Rosterman

There must be something in the power water in the bullpen. Target Field run-off water is not the key ingredient.

At some point, not calling it rebuild, but DO you play for the future and cut the guys who won't be a aprt of the team in anyway come 2019. Of course, there is no market for the likes of Rodney or Lynn or Hughes right now. And even Morrison. You aren't going to walk away from them and their salaries, sadly. Which means they play...until you give up. And too early to give up. The good news is that they are all money, and you MAY be able to filter in some new faces in the meantime. The Twins do have decisions. What to do with Mauer and Dozier. Should Sano be in the long range plans (and may we forever be a year too late in making a decision on the big guy). We have Santana coming back, in a free agent walk year...will he be lights out? What role can Trevor May play...long relief and spot starting with hopes of a return to the rotation? Michael Pineada is also in the wings. But suddenly you are hampered by free agents NOT producing. They can't sit. The big salaries can't be jettisoned easily (but, yes, they can be jettisoned if push comes to shove). The hope is everyone will get to work again, and figure things out. No way can ALL these guys be this ...putrid.

I think the team is better. But, also, the play of baseball is better. In any contest, one team wins, one team loses. There is no sure pathway to a victory. Otherwise, you would be able to predict winners over losers easily. But you can't. Were the Twins cheap? Supposedly, no. But they did BUY to be competitive as a Wild Card team, NOT to take the division today or tomorrow. Still too many factors there. The resurgence of rookies and sophs. A new bullpen. A better middle-of-the-road rotation. But still, unless you truly think Detroit and Kansas City and Chicago are worse teams, which they very well may be, the Twins still have to say "Are we better than every other team in baseball? You would think coaching and managing would've figured some things out, from arm usage to line-up construction. SO much of the game is going over stats and film and players just can't throw the ball hard and be tricky anymore, just like batters can't wait for the perfect pitch. It is work, on and off the field. The talent is there, but the talent is there on so many other teams, too. The weather was bad, but the Twins weren't the only team suffering from cancelled games and bad weather. Target Field is a gem, but how many of the guys on the current team really played the game at Target Field (of course, are biglosses were in Tampa Bay, land of great weather, and Yankee Stadium, which everyone dreams to play). I want to have patience. But I also know the front office is sweating the sell of the team, coming out badly in the gate. Cheap tickets this month, still, folks!

Is it the coaching staff. Has the manager lost control? Is there any leadership in the clubhouse? Does anyone read reports or look at tape? Hey, let's give Glen Perkins a call! better yet, BRING BACK BARTOLO COLON! Don't Panic. Don't Panic. A $120 million+ payroll can't be this bad!

The good news, Duffey on needed 13 pitches in this game in facing six batters. Unfortunately five of them scored runs. Pressly gives up his first run. Humm, maybe the Twins needed to drag Rodney out again. Wait, Hale the new guy is long relief. Well, he ate up some innings and faced more threw as many pitches as Hughes, well almost. Duffey made me long for Kinley. Well, the Twins showed their bats can bang Reds pitching, but.....

Hughes was ALMOST the best guy pitching tonight!

Right now, who would they bring up that is better suited for whatever his role is in the bullpen. By the way, what is his role...to come in, worth men on base, and end the inning. Not working. Pitch mix/match? Is the film on him working for the other team? Is his velocity down? Better to work on it in the minors, in many ways. But if you choose between him or, say, Busenitz or Curtiss, who do you pick? The Twins are actually one plus in the relief corps now...but only if they felt the need for a stronger bench. Buxton coming back will show movement of a bullpen arm, perhaps.

The Twins signed Castro to better the pitching staff. He still has one more season on his contract. The Twins knew he wouldn't hit a ton (and someone HAS to make outs in every game). So, as long as he remains healthy, he will get the starts. Garver seems to be Berrios catcher, for now, and that's pretty much it. He will be the limited use reserve this season (surprised he isn't worked into any extra inning games) and may see 50-60 starts next season. But yes, come 2020, the Twins will probably need to pick up a veteran backstop (Drew Butera should still be available) to split games with Garver. Of course, the catching situation is a mess beyond that. If Castro would go dowm, Garver WOULD get a chance to play most everyday, and he can't be any worse with the bat than Castro. But who comes up to sit on the bench and why? Are any of the catching prospects a fulltime catcher come 2021, say. We can hope. Also look for the Twins to use one of their higher draft picks this season for the catching position. We all complained about the old "pitch to contact" of the Twins of the past. Now we get a game of catch between the pitcher and the catcher while the guys in the field stand around watching pitch speed and pitch counts. Go figure. Castro IS producing as requested. Let him sit in the 8th or 9th spot and get his four at bats a game. The choice was made and he's here to stay, as no one will be tying to pry him away from us at the trade deadline. Hummmmm...suddenly starting to wonder about the Twins 40-man roster again. Who actually NEEDS to be on it, has a future, why are they being carried.

