Rosterman

I used to get mad when the Twins would tally out the "B-squad" for a day game. Like, you don't want to give your pitcher a chance to win? If you take the lead, especially now, or if the game is a total blowout, you can substitute guys. But when going head-to-head with a best team (unless you don't care to lose - and some folly to that - often wonder why a team puts their best pitcher against the other team's best pitcher, why not worst against best) you field the best lineup posible. Until you clinch, now, you are playing PLAYOFF GAMES. Every game it important. If you don't win, you go home...and get plenty of rest.

With people busing injuris, the Twins need to make hard decisions on who WILL be available for the playoffs. Is Gonzales healing? Is Dyson still a possibility? Can Buxton bat? Will Kepler be an issue? Almsot need to put Gordon on the callup, and then 60-day him and bring in Kirilloff, fresh off the playoffs with the Wahoos. Gald the Twins got some inning work for a bunch of people sitting in the pen. I expected what happened to Dobnak and Smetzler to happen anyways. At this point, I would let Smeltzer start and get 3-4 innings, then bring in others. Dobnak should stay a one-inning opener. Where is Kohl Stewart? And Bristar Graterol should be in this rotation mix for 3-4 innings. Those five names should be the focus of five more rotation rounds for the remainder of the season. If Kepler is out, then refocus the ineup. Arraez should start because he takes pitchers. LaMonte Wade is also showing discipline at the plate. Let him bat second, Polanco third. If Cruz remains out, make sure you get Astulido in there somewhere for every single game. Heck, with his bat these days, make Garver the cleanup hitter after Arraez, Wade, Polanco. Going to be an interesting end of the season. Why aren't the Twins winning bigtime at home, hitting homer galore at Target Field? Will the lowly White Sox, Tigers and Royals be spoilers and play hard because they have nothing to lose?

I'm curious how soon these results are presented to the player, as he did have the abilityto arbitrate and get the suspension reduced, which in itself seems that MLB is not being as hardlined as in the past. But, yes, with strength and conditioning staff/programs, your trainers in general, and a medical staff on call...there is no eason you can't get properly prescribed medications or supplements. The Twins going forth? Happily hey have an abundance of pitching, just have to figure out how to best use the arms. And, with an open roster spot, they could still add, say, Griffin Jax, who is pitching in the AA playoffs and should still be a strong arm. How the Twins put together a start on SUnday against the Indians, and then again in the first and third game of next week's series against the Indans will showcase if the Twins will, indeed, struggle on their way to the post season, or if the prospect arms of the future are ready for the challenge of becoming a part of the playoffs, as well as the starting gate out of spring in 2020.

Well it does free a roster spot. Could the Twins add Griffinb Jax, or if they need an outfielder Alex Kiriloff?

Well, makes NOT pursuing a starter during the trade deadline really stand out as a season moment now. So, the Twins have Stewart, Thorpe, Smeltzer who should be given every opportunity to step up and show they belong on the team next year! Let's hope the Twins can still win the division. Sunday's game will be an extra special turning poin of where the rest of the season will go!

Well, I hope the bats can do soemthing against Cleveland. That would be Job #1. I hope the Twins can pitch ALL of their pitchers in the games. Use the opener route in Game 3. The Twins need to give these new guys an inning each, at least, and see if the Indian players can rememebr the scouting reports.'

Ramos, Pascual, Kaat, Don Lee, Pleis, Dotter, Arrigo, Jim Snyder, Rollins, Altobelli, Dobbek, Billy Gardner, Jose Vadilvielso. That's it!

Oh, and Drew Butera is back with the Rockies. A decade of appearances behind-the-plate. 8 of his 10 seasons he ahs failed to hit the Mendoza-line.

35 homer season. Good luck to the guy!

No reason to not promote Harper and Hildey. You are paying them!

