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MileHighTwinsFan

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Everything posted by MileHighTwinsFan

  1. MileHighTwinsFan
    The rest of the team may be new, but Gardner and Ellsbury still have that "We can't lose to the Twins" attitude. I get the bad queasy feeling every time they come to the plate.
  2. MileHighTwinsFan
    Wear it, Joe!
  3. MileHighTwinsFan
    In search of 7 wins. If they can get one win each in New York and Cleveland, they can still get there by taking 5 of 7 from Detroit. If they can somehow take two of three from NY or CLE - then I think the Twins are in very strong position. So one win is necessary in New York, two would be gravy, three would be a second helping of gravy.
  4. MileHighTwinsFan
    I was at the dome the night when Carlton went 8.2 to beat Oakland in August, 1987. The place was packed and crazy. It was one of many magical moments that year. Hoping for a similar result tonight.
  5. MileHighTwinsFan
    I feel like the 200 inning standard is a relic of another time. Today's hitters go deeper into counts - driving up pitch counts. While we hear the stories of old timers pitching 150 pitches a game, there were also plenty of games with players pitching no more than 100 pitches over 9 innings because hitters were less likely to go deep into counts. If durability is the measure we are looking at - shouldn't we also consider some kind of efficiency measure? Wouldn't a combination of number of starts, innings per start and average pitches per inning be a more nuanced measure of pitcher durability and effectiveness? A simple measure on number of innings pitched makes little sense.
  6. MileHighTwinsFan
    I agree that the situation at third base is as uncertain as ever. It completely relies on Sano getting into shape and doing the work to improve his fielding. We won't know the results until next spring, so there is some logic to tendering Plouffe or finding an affordable insurance policy. I personally think Sano is destined to be a career DH and would not have a problem with the team making new future plans at third base. I don't think Polanco is the answer long term. His arm is not strong enough and he doesn't profile as a third baseman offensively.
  7. MileHighTwinsFan
    Royals then. Trade their number one prospect for two pitchers who become key to their two World Series appearances.
  8. MileHighTwinsFan
    Look at the Cubs - sound core of young talent punctuated by mature veterans who are peaking or are still highly productive. Zobrist, Lackey, Arrieta, Fowler, Lester, etc. along with Rizzo, Bryant, Russell etc. is what is key to their success. I could argue that our losing ways could continue much longer with a complete youth movement because many of that young talent never realizes their potential.
  9. MileHighTwinsFan
    First, Dozier is hardly aging - he is in the prime of his career. Second, I don't quite understand the singular focus on a youth movement. I am pretty sure this is what got Ryan fired - his reluctance to deal prospects for proven major league talent. The whole youth movement perspective assumes that every asset the team has will pan out. I really like Polanco - but we have no idea if he will ever approach the productivity of Dozier. I would rather bank on a commodity that has proven he can succeed at the major league level - particularly one with such a favorable contract than hope that Polanco pans out. Sure you have to rely on youth and develop from within to a certain extent - but you also need to be willing to part with some of those assets to build a more well rounded and experienced team. This year has proven that you can't put all your eggs in the youth movement basket.
  10. MileHighTwinsFan
    It doesn't make sense. This team needs a veteran presence to compete and Dozier is the best they have. I really think the team needs to look to deal some of their long list of young talent to find more players to match with Dozier. I think Polanco's struggles at 3rd vs. the Royals is further evidence that he is and should be a second sacker. As a result, I put him at the top of the trade list. Packaging Polanco with another young player or two could yield a quality arm or another veteran position player.
  11. MileHighTwinsFan
    I like Grossman and think he is important to the team as it is currently constructed. A solid fourth outfielder who can get on base and hit with some power. Solid. However, if I am reading the tea leaves correctly big change is coming. The build from within punctuated with bargain bin players to fill gaps era is about to end. I fully expect that a new GM is going to diversify how he builds out the roster by trading away some valuable young assets to create a more veteran and balanced lineup. The days of putting all our eggs in the high potential, but unproven player basket are over. If my predictions come true, I expect Grossman will be on the outside looking in.
  12. MileHighTwinsFan
    Kepler did not homer in his third at bat, but what he did do in his 3rd at bat was hit a ground ball to the right side to advance Mauer to third with less than 2 outs. Kepler's amazing night at the plate included a solid fundamental baseball play that winning teams consistently execute. If this talented group can do the amazing and the fundamentals this team will be competing at a high level soon and for a long time.
  13. MileHighTwinsFan
    Isn't he just a stop gap until Plouffe gets healthy? I would love to see him stay - but it is clear that he has no position. They have not played him at either SS or 3rd. If they thought he had a future at either of these positions, knowing what they have in Dozier, wouldn't they have played him at those positions in Rochester? I really wonder if he is a trade chip, possibly a piece in a three way trade. I would not be surprised if they start him at 2nd once or twice this weekend - putting Dozier at DH - to see if they can get something in return.
  14. MileHighTwinsFan
    Don't forget the pitching. Santana and Duffy have been great. Gibson, Milone and Nolasco have been solid - if not remarkable. I also really like what we are seeing in the pen with Kintzler, May, Pressley, Rogers, Tonkin and Abad. I remain optimistic that the team will play at or above .500 the rest of the way.