Buxton back? Take a pick between LaMarre and Grossman. I know who I would pick. But, we still have an extra arm in the bullpen. Hildenberger will need more seasoning. Yes, it would be interesting to see Romero get his cup-of-coffee sooner rather than later. You can always send him down to work on some things. But then you still have to put Hughes somewhere. I picture management trolling out Hughes 2-3-4 more times until Santana pushes a decision. Bullpen usage. Need of Rodney as closer. Role of Suke. Can Duffy be the longman? Line-up construction. When Buxton comes back, move Dozier out of leadoff? Who bats third. Who is the clean-up hitter. Why are guys not doing anything getting potentially five at bats a game and Kepler or Escobar not? Should we be seeing a tad more of Garver behind-the-plate, or is that a "wait until next year" when they start phasing out Castro moment? What do players do during "cold outs?" Swim, interior batting cages, workout, play cards?

Well, I think coaching should talk to him before each at bat. Tell him NOT to chase things inside or down low, if at all possible, and if it seems like the pitcher is working in that arena. Force him to take pitches. Of course, you can't do that for the entire game, so have an at bat plan. Work on it, especially in the batting cage. Get his eye/ball coordination to focus on a few particular areas of ball flight. And come down hard, discipline him. Get rid of the free swinging. It will come back and keep happening, yes. But you have to lean on him hard. He may take a few more called third strikes, than swinging strikes. But he has to learn to swing at those balls that ARE in the strike zone, and totally zone out the others that look "tempting".

The twins also have to make decisions on Mehia, Enns and Slegers. Sure, it is "nice" to have starting depth, but can they pitch relief, or even long-relief. AT this pont I would rather see one of them at the backend that Kinley (sad to say). Enns is a question. Not doing great, but has possbilities...or if he doesn't, cut him loose. I'm sure the whole "value" thing is in play, and the Twins want to bring him up to see if he can produce at the major eaegue level because of the minor trade value they did. But at some point, if they guys aren't usable, you replace them with guys that are. Or figure out how to use them. Use Duke for one or two batters. But Rodney in setup or mopup until you are comfortable with him back in as closer. Pressly is doing better than Rodney, so is Reed. They both should be getting the ball if the Twins ever have another save situation. Yes, it is too early to panic, and the Twins can run thru Busenitz again and bring up Moya and use Curtis. But at some point, these names will be judged against Anderson and Reed and Melotakis and others, too. If the Twins are a competitive team, that is!

We should just be glad that Goncalves and Romero are showing so much promise. Remember, at the end of the season Santana, Gibson and Lynnn will be gone. The Twins will (hopefuylly) make a decision on Hughes. Depending on the quality of any of these guys, they might be able to flip them out for a solid prospect before the trade deadline or thru waivers in August. Next year: Berrios, Odorizzi, Pineda, May and build from there. Same with the bullpen. The Twins DID make some decent moves to bolster their pitching for a possible run at the Wild Card (if not the division). But they happily didn't tie into longterm contracts and we do know there are POSSIBLE arms in the system to work into the mix.

You hope it is just growing pains after all those days off and playing against some hungry teams themselves. But, yes, the pitching, which started the season well, is quite putrid. It is bad when the bullpen gives up more runs than the rotation, no matter how you look at it. And the offense. Batters protecting each other? Non-existent. Base stealing? Putting the ball in play (strikeout king Sano!). You want Sano to find a grove, Morrison to stop pressing..... Why not use Rodney and Duke in any of these blowouts? Not like they are the pressure guys fer sure.

So, do most of these guys live in housing supplied by the Twins (which would be great if ALL minor league systems did this...i.e. basically own a hotel with 30 or 60 rooms, food service capabilities, meeting rooms and a pool). Plus, they do have better off-field facilities than most minor league parks, right? It is great that the Twins share their High-A space in Ft. Myers, too. Easy to shuffle guys in for some real game experience. Plus great for players on rehab. Are there ANY restrictions on how many players can be in an extended training camp (which also operates in the fall)?

Fernando Rodney not available?

These things are always a gamble. You saw it with Perkins. You saw it earlier with Mays and Blackburn. You can always look bigger, the Joe Mauer contract. Of course, if Joe was going to catch into year 35-36-37 and you didn't need to find, say, a Castro to replace him...then it looks pretty good. Name WONDERFUL more than 3-year contracts the Twins have signed with players!?!

At worse, Moya becomes a situational lefthander. Give him some time at AAA. Actually, would've been nice to see him in the Arizona Instructional League. He is a work in progress. Had the stuff, now needs to know how to use it.

Luke Bard was cut by the Angels. If he passes thru waivers, do the Twins reclaim him for $50,000 and stash him at Rochester?

Molitor got the reserves to play: Grossman, Garver, Ehire and LaMarre started. Stayed a close game. Low pitch count meant you tried to get 7 out of Gibson, but is it really necessary top push starters anymore. The two kids were horrible. Luke Bard cut by Angels. Should the Twins pay $50,000 to get him back?

