Rosterman

The secret is your starters going deep into the game. No five innings stints (which is what I worry about with Pineda, Perez and especially Odorizzi). Gibson can shine. Berrios is pretty consistent if he can stay aheda in his counts. But getting six innings out of your starter, and maybe even 7 (if they can refuse to walk people) is the key. Nezt, the Twins bullpen. I have more faith than many in Trevor May. I like Zach Littell. It would be nice to have another lefty. Could that be Perez, Smeltzer, Ryan O'Rourke, Lewis Thorpe. If we had three lefties in the pen...wow! Duffey is doing well, along with Littell, and Ryne Harper is holding his own. Romo is a godsend. Dyson should be back. So the Twins pen looks pretty good. The joy would be to have TWO pitchers that can do long relief, like two innings, if the start is short. I do like that the Twins have taken a look at so many "future" pitchers: Dobnak, Stashak, Poppen, Stewart, Eades, Romero. Hildenberger could still be in the mix. The Twins have unknowns Diplan and Gonsalves on the 40-man. Ryan O'Rourke was an intriguing pickup. But a pen of Rogers as closer, Dyson and Romo as setup, Littell and May as long guys, Harper and Duffey in the mix. Perez could be in the pen if the Twins do decide to stretch out a rookie as the fifth starter (which I would do, especially in September). But for now, the Twins are in a post-season drive. They have to stay ahead of the Indians, or if they slip, ahead of everyone wanting a wildcard spot!

Right now, need to put together a pitching staff that is dependable. When you look at the Indians series, the Twins were outscored 28 to 23. It doesn't say a lot for the Indians staff of pitchers, but even less for our own. The Indians have proven to be a threat at the plate in this middle third of the season and they can also manufacture runs on the basepaths. I love that we are seeing new faces in the bullpen, all these minor league starters given relief stints. But looking at the guys overall (Dobnak, Stashak, Poppen, Stewart) I wonder if we see even a fourth or fifth starter in the bunch. Add in Smeltzer, who is unique to say the least, and Thorpe...well, just think...our #6-10 starters entering the season were Mejia, DeJong, Gonsalves, Littell, Stewart and even Slegers was briefly in the mix. How things change during a season in prospect land. Not to mention little talk now of Fernando Romero, and Jake Reed is all but forgotten as a future bullpen arm (like Tyler Jay). The thing is, when you are contending, you MUST be able to trust every single arm in the bullpen, and you also need a good bullpen mix. Yes, you can't predict what a pitcher WILL DO, but to have someone that is more of a groundball guy, or a fly ball guy, or a lights out strikeout king. And nothing says you CAN'T use a pitcher for one batter or one out. I still see Baldelli leaving in a starter to start an inning too much, or, like Rogers last night, he has loaded the bases but he could still get a double play and end the inning, or a ground out or pop up. Or maybe a strikeout (although at what point do you say "he doesn't have it" and bring in someone else who could get an out or give up a home run). You have to trust the pitchers and what they throw and contribute to the team. Seems we have been spending too much time building a bullpen of rookie arms that can just do the innings to protect the arms of the "important" guys, who are NOT needed if we don't have a lead. The season has bascially started over for the Twins in the division. Be interesting to see where we end up 40+ games from now!

The evils of team construction. You SHOULDN'T have anyone on the major league rister that you don't feel comfortable playing. The Twins have been unique in 2019 that EVERY player on the offense side brings soemthing to the game. They also have ahd a rotation which ahs started, like, 97% of all games with just five different hurlers. But the bullpen has been a mish-msh. You are being competitive. Every game does count. If you can trust to throw an arm out there for one batter, one out or one inning, why are they in the bullpen, period. And if you HAD the ability to go out and get someone that wasn't replacement level, or prospect possibility, why didn't you do it...be it as a rental or longer term. You can't keep ALL 150+ players in your minor league system forever. Every game here on out is playing for the post season. Not just getting us to the 7th, giving so-and-so a rest, but playing hard. Cleveland did this against the Twins...totally prepared starters, a hungry offense which worked the counts as much as possible, and a manager who would switch out an arm at a moment's notice. Sure, no one is perect. Their closer took a hit (but got the win) just like ours took a big hit. No one IS perfect. August 11th. A packed house. Excited when the game was tied in the 9th and the Twins even took a chance to steal the game trying to tempt fate with a throw home. Never ever have seen such a jubilant crowd that got sickened so fast. Hurt. Big Hurt.

