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MileHighTwinsFan

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  1. Not sure Hunter sticks around to start once a week and pinch hit. I think he would find a gig somewhere else or retire before becoming a bench bat.
  2. If Vargas had come close to matching his numbers from last year, Plouffe may already be gone. Until Vargas proves he is ready for the DH job full time, I see the team sticking with Plouffe for another year. With things as they are right now, it is hard to see how Hunter makes this team next year - despite all he brings to the clubhouse. I do worry that losing Hunter and Plouffe would set the team back a bit in terms of a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Dozier would have to carry the emotional load on that front, which might be a bit much for the guy.
  3. I want to see what happens when Hicks is back and September call ups are made. I see a team that suddenly has lots of options and match ups that could make an impact. My nomination for impact players down the stretch is a Hicks, Rosario, Buxton outfield that dominates defensively and provides a spark offensively. Moving Hunter into spot starts and pinch hitting duties provides that dangerous bat in late inning situations.
  4. I would be in favor of a deal for Shields and Benoit - allowing the Twins to push Pelfrey into the bullpen, where I think he would be very good. A Santana, Shields, Hughes, Gibson, Milone rotation looks quite good to me - as does a Pelfrey/Duensing/May-6th and 7th inning, Benoit-8th inning and Perkins closing. Padres take on Nolasco, get Kohl Stewart and possibly Arcia or Santana.
  5. Context is everything. Teams like Toronto and Kansas City have a singular focus on the present. The Twins, because of their stock of talented, but inexperienced talent have to balance the short and long term. I think we all agree that it remains to be seen how our prospects will develop - so banking on one while dealing another is fraught with unnecessary risk. Less than a year ago - most would have agreed that Vargas and Arcia were core elements of the rebuild. Today, things look different. A year from now, it could look different again. I think that patience is critical, particularly in the next 24 hours.
  6. Crazy what a tough 10 game stretch and anxiety around the trade deadline brings out in people. Any reasonable baseball fan would see the big picture here and realize that A) This team is currently in position to make the playoffs and The trade deadline is not past and there still remains a waiver deadline on Sept. 1. I encourage folks to see the bright side and the long view here.
  7. The Twins will make a deal - not likely to be a blockbuster. They will add one or two bullpen arms and I could see a deal for a veteran shortstop - Ramirez or Desmond - for the playoff push. Neither of these deals would require parting with top prospects.
  8. Nolasco's situation is further proof that using free agency to improve your pitching staff is a complete crap shoot. Pelfrey, Santana and now Nolasco prove that getting "full value" for a free agent pitcher is highly unlikely. The question I am interested in is what is the standard for a quality free agent signing? If career average, less a specific percentage of career average for regression is the basic formula, what percent is considered reasonable to get a reasonable return on investment? 10%, 25%, 50%?
  9. I really think the Twins would like him to be one of their corner outfielders for a long time. His defense and speed combined with a good approach at the plate and power makes him a well-rounded outfielder consistent with what is considered the prototype for today's game. Arcia's defensive limitations and his high strikeout rate makes him a less compelling and definitely less of a complete player. I have thought for a long time that the Twins see the Royals outfield as a model and I have to say that a Rosario, Buxton, Hicks outfield would most closely resemble what the Royals have. While I would hope to see a place for Arcia on this club - I really think his days are numbered. Of course we need to see Hicks perform every day to deserve that outfield spot, but I have to say that he definitely looks like a more mature and focused player - the kind of player that deserves to be a starter on a competitive baseball team.
  10. We are just under two months until the September 1 call ups, which will provide a tremendous opportunity to deepen the bench with some very talented minor league talent that could be very helpful to the club down the stretch. It is very interesting to think about a bench with Arcia, Vargas, Kepler or Walker ready to pinch hit. How about a bullpen with Berrios, Nick Burdi or another flamethrower to help in a key situation? The possibilities are quite exciting. Who do you all think could be a key addition to the club when rosters are expanded and how do you think those possibilities will impact any moves the Twins might make at the trade deadline or the waiver deadline on September 1?
