Squirrel

And re-watching Max's grand slam ... I want a DQ Blizzard ... darn it ...

I wonder how many of us never thought that would be something we'd be saying ... but you're right. But that's what this team has been doing ... picking it up for one another.

I said this not too long ago in another thread seeing specifically the turn around in Kepler … I think I said something along the lines of ‘I think they’ve finally found Rowson’s replacement’

I’m glad you’ve come around to this! Seeing is believing ?

And with Alcala returning, too (hopefully)

Your goat bleats and giggles? Mine screams. Literally. Yes. Screams. (Google ‘screaming goats’ and watch a couple videos … mine does that.)

Welcome to TD! Jump in wherever you can, whenever you want! Look forward to seeing what you put up in this space.

IMG_0766.MOV

Ooooooooh .... aaaaaaah ....

Then you're not doing it right

Talk about mischaracterizing what I said ... I didn't say they were confused ... but when Royce did as he did, yes, they need to figure out a new plan, and that's what they are doing, and what I expect them to do. It's not a misfire, or confusion ... recalculating, yes, because I hope they are always doing that, because they should. They can't stand pat and stick to some 'almighty plan' as you suggest they are doing. I'm saying ... I don't see that, at all as you suggested.

At this point, I'm not going to continue other than to say ... I don't think they've made a mistake here. At all. You seem to think it's all about some misfired plan or expectation and now they are confused. I just don't agree with your characterizations.

Okay ... every scenario you pointed out is a negative reflection. I get the 'feels like' but maybe try and take a more neutral stance than the one you wanted/expected/thought should be and reevaluate a little. Yeah, no one is objective. I get that. First ... are you sure you want to use Baddoo as a comp? Where is Baddoo now after a huge break out year for him? He's regressed, a lot. I still think he can be everything he was last year, but, it's time for him to readjust and catch his breath. He will. And this was apparent in the latter half of last season. I mean, many thought that Miranda should have been with the team this year as our starting 3B after his breakout year last season, and he faltered. It doesn't indicated that he will be a bad player in the major, it just means he needs to adjust. Royce started the season in AAA with a bang, and after 11 games in the majors, did everything anyone could ever hope/want/expect. He has shown he belongs ... at some point. I think it's just way too early to christen him to the majors from here on out. Yeah, I DO get the argument of letting him play until a time he needs some adjustment (assuming that happens because it almost always does at some point). And yeah, I also get that he is more talented that those others, too, and maybe he won't need as much. I get it. You wanted him to stay based on his year this year, based on how you projected him to be. I just don't think it's a negative he was sent down. Unless we released someone or traded someone, there wasn't a spot for him. Yeah, I'd have sent Miranda down before Lewis, but, I also believe Lewis will be the one called back up when we send down our 14th pitcher. He will also be the first call if any position player has an injury ... so they want him playing every day, in multiple positions, to get him ready, because he will be back up. Second, maybe it's not about sticking to an almighty plan ... but maybe that plan has been in flux since we signed Correa. Just maybe they are trying to figure out a way to keep Correa long term. Maybe this is part of the new plan, getting Lewis ready to take over 3rd or an outfield spot because Correa is going to be our SS next year, too. What if Correa doesn't opt out? What then? So, I don't think it's about 'sticking to a plan', I think it's about ... okay, that plan is in flux and there are a lot pieces and a lot of 'what ifs' that are happening or could happen. I don't think it's a bad thing to not jerk the car around with a 180 because Lewis did so well in his 1st 11 games in the major. Maybe it's like ... whoa ... I think we need to take this exit instead and have the GSP remap the route. Third, I don't know squat. But this is just how I think of it all. I don't think Lewis going down is all that bad. Wouldn't have been my choice when it happened. But I'm also fine with the decision. Yes, the right here and now is important ... so is the planning for June, July, August and September to get us to October and November. I don't want them to be doing things because of next year ... but I think thinking as far forward as the rest of the season is definitely something I want them to do. Okay, I'm out of breath. I hate long posting.

Yeah. Just Kepler alone this year compared to last year. Wonder if they’ve finally found a replacement for Rowson? (Wait, we do have a new hitting coach this year, yes?)

Okay, I’m LOL’ing this comment. Seriously? You think how Lewis did had any effect on Correa? Dude, come on. Correa was heating way up when he was hit by a pitch. Correa is twice (and probably a lot more) the SS than Lewis will ever be … that’s just how good Correa is. And Correa has been encouraging to and cheering on Lewis this whole time. If anyone on the team could/would be affected on how well Lewis did, it would be Urshela, Miranda or Gordon, and maybe Kirilloff, too. Correa needs no incentive as there is absolutely no worry about him being supplanted by Lewis as long as he remains a Twin, whether that’s 1 year (or, wishful thinking) 3 years and beyond. The others I mentioned, that could happen this year one way or another

Morale. That said, Correa is a far better SS than Lewis. I’m glad to have him back regardless of Lewis being up or down.

This wasn't Baldelli's decision. At least not alone.

I didn't know that Larnach was going to be sent on a rehab assignment. I had suggested that he wouldn't be activated to the 26-man roster in another thread and was soundly told that all signs pointed to the opposite. So, my opinions were stated when I thought it was 'certain' that Larnach would also be activated soon, like, by or before Friday. So ... I didn't think it was that big of a deal because I felt it would be both Lewis and Miranda for Correa and Larnach. But, now that Larnach is going to rehab, well ... I still don't think it's that big of a deal. Honestly. Might not be exactly what I'd do, but I still think Lewis will be back up very soon and will play all over the field and be here for the rest of the season. I get that you and most think he can learn those positions while up with the Twins, and I'm not disagreeing with that, but I think there is rationale to send him down to play everyday, too.

I think Miranda will go down when they activate Larnach. And in two weeks (well, less than now), they have to bring their pitchers down to 13 and then add a position player. My hunch is, they've given Lewis a plan ... play all over the field and he will be back up to play out the rest of the season. I think they've already discounted Kirilloff in their plans this year and now it's Lewis.

Lol ... posters here don't disappoint. It surprises me that it wasn't Miranda being sent down first, but that's really the only surprise. But when they activate Larnach, it will be. When both Correa and Larnach were activated, it was always going to be for Miranda and Lewis. Who else was going to be sent down? Tell me who else was going to be sent down who could be sent down? Does Gio have options left? Arraez? Gordon? In two weeks when they have to go down to 13 pitchers and they have to bring up a position player ... who do you think it's going to be? My guess is Lewis will be back up in 2 weeks, playing everywhere. While I don't disagree with some here saying he could get those reps up here, I think there is equal argument for him getting those reps in AAA. Remember, he didn't play for two years. In spite of that, he has been outstanding ... in one position, after two years. I don't really think a lot of rust needs to be shaken off playing elsewhere given his play so far this year, but I do understand the rationale.

I’d love to think that maybe part of this decision is because they are confident in working out a long-term deal with Correa. Yeah, I dream big.

You maybe didn’t realize that when you wrote this, Correa was already activated and Lewis optioned to AAA

Yeah ... this is something I've noticed this year, too. From the pitchers forming a 'team within a team' to Buxton being so animated to, well, everyone ... there just seems to be a whole different feel. If Rocco has cultivated that, that's a really great attribute. But, then again, there is no 'I' in team. These things tend to happen because of 1) good leadership, 2) good communication, and 3) the 'right' mix. The clubhouse I don't think can be totally attributed to Rocco, but he is certain a big part of 1 and 2.