Rosterman

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).

I think the off-season went fine. Lynn is a one-year deal. With Santana still recovering, he is a fine asset to have. The Twins attempted to bolster the bullpen. None of the guys sent to Rochester were cut because they were too good to be in the minors, for now. The Twins saw a solution in Morrison, going thru a bad spell, and didn't trust Vargas. Would the Twins be better off with Vargas at DH/ We won't ever know. But they took a chance on someone who has experience against major league pitching. Maybe it is just a weather issue. The season is still young. I'm more worried, still, about Molitor and line-up construction, and usage of the bullpen as a whole.

The catching prospects are young. The Twins still have Castro for another season. And Garver MAY be able to step it up to be the regular guy in 2020, which means you hope for some competition for the spot come 2021 or 2022. I also see the Twins drafting a catcher as one of their top two picks this season.

It all depends on: (1) Salary. Would he sign continuous 1-year contracts for $8-10, or will it be $10-13 (or more). (2) Who's on first. Rooker and Diaz are at least a year out for regular play. Morrison could be a choice. Sano breaks down and needs to play 1B or DH. If anything see Sano as cementing the DH spot for a longtime to come if the Twins can find a salary haven they both like. (3) Is there a true job for him with the Twins on the field. Mauer is not going to be a bench player. No doubt, he could find one year deals for a substantial amount of $$$ most anywhere, as long as he wants to play, and don't see him playing for a mil (shades of Ichiro) when Joe turns 40.

I was astonished they didn't walk Mauer to load the bases and set up a double play and pitch to Sano. Of course, glad Joe got hit 2,000.

If Molitor didn't win Manager of the Year, would he still be managing the Twins? But back to Kinley. You grab a Rule 5 if you don't have significant depth at said position. The Twins have too much depth (when 25 of your 40-men are pitchers). You don't need to carry a Rule 5 prospect if you are a contending team. They got into a mess when they needed to add people like (Sanchez) Lynn to the 40-man roster. You can't cut loose of-season adds, so you only have the names to deal with who were on the roster by season's end, at best. Come spring training, yes, you can make subtractions. You wonder if Chargois would've been able to pass thru waivers right at season's end when he was still coming of the disabled list. But still, the Pirates took a gamble on Burdi (and by putting him on their 60-day, he gets major league money for not pitching). It's tricky enough, now, when the Twins have to make a move on the 35-man to add, say, Hughes. What happens when Santana returns. Who goes when May is ready to come off the 60-day. What players are on the bubble and will they get a looksee before a cutsee: Enns, Slegers, Mejia? The Twins don't have a lot of 40-man flexibility right now. If they would need a temporary catcher, who does that guy bump off the 40-man? You have to look at the bigger pitcher with Kinley. Does he have the stuff? Yes. Better than other guys you have at High-A and AA, probably not. Who did you lose by keeping a spot open for a Rule 5 - Burdi and Bard. Lucky Reed didn't get grabbed. If Kinley wasn't here, who wold be in the majors: Duffey, perhaps Busenitz, depending on Moya. And we still have Curtiss out there in the mix. What makes the pick tragic will be if he (1) doesn't get a chance to showase his stuff because of Molly and (2) he is sent back to his original team. Not only wasted innings, but wasted roster space.

Let's just say it was wonderful that the Twins did get Odorizzi AND Lynn. If they had just gotten one, I would be more worried. I would hope a patch of Hughes/Enns/Slegers/Mejia can carry us thru however long Santana is out. And I would be willing to call up Rmero/Goncalves/Jorge/Littell once ALL have 3-4-5 decent starts under their belt, if push came to shove. Will warm weather change things up some (Morrison, Buxton). Is the Twins bullpen solid? Those are the bigger questions right now.

