theBOMisthebomb

Kirilloff and Larnach seem to blend together in my brain. High upside, need to stay on the field. Almost like a younger, left handed version of Buxton.

I'm not certain what this rant is all about. You were called out for whining about Correa not playing when he was on the IL. You could have checked the internet before the Astros game in June for injuries. Now, six months later you were caught embellishing and don't want to admit it and refuse to eat crow. I showed the number of games played and you go on some tangent about what games played means to you. I don't care if you don't like to go to the games. You opened the going to games conversation. I could show you multiple ways to drastically cut costs at a game. I'm guessing it's more fun to whine about it. And, of course, you USED to go to so many games back in the good ol' days... of course you did. I humbly wish to remove myself from this conversation. I'm hopeful your profession was attorney because you are skilled at redirection and avoiding the topic.

Old man yells at cloud then tries to slide step and talk his way out of the rant. I'm not trying to be harsh, yet doubling down after getting called out like that is just an even worse look. I will grant that the Buxton load management days were annoying and bad strategy at times (at least to an outsider). Correa played 136 games in 2022. With the exception of Buxton, who did you want Rocco to play more often in 2022? Looking at Baseball Reference and games played in 2022, I can't see anything from the position players, other than Buxton, to complain about. Games played in 2022: Arraez and Urshela 144, Gordon 136, Sanchez 128, Miranda 125, Celestino 122, Kepler 115, Polanco 104, and Buxton 102. If anything, I would have enjoyed seeing Gordon and Celestino play fewer games. You talk about rotations - did you mean starting pitching rotations or lineups? It sounds like you meant lineup not starting rotation so that's confusing. Rocco's starting pitching rotation was a bit perplexing as he'd mix in an extra day off when he could do that could throw off things. His bullpen usage was maddening along with pulling starters consistently after 4-5 innings. I'm guessing you didn't show at Target Field to watch any of the members of the Twins 2022 staff. Rocco isn't above criticism for player management, I'll grant that to you. Though for a player to be on the IL and you miss that piece of information is on you.

Yes, no other fan base in major sports leagues has any envy for anything that Twins fans have. The Twins are nonthreatening and innocuous to other fan bases. I'm of the belief that no other fan base wants what the Twins have. Yeah, the Twins have a nice, underrated, somewhat unknown jewel of a ballpark. That's about it. I came to grips with this after the Gardy era - I don't ever expect the Twins to compete in the postseason and I just enjoy the games detached from results. Simply enjoy the game and Target Field when I am there. Maybe someday we'll get pleasantly surprised with something than a Central title or getting swept in the first round of the playoffs - I'm not holding out any hope or expectations, again just enjoying the journey and the regular season ride. I wish I had higher expectations, I just don't to keep my sanity and interest.

Yes, that was the reason I used the 30 years. The Twins haven't been relevant as a World Series contender that entire thirty years. There were a few nice Gardy era teams and the 2019 regular season was a blast to witness. Of course, it's all been capped off by getting swept or going out meekly in the first round of the playoffs with the exception of the first Gardy era playoff appearance. Target Field has become a moribund experience despite its beauty, evidenced by the poor attendance in 2022. Yes, the new uniforms are interesting and a slight distraction. If that's all Twins fans have to look forward to, it's no wonder only the diehards remain at Target Field. I'm not a Twins doomsday person and will always attend the games. I honestly can't see why a casual fan would have any real motivation to attend a game. The Twins pulling a San Diego and breaking the bank and really going for it would be a nice change. If not, we are looking at the next 30 years as a repeat of this most recent 30 years.

Man... I'd take 30 years of constant rubble for another World Series championship. I watch these other fan bases and the ride to a championship and I'm just so dang jealous.

My notes say average level wOBA for a catcher is .310 and Castro's career wOBA is .307. I guess if I'm shown stats where Castro is at least average to above average I could be convinced otherwise.

me·di·o·cre /ˌmēdēˈōkər/ adjective of only moderate quality; not very good. Castro played 12 seasons, that is true. That doesn't mean he wasn't mediocre: Career OPS+ 92 Lifetime BA .227 Career WRC+ 93 Sure, he had a legitimate career. Not every player can be a star. Baseball Reference has Castro with only two seasons above 2 WAR. You can respect the overall career and still judge the results as mediocre.

He earned $50 MM + in his career for rather mediocre performances, so congratulations to him for that.