One of those that you needed to be seeking him in order to make a trade. Looked good against the Twins and might be a sleeper...like a Kevin Tapani-type pitcher in the long haul, or maybe jsut another soft tosser with limited major laague tme. But would've ben a risk to take, if had known. Twins could've matched this trade easily (maybe Rocky de la Torre or Wander Javier as well as another mid-level prospect). The Twins have depth, but finding 40-man space, or even keeping in the system, will be a challenge in the next coming two years. You have to ask if names like Poppen, Dobnak, Stashak, Stewart and Thorpe are the future or just place-setters. We already have seen Gonsalves and Romero basically get passed by. The Twins could afford to lose 8-10 prospects in the system and not really see a development loss, unless they decide to ALL prospects in 2020 and forego any minor league free agents. But that is doubtful as we have already seen the Twins go to the dump to add players at Rochester and elsewehre, rather than promote system guys.

Berrios, Gibson, Odorizzi are locks. If the Twins need a 4th or 5th, and depending on the ultimate makeup of the pen, they could go with the "opener" route for any number of games, be it with their main thre, or Pineda. I would keep Perez in the pen along with Smeltzer...use the lefty as an opener for 1-2 innings and destroy the lineup plans for the other team. The Twins will have the luxury of a bigger bullpen, too, with Gonzalez, Adrianza or Arraez able to play multiple positions. Just hope Buxton AND Cruz are back for the post-season.

Well, if we have so many prospects, why the dumpster diving in the last month of the season, and who do they replace on the 40-man (Twins just got speedster Ian Miller from Seattle). Of course, having Rooker, Raley and Gordon on the IL means we have no offense to call-up from Rochester. Wait, Willians is rehabbing! And all these precious and priceless prospects...how many will the Twins try and cash out before September and what kind of smoke and mirrors do they play to keep them in the organization yet still off the 40-man, as many hed for their minor league free agent year. Right now, I wouldn't bring back anyone from the rotation for 2020 except Berrios, and who knows how that contract extension into free agency will go. And there is something fine about this mini losing streak. The veteran bullpen arms get little or no use, while the rotation of the rountrip from AAA eat up the bulk of the innings. That the Twins are still at x-amount of games over .500, same place they were months ago, is better than nothing, I guess. Two more games. Where will the Twins be before an off day on Monday!

I feel worse about the minor league disabled list. We could use a slugging outfielder (or maybe a temporary DH) but both Brent Rooker and Luke Raley are on the disabled list...too long. And even top prospect Nick Gordon is on the Il. Last year Zach Granite was on the DL and Jake Cave made the most of the opportunity, thus causing Granite to go elsewhere. With LaMonte Wade also ailing, the Twins have no excess 40-man guys ready for the majors, at least until Willians ends his rebah. I also feel for Trevor Hildenger, who should be working his butt off at Rochester insteda of putting time in on the IL. He may be passed and his days numbered. Not to mention Stephen Gonsalves, once the NEXT in-line for the rotation, who has an all-but-forgot season. Tyler Wells looked to be back after lost time, but is nowhere to be found on the diamond. Hector Lujan was a surprise but also injured, along with Cole Sands. And Akil Baddoo is losing a second season.

You gotta approach this series like it is the playoffs. If it means multiple pitchers in an inning, you do it. You DON'T allow your team to get into too deep a hole. You have Monday off, so everyone goes for broke. You push the boundaries. Mix in a little small ball if the players are capable. But always have your best at every position.

Baldelli, play to win. Best line-up each day. Use your pitching staff. Don't let starters stay if tanking like Perez and Berrios...don't need to dig THAT deep of a hole. If a bullpen arm puts two guys on base, pull him...let another bullpen arm mess it up if need be. Four big games. Then a day off. You can afford to skip Perez and use him out of the pen, if you wish.

The Twins will be losing 6-8 names alone to free agency. They have upwards of 15 players to consider for 40-man roster spots, the kicker being will any of the guys they NEED to roster contribute to the team in 2020. Right now, you basically have Gordon, Wade, Gonsalves, Romero taking up 40-man space without getting any or much of an oipportunity with the 2019 team. Will they all be back, because......? Yet the Twins will need 2 or 3 or maybe 4 arms in the rotation. They are getting a looksee, albeit in the bullpen, of some future arms: Poppen, Stashak, Stewart, Smeltzer, Thorpe. Are there sleepers in the wings to push apst even these guys (Jax, Braterol). I do feel the Twins LOST a big opportunity at the trade deadline. Would I have traded Buxton for Sven? Well, not sure what negotiations for a contract extension are like, although the Twins still have at least three more seasons of Buxton with Krillioff in the wings. But, right now, feeling THAT need for another starter.

