Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

MileHighTwinsFan

Verified Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    449

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Profiles

Minnesota Twins News, Rumors & Analysis

Minnesota Twins Videos

2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Rankings

2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Minnesota Twins Trade & Free Agent Rumors

Minnesota Twins Fan Guides & Resources

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

The Minnesota Twins Players Project

2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Forums

Blogs

Events

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by MileHighTwinsFan

  1. MileHighTwinsFan
    Cue the disco ball and let the dance party begin.
  2. MileHighTwinsFan
    If the team is at the top of the standings at the All Star break, they will need to give the team at least 2 slots. Perkins is a given at this point, Dozier and Plouffe would be the candidates for the second slot. Because the game actually means something, the pitching staff is going to be reliever heavy and filled with closers. That means Gibson is probably a long shot to make the team.
  3. MileHighTwinsFan
    I was most interested in Molitor's response to the question about the Twins' ability to score early runs. While he said these things are streaky - he does emphasize fast starts and being ready to play from the first pitch - which sounds a bit like coachspeak. I don't know if there is more to it - but the team seems to have an uncanny ability to jump on starting pitching early. It is getting to be such a trend that you wonder if there is something in their data analytics framework that is giving them an edge.
  4. MileHighTwinsFan
    The depth of starting pitching suggests this club will contend all year. Santana and Milone are there when the shoe drops on Pelfrey and/or Nolasco. I would definitely bet the over on .500.
  5. MileHighTwinsFan
    Makes no sense to put him in the outfield or 1B with his defense at 3B. I think they deal him or extend him, then think about their options with Sano. The problem is that Sano is not going to be a better 3B than Plouffe for awhile, if ever. Is Sano a lifetime DH? - maybe.
  6. MileHighTwinsFan
    This is a next year problem at the earliest. I don't see Sano up before September - he needs to play everyday at 3B and Plouffe is the better player right now - both offensively and especially defensively. While we would all like to see Sano with the big club sooner, I don't think it will happen before September unless Plouffe gets hurt or the team falls off the face of the earth and out of contention before then. The real question is what happens during the off season. The team needs to make a decision and I don't think anyone should assume that Plouffe's days at 3B for the Twins are over.
  7. MileHighTwinsFan
    It is scary to think what a September 1 call up might look like for this club. Think about having Buxton, Sano, Vargas, Polanco, etc. available off the bench or in the line-up. The depth in the relief corp could lead to some amazing matchups in key situations. The possibilities are very exciting - but I doubt we seen many of these guys before then.
  8. MileHighTwinsFan
    Whether the start is an illusion or an indicator of a team turning the corner is irrelevant. The team finds itself in contention - now it is up to the front office to find a way to parlay it into a real playoff run. The team clearly has holes, the question is which ones to fill and at what price. We know the Twins well enough that they will not sell the farm for a single season run. However, we have seen the team make moves that paid off big in the short term. Those who think that the help for the stretch fun will come exclusively from the minors is mistaken. The team will need to make a trade or two to solidify their chances. The question is who they will pursue, when they will pursue them and who they will be willing to part ways with to get there.
  9. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think if the team is going to compete over the long haul, they will need a veteran presence at shortstop. Santana is not the answer right now and I don't think Polanco is the guy we want out there during a stretch run. Escobar might be able to fill the role - but his versatility is such a huge asset, it would be a shame to lock him in at short. Is there someone at the end of their contract that could be an option to fill the role for the rest of the year?
  10. MileHighTwinsFan
    I don't see the Twins buying into any long term deals, particularly for veterans past their prime. Instead, I would suspect the Twins would be interested in players who are at the end of their contract and who can help them win now. A veteran DH, a reliever and possibly a center fielder would be my best bet of trades the team will make. I would not be surprised to see the team trade one starting pitcher for a low-level prospect (Milone or Pelfrey) - but definitely not more than that. The pitching depth will be a key asset as the team moves into the stretch run.
  11. MileHighTwinsFan
    I know Santana is our everyday shortstop, but is he better defensively than Escobar? Seems like putting Escobar in the DH slot doesn't take advantage of his defense and given Santana's struggles it seems like it would make more sense in this lineup to DH Santana.
  12. MileHighTwinsFan
    Not Not too get too far ahead of ourselves - but Wade Davis was traded to KC as a starter, but was moved to the pen. That seemed to work out OK.
  13. MileHighTwinsFan
    Given this data, it stands to reason that pitchers will live on the corners and take their chances with Joe. This may explain Joe's success with RISP and particularly with the bases loaded. Pitchers have to pitch within the strike zone more often in those situations and Joe is raking.