Between Perez and the empty spot, that is 8 starts the Twins need pitchers to cover. Plus Odorizzi giving us 5 innings. Pineda won't be pushed for 7 ever. So lots of work. I liked the idea of using the opener now, too. Can screw up the opposing lineup to quickly switch to a lefty, let's say, after an inning, then abck to the righty. Look forward to lots of one inning usage. Was a little sad that Baldelli pushed Thorpe into a fourth inning, especially with the lead. Ample chance to give MORE pitchers a shot...like get two innings out of Stewart, followed by Stashak, and then Hildenberger. There is no need to push pitchers right now, just control who is warming up and when, but would still like to see Joel's bullpen usage...if two men get on in an inning, let the new guy come in and give up the homerun insted of thinking the guy on the mound can work out of it. As, well, May proved Tuesday night. If the coaches can have a handle on who does what, it should be a joy to watch some of these new guys get some innings, espcially during the final 12 games. Seems the coaches have the offense figured out, just figuring out how to use Garver/Willians and Castro, and I would go more for giving Willians some time behind-the-plate as he might be the backup option for 2020. The joy of all these young arms, they want to prove that they can be in the majors. Again, feel sorry for Thorpe who had a great three innings against a tough team, but the second time thru the order proved to be a hazard, Yes, you want to see the guys do this...but the twins are also a playof team and have to balance that factor more than player development at the moment.

Thank you for the dedicated minor league coverage. Always a joy to read and helps make some future stars household names in Twins Daily land. Waiting to see who the Twins send to Instructional League. And who gos and who stays from this massive crop of farmhands!

He should be able to get at least a two year offer, and probably a 3-year at $12-14 a year. So doubt he would take the one-year from the Twins if it looks like he could get more money over time. Would you offer him $35 million for three years? Of course the Twins have little to lose if they would offer him a qualifying offer. Plus they get compensation if he walks.

Poppen gets 60-days of major league money. Gordon gets sent home.

With Gibson down and Perez not showing life, it is the opportunity for Thorpe and possibly Stewart and Smeltzder to show that they belong in the rotation and can help the Twins in 2020. I'm sure they can get innings, as an opener or duo games, if nothing else. My stock in Perez has shifted south. They will keep him on the roster until they need to make a decision. Sad to hear the Gibson news. Have to see how he recovers. Might get him for an additional year now. I'm sure Odorizzi will explore the free agent marketplace. The Twins could've signed him in June and vastly overpaid. Now it is wait and see for a five-inning starter. Overall, money speaks. Can you get more elsewhere? Can you egt someone of equal value to your loss in the marketplace? The Twins should explore signing a front line starter and a closer, period. Like what they needed at the trade deadline. They could trade, but the worth of major league redy talent will be showcased and hopefully not tank like Romero and Gonsalves has this seawson...think what their trade value was last winter compared to the possibly of DFA this off-season. Whew. The Twins will add 6-8 guys to the 40-man. They lose six easily with free agency and can shuffle a couple more folks. I don't see keeping Poppen, Dobnak and Stashak. One will definity be DFA by spring training. Two might not make it out of spring training. Depending on what they show in September, tradebait.

I wish Baldelli would stop feeling his pitchers can get out of the inning. Now with the icnreased roster, if a pitcher "just doesn't have it" no excuse to pull and put in a fresh arm. The rotation IS a mess. Again, could the Twins have gotten someone, anyone, in July. But too late to cry now. I was worried when the Yankees hit four homers in their game. But the Twins answered with six of their own, in a tough ballpark to hit homers (unless the Tigers are pitching). Happily, Cleveland lost (to a good team). The Twins can't let these things happen against the dregs of the division.

If the Twins 60-day Gordon and/or Poppen, they need to add them to the major league roster. And also pay them major league money. Of course, have to remove two players come shortly after season's end, if you wish to keep them. Not sure if that can happen after free agency declaration.

I do feel bad for th guy. Basically another half-sesaon lost. He does show progress over past seasons, and makes it look good that the Twins do have that extra arbitration season under their hat. But Byron is going to be pushed. Could Kepler move to centerfield. Is Kirilloff the next great centerfield prospect. Who is in right or left come 2022. Seriously, the Twins could have an outfield of Kepler/Buxton/Rosario for4-6 more seasons, but who do YOU see playing the outfield in 2022 let alone 2024?

