OT: Twins "Fire Sale" Continues. See Ya, Brian...

What a bummer of a season for a young team with high hopes.  The Twins are a mess.  I won't be one bit surprised to see Molly get canned at the end of the season too.

I think Molly stays unless his overuse of the pen is an unsolvable issue.  Just a plain shitshow the entire year

@"Bullazin" said: I think Molly stays unless his overuse of the pen is an unsolvable issue.  Just a plain shitshow the entire year

The over use of the pen stems from a lack of quality starting pitching.  It seems that the starters all go to shit at the same time and all seem to go 6 innings or more at the same time amd then the pen gets to much time off.

This team is maddening to watch.

This royally sucks.

I just hope the bodies they got in return can be of value. Twins do not have a good history with this (other than the Viola trade)

Mixed blessing Buxton and Sano have zero value.

I haven't been to a twins game for quit a while,  today should be interesting....  I might have to buy a program to figure out who's on first. 

In the case of the Vikings and Twins, the star treatment gives, and it takes away

Dueling emotions greeted two significant developments within hours of each other Tuesday: the Vikings signing Stefon Diggs, the Twins trading Brian Dozier.One local franchise invited a cornerstone player to unpack his bags and stay awhile. Another team across town pushed a cornerstone player out the door.

One team is trying to maximize its opportunity to win a championship. The other team is engaged in a substantial roster reconstruction.
Dueling emotions greeted two significant developments within hours of each other on Tuesday: Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs signing a long-term extension and Twins second baseman Brian Dozier being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vikings fans had reason to celebrate. Twins fans better hope Falvine's plan doesn't belly-flop.
If evaluated by an emoji, one move gets a thumb's-up, the other a frown.
The Vikings locked up another core player by signing Diggs to a five-year, $72 million extension. General Manager Rick Spielman and salary cap magician Rob Brzezinski continued to maneuver deftly around financial parameters in order to keep a valuable piece from reaching free agency.
The organization's ability to retain star players who are in their prime while also handing quarterback Kirk Cousins a historic $84 million contract serves as a case study in savvy cap management.
Linebacker Anthony Barr's contract situation remains unresolved on the team's checklist. It's unclear if Diggs' deal will affect Barr's extension talks, but there might be enough money left in the coffers.
If this was an either/or choice, the Vikings picked the right option. Keeping Diggs became imperative once the team signed Cousins.
Diggs and Adam Thielen give the Vikings perhaps the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. The organization invested heavily in Cousins, and his signing brought instant Super Bowl-or-bust expectations. Surrounding Cousins with as much talent as possible gives him the best chance of being successful. It's just common sense.
One counterargument is that elite quarterbacks can elevate any receiver. Maybe, but give me a sure thing every time. Diggs is a sure thing. If he can avoid injuries, his production should only increase with stability at quarterback and offensive coordinator.
"I believe we have something special with the players that we have and the pieces that we added," Diggs said. "Hopefully we can make this last for a long time."
The Twins are operating with a different focus, as was made evident by their fire sale of veterans leading up to the final move, cutting ties with Dozier in exchange for two more prospects and veteran second baseman Logan Forsythe.
A disappointing season compelled new baseball bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to shed veterans with expiring contracts in favor of stockpiling prospects...

http://www.startribune.com/in-the-case-of-the-vikings-and-twins-the-star-treatment-gives-and-it-takes-away/489699771/

The twins weren't going to resign Dozier, might as well get some value for him...we weren't going to make up 8 games against a team like Cleveland with quality arms. Next year is very promising from a pitching perspective if Erv can regain form. Gibson, berrios, Santana, Fernando Romero, and odorizzi would be a damn good 5 man rotation. That along with Buxton in center, regardless of his offensive output, will put this team in a much better spot to compete with maybe a free agent signing or two. Polanco missing half the season didn't help either. Tough year for injuries and suspensions for the twins when they needed everyone to be available.

@"JimmyinSD" said: I haven't been to a twins game for quit a while,  today should be interesting....  I might have to buy a program to figure out who's on first. 

I went a couple of weeks ago. First time in a while, it was interesting. The fans were enthused and they won. I do love the design and layout of Target Field.

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I haven't been to a twins game for quit a while,  today should be interesting....  I might have to buy a program to figure out who's on first. 

I went a couple of weeks ago. First time in a while, it was interesting. The fans were enthused and they won. I do love the design and layout of Target Field.

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I haven't been to a twins game for quit a while,  today should be interesting....  I might have to buy a program to figure out who's on first. 

I went a couple of weeks ago. First time in a while, it was interesting. The fans were enthused and they won. I do love the design and layout of Target Field.

