Minnesota Twins 2021 Season

[Monster]

Not that there was much hope before but I'm declaring the season over now.

At this point I'm going to continue to watch the team to see the young guys and also wonder what vets they deal...honestly I guess I care but I don't really want to spend much time on who they can deal for what. I'm much more interested in seeing younger guys get opportunities and what they do with it. Hopefully pitchers guys get healthy and Shoemaker can get DFA'd. What a disaster of a signing that was. Happ can go at some point too but it just seems like he is only bad but Shoemaker has been having problems getting anyone out.

The more troubling thing about this season is I think now it's fair to ask if the Twins are good at getting the most out of pitchers. Last year it looked like they knew that they were doing. This year 3 vet pitchers they signed have been bad. I think if we were honest with ourselves going into the season the rotation and bullpen were somewhat of concerns but I think a lot of people had confidence in the Twins getting the right guys and getting the most out of them. Plus there was a lot of depth. Well some of the depth simply hasn't been there because there has been a lot of injuries to guys that were supposed to be depth like Thorpe and Smeltzer. They need to figure out what they are going to do with Dobnak I think they need to go in on him either being a starter or a reliever and make a decision...or decide maybe he isn't actually very good.

[FNG]

Yeah, I've lost hope too, monster...such a disappointing season. I spent some money when they were starting to play better back in May on 4 really good seats for 5 games from a friend's season tickets, and I feel kind of stupid having done that. But I'm with you...mostly interested in how the young guys do. Fun to see Bailey Ober with another good outing. He's an interesting prospect. Even though no one would call him a "power arm" (he's a low 90s guy at best I think), his release point is so far forward because of his height that the ball is on you in a hurry. He has a chance to be really good. I'm also watching Alex K's average steadily climbing. I've talked about hos many hard hit balls he had early this season that were hit right at guys, and with his beautiful swing it seemed inevitable that his average would gradually rise toward .300. I have no doubt that he will be a middle of the lineup guy for may years, hopefully all with us.

But you're right about the terrible acquisitions this year. I'm not going to research this , but off the top of my mead I'm going to say every player we acquired in the offseason is having either his worst season or close to it. Happ, Shoemaker, Colome, Robles and Simmons have all been disasters. But I don't blame the front office, because I was supportive and even excited about all these moves. I loved our returning core and the prospects ready to come up, and I really thought these acquisitions were exactly what we needed to get to the WS. Man was I wrong! I think it's just a case of bad luck, not bad judgement. There was nothing about Simmons last year that would have told us he would lead the team in errors. And who would have thought Colome's ERA would go from 0.81 to 5.67 in just one season? Just an absurdly unexpectedly bad season.

[Monster]

Yeah, I've lost hope too, monster...such a disappointing season. I spent some money when they were starting to play better back in May on 4 really good seats for 5 games from a friend's season tickets, and I feel kind of stupid having done that. But I'm with you...mostly interested in how the young guys do. Fun to see Bailey Ober with another good outing. He's an interesting prospect. Even though no one would call him a "power arm" (he's a low 90s guy at best I think), his release point is so far forward because of his height that the ball is on you in a hurry. He has a chance to be really good. I'm also watching Alex K's average steadily climbing. I've talked about hos many hard hit balls he had early this season that were hit right at guys, and with his beautiful swing it seemed inevitable that his average would gradually rise toward .300. I have no doubt that he will be a middle of the lineup guy for may years, hopefully all with us.

But you're right about the terrible acquisitions this year. I'm not going to research this , but off the top of my mead I'm going to say every player we acquired in the offseason is having either his worst season or close to it. Happ, Shoemaker, Colome, Robles and Simmons have all been disasters. But I don't blame the front office, because I was supportive and even excited about all these moves. I loved our returning core and the prospects ready to come up, and I really thought these acquisitions were exactly what we needed to get to the WS. Man was I wrong! I think it's just a case of bad luck, not bad judgement. There was nothing about Simmons last year that would have told us he would lead the team in errors. And who would have thought Colome's ERA would go from 0.81 to 5.67 in just one season? Just an absurdly unexpectedly bad season.

