Minnesota Twins 2014 - ∞: To Infinity & Beyond!

[frozen4champs]

Blake Parker has officially been DFA'd

[Butters Stotch]

Blake Parker has officially been DFA'd

Not a loss.

[davescharf]

Blake Parker has officially been DFA'd

4th reliever in the last 11 days. You’d have to think the front office has a bunch of things cooking on the trade front at this point right?

[Karlsson]

Blake Parker has officially been DFA'd

4th reliever in the last 11 days. You’d have to think the front office has a bunch of things cooking on the trade front at this point right?

Oh, totally.

[frozen4champs]

Jake Cave playing a Jake Cave centerfield tonight

Hopefully tomorrow I will read Buxton activated and Cave sent down.

[NYC Gopher fan]

Odorizzi is not looking great

[Norm]

If your starter gives up 9 runs in 4 innings, might want to think about taking him out.

[Butters Stotch]

Odorizzi is not looking great

Odorizzi is reminding me of Parker. Good first half of season (Odorizzi was excellent) and faltering in the 2nd half with no hint of getting better. This team is in trouble right now because of their pitching.

[Karlsson]

Effing Jake Cave, man. Ugh.

[Karlsson]

Well $h!t.

Cleveland didn't lose today, so the lead will be down to two. Hopefully the White Sox cooperate and suck. I have my doubts.

[Kelor]

I picked the wrong game to go to.

[Karlsson]

Only upside to that one is that they only used 2 pitchers.

[streakygopher]

"All star" Odor*** stunk the joint up so bad tonight...what 9 runs in 4 innings? Hell, the team spotted him 2 runs and he gets roughed up at the top of the next inning. Twins pitching give up 30 runs in 3 games. Just let that sink in. Twins can't win when they score 12 runs and 7 runs on back to back nights?

Granted, Yankees pitching wasn't all that great either, but it was good enough to best the Twins 2 out of 3 on the road.

Nice outing by Smeltzer...he deserved better.

[Cowgirl]

I would not have guessed it had been three years since the Yankees won a series at target field.

Does anyone sweat more than Aroldis?

[ScoobyDoo]

Well, the Twins certainly don't need pitching as that idiot ScoobyDoo suggested the other day.

[The Rube]

Well, the Twins certainly don't need pitching as most anyone who is a fan suggested every day for the past month.

Fixed.

[ScoobyDoo]

Well, the Twins certainly don't need pitching as most anyone who is a fan suggested every day for the past month.

Fixed.

Not true. I got ripped for even suggesting it a week ago. Had all these contrarian links posted.

Pitching help is going to be a lot more expensive now then it was a month ago.

[Beauner]

Not necessarily.
Teams that are looking to move guys are going to have to move them before the deadline. Meaning they will be willing to accept smaller returns just to get something.

The later teams wait to move, the more clearly teams are defining themselves as contenders or losers.

A month ago everyone was sure Washington would trade Scherzer. Washington is now 4 games out of first place in their division and in first place in the NL Wildcard race. The longer teams wait to make moves the more clearly their futures are defined and the better the odds that we'll see some good players go for cheap. Especially with the "waiver trade" getting axed.
Hell, the Giants were a sure thing to be sellers 3 weeks ago. They've won 16 out of 19 games. If they cool off again over the next few days they'll try to dump guys at the last minute, which means the asking price should be lower.

[bearpaw28]

These past 7 games have proved in spades the Twins are a strong team...going blow for blow with the A’s & the Bronx Bombers...but they need HELP to win the division and possibly make noise in the playoffs. Now it’s up to Falvine & Jim Pohlad to trade for a couple QUALITY arms to get them over the hump...we will know by Aug. 1st whether “these gentlemen” are truely committed to winning in 2019....or the same old crap from the past decade

[Maize]

A month ago everyone was sure Washington would trade Scherzer. Washington is now 4 games out of first place in their division and in first place in the NL Wildcard race.

Apropos of nothing, but the Nationals are 17-6 since they signed Fernando Rodney.

[Karlsson]

Great. Now Fernando is stuck in my head.

