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MileHighTwinsFan

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Everything posted by MileHighTwinsFan

  1. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think Cave goes down and stays there until one of the starting three outfielders go down with an injury. I think Adrianza stays because of his glove as a late inning replacement for Sano at 3B and spot duty in the infield. If the starting rotation continues on this pace - I think they can survive with 12 pitchers. I think adding quality arms to the bullpen and another starter will be the priority. I believe Keuchel and Kimbrel are both real possibilities if the team has a healthy lead when the compensation picks drop off of the two of them in June. Falvine would much rather add payroll than trade prospects.
  2. MileHighTwinsFan
    As mentioned in a thread somewhere here on TD, Torii Hunter and Kirby Puckett ran in to many walls in their careers, and didn't end up in heap like a fragile broken down fawn. What's up with Buxton. Is he a drama queen? Kirby and Hunter played 81 games a year with a fence lovingly called a hefty bag. Pretty sure Buck would be just fine if that was what he contended with.
  3. MileHighTwinsFan
    Does Adam Rosales have a chance to make the club? With Sano out - it seems like he could add value through the first month at least. He has had a fantastic spring and it seems he deserves a look.
  4. MileHighTwinsFan
    . . . And that’s a good thing. We know how many plate appearances Escobar got as the super utility player. I really don’t think Twins compete for AL Central without a player with Gonzalez’s ability on the roster. Adrianza is a stop gap for an injured player at best. Gonzalez allows starters to get regular rest and the option to fill in when one of them gets hurt. The lineup is not downgraded when Marwin is in the lineup. Having a ring and the experience that goes along with it doesn’t hurt either.
  5. MileHighTwinsFan
    1.022 OPS at Target Field, ‘nuff said.
  6. MileHighTwinsFan
    Completely agree. If the Twins are going to make a championship run in the foreseeable future, it is going to be because Byron Buxton is owning centerfield and the basepaths. The alternative is mediocrity.
  7. MileHighTwinsFan
    While the game has changed and Mauer's brand of baseball seems to no longer align with the new analytics era, I still see a hitter who consistently takes quality at bats and a glove that is above average at first base. I have to believe that the Twins or another team would find value in what he still offers. The question is what does Joe still want to accomplish and what is he willing to sacrifice to make that happen. Whether it is moving to a championship caliber team or sticking with the Twins who may be still a couple years away, he probably needs to accept a diminished role. Is he OK with a backup role with only a couple starts a week and probably a PH appearance and/or being late inning defensive replacement most nights? If he is willing to accept that role, I am certain he will be playing Major League Baseball next year.
  8. MileHighTwinsFan
    My point is that hitters, over time, will master the strike zone and gain an advantage. To me it is inherent to the game that each umpire’s unique tendencies bring a different dynamic to the game. In some ways the fact that the strike zone is different every night is something that both hitters and pitchers need to consider. The art of pitching and hitting is to know each umpire and their tendencies. I don’t think the umpire calling balls and strikes is sacred, but I do think the game could compensate for this added dimension by widening the strike zone with the addition of the computerized zone. Widening and/or heightening the zone would level the playing field by giving pitchers an opportunity to place their pitches in locations that are a bit more difficult for the hitters.
  9. MileHighTwinsFan
    I am not against the electronic strike zone, but doesn’t that tilt the game more in favor of hitters? Hitters will grow very accustomed to the strike zone, never having to make adjustments. I would think a bigger strike zone would counter the electronic zone. Rewarding pitchers who can hit the outside corner with a plate that is 2” wider would seem to level the playing field. I am all for squeezing the juice from the ball to lower the number of homers, which would in turn increase the value of hitters who can hit to all fields, hit and run and steal bases.
  10. MileHighTwinsFan
    I actually think the Twins are negotiating from a position of strength on Dozier. A trade would allow the Twins to still compete with a pretty competitive infield of Sano, Polanco, Escobar and Mauer. I would look to deal him for a piece that could actually contribute this year - a catcher, right handed bat or a reliever under team control over a couple of years.
  11. MileHighTwinsFan
    With eight more games left in the division than Cleveland - I think it makes perfect sense for the team to make a big push up to the trade deadline. If they are six games or fewer out after the KC, BOS, TOR and CLE series in July - they should still be considered in contention. I expect that the addition of Santana alone will be a major add to the team. If Sano can find his way back to the big club - and resemble the Sano we know and love - then you have to believe the team has a shot. Even if they trade Dozier - they will still have a formidable lineup with Escobar, Polanco and Sano in the lineup.
  12. MileHighTwinsFan
    While I agree Sano has been a disappointment, we have to remember that he was coming off an injury and had the prospect of a suspension hanging over of his head. It stands to reason that consciously or unconsciously Sano and the team were fully prepared for a 50 game suspension with the silver lining that it would give him time to fully come back from his injury and give him the jolt he needed to get his head together. It almost seems like the franchise and Sano were caught flat footed by the dismissal of the allegations. What is happening with Sano now - is essentially what would have happened had he been suspended. So it is fair to say that his performance, while disappointing, was not unexpected. As a result, I am hopeful that we will still see him in August with a new attitude and more conditioned body. Buxton, on the other hand, is the major disappointment - for all the reasons described. Most troubling is the injury albatross around his neck. The guy can't seem to stay on the field for any extended amount of time. I have to believe that his health has complicated his struggles. I don't see him making any meaningful contribution this year - not until September at least.
