General Twins Talk III

Talk Vikes and Other MN Sports

Forums Register Login My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums

Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ Ticket List Log Out

General Twins Talk III

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: ronhextall, sixthwi

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Other Minnesota Sports] >> Minnesota Twins >> General Twins Talk III

Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 10:55:28 AM

Jim Frenette

Posts: 8991
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Dundas
Status: offline

Here is the new place to post general Twins talk

< Message edited by Jim Frenette -- 2/13/2009 10:57:06 AM >

_____________________________

Fargo

Post #: 1

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 11:03:41 AM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

Hooray for the moderator!

Now, if we only had real Twins news to discuss.

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 2

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 11:19:36 AM

Jim Frenette

Posts: 8991
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Dundas
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Hooray for the moderator!

Now, if we only had real Twins news to discuss.

I agree 100%

Just think, after Delmon signing, I'm sure we hear about many more like Baker, Slowey, Blackburn and all of the others that aren't arbitration ready yet. This is the time of year they sign the 1 year deals

_____________________________

Fargo

Post #: 3

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 11:26:08 AM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim Frenette

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Hooray for the moderator!

Now, if we only had real Twins news to discuss.

I agree 100%

Just think, after Delmon signing, I'm sure we hear about many more like Baker, Slowey, Blackburn and all of the others that aren't arbitration ready yet. This is the time of year they sign the 1 year deals

With this goofy organization it should be

Signing Baker/Mauer...to start with...to contract extensions.

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 4

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:17:57 PM

Pete M.

Posts: 5796
Joined: 7/31/2007
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Status: offline

Joe C. takes on the Crede question:

Bankruptcy no threat for cash-flush Twins Posted on February 13th, 2009 – 1:44 PM
By Joe Christensen

Veteran Star Tribune reporter Randy Furst covered Wednesday’s press conference, when the Twins unveiled plans for Target Plaza, the gateway to their new ballpark, which opens in 14 months.
Furst had questions about the cost, at one point asking how the Twins felt unveiling such an “ostentatious” plan in this troubled economy.
“Randy, you’ve really gotta let this money thing go,” said Jerry Bell, president of Twins Sports, Inc. “Not every company is bankrupt.”
Ouch.
These are tough times for newspapers, no doubt. The Star Tribune is trudging through Chapter 11, even though readership is at an all-time high, between print and online.
Meanwhile, the Twins are practically recession-proof.
Though they’ve done almost nothing to improve last year’s team, their season ticket sales are at an all-time high, as fans angle for priority seating at Target Field.
Hennepin County committed $392 million to the ballpark project, through a sales tax increase, with the Twins paying $130 million, along with any cost-overruns. (The plaza will cost nearly $9 million, with the price split between the Twins and Target.)
Franchise value soars
Last week, Twins CEO Jim Pohlad described why his family has no plans to sell the team, even after his father’s recent death.
“It’s a community investment,” he said. “It will be a good investment. It hasn’t so far been the best, but we have confidence in it for the future.”
As well they should. Major league franchises are gold mines.
This month, a group led by Jeff Moorad purchased the San Diego Padres for more than $500 million. John Moores had bought the club in 1994 for $84 million before San Diego helped build a new ballpark.
Forbes magazine estimates the value of every baseball franchise each year, and owners scoff at the inflated estimates. Last April, Forbes put the Padres at $385 million, an apparent underestimate. The magazine had the Cubs at $642 million, and they recently sold for $900 million.
One can guess the Twins’ estimate — $328 million — was low, as well. Carl Pohlad’s purchase price, in 1984, was $44 million.
Indeed, not every company is bankrupt. But some have been handed incredible advantages.
Besides the public support for their new ballpark, the Twins also collect millions annually from MLB’s revenue sharing and luxury tax plans, and many millions more from the game’s national TV, radio and Internet deals.
Payroll still down
Still, after letting their payroll reach $74 million in 2007, the Twins let that number dip to $57 million last year, and their current 25-man Opening Day projection is $60,452,000.
Every nickel counts, too.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Twins had a right to cut Delmon Young’s salary by 20 percent this year. Including his pro-rated signing bonus, he made $1,440,000 last year, so the least the Twins could pay him was $1,152,000.
On Thursday, the Twins signed Young for that amount, exactly.
They also pulled a $3 million offer to free agent reliever Eric Gagne, eventually settling on a $1.3 million deal for Luis Ayala.
Hey, it’s business. Not personal.
Now, they seem to have the market cornered for free agent third baseman Joe Crede. The only other team reportedly bidding is the Giants, who have a promising third baseman in Pablo Sandoval, who batted .345 last year in 145 at-bats.
Crede, 30, wants a one-year deal with a base salary of about $7 million, with incentives that would pay him at least $11 million if he stays healthy.
He was an All-Star last year but a back injury limited him to 97 games, after he played just 47 in 2007.
No doubt, he’s an injury risk. But even with all their payroll room, their lack of home run power and their untested platoon of Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher at third base, it’s a risk the Twins are in no rush to take.
In their thinking, Crede’s agent, Scott Boras, is in denial about the market. They’ll show him.
See, it’s not enough for the Twins to operate from a position of strength. Sometimes they like to rub it in.

