Darius

The word trolling gets thrown very loosely around here (I know first hand). Why does it always go there? If I’m a huge Sano or Buxton fan, maybe I could construe excessive discussion about trading them trolling, because I don’t agree with the particular topic or response. Or, maybe that response wasn’t worded in a way that I agreed with (or wasn’t being being interpreted as intended). Dissenting opinions aren’t always “trolling.” There are plenty of relevant topics that get shot down as “trolling” around here (heaven forbid anyone discuss the Twins spending habits - a genuine concern for many). I, myself, have received messages from moderators telling me I can’t discuss certain topics in a certain way because it’s unappetizing to some. What’s the difference here besides the person introducing/responding to the topic? So, frankly, I find the sentiment expressed that Twins Daily is just a place to freely and openly chat a little disingenuous. Many topics don’t receive the same “choose not to participate” treatment, and are just as “potentially relevant.” These forums can be a great place. But, it seems more and more that things get termed “trolling” and people get banned for offering opinions that go against the status quo. Why is that fun? We come here to debate. Who wants to play Madden on rookie level and win 200-0? I get that we don’t need to go off the rails and start insulting people (which many get away with on here, if it’s directed at the appropriate person with the “unappetizing” opinions). But, really? Every time someone disagrees in a way that hurts someone’s feelings we have drag their names through the forum as a troll? There is absolutely nothing in that comment that was any way out of line. I believe the line “this is a terrible topic” we’re words inserted into the quoted commentor’s mouth (isn’t that a form of trolling?). You even added a little extra curse word flair (“who the hell would do that” was not in the comment, again), just to paint a comment you didn’t like in a certain color. Disagreeing isn’t always insulting or trolling. Over-censoring is how these sites die (see the Minnesota SB Nation forums with about 10 people left in an echo chamber).

I think teams would prefer Buxton. I know I would if I were a GM. Buxton impacts the game like nobody else in the world right now. He makes every single defensive position player better with his range. He makes pitchers better. When he’s getting on base out of the 9 hole, he makes the top of the order better (he gives pitchers fits when on base). We all saw the impact on the W-L ledger this year when Buxton was on the field. Kepler is a very nice player. But, he plays a less than premium position. He seems to have injury problems in his own right (he disappeared for two months down the stretch, and was a walking corpse in the playoffs). It can be argued that much of his offensive success was in part due to the ball (It’s safe to say he’ll never reach that homer in total again). He doesn’t get on base at a particularly high rate. He doesn’t hit for a particularly high average. He isn’t a world-beating vase runner. He doesn’t really have an elite skill. You take away this year’s power surge, is he really that spectacular of a player? This is coming from a massive Max Kepler fan. Nothing wrong with being good, not great, in his role. I don’t think the contract situation means anything to a team with a real budget. All they really did was buy out a few arbitration years. They’re both going to get paid huge at some point. No team looking to trade for a premier player such as that is going to let that sway a decision. The Pittsburgh Pirates or Kansas City royals aren’t the ones we’ll be dealing with here. Think of the players like stocks. Max Kepler’s value is at an all time high. There won’t be a day henceforth that his value is higher. Buxton’s has crept up a little since bottoming out last year, but is still probably significantly undervalued. It doesn’t take a financial genius to ascertain the buy low/sell high concept. Honestly, I don’t see any GM worth his salt aggressively pursuing Max Kepler right now.

Has a prospect ever generated so many questions regarding ability to play a position from the start of their career, only to go on and be great st that position defensively? I’m still concerned about how his bat will play with that giant leg kick.

Less talk, more action. There’s a Chinese proverb that states something like “Don’t listen to what they say. Go see.” I’ve heard this time and time again from the Twins FO in the off-season. As I grow older, I get more and more fed up with hearing that but seeing nothing, and ending up with Sidney Ponson. It’s time for this club to put some money where it’s mouth is. Show me. If not now, when?

