Darius

I don’t even know why I question whether the Twins will win or lose based on the first 4-5 innings anymore. Looks like Kepler is red-hot again...which would makes this lineup just that more absurd.

I get that winning now is a priority....but we have a lot of guys that will need to get paid (Schoop, Caron, Gibson, etc.). This team as we know it isn’t staying together beyond this year. I feel like Larnach wouldn’t command a whole lot. A 22 year old college kid who is supposed to be all bat, but has a mid-.700 OPS in single A......I just can’t imagine anyone clamoring for Larnach, aside from a throw-in second or third peice. I’d rather not trade Balazovic or Javier (don’t think you’d get requisite value - Balazovic does t have a long track record and Javier has had injury issues). Go ahead and trade Gordon all you want, but nobody’s giving anything significant for him. Lewis, Alex K., and Graterol should be absolutely untouchable (Graterol may be better if promoted to th MLB than the guy we get in return). Guys like Gonzalves, Thorpe, etc., are all but afterthoughts. We’re not getting anything there. I don’t doubt that we’ll make a trade for some bullpen help. But I just don’t see how you can pull the trigger on a starter at the price they command. I’ve heard absurd takes by guys like Zulgad (not a fan, ahem-hack-ahem), that Sano should’ve been traded long ago, and is a piece right now (you’d get pennies on the dollar). Bottom line: I’d have to be blown away to trade the premier guys in the system (high-end starter with multiple years of control). Nobody else will command much. It’s nice to think about landing Thor. It’s more realistic to beef up the bullpen with a couple solid,but unspectacular, MRs.

In typical Minnesota Sports style....we’re going to come back down to earth against the worst team in AL Central.

This is getting kind of ridiculous. I don’t know what to think anymore. I’ve seem this team win 2 Workd Series Titles. Aside from that, this is the most fun I’ve ever had as a Twins fan. Still have concerns about pitching. But, what a time to be a Twins fan.

I know it’s early, but I’ve been looking for more out of Larnach. He hasn’t been that terrible, it’s early, etc. But, I expected him to rocket through the system. The .768 OPS in High A at age 22+ isn’t a real great start to his season. Any insight on this? Is he struggling with something? Just your run of the mill slow-ish start? Bad luck? Again, he hasn’t been terrible. Maybe my expectations are way out of whack. Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the years of Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Lewis, Kirillof, etc. raking in an unearthly manner.

Wow, Indians are reeling. Jose Ramirez, once an MVP caliber guy, has an OPS under .600 this year, and has been awful going back to last year. Not keeping Brantley is looking like a huge misstep. If we keep pushing out this lead, the Tribe is going to reach the point of no return. 6.5-7.5 games is already a lot. 10+ and you may as well start selling assets.

If you’re not a believer after last night, you probably never will be. I thought they were dead in the water. Pineda struggling. Anemic offense. Angels were projected at over 90% to win the game, I believe. But, to my surprise, they clawed back. Honestly, I don’t know how you can send Arraez down. Gonzalez covers all positions Adrianza can.

We’re making Cahill look like Nolan Ryan tonight. After the last few games, I’m starting to wonder if we jumped the gun on the whole greatest offense of all time thing.

The Pineda signing looked wonderful for a few days.

I have absolutely loved Baldelli thus far. But, my God, this Buxton in the 9 hole gotten out of control. It’s honestly just getting stupid at this point. Willians Astudillo, outside of about a week and half, is totally unproven. He’s has a .726 OPS on the year, and a sub .280 OBP in the last 30 games.....and he’s hitting 3rd tonight. But, you say, the Twins have a great lineup this year. Hitting 9th on this team doesn’t mean you’re terrible. Well, let’s see who’s in the lineup tonight: Leading off, Kepler and his ripping .230 avg and .760 OPS. Polanco is second (where he should be). We’ve discussed the absurd and literally unintelligent Astudillo thing. Rosario is fourth (I concur). Sano, fresh off of 16 years on the disabled list with his avg. under .180 is fifth. Arraez is 6th in his second MLB start. Perpetually awful offensive player Castro is 7th (you know, the guy every Twins fan on earth wanted DFA’d two weeks ago). Quite possibly the worst offensive MLB player on a 25 man roster in Adrianza is 8th. Cruz, Sano, and Cron are all out of the lineup tonight....and he’s still hitting 9th. Honestly, people are playing the “how can you complain with this record,” card quite a bit, and I get it. But, if this bullpen isnt straightened out, and Baldelli doesn’t stop getting cute with these lineups (seriously, Astudillo 3rd on the best offense in the MLB? We’ve reached peak insanity), they’re going to spit most of this lead back to the Indians before next Monday. The hubris is flowing already. Everyone is head over heals for Baldelli right now. But, at what point are they winning in spite of his questionable personnel decisions?

What the Twins and Astros are doing right now is amazing.

Interesting comparison. I think there is definitely a chance to pull something like this off. They’ll definitely need to address the pitching side via trade, but I think they’re in the conversation for best offense in the MLB when healthy (with Yankees and Astros). At the end of the day, the Astros are really, really good. Clearly, they’re the favorite. There wasn’t a team quite as dominant that the Royals had to go through that year.

I understand a lot of the skepticism when it comes to the Twins. But, I think I’m sold on this team. The pitching makes me nervous. But, they’ll have to add some bullpen pieces at some point. The rotation, barring injury, is good enough. I think the offense will be consistently great all year. Polanco is legitimately one of the best offensive infielders in the American League. He could win the batting title. Cruz is being Cruz, and that will continue. I think Buxtonand Garver have turned a corner and will continue to perform at relatively high levels. Rosario, Kepler, and Schoop will each have 1-2 power binges this year. Cron will consistently provide power. These guys have been carrying the offense and I expect that to continue. When you consider adding a healthy/productive Sano to that lineup. Marwin Gonzalez turning things on and providing some solid pop. Astudillo getting healthy and returning to form. A guy like Arraez getting called up.....I just don’t see this offense slowing. This offense is right up there with the Astros and Yankees. We’re playing in a poor division (aka a lot of games against bad teams). I think finishing behind Houston for the best record in the league in very possible.

