Rosterman

Pagan starts to try and pitch "clever." You get behind in the count, start throwing too many strikes that are fouled, and you eventually walk a batter or feed up a meatball. He is not a pitcher who will fool the batter. He either throws obvious "balls" or feeds them into a narrow zone that a batter can attack. If he can get that first strike, and then attack again, he can be successful. But he isn't, in my observation, a good pitcher. Jax has trouble with batters on base. Never bring him out to start the 10th. He is going to put balls into play, and a good percentage of those will go for a hit, which means a runner will score if on an advanced base. Plus, having a runner on base puts fielders in different positions to get to those balls put in play. When Jax is very very good, he dos challenge the hitter. He can play the corners and the work the zone and then come in hard and heavy. But once someone is on, and Jax can easily put two guys on in every inning he pitches, it becomes a whole new game for him. I wish he could pitch two innings more often than not, but now seems to be more of an 8th inning setup role. Again, never bring him in with a runner on second base. First might be okay as you could get a double play. Relief pitchers have to figure things out fast. Lopez was crushed the other night. 4 batters, 22 pitches, I think 14 were strikes. He was throwing strikes. Sure, he hit a batter, but....Good that the plug was pulled rather than "just one more guy." Yet, Brock was rushed to get into the game. But a lot is just trusting the guys. Moran is on a good streak after some clinkers. Sands and DeLeon both need to be trusted before going back to the minors in the next couple of weeks. Thank goodness the rotation consistently gets into or past the sixth inning!

Always one of those interesting times in managing a team. Gordon probably ahd his msot value coming off of last season, and the Twins could've dangled him more with the additions of roster adds Taylor and Solano happening. Now, he is out of options and a hard decision will have to be made about him on his return. Castro is a real deal, because he can be thaat pinch runner, and also has the ability to bunt. Two wonderful things to have off the bench in an extra inning game. Helman is a potential short-term backup/reserve when he becomes available, and the Twins will have to find space for names like Martin, Bechtold and others in seasons going forth.

Twins starters have kept the team in the game for the entire season. Pitchers do give up hits and runs, but overall the starters are an improvement over anything the Twins have ahd for seasons. A bullpen arm can have one bad game out of three, or six, or 10. Even Duran has given up a couple of leadoff home runs, and Brock o.oo ERA, has allowed inherited runners to score. Games have remained close and winnable. Some may call out bad managing. But overall the Twins are free swingers and lookers and need to be a bit more aggressive at the plate, as well as on the basepaths, when they are on base. That, alone, takes the game away from the pitcher with the new speed clock. Interesting note: if Royce Lewis returns to the Twins, they could have as many as 9 players on the current roster that had started the season NOT on the 26-man roster. Lewis will involve a 40-man roster move, as well as a regular roster move. With Madea and Thielbar going into rehab, that will be some interesting decisons to make. I want Madea to spend fulltime getting into the groove in the minors. Heaven forbid that one of the Twins starters go down, but knowing Madea may be on the verge allows us to keep Headrick working as a starter, pray that Dobnak might turn things around, and hope Winder and Woods Richardson pitch well enough to remain potential candidates. The real isues start to happen when you need to find roster room for Larnach, Kepler, Polanco. And got fingers crossed that the Twins don't need to add a catcher anytime soon.

Ultimately, Buxton's payroll worth to the Twins is stronger if he actually plays centerfield, which opens up the DH spot for my guys to cycle thru if need be. SImilar to the Twins want for Mauer to be a catcher rather than a third baseman. Buxton does eek out as better than Sano during his own 50+ game season a couple of years ago, as Sano would strikout out much more. But in many other ways, he is not much better than the departed guy in everything from runs and rbi to doubles and even hits in the same amount of at bats. A few more walks gives him a better OBP, but not by much.

Duran ahsn't really pitched that much this month. And the Twins have an off day tomorrow. So, he got a little work and should be ready to go Friday.

