ewen21

The notion that we have been looking for "leadership" for so long really is troubling. We cannot seem to raise enough players who are self-aware and have discipline.

I will absolutely comment on the positive gains if such gains are made. I am not on an anti-Sano crusade nor do I think were the others who ripped him. I, personally, have been a fan of his ever since I saw the documentary Pelotero Ballplayer. It gave an in-depth look at how hard it is for Dominican players to chase their dream. I cannot define him as LAZY after seeing that and gaining an understanding of what he went through. I have no problem, however, saying he BECAME lazy. I know I have at various stages of my life. It happens. EVERYONE needs to acknowledge their shortcomings if they want to succeed. Not sure how anyone can say his conditioning was at an acceptable standard last spring. The good news is this isn't something that has to always be this way. He CAN fix it and the critics can move on from it.

This is what I mean. Why would you have to duck for making a soft tongue-in-cheek dig like that?

I first want to say Nick is probably my favorite writer here I must point something out, as it addresses an ongoing theme here. While Nick (and many others) feel bothered when a player's "character is questioned" and found Souhan and Ruesse's comments to be "irksome" he did add: no one can deny that the grievances aired through Reusse and Souhan appear valid in retrospect. ​​In other words, observations about players weaknesses and problems should not be pounded on so hard here. So many times I felt people (and some mods) came down on posters way too hard for their observations about a player's weakness. In the case of Sano his weight was a big area of concern right off the bat last year. The blowback against those who said he was too lazy was far too much. A 20something year old doesn't get fat without engaging in gluttonous behavior. We are not talking about a software designer or a CPA here. This is a pro-athlete and he needs to be held to a higher standard. For him to get to where he was he was too lazy. Period. Whether it was lazy in his thought process, lazy in attention to details with regard to diet, lazy on the offseason training or all of it......he was LAZY. It's not a nice thing to say, but it is a fact. He needs to wake the heck up and pay attention. I would also suggest that people not come down so hard on player criticisms here. A lot of the criticism I read about Sano last winter/early spring was spot on and yet it was getting ripped very hard by a vocal minority who couldn't have people "questioning a player's character" It became utterly absurd and it drowned out some very valid concerns posted by people who made a lot of sense.

There is a definite lack of maturity on the part of both. I was actually stunned by Buxton's mini tantrum in the children's hospital. He is supposed to be Mr. Humble, but I fail to see where he is any longer. I am also beginning to question his work ethic--as in, is he actually doing what he needs to do to improve? Not sure how much he addresses that both physically and mentally. I would not be shocked if he were doing wind sprints down in Georgia as I type this. Seems as though he really likes doing that stuff. Not so sure he likes hitting so much and that is about 75% of what a position player brings to the table. I have heard people speak rather confidently about his work ethic and athletic ability. If those two things are firmly in place then why doesn't he learn? Buxton is starting to look more like Herb Washington and Renaldo Neiamiah these days. Both guys had speed and other "athletic gifts" (whatever that is) but could not play the sport they suited up to play. Buxton can run down fly balls. There is not a question about it. The problem is he doesn't get to make spectacular plays all that often. The opportunities just are not there. If he is in the lineup daily he gets four opportunities in the batter's box and that overshadows his defense. I don't want to hear about his glove anymore. Sano is even more frustrating because he came up as a 22 year old and made quite an impact in a short period of time. Since then, he has had all sorts of problems finding himself, staying in shape and staying out of trouble He doesn't seem capable of learning (even moreso than Buxton). I honestly think they are now what Justin and Joe were in 2011 where we just pretended neither of them were going to do anything (or even play) and anything they give us is gravy. We CANNOT operate like this. What the heck went wrong with these two? And, no.....it isn't too early to say that. By now, both were expected to major forces in the lineup. It is most certainly time to start questioning WHY they aren't better and they must inherit a large portion of the blame for where they are now. If it means questioning things about them then so be it.