[mnpuckguy]

Don’t count on any big deals for pitching help. They’re not to give up what it takes to get anyone decent.. They will be bargain basement shoppers once again!

[Karlsson]

Boomstick came to play.

[Greyeagle]

Hi from The X.
God bless the Chicago White Sox.

[Karlsson]

Hi from The X.
God bless the Chicago White Sox.

No kidding. Four errors in six innings? Yikes.

[Karlsson]

Indians-Royals going to extras.

[Cowgirl]

And the Indians won in 14.

[Karlsson]

And the Indians won in 14.

Rat farts!

[Beauner]

Sources are saying the Twins are interested in Noah Syndergaard and have contacted the Mets.

They are also saying the Mets are asking for Kiriloff and Royce Lewis.

Yeesh.

[Karlsson]

Sources are saying the Twins are interested in Noah Syndergaard and have contacted the Mets.

They are also saying the Mets are asking for Kiriloff and Royce Lewis.

Yeesh.

Yeah. I don't like that.

[Don Adams Wheel of Justice]

Sources are saying the Twins are interested in Noah Syndergaard and have contacted the Mets.

They are also saying the Mets are asking for Kiriloff and Royce Lewis.

Yeesh.

Yeah. I don't like that.

I'd give them Wander Javier and Luke Raley in a minute but they would be nuts to consider giving up their top two prospects for Syndergaard.

[bearpaw28]

Falvine are compensated well to figure out a move or two. And alert the media (Lindbergh Baby esqe ) you have to GIVE something to GET something. Hopefully they don’t just sit on their hands

[Chris83]

Falvine are compensated well to figure out a move or two. And alert the media (Lindbergh Baby esqe ) you have to GIVE something to GET something. Hopefully they don’t just sit on their hands

It would be great to see them be able to make a move. That said, this isn't a team at the stage where they need to desperately go "all in". If they can make a trade that brings them help not only for the balance of 2019, but seasons beyond and the cost isn't ridiculously high, terrific. A couple top prospects for Syndergaard? No thanks.

[Steve MN]

Falvine are compensated well to figure out a move or two. And alert the media (Lindbergh Baby esqe ) you have to GIVE something to GET something. Hopefully they don’t just sit on their hands

It would be great to see them be able to make a move. That said, this isn't a team at the stage where they need to desperately go "all in". If they can make a trade that brings them help not only for the balance of 2019, but seasons beyond and the cost isn't ridiculously high, terrific. A couple top prospects for Syndergaard? No thanks.

Kiriloff OR Lewis plus another good prospect, probably. Both Lewis AND Kiriloff though? No thanks.

Or Lewis and Kiriloff for Syndergaard plus a couple good relievers from their current bullpen, maybe.

[Cowgirl]

Wish I could see the game.....:/

[Norm]

No Twins on Dish. I suppose FSN figures there's a lot of interest in the Twins, now's a good time to jack up the price.

[Beauner]

No Twins on Dish. I suppose FSN figures there's a lot of interest in the Twins, now's a good time to jack up the price.

I believe there are a lot of Fox Sports regional channels that are in the same boat.

[Bigbeer]

No Twins on Dish. I suppose FSN figures there's a lot of interest in the Twins, now's a good time to jack up the price.

I doubt how well whatever team happens to be season is a factor. They probably need to renew their contract and Dish is always willing to drop a channel to negotiate. I guess that’s why they are always the cheapest but not worth it to me. I gave up on Dish more than a few years ago when they dropped FSN during Gopher Hockey season...deal breaker.

[Bigbeer]

Nelson Cruz with 7 home runs in the last 5 games. This team seems to continue to have different players step up throughout the season.

[Beauner]

[Norm]

No Twins on Dish. I suppose FSN figures there's a lot of interest in the Twins, now's a good time to jack up the price.

I doubt how well whatever team happens to be season is a factor. They probably need to renew their contract and Dish is always willing to drop a channel to negotiate. I guess that’s why they are always the cheapest but not worth it to me. I gave up on Dish more than a few years ago when they dropped FSN during Gopher Hockey season...deal breaker.

