The buzz: Buxton is willing to waive his no-trade clause -- and not just for Atlanta (he's a Georgia native) -- which puts the Twins in an interesting position. If the paucity of front-line free agent outfielders prompts a team to make an offer for Buxton, how seriously would Minnesota take it? And if Buxton goes, does that mean the Twins would be open to dealing some of their pitching, too? The Twins are one of the most fascinating teams this winter because of the possibilities at their disposal.
The scouting report: Buxton's tools have been considered top of the charts since he was drafted No. 2 out of high school in 2012. He's a top-of-the-scale runner, an above-average defender and he has a solid arm.
At the plate, he has standout bat speed that helps compensate for middling pitch selection. Buxton has the third-best isolated power in the league since 2020 (behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani), but Buxton has roughly half the number of homers as those two in that span because of various injuries that have limited his playing time.
Last season, he had career highs in plate appearances (542) and WAR (5.0). Did Buxton figure something out about his durability at age 31 or did things fall just right? The price is right, with three years of control for just over $15 million per year.
Predicted chance of getting traded: 35%
Team fits: Braves, Mets, Tigers, Reds, Phillies, Royals
The buzz: For all the rumors about Ryan at the trade deadline, the Twins never came close to finalizing a deal. If the cost remains high for free agent pitching, teams could turn to trades to fill their rotation holes, at which point Minnesota again would be a match for just about anyone. Having three of the eight best trade candidates is a good place to start a rebuild.
The scouting report: Ryan has an elite fastball, not because of his fringe-average velocity or ordinary movement, but because of his very low release height (big extension + low arm slot = flat plane and thus whiffs) and plus control. Take that key fastball/control combination and add durability (between 135 to 171 innings each of the past four seasons) along with five other solid pitches to keep hitters honest, and you have a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter. He's still in his 20s and has two years left of team control, so the asking price will be high.
Not sure if this will make any difference, but Jim and Joe Pohlad are both seemingly removed from Twins decision-making.
The ownership groups include Wild owner Craig Leipold and self-described lifelong Twins fan George Hicks of Varde Partners.
Hopefully those two guys will convince the Pohlads that investing money into the team will help them be more profitable. I doubt it will happen, but we can hope.
How can Target Field have a electrical power outage for today’s game?
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Went to the opener yesterday. It felt gross supporting the Pohlads, but my wife got $5 tickets and my son is a big baseball fan. We went 2 hours early because he wanted the stocking hat promo. Then it got delayed another hour because of the power outage. Good thing the Twins won, because everything else about it was a miserable experience. We were there for 6 hours. It was freezing cold. I thought I layered up well, but the damp cold had me shivering most of the game. Concourses were packed because of the rain and lousy weather, and you couldn't even move. Then it poured in the 8th-9th inning and we got soaked on the long walk back to where we parked.
Going to one more game in July thanks to free Thrivant Club Level tix from work, but otherwise that's it for me.
Iirc the option for retractable took up more space and didn’t fit the footprint where they are. If I had a choice it would be a retractable down by redwing somewhere near treasure island. Wabasha area would’ve worked, short boat ride to the game, sand bar parking, tiki bar, shuttle boat transport, tip jar, etc..etc…😁
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
Also, retractable roofs suck. Feel like you’re in a warehouse or hangar. You just know they’d have it shut more often than it should, too.
I get it for teams in the south where you’ll melt because of the sun, but to keep out rain a few times a season? No thanks.
Disagree. I've been to Milwaukee with a closed roof, and Seattle with an open roof. Both were great. In Seattle, I never felt like the retractable roof took away from the outdoor game feeling.
We live in Minnesota, home to the shittiest weather on Earth. April games suck. September games can suck. I don't even know what would happen if the Twins ever managed to make a deep run in the playoffs, because by mid-late October, the weather here is not outdoor-baseball friendly.
I don't miss the Metrodome, but a retractable roof would have been a great compromise. It's also so much better for planning. You can buy tickets months in advance and know you'll be seeing a game that day. You also know you'll be relatively comfortable watching the game.
I’ve also been to both, both open and closed. Not for me. Seattle is definitely better, though.
Also I don’t think we have the shittiest weather, it just gets cold. Now I realize some people consider that shitty, but I don’t. The constant drizzle and rain yesterday I would consider as such.
But, there’s 81 games in that place each season. The number of games greatly impacted by the weather doesn’t seem high to me. What would drive that number down even further is play less games, but that’s a different conversation.
If a game I’m going to is cancelled due to weather sure I’m bummed, but hey I’m able to get to another. I’m not someone my wife would call flexible, but I’ve managed to pull it off in these situations. And again, it hasn’t happened that often.