I don’t agree with the premise that it would be detrimental to the Twins to go after big free agents. Always thought it was/is ludicrous. It’s only detrimental because that’s the system ownership has in place. It’s a self fulfilling prophecy. You don’t sign free agents because you don’t have the revenue, your team stinks because you didn’t sign any good players to supplement your roster, people don’t show up to games because the team stinks....and it’s an endless cycle of ineptitude. The mold has to be broken at some point, and you have to take a risk, if you want to snap out of it. There is no reason why this team can’t compete with the likes of the Houston Astros when it comes to payroll/free agents. The odds of building a roster from the ground up that’s is good enough on its own is nil. Everyone points to the Rays and As as an example, but what have they ever won? Kansas City and Houston don’t fit that paradigm, because they brought in front-line guys via trade (Cueto and Verlander). That said, I don’t think that mold will be broken, and we’ll need to consider secondary pitching options. I would go after Quintana and Wood, bring back Pineda, Odorizzi, and Gibson, and roll out: Berrios, Odorizzi, Quintana, Wood, Pineda. Gibson would be a swing man to limit innings (especially in regards to Berrios and Pineda). Not spectacular, but gives a solid 1-5. Pretty realistic given the Twins history. Hopefully the bullpen takes another step and the offense keeps humming. Relying on guys like Graterol, Thorpe, etc would be a huge mistake. If they shoe they are there a month or two in, you have a great problem. Better than handing them the keys and having them flop. Dobnak and Smeltzer aren’t legitimate options, IMO. They can get you by in a spot start, but I don’t think things would look pretty over 180 innings. At the end of the day, I still think we missed an opportunity that isn’t going to come around again. I think the offense will regress. I don’t think the rotation I listed above would be enough to get over hump. I need to be clear, because I will be called a troll for saying things people disagree with. This is my honest outlook on the team, and it’s a tough pill to swallow with the playoffs still burning. But, IMO, it’s reality. Not looking to offend anyone here. Don’t agree? Great. But, people acting like I’m spewing falsehoods, etc just for sake of getting people angry (aka trolling) is absurd.

I think a lot of people have a bias against Sano. Since he has gotten himself in shape and transformed himself to one of the premier right handed power hitters in the game, there is really only one place left to focus that distaste: his defense. Is his defense stellar? No. Is really as bad as some would like you to believe? No. How many 3B would’ve made those plays? Are we going to chastise a guy for not being an Arenado level defender at the hot corner? Where are articles demanding Polanco to be mixed from shortstop? If I wasn’t a Polanco fan (he has his own skeletons with the PED issue) I could point to him being second to Tim Anderson for the MLB lead in errors (while Anderson recorded more opportunities, more out outs, was in on more double plays, etc.). That’s certainly not ideal. Why is Cron considered a good defender around here? His drop on the double play was massive, and infinitely more routine than a sprawling backhanded play on a smash down the 3B line. The list goes on. I understand that Sano isn’t the best defender in the league at 3B. But, he’s certainly not the worst. He’s very adept at coming in on balls, and his arm allows him to play in such a position that he may get to some balls other 3Bs can’t (can play deeper). There is value in having that bat at 3B. Until recently (with Devers, Chapman, etc emerging), that position was a Barron wasteland offensively for half a decade. If you’re not plugging in someone who can hit at his level, you’re taking a lot of runs off the board next year. Especially when you consider the decline that will already be built in due to regression and the ball (we saw how that killed the Twins in the playoffs, who need multiple home runs to win a game). I get this is the time for speculation. But, this topic has been beaten and beaten and beaten. There is a reason why the Twins braintrust, widely considered among the sharpest in the MLB (thus the world), decided the team is better off at 3B. This team didn’t lose the playoff series because Sano was unable to make one of the most epic plays we would’ve seen in this entire postseason (but some want you to think it’s routine). The primary reason this team lost, if we need to get into that, was Baldelli’s awful management. The thing was over once he decided to punt game 1 and bring AAA relievers into Yankee stadium. Second was the front-offices inability to solidify the pitching staff (I said all year it was going to rear it’s head eventually). Third was the offense dropping the bats and placing both hands firmly around their own necks. Fourth were the numerous defensive miscues on plus that were realistic to be made (Cave, Arraez, Cron). Fourth was whatever was wrong with Max Kepler. The point that kind of burns me about the constant scapegoating with Sano was brought up in the article. He’s not responsible for his defensive alignment. And off all people to shift on, is Brett Gardner really included? Sure, maybe the short term numbers say that, but he’s sprayed the ball all over the field for his entire career. I like Sano. You get a stud 3B that can hit? By all means move him to 1st. But, there are much bigger problems this team needs to address, and it’s not even close.