  13. MileHighTwinsFan
    I really like that both Grossman and Granite are coming north. They complement each other well as late inning options. Grossman will be a solid PH and Granite's speed makes him a great PR option and defensive replacement.
  14. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think many thought he wild be the second coming of David Ortiz, but he has never done enough at AAA or the bigs to deserve any remote comparison to Papi. I think he gets waived and picked up by a team looking for a bench bat and backup first baseman. How about Texas, Milwaukee, Tampa or Colorado?
  15. MileHighTwinsFan
    Congrats Molly! Phil Miller has some 'splaining to do.
  16. MileHighTwinsFan
    It will be fascinating to see through their 40 man roster decisions how they see the current state of their pitching staff. I would suspect that these decisions will provide the greatest insights on how they intend to build a competitive staff from within. Will they hoard arms or will they make some distinct choices about the types of arms they believe will contribute and soon.
  17. MileHighTwinsFan
    If the Twins are at the point where they are not merely focused on making the playoffs, but on winning championships - there is no question that they need to have two to three elite bullpen arms. Starting at the closer spot down - you need shut down arms that pile up strikeouts and can go multiple innings. I fear the Yankees because they have Green, Robertson, Betances, Chapman, Kahnle. These guys are dominant and will likely be central to their title runs for the next several years. Ideally these arms will ultimately emerge from within the organization. However, if we are going to compete next year - we will need to find proven arms through free agency and trades. Kintzler is a start, but we need at least one more strong and proven arm, at some point, if we are going to be serious contenders.
  18. MileHighTwinsFan
    To me the issue is who is the right match for the talent they have on the roster. With a young, athletic team - you want a manager that fully leverages those assets. At face value, Molitor would fit the bill - he is not afraid to use a running game - both bunting and base stealing to force the action on the field. His calm demeanor creates a stable force in the clubhouse. His overall knowledge of the game allows him to convey his wisdom to young players. What is he lacking that keeps him from being viewed as one of the premiere managers in the game? What do Maddon and Francona have that Molitor doesn't? I would say experience and confidence. There have been times where I don't feel like Molitor is completely comfortable in his own skin. They show up in bungled double switches and attempts to remove a pitcher when there has already been a visit to the mound during an at bat. Those incidents are not deal breakers on their own, but they might signal that Molitor lacks a certain intuition about the game when he is managing. Girardi made the managerial move of the game when he pulled Severino. He acted confidently and decisively. Molitor might have waivered on making the same move with Santana. I think the question is whether Falvey and Levine want to give Molitor the time to continue to grow as a manager or if they need someone who they have confidence in on day one that they will be able to lead this team to the next level.
  19. MileHighTwinsFan
    Looks like he will have to be a loaded gun off the bench for WC. Still can't run. Looking like a Kirk Gibson moment in the making. Can't see him making the LDS roster unless his leg improves to the point that he could actually DH. I hate to say it, but Grossman may be more valuable as a DH in any event. He takes better at bats, lower strikeout % and ability to take a walk would be more valuable than a one-legged power hitter. I don't think the team can afford to give up a roster spot for LDS to a guy who will give you no more than one at bat per game. For the WC, I'll definitely take Sano - even as a decoy - to get inside the heads of Yankees pitchers and Girardi. After that, he may be relegated to being a spectator the rest of the way.
  20. MileHighTwinsFan
    Pinch runner
  21. MileHighTwinsFan
    I am less interested in the playoff rotation and more on how you beat the Yankees. To me we win this game with matchups: Neutralizing Judge and Sanchez's power at 2 and 3. Limiting the impact of the lefties from Gregorius at 4, Bird at 6, Ellsbury at 8 and then Gardner at 1. Here is what I see. Santana pitches one time through the order plus gets through Judge and Sanchez - 12 at bats. If we are within one run - keep him in for another run through the rotation until he gets in trouble. Then its matchups the rest of the way - to include starters Gibson and Mejia. Matchups Against Judge and Sanchez - Pressley, Busemitz, Hildenburger and Gibson Against the rest of the lineup - Hildenburger, Mejia, Duffy, Rogers, Moya and Boshers Belisle to close Colon and Berrios are not on the wild card roster. (Berrios starts game one of ALDS) 11 pitchers Twins bench - Vargas, Granite, Adrianza, Gimenez, Goodrum Lineup: Dozier Mauer Polanco Rosario Buxton Grossman Kepler Escobar Castro
  22. MileHighTwinsFan
    As I mentioned on another thread, baseball needs a utility player award. Eduardo checks all the boxes for that kind of recognition.
  23. MileHighTwinsFan
    I hate to say it, but the boys once again were overwhelmed by the New York spotlight. They took horrible at bats early in the game - way too over anxious - the adrenaline was clearly pumping. Just at the point when they started to settle in - the Yankees shut down bullpen took control. The only silver lining may be that they can get all of this out of their system in time for a possible Wild Card.
  24. MileHighTwinsFan
    Granite at the plate. Could this lifelong Yankee fan be the curse buster?
  25. MileHighTwinsFan
    Dick recites Escobar's season stats - 4 errors committed in 118 games playing three positions, 19 home runs, etc. Can a utility player be any more valuable to a team? Why don't they have a utility player of the year award? Basketball has 6th man and football honors special teams players. Baseball should honor those guys who get the spot starts, pinch hit in key situations and are the late inning defensive replacements that round out a high quality team. Escobar and players like him deserves some recognition for the contributions he has made to their teams.
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