All Things 2021 Minnesota Twins In-Season Thread

Well, I think you can pencil Ryan and Ober in to the starting rotation for next year. If they can resign Pineda to a fair deal, that makes 3. I suspect that Griffin Jax will at least start next year in the rotation - but my gut tells me he may not finish the year in the rotation.

I do not want to see any more of Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer or any of the other AAAA pitchers.

So, I would say the Twins need to go out and trade for or sign free agents to fill at least one and probably two spots in the rotation for next year. I don't expect them to throw out huge deals, but at least something a rung above Happ or Shoemaker.

Then, it all gets down to the players who were injured in the minors this year to see how they develop/stay healthy. I would not be surprised if Balazovic is in the rotation by mid-year.
Falvey already acknowledged they will have to sign multiple FA starters. 2 at a minimum, I'd say if they keep Pineda. Ober and Ryan will the the 4th and 5th but they can't really count on any of the others to be more than the 6th-8th guys.
 

Well, I think you can pencil Ryan and Ober in to the starting rotation for next year. If they can resign Pineda to a fair deal, that makes 3. I suspect that Griffin Jax will at least start next year in the rotation - but my gut tells me he may not finish the year in the rotation.

I do not want to see any more of Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer or any of the other AAAA pitchers.

So, I would say the Twins need to go out and trade for or sign free agents to fill at least one and probably two spots in the rotation for next year. I don't expect them to throw out huge deals, but at least something a rung above Happ or Shoemaker.

Then, it all gets down to the players who were injured in the minors this year to see how they develop/stay healthy. I would not be surprised if Balazovic is in the rotation by mid-year.
Gant had 5 shutout innings the night before Ryan - so let's see what he can accomplish the rest of September and if he can also be in the mix.

Also Ryan's slider is serviceable at this point - some write ups made it sound like it was awful - won't be confused for deGrom's, bur then again, whose is.
 

It was a bold move by Jays, their odds to make the playoffs are now down to less than 10% on Fangraphs.

The Yanks seemed to buy themselves back into the race with the moves they made at the trade deadline.With their bullpen, they are poised for a long October run. They are due.

Berrios has rebounded in his last 2 outings for the Jays.

Their chances have risen to 42% on Fangraphs to make it to the post-season, mostly due to the Yankees struggles, and are only 1.5 games back. He is on the bump tonight in the Bronx and they could pull up to even in the loss column.
 

Gant had 5 shutout innings the night before Ryan - so let's see what he can accomplish the rest of September and if he can also be in the mix.

Also Ryan's slider is serviceable at this point - some write ups made it sound like it was awful - won't be confused for deGrom's, bur then again, whose is.
That was a very lucky 5 innings. He was bout 2 feet from giving up a grand slam. Gant may be non-tendered and if he is on the team in 2022 it will be a reliever. He is not a big-league starter. There's a reason St. Louis was willing to trade him for JA Happ.
 

That was a very lucky 5 innings. He was bout 2 feet from giving up a grand slam. Gant may be non-tendered and if he is on the team in 2022 it will be a reliever. He is not a big-league starter. There's a reason St. Louis was willing to trade him for JA Happ.
Solid points, however, what do Grant and Cave have in common? Besides questionable MLB talent?? Facial Hair - you sir appear to be a hairist- predacious against Twins with facial hair - shame on u!!
 



How close are we to being officially eliminated from the playoffs?
 

How close are we to being officially eliminated from the playoffs?
Magic number for being eliminated from the AL Central is 5. Not sure on the Wild Card, probably pretty close, just eyeballing it I think it's 8.
 

That was the plan.

They wanted Pineda to pitch 4+ innings instead of sending him to St. Paul for rehab.
Txs for clarifying - i still feel bad for him and am excited to see what he can do over a full season.

From what I read he used the pandemic to change his body and improve his velocity - cool to see his hardwork rewarded.

Can't imagine how freaky it would be to hit against a 6'9" hurler - tallest I faced was a 6'6" lefty from WIllmar, who I think played college at WInona and i was a lefty who took 3 Ks in that game - they were the better Cardinals squad that day many eons ago.
 



That was a very lucky 5 innings. He was bout 2 feet from giving up a grand slam. Gant may be non-tendered and if he is on the team in 2022 it will be a reliever. He is not a big-league starter. There's a reason St. Louis was willing to trade him for JA Happ.
Gant will be a reliever next year and that’s where he should be. He’s started the past month or so because they don’t have anyone else. His numbers are better as a reliever.
 

Three things from today.

yes those were strikes to Gardner and the inning should have been over.

you are not required to throw judge a hanger for a 3 run homer.

you are also allowed to score in extra innings.

just another example of the twins shitting themselves when they see the pinstripes.
 





Yet they continue to run Simmons out there. Day after day after day. Inexplicable.
I am worried they want to bring him back next year so they want to keep him happy. That is the only reason he is even on the team let alone playing everyday.
 

I am worried they want to bring him back next year so they want to keep him happy. That is the only reason he is even on the team let alone playing everyday.
He has the lowest OPS of any regular player in the league. There's zero reason to bring him back.
 

He has the lowest OPS of any regular player in the league. There's zero reason to bring him back.
Which makes it even more curios he keeps playing. If it’s not to keep him happy why would they keep playing him in meaningless games.
 


Or Rocko is a total idiot.
Or the front office. You would think with all the problems internally scouting the guys they have simply let go or not protected they would wanna see exactly what Gordon is. God forbid they get some athleticism on the team from someone that isn’t Buxton. You look up and down the roster and they are all slow guys a rare exception. Even Polanco and Arreaz are not fast.
 

Or the front office. You would think with all the problems internally scouting the guys they have simply let go or not protected they would wanna see exactly what Gordon is. God forbid they get some athleticism on the team from someone that isn’t Buxton. You look up and down the roster and they are all slow guys a rare exception. Even Polanco and Arreaz are not fast.
It's very bummed about it and it is insane to not just let him play short.

All he wants is a chance.
 

How much can the Twins get in return for trading Polanco in the offseason?
 


It's a valid question though...I think with the young core of guys we're building it would be worth exploring if the return is valuable. He's on a friendly contract so if you can maybe dangle him and someone like Kepler who is in the same situation in front of a team who needs help hitting and gain a solid pitching prospect or two I think you do it.

We aren't going to be contenders for the next year or two anyway.
 







Maybe Ryan is ready to pitch by the end of the month but if not bring up Balazovic and let him start a game or two.
 





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