How many wins?

[LABS4ME]

I wouldn't call their starting rotation at the beginning of the season mediocre. Bottom 10% of the Majors more likely. Mediocre would be middle of the pack... no way! It may be barely mediocre right now...

I'm done debating... My opinion is they took a step back, yours seems to be that you agree with their decisions or you just like to debate. Again, My opionion is that they did nothing to position themselves to be better at the pitcher's position in the off season. They signed sub-mediocre, or long shot flyers, pitchers in the off season and that bit them in the arse.

Good Luck!

Ken

[B. Amish]

I don't know why i'm even debating with someone who thought they coulda had darvish.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

i believe they had too many question marks coming off of a 99 loss season where their 2 best players were terrible, their rotation was terrible, their minor league system was terrible, and most of the team spent time on the dl.

too many question marks to believe that adding another mid range starter would help them finish above .500 this year.

their retooling. i think it's the right decision given what happenend last year and the uncertainty they faced coming into the year.

and the 20/20 hindsight saying this division is terrible and they woulda had a shot at it is complete hogwash. because most people thought detroit was a lock for 95 wins before the season started and was one of the favorites to win it all.

Not much on the 20/20 hindsight. I said numerous times before the season even started that this pitching staff was garbage and the twins were nuts to do next to nothing about it, go back and read the posts.

You bring up these example of teams that spend not doing well, but funny, those team are almost always in contention for the playoffs or in the playoffs.

Hows "re-tooling" going for the Kansas City Royals? Or the Indians? Or the Pirates?(who are finally decent after 30 years of "re-tooling") Or the Orioles? Or the numerous other examples of teams who are STILL trying to "re-tool" after all this time????

It goes both ways- bottom line, teams that spend a little $$ to suppliment talent in a sport with NO CAP always have a better chance to win then those that dont. Doesnt always work but more often then not they are in the hunt.

How long you gonna wait for the twins to "re-tool"? You must enjoy watching teams that lose 90+ times a year if you think the twins were correct in standing pat this off-season, cuz thats what their headed for again this year.

[LABS4ME]

I don't know why i'm even debating with someone who thought they coulda had darvish.

Yep... I manned up and stood corrected. Try it sometime!

[B. Amish]

Haven't been wrong yet.

Did you find any free agent pitchers that the twins shoulda signed? They grow on trees ya know.

[Bryce]

Remember, Twins dumped payroll final year in the big inflatable toilet to look like big spenders at Target Field. Won't change under current ownership until attendance flops.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Twins pitchers +9 ahead of any other team in MLB in HR's allowed so far this year, all while playing in hitter friendly target field.....

PATHETIC!

Can someone tell me why Nick Blackburn is still on this team? I would rather watch our worst single A pitcher try and lob em' in there.

We didnt need anyone but Jason Marquis though....

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Pitcher friendly target field is what i meant in the first line of the last post

[schmitty3]

As tough as it is to watch this is what the Twins needed to do this year. Going out and signing a big name would of been stupid. There weren't too many FA pitchers this year, and they were all looking for more than they were worth. It would have been foolish to go spend the farm on a big FA like Fielder also. No way he or anyone or two players would have turned this team around to a playoff contender. They did the right thing hoping somehow the current starters could pan out, which has failed miserably. Doesn't help when the #1 starter goes down either though.

[Scott M]

A return to respectability? Or feasting on slumping teams of late? Probably the latter, but it translates to the former.

[B. Amish]

they've been above .500 since mid may. most runs scored in the AL since the all star break.

[PierBridge]

they've been above .500 since mid may. most runs scored in the AL since the all star break.

Makes ya wonder, even with our mediocre starting pitchers, if they would have stayed healthy we'd probably still be in the race.

You gotta love the Twins even in the rare occurrence of an off year or two we are still a fun team to watch.

Go Twins!

[LABS4ME]

Makes ya wonder, even with our mediocre starting pitchers, if they would have stayed healthy we'd probably still be in the race.

You gotta love the Twins even in the rare occurrence of an off year or two we are still a fun team to watch.

Go Twins!

I think they are winning because they aren't in the rotation... well except Blackburn, proving the old mediocre guys aren't getting it done.