Looking at age and actual experience, the Twins were thinking Bard might not be selected. But that is the perfect pitcher for a team to select if they MIGHT be on the outside of competing. And if their pitching death needs the selection. The Twins didn't need to select Kinley. They ahd the pitching depth. Sure, he might be a longer term prospect, but you also have to keep him on the roster who potentially lose him. Bard, Chargois...both had options. They could move freely up-and-down along with other names. That is a plus. Especially is you are a contending club. A contending club doesn't need someone on the roster that the manager will only play because it is a blowout. It's a totally wasted spot, or better left for someone much closer to regular play in the majors. You can argue if Moya is that person, too, so suddenly you have two guys of questionable current quality but lots of promise on the staff. Throw in the almost a rookie Hildenberger who had a mixed spring, as did Busenitz. Whew. And you worry that you might wear out Reed, Duke, Pressly, Taylor in the early season. You are already opening the season with names like Mejia, Slegers, Enns also in the minor league winds. If they don't make a callup his season, due to injury or double-headers, they more than likely will be gone come next off-season. But if that is the case, if they aren't capable of playing in the majors right now, how long DO you keep them if you need, say, a third catcher because of a short-term disabled list visit. Yes, you can hope to do a trade to keep a Kinley on the 40-man and send to the minors. But then, you still have a lot of pitchers on the 40-man NOT capable of pitching in the majors...too many by one's count already: Goncalves, Jorge, Romero, Thorpe, Littell, Curtis. But unlike the aforementioned names, THESE may develop into fulltime keepers, nt just on opening day, and maybe not even by mid-season. And then you have a whole 'nother crop. There is still a chance Burdi could return, if the Twins want him. Bard may flame out. But Chargois may be the real one that got away!

Mistakes happen when it is cold. But you ultimately want to be in the warm dugout more than on the field. Put heat lamps in those Stadium Lights! See you in the cold, again, on Sunday...and don't play the B-squad, Paul...although we all hope Castro is okay!

It was cold out there!

What happened to Joe Cronin. Is Alex Schick still around, as well as Muren? Christian Cavanass get released? I saw that Shane Kennedy and Cam Booser both retired.

There is something to be said about who plays at AA and who plays at AAA. It is always good to have some more veteran minor league players on hand, who can step into a longer term playing role (AAAA guys) if the call comes from the majors. You can argue that it is better for young players to stay closer to their age group while still developing, although once you do reach the majors you are facing guys with a decade of age difference. Any word, Seth, on the different minor league guys starting the day on the disabled list, and do they work out at Ft. Myers or stay with their home teams in Chattanooga, Cedar Rapids or Rochester? Still interested in seeing who is called in to be the fifth starter and who leaves the Twins bullpen. Thru the first five games, Molitor has basically ignore a couple of pitchers, so you can argue the need to carry that extra bullpen arm, and the possible need, instead, for someone who can consistently pitch multiple innings if a starter does falter once every five games or so. Talk about a good-looking team. Rooker got the advancement. It would be nice if the Twins did push Kirilloff and Lewis a bit more and had them at Ft. Myers, in the wings, waiting for a call to Chattanooga, too. But there is something to be said about playing against your peers.

Interesting. That's a lot of money to pay for a guy who may be on the downswing. Yes, he may be comfortable at Rockies land, so you are, in a sense, rewarding him for what he has done for the team already. Should the Twins do the same? A monster start by Dozier means they could get something for him in mid-season, assuming Polanco or Gordon are ready to advance and become the future for the Twins middle-infield, at least until Escobar leaves and Lewis and Company arrive, too. I conisdered Dozier an almsot more valuable asset to invest in than, say, Joe Mauer. Joe Mauer continues to be the elephant in the room. If you resign Mauer, he plays first or he is the designated hitter. If you sign Dozier for the equivalent of what you might have to pay Mauer on a year-to-year, you get a guy who can still play second next season, probably even beyond. And he could rotate into playing first base, being a designated hitter, and possibly even pick up a third baseman or outfieldes glove in an emergency. Plus he shows the power you want from the designated hitter position going forth, and he could continue to be the Face of the Franchise, so-to-speak, in years 3-5 of a contract. The question is: How much. Is Dozier worth $100 million? I would say no, but like our Minnesota ownership, I am also cheap. Would Dozier give us five years for $60 million? I bet he'd rather try the free agent marketplace. But then he will be walking away (more than likely) from a qualifying offer and he MIGHT not find takers for three years at $15+ million a year. Or, maybe he will. But the Twins would at least get a compensatory pick...which again, at the tradeline, is probably what they would also get for Brian, unless they would take another free-agent-to-be off the hands of another team (along with a prospect). I shake my head at the Blackmon deal. That shows that a player needs to strike, when they can, after a big season. The guy is good, but would another team have poney-ied up the same. Dozier. Dozier. The Twins had the chance to make a longer-range decision on Brian that might've extended him two years beyond today in the off-season before last. They could've dangled something, anything....but not sure what this off-season. But, in the end, Dozier would be a fool not to try free agency. Happily he will play hard and, if he stays healthy, will be a benefit for the eam. Although batting him third and maybe having him hit home runs with men on base would be a nicer choice than all these leadoff dingers!