I agree. There is a noticeable mental component to it, but I am not sure the Twins can create a zero gravity environment where pressure doesn't exist. Pressure is part of the equation and it is entirely on him to learn how to play major league baseball. There are different things over the years that have left me more and more concerned about his mindset. When he was sent down in 2016 he acted relieved and said,: "I struggled with pretty much everything," he said. "It wasn't one thing that stood out and it showed. I just had to come back down here and get the pressure off my shoulder, relax and get my confidence back." and from the same article when discussing his teammates in Rochester: "It's very fun," he said. "We all know each other and we help each other out. We have great team chemistry. We don't even call us a team, we call us a family because of how close we are. We battle every day and we play for each other. That brings us more and more together." ​​I remember reading that quote and scratching my head. IT's been a whole lot of overthinking and tinkering for four years now. Not sure how the Twins are supposed shield him from the world. Especially now since he spoke out against management and said he 'won't sugarcoat" :Precisely. The Twins should no longer sugarcoat things for him. Play poorly and you lose your job. This is the business you chose. Be a man and own it

Ryan did not like Sano. He hated him enough to sign Byung Ho Park (which was absolutely ridiculous) and hand the third base job to Plouffe (also ridiculous) to "keep his bat in the lineup". With those two moves he effectively got rid of Vargas (who as every bit as good as Park and cheaper) and he put Sano back on his heels Terry Ryan was terrible with Latin players

The fact that Polanco is over at short bugs me. We were so in love with Dozier that we had to do that.

Giving a guy like this a multi year deal is suicide for us. Never pitched a day in the majors. How do we even begin to understand what he can do in this arena? I know zilch about this guy yet there are people who know slightly more suddenly excited to sign him. I don't get it other than it puts a little attention on us for making a mid-level international signing. It's almost like some want the Twins to make news. Pitching in Japan doesn't really translate here. There is a reason why very few Japanese pitchers make it here. The ball is different, the hitters are different, the rotations are arranged differently, travel isn't as much of a factor, the language and cultural barrier is big, etc... It's a big jump for a Japanese pitcher to make and I know nothing of this guy but his numbers and a few write ups. Brilliant job by the poster earlier in this thread who's seen him play. He admitted he had an interest in him coming to the Twins (mostly so he can see more Twins baseball in Japan). i just want the Twins to be better. I can't realistically say this guy accomplishes that. I know nothing about him. I have to do a whole lot of research to even begin to understand if he's an exception. I won't assume he is

Gordon, for whatever reason, was horrible in a couple of months in AAA last year. He isn't noted as a good fielder and has compiled an OPS barely north of .700 through his minor league career. He is rather thin and gives the impression (with that thin frame) that he wears down. He's young and a couple of years off, maybe more. His rating is totally just

As far as Gordon's rap career goes he needs to focus on either baseball or rap music. This idea that people can't have an opinion about his rap music there's a bunch of baloney. He puts it out there for opinions to be had end it works both ways. I think he needs to focus on getting a little bit stronger. He is so thin It doesn't look like he's worthy of a full season of major-league baseball.

Players should be viewed as assets by the organization, with some exceptions. With regards to Cron being valued higher than Gordon... Only a Twins fan could possibly think Gordon has more value at this stage. The important thing to remember here is value as seen through the eyes of other organizations. This ignores what we are hopeful for as fans. After last season Gordon has little value. That can change, but he took a step backward and as a guy who hasn't ever plate appearance. He isn't noted as a good fielder and his minor league OPS is barely over .700

Not only Twins will be an embarrassment to Major League Baseball if they play Buxton everyday with a .500something, but it will likely do irreparable him and destroy accountability. What standard does this set? Honestly, no one can convince me his glove is so magical that it's worth giving him four at bats at a game. No way he's going to neutralize a .500sometging OPS with defense. It isn't possible. He won't get nearly enough chances. CFers make less than 3 putouts a game. This is historical data. He'd need to steal at least 2 outs a week that NO OTHER CFer can make and he isn't doing that. There is a very twisted perception about his defense. It's great, but at it its best it doesn't counter a .560 OPS. This is like Gardy trying to justify Punto playing and this is the kind of insanity the Twins must abandon