Schoop will be a free agent. No need to cut him loose if he is contributing to team chemistry. September 1 is just around the corner. I had thought that the Twins might dangle him at the trade deadline. Ehire is another...how much do you spend to keep him around. He ahs contributed well this year, but is basically a carbon copy of Gonzalez.

Wow. Buxton will be tabled in contract negotiations. Cave shined last year. Partly because Zach Granite put himself on the disabled list. Wondered what would've happened if Granite had been available last year. Far from eprfect, he could play center and offered speed. Shows how an injury can slow your progress and also allow someone to leap frog you in the organization. Also, could've been an opportunity for LaMonte Wade to play. Better yet, Kepler in center and bring up Brent Rooker. Maybe get that 12th guy to hit 10 homers this year. Cave IS NOT cutting it in center. I like Cave and his state of play, but you have an open roster spot, let's see Rooker or Raley if/and when either becomes healthy. Heck, I would almost like to see Kirilloff get an early opportunity.

I would keep Kepler in center and put Cave in right. Hummmm...who best to tryout as a starting pitcher, especially since the Twins MAY NEED three new arms next season. Do we do a tandem in that spot come December when the rosters can expand, moving Perez to the bullpen? Six-man rotation (one being a tandem). Of course, the Twins need to play to win, too.

I go back to the days on penny cards with a stcok of gum. It took awhile to figure out that the cards were released in series (by checklist) and then learned to spot when it was an old box of cards out for sale compared to a new one. My dad, who still had his 30s Goudey cards when I was growing up, talked of the corner store where the guy opened all the packs and you could buy the cards you wanted (or needed). Bags and bags of that gum, which would get hard, like beef jerky, if left to sit. Then came the ability to buy sets (still got lots and lots of years in storage). Like comic books, it became more about the speciality item, then the grading. Amidst all the jersey cards, stickered signature cards and such, Topps is still the ultimate king, although the days when they controlled issuing a complete set of players is far far away. My grandboys (4 and six) came over and saw piles of cards on my table and happily recognized them as baseball cards, which made me think there is hope for the future, as long as the game is taught, played and kept appealing to view. But not sure how kids get cards these days. See a small wall at the mass market store, but the days of a box of cards for your dime or quarter at some neighborhood visit place, or even vending machines (Rowe postcards were famous at these) is long gone. Even major metro areas are lucky to have any semblence of a card store. It is paper, cardboard...with a photo and stats that one would memorize, and bend, and markup. The majority aren't worth a damn, except to someone going backwards, or someone upgrading the worn cards of their youth. But as memories, baseball cards allow you to relive a sport that you follow and love, although like everything else you can just make a page of photo memories on the net to view at on your phone rather than watch commercials between innings. Even autographs have become passe to selfie photos. Autographs, where a player will sign thousands of stickers to be palced on cards rather than ever have to interact with a fan, be them an oldtimer like me, or young kids. Beginners, just get a card of each play from your tem, or your favorite player. Stay away from the investment game. If something you do manage to obtain is worth $$$, okay be joyful. But keep it fun.

Interesting with the August waiver/trade month disappearing. Now you have to WANT to trade an asset. The msot popular assets to trade, when teams MIGHT seem desperate, are pending free agents, and prospects that are needing to be added to the 40-man roster. Even if your team is not in contention, there is NO NEED to trade players you still control, unless you see arbittration year two (or especially year three) being enormously expensive. If teams are truly dumping potential free agent assets, anything goes. Be interesting to see who does move in the last minutes for something, anything. Otherwise, will be curious to see what happens in August with high priced players/free-agents to be. Would, say, the Diamondbacks put Grienke out there just to rid themselves of the contract and would someone grab that contract (does that supercede any "no trade" clauses)? Some teams are being crafty (Mets for one). Some are just picking up sub-pieces to patch some holes. The Bauer trade was unique, but it would be like the Mets trading Sven for Byron, each team would be getting something they need for now AND the future, not just taking a gamble on prospects THAT MAY NEVER PAN OUT. July 31 might just be TO EARLY for teams to pull the plug. Are you forcing teams, instead, to keep their players (or release them outright) in order to tank going into late August and all of September? Will this "new" trade guideline actually create a better free agent market for the future (trying to still run that around the brain). Instead, you seem to just be trading $$$$, transferring payload from one team to another short term. Some teams signing low-end free agents seem to be getting soemthing abck in the deal. Some who did it (like our Twins), just saw the guys linger and then grabbed for modest cash return (Twins basically got money or money relief from the losses of Morin, Magill, Parker, Mejia...all of whom seemed to have some merit for signing with another team, but not enough to bring back a low-level player even). The only frustration with the Twins is that they MIGHT NOT be able to turn prospects on the cusp of need-to-be-added-to-40-man with no room, or potentially a free agent, or maybe being passed over in the pecking order (Gonsalves, Romero, Gordon, Wade come as an example). But these are far from the marquee prospects someone would wish to trade anything of substance, with the thought that they might just be available for little or nothing by the time next season rolls around.

