SF Twins Fan

I hope Joe comes back for one more season. The Twins could definitely use him as a platoon 1B / bench bat. It would be nice to see him have one more chance to make it to the post season next year.

I definitely agree they're a high variance team next year but I don't know if I agree with your assessment that they need to fill all of those roles. The Twins should be able to fill 3 OF roles between Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Cave and Wade. They could also try and sign another bench OF for cheap. Sano should be able to fill one of the 3B, 1B and or DH roles. I feel like they will bring Mauer back and have him platoon with Austin for 1st / DH. I do agree they need to fill 2nd and C can be upgraded. However, they should be getting Castro back and he should be able to platoon with Garver. It would be nice to get an update on how Castro is doing in his recovery as I don't think anything has been reported since the surgery. The bullpen could also use an outside piece or two.

Coming off two years of being injured I don't think it would cost more than Gordon and Thorpe and maybe a throw in. Plus it would give the Twins a chance to sign him to a contract extension. I feel very nervous going into next season with the Twins top two pitchers of Berrios and Gibson. I'd feel better if Gibson was more of a #3.

If he were available what do you think it would take for the Giants to trade him? The Twins could always try to resign him. Would a package of Gordon, Gonsalves or Thorpe and another piece in the 15 to 20 range work?

What do people think about the Twins trying to trade for Madison Bumgarner this offseason? He just turned 29 on August 1st and has one year left on his contract for $12M and then he will be an unrestricted free agent. He was injured in 2017 after falling off a dirt bike and then fractured his wrist in spring training this year but appears to be healthy now. The SF Giants are getting old really fast as the bulk of their players are 30 or older. The Giants didn't make the playoffs in 2015, won the Wild card game in 2016 but then lost 3-1 to the Cubs, didn't make the playoffs in 2017 and won't make the playoffs again this year. You'd have to think they will start to try and sell players off soon.

There are some people talking that on certain passing downs Smith would move into more of a linebacker role and Iloka would be the SS. This would also allow them to move Barr to the DL. Basically it just gives the defense options to try different personnel and to be able to disguise what they're trying to do.

I'm not sure how to. My main response was regarding the OP's comment about championship teams have the depth to win even with injuries. At some point even the best teams can't overcome them and I think the Dodgers and Nationals are a perfect example. Coming into the season most people would say those two teams had legit chances to be WS contenders and with the injuries they have sustained they might not even make the playoffs. They're in the same spot as the Twins.

So it's off of project preseason value. Like I said it's pretty subjective.

I'd definitely like to see Grandal in a Twins uniform but he'll be 30 in November, so I wouldn't want to sign him to more than 3 years.

I'm assuming those are based on projected WAR, which can be subjective no?

So most teams have four of their starting lineup miss basically half a season and all at the same time? That's doubtful. They might have four or even five miss time throughout the season and but most teams can't overcome that many players out for 80 plus games. Castro will have played 19 games and some of those were him trying to play through pain. He's by no means an amazing catcher but he's head and shoulders above Wilson. Polanco missed 80 games with a suspension and has looked the part since his return. Sano played 37 games in the first half of the season but was basically playing on one leg since he wasn't able to workout at all Winter. He's looked much more like his old self since coming back after he lost 20 plus pounds. Buxton has played 28 games and played some of those on one foot after being brought back too soon.

I'm glad they aren't dragging this out all preseason. Give the Rookie all practice reps moving forward and get him ready for the season.

They very well could contend next season. They have a solid rotation with plenty of prospects that are going to be in either AA or AAA to start the season. To really take a step to WS contention they will either need some of these players improve or they will need to trade from the very deep farm system for a top 1 or 2 type pitcher. I wouldn't want the Twins to trade for or sign a bottom half of the rotation pitcher as it seems like they have plenty of those. Rotation: 1. Berrios 2. Gibson 3. 4. Odorizzi 5. Romero / Gonsalves / Mejia / Stewart / Littell / Thorpe / Graterol Lineup: C - Garver / Castro 1B - Mauer / Austin 2nd - Maybe Escobar? Maybe Forsythe? I don't see Gordon being ready, at least to start the season. 3rd - Sano / Adrianza SS - Polanco - Adrianza OF - Rosario / Buxton / Kepler / Cave / Wade Bullpen: LHR - Rogers / Moya RHR - May / Hildenberger / Reed / Busenitz If the Twins can resign Escobar to play 2nd and add at least one good bullpen piece (There should be 5 or 6 very good FA's this offseason) I believe they should be in good shape. If they can make a trade that nets a very good starting pitcher I believe they should be a WS contender. The Twins were hit hard by injuries / suspensions this year. Add in some better health and the Twins should be in a good spot. C. Castro miss most of the season 1st. Mauer missed a month and didn't look great when he came back. 3rd. Sano missed significant time and wasn't in great shape after not being able to work out in the Winter SS. Polanco missed the 1st half with a suspension and has looked great in his return CF. Buxton has basically missed the entire season with migraines or injuries SR. Sanatana has basically missed the entire season with injuries.

Looks like the kicking competition is over.

I often find it very difficult to cheer for a team I like to lose even if it means a better draft pick. I would say it's even more difficult when the player they draft won't be playing for the team for 4 + years. I say go for the W's, try to end the season on a good note but don't let that take away from giving as many young players an opportunity to play as possible.

It's just around the corner. The first preseason game is one month from today against Winnipeg. I'd assume training camp will start two weeks prior to that, which would be around 9/3.

He definitely should be suspended. I can somewhat understand hitting someone if they're being unprofessional or taking liberties with their slides but to just hit someone because they're playing well is very bush league.

Very interesting to see in slow motion. Thanks for the information!

I'd assume the fist calls with be to Luke Joeckel and Jabari Evans?

Well that sucks. The Vikings now need to be calling around to try and trade for an OL.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't think the Pitcher could be on the mound at all, let alone about to step on the rubber, if he didn't have the baseball???

***Just a suggestion for an upcoming topic for the Round Table - But who would each of you pick to represent the Twins in the AFL?*** I'd love to see Gonsalves get a promotion and even if it's just a start or two. Let him get his feet wet. I'd assume Romero will be on an innings limit and I don't want to see him coming out of the bullpen with him having such a strong season and legit chance to start next season with the Twins. Would Rooker needed to be added to the 40 man / would that effect his number of options if he was called up in September? I'd like to see what Tyler Austin could do since he would be a good platoon with Mauer next season. Mauer faces only RH pitchers and Austin LH pitchers. If healthy I'd like to see what Pineda could do even if it's just out of the bullpen. ** Edit - I know Pineda isn't a prospect but it would be interesting to see him in September.

Yea zero interest in incognito. I wouldn't mind the Vikings trying to trade for more OL help because they could use the depth but not this guy.

You might want to actually look up his numbers before you state so emphatically that he isn't a clutch hitter....

Who do you think they call up if he can’t pitch his next time around - Romero or Gonsalves?