  11. Not sure why this is such a controversial notion. There was a point when teams used a four man rotation and gradually the league transitioned to a five-man. If you have the depth and a similar level of effectiveness across your rotation, it does make some degree of sense to consider six. At this point, the Twins don't have a true "ace", but do have six arms that are performing at a relatively similar level. I think trying a six man for awhile, until someone either gets hurt or regresses, makes some sense.
  12. Enough with the Plouffe in the outfield, Sano at 3B 8/10 games malarkey. Plouffe has played an outstanding 3b and needs to be in the starting lineup there almost everyday. Sano is a DH right now with the occasional spot start at third.
  13. Sorry for my misstep. Hope i didn't ruin your day. Maybe you should take a nap - you seem a little crabby.
  14. I sense that the pitching staff as a whole is hitting a wall. I would not be surprised to see an IR stint for one or more of the starters in the coming weeks. A couple of starts for Berrios at AAA before the all-star break will tell us a great deal about his readiness to take the next step. Assuming all goes well with his starts and the likelihood of one or more starters faltering, I see a late July call up as a possibility.
  15. I don't see it. We all assume that Santana will be lights out and the others will remain productive. Pelfrey would get a very low return and I believe he has more value as an insurance policy against injury or one of the current starters losing effectiveness. I would agree that May is the odd man out for now - but I don't believe we have seen the last of him in the rotation this year.
  16. I agree that Santana may be a push with whoever gets moved out of the rotation. I worry that the Twins will make an irreversible move with one of the existing starters, like trading Pelfrey or Milone, Santana struggles and it ends up being a net loss. I am hoping that they move Milone to the pen, keeping him ready to start in the event that he is needed.
  17. All kidding aside, I actually think this is the place where the Twins might invest to make a playoff run. A veteran with a reliable glove and bat makes a great deal of sense to shore up the middle of the defense. I have been disappointed by Escobar's play and don't think Santana and Polanco are ready for prime time.
  18. I knew that they were not comfortable with Nunez as utility infielder, but am surprised that it is Polanco. Will be interesting to see how they use him. Guessing Dozier gets the day off tomorrow.
  19. So no one is a wee bit nervous about Nunez as the backup? Seems like this can't be long term plan. Either Santana straightens things out in short order or another move is on the horizon. Possibly a call-up for Bernier or a trade.
  20. For me I see Molitor using the middle of the lineup on hitters that take quality at bats and put the ball in play. I am sure he would be happy to slot a power bat like Vargas or Arcia - but until the club is convinced that they can make more consistent contact, I have no problem going this route. While the numbers are not there - I think opposing teams see Mauer as the one proven and quality hitter in that lineup. As a result, I think where he sits in the lineup impacts the way teams pitch to Hunter before him and Plouffe after. If Plouffe can continue to put together at bats like he did in the 9th yesterday, Joe is going to get better opportunities. Obviously he needs to deliver. Vargas may be ready to for another shot - but I have little problem with Molitor is doing given the pieces he has.
  21. I thought it was very interesting and think he makes a reasonable case that the Twins will return to earth eventually. He also makes the case that the Twins should not sell the farm to add players that may be part of the Twins roster for some that probably won't. What this tells me is that the Twins would be more likely to trade for pieces that can help today and into the future. Players who may still be under team control, are due a payday and are on a team that may be willing to part with in exchange for value. If the minor league system is as strong and as deep as everyone says - I have to believe this is a real possibility. I definitely would not be in favor of trading top prospects, but there are some very talented middle level prospects that might be worth dealing for the right player.
  22. Tough to make the Top 5. Astros just making it after dominating the AL West for the entire season . Good news that Twins are at home for most of June - so plenty of reason for optimism heading toward the halfway point. Would love to follow up sweep of Bosox by taking 3 of 4 at Fenway.
  23. Great piece. Can't wait to read Part II. I know Johnson didn't have a number when he played - but it would be great to have some commemoration of him along side the others who have had their number retired.
  24. I don't understand how the conclusion of the national articles is that the Twins are a fluke and they will inevitably regress. Even if you grant that this current roster's W/L is out of sync with the numbers, that does not mean they will regress or that this will be the same roster a month from now. By virtue of a loaded farm system, this team has players that will either move up or be dealt to fill gaps. While we have no idea what the future holds - it is a pretty simplistic analysis to say that the Twins are pretenders.
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