Buxton and Sanoa s trade bait? Depends on the return. Both are becoming a tad more valuable, yet still not expensive enough that the Twins need to throw a lot of money at them. Have to think about what they MIGHT still become and at what cost. You got Buxton for three more seasons, Sano for two more after this season. They took a hit in value after 2018. Still not CHOICE pieces in the cheme of things. Wish replacements were a tad closer. Big decision for both side this winter.

Hey, just read the Cubs are looking for a second baseman. Would hate to part with Schoop, but we do have Arraez (and Gordon). Would the lineup survive with one less homer hitter in it? Would the Cubs want more power and infield play than the speed of, say, Villar? What could the Twins get in return (probably just more mid-level prospects). But flippable prospects? Would you trade Twins free agents if replaceable by internal assets or via trade (like move Odorizzi or Gibson if you have a starter coming abck in another trade). Teams are looking for pitching. Why not get something for your potential free agents, too! Heck, move Castro when he is hot with some value!

Carlos Torres is the casuality. Made more money holding a roster spot this week and not pitching than Devin Smeltzer who gave us five good ones. Torres is now one of those few guys to play for the Twins but didn't play for the Twins! Can you name the msot famous guy to hold that title? Chuck Schilling, acquired from the Red Sox and the extra body out of spring training who didn't see a game before being asked to go to the minors when rosters went to 25, refused assignment and retired.

We also have Carlos Torres! With Cody Allen in the wings. Combined with Sergio Romo, the Twins have added years of experience to the pitching staff! The bigger question: what to do with Fernando Romero and...Stephen Gonsalves. The Twins have already removed (and demoted further in the system) Vasquez and Moya. Tyler Jay is long gone. Jake Reed remains. Ryan Eades is disabled, as is Hildenberger. Anyone want to give D.J. Baxendale a chance? Is this the year September rosters are set at 28? Who do the Twins call up in September and what role do they play. Back when the Twins drafted all these relief pitcher power arms, one wondered why. You draft starting pitchers who throw multiple pitches and you turn them into bullpen arms if push comes to shove. Who from the recent grouping of Smetlzer, Poppen, Stashak, Stewart, Thorpe remains a rotation arm or becomes a bullpen arm?

Well, the Twins would need to protect Diaz sooner rather than later. Is he the first abseman of the future? Who knows. Seems the Twins are getting not one NUT TWO otehr prospects besides. Be interesting to sww how he pitches for the Twins.

We could use a fer sure closer. Defining PROSPECT. The window for a prospect is 3-5 years. Will they make the major leagues in that amount of time, and once in the majors how long to become a aprt of the team and contribute in some way. How many players make their major league debut each season from a draft staying thru the farm system each season. 4 or 5 guys, perhaps. (Yes, if totally in rebuilding mode, more). But out of those 40 names thrown into the organization following each draft day, how many spend 2-3 years in a minor league stsem, and how many get even a sliver of major league play with the drafted organization or another. Those are the magic ways you look at Prospects. And you look at depth and who is bumping whom (see Nick Gordon and Luis Arraez, for example). Actually, look at the Twin starting pitcher prospects going into 2018 compared to today. Wow. Is a team looking for players to put in time this season, contribute in a major way next season, and how many people will they gamble on for the future (think Santana to the Mets...we got a pitcher we needed to protect, an outfielder that we felt didn't need another year in the minors - and was flipped for a shortstop, and two pitchers...one who we flipped for Jon Rauch, one who never got to pitch for the Twins in his time in the minors or on the 40-man). Except that we added Hardy and Rauch as names in this deal, shows you that players received in a trade can also be used in a trade. But in the scheme of things, made no difference in the standings for the Twins. The Twins don't need Alex and Lewis of theya re keeping Rsoario and Buxton for a few more seasons of play. By then they have Larnach or others in the wings. So both of those HIGH draft choices could be in play -- except the Twins haven't signed Buxton or Rosario beyond the next couple of seasons. Or maybe they have higher feelings for the two high draft picks to repalce these guys, who will also be trade bait if theya re signed or not. It is a fascinating business, this baseball. I just wish they would eliminate one aspect. Somehow, in this day and age, I don't like the idea that you sell someone to someone else...i.e. "cash considerations" - although that is probably the whole purpose of independent league abseball.

