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MileHighTwinsFan

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Everything posted by MileHighTwinsFan

  1. 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.
  2. MileHighTwinsFan
    Horrible. Half-axx attempt on the bunt and again with pulling the outside pitch. He needs to sit until he goes to the cage and changes his swing.
  3. MileHighTwinsFan
    Two options. Revocable waivers or irrevocable waivers.
  4. MileHighTwinsFan
    Is this not a move out of necessity? Dean was brought up to be a long reliever - he is now unavailable for probably 3-4 days and the team needed to bring someone else up to pitch in the event of another short start- an unfortunately all too likely scenario. Dean stays up because he successfully is filling the long-reliever role, Berrios goes down to open up a roster spot. I am pretty sure we have not seen the last of Berrios and, depending on Gibby's health, will see him back soon. I would not read more into this move than people are making of it.
  5. MileHighTwinsFan
    How about Abad? He has been the best out of the pen, we have O'Rourke to be the lefty specialist.
  6. 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.
  7. MileHighTwinsFan
    I know it is almost cliche to talk about his conditioning, but he looks stronger, even a little bulkier than the past. It may just be that the red alternates are flattering or that he is really in outstanding shape. The single to left last night was muscled to left. The fact that he can be spelled at first, reducing wear and tear also suggests that things are set up for a nice season from our 20M dollar man.
  8. MileHighTwinsFan
    The brass made a call. Buxton and Park were ready enough and Rosario and Sano were deserving enough. However, I think it is unfair to say that they expected all four to either elevate or maintain their performance to a consistent major league level. I am sure they were ready for them to struggle. What they weren't expecting was that Plouffe, Suzuki and Dozier to be so slow out of the gate or for Perkins and Jepsen to under perform. I am sure they thought that their veterans would pull their share of the load, providing some cover for the youngsters. I would guess they would like to let it ride with their youngsters, but not if their veterans continue to scuffle. The only reasonable move is to bring in Murphy to hopefully tip the scale toward a little more experience and at least buy some time for the other veterans to right themselves. Sending Buxton or Rosario down until things stabilize is not a bad thing. I am sure either will be back with the big club in time. But for now, I think our attention should be paid to our veterans and their ability to provide the key leadership necessary to pull this team out of this miserable start.
  9. MileHighTwinsFan
    Yes, an unfortunate start and it could be a long year - but there are too many things to look forward to this season to get down on them now. Watching Buxton bloom, seeing Berrios make his debut, seeing Max Kepler get his shot and overall watching these guys grow into major leaguers. Maybe the most interesting thing is to watch Sano deal with adversity. Let's admit that it all came way to easy for him last year. A little failure may be a good thing for him to become the perennial all-star we hope that he will be. Way too many interesting story lines to get discouraged now.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. MileHighTwinsFan
    Yep. TWIB with Mel Allen followed by the Game of the Week with Joe, Tony and Curt. Pretty much the only baseball on TV except for the 20 or so Twins games on KMSP when I was a kid. Joe as definitely one of the classic guys who introduced me to the game.
  13. MileHighTwinsFan
    Big game for Oswaldo. Has he locked up a roster spot? I say yes.
  14. 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.
  15. MileHighTwinsFan
    Park, Arcia and Buxton 0-6 with 5 Ks so far. Let's just say they are setting a baseline for tracking improvement this spring.
  16. MileHighTwinsFan
    This is the same message as they gave on Santana. Young players who are still establishing themselves in the big leagues should focus their efforts as much as possible. Having Sano and Santana focus on OF full time simplifies things for them, which will in turn will help their overall game - defensively and offensively.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. MileHighTwinsFan
    Does this provide some insight into the Park signing? Is it possible that Joe will be taking more days off during day games? Seems like this could have significant implications for the roster. I can now see how Arcia makes this team as a back up outfielder and DH or that Vargas could get a shot.
  20. MileHighTwinsFan
    Am I missing something, or is what Ryan saying is that Santana will need to make this team as an outfielder and is not an option for the utility infielder role. In other words, he is competing with Buxton, Arcia, Kepler, Benson, etc., not Nunez, Polanco, etc. for a job. I think having him focus on outfield is the right call. He does not fit the bill of the typical utility player, which is the versatile and sure handed fielder available for spot starts and late inning defensive help. To me, what they are saying is that you will only stay in the big leagues if you can hit and be at least an average outfielder. I appreciate the clarity of the message, which both communicates expectations and allows him to focus his energy on being the best outfielder he can be. On the flip side, if he doesn't deliver - he may be looking elsewhere for employment.
  21. MileHighTwinsFan
    I don't like this design - very similar to the Cubs alternatives, which look like beer league softball jerseys on the players. The TC on the shoulder doesn't do it for me. I do like the Kasota Gold on the hats.
  22. MileHighTwinsFan
    Found the following ESPN article on expanding MLB Rosters to 28 very interesting, especially given the renewed movement to add the DH to the NL. Here is the story: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14611636/reimagining-baseball-adopt-expanded-rotating-rosters The story highlights how the proliferation of pitching staffs have essentially removed a great deal of strategy from the offense of many teams. Use of pinch runners, defensive replacements and other strategic moves are limited when you only have four bench players. By expanding to 28 and making teams choose 25 eligible players per game, teams can place unavailable starters or dinged up position players on the inactive list, allowing teams more flexibility. I am salivating at the notion of a Twins roster that could carry Arcia and Santana or Vargas and Park, rather than having to choose among them. How about that lock down defender who can't hit but can add that little bit of range at shortstop in the late innings? How about extending the careers of some veteran hitters. Fun to think about how much more dynamic the Twins' roster could be with this approach.
  23. MileHighTwinsFan
    It is very interesting to see the evolution of this club since Target Field opened. The Twins quickly realized that the power production they enjoyed in the Metrodome did not transfer to Target Field. While Kubel, Morneau and others were well suited to the baggy and vampire chairs - they could not lift the ball consistently over the limestone. The revelation came when true power hitters like Thome and Willingham, as well as visitors like Ortiz and Bautista, seemed to solve the Target Field power puzzle by reaching the farthest reaches of the park's power alleys or vulnerable left field line. With that lesson in mind, the club is attempting to transform itself into a team that can win with power in its own park. The new crop of power hitters - Sano, Park and even Dozier are well suited to Target field. Dozier and Park because of their ability to pull the ball down the left field line and Sano with his overwhelming power to all fields. Arcia and Vargas, if they fully realize their potential, fit the Thome/Ortiz mode and Walker with his tremendous home run swing could be another example of how to win with power at Target Field. Only time will tell whether it will payoff - I look forward to the fireworks.
  24. 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.
  25. MileHighTwinsFan
    Seems unrealistic to prioritize Park over Mauer at 1B when the former has yet to see a major league pitch and the latter has a plus. 300 lifetime average. I know it is all speculation, but the Mauer is dead and buried as an everyday major leaguer in 2018 theory is overly pessimistic in my mind. Hard to fathom a $20+ million a year bench player.
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