Twins 2022

Sanchez just hit the ball twice with the same swing! (And got a hit)

Dutchboy wrote:

I see Cave is back and playing. Does that mean China Doll is DH’ing again?

No it means he is back to full china doll status.

I’d like to be optimistic about the recent moves, but… Let’s be real. The best outcome is we make the postseason and then get swept by the Yankees or Astros. Further entrenching the most futile postseason effort in all of sports.

Not a good sign when you are struggling against the Tigers at home. They could use a decisive win today.

lindyrig79 wrote:

I’d like to be optimistic about the recent moves, but… Let’s be real. The best outcome is we make the postseason and then get swept by the Yankees or Astros. Further entrenching the most futile postseason effort in all of sports

That’s probably true, but at least they are TRYING. I’ve been very critical of the Pohlad’s and the front office for years for not making any moves, or next to no moves (Romo during the Bomba year). These guys they traded for likely aren’t any game changers in their playoff success, but they have never made this many moves before at the trade deadline and they deserve a little credit for it imo. Much rather they try and fail than not try at all.

“Not a good sign when you are struggling against the Tigers at home”

How true. Man, they really had the B squad out there last night… let’s see some of the new pitching talent now. And I don’t care how raw or untested some of the minor league outfielders are, but bring up the likes of Wallner or even Austin Martin (who can play IF/OF) against the Tigers before you put Cave out there again. Enough!

BigWerm wrote:

That’s probably true, but at least they are TRYING. I’ve been very critical of the Pohlad’s and the front office for years for not making any moves, or next to no moves (Romo during the Bomba year). These guys they traded for likely aren’t any game changers in their playoff success, but they have never made this many moves before at the trade deadline and they deserve a little credit for it imo. Much rather they try and fail than not try at all.

I agree. And I will still cheer them on. I just have to be realistic at the same time. Hope I’m wrong, would love to be competitive in the playoffs.

FryDog62 wrote:

“Not a good sign when you are struggling against the Tigers at home”

How true. Man, they really had the B squad out there last night… let’s see some of the new pitching talent now. And I don’t care how raw or untested some of the minor league outfielders are, but bring up the likes of Wallner or even Austin Martin (who can play IF/OF) against the Tigers before you put Cave out there again. Enough!

Ha, as Cave was 2-3 and one of their best players last night. Just saying. The Twins brought in pitching. Much needed pitching. Now our playoff rotation looks like Gray, Ryan, and Mahle. That can hang in a playoff series. And we have bonified 7,8 and 9th inning guys, two of them who are pretty unhittable. They are in a much better place. They still need the bats to show up though.

Sandy Leon coming through already.

China Doll blessed the announced crowd of 25,000 with his presence in the line-up.

Rocco ever figures out a batting order and gets all his starters back it’s not a bad offense.

1 game lead over Cleveland, it’s time for the players to step up and play and for Rocco to get out of the way.

“Ha, as Cave was 2-3 and one of their best players last night. Just saying.”
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Two hits does not make up for two years of consistent ineptitude. At Cave’s age, we know who he is, and unfortunately who he isn’t or ever will be a major league caliber hitter. Experiment over…

And as long as I’m ranting… been a Polanco guy for many years – overall has been a good player. He seems to emerge in the second half of seasons and can carry the team for a week at a time. Then he turtles… and disappears. He has been much more of the reptile this year IMO. If I were Rocco, I would start sharing time at 2B between Polanco and Gordon. If nothing else, it keeps Gordon fresh/versatile as a utility player (more than just outfield) and creates some competition for Polanco. Maybe Jorge will emerge quicker that way. No one should feel entitled to keep a position with a .239 batting average on a team struggling to stay in first place.

Cave is a guy who won’t win you many games with his bat, but he won’t lose you many with his glove or head either. He isn’t the worse outfielder they have stuck out there this year.

Dutchboy wrote:

Cave is a guy who won’t win you many games with his bat, but he won’t lose you many with his glove or head either. He isn’t the worse outfielder they have stuck out there this year.

This is how I feel also. You’re right Fry, we know who he is, but I don’t mind it. He has hit better than I would expect you to think he has when he has been up. He is probably above average OF and he plays harder than 90% of the guys they have on their roster. I’m fine seeing him back.

Cave is as pro as it gets. pro at bats and pro D. the guy didn’t sulk when sent down and understands where he is at this late in his career. i hope he has some nice moments down the stretch.
never thought this front office would go all in at the deadline and they are taking a nice stab at it so there will be meaningful baseball in September!
i am still butthurt about trading Rogers for Paddack and i thought that would decrease the chances the team would be active at the deadline but they proved me wrong.
3 legit starters and a legit bullpen, a very balanced batting order and anything can happen.

eyeguy507 wrote:

Cave is as pro as it gets. pro at bats and pro D. the guy didn’t sulk when sent down and understands where he is at this late in his career. i hope he has some nice moments down the stretch.
never thought this front office would go all in at the deadline and they are taking a nice stab at it so there will be meaningful baseball in September!
i am still butthurt about trading Rogers for Paddack and i thought that would decrease the chances the team would be active at the deadline but they proved me wrong.
3 legit starters and a legit bullpen, a very balanced batting order and anything can happen.

If it makes you feel any better, Rogers has a higher ERA than Pagan since June. I’m still ok with the trade because Paddack was one of our best starters for a few weeks before he got injured. He’s young enough, has the stuff, and we have him locked up long enough for him to get back and help this team next season.

Projected Rotation next season:

Gray
Mahle
Ryan
Maeda
Paddock/Ober/Winder

Not bad. If we can get to the 7th inning with the lead with our current bullpen we should win a lot of games.

mahtofire14 wrote:

Not bad. If we can get to the 7th inning with the lead with our current bullpen we should win a lot of games.

A Twins starter getting to the 7th inning with Rocco as manager? Ha!

My kids got to hot yesterday so we left before the end of the game. Would have been nice to see what seems like the first 1-2-3 ninth this year.

blank wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mahtofire14 wrote:</div>
Not bad. If we can get to the 7th inning with the lead with our current bullpen we should win a lot of games.

A Twins starter getting to the 7th inning with Rocco as manager? Ha!

Never said with a starter.

Mahle has a few games over 100 pitches. He wont have to worry about that now. He would be lucky to get to 90. Baldelli took Ryan out yesterday after 5 and 78 pitches. He gave up 3 hits, 0 walks and had 9 strikeouts.

Mahle starting tomorrow night for the Twins.

Another lead blown by the dynamic duo of Baldelli and Pagan…..

Ill take Rogers and his high ERA in June over the meatballs Pagan is grooving in there. time to cut losses and send him down and get Cotton back up here where he belongs.

Can we just cut all ties with Pagan? Good heavens he’s awful.

eyeguy507 wrote:

Ill take Rogers and his high ERA in June over the meatballs Pagan is grooving in there. time to cut losses and send him down and get Cotton back up here where he belongs.

The guy that keeps getting sent down that shouldn’t is Moran. They DFA’d Joe Smith finally now do it to PaGONE!

did not even realize Moran was sent down…..wtf? bullpen must be too rich now

is everyone ok in the left field bleachers?

Yep, that 3rd time through the order is murder on a starter.

corresponding moves should be Duffey and Pagan out and Cotton and Moran in. we can’t keep pretending this is ok…..let me have it.

Didn’t really have a good feeling with the Blue Jays coming in after that Tigers series. Oof

Tuff to win a game getting a whopping 3 hits. Better days ahead but can’t keep splitting series or worse losing them.

Cotton isn’t much better than Pagan. Another guy that has good stuff but never seems to get the job done.