I'm glad the Twins are ridding themselves of these pitchers. Great stories and they did use them and sent them on. But, yes, Parker was not pretty on the mound. That he was able to close in the beginnings of the season is a miracle. At some point, if a pitcher puts two men on base and not getting clean strikes, I would automatically pull him. Period. That's not what you bring them in to do. You have a deep bullpen and a regular shuttle with AAA Rochester

I'm liking Pineda more and more and wonder what the chances are of his returning to the Twins in 2020. If you do have to limit Pineda's innins come September, you have ample prospects to work with him in a game (Smeltzer, Thorpe, perhaps Stewart, Poppen or Stashak). Hey, I would offer out Jake Odorizzi right now, when he still has some value...assuming that you are trading for a top flight starter. Chances are you will not be resigning him.Let's see how he pitches right before the deadline. Perez would be a choice to go back to the pen if the rotation as is remains intact, but adds a power arm. Nothing like having another lefty in the pen. I feel good with the guys the Twins might need to add to the roster come September. Pitchers and a bat. But, the hard reality, we need a top-flight closer so Rogers can remain a setup guy!

You have to look at centerfielders as you do at catchers over the long haul. How long will they play center as hard as they do, and what do they bring to the table when they transition to a corner spot in the outfield, being replaced by the next good centerfielder. Like catchers, who control the game but basically are regulated to around 120-games max behind the plate, at some point they do cycle out-of-the-game or to a position like, say, first base...and how do their stats at bat translate to other options. Combined wth the fact that a centerfielder IS at their best in their youthful full-speed years, depending on development of play, you either bring them up to early and maybe they struggle, or too late and, again, they have to look over their shoulder at the next BIG prospect. The Twins have four BIG decisions. How much to pay Berrios to keep him in a Twins uniform. How much to pay Eddie Rosario, or do you trade him while he is so hot. Can you live with Buxton and what he brings currently to the game, and will he vastly improve, or stay at a level of, say, Aaron Hicks now playing in New York. Is the Buxton future similar to Denard Span, or closer to Torii Hunter. And what to do about Sano? All or nothing. There are always strikeouts in a game, But can you live with that one big hit every other game (you can, if you bury him in the batting order). As a third baseman Sano is bringing you something more to the plate, as long as he can field. But if you move him to first base are you better served by, say, a Cron...or even a Mauer...as the price ffor Sano expands. The evils of baseball. How much money do you gamble today (like Polanco and Kepler, both contracts look great now). Or do you continue to overpay in arbitration and suffer if they have a breakout season.

Well, you have to look at the bigger picture, too. Who in the organization, right now, MIGHT replace Rosario and/or Buxton if the Twins can't reach longterm agreements. The Twins will need a third baseman. If they feel the need to stick with Sano, moving him to first seems to be the future. Right now, the Twins COULD entertain offers on Schoop and Castro, both having some worth at the moment and neither guaranteed to be back with the Twins in 2020. I feel the Twins should actually dangle Gibson and Odorizzi out there, especially if they feel the NEED to go after a #1 starting pitcher. I picture that they MIGHT resign Pineda for 2020, which might not be a bad gamble (one year with an option). The Twins have basically given away a lot of bullpen arms, which makes you wonder WHY they were on the team (40-man roster) in the first place. They can't take all their TOP minor elague starters and make them bullpen arms, although have been impressed with Thorpe, Littell, Smeltzer in the role of bullpen arms. Kohl Stewart could be dangled. I wish Fernando Romero and Stephen Gonsavles had the value they had a year or two ago. Teams would be salivating at getting them. Now the Twins have to ask themselves if they really want to keep these guys, or will they be quickly passed by others (as is the case of Nick Gordon). Royce Lewis is an interesting case. Shortstop...or future centerfield guy. Alex and Rooker/Haley and Larnach are the future outfield, and there is still depth. Y'know, the only way the Twinsa re going to get a TOP NOTCH #1 and EXPENSIVE starter to come to Minnesota is to actually TRADE for the guy. We can talk all we want about potential free agents in the future, but the Twins are still (1) Cheap and (2) not at the top of ANY player's list, unless the Twins do grossly overpay. Of course, i predict that the Front Office will do nothing and wait to see who is offered up on the August waiver wire as a salary dump (watch the Oakland A's play that game, both ways). That will be interesting to see who will be willing to jettison salary!