I said that to my wife last night. I can live without the Twins for a couple of weeks. If this happens during Gopher Hockey, that's a whole different thing.

[Beauner]

I like this move. He's a tough guy to square up (one of the best pitchers in baseball in "hard hit percentage" this season -- I think I read top 2% in the league). He had a terrible month of April and has been a stud since.

And he likely comes pretty cheap.

[Composer]

I like this move. He's a tough guy to square up (one of the best pitchers in baseball in "hard hit percentage" this season -- I think I read top 2% in the league). He had a terrible month of April and has been a stud since.

And he likely comes pretty cheap.

Lewin Diaz cheap.

[Snowcool08]

I have Romo on my fantasy team. What opportunities he has gotten for a save, he comes through. Gives the Twins a solid option at the end of the game.

[Beauner]

So the Twins send Lewin Diaz (ranked between 25-30, depending on which report you read, in the Twins farm system) to Miami for Romo, minor league pitcher Chris Vallimont (#22-25 in the Marlins system) and a PTBNL (or cash).

Vallimont has 142 Ks in 134 innings pitched as a pro. Sits 92-96mph with a mid-80s slider, a hard curveball and changeup.
Touched as high as 98mph in college. Was a 5th round pick two years ago out of D2 Mercyhurst.

Reports are he struggles at times with command. This could be an absolute robbery for the Twins if they get what Romo has offered Miami for the rest of the year and the minor league staff can get Vallimont better like they've done for virtually every other pitcher in the organization.

[Gopherguy05]

Here is a report on Vaiiimont.

Sounds promising

As well all know, teams cycle through many, many arms in any given year so depth is incredibly important and the ability to find arms deeper in a draft is always key to any team’s success in building a reliable farm system. And the Marlins don’t have a great system so Vallimont could be a real find. He played at a smaller college where he produced excellent strikeout numbers. That swing-and-miss success has continued into his pro career and he currently has 61 strikeouts over 53.1 innings in Low-A ball. There are a couple of other former college pitchers that are doing well in Low-A but they also played against better competition on a regular basis as amateurs and should be further along in their development. Vallimont is still just scratching the surface of his potential and stands 6-5 but still looks skinny at 220 pounds. He can get into the mid-90s with his heater and backs it up with a very good excellent breaking ball. His delivery is easy and loosen; there could be more velocity to come as he fills out.

[F Da Sue]

Cleveland 1 game back.

[The Rube]

Cleveland 1 game back.

Half of the Twins fans:

[HockeyBum]

Indians are 12-4 since the break, and 2 of those losses were against the Twins. Cleveland has been playing terrible teams, but that's still impressive.

The Twins didn't help themselves by losing both games to the Mets in the last homestand.

[bearpaw28]

Sano with a 3 run Dinger just inside the right foul pole. Thing of beauty. Sano is making anybody who “seriously” wanted the Twins to trade him a couple months ago...look like utter MORONS

[gopher6]

9-0 Twinkies

[Karlsson]

Cleveland lost. Lead back to two.

There's going to be a lot of this.

[Beauner]

Cleveland lost. Lead back to two.

There's going to be a lot of this.

Cleveland has a murderer's row of teams on the schedule for the next month or so. I'd expect to see them be .500 over the next 20ish games. If the Twins handle their business the lead should be 6-7 games again by this time next month.

[Cowgirl]

We still have ten with Cleveland. Those games will be pretty important in this race I would imagine.

[D2D]

We still have ten with Cleveland. Those games will be pretty important in this race I would imagine.

Classic understatement, or we can only hope that the race is pretty much decided before the final head-to-head games between the two teams are played. Then again, there's something to be said for the final series or two to be pressure-packed, critical must-win games entering the playoffs.

[Laxref]

We still have ten with Cleveland. Those games will be pretty important in this race I would imagine.

Classic understatement, or we can only hope that the race is pretty much decided before the final head-to-head games between the two teams are played. Then again, there's something to be said for the final series or two to be pressure-packed, critical must-win games entering the playoffs.