Not sure what you are talking about with Robles he has been the reasonably effective guy he was for years before a disaster season last year and all he is making is 2 million.

After a strong start Trevor May has struggled a bit lately and while relievers go through bad stretches and he could end up having a nice season right now I'm not sad they let him go to get over 7 million. Of course the Colome deal looks terrible espcially since they are likely going to have to do the 1.25 million buyout but it May prove to be a smart move to let Trevor walk. So the positive out of this season is that it could be a bad luck horrible most disappointing season ever or whatever you want to say but the Twins didn't do anything to hamper themselves from trying to compete in the future. If the Twins end up finding out they have some guys to build towards something next year and beyond this season could still have some usefulness.

[Monster]

Buxton is back and we have won 3 in a row!!! Helps to play another crappy team. It's amazing how much better the lineup looked when just Arreaz came back.

[FNG]

Buxton is back and we have won 3 in a row!!! Helps to play another crappy team. It's amazing how much better the lineup looked when just Arreaz came back.

I was watching with my son when Buck hit that grounder that the second baseman backhanded, and he said ""this might be close". When the camera swung around to 1st base, Buck was already 10 feet past the base. We looked at each other and just started laughing...NEVER seen anything like that! Later he hit a ground ball to SS...hard hit, so any SS would have thrown out even a guy like Buck by 3 steps. But the previous at bat must have been in his head, because he rushed things and booted it. That's two consecutive at bats that would have been outs for 98% of the league, but Buck got on base both times. This guy is unbelievable, and both our offense and defense are transformed when he is healthy. Nice to be winning again, even if it's only Texas. But keep in mind, Texas is close to a .500 team at home, so it's good to see us take the first two in the series.

Thanks for pointing out that Robles has had a good season. I saw a couple bad outings at the start of the season and that colored my mind, but he was sharp yesterday and has good stats for the season too.

[Monster]

Buxton is back and we have won 3 in a row!!! Helps to play another crappy team. It's amazing how much better the lineup looked when just Arreaz came back.

I was watching with my son when Buck hit that grounder that the second baseman backhanded, and he said ""this might be close". When the camera swung around to 1st base, Buck was already 10 feet past the base. We looked at each other and just started laughing...NEVER seen anything like that! Later he hit a ground ball to SS...hard hit, so any SS would have thrown out even a guy like Buck by 3 steps. But the previous at bat must have been in his head, because he rushed things and booted it. That's two consecutive at bats that would have been outs for 98% of the league, but Buck got on base both times. This guy is unbelievable, and both our offense and defense are transformed when he is healthy. Nice to be winning again, even if it's only Texas. But keep in mind, Texas is close to a .500 team at home, so it's good to see us take the first two in the series.

Thanks for pointing out that Robles has had a good season. I saw a couple bad outings at the start of the season and that colored my mind, but he was sharp yesterday and has good stats for the season too.

It would be interesting to count how many strides it took for Buxton to get to 1st on that play. That's some of his speed. I had the same thought as you when I watched the highlight even though I knew he was going to be safe I thought it was going to be sorta close. Nope. Lol like the announces said he was almost out of the frame by the time the throw got to first.

The Pen was horrendous to start the year. Taylor Rodgers was even bad for a couple weeks. I just looked up his stats and damn right now he is on pace to possibly have his best season of his career. Last night he blew a 97 mph fast ball past a guy. He didn't used to have that in his arsenal.

Texas claimed Shaun Anderson on waivers which adds to the poor offseason list. Laminate Wade has been injured himself but who would have thought the Twins may have needed OF help as bad as they did? Ultimately this means the Twins will have another roster spot they could pick up someone like Anderson maybe even this year. I assume they will be trading some vets at some point so they may get some guys that need protected on the 40 man.

Looking at the Giants stats Zach Littell is having a solid season for the Giants. I thought it was kinda weird that he was let go. He turns 26 in October.