  14. MileHighTwinsFan
    I don't have the data - but it seems Joe is not getting the calls from umpires that he once got. He often looks flummoxed by called strikes on the corners. He's even had some choice words for umpires. Regarding bat speed - you may be right that it is slower, but he is pulling the ball more often. It may be that he is committing a bit earlier to get out front on pitches - making him vulnerable to off speed and breaking stuff - resulting in more Ks. It was interesting that in the postgame interview after his home run the other night he said that he was looking to go the other way, but reacted to the hanging slider and pulled it. Mauer may not be a hitter at his peak - but I think his descent will be far more gradual than the vast majority of veterans.
  15. MileHighTwinsFan
    But he didn't and Perkins got his save. Why people are questioning a strategic move that worked to perfection is beyond me.
  16. MileHighTwinsFan
    I am pretty sure Duensing was going to go as long as they could with him, probably 3 innings. More than 3 innings and of course they would have to go with Perkins. I think you are all missing the point - having Perkins available to close is a strategic advantage the Twins had that the Pirates didn't. It is not about roles - it is about chess moves to win a game. In this situation, Perkins being available to close is a strategic benefit for the team.
  17. MileHighTwinsFan
    Totally disagree. Boyer has been excelling in that role. He is comfortable there and has proven his value. So it would have been better to have Boyer close - even though this is not his role on the team?
  18. MileHighTwinsFan
    Agreed, but the one strategic advantage in an extra inning game is that you get a chance to protect a lead with the guy designated for that purpose to be available to fulfill that role. As a manager, you want people in the roles they are assigned to play. Closers need to close, middle relief guys are asked to keep their team in the game and back in the dugout . Graham and Duensing were asked to fulfill their roles and Perkins' his - that is how you manage over 162 games in the major leagues.
  19. MileHighTwinsFan
    The right strategy on the road is to keep your closer available for exactly the situation last night. Extra inning games, by definition will lead to a save situation for the visiting team - but never for a home team. That is the one strategic advantage the visitor has in an extra inning game. Of course, for the strategy to work, particularly in a game where the Twins lost the lead late in the game with their set-up men, you have to go deeper into the pen. Frankly, it is an ideal situation for the guys like Graham and Duensing to contribute. What would not have been cool is to have Mauer hit his dinger and run Duensing out there in a role he is not accustomed to. I would never second guess this decision. A manager needs to ask all of his guys to contribute in these games and it makes sense to save your closer for exactly that role. It could have easily gone south last night - but Molitor did the right thing and his players stepped up.
  20. MileHighTwinsFan
    With Casey Fien out - Boyer has come up big. The great news is that he doesn't have to carry the bullpen on his back. Fien's return to the roster and the continued success of Aaron Thompson provides a solid - if not remarkable back end of the bullpen. In another month, I would suspect the Twins will go out and find themselves a high quality bull pen arm that will bolster things. Boyer, Fien, Thompson, Tonkin and Perkins provide a sound foundation - now the Twins need that big arm to get to the next level.
  21. MileHighTwinsFan
    Wow! The negativity. If the team is still in it a month from now, they get Santana back and they are buyers at the trade deadline. They have many chips available for a top end arm, a veteran bat and/or glove.
  22. MileHighTwinsFan
    I am beginning to believe that Plouffe is a key part of this rebuild and should not be moved from the team or off of 3rd base. He may be the most well rounded player on the current roster providing both a power bat and great glove. As much as I love Miguel Sano, he is nowhere near ready to displace Trevor from the lineup. I am as excited as anyone to see Sano with the Twins, but I really think he would be an overall downgrade from Plouffe now and for the foreseeable future. Let's also get real about Joe Mauer. He is the first baseman and will be for quite some time. Ideas about moving him from this role are completely ridiculous. Frankly, having this infield locked in is a huge reason to be optimistic about the future of this club. I know this may be sacriliege - but Sano may be the guy playing in a different uniform - not Trevor.
  23. MileHighTwinsFan
    Happiness is a minor league system deep in starting pitching.
  24. MileHighTwinsFan
    I am not convinced that Rosario goes down when Arcia comes off the DL. With Vargas down, Arcia would slot very nicely into the DH spot, allowing Rosario to continue to get innings and at bats. Having his speed and athleticism on the roster during the NL games will be useful. He may not be a permanent fixture on the roster just yet - but an extended look for a few more weeks to see if he settles in may be in order.
  25. MileHighTwinsFan
    So tired of the Joe bashing. Joe got his payday at the top of the market. He was happy, we were happy. Has he become the hitter we all dreamed he would be - probably not. But how many players out there could have met the expectations we placed on this kid? Not many. What we have is a guy who is going to continue to play solid and reliable baseball for years to come. I will take that to the bank.
×
×
  • Create New...