You would rather be playing those pressure-packed games instead of having the luxury of setting your rotation and resting guys who need it?? I’m not saying you’re wrong, I don’t know what the right answer is, kinda the college hockey version of would you rather have to make some noise in conf tourney to make ncaas or would you rather have the final few weekends of season to rest and prep.

[Thirty-Four]

Sano with a 3 run Dinger just inside the right foul pole. Thing of beauty. Sano is making anybody who “seriously” wanted the Twins to trade him a couple months ago...look like utter MORONS

Nailed it. He's missed half the games and strikes out half of the time, one homer that sneaks around the foul pole = redemption. Give him whatever he wants and smile as you do it.

[Beauner]

[bearpaw28]

Sano with a 3 run Dinger just inside the right foul pole. Thing of beauty. Sano is making anybody who “seriously” wanted the Twins to trade him a couple months ago...look like utter MORONS

a

Nailed it. He's missed half the games and strikes out half of the time, one homer that sneaks around the foul pole = redemption. Give him whatever he wants and smile as you do it.

He’s done a hell of a lot more than just that (at bat). But Much Thanks...for responding on behalf of the “serious” MORONS

[Greyeagle]

What....you don't like Buxton bunting for a base hit so Kepler can sacrifice him to second?

[Thirty-Four]

Sano with a 3 run Dinger just inside the right foul pole. Thing of beauty. Sano is making anybody who “seriously” wanted the Twins to trade him a couple months ago...look like utter MORONS

a

Nailed it. He's missed half the games and strikes out half of the time, one homer that sneaks around the foul pole = redemption. Give him whatever he wants and smile as you do it.

He’s done a hell of a lot more than just that (at bat). But Much Thanks...for responding on behalf of the “serious” MORONS

Question 1:
Are just the hot takes capitalized?

Question 2:
Is the fear of trading him more a fear of losing Ortiz all over again?

I’d trade him for pitching, but that’s me.

[streakygopher]

Sano with a 3 run Dinger just inside the right foul pole. Thing of beauty. Sano is making anybody who “seriously” wanted the Twins to trade him a couple months ago...look like utter MORONS

a

Nailed it. He's missed half the games and strikes out half of the time, one homer that sneaks around the foul pole = redemption. Give him whatever he wants and smile as you do it.

He’s done a hell of a lot more than just that (at bat). But Much Thanks...for responding on behalf of the “serious” MORONS

When Sano was struggling, he wasn't even making contact, let alone putting the ball in play. These past dozen games or so he's looked much better. In this line up opposing teams can't pitch around him, so they nibble around the strike zone just off the plate. Sano has taken some key walks on close pitches. The more a big man shows he can walk, the better pitching he'll see later in the game.

Sano and Buxton are two guys in particular who have really struggled with the down-and-away funny stuff, but they have both improved. Schoop should be taking notes, because that's his Kryptonite, too.

[Steve MN]

Sano with a 3 run Dinger just inside the right foul pole. Thing of beauty. Sano is making anybody who “seriously” wanted the Twins to trade him a couple months ago...look like utter MORONS

a

Nailed it. He's missed half the games and strikes out half of the time, one homer that sneaks around the foul pole = redemption. Give him whatever he wants and smile as you do it.

He’s done a hell of a lot more than just that (at bat). But Much Thanks...for responding on behalf of the “serious” MORONS

Question 1:
Are just the hot takes capitalized?

Question 2:
Is the fear of trading him more a fear of losing Ortiz all over again?

I’d trade him for pitching, but that’s me.

That would be REALLY dependent on the pitching in question, what the contracts look like, etc. Not saying you're wrong, but certainly wouldn't trade for a rent-a-player.

[Beauner]

His 18 HRs so far this year are good for 13th of all 3B in baseball. Every single player on the list ahead if him has, at minimum, 140 more at bats than him. His .905 OPS is good for 5th best among all 3B. His slugging percentage is good for 2nd among all 3B.

And despite, as mentioned earlier, missing half the games, he's still #12 in WAR already.