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/christensen/2009/02/13/bankruptcy-no-threat-for-cash-flush-twins/?location_refer=Homepage:PromoScroller:Blogs

_____________________________

Looks like Skilz sees 2010 as the Year of the Punto.

Post #: 5

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:19:08 PM

Pete M.

Posts: 5796
Joined: 7/31/2007
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Status: offline

LaVelle takes on the Crede question:

How much is Joe Crede worth? Posted on February 13th, 2009 – 2:10 PM
By La Velle

The Twins were present today in Arizona as free agent third baseman Joe Crede took batting practice. The Twins remain interested in his services, but indications are that Crede wants $7 million guaranteed and the Twins aren’t going there.
Indications are that the Twins are willing to craft a deal that reaches $7-8 million with incentives. The incentives would occur right away, like getting $1 million or so for making the Opening Day roster.
It’s become THE question of the offseason for Twins fans who are salivating over Crede settling into the Twins batting order and wearing out left-handed pitchers - how much is Crede worth?
I admit I would have taken the plunge at a base salary of $5 million with incentives to push it past $8 million. A $7 million base, to me, is risky when you’re talking about someone with back problems playing home games on FieldTurf.
So how much is he worth when healthy? Let’s take a look at some numbers.
His last healthy season was 2006, when he hit .283 with 30 homers and 94 RBI. Let’s say that Crede would go .280-25-85 as a Twin - that’s just me throwing out numbers without looking up projections. Now let’s who preformed that well last season.
Troy Glaus .271-25-96 - made $12.5 million last season.
Adrian Beltre .269-23-71 - made $12 million
Melvin Mora: .284-22-100 - made $7.8 million
Chipper Jones: .365-20-70 - made $15 million
David Wright: .302-33-124 - made $5 million in what would have been an arbitration year.
Aramis Ramirez: .290-27-111 - $15 million
Then you have players in the early stages of their careers - like Kevin Kouzmanoff, Edwin Encarnacion and Mark Reynolds - who made less than $500,000.
So it’s easy to see what the price of a good third baseman is. And it’s a little more understandable why Boras asked for what he did. I’m sure the Twins feel that Boras needs to consider the injury risk a little more - as well as where the market has gone.
As someone with the club pointed out, Crede couldn’t answer the bell for his free agent year, which is a bad sign. Someone else pointed out that Crede has had back problems while playing on real grass. What will happen if he plays on FieldTurf? And I have been told that Twins doctors have expressed some concern about Crede’s medical reports.
Other things to consider:
1. How much will the Twins learn by watching Crede work out in Arizona. Nothing will be known for sure until he tries to play a bunch of games in a row.
2. It’s not that far-fetched to think that Brian Buscher can improve this season. He’s not a vacum at third but what if he does better than .294/.340/.390 with 4 homers and 47 RBI in 70 games? And that RBI rate isn’t bad.
3. A healthy Michael Cuddyer and another step forward from Delmon Young will improve the Twins’ slugging stats against lefties.
Just some food for thought as this thing plays out.
I want to call your attention to this story. The Twins maintain this pitcher is still a first round talent and could still draft him. But you wonder how the kid feels after going through the ordeal. The Twins provided testimony for the case and told the truth.
Sometime next week, I will post a spring training guide of places to go in Fort Myers. I’m already getting e-mail requests from fans who are coming down for games and want the lowdown

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2009/02/13/how-much-is-joe-crede-worth/

< Message edited by Pete M. -- 2/13/2009 2:21:55 PM >

_____________________________

Looks like Skilz sees 2010 as the Year of the Punto.

Post #: 6

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:19:49 PM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