Not worried about Sano. It’s not unreasonable to expect some re-acclimation the major league pitching. He’ll be fine. He just had two XBHs 24 hours prior, as well. If management can find a way to unlock him and bring back 2015-2017 Sano (if it’s still in there), we’re talking about a pretty incredible/historic lineup.

Indians lose to the Orioles. A win tonight pushes the lead over 5 games. Would be really nice to have this one.

If Buxton keeps this up (aka hits .275-.280, with 70-80 doubles, 8-10 triples, 10-20 HRs, a .850 OPS, and the best defense on planet earth), he’ll be around an 8 WAR player. For reference, fan graphs has Yelich with 7.6 last year. Jose Ramirez was at 8.

He’s the fastest guy in the majors, he’s leading the MLB in doubles, he’s been thrown out trying to steal twice in his last 50 (approximately) attempts, he’s got an .840 OPS overall. He’s hitting over .300 with an OPS north of .900 in his last 15. Once he gets on base, he changes the game. He’s one of the best hitters we have right now, despite what people think. I just don’t see the rationality in keep him locked into the 9-hole because of quasi-superstitious fear that it’s the 9-hole making the hitter. He was drafted and developed to be a franchise cornerstone and offensive centerpiece.

The arm is a prize. It’s easy to think it about in the exact opposite manner: He’s throwing the ball as hard as he ever will in his life. Right at this moment. That’s being put to use for something called the Blue Wahoos, while the Twins are legitimate World Series contenders if they can add some dynamic arms. It’s not a matter of if his arm is going to blow, it’s when. Why not use it before it does? Bring him up in the second half, have him go every 5th day in a tag-team with Pineda, similar to early in the season with Perez. Or, have him as a 6th swing man to spot start based on match-ups and be a long guy. That way, you limit his innings (as well as possibly Berrios/Perez/Gibson), keep him somewhat stretched out, get him accustomed to a playoff race, and get the best arm in the system to the major leagues. Having him at your disposal in a playoff series would be ideal.

If I have another son, his name will be some combination of the letters J, O, H, A, N. I should’ve recognized this sooner.

There is never a time when you stop looking for an upgrade. Just because things are rolling now doesn’t mean they will be next week (picture getting swept by the Tigers at home, with the Indians climbing to 1/2 game back by Monday). Go get established players at positions of need right now, if you can for a fair price. Get bullpen help right now instead of hoping guys get healthy and/or improve. Go get another starter to add to the mix instead of hoping that Perez and Odorizzi as Johan Santana and Roger Clemens is here to stay. Nothing major has to be done. I’m on board with leaving the offense alone. But; there is no harm that can be done by adding some quality depth, pitching-wise. We will get burned by this bullpen status quo at some point. Maybe I’ve lived in Minnesota as a sports fan for too long, but I am not taking the playoffs for granted at this point. Too much can go wrong.

It’s unbelievable what he is doing right now. Not only the average....11 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 15 walks vs 20 k’s, and an OPS approaching 1.100 in around 150 PAs. This goes back through a significant portion of last year as well. We’re starting to exit SSS territory. He’s been one of best hitters in the American Leage for nearly a full season (I think it’s Gleeman I need to credit there, but correct if I’m wrong).

At some point, Jose Berrios, Eddie Rosario and Jorge Polanco will all be considered among the best players in the MLB st their position. Most reasonably attentive baseball fans nation wide know who these guys are. Those that don’t will shortly. In the end, I think it’s Rosario who ends up the nation-wide face of the franchise. The way he plays the game is infectious and he’s one of the more dynamic offensive players in all of baseball right now.

Don’t get me wrong, the new players certainly help (specifically Cruz, Schoop, and Perez, at the moment), but I’m not sure that’s the tipping point. Polanco isn’t suspended for the half the year (HUGE), Buxton is healthy and playing the best baseball of his career (HUGE - leading the MLB in doubles, I believe), Kepler is hitting and hitting for power, Garver/Astudillo/Castro are out of their minds right now (top offensive production in the MLB at the position). Berrios has evolved into one of the most dominant starters in the MLB (has been inconsistent up to this point). Again, the new guys certainly help, but there are a lot of things coming together that were in place before. A lot of hard-luck for the previous staff is turning into a positive this year.

The team is doing a great job of taking advantage of the Indians being down right now. Keep piling up those games.

I’ve never been more convinced that a player could stroll into a major league clubhouse and yield positive results than with Kiriloff. The more time passes, the more I believe he could’ve done that from day 1. He’s a natural. I don’t really buy that you can’t find a spot for him. Between days off in the outfield, first base, and DH, there would be plenty of at-bats to be had in place of Cave/Adrianza and in some cases Gonzalez/Garver/Astudillo. I’m fine with that upgrade across the Board (unless you believe Garver and Astudillo with continue being the bash brothers). He could be a real game changer down the stretch, and really set this lineup over the top. Kepler, Polanco, Cruz, Rosario, Sano, Schoop, Buxton, Kiriloff, Garver (not necessarily in that order) is scary. He also adds another solid lefty to balance things out. I’m fine keeping him down for a couple more months to maximize ABs. But, if he keeps this up, get him up in July/August and get him accustomed to big league pitching before September.