MN_ExPat

No one realistically expects the Dodgers or Yankees to miss the playoffs this year. But having a super roster or sky high budget does not ensure success (yes... it does help though ). Just ask Vandy after Tennessee demolished them this weekend. And if you haven't caught a Tennessee game so far this season, you really need to. Those guys are good, some serious baseball Dudes.

Chief, now you know full well as a man and veteran you cannot openly tell someone to actually read the directions. I feel like I don't even know you anymore. ?

No, I'm with someone else... and we're here to help.

Funny thing is... I actually have one (Magic 8 Ball) in my office.

Aye (I did NOT say yes )

If by saying Iffy you mean... perhaps, by chance, we shall see, let's find out, let's put a pin in that and circle back around to it, I have to think about it, possibly, it is in the realm of possible, Let's ask the Magic 8 Ball... then maybe .

Nice write up Dave. If" Byron Buxton stays healthy... I think he is starting to show that he can, at least in taking care of the things that he can control. Last season's injuries mostly were out of his control. "If" Bailey Ober can be successful... I would put forward that he already has been. The key may be how he and the coaching staff adjusts to the league adjusting to him "If" Dylan Bundy is one of the few reclamation projects this FO has tried that works... It's a coin toss in my mind. He's got pretty good stuff and key may be whether or not he is able to stay within what he brings to the dance and not try to do to much. "If" Joe Ryan, Josh Winder, etc can be stretched out for a full season... They're good enough talent wise. If managed properly, I believe they will be fine "If" Chris Archer can provide competent innings, let alone return to his all star form... In my mind this is a bigger crap shoot than Bundy (at least health wise). The track record of pitchers being able to bounce back from TOS is small, but there is a possibility it happens. How much he bounces back... well, we just wont know yet. Still, I'm going to pull for him because... baseball "If" Alex Kirilloff develops into an impactful, everyday player... I would argue he has somewhat. Can he stay healthy for a full season again may be the bigger question. "If" Gary Sanchez cuts down on his strikeouts... ?‍♂️ The key for Sanchez, may be how everyone around him is hitting. If guys are raking, he may see better pitches. 2 - 0 Change Ups are why I have trust issues "If" Jorge Polanco can repeat his monster 2021 season... With good health, we should see similar numbers "If" Ryan Jeffers can be a solid full time catcher... Again I would argue that he is a solid/very good catcher. Hitting... we shall see I guess

Although I am sure we will see Stashak back on the MLB roster before long simply due to the need for multiple arms throughout the season that every team has to go through..

Catchers: Ryan Jeffers, Jose Godoy, Gary Sanchez Infielders: Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, Carlos Correa, Gio Urshela, Luis Arraez, Nick Gordon, Outfielders: Brent Rooker, Alex Kirilloff, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Pitchers: Sonny Gray, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Dylan Bundy, Chris Archer, Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Caleb Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, Jharel Cotton, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Joe Smith, Jovani Moran, Josh Winder

Also we have to keep in mind, which type of TOS the player has had. There are 3 major types that I know of. Nerve Impingement Blood Vessel Impingement Nerve & Blood Vessel Impingement The degree or amount of impingement needs to be factored into the equation as well. So, yes it is true that a number of pitchers have bounced back from it. I don't remember what the extent of Archer's was, so we shall see if he can adjust and, with Wes Johnson's help, recapture some of his previous mojo.

True... ST numbers don't matter that much. But from what I've seen/watched, both Winder and Ober have looked sharp. They're hitting their spots, changing speeds, mechanics look clean. It's a promising start for them.

I believe they will be fine. They are both professionals and recognize what needs to be done to have as seamless a transition as possible.

Something else I now know about this trade.... JD has a major baby face without the beard. I almost didn't recognize him the other day when MLB was showing footage of him in pinstripes.

So what? Why the desire to find fault with a player in such a manner and then turn on other fans who choose to find hope in the situation? Was I crazy about picking up Sanchez? Umm... no, definitely not a choice I would have made. Still, me bashing others solves nothing (especially in print where human inflections and context in speech and communication are missing). Comments like the above and others of its ilk fall into the realm of "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." If you don't agree with it... tell us why you don't, not that another person is wrong or dumb for being hopeful. Even if it's emotionally driven, I think most people can understand that.

- "That's a bold statement Cotton, let's see if it works out for them" . The above four are an interesting thought exercise. I personally would be hesitant to sign any of them, but then again there is a very good reason why I am not currently the Lord High Inquisitor of all things Twins Front Office related. While any of these wouldn't be exciting, flashy, or probably even remotely inspiring... at the end of the day they would be exactly the type of flyer that all major league teams take every year. It doesn't hurt to kick the tires.

But they finished where again?

Let's try to play nice and say we agree to disagree.

I hear the Yankees are looking for bandwagon fans

Uh… I literally have no words

Maybe I'm not following what you're saying (which is a definite possibility), but I don't think it's saying that teams have to offer a draft pick a contract. Just that if they do, it can't be less than 75% of their slot value. So a team could still draft a player and then not offer him a contract (which of course seems monumentally silly to waste a pick like that, but it's not as if it hasn't happened before). Of course... I may be so wrong in my interpretation that I should be embarrassed ?‍♂️

Just posted to MLBTR (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/)

One major caveat to that though, is it's all second hand information. As we all know there are three sides to every story... Person A, Person B, and the truth. If my son's team continues to play the way they have been (they're 10-1 and ranked #4 in the State), there is a potential chance we could see Buford in the playoffs. A more detailed analysis would follow at that point .