The Twins have to also identify tradable assets. The Big Three of Mahle, Maeda and Gray are all avaiulable. Except Mahle is out for the season (do the Twins resign in the least). Maeda needs to come back, but might only get a low end prospect. The Twins need to decide if they flip Gray for some prospects, make a qualifying offer and get a draft choice, whatever. Yes, I would trade for another high end starter. But what would another team take in place. Polancho has two more seasons of option conrol. You can get Kepler for the promise of a resign for $10m (or just watch the Twins cut ties). At best Gallo would get you maybe a couple of low end prospects to restoick whatever you trade away. Woods Richardson, Winder, Balazovic are all possibilities in a trade. I would keep Enlow about any of those aforementioned three. But they aren't having great seasons. People will want Martin, Lewis or Lee for sure. And the Twins would rather offer Miranda, Salas, Sabato or Severino - all who will need to be on the 40-man in the offseason. Beyond that, what do the Twins offer from the lower minors? No one really stands out as "in demand" - so the Twins might again be dealing alrgely from their2022 draft class (Prielipp could be one) who are showing some promise. What do they seek at the trade deadline, or from a non-competitive team right now. Sure, a top-line starter with 2+ years left of service for your team. What is it worth to grab an experienced bulpen arm or two who you might still be able to keep anotehr year. What do the Twins need for offense. Is Chapm,an worth the payout for one season? Pushing Farmer, Lewis (and Miranda) elsewhere for now - not to mention Julien. Do the Twins jsut scrap the whole future of Larnach and whatever and get someone who is a more proven hiter, while jettisoning themselves of Kepler and, perhaps, Gallo. Can Buxton play the outfield? That would be such a big help on who the Twins can then shuffle thru the DH spot now. I looked at an outsider's look at the Twins Top Prospects 0f 2022. Amazed at where they stand these days (and how many of the 50 are no more with the organization). https://www.prospects1500.com/al-central/twins/2022-minnesota-twins-top-50-prospects/#:~:text=Minnesota Twins Top 50 Prospects (2022) 1 1.,Canterino%2C RHP %2C 24%2C High-A ... More items

Do we blame the hitting coaches yet? And, you gotta throw strikes and risk the chanc of balls in play and that you have the fielders.

No bullpen is going to be light's out every nite, yes. But each arm needs to know the role. And be used according to the situation, not where they fall on the daily flow chart. And if you wish to win, you don't "save" an arm for later in the game, or even the next day. You jsut deal with it. At full strength, the Twins pen isn't all that bad. They have two closers. They HAD two lefties who can pitch to more than a batter or two. They could use a real innings eater that could push three innings, but a number of guys can pitch two innings, if you are willing to take a run or two on the board. Do they have a bonifide fly ball guy, or groundball guy? But, hey, all can say is that the starting rotation ahs saved this team...going into the 6th, often the 7th. And keeping runs off the board. Which then means the offense has to score more runs than runs given up. And that is the bigger problem right now.

Pitchers are going to give up runs. A relief pitcher is going to make a mistake and give up a home run. Heck, Duran has done that a couple of times this year. You don't expect not jsut one, but two pitchers to walk in runs in the same inning. And your team has to score, score, score, too. But you create a team with role players. The dynamite starter who will give you innings and keep you in the game. The fly ball pitcher. The groundball pitcher. The strikeout pitcher. The guy who can run the bases. Maybe someone who knows how to bunt. Anyone can throw the ball across the plate. Anyone can watch pitches go by. Anyone can field a ball, but not all can catch it on the run or make the strong and straight throw to the correct place. Or do it all the time. Okay, regarding Pagan, he was an option. But let's talk about Alcala coming off an injury. Let's look at the stock put in names like Coulombe, Megill and others as potential backend pitchers. Let's look at a roster stocked with unproven arms. How do you approach making a team if you are thinking of the future as well as competing in the present. The Twins are in a lucky division. Right now, if one American League, they would be 9th or 10th place - ahead of everyone else still in their own division. Explain that.

We gota give him a chance. Pulled too early after doing two strikouts on six pitches, followed by two hits. Let him finish the inning, unless you are bringing in, say, Duran. Never shows up in the stats how another pitcher makes your excellent outing into a terrible one.

