yarnivek1972

Paul Molitor was at least 5 years older when hired than any previous Twins manager, all the way back to Cookie Lavagetto. Most were in their early to mid 40s.

Whether it's about weight or some other issues, it's concerning to me that Sano has started just 79 games at third this year. The prevailing wisdom is that he will likely be limited to DH when he does come back this year. That means he will have started less than half the Twins' games at third.

Could be Perkins last hurrah. Tonkin could be a candidate to DFA. Boshers maybe. Pretty sad statement on the state of the Twins bullpen that they need another guy.

This isn't about expectations. This about a guy showing few signs of progress over the course of 4 years.

I would say what I blame Gibson for in terms of where he slots as a starter is that, at this point in his career, he isn't more than a number 4. To a large degree, that IS on him. He simply can't be counted on to show any consistency and lacks command of his pitches. Problems that, as I mentioned before, shouldn't be the case of a near 30 year old with 4 full seasons and part of another at the MLB level. I strongly disagree with the notion that Gibson has pitched "well" since the end of May. In June, Gibson made 6 starts. He did not get past the 6th inning in any of them. Two were technically "quality starts" (which means 4 weren't). In one of his "quality starts", he allowed 11 baserunners and 2 HR in 6 IP. That he allowed only 3 runs was less skill and more luck IMO. In the other, he allowed 8 baserunners in his 6 IP. That's not too bad for him, but I still have a difficult time calling that "pitching well". A couple other outings from June included a game in which he allowed 12 hits and another in which he walked 4. This is part of what you describe as "pitching well". Let's move to July. He made four starts, two were "quality". In the other two, there was a another 4 walk game and a game in which he allowed 7 runs, on 9 H, 2 BB and 2 HR. Ironically, he was shipped back to AAA after what was perhaps his best start in July. The FO felt he was pitching so "well" that they sent him down. Moving on to August. In his first three starts after his recall he failed to complete 6 innings. In two, failed to complete 5. I'm sorry, I have a REAL hard time calling this pitching "well". So, yeah, since (and including) his start on 8/22, the results are good. But again, he was facing the 12th, 13th and 14th ranked teams in the AL in terms of OPS. I keep bringing it up because IMO it matters. I'm well aware that some of the other Twins' starters struggled against those same teams. It's a fair enough point. But this isn't about them. This is about Gibson and whether he has turned some magical corner in his career. IMO, I see no change in Gibson from last year. He is still a guy who shows flashes of borderline brilliance. But he still has WAY too many outings where he is simply terrible. btw, after his starts against Toronto and Chicago, the first post of this thread pointed out that he had gotten more swings and misses in those starts. That those two teams are playing out the string was a factor IMO. In his two starts against Kansas City he threw 176 pitches and had 14 swings and misses, an 8% swing and miss rate. As it stands right now, I would rather spend the $ 5 mil or so that Gibson will likely get in arbitration on someone else. I'm pretty confident there will be guys out there that can put up a 5 ERA for less than that. Perhaps, if he does well down the stretch (including potential upcoming games against the Yankees and Indians), I may change my opinion.

I am going to reply to this in the Gibson thread since the post is about him specifically and not the game in general.

Until today, he had not given up more than 4 runs in any start as a Twin. Ervin has had 6 starts in which he gave up more than 4 runs. Kyle has had 5. Jose has had 4. Colon has earned another start IMO.

It's not like Slegers has been lights out. He's had one good start, one bad. 3 HR in 10 IP. Colon has made 11 starts. 5 were "quality starts". And that doesn't include his CG, which was technically not a QS. Put that in perspective, Kyle Gibson has 8 quality starts out of 25. Berrios has had 12 of 22. Ervin has had 18 of 29 QS. Colon has earned another start IMO.

I'm not willing to ignore Colon's other 10 starts, which have been pretty solid. Colon has certainly earned the right to have one clunker on a getaway day.

Umm, I'm thinking maybe replace Slegers. I think Colon has earned the right to have one clunker.

He played close to a full season of games for two years after his MLB stint. Like I said, seems inexplicable that he wouldn't be allowed to try to keep that going. Of course, it is entirely possible that he has the longest career long hitting streak (if that phrase makes sense) in MLB history. Something he can tell his grandkids someday.

Good to see Tonkin pumping strikes and using his off speed pitch effectively. Granted, he's basically facing a AAA lineup. Rosario looked like he over-ran that.

Niko Goodrum's 0 fer start in an odd way reminds me of Glenn Williams. Came up mid 2000s. Played some 3b. Hit well. Like, every game he ever played at the MLB level well. I think he played in like a dozen games and got a hit in every single one (in which he got an AB anyway). And then never was heard from again. How does that happen? Don't you have to let the guy play at least until that streak stops?

Probably should bunt here.

Big opportunity for Tonkin despite the score. If he can put together a few good outings, maybe he can be another important bullpen guy. He's been around. He's got good stuff at times.

Who's up next? Turley? The Return of Michael Tonkin?

Not the inexperienced ones. Well, Busenitz. But the problem was the 3 relative veterans that pitched prior to Rogers got no one out. At what point does Moltor realize that those guys aren't getting the job done and that maybe he should try one of the other 5 guys down there?

This is what happens when you have only 4 reliable relievers. A run of close games means you need them to pitch everyday. But you can't.

Tonkin is very good vs RHB. I think I would be trying him against Perez.

They can do that by placing their foot on the manager's backside.

Wanna bet Hosmer doesn't bunt?

Gardy didn't bunt anywhere near as much as Molitor has.

Still makes no sense to bunt with your number 3 hitter. Particularly with a tough leftie on the mound.

This. Exactly. It sure is easy to say "trade Rosario for pitching". The problem is teams are pretty reluctant to trade good, controllable pitchers.

The Twins play the Yankees head to head. To catch them, they just need to beat them. And if they can't beat them 2 of 3 the chances of them winning a one and done are remote.