Okay, the trade deadline has come and gone. How would you rate the Twins' moves overall (or any in specific)?
25 thoughts on “August 1, 2018: Final Marks”
For the most part, the guys the Twins got have good numbers in the low minors. Every year, there are at least a hundred guys who have good numbers in the low minors. Some of them go on to be stars. Some of them top out in AA and are never heard from again. One of the things that separates a good organization from a bad one is being able to tell which is which. How would I rate the Twins moves? I have no idea. We'll know in four years or so.
We’ll know in four years or so.
I can agree with that. I also think we need to have a better indication of what the front office’s plan is for the team in 2019 & 2020. The division is a mess, and this roster has too much talent to go into a tank. Granted, there are some significant holes now, but a good portion still seems set, barring offseason moves.
But those holes: Despite having almost $100 million coming off the books for 2019, the free agent pool doesn’t look to deep in the Twins’ biggest areas of need. Other than Eduardo Escobar, the list of free-agent-to-be middle infielders is pretty uninspiring. The only players in their twenties are Machado (not gonna happen), Freddy Galvis, & Jose Iglesias. Nick Gordon’s OPS in AAA is .556, so he doesn’t seem likely to be ready to take Dozier’s place or push Polanco over. Depending on what happens with Sanó, the list of third basement isn’t that great, either, and there’s nobody close behind him on the depth chart. I think they could stand to add a true ace to the rotation to take the pressure off Berríos, but I don’t know who they’d go after.
If Sanó can recover some value, I don’t know how they can’t listen to offers. I also suspect we’ll see one of the outfielders traded this winter, and I’m afraid it might be Kepler. I want that guy to succeed, but he hasn’t figured out how to put it all together for a good stretch. It might be a sign that his path to success lies with a team that can unlock his potential.
Finally, I’d expect some more moves on the coaching staff or in player development. I suppose they’ll let Molitor stay as a punishment sponge at least through mid-2019 if they’re not going to try to contend in a weak division next season, but who knows.
...punishment sponge...
heh
I doubt Sano is going anywhere. Next year's offense will probably come down to how well the young players break out, mainly Sano, Buxton, Kepler and Polanco. Unless Dozier has another second-half surge, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Twins sign him to a one-year deal to allow him to see if he can bounce back. If he can't, Royce Lewis might be up by midseason anyways depending on how he continues to develop.
"Minor Details" will be delayed, possibly until tomorrow. Nothing to be concerned about, just a lot of things to do today and not a lot of time to do them in.
I would be happier with the trades if the Twins had bundled up some of their wares and brought Realmuto to the team.
Hey sean, after last night I think it's time we see the league leaders in QS losses.
Man, now I can really see how that '72 team disappointed: 18 QS losses just between two of the starters.
Given what Randy Johnson had to go through to get his 300th win, I’d say the 2004 D-backs owe him a boat or something.
You damn birders got me. Looked up an American Goldfinch apparently.
hey, that's AMR's world -- we're just visiting
The timed quiz in Tuesday's game was number of "types" of birds the person could name in ten seconds. I was happy that pigeon and dove appeared to be counted as the same. The fan, and the player they were competing again, both named nine. I was wondering if I could do better than that.
On our recent France trip, saw some cool Ibis and Spoonbill at the Fortress Zoo at Besancon, but the real deal was the storks in Alsace. We saw dozens of them on the roof tops in Eguisheim, but on a day hike we came across hundreds of them in a field on the Vosges. Awesome.
For the most part, the guys the Twins got have good numbers in the low minors. Every year, there are at least a hundred guys who have good numbers in the low minors. Some of them go on to be stars. Some of them top out in AA and are never heard from again. One of the things that separates a good organization from a bad one is being able to tell which is which. How would I rate the Twins moves? I have no idea. We'll know in four years or so.
I can agree with that. I also think we need to have a better indication of what the front office’s plan is for the team in 2019 & 2020. The division is a mess, and this roster has too much talent to go into a tank. Granted, there are some significant holes now, but a good portion still seems set, barring offseason moves.
But those holes: Despite having almost $100 million coming off the books for 2019, the free agent pool doesn’t look to deep in the Twins’ biggest areas of need. Other than Eduardo Escobar, the list of free-agent-to-be middle infielders is pretty uninspiring. The only players in their twenties are Machado (not gonna happen), Freddy Galvis, & Jose Iglesias. Nick Gordon’s OPS in AAA is .556, so he doesn’t seem likely to be ready to take Dozier’s place or push Polanco over. Depending on what happens with Sanó, the list of third basement isn’t that great, either, and there’s nobody close behind him on the depth chart. I think they could stand to add a true ace to the rotation to take the pressure off Berríos, but I don’t know who they’d go after.
If Sanó can recover some value, I don’t know how they can’t listen to offers. I also suspect we’ll see one of the outfielders traded this winter, and I’m afraid it might be Kepler. I want that guy to succeed, but he hasn’t figured out how to put it all together for a good stretch. It might be a sign that his path to success lies with a team that can unlock his potential.
Finally, I’d expect some more moves on the coaching staff or in player development. I suppose they’ll let Molitor stay as a punishment sponge at least through mid-2019 if they’re not going to try to contend in a weak division next season, but who knows.
heh
I doubt Sano is going anywhere. Next year's offense will probably come down to how well the young players break out, mainly Sano, Buxton, Kepler and Polanco. Unless Dozier has another second-half surge, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Twins sign him to a one-year deal to allow him to see if he can bounce back. If he can't, Royce Lewis might be up by midseason anyways depending on how he continues to develop.
"Minor Details" will be delayed, possibly until tomorrow. Nothing to be concerned about, just a lot of things to do today and not a lot of time to do them in.
I would be happier with the trades if the Twins had bundled up some of their wares and brought Realmuto to the team.
Hey sean, after last night I think it's time we see the league leaders in QS losses.
First, all time leaders and since 2000. Finally, just this year.
Outstanding!
Man, now I can really see how that '72 team disappointed: 18 QS losses just between two of the starters.
Given what Randy Johnson had to go through to get his 300th win, I’d say the 2004 D-backs owe him a boat or something.
You damn birders got me. Looked up an American Goldfinch apparently.
hey, that's AMR's world -- we're just visiting
The timed quiz in Tuesday's game was number of "types" of birds the person could name in ten seconds. I was happy that pigeon and dove appeared to be counted as the same. The fan, and the player they were competing again, both named nine. I was wondering if I could do better than that.
DAY GAME ALERT:
I have a feeling Glen is going to be more like Morneau than Torii when it comes to commentary skills.
the duke, ii, mountie booth was... disjointed let’s say.
Did the Mountie put LNP between himself & i-i?
Perkins did a really good job of getting Gibson to show some personality during their 5th inning interview.
Not a fan of the Facebook way of covering a baseball game. GOML.
It had a spring training vibe to it with all the interviews and things that weren't related to the game being played.
nice
Not a fan of the Facebook way of covering a baseball game. GOML.
It had a spring training vibe to it with all the interviews and things that weren't related to the game being played.
nice
Pretty cool video from the National Weather Service Sioux Falls
Cumulus clouds over hail swath
On our recent France trip, saw some cool Ibis and Spoonbill at the Fortress Zoo at Besancon, but the real deal was the storks in
Alsace. We saw dozens of them on the roof tops in Eguisheim, but on a day hike we came across hundreds of them in a field on the Vosges. Awesome.