He would play everyday up here, except there are two lefty starters. If Gallo goes down, maybe Wallner will egt the call. Waiting on Polanco who, if put down, will mean the return of Julien (over Miranda, right).

So many unknowns. The Twins will likely move on from Kepler. Larnach and Kirilloff both getting at bats is great for those two. So the Twins have to figure out who will play centerfield, the longer term status of guys like Celestino and Wallner, and what to do with Martin. Where to play Julien, Martin, Lewis, Lee and maybe one-or-two other guys by 2025. That is the question. Keeping Polanco MAY happen, which further screws things up for another season. Of course, that depends on where the Twins finish in not only the standings, but do in playoffs. But the NEW guys, how many will just get a taste before being called upon to contribute bigtime in 2024. If you wish to stay competitive, you have to balance the new with the old (and the free agent). Miranda, who I was hoping was going to be a solid, say, .260-.275 guy with 20+ homers and could move into the longer-term DH spot, with his plus being that he COULD play first base or third base. Well, have to wait and see on this.

Not sure "why": took out De Leon. He is, after all, a long relief guy. Started the inning with six strikes against two top hitters. Hits do happen. Not like Pagan is the for sure shutdown guy (as we saw).

The thing is, who is to say anyone "good" that you could've signed would be better? Can you trade for someone now that has life, and maybe not be Lopez 2.2023. I still can't figure out why Headrick went down. Was showing good stuff as a long lefty in the pen. And if used in such a role could still hit 100 innings for the year, possibly with a start here or there. I felt Alcala needed to start the season in traiuning camp and then the minors, after being out for the season, jsut to get back into the swing of things. Same with Madea.

How come no one is mentioning moving Farmer to 2nd and bringing back Miranda!

What is the scoop on bye-bye to Tyler Beck? Too many walks. Will need to be Rule 5 protected and they don't see him advancing to St. Paul at all?

Gary Sanchez signed by the Mets. Taylor Motter again to the minors.

The Twins needed to add him to the roster or risk losing him. Trading him and making him San Diegos problem was the good move, at the time, with an abundance of outfielders...supposedly.

Didn't think they were that bad, but - wow. Tied for last in stolen bases. third for msot strikeouts by batters. 18th for walks. 9th for homers.

Caleb Hamilton was also in the mix.

Lots of looking at pitches and free swinging. Need to at least try and manufacture runs, guys.

Is Miranda a part of the Twins future? The pluses: he could play first base or third base, and slot into fullt-time DH when the time comes. But does he need to work on some things now, similar to issues Trevor Larnach might be facing? Yes. Can he do it at the big league level? Possibly. Do we, as a team, feel more comfortable having Farmer and Castro playing third for the short-term, if Mrianda does go down? Yes. The Twins offense is in a bubble right now. Players like Miranda, Larnach, Gordon, Kirilloff, Jeffers ALL have to prove they are worthy of the long-term plans for the team. Like Kepler and Polanco are currently fighting to remain Twins after this season, he aforementioned names have to be looking over their shoulder, wondering who might replace them in the very near future, or next year at best. All we know is that Correa is at shortstop, and it would be nice to have an occasional sub for the guy. Edouard Julien is on the cusp, but can he push Polanco off second base now or in the future? They seem to playing him there, although there was talk about getting reps in at first base. The Twins have three guys: Lee, Martin and Lewis. None of the to have an occasional sub for the guy. e three will probably make an imapct this season. Lewis will have to be pencilled in somewhere come the start of 2024 with Martin and Lee right behind. Is Lee the third baseman of the future, with Martin going to an outfield/utility role? Where does Lewis end up in the scheme of things. Last year Miranda also started rough. He went down and came back strong. But the whole team (and much of the league) seems to be struggling, too. If Farmer can hold down the fort for two weeks or a month, I say...go for it. But right now waiting to see what Kirilloff brings to a sleepy lineup.

Just getting the bases loaded a certain number of times should speak well for a team.

91 pitches tonight. 66 strikes. Looks like he might be here to stay! 7 solid innings!

Kinda wish we had kept Danny Coulombe now!