Another point that always drives me crazy about these conversations: People like to signal their enlightenment in the subject by talking about bad contracts and overpaying. But, in reality, there is really no such thing as “overpaying.” There is only paying. The players don’t say, “I’ll play for 15 per year,” for the team to say, “we’ll give you 20.” The price is set by the market and is what it is. Also, there is no salary cap involved. When fans say, “ah, I didn’t want Dallas Keuchel at the price anyway,” I’m generally confused. Are these fans of the Pohlads only, who’s World Series is the release of the annual financial? Why would anyone’s thought be, “whew, Carl Jr. was really close to only taking home 240 million this year instead of 260...that could’ve been a disaster,” when a big free agent signs elsewhere? That is the only implication there. It’s certsinly not taking away from another bevy of free agent signings. They don’t extend guys unless they’re dirt cheap (Mauer the one exception). We saw that play out this year with next to $0 on the books going forward. Man, it’s not even that time of year and here I am sitting in my office raising my blood pressure over the off-season.

Just my opinion, but I don’t think there is any chance the Twins go after a big name guy. It’s just not something they’ve ever done. I don’t care about regime change, I think it’s an ownership thing. So, I’m already crossing Cole, Strasburg, and Ryu off the list. Zero chance there. Hamels, Bumgarner, or Wheeler fit right into the Twins wheelhouse, IMO. They can probably be had on cheaper short-term deals and have the name recognition to satisfy the PR side (plenty of fans will be excited about Hamels/MadBum). Just enough for them to point and say, “see, it’s the biggest free agent pitcher deal of all time....please believe that we’re all in (even though we’re not) and please buy some season tickets (before you realize that we’re not).” Don’t get me wrong, they should absolutely be in on the biggest free agents out there. The payroll is almost nothing. The core is young and cheap. It’s one of those proverbial, “if they don’t do it now, they never will,” type of scenario. I’m leaning towards the “never will” coming to fruition and we’ll be left massively underwhelmed like we are every year.

This has to be LaMarre’s relative, friend or something. You’re the only person on planet earth still holding a grudge about a career AAA outfielder’s playing time during a 90 loss season in midst of a 100 win season. You know why Molitor didn’t use LaMarre? Because it’s Ryan freaking Lamarre. Nobody cares. He didn’t “cool off” because Molitor didn’t play him. He’s not good. Lecturing everyone repeatedly about Ryan LeMarre is ridiculous.

That loss irks me. The Indians are down and out. Instead of doing everything you can to out them away, you decide the 10th inning with 2 outs and runners on is the time to experiment with the 2nd major inning for a rookie 20 year old. I get that you have to see what you have in Graterol, but in that game? You should have 4-5 guys sitting down there that could come in and get a bum like Perez without issue. Another on the long-line of questionable decision making by Baldelli. All he’s doing is giving the Indians life.

What a play by Eddie. That guy always seems to get it done in huge late-inning situations. I really liked the move by Baldelli with Tortuga and Schoop. Great move. I’m not sure a lot of managers make that move in the 7th with the top of the order coming up in the 8th. Sano deserves some credit as well. He’s become a force.

Excellent win tonight. Great pitching performance. Huge series win to cap off a huge road trip. Another game on Cleveland. A game on Houston. A half game on New York. It doesn’t really get much better.

Man, it’s always something. It’s kind of remarkable how successful this team has been given the injuries. I don’t remember the timing and may miss a few, but it’s a litany. Sano started the year injured. He came back and Garver got hurt. Garver came back and Buxton got hurt. Buxton came back and Cruz got hurt. Cruz came back and Rosario got hurt. Rosario came back and Buxton got hurt again. Cron and Marwin have spent significant time of the IL. Odorizzi has an IL stint. Pineda has had two (planned). Gibson is on the IL. Hildenberger was expected to be a major bullpen piece, and is just now getting healthy. We can’t seem to get all of the key pieces on the field at once. All you hear is about in national media is how amazing the Yankees are for beating up on the Orioles 50 times without Stanton and Severino. You wouldn’t even know the Twins had a single IL trip all year. But, you can probably count the number of games the Twins have had their full squad on one hand.