@"quattrovike" said: The twins weren't going to resign Dozier, might as well get some value for him...we weren't going to make up 8 games against a team like Cleveland with quality arms. Next year is very promising from a pitching perspective if Erv can regain form. Gibson, berrios, Santana, Fernando Romero, and odorizzi would be a damn good 5 man rotation. That along with Buxton in center, regardless of his offensive output, will put this team in a much better spot to compete with maybe a free agent signing or two. Polanco missing half the season didn't help either. Tough year for injuries and suspensions for the twins when they needed everyone to be available.

The problems I see with this team are no bats and a crappy bullpen.  Buxton and Sano don't seem to be the guys we all hoped they'd be.  Yeah, I do think Rosario is for real, and love the way he plays.  But now they have no hitters in the infield, and very mediocre hitting in the outfield (outside of Eddie).  Will Kepler blossom into a star?  I wouldn't count on that either.  This Twins roster is a mess right now.

@"quattrovike" said: The twins weren't going to resign Dozier, might as well get some value for him...we weren't going to make up 8 games against a team like Cleveland with quality arms. Next year is very promising from a pitching perspective if Erv can regain form. Gibson, berrios, Santana, Fernando Romero, and odorizzi would be a damn good 5 man rotation. That along with Buxton in center, regardless of his offensive output, will put this team in a much better spot to compete with maybe a free agent signing or two. Polanco missing half the season didn't help either. Tough year for injuries and suspensions for the twins when they needed everyone to be available.

Wow, you're still optimistic after all these years?  You're a better man than I am.

It's pretty clear to me that the Pohlads are only interested in milking the team and its fans for all they are worth, with very little consideration given to putting the best possible product on the field.

I went from being a HUGE Twins fan as a kid in the late 80s through the first few years at Target Field, to barely even following the team now.

@"HappyViking" said: ...Buxton and Sano don't seem to be the guys we all hoped they'd be.  Yeah, I do think Rosario is for real, and love the way he plays.  But now they have no hitters in the infield, and very mediocre hitting in the outfield (outside of Eddie).  Will Kepler blossom into a star?  I wouldn't count on that either.  This Twins roster is a mess right now.

I've become extremely negative about Sano while he's continued to regress.  I actually got kind of angry to see him back up with the team.  It sucks to know there's at least a 50% chance he's going to strike out when he gets up, and it gets worse when he's not hitting home runs (or very well at all) when he does connect.  Escobar was doing far better.

Buxton came on so strong at the end of last season.  It's a shame he's missed so much time this year due to injury.  hard to get in a groove

I think the only guy I'm above 'meh level' with on the team now is Rosario.  I at least have some excitement and hope something good will happen when he gets up to bat.

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I haven't been to a twins game for quit a while,  today should be interesting....  I might have to buy a program to figure out who's on first. 

I went a couple of weeks ago. First time in a while, it was interesting. The fans were enthused and they won. I do love the design and layout of Target Field.

I went to Target Field for the 1st time last season. It is a great place for baseball. That LED Twins sign was very cool. Was a April night game...speaking of very coool, 40° and windy. It is awesome to see though. Next trip back it will be to go to The Bank for the Vikings I hope.

It's really great when your team trades for a guy and in his debut goes 3-4 with a home run, just a triple short of the cycle, and accounts for two runs.  That of course was Dozier for the Dodgers.  The Twins got a pinch hit ground out from Forsythe though. :/

@"CLOBIMON" said: It's really great when your team trades for a guy and in his debut goes 3-4 with a home run, just a triple short of the cycle, and accounts for two runs.  That of course was Dozier for the Dodgers.  The Twins got a pinch hit ground out from Forsythe though. :/

Dozier wasnt hitting for dick in Minny though either.  I dont know if he wanted out,  or if he was feeling pressure and that was getting to him,  but he really wasnt up to his norm.  Forsythe wasnt really wanted,  we had to take him to help  the dodgers with the payroll issues.  hopefully these prospects are worth a shit.  After seeing our squad live yesterday I dont know how much more I will bother tuning in... there seemed to be a lack of general give a shit and focus.  Unless they start playing a little more inspired I think Moli better be polishing up his resume.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"CLOBIMON" said: It's really great when your team trades for a guy and in his debut goes 3-4 with a home run, just a triple short of the cycle, and accounts for two runs.  That of course was Dozier for the Dodgers.  The Twins got a pinch hit ground out from Forsythe though. :/

Dozier wasnt hitting for dick in Minny though either.  I dont know if he wanted out,  or if he was feeling pressure and that was getting to him,  but he really wasnt up to his norm.  Forsythe wasnt really wanted,  we had to take him to help  the dodgers with the payroll issues.  hopefully these prospects are worth a shit.  After seeing our squad live yesterday I dont know how much more I will bother tuning in... there seemed to be a lack of general give a shit and focus.  Unless they start playing a little more inspired I think Moli better be polishing up his resume.

Dozier is a great guy and player.  A real talent that Twins fans will miss.  Enjoy him FanO!