I'm still not sure with the lineup construction. Would Morison be better served at cleanup. Should Buxton leadoff...or do we play him deep inthe order as just a warmup. Is Sano cleanup or #5. Why is Rosario cleanup. Hildenberger had a tough spring. Moya is a rookie. So is Kinley. The Twins have to make a fast decision on all three of these guys at some point. A competitive team can carry one new guy (stinker) for a season, but not necessarily three...at least right out of the loop. AAA is where you pitch to keep getting experience. Major league is the real deal. They have started to see mroe film on Hildenberger and he ahs to adjust. The question is, who do you rotate back in. Duffey? Do you take a chance on Romero of Sleegrs at long relief, although both are also technically rookies. Of course Hughes coming abck, or someone coming up in 10 days to start will send Moya or Hilenberger back to the minors...that's a given. So w give these guys 10 days to prove they need a bigger chance in the majors.

Gibson was good. Wild enough to confuse the hitters. Workhorse coming out of spring training. Glad he didn't stay in and throw 160 pitches, though.

Happily there are options so the Twins CAN run a shuttle between Rochester and Minnesota, depending on the overall effectiveness of the relief corps, without having any 40-man roster troubles. You have to pitch Rodney to see if he can be you best (for now) option as closer and keep worth as a possible tradechip, especially when you have someone that CAN take his place. You could say the Twins do have an embarrassment of riches, especially if you look at a number of names NOT on the 40-man who won't get a shot in 2018 unless some bodies move out of the bullpen (and roster).

You have to blame the offense. The Twins offense was light, but Baltimore was even worse. Like people say, mistakes win the game. If that strikeout had held. Interesting use of the bench. Lose Morrison and Buxton for an extra inning game. Molitor could've really played the matchups, and had Rogers as the pitcher to go more than an inning (or so) but didn't./ Two lefties sitting in the pen. With an off day Friday, all eight arms were eligible for some throwing. 161 more to go. Nice job by Odorizzi.

The changeover is remarkable, as well as how many guys actually do play for years and years in the minors (shades of Levi Michael) and never get the call from one organization. Considering the Twins have 10 players on their roster that didn't open the season with them last year shows you that no job is safe. Yes, many a career is a lot shorter than one may think in this sport.

Rodney got us out of the inning. Should he have started the next? Will Molitor figure out how to manage a bullpen this year?

Either Dozier isn't just that GREAT, or he is vastly undervalued. Considering the Twins couldn't trade him for anything of significance. Of course, the Twins were hoping to see some stability in a great start of the year for Polanco, which isn't existing. When they take a look at Gordon is the next qustion. And the fate of Escobar as he heads into free agency himself is the bigger question. We don't know the type of monies either side might be throwing out or thinking about. And that is the Big Question. 2-3 years with an option. Two good years with an option? Is he worth $10 million a year? Someone said the Twins could always make a qualifying offer, but that is pushing Dozier towards Joe Mauer territory. Is the team still cheap? Sure, they dangled more than $100 million to Davish, or so we were told. But they basically got GREAT deals on solid players, smart front office, rather than overpaying for competent players, like the front office of past. Dozier COULD be a trade chip if the team goes south. If they do go south, then it is more of a chance that they don't spend monies like this year. But...time will tell. I always felt Dozier would be a decent addition to the team for a few seasons, either transitioning into the Mauer replacement for a season at first, or being a designated hitter who can play a few positions in the field, value in its own way. He still has power, has speed. But I do wish they started the season with Buxton leading off, Dozier hitting 3rd, Morrison or Sano sharing 4th/5th.