Ok did that last post on my phone in the airport. Sorry for the typos

The notion that the Twins are supposed to shepard Buxton through his fifth season in the majors is instructive. It is just another indicator that he still doesn't have the mental aspect of the game down. If he starts off like a train wreck again then what? He has been given the job, but let's not ignore the fact he has starred off rack of the last three seasons horribly. What would be the cause of that? Everyone talks about his work ethic and amazing athletic ability. When then could it be? He's admitted to being nervous several times. I'm wondering when or if he's going get past this. He also seems to have a mental block about playing in Yankee Stadium. One hit in like 25 at bats and tons of Ks. Just another coincidence? Not sure how we can brag about his athleticism and work ethic without wondering about what's going on between the ears. He strikes as a guy who is easily rattled. That interview at the children's hospital didn't make me feel differently. Dude needs to put on the big boy pants. He said HE won't sugarcoat things so why sugarcoat for him any longer? He needs to be accountable for his terrible bat. It's on him now.

Baldelli is an Italian pony WTF???

I base this on Hunter being a very vocal supporter (you may have missed 5hose artcles)

That this guy just said

This isn't to say you purposely abuse him to toughen him up. It's more the way you've questioned WHY does Baldelli need to make a special trip? Why does this need to be reported and discussed out in the open? THe Twins have tried to raise Buxton in a zero gravity environment. The guys on the bench and the coaches since day one have bent over backwards to do what they can to make him less anxious and ease his transition into the big leagues.

If he bombs he's going to a nickname he doesn't want

The relevance? I said to put things in perspective. I guess we must always look the lens the Twins give us and say THANK YOU. Just sayin. FOR PERSPECTIVE I said he earned his place

I regards to 2) and 6) how can you say I based what I said off of that picture? I went to great lengths questioning a number of things related to his conditioning/strength and communication with the Twins. Did you read any of it or did you just assume I was a charlatan because I was critical of him? He most certainly reported to camp out of shape in 2011. How in the world is he "building strength" during the season in Florida if he was not out of shape? He was taken to through a battery of tests and through a gauntlet of specialists (the Mayo Clinic no less) and it was determined he had "bi-lateral leg weakness" If it were from a botched surgery we would have known a whole lot about it. It would have been big news. It was as simple as Joe not doing the rehab he should have in favor of rest. He made a mistake and the Twins never had little to no communication with him. By saying he did not come into camp out of shape is to assume that all the doctors, specialists, team officials and the Mayo Clinic were wrong. That is quite the assumption to make. In regards to 3) how do you say he didn't operate under his own set of rules? This is not his fault, but do you honestly believe he didn't have free reign? Gardy and Molitor pretty much left Joe alone. That bunt against Cleveland is a prime example. Gardenhire was steamed but there is no way he was going to criticize Joe openly, although Gladden, Laudner and others close to the team most certainly did. Gardy let that one slide completely and seethed on the inside. He instead went off on young players for picayune things. A double-standard did exist and it hurt accountability. That is all I want to say because I already said plenty here. If you want to dissect what I said then do it. I assume this thread is going to be closed anyway. Sorry if I upset you.

To put things in perspective, Derek Jeter did not have his number retired until 3 seasons after he retired--in 2017. He belongs, but to say it is fast is an understatement. As far as a discussion about Buxton, Sano and Berrios? I can't even

I agree in a big way. I see no reason why they needed to publicly announce that. That won't placate Buxton and if it does it should not. A private conversation (rather than a public declaration) should have sufficed. I've no idea why they felt needed to do that.

My..... a lot of weather we've been having lately