I didn't realize/had forgotten that Joe pitched that poorly against winning teams. If he can clean that up a bit, the overall numbers might really shine. Joe Ryan is my guy, I recently learned he pitched in college at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). My dad graduated from CSUN and I was born in Northridge.

After the #5 and #6 seeds made it to the NLCS in 2022, I say yes. This is assuming by currently constructed, it means after the Twins have spent their payroll for 2023 and the other offseason maneuvers are complete.

At this point in the off-season, everyone is tied for first place.

This was a rather complete list. Luis Arraez and Joe Ryan are my additions. Tack on the new uniforms and logos for good measure.

The old Google/Wiki combo tells us, "Since the death of her father in 1938, Triplett collected $73.13 per month from the Department of Veterans Affairs. She was eligible to inherit her father's pension due to cognitive impairments which she had, qualifying her as the helpless child of a veteran. The total amount she received was about $73,000, or $344,000 when adjusted for inflation. Widespread public awareness of Triplett's status occurred in 2013 as the result of a Daily Mail story about her. After the 2018 death of Fred Upham, the son of William H. Upham, she became the last surviving child of a Civil War veteran."

This reminds me of the lady who collected on the Civil War pension until 2020. "Irene Triplett (January 9, 1930 – May 31, 2020) was the last recipient of an American Civil War pension. Her father had fought for both the Confederacy and later the Union in the Civil War."

If that happens, I will seriously consider cancelling my 20 game season ticket package. No thanks, hard pass on Sano returning to Minnesota.

I find it funny that Chris Carter's photo on BB Ref has him in a Twins hat even though he played zero regular season games for the Twins. I guess the Twins signed him in May 2018 from the Angels for cash.

Just curious, how did he look very below average? I remember the bad throw and error at Oakland in 2021 to give away a game, that was at third base though. I think he went through a tough stretch around that same time in 2021 also in left field. What did you see very below average in 2022?

I can't really see the difference, it looks essentially the same to me. After seeing the side by sides and reading the headline, I thought this was Stu's Friday contribution.

The process of selecting the winner seems like a good combination of old school and new school, at least on the face of it. Seven coaches from each team vote and they also use the ABR Defensive Index (SDI). Voting Rules The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® represents overall fielding excellence, and it is not an award based solely on fielding metrics and statistics, nor does it factor in offensive production. Only the manager and six (6) coaches for each Major League Baseball team vote, for a total of seven (7) votes per team. Each person must sign the completed Ballot in order to be considered valid. Managers and coaches cannot vote for their own players and can only vote for players in their own League. Managers and coaches cast votes for players at particular positions, not in general terms; i.e. qualified LF instead of three general OF. Eligibility for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award closely follows qualification standards set forth in MLB Rule 10.22 (Minimum Standards for Individual Championships). Only players listed in the resource guide are eligible for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award at the specific position listed. For rules on player qualification for a particular position, please see the “Notes & Glossary” section of the resource guide. Qualified players are sorted in alphabetical order. The votes are confidential between Major League Baseball and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. SABR Defensive Index The SABR Defensive IndexTM (SDI) is a measure of the number of runs saved by a player's defensive performance over the course of a season, compared to the average defensive player at that position. The SDI combines measures from six (6) different defensive data sources and includes factors that rate the defenders arm strength and accuracy, range and his sure-handedness, along with the number of “excellent” and “poor” fielding plays he makes. The SDI also incorporates a rating for a player's ability to turn double plays (2B and SS), fielding bunts (primarily P, C, 3B, and 1B) and scoops of throws in the dirt (1B). For catchers, blocking balls in the dirt and stolen bases/ caught stealing are also included. For pitchers, the SDI includes his ability to hold runners on base and control the running game. A positive SDI number indicates that a player was above average compared to other players at his position this season. Conversely, a negative SDI number means the player performed below the league average at this position this season.

The "all prospects are suspects" saying really resonates.

Cave hustles, so that warrants a tribute that he has earned respect? I'd say it points to how uncommon it is to see a guy hustle full time in today's game.

Yes, the no one over the age of 35 comment confused me as well. I think it should be under 35. I'd vote for Friends reruns over Night Court. Friends was much more popular and has a wider audience and appeal. I'm guessing many in the proper age group have forgotten Night Court.

I say to blame the Baseball Gods.

Then, Louie Varland on Thursday could throw a gem.