This is not an “absolute overreaction.” This is the third year in a row this guy has absolutely imploded down the stretch. He didn’t exactly shine in his only playoff appearance against the Yankees either. I’d think the concern was a little misguided if he had looked amazing when the bright lights were on in October. It’s absolutely not an overreaction to wonder if Berrios can even help you in the playoffs at this point. I get your sentiment, though. I agree that you have to use him in the playoffs despite the legitimate concern. He has the kind of upside that can take over a game and win it for you. He can go 7-8 shutout innings and K 10 guys. If I’m Baldelli, I just can’t sit that down for guys who, with all due respect, stink. We already know Dobnak, Smeltzer, etc have zero shot at locking down the Yankees or Astros for 7 inning on the road and stealing one for you. Whether it’s likely to happen or not, you still have to give him the opportunity. He could totally swing a series with two shut down performances in game 1 and 4. The difference between Berrios at the top of his game and Smeltzer is massive. I hate to sound so negative towards them, but if Smeltzer or Dobnak start a game in any other role than an opener, the guys can start making tee times for the following week.

I’d be fine with them just shutting down Berrios for for a turn or two during the rotation. Let him get some real rest. Then, give him one start before the playoffs in a way that lines up with game 1. If he looks like he’s back , give him game 1. If he’s still struggling, give Pineda game 1. I’m not sure what else you can really do at this point. I think it’s kind of foolish to keep running him out there when he’s clearly not right (whether due to some minor injury or exhaustion). During the game, a buddy and I were discussing whether we would have Berrios or Eduardo Rodriguez long term. Two months ago, it was clearly Berrios. But, after unraveling down the stretch again, I may take Rodriguez. He’s 26, he’s a lefty, good K guy, playoff/World Series experience, and he’s really turning it on down the stretch (44 IP and a 2.86 ERA over his last 7 starts). Really impressive young pitcher. Sure would be nice to have that going into the playoffs instead of the nuclear meltdown we’re seeing with Berrios for the third consecutive year.

I want Houston first round, and that’s what I think we’ll get. I want the short series to be against Houston, as mentioned. I want to have to win as few games against that pitching staff as possible. I’m not interested in the easiest route to the second round. The Twins’ best chance at winning the World Series, IMO, is taking the Astros out early. Talk about setting a tone. The clubhouse confidence level would be through the roof. How would the Yankees (or Wild Card) feel about facing a team that just homered their way past Verlander, Cole, and Grienke? The Twins are built even better for that slow pitch softball yard in New York than the Yankees....and they’re running out the rotting zombie corpses of Tanaka and Happ after German? I’d feel pretty darn good at that point.

The results obviously aren’t great, but does Berrios’ stuff still look a little flat? I’m not able to watch live tonight. I would’ve liked a full skip of his turn in the rotation as opposed to one day, so I’m curious to see how he actually looks tonight.

Everyone praises Sano? As we speak people are still complaining about his plate discipline and strikeouts while OPSing over 1.000 for 2+ months and hitting monster clutch home runs 2-3 times per week.

I think this topic is somewhat similar to the demands for the FO to somehow force Buxton to quit playing at 100%. It’s nice in theory. I’d also like to teach my dog to get me a beer out of the fridge. I’m sure it can be done, but is it realistic? Will it really make my life that much better? (Bad example, because yes it would). Rosario is what he is. He ebbs and flows in terms of his chase rate, but his ability to hit any ball from his shoelaces to helmet visor 500 ft is what makes him a special player. Do I want him swinging at everything? Of course not. But, if he wants to take a hack at a fastball at his shoulders in an attempt to tie the game with a 3 run HR in the 8th - I love it. He’s proven he can do it, and it may be the best pitch he gets. The thing that doesn’t get considered is what that does to a pitchers’ psyche. When you intend to stay away from Rosario and you succeed, and he still bounces one at 120 mph off the limestone out in right, that has to affect confidence and get in your head somewhat. Similar to Sano, expectations are everything. .280 with 30+ bombas and 100+ RBI for Rosario is lacking in some way? He’s still OPSing over .800. What are we asking for, here? .330 and 50? We have to keep perspective. All players slump. Eddie Rosario just can’t be peak Eddie Rosario for 162 games. Mike Trout isn’t peak Mike Trout for 162 games. Expecting that, and complaining about the player when it doesn’t happen, is bordering on lunacy. I’m much more concerned with his defense, but still not ready to cast any stones at a 27 year old who currently has the longest track record of production as a Twin. Dollars to donuts that Rosario shows up huge in the playoffs. He’s shown over and over again that he has the “clutch gene.”