LaMarre is hot. Okay, Grossman can draw a walk...but.... Line-up construction. How much longer is Sano in the #3. Of course, it is a tossup who bats cleanup. Rosario? Morrison? Sano? Maybe time to put Kepler in the #3 spot (although I would love to see Dozier there, with Buxton getting his act together and leading off, but what do I know - yes, I know nothing). Why send Lynn out for the 7th. You have the BIGGEST bullpen ever. And, please, use Kinley and Moya. Using either of them, you might still be behind by four runs, but no matter what you do you can't control bad pitching. So, safe to say that we aren't safe at all if Rodney has to pitch in a one-run save opportunity? Still scary if it is only a two-run lead. The guy has stuff, but does he really have a plan beyond trying to throw it past the batter (which he almost did, on the other side of Gomez). Always thought Duke was a pure situational lefty. He gets a guy on base, pull him. That's the rule (wish the same could be said on Rodney's use). Trying to squeeze that extra out of a pitcher. Thought Molly would learn from Gardenhie's mistakes. Bad use of bullpen. You right now have EIGHT arms out there. To get NINE out in a game. Go for it! Homer leader leading off. Strikeout King batting third. Morrison fighting to get a hit. Yes, you know (hope) things SHOULD change with the seasoned regulars, but.......

Between Rodney's hit batsman and Duke not touching the bag. Lets FREE Kinley and Moya! Let the new guys pitch!

The Twins should send out Hildenberger and keep the lefty Moya for now. They are already plus+ one in the bullpen and could make another cut down the line when Buxton returns. Hopefully we can get a few decent starts from Hughes before the Ervin Santana decision needs to be made. Please keep him on a short leash if you see him in trouble. (Of course, we want to say that about any starter).

Part of it is that pitchers DON'T need to throw more than 100 pitches, and they play with the ball around the plate more so than ever. I think I bigger question is what is the average pitch conut in a game these days compared to previous years. At some point in every batter's sequence, a pitcher will pitch once or twice to the weak spot. We see it with Sano for sure. He can't lay off those pitches, which are surely balls. Buxton, too. Buxton (as we said for Gomez and Revere) has to bunt more. Well, not actually bunt, but give the illusion that he might bunt a pitch in every at bat. Is that the answer? No. Pitchers are stronger. Bullpens are stronger, too. You can shuffle guys in and out on a whim. Throwing for contact is fine, but there is also a lot of strength in batter arms these days that even the smallest guy on a team can be a long-ball or hard-hit threat (Escobar). No answers. Shorter games? Longer games? Higher scoring games? 2-1 extra inning games still a good watch? We can agree that the skill set of major league ball players, on the whole, has never been higher.

Shows how tough it is to be a pitcher in major league ball. It is work, hard work. With film and all, a pitcher DOES need a variety of pitches that they can ALWAYS throw, as well as being in sync with the catcher and forming an overall game plan with the coaching staff. Especially relief pitchers. Pressly has the stuff. Remember Jesse Crain? I thought, going into last season, that Pressly could be a closer candidate. Still do. As for the Twins bullpen staff this year: Hildenberger is suffering in the same way Pressly did last season. The league has film. They have caught up to him. He's tipping his pitches, especially coming out of the pen. He needs work. Maybe better to do that at AAA for a short spell. Busenitz has shown that he worked out some kinks in spring training, did his job at Rochester, and following a game plan, of sorts. It can be done. Yes, I am disappointed that Kinley isn't getting innings. Here is a guy that is a workable canvas. He has nothing but expectations. No ego. He is there to mold into a pitcher by a major league staff. And he does have the stuff. For him, having a couple of major league coaches work with him and to be in the big league environment is a plus. I feel betetr about him on staff/ Just wish Molitor would take a bigger chance with him early in the season. Moya is solid. He could probably go back down and be told to work on specific stuff. He probably will be the one cut (although I would send out Hildenberger, unless Hughes could also be used in relief when the Twins don't need a #5). But back to Pressly. It will be interesting to see how he is used. Duke should be a 1-2 batter pitcher. Rodney, although entertaining, isn't the longterm guy we want to trot out in close save situations. He (hopefully) can keep himself in the game and possibly become flippable. Pretty sure it is closing or nothing with him. That is a decision the Twins will need to make in a couple of months for sure. Happily there are arms in the wings. Curtiss, Reed, any number of potential starter candidates who could jsut use major league exposure on the short end before becoming a starter. You do have to feel good, overall, for the Twins pitching this season.

As a catcher, he was Cooperstown bound, even with a short career because of the batting titles alone. Even if he doesn't hit 3,000 hits, he still has a decent on-base-percentage. He can't have an average slump like he did for anymore of his playing days. And he will have to know when to hang it up. One year from now, three years from now? Of course, have a super year would help, too. Like batting .400 (not going to happen).