Comments on: Monday Morning Realizations…

By: frightwig

frightwig — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:03:01 +0000

Benson’s numbers in AA, particularly this season, look encouraging, but the Twins probably won’t call him up until late next season, at the earliest. He might be a nice replacement for Young (assuming the Twins are close to giving up on him) before too long.

Too bad that Hicks has regressed at Fort Myers, though. He might have to repeat High A before getting a promotion to AA next year. Sano’s numbers in the Appy League look pretty exciting, especially since he’s only 18. Still, it’s a rookie league… he has a long ways to go, against stronger competition, before we can get a good sense of his ability.

Meanwhile, it does kind of feel like a window is closing on the Twins. Maybe not, if Smith can pull the right strings when he decides how to spend his budget next winter, but… oh, God. We’re so screwed.

By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:37:01 +0000

frightwig, there are those who would tell you the Twins do have some talent coming through the pipeline. I’m not one of those. There are players who could (and will) end up having a Major League career, but star material? You have to look at them with particularly rosy glasses to see it. Hicks? Maybe. Benson? Possibly. Sano? He might be the one I’d say has the best shot at being a stud… and I wouldn’t put money on it.

mark, I don’t see the Twins finishing 25 games out of 1st place. I just don’t see the Tigers winning enough for that to happen. I won’t be at all surprised to see them fall behind the Royals in to the cellar by the end of the season, however.

By: mark

mark — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:18:28 +0000

Is it possible the Twins could finish 25 games back at the end of the season? When are the Twins going to announce ticket price increases for 2012? I only have questions. No answers.

By: frightwig

frightwig — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:22:06 +0000

Although the Mariners are going to finish below .500 again (thanks to that 17-game losing streak), watching Ackley, Pineda, Wells, Robinson, Carp, and of course King Felix gives me hope for more success in 2012 and beyond. What gives a Twins fan hope for next year? Twins Geek is hoping that Bill Smith will get a budget increase and spend gobs of money to keep a few impending free agents and fix some holes at the same time. That, and the possibility of a healthy Morneau and Mauer next year, seems to be about all there is for Twins fans to hang onto, because it doesn’t look like much help is coming from the farm.

I wouldn’t mind if Revere gets a chance to play regularly next season, but I don’t really expect a lot from him. Maybe Valencia will bounce back, but his bat this season hasn’t been encouraging. Are there any other younger guys in the system who might give the team a boost in 2012?

By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:43:16 +0000

I’m afraid I can’t even generate enthusiasm for that, jb. We’ve seen almost everyone down there that has a shot at contributing next season and there’s little worth watching among that group. The Twins organization seems to be bottoming out at all levels right now. I’m afraid we’re in for a long dry spell.

By: jbiowa

jbiowa — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:29:32 +0000

Makes me long for September 1, though, when we can see what more of the Rochester “kids” can do. I know we’ve seen a lot of some of them already this season but they seem to bring an energy and enthusiasm that has been sadly lacking from the regulars.