Last minute decisions, likely to lead to inactivity.

I've changed a lot of opinions over the years, but one I have remained consistent on is that if there a chance at the postseason, you have to go for it. The AL Central isn't that good, and frankly, the entire American League is pretty rough. The Dodgers have ruined out expectations of what postseason baseball can be like, but really, once you are in, anything can happen. The Twins should realize that especially, given the teams that one titles in Minnesota. Pedestrian in the regular season, hot at the right time. 

There are two weeks until the deadline, and the Twins are likely to wait right up until the final day to make a decision. They have been up and down all year, and one last up could encourage an aggressive shopping spree, while a drop off will turn into a true sell. 

Many eyes will be looking at the upcoming 4 game set with Cleveland, given the team's are duking it out for the AL Central, and a Wild Card spot. More favorable is a subsequent homestand with the A's and Royals, two teams that are already destined to sell at the deadline. If that gets sideways on the Twins, then the trajectory of the deadline is completely different. 

The Twins will need pitching. Starting pitching is becoming increasingly important, as an aspirational acquisition. The need is going to be even more apparent as it was announced that Mick Abel won't be returning this year. The Twins still have a little bit of depth, with Connor Prielipp ready to return fairly soon, but if Andrew Morris and Mike Paredes are evidence, having some of their better starting prospects in the bullpen isn't a bad thing.

There has been speculation that the Twins might be looking to move on from Ryan Jeffers or Trevor Larnach. Both are having terrific seasons, and trading them would seem a setback for the team, but would also register as faith in the prospects that the team is loath to trade. Jeffers missed a good chunk of the season, and Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson were capable, while Walker Jenkins is poised to assume Larnach's roster spot. 

Finding a team that needs offense and has pitching to burn is the trick, though. I would say that there aren't going to be many teams that are both in contention and would be willing to give up a decent pitcher. In the end, that means the Twins would likely need to make a couple of different moves in order to move the assets they are willing to move and attain the assets they want. 

This is a complicated ask for a GM in his first trade deadline. I don't think that the stakes are high enough to nail this deadline for Jeremy Zoll to get too crazy in the next two weeks. Given the complexity of the needs and assets to spend, there isn't an easy or obvious path to follow. There will be good offers for Jeffers, especially from the Yankees, and I expect the popular catcher to move on. I don't know that it will be possible to make an impact addition. 

If things stay about the same, lurking in the race, with no discernable momentum, I think that is the deadline. Jeffers goes, and Tommy Nance, and perhaps another low impact reliever are the additions. Not much. Unless positive or negative momentum emerge. Then we will have a different conversation.

Meandering thoughts about streaming TV

Streaming has generally changed the way visual media can be presented to us. A lot has been said about the accessibility of it, and our ability to watch what we want, when we want. We binge shows instead of week to week or even all summer. The dissemination has changed, but it's also changed what is being made, and what we look for. 

Going back 20-40 years ago, you get some great shows, cultural touchstones, like Friends or Cheers that got a decade on the air. There are procedurals that were highly regarded, and some remain on the air. Part of the reason that these shows had such great lasting power is because of the writing and acting. Particularly the sitcoms I mentioned, some were popular because of the serialized continuity of the shows, but that wasn't quite it. The shows offered familiar settings and characters. They were more lived in.

Now with streaming, less is about the setting or the characters, and they are often more story driven. Sure, characters and setting matter, but the show is unlikely to click with viewers if there isn't a broad story arc. The story is generally done after a few seasons of good writing, and the pressure doesn't come from networks to keep a ratings darling churning. Viewers aren't trying to get back to a familiar place next season, with old TV friends, but rather, they are moving on to the next story. 

This has changed the expectations for movies as well. Where once they were the home of good story telling, they are now the home of higher production values. Superhero movies belong in theaters, on big screens with huge special effects. Deeper explorations of character, or introspective plots are told in a ten hour limited run series. The stories are more effectively told than when you only get 90 minutes. Who wants to leave the house anyway?

I'm nostalgic for an era where I could work on something with a familiar character, or repetitive plot on in the background. I wonder if, for many people, Reels has replaced syndicated TV? Now that I have kids, going to the theater feels like fun again, but I'm not sure it is because I really wanted to see Gabby's Dollhouse on the big screen. 

No doubt, the quality of streaming shows steadily improves, and more worthwhile stories are being told. It's a greater investment in attention, is not appointment viewing.