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MileHighTwinsFan

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Everything posted by MileHighTwinsFan

  1. MileHighTwinsFan
    . . . And then the Twins take two of three from the defending American League champion and previously unbeaten Royals. I love the optimism on the minor league side, but give it a rest about the major league club. The season is fluid, changes will be made either with the existing players (as evidenced by the swapping of Hunter and Dozier in the lineup) or by bringing up new players. Give Molitor a chance to fully see what he has before hitting the panic button. I am as anxious to see Sano and Buxton in the big leagues as you are - but as your own post points out, they are not exactly crushing it in AA. Sano is below .200 and Buxton has struggled to get the ball in play. Give these guys the time they need to work on their skills without the red hot spotlight that would be focused on them if they were with the big club. Patience is a virtue.
  2. MileHighTwinsFan
    Well there you go. A bomb today and he shows signs of life.
  3. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think it is too early to DFA Nunez. I think he is a legitimate pinch hitter. I like Herrmann as a utility guy and believe he deserves more at bats and time in the outfield. Bringing Pinto up allows Herrmann to be a true utility player Arcia is another option. He might have fought off a demotion with yesterday's bomb, but if he doesn't show progress, he could go down. If they were to make a move, my vote would be to send down Vargas. He really just a DH and he's not hitting right now. If he doesn't get on track soon, a stint in AAA would do him some good.
  4. MileHighTwinsFan
    I still choose to be optimistic. The Nolasco and Santana situations were exactly why we added depth to the rotation in the last two years. While no one would have predicted these two developments so early in the year, having Mays and Pelfrey in the wings was precisely the insurance policy that the team was investing in based on the likelihood of injury or other development. Now we have to see how May and Pelfrey perform. Can they secure the job or will they need to relent when Nolasco and/or Santana come back. The same is true with the bullpen. Thielbar, Tonkin, etc. sit in the minors waiting for their opportunity, knowing that they will eventuallyhave their shot with the big club. It's a long season. . . Because we have options, albeit modest ones, I remain optimistic. The same is true with the outfield. Hicks and Rosario, when they are ready, can take the next step. For now, we simply need to play out the Schaefer/Robinson experiment for a bit more. If it doesn't pan out, I think we would agree to give Hicks and Rosario a shot.
  5. MileHighTwinsFan
    Pretty clear that Meyer is not the next call up for the rotation. I would suspect that Berrios gets a look before AM at this point.
  6. MileHighTwinsFan
    I am not sure the dichotomy has to do with numbers vs. words, but more individual vs. team. People of numbers and words get caught up in discreet skills a player brings to the game. Some articulate it as slash lines others by prodigious power at the plate. What I don't think people consider is how it is the mix of skills among 25 guys that makes a difference on a winning team. More importantly, from management's point of view, it is who can consistently deliver on their unique skills game after game for 162 games. I find those frustrated by roster decisions not understanding that while Trevor May has great stuff and has shown glimpses of brilliance, he does not have the consistency that Tommy Milone has shown at the major league level. I choose to trust management on these decisions until there are the words or numbers to prove them wrong.
  7. MileHighTwinsFan
    Love these updates, helps salve the wounds from the big club's first series. Quick question. I was trying to follow the games on the MILB Gameday Iphone App and it looks like the software needed an update - but there was nothing available online. It still has New Britain listed as the AA affiliate for the Twins and you weren't able to find any of the games last night. Anyone else have trouble?
  8. MileHighTwinsFan
    It didn't go well today - but let's take a deep breath people.
  9. MileHighTwinsFan
    Don't disagree - just commenting on the decision as insightful on Molitor's managing style. I think other managers might have bunted knowing that a single from one of his top two hitters or even a sac fly would have broken the ice against a guy who was dealing.