  15. MileHighTwinsFan
    Not arguing that Rosario has been hot and Grossman had cooled off. However, Grossman is still taking walks, which is keeping his OBP at a reasonable level. When Rosario slumps, he doesn't have his ability to work a walk as an option. Rosario was .200/.218/.313 with the Twins this year. With a similar batting average between the two of them- Grossman is a 100 points better than Rosario on OBP. I think the stats make my point - Grossman is a far more consistent, if not as flashy presence in the lineup.
  16. MileHighTwinsFan
    Not sure saying Grossman does not fit into the long term plans makes sense. While not a flashy player - he is a mature and stable presence in the lineup right now. He takes walks, can hit with power and is a solid if not stellar defender. In many respects he is everything Rosario is not. I think left-field is Grossman's for the foreseeable future. With Kepler proving to be a far more consistent and reliable player than either Rosario and Buxton - it appears that the issue is between Eddie and Byron. Both have a huge upside, but I am beginning to think there may not be room for two young, talented, strikeout prone outfielders on this team. I am sure the team still sees Buxton as having the bigger upside between the two. I also think the team is pretty comfortable with Santana as the fourth outfielder. I would not be surprised to see Rosario wearing a different uniform either this season or next.
  17. MileHighTwinsFan
    More than anything I am looking for some confidence at the plate. I see many similarities between him and Hicks when he first came up. They employed a passive, take pitches approach hoping to work themselves into favorable counts, only to find themselves consistently behind. Hicks, with a new batting stance, became far more aggressive at the plate and showed some promise. I think if Buxton can convince himself to be more aggressive, by looking for pitches to hit early in the count, putting the ball in play and relying on his incredible speed, he will see some success as well. The strikeouts may still be too high, but I would suspect to see him make more consistent, solid contact. Once the confidence is there, he can make the adjustments he needs to be a more complete hitter.
  18. MileHighTwinsFan
    Changes I would make. Santana leading off - he is the only one who has multiple weapons to spark the offense. Yes, he could take more walks - but we don't have anyone who takes walks, besides Joe. Joe at number 2. While he is not hitting, he can draw walks. I also think he needs to start changing his role to understand that he needs to be able get runners over, hit and run, etc. He is the only player who is capable of executing small ball. Nunez at 3. Only consistent hitter right now. He is our lone All Star at this point. Sano at 4. He needs to own this slot in the order and learn to be the run producer that he is. Grossman at 5. - He looks to be the only other major league battle tested hitter, besides Joe, in this lineup. He needs a chance to drive in runs. Park at 6. Still needs to keep learning. Dropping him down takes pressure off. Plouffe at 7. He is not able to deliver consistent at bats. He needs to earn his way to the top of the order. Suzuki at 8. He is what he is. Dozier/Polanco at 9. I actually think Polanco needs to be the starter. He can turn over the lineup and use his speed to make things happen. Until Dozier comes to terms with the fact that he is not the second coming of Jeff Kent, he needs to be on the bench or hitting here.
  19. MileHighTwinsFan
    Park's addition, along with Sano, Arcia, Plouffe's and Dozier, means that a relief pitcher guarding a small lead late in the game will need to run a gauntlet of power hitters that can change a game with a single swing. We saw several pitchers who were not up to the task on this home stand. I expect some pretty exciting late inning at bats this season and for years to come.
  20. MileHighTwinsFan
    You need to read the story. Seth was discussing whether the team will carry 13 pitchers or 12. If they give Buxton a roster spot, along with Sano, Santana, Arcia and Rosario - they will need to make a choice on the number of pitchers they carry. If they send Buxton down, they can keep Tonkin.
  21. MileHighTwinsFan
    My gut tells me Buxton will continue to struggle at the major league level - but will get the opening day spot. I do think he will be on a relatively short leash however. If he is not producing by mid-May he could get sent down. Not sure what this all means for Tonkin. The Twins seem to be stacked with right handed relievers in the minors. While it would be a shame to run the risk of losing him through waivers - it may be what they are faced with to get Buxton on the roster.
  22. MileHighTwinsFan
    It just makes sense for the Twins to preserve assets. Giving away Arcia and Santana for nothing would be throwing away tremendous investments that undoubtedly have value, even if not fully realized. Bringing them north for a month or even two to see if they can reach their potential is a low risk maneuver in the long run.
  23. MileHighTwinsFan
    I don't think the Twins are convinced that Park will be the starting DH. The signing of Quentin, plus having Vargas and Arcia available, makes it clear to me that Park could easily spend time in Rochester to make the transition. To me the real wild card is Arcia. He could easily find himself in an everyday role splitting time in right field and DH with Sano. Something tells me Arcia is going to not only make the club, but make a run at a starting job. I think Park is actually at a considerable disadvantage in this equation having no major league experience whatsoever. Should be a great spring training.
  24. MileHighTwinsFan
    I think Park in the starting lineup on opening day is a stretch. I predict he spends the first month of the season, at least, in AAA and that Arcia gets all the at-bats against right-handers from the DH spot until Park proves he is the better option.
  25. MileHighTwinsFan
    At this point Sano is a given and Buxton has to simply hit a few curveballs and take a few walks in spring training to be the starting CF. Having said that, I expect both might experience some growing pains. Buxton, in particular, may not have seen the last of Rochester, NY. Nevertheless, it is exciting to imagine and opening day with these two in the lineup.
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