Twins

[dutchboy]

As far as pitching pertains to the Twins this analogy works........"you can't expect to win the Kentucky Derby with a plow horse."

[Steve-o]

Starting to see trade rumors for Correa.

If they ain't goona (or can't) keep him next year, and since it's pretty obvious they really don't have the pitching to make a run (even if they baby these guys all season), they might as well trade Correa and get back something in return.

First place was fun while it lasted. 

I hope I have to eat those words, but I don't think I will. 

[glenn57]

  hey dutchy.......ole china doll hot a homer in the all star game!!!!!

[dutchboy]

Yes he did.
And Arraez struck out, go figure eh? 

[LPS]

Arriez did end up with a hit my brother told me.   

[Steve-o]

Yeah, it was a good at bat.  The pitcher was throwing fastballs at 99-103 and off-speed stuff up to 30 MPH slower.

He had Arraez at 0-2, Arraez fought off a couple more heaters, waited for a breaking pitch, and send a line-drive rocket right at the 2nd baseman's head - who couldn't make the play.  Base hit.

[Gunner55]

A quality start from both Ryan & Gray to begin the 2nd half of the season.  The bullpen struggled in game 1 but looked good yday. Hope they can keep the bats goin against the Brewers tomorrow, Bundy gets the ball for a 7:10 start.

[KEN W]

Next game tomorrow. They must decide what to do with Sano by tomorrow. If they decide to put him on the 26 man roster, someone must be sent down to AAA. If they decide to send him down, he can demand his release unless he OK's it.

[Steve-o]

It was nice to see them let Sonny pitch through the batting order 3 times.  Maybe Baldelli is finally willing to start stretching these guys out a bit.  With a spotty bullpen and no definitive closer - if the Twins hope to make a run into the playoffs, several of the starters are going to need to catch lightening in a bottle.  They are going to need more than just "quality" starts from them.  They are going to need them to win games.

[Gunner55]

Heard talk that Ober could throw a bullpen session by the end of the week & Maeda may be able to start facing hitters again sometime next month. Talk was that Maeda would most likely come out of the bullpen to begin with. A couple more arms, probably not going to hurt anything.

[dutchboy]

Maeda should be a reliever anyway. He would be if this team had a decent starting staff. When he was with the Dodgers he was a starter until it was nut cuttin time (play-offs) then they sent him to the pen.

[LPS]

Just read Sano returns and Celestino sent down to St Paul.  That bites. 

[KEN W]

Don't think they had much choice for now. Didn't want to pull another David Ortiz debacle.

Question is he is pretty much a first baseman. Where do they play the leading hitter in MLB Aerriez???

[Steve-o]

I'm no ball guy, but could they swap Sano and Arraez between 1st/designated hitter?   

[Gunner55]

Maeda should be a reliever anyway. He would be if this team had a decent starting staff. When he was with the Dodgers he was a starter until it was nut cuttin time (play-offs) then they sent him to the pen.

With their payroll, they have 8 guys making > $15 mil/yr, it's much easier for them to sign/keep those top starters & FA's. Those 8 guys make almost $20 mil > than the entire Twins 26-man roster.

[Gunner55]

I'm no ball guy, but could they swap Sano and Arraez between 1st/designated hitter?   

Buxton has been DH'ing a lot lately & Miranda/Kirilloff have been getting some time at 1st too. Personally, I like their D better than Sano's over there.  Guess we'll find out soon.

[KEN W]

Celistino was only hitting .174 the last 32 games. Not getting the job done and Nick Gordon was out of options. So it had to be Celistino.

The 7 games Sano was in St Paul he was hitting .348 with 3 home runs. He is worth trying to see if he can keep it up. But he has to play first base or DH. With Arriez and Buxton also DHing and Kiriloff and Arreiz playing first base it will be a different lineup every night.

[KEN W]

Not good.....

Ryan gives up 10 runs with 5 home runs. Baldeli sits and watches. Must be saving the bullpen.

Sano the strikeout machine is back.

[KEN W]

Well he didn't last long.....Sano back on the IR.

[glenn57]

i finally got to watch a Twins game!!! they were on Fox, channel 9. AND they won!!!!!!!!!

[dutchboy]

See, you went in with a open mind and they won. Now if you would try that with your Cousin Kirk maybe things would go better for the Vikings.   

[LPS]

They will be best friends by the end of this next season.   

[dutchboy]

They will be best friends by the end of this next season.   

Maybe even "kissin" Cousins.       

[Cooperman]

Glenn, here is a photo for your wallet.

[glenn57]

  I'm holding out on the kissin cousins!

But I do have high hopes for dem Vikes this year!!!

[Gunner55]

Twins were 0-4 w/RISP yday & they were 2-7, that was the difference in the game. Correa hit a couple on the screws but they were right at someone. I see Ober has been moved to the 60 day IL now too. https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/injuries/_/name/min/minnesota-twins

[Steve-o]

Anxious to see what happens at the trade deadline.

If they were hoping that Sano could be used as a bargaining chip, that's out the window.

I REALLY like Correa on this team, but at the start of the contract, most speculated that he'd only be here for the first year of his 3 year deal.  I would assume the Twins would listen if some team wanted Correa.  If only there was a way of knowing - behind the scenes - that he would commit for at least another year.

Obviously they need pitching help.  But this regime doesn't have a great track record of identifying good pitchers and getting the most out of them.  With so many wild card slots, trade prices will be high.  I kinda hope they don't mortgage the future to make a run this season.

In their minds, I think Falvey and Levine think they are "ahead of schedule" in their overall rebuilding plan, so I don't think they will make a big splash.

[dutchboy]

There is no splash to be made. What pitcher thats available would take them over the top?

[Steve-o]

I think you're right.

Listening to the radio heads, the speculation is they'd be in the market for one, maybe two relief pitchers.  And that ain't goona put them over the top.

They need contracts where they can control players for multiple years, not one-year rentals.

The best we can hope for is that they catch lightening-in-a-bottle again, stay relevant until the end of the season and then make their customary early exit in a playoff series with the Yankees.

P.S.  Anyone watching that ESPN series on Derek Jeter, "The Captain"?

[Gunner55]

SD paid a hefty price for Hader , it looks like they think this is their year to me. Nice comeback last night, they desperately needed a good start to this homestand. They're starting to get pretty thin out in the outfield. Miranda carried 'em until Urshela walked 'em off. Same time tonight, Archer gets the ball.