  10. MileHighTwinsFan
    Posted this in the game thread, but seems more appropriate here. Schaefer and Arcia against a tough lefty confirms he won't go exclusively with platoons - although the first game is hardly a good measure of the extent he will use matchups to set a line up. Not calling on Santana to bunt with 2 on, no out and the heart of the order coming up suggests that he is not going to be all about manufacturing runs.
  11. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think criticizing the Twins front office right now is the equivalent of my daughter deciding she doesn't like Chinese food before she ever tries it. You may not like what it looks like on the plate, but you shouldn't pass judgement until you give it a try. If I am a first time big league manager, I don't want to both establish a managing strategy and bring along young unproven talent at the same time. I think the decisions made make perfect sense. You take veteran major leaguers and establish your game strategy, allow the young players to get more seasoned and gradually introduce them to your strategy. No one expects this team to compete this year, so I think we should all sit back and watch the Molitor era unfold. I for one can't wait.
  12. MileHighTwinsFan
    No provision in his contract that allows Twins to nullify the deal? Seems like Twins could and should find a way out of this deal.
  13. MileHighTwinsFan
    Like their decisions in the outfield, the call on the pitching rotation reflects a commitment to reliable assets over big upsides or loyalty to players. May is still young and has room for improvement. Milone, while not flashy, is a reliable pitcher who knows how to avoid the big inning. Seems like an easy decision. As for Pelfrey, what right does he have to expect a starting job after the last 2 years? He has to prove that he can be relied upon in that role. A 13 inning sample size in ST is not nearly enough to justify that kind of decision. It is a long season and both May and Pelfrey will have the opportunity to start. These decisions are about putting together a coherent and consistent everyday lineup. There may be a point this season when the Twins will mine the minors to see what they have. Opening day is not the time to do it.
  14. MileHighTwinsFan
    Welcome to TR/PM Twins. I think the moves show a great deal of clarity . The decision to option Hicks/Rosario in favor of Robinson/Schaefer is a move to invest in reliable assets over potential. Robinson's defense and Schaefer's speed give something for Molitor to work with everyday. While Rosario/Hicks provide bigger upsides in the long run, Molitor has no idea what he will get from either of them on any given day. For the past 2 springs the Twins have thrown Hicks out there everyday and hoped for the best. The new TR/PM Twins are abandoning that approach and instead are creating a lineup and game strategy based on what each player reliably brings to the lineup.
  15. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think I agreed with you - well always. Having said that, the team had no choice whatsoever but to make the moves they did. Our best case scenario is that Nolasco remains serviceable when the team returns to competitiveness - hopefully next year. Frankly the Nolasco investment is modest compared to the albatross around Detroit's neck with the Verlander contract.
  16. MileHighTwinsFan
    How well would a 2015 AA Chattanooga Lookouts roster with w/Buxton, Polanco, Burdi, Kepler, Walker, Sano, Stewart and Mientkiewicz in the dugout draw at Target Field this summer, playing AA ball? I for one would be at the ballpark regularly to watch this team.
  17. MileHighTwinsFan
    Great Blog. All Twins fans who were tormented in the 1970's should read this piece to get the full story about CG.
  18. MileHighTwinsFan
    I would be surprised if the team does not take a significant step forward. The investments in starting pitching will pay dividends. We all saw the offense hit its stride last season and I am excited to see the new wrinkles Molitor puts into our defensive shifts and baserunning. I am the same age as you are Doc. I have seen this franchise through some horrendous lows and spectacular highs. I definitely think the 2015 will be a season of progress, the first step on a steady climb to the playoffs. In an interview with members of Jerry Kill's Gopher football coaching staff they used the metaphor of building a base camp for the ascent to competitiveness. I truly believe the Twins will establish that base camp this year.