Shows how the divide has grown between the haves and us that sit in the cheap seats. Wow. One billion for the Royals. Nothing against Kansas City, and they did do the World Series thing, but they always fight (worse than Minnesota) being a lesser (i.e. cheap) team in the game of baseball. Great Stadium, though. One billion dollars. When a franchise talks of losing money, we have to look at what offsets any of those losses...take a hit in one business to lessen tax payous in another is an example. So what could the Twins be worth. And doesn't Minnesota get a piece of THAT action if the team ever sells by the Pohlads, or do they have a limit on that payout? One billion dollars for the Royals. Be interesting to see what the new owners 10% share of the Indians brings him back to offset this purchase. That is going to be an interesting hit to the Indians bottom line!

How important is it to keep the starters on a regular schedule of every fifth day. I mean, it all gets screwed up anyways with the playoffs. Would they be better served if the Twins cycled in a sixth starter for 4-5 games in September? Of, because you will be promoting Thorpe, Stewart, Smeltzer...could you do the opener thing...having these youngsters pitch up to two innings and bringing in the "name starter" for four-five innings (and a win). Two things on that...want a comoftrable led in the standings in case the youngsters blow it up and, can the starters function NOT starting a game. I'm trying to figrue out how much money the Twins should throw at Gibson or Dodorizzi for 3 or so years. And wonder if Pineda likes us enough to comeback for a simialr deal to his 2019 contract.

Signing and agreeing on a $$$ amount are always concerns. Considering how little Romo got this season, might be able to swing it. But all will more-or-less play the marketplace, I'm sure. Re: Odorizzi, look at how his value has flucuated just this tear. What would you have offered him as a contract back in mid-June. What would you offer today (for a guy who averages just over 5 innings a start.)

Gotta win these games. Chance for the rotation to show it can go five strong innings, to say the least. Otherwise, I would call up Stewart and Thorpe and Smeltzer and think hard-and-strong about using an opener for every game for the rest of the season, pulling the starter when they get into trouble (not worrying about 100 pitches). Here's hoping the Twins homer bats come alive bigtime. Cave needs three to set a MLB record. Polanco needs one to set a MLB record for the team. Time to put even more distance between the Yankees batters and the Twins. Who are the first bodies on the minor leaue shuttle Sunday? Willians and Wade? Littell and Stewart or Smeltzer? Then the flood gates. Heck, put them all on the charter and in hotel rooms for the rest of the season: Thorpe, Harper, Hildenberger, Romero, Gonsalves. I bet some would even share a room or a llocker to get major league meal money!

I like the Rochester Red Wings lineup. Where are the Prospects? Rochester Red Wings @RocRedWings · In the final road game of the season, the Wings draw TJ Zeuch — the dude who tossed a no-hitter at Frontier Field 10 days ago. I. Miller CF RF Flores LF Telis C De Aza DH Wiel 1B Torreyes SS Maggi 3B M. Miller 2B Thorpe SP

Willians and Wade. That's about it for the Offense. Remember, though, the Twins DO have one spot open for someone. If Buxton is down, I would vote for Ian Miller as the extra outfielder. (Too bad Raley and Rooker have been injured for a good part of the second half. Same with Gordon.) I actually would like to see the Twins use the Opener concept in September, letting their starters pitch 4-5 innings (if able) - which seems to be the current norm. Stewart, Smeltzer and Thorpe could all shine in this role, get a chance to go 1-3 innings actually. See what happens. Dobnak is interesting. Stashak is a gem who might be the long relief guy the Twins need. Poppen will probably go home for the fall, coming off a late season injury. Hildenberger deserves a chance, as does Harper. But both have to keep in mind that they could play themselves out of the organization. Thought Ryan O'Routke might be a possibility as a lefty, but 9 walks in his few appearances are scary. I actually thought he'd come up insead of Dobnak originally. Now I doubt that the Twins will add a pitcher not aleady on the 40-man. That's it. Romero might be the odd man out, and even though it would be nice to see Gonsalves, the front office will have to make the decision if he should rehab up here or work out with the instructional league. The Twins are about to have 40-man roster troubles. Wish they ahd made a couple of "prospects-away" deals for bigger pieces in July! The Twins will have 34 players looking for lockers!

I'm hoping Cave gets enough time to join the 10-homer club in Twins Territory 2019 and set a new record there for the team. It is possible!