[FNG]

The Twins did what they needed to do in sweeping Texas on the road, and now have won 4 in a row. It sure is fun to have Arraez and Buxton healthy and hitting at the top of the order...5 for 10 combined yesterday, and scored 2 of our 4 runs. Love seeing the sweet left-handed swings of Larnach and Kirilloff in the lineup...I think they're both for real and they look like they belong. Polanco is showing some signs of life at the plate, and even Simmons stung the ball a few times yesterday. Maeda was adequate, and the suddenly resurgent bullpen was solid again. And Shoemaker has been moved to long relief, and Ober looks like he might be good.

So, a lot of reason for optimism. The problem is we have Happ going tonight, and he is likely to kill our momentum...6 of his last 7 starts have been terrible. I don't get it, because Happ has always been at least okay, and was great last year. If he can figure out what's wrong, this team can be very good the second half of the season. But if he struggles tonight, at least we might have Pineda to replace him in the rotation when he returns maybe next week.

[Monster]

The Twins did what they needed to do in sweeping Texas on the road, and now have won 4 in a row. It sure is fun to have Arraez and Buxton healthy and hitting at the top of the order...5 for 10 combined yesterday, and scored 2 of our 4 runs. Love seeing the sweet left-handed swings of Larnach and Kirilloff in the lineup...I think they're both for real and they look like they belong. Polanco is showing some signs of life at the plate, and even Simmons stung the ball a few times yesterday. Maeda was adequate, and the suddenly resurgent bullpen was solid again. And Shoemaker has been moved to long relief, and Ober looks like he might be good.

So, a lot of reason for optimism. The problem is we have Happ going tonight, and he is likely to kill our momentum...6 of his last 7 starts have been terrible. I don't get it, because Happ has always been at least okay, and was great last year. If he can figure out what's wrong, this team can be very good the second half of the season. But if he struggles tonight, at least we might have Pineda to replace him in the rotation when he returns maybe next week.

It's wild the Twins have reeled off 4 in a row and just for fun I looked at the standings...everyone else they are theoretically chasing has lost at least 4 in a row and they are still over 12 games back. Lol

Happ is a weird deal espcially since he was actually off to a nice start to begin the season. Happ and Shoemaker bring so bad is really a head scratcher. The only thing that's heals Shoemaker back before was health. I'm not aware he is dealing with anything he just has been bad. One of those guys suddenly not being able to get outs sure...but both? I figured Shoemaker wouldn't stay healthy instead you almost wish he didn't. Unless there is a Lance Lynn type turn around coming (he signed late so more of an excuse for starting poorly) I'm guessing at least one of those guys will be DFA's if the Twins have healthy options.

I think they are going to try and rehab Colome if at all possible since he has a buyout for next season. Maybe he gets back on track. I'm not holding my breath on any of these guys figuring it out.

[Jester1534]

Fell asleep in the 7th and woke up one pitch before Sano launched one in the 12th. Why they didn't walk him I don't know mangers are stupid.

5 in a row only 10 games to get to .500

Real question is what does this team do at deadline. Buxton and Berrios both with plus one year on there contracts would get a ton of prospects. I mean I could even seeing combing them is trade to Tampa for Franco since they lost Glasnow for the year.

I honestly would blow up the window has closed on this team. But in reality there not a chance they will because there's no way this regime would survive the rebuild.

[Monster]

Fell asleep in the 7th and woke up one pitch before Sano launched one in the 12th. Why they didn't walk him I don't know mangers are stupid.

5 in a row only 10 games to get to .500

Real question is what does this team do at deadline. Buxton and Berrios both with plus one year on there contracts would get a ton of prospects. I mean I could even seeing combing them is trade to Tampa for Franco since they lost Glasnow for the year.

I honestly would blow up the window has closed on this team. But in reality there not a chance they will because there's no way this regime would survive the rebuild.

Buxton returning and immediately looking like one of the top players in the league again...man it would be hard to trade him even though he simply can't stay healthy.

As for the game I was watching the highlights not knowing the outcome of the game and and after seeing they left the bases loaded in the 8th and 9th innings...well that didn't make me feel too good. Also I guess Nelson Cruz neck is ok. That HR he hit earlier in the game went out so fast. Heck of a game for the Pen and Shoemaker finished off the game with 2 scoreless innings. Can the Twins keep rolling and make their season more interesting?