  19. MileHighTwinsFan
    I look at Aaron Hicks and see a physically impressive player with great potential - not completely unlike Lorenzo Cain. It was only this year - at age 28 - that Cain became a force to be reckoned with at the major league level. At age 25 - he had a cup of coffee in the majors and played sparingly at age 26. Hicks is only 24 and already has far more exposure at the major league level than Cain did at the same age. We do need to recognize that Hicks was thrust into this role by an amazing series of events where two major league CFs ahead of him were traded in a matter of weeks. Otherwise, he would probably have a stat line like Cain's at his age. Does the kid have issues - yes - but it seems far too soon to write him off - particularly when there are no other major league ready options and the team is still at least one year away from being serious contenders. I still hold out hope that Hicks will be a solid contributor when the Twins return to contention. As far as where he starts the year? I see no reason at this point to send him to AAA. He is too valuable defensively and has enough of a foundation at the major league level to build on. Give him the job in spring training - tell him it's his job until someone steps up and takes it from him - and stop with the journeyman centerfielders with strong gloves and below average bats.
  20. MileHighTwinsFan
    It's all about options. The Twins will go into 2015 with multiple scenarios for fielding a competitive rotation. In 2015, the team will have protection from injuries and poor performance - while still leaving the door open for prospects to get major league innings. Depending on how 2015 unfolds - we could have a veteran rotation that enables us to compete for a playoff spot in September or the opportunity to trade off veteran assets to make room for younger arms. I see absolutely no downside to this strategy. I have no doubt that if the young arms are effective either out of the pen or in spot starts, they will get an opportunity to start next year and beyond.
  21. MileHighTwinsFan
    A great and aggressive move. Twins have proved that they are committed to fielding a rotation that will give them a chance to win every night. We have three starters with proven major league credentials, a fourth young arm with dominant - if inconsistent stuff and a legitimate competition for a 5th spot between young arms and proven major league talent. Not sure what more the fans could want from the team at this point.
  22. MileHighTwinsFan
    To me, this signing is the first indication of what this team expects to be down the road. I would have bet my right arm that this team was going to model themselves more after KC and attempt to be strong defensively in the outfield and faster on the base paths. That may still be where they end up when Buxton and Rosario are up, but this move does not seem to be a step in that direction. The only reason I can see this being a plus move for the team is that they hope Hunter will provide the mentoring and support to young outfielders, like he received from Puckett and provided Span. Our trading of Span broke an impressive chain of success in the outfield for this team - maybe this is their attempt to restore that tradition.
  23. MileHighTwinsFan
    Maybe we are not giving the Twins enough credit. If it is the case that under Molitor The Twins will do more with infield shifts, they may believe they can compensate a bit for Hunter's defensive limitations. Further, right field at Target Field, particularly in the power ally, is not as spacious as Comerica. A rangy center fielder will be very important, but all things considered he may be adequate out there.
  24. MileHighTwinsFan
    It is clear to me that there is not enough room in the lineup for Sano, Arcia and Vargas. Great power, but way too many strikeouts for a team that will likely seek a balance between speed and power. Yes, it may be a bit early to commit between Vargas and Arcia but, it seems that either could command a pretty big return right now. With the Twins in full rebuild mode, making a commitment to one or the other allows the team to trade for pitching or another area of need to create the balanced line-up and rotation they seek. The obvious answer is to make it clear that these players can be had for a certain price - hold hard and fast on that price and see what happens. The Twins don't need to be in a hurry, but I think it this is an inevitable decision the team will need to make. One thing is for sure - sitting Arcia is not an option. He needs to play everyday to maximize value and to further his development, (which means Plouffe is on the bench and Rosario remains in the minors). All I can say is that once we get to June and Arcia, Sano and Vargas are in the line-up - fans better use some extra hair spray to protect against the wind being generated from home plate.
  25. MileHighTwinsFan
    I have to wonder if this is just the first shoe to drop in what could be other outfield moves. I have thought for awhile that Arcia is on borrowed time with the club. Could we see Arcia on the block for pitching with the Twins looking to add a legitimate left fielder? Just speculation, but with Rosario close and Buxton not far behind, Arcia may be expendable.
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