My bro in law and sister go to the twins opener every year no matter what but they’re pretty hardcore and always make the best of it. I don’t say they’re nuts on days like yesterday because it’s “their thing” and respect that. I love baseball in the outdoor heat and always have and they think I’m nuts for that, so like a lot of things it’s just about choices and passions and wearing the right clothes in Minnesota to survive comfortably. I would just be bummed if I made a long drive, took time off work only to get there and have everything canceled once I’m there. Spring baseball in Minnesota, expect the unexpected and deal with Mother Nature when she’s drinking.😁
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
I do think with a retractable it would be closed too much. Days like yesterday or worse close it up but otherwise only if it’s raining. I’m our guy at work that is in charge of the thermostats and it’s crazy impossible to please people. 71 too hot, 69 too cold. Omg people really?
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
my eyes must be bad, could’ve sworn he took a direct shot to the inside elbow without the guard on. Hmmm
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
Went to the opener yesterday. It felt gross supporting the Pohlads, but my wife got $5 tickets and my son is a big baseball fan. We went 2 hours early because he wanted the stocking hat promo. Then it got delayed another hour because of the power outage. Good thing the Twins won, because everything else about it was a miserable experience. We were there for 6 hours. It was freezing cold. I thought I layered up well, but the damp cold had me shivering most of the game. Concourses were packed because of the rain and lousy weather, and you couldn't even move. Then it poured in the 8th-9th inning and we got soaked on the long walk back to where we parked.
Going to one more game in July thanks to free Thrivant Club Level tix from work, but otherwise that's it for me.
I went to the game yesterday only because a friend got a new job and wanted to go to the game as a way to celebrate. We got there at 130, which was too late for the beanie giveaway. Years past it was nearly everyone got the home opener giveaway. This year wasn’t nearly as many it felt like. The happy hour stuff was ok. Hot dogs were small so I had to have an extra. The guy in the seats next to us must have had 10-12 beers. I thought I was prepared for the cold, but the rain really didn’t help. We left after the bottom of the 7th as we were already there for 5 hours.
I’ve also been to both, both open and closed. Not for me. Seattle is definitely better, though.
Also I don’t think we have the shittiest weather, it just gets cold. Now I realize some people consider that shitty, but I don’t. The constant drizzle and rain yesterday I would consider as such.
But, there’s 81 games in that place each season. The number of games greatly impacted by the weather doesn’t seem high to me. What would drive that number down even further is play less games, but that’s a different conversation.
If a game I’m going to is cancelled due to weather sure I’m bummed, but hey I’m able to get to another. I’m not someone my wife would call flexible, but I’ve managed to pull it off in these situations. And again, it hasn’t happened that often.
For a major metro area with four pro sports teams…yeah we do have shitty weather! lol There’s many reasons why people live in the Twin Cities. But if we’re willing to be HONEST…having nice weather is low on the list. And the overwhelming reason nobody cares about attending Twins games anymore…is the AWFUL ownership stewardship of the POHLADS. The are a JOKE.
Went to the opener yesterday. It felt gross supporting the Pohlads, but my wife got $5 tickets and my son is a big baseball fan. We went 2 hours early because he wanted the stocking hat promo. Then it got delayed another hour because of the power outage. Good thing the Twins won, because everything else about it was a miserable experience. We were there for 6 hours. It was freezing cold. I thought I layered up well, but the damp cold had me shivering most of the game. Concourses were packed because of the rain and lousy weather, and you couldn't even move. Then it poured in the 8th-9th inning and we got soaked on the long walk back to where we parked.
Going to one more game in July thanks to free Thrivant Club Level tix from work, but otherwise that's it for me.
Only way you’re gonna get people in the seats in this weather especially during the week is by getting the fan base excited for the season, with the sell off last year too many fans are still bitter about it and nothing significant was spent over the off season to change the fan’s expectations. This is what you get for the revenue return at the gate when you decide to be low budget.
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
@gopher6 They were lucky to draw 5k (in actual people at the game) for an afternoon get away game in early April. Only people attending with corporate paid tickets & the most die-hard of rubes can look past the Pohlads obtuse handling of the franchise…and still give 2 shits about attending Twins games!
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Twins today had a 3-1 lead going into the 9th, now trail 5-3, I can’t believe how many times this season they have a lead going into the 9th and fall apart
Looking at the box score the gentleman who pitched for the Twins in the 8th inning was not in prime form.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Reports indicate Royce Lewis received an eastbound Green Line ticket today.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Reports indicate Royce Lewis received an eastbound Green Line ticket today.
Remember when all he did is hit grand slams?
There is a Denny's near the Snelling Ave. Green Line stop so there could be a Grand Slam yet today.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Twins sweep Boston in Boston for the 1st time since 1994
While surprised and not surprised… The Twins do go to Boston only once a year. While if it was Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland or Kansas City it would be a way bigger WOW!!! Nothing really surprises me with streaks for the Twins.