Oh, and he's still under team control. And just turned 26 years old.

[Thirty-Four]

Sano has brought his value back up, which is why you can make a strong case to trade him now. Unless this hand injury is more serious than I’m hearing. Nobody is saying he’s awful and to unload him for a sack of cats. His history is what it is, he might overcome the weight problems and seemingly endless injuries,sure. I’d just see what I could get for him to fill a bigger need.

[Snowcool08]

Do not trade Sano. He’s 26 and about to hit his best years. It finally feels like he’s with a coaching staff who understands him and can work with him and he’s listening. Don’t even think about it.

[Bertogliat]

Sano has a similar BA to Buxton with a higher slugging percentage and yet so many people LOVE Buxton and thinks Sano SUCKS.


Weird people.

[Thirty-Four]

Sano has a similar BA to Buxton with a higher slugging percentage and yet so many people LOVE Buxton and thinks Sano SUCKS.


Weird people.

I don’t know how you could love either, honestly. I admire Buxton’s moxie, but both these guys are out of the lineup way too often for my comfort. Maybe that’s unfair, but I don’t count on either going into a season anymore. Hopefully that changes in the future, we’ll see.

[bearpaw28]

Sano has a similar BA to Buxton with a higher slugging percentage and yet so many people LOVE Buxton and thinks Sano SUCKS.


Weird people.

I don’t know how you could love either, honestly. I admire Buxton’s moxie, but both these guys are out of the lineup way too often for my comfort. Maybe that’s unfair, but I don’t count on either going into a season anymore. Hopefully that changes in the future, we’ll see.

Don’t you have another team to...eh worry about/cheer for...like the Cardinals

[Thirty-Four]

Sano has a similar BA to Buxton with a higher slugging percentage and yet so many people LOVE Buxton and thinks Sano SUCKS.


Weird people.

I don’t know how you could love either, honestly. I admire Buxton’s moxie, but both these guys are out of the lineup way too often for my comfort. Maybe that’s unfair, but I don’t count on either going into a season anymore. Hopefully that changes in the future, we’ll see.

Don’t you have another team to...eh worry about/cheer for...like the Cardinals

Says the Bulldog fan on the Gopher site.

[bearpaw28]

Sano has a similar BA to Buxton with a higher slugging percentage and yet so many people LOVE Buxton and thinks Sano SUCKS.


Weird people.

I don’t know how you could love either, honestly. I admire Buxton’s moxie, but both these guys are out of the lineup way too often for my comfort. Maybe that’s unfair, but I don’t count on either going into a season anymore. Hopefully that changes in the future, we’ll see.

Don’t you have another team to...eh worry about/cheer for...like the Cardinals

Says the Bulldog fan on the Gopher site.

I root for the Gophers...except when they play tDogs So you’re sayin you’re a Twins fan?

[Thirty-Four]

Sano has a similar BA to Buxton with a higher slugging percentage and yet so many people LOVE Buxton and thinks Sano SUCKS.


Weird people.

I don’t know how you could love either, honestly. I admire Buxton’s moxie, but both these guys are out of the lineup way too often for my comfort. Maybe that’s unfair, but I don’t count on either going into a season anymore. Hopefully that changes in the future, we’ll see.

Don’t you have another team to...eh worry about/cheer for...like the Cardinals

Says the Bulldog fan on the Gopher site.

I root for the Gophers...except when they play tDogs So you’re sayin you’re a Twins fan?

Since the Cubs traded Buckner and Kirby got the call up.

[Bertogliat]

Difficult for me to link on my phone but Gleeman tweeted that Sano’s current slugging percentage (0.579) would be 2nd highest slugging percentage for Twins 3rd baseman ever. Harmon Killebrew had a higher SLG% just once 0.584.

[Composer]

Yea, so? But don't 'cha know? ... He sucks!!!!

[Greyeagle]

Difficult for me to link on my phone but Gleeman tweeted that Sano’s current slugging percentage (0.579) would be 2nd highest slugging percentage for Twins 3rd baseman ever. Harmon Killebrew had a higher SLG% just once 0.584.