei. Chih-Wei. We hardly got to know you. Where to begin. Needless to say I didn’t like the trade. Mainly because it was a typical, predictable move from the Twins and Hu got shipped. Plus the Twins gave away a raw arm in addition to him. I am very disappointed Mr. Ryan didn’t consult me before the trade. I adopted him, dang it!!! (haha) Seriously, I will continue to follow Hu throughout his career. At the risk of sounding too sentimental (and creepy) this season was my first foray into the “Adopt-a-Propsect” world. I picked Hu because his performance last year in Cedar Rapids caught my attention and thought he could be a good, under-the-radar player who might have a big year. So when he came out of the gates gunning, it was awesome! His start to the year was really fun to follow. He was incredible. The TD crew and faithful, along with lots of members of the national media, took notice. Promotion talk was everywhere. His AAA spot start was a must-follow event. And he delivered. He’s continued to be a solid starter for the Miracle all year. Here are his final stats for the 3 years in the Twins system. 41 G, 33 GS, 16-5 (W-L), 2.31 ERA, 198.1 IP, 156 H, 63 R, 51 R, 5 HR, 182 K, 46 BB, .215 AVG, 1.02 WHIP, 8.26 K/9, 2.09 BB/9, 0.23 HR/9, 3.96 K/BB. That’s really impressive stuff, especially given his age and the fact, as with all international players, he had to acclimate to a new country and culture. I’ll finish (weeping uncontrollably mind you) wishing good luck and rooting for Chih-Wei. Seriously, go win 4 Cy Youngs, an MVP, 3 World Series, and get a bust in Cooperstown, buddy.

The comparison was really with the trade of a reliever, any reliever, off a bad team for prospects that could help with a rebuild. On Willingham, with some foresight, after a 35 homer, 110 RBI year, he probably could have been traded for something. As for 3-month FA trades, ask Yoenis Cespedes if that doesn't happen. I am criticizing the Perkins extension when it came after a missed opportunity to move a premium lefthanded closer. Perkins is obviously not the problem. He's a big-time performer. But last year, when the Twins were horrible, seeing what the Braves got for Kimbrel, or even what Papelbon went for, I can't help but imagine what the Twins could have gotten if they swayed away from their typical REACTIONARY mindset.

Let's stop the whole "Ryan would have been damned if he did, damned if he didn't" talk because it's junk and missing the point. All you TR-defenders who think everyone today who is griping about the Jepson-Hu/Tapia trade would be the same people complaining if he did nothing are wrong. The problem with Ryan and the Twins front office is not in how many moves they make, but what types of deals they make. They are never progressive, never forward-thinking, never "ahead of the game." For an example, let's turn today's deal around. The Twins were terrible the previous 4 years. However, they got great performances from a number of relievers during those seasons (Burton, Fien, Perkins twice). The most worthless asset for a losing team to hold on to is quality relief pitching, most significantly a dominant closer. The Twins had the opportunity to "sell high" on these relievers but instead stood pat and watched as each (with Perkins as the exception, but his time could easily come over the rest of his deal - an extension from TR by the way - a "buy high" move) had their skills and value quickly diminish and get nothing for them. Now take the Rays. Their front office, often cited as one of the most innovative in the sport, took the opportunity to flip a decent reliever for some intriguing prospects. God the Tigers just did the same thing with Soria. The A's with Clippard. Jeez, even the inept Phillies got rid of Papelbon and got potential in return. The same Twins FO mindset has held true for position players. Think Willingham in 2012. The Twins have also continued to "buy high" with extensions, like Perkins's, to Suzuki and Hughes last year. The frustration is in the methodology being shown, not in the activity or lack thereof.