But, you’re arguing that Sano is an undisciplined hitter in terms of swinging outside of the zone. In reality, Sano is leading the team in pitches per plate appearance significantly. People rave about Polanco and Kepler’s discipline - Sano sees nearly a full pitch more per AB than Kepler, and .5 more than Polanco. Where is the endless bitching about them? If you want to debate strikeouts, knock yourself out. The guy has a 1.000+ OPS for over half the season. Aside from Cruz, he’s been our best hitter for months. Strikeouts and plate discipline are included in that number. His BB/K% is .34 - Cruz is .39. His runs created per 27 outs is right on par with Polanco and higher than Kepler. His isolated power is only about .15 behind Cruz (and I’m guessing would be higher than Garver is Garver played every day). He’s got the same number of XBH as Cron despite playing 30 fewer games. His XBH/game played is nearly identical to Kepler, is higher than Polanco and Garver, and is pretty similar to Cruz. His AB/HR is right there with Cruz. His OBP is identical to Kepler. He’s OPSing more than Kepler, Polanco, and Arraez significantly. There are endless statistics out there that will tell you Sano is a pretty damn good hitter. The numbers above also include his entire season, massive slumps and all. You look at July 1 until now, and it’s pretty incredible. He’s out OPSing Juan Soto, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, Ronald Ocuna, etc. Why is it people always feel like he’s loafing, and they need to get more out of him? What more do people want? Any more than what he’s done since July 1 and he’s arguably the best hitter in baseball. You’re talking about an expectation baseline of one of the greatest hitters of all time. It’s time for people to take the blinders off and appreciate Sano. He gets criticized to no end while out producing Kepler and Polanco - and those two guys are lauded by fans like Caeser after the battle of Alesia. It makes no sense to me.

Uh, no. Calling Sano an undisciplined hitter is so wrong that I’m not sure you’ve actually watched the guy a whole lot, or just read other peoples’ takes about strikeouts. Sure, he had a bit of a lapse earlier this year and last year with breaking balls (due to so much missed time due to injury, etc. IMO - pitch recognition take tons of work actually seeing live pitches - I think people forget he’s missed an entire offseason, two spring trainings, and significant portions of regular season play). But, throughout his career Sano has largely been a very patient hitter. He just doesn’t swing often at marginal pitches early in the count. His objective is to get a fastball by getting ahead in the count (or getting the pitcher behind in the count). It always has been his approach. It’s kind of unbelievable. I’ve never seen so many incorrect misconceptions developed by a general fan base about a player. Some of the things I’ve read in the comments section of this website regarding Sano are so ill informed that I can’t even be upset about them. Nitpick his defense? OK. Have an issue with Ks? I think it’s ridiculous to nitpick the method of getting out, and think routine ground balls are the worst thing you can do, but I can still recognize that as a debatable stance. But, saying he has discipline issues on par with Eddie Rosario is the direct opposite of true.

I really didn’t like using Rogers for a second inning, and May’s homerun gave me a flashback to a few weeks ago. But, at the end of the day, it’s a win against the Red Sox in Boston. We picked up a game on both Cleveland and Houston. Pretty good night.

Couldn’t hate the decision to bring Rogers out for another inning any more.

Our potential playoff opponents have a few decent hitters in their own right. My point is this: there have been a lot of discussions lately about the bullpen turning a corner, even becoming an advantage. I’m still wondering how our bullpen will hold up against quality offenses in the playoffs. We’ll see an offense equal to or better than Boston in the playoffs (Houston/New York). All the August numbers against Detroit and Chicago mean almost nothing. I need to see it against a high-end offense.

I thought that this series would be a great barometer for the true state of the bullpen. Not a good start for May with another monster home run allowed.