Diamond, Devries and Deduno have been fun watching develop... now if Gibson can get himself ready for next year... and pick up one or two decent starters... with this line-up we can be in the hunt again.

Good Luck!

Ken

[LABS4ME]

Quote:

Diamond, Devries and Deduno

The Twins Pitching staff in 3-D !

New marketing idea... maybe get me a cup of coffee... ha

Good Luck!

Ken

[Scott M]

Getting rid of Valencia was good, but not if it means that Nishi has to spend a bunch of time with the Twins

[PierBridge]

I'll split hairs with ya Labs .... if Pavano and Baker were healthy along with the new up and comers in the starting rotation we would be in the hunt ....

[thatoneguy]

If Pavano was healthy, he would likely still be ineffective. He's a horse whose day has come and gone. And who knows - if Baker and Pavano were healthy, it's not very likely that Diamond would have been given a chance to shine.

Deduno is MILES away from being a consistent rotation pitcher. He can't consistently command any of his pitches, and that will get him in trouble. He does have terrific raw stuff, though, and will be interesting to watch.

Assuming Gibson comes back strong from Tommy John surgery, a rotation of Diamond, Gibson, DeVries (possibly, not sold on him yet) and a couple guys that they develop/sign could be interesting.

The top of the order, with Span, Revere, and Mauer, is LEGIT. They get on base at a high rate, steal some bases, use the whole field, and are great table setters for the middle of the order. I'm sticking with 2015 as the season they return to contention, but a couple of good signings and/or fast-developing pitching prospects could move that up by a year.

Oh - and for the first time in forever, the Twinks have some legit lumber in the minors that should be ready around that time as well. Hope and change!

[Stcloudangler]

Seems like everyone is forgetting about Baker... he is a decent No. 2 starter that will be back next year. Take Carl's salary and invest for once in a true No. 1, and we will have a rotation that will get us back real quick next year.

No. 1

Baker

Diamond

Devries

Gibson

Deduno for a 8th inning role

Sounds like 3 out of 5 more times than not! 600 ball wins this division every time.

[thatoneguy]

Baker is coming off reconstructive elbow surgery, and can't be counted on for next year. In fact, there's some debate as to whether or not he will even be back with the club. And really he's no better than a #3 starter (maybe even #4) on a contending team.

[DonBo]

Yes, Baker should be back next year, but there's no reason to believe he'll be effective. It usually takes another year of pitching after the surgery to get back in form. (if at all. take Liriano for instance)

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

I'll split hairs with ya Labs .... if Pavano and Baker were healthy along with the new up and comers in the starting rotation we would be in the hunt ....

Those guys were for the most part heatlhy last year and we lost 99 games.

[thatoneguy]

Apples and oranges. Mauer is healthy and producing this year, Morneau is getting slowly back to his old self and producing better, Willingham is producing better than Cuddyer did, Revere is having a breakout year, Plouffe was busting out before he got hurt, Doumit has been productive etc etc.

I think we can agree, at least, that starting pitching is still BY FAR the biggest hole that needs to be filled on this roster.

[B. Amish]

they still have hope for liam hendriks. deduno won't make it unless he throws more strikes. devries deserves to keep getting a shot, but his stuff is kinda bleak.

and blackburn will probably be back next year whether you like it or not.

they free up money when pavano and capps leave. plenty to target somebody.

[JBMasterAngler]

Baker wasn't effective before he got hurt! What makes you guys think he'll be any good when comes back? Him missing out on this season was the best thing that could happen for the twins! And if he never returns, it'll only get better!

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

they still have hope for liam hendriks. deduno won't make it unless he throws more strikes. devries deserves to keep getting a shot, but his stuff is kinda bleak.

and blackburn will probably be back next year whether you like it or not.

they free up money when pavano and capps leave. plenty to target somebody.

what exactly do you mean by "freeing up money"? you are aware there is no salary cap in baseball, correct? Our owners have PLENTY of money to spend without freeing any up... they choose not to. They choose to do the backstroke in their moneypit instead

If Nick Blackburn is still in the rotation next year the twins should be laughed out of baseball. GIVE ME ANYONE besides him... Deduno, Hendrix, Devries... heck sign Marquis again.