KrnlDoug

It is clear that the leadership sees something that we do not. This is a quote from Falvey an ESPN article that was posted yesterday (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22505175/jake-odorizzi-welcomes-trade-minnesota-twins-tampa-bay-rays-cut-costs)) "This guy has upside," chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said. "I think he's kind of one of those guys who's sneaky, ends up in the top of your rotation, and it might not be the big velocity or otherwise, but the way he pitches and the way he manages contact, guys don't square it up often." I just hope that he isn't setting himself, or the fans for that matter, up for disappointment.

I agree with the article but would also like to point out another detail. It is important to create a winning culture in the regular season so that when the playoffs come, the players know what to expect from their own performance. Winning is a mentality that provides confidence. "I know that when I perform at "x" level, I am capable of winning." That mentality is the important and can only be built during the regular season.

The Minnesota Twins have acquired LHP Jamie Garcia, catcher Anthony Recker, and cash consdiderations from the Braves in exchange for minor league RHP Huascar Ynoa. Press Release here( Garcia has a record of 66-52 with a 3.65 ERA, but is 4-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 18 starts for the Braves. Who knows how this will affect the rotation for now, but it will be interesting to see how this will play out for the remainder of the season. Where do you all see him in the rotation? Do you think the Twins will continue to make moves before the deadline? What remaining needs do you think there are?

According to ESPN Santiago over the past six consecutive starts he has posted a 1.78 ERA. This is a big upgrade over Nolasco, even if the long term numbers aren't great. Santiago could be used a trade chip come August if he continues his success.

It was announced this morning that the Atlanta Braves have fired their manager, . The Braves similar to the Twins have had an incredibly rough start to this season going 9-28 in the first 37 games of the season. TR does not like to clean house in spring, nor does it seem like he likes to clean house, at all but after a similar start will the Twins make the same decision with Paul Molitor? When you compare the two managers, Fredi Gonzalez of the Braves has a much better record and has spent more time managing for his organization and has posted a 434-413 record or an 95% win percentage. Molitor on the other hand had posted a 93-106 record in his two years with the Twins so far or an 87% win percentage. My question to the interwebs is when is it time to cut ties with a manager. Who is responsible for poor performance? Players? Managers? Front Office? Should we part ways with Molitor due to poor performance or do we chalk it up to the growing pains of a new manager?

This is the first time that I have written anything for a blog, forum or really anything beyond the papers I wrote for grad school/college, so please bear with me as I figure this out. Let me start off by saying that I am from Minneapolis but do not live there currently. I have been living for the past few years in Kentucky and now South Dakota. During the times that I have missed home it has always been comforting to turn on the TV or in my Kentucky days, MLB.tv, and watch a Twins game. I am a frequent visitor of TD so I know I am not the first person to notice that the season so far has been, less than positive. Inconsistent hitting and poor plate appearances was the first task that we had to endure but then the plate appearance seemed to get a little better as early-April transitioned to mid-April. Now as we transition from late-April to early-May we encounter poor pitching and poor team management. Simply put, the notaligia that I received from watching my "home" team has since gone away and left me a feeling of despair toward the organization. I suppose the question that I pose to those reading, posting, commenting on TD is how do you continue to stay positive about a season that is pretty clearly not going to end how we want it to? What can you look to that fills you with pride in the organization? Is that even possible or is it better to accept it and move on?

As much as I disagree with the move, it makes sense. I would rather have his bat getting better in AAA than sitting on the bench in the Big Leagues doing nothing. Hicks has been swinging decently as of late, Rosario continues to come in with clutch hits and Hunter isn't going anywhere. Why have Buxton sit on the bench and do nothing, when he could continue to grow, develop and get some help with his batting in AAA. He has had a taste of the majors and I think he will want to get back here, sometimes being sent down is a big motivator(see Aaron Hicks) and I bet we see Buxton again in September.

I'm not a fan of TR by any means as he bent fans over a barrel several times but I think we need to take all moves with a grain of salt. Baseball is not a game of "one move fixes all." This could go either way and in the FO's mind take a seemingly sure thing rather than could be might be a few years down the line. Let's not push the panic button just yet. Now if he plays and gives up 4+ runs in the 7th or 8th, then I say we grab our pitchforks and force TR out of town.