And Joe and another reporter find the Twins DO have some sense of humor

Veteran Star Tribune reporter Randy Furst covered Wednesday’s press conference, when the Twins unveiled plans for Target Plaza, the gateway to their new ballpark, which opens in 14 months.
Furst had questions about the cost, at one point asking how the Twins felt unveiling such an “ostentatious” plan in this troubled economy.
“Randy, you’ve really gotta let this money thing go,” said Jerry Bell, president of Twins Sports, Inc. “Not every company is bankrupt.”
Ouch.
These are tough times for newspapers, no doubt. The Star Tribune is trudging through Chapter 11, even though readership is at an all-time high, between print and online.
Meanwhile, the Twins are practically recession-proof.
Though they’ve done almost nothing to improve last year’s team, their season ticket sales are at an all-time high, as fans angle for priority seating at Target Field.
Hennepin County committed $392 million to the ballpark project, through a sales tax increase, with the Twins paying $130 million, along with any cost-overruns. (The plaza will cost nearly $9 million, with the price split between the Twins and Target.)
Franchise value soars
Last week, Twins CEO Jim Pohlad described why his family has no plans to sell the team, even after his father’s recent death.
“It’s a community investment,” he said. “It will be a good investment. It hasn’t so far been the best, but we have confidence in it for the future.”
As well they should. Major league franchises are gold mines.
This month, a group led by Jeff Moorad purchased the San Diego Padres for more than $500 million. John Moores had bought the club in 1994 for $84 million before San Diego helped build a new ballpark.
Forbes magazine estimates the value of every baseball franchise each year, and owners scoff at the inflated estimates. Last April, Forbes put the Padres at $385 million, an apparent underestimate. The magazine had the Cubs at $642 million, and they recently sold for $900 million.
One can guess the Twins’ estimate — $328 million — was low, as well. Carl Pohlad’s purchase price, in 1984, was $44 million.
Indeed, not every company is bankrupt. But some have been handed incredible advantages.
Besides the public support for their new ballpark, the Twins also collect millions annually from MLB’s revenue sharing and luxury tax plans, and many millions more from the game’s national TV, radio and Internet deals.
Payroll still down
Still, after letting their payroll reach $74 million in 2007, the Twins let that number dip to $57 million last year, and their current 25-man Opening Day projection is $60,452,000.
Every nickel counts, too.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Twins had a right to cut Delmon Young’s salary by 20 percent this year. Including his pro-rated signing bonus, he made $1,440,000 last year, so the least the Twins could pay him was $1,152,000.
On Thursday, the Twins signed Young for that amount, exactly.
They also pulled a $3 million offer to free agent reliever Eric Gagne, eventually settling on a $1.3 million deal for Luis Ayala.
Hey, it’s business. Not personal.
Now, they seem to have the market cornered for free agent third baseman Joe Crede. The only other team reportedly bidding is the Giants, who have a promising third baseman in Pablo Sandoval, who batted .345 last year in 145 at-bats.
Crede, 30, wants a one-year deal with a base salary of about $7 million, with incentives that would pay him at least $11 million if he stays healthy.
He was an All-Star last year but a back injury limited him to 97 games, after he played just 47 in 2007.
No doubt, he’s an injury risk. But even with all their payroll room, their lack of home run power and their untested platoon of Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher at third base, it’s a risk the Twins are in no rush to take.
In their thinking, Crede’s agent, Scott Boras, is in denial about the market. They’ll show him.
See, it’s not enough for the Twins to operate from a position of strength. Sometimes they like to rub it in.

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 7

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:23:34 PM

Pete M.

Posts: 5796
Joined: 7/31/2007
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Status: offline

Beat you, Ed.

_____________________________

Looks like Skilz sees 2010 as the Year of the Punto.

Post #: 8

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:24:43 PM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

I want to call your attention to this story. The Twins maintain this pitcher is still a first round talent and could still draft him. But you wonder how the kid feels after going through the ordeal. The Twins provided testimony for the case and told the truth.

Just checked...Oliver was picked (LHP) in the 17th round...guess that college gamble has paid off...

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 9

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:25:20 PM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pete M.

Beat you, Ed.

Posting it can be twice as nice

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 10

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 2:35:38 PM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

From the same draft class, Jared Mitchell was a redshirt frosh for LSU last year, 9 whole catches for the season..MN drafted him as an OF in the 10th round.

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 11

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/13/2009 8:42:14 PM

Adam Peterson

Posts: 1472
Joined: 8/11/2007
From: Sykesville, MD
Status: offline

Regarding Delmon and the prorated bonus...I've seen a few other players that have done the same thing, prorating their MLB contract bonuses coming out of the draft.

B.J. Upton received a $4.6M signing bonus paid over 5 years.
David Price received a $5.6M signing bonus paid over 6 years.
Stephen Drew received a $4M signing bonus paid over 4 years.
Justin Upton received a $6.1M signing bonus paid over 5 years.

I'm sure there are others.

Post #: 12

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 2:57:16 PM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

Saturday LEN:

Today’s informal workout was highlighted by the arrival of backup catcher Mike Redmond and his non-stop chatter.
“Let’s see how the first swing of spring goes,” Redmond said as he stepped into a batting cage. Seconds later, his cricket-style swing sent a flip throw by Brain Buscher to what would have been right field. “Just like riding a bike.” Redmond said.
Redmond, Buscher, Matt Macri, Carlos Gomez, Toby Gardenhire and others later took batting practice on a back field. But Redmond ended up on an adjecent field chatting away with Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins as they went through long toss drills.
The sun was something Redmond hadn’t seen in awhile, and his pale skin showed it. He spent the offseason in Washington, worked out at Gonzaga and went outside one time all offseason to play catch with Jeremy Affeldt when the temperature reached 35.
I’ve seen two Twins players who definitely look bigger than last season. One is Justin Morneau. The other is Brian Buscher.
Buscher spent the offseason doing boot camp-style workouts that have given him a more muscular look. Let’s see how it translates on the field.
Gomez worked out Saturday as his father looked on. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told me that Gomez’s job with the Mets was to mess with teammates and keep things loose on the bench, which he does with the Twins.
“He calls me Santa Claus,” Gardenhire said.
Among the riveting subjects discussed behind the batting cage today were boot camp workouts, fishing, batted balls hitting birds, golf, the cost of diapers in the USA vs the Dominican Republic and Plato, Mn.
Yes, Plato. Twins minor league field coordinator Joel Lepel is from there, and reads this blog.
“You looking for something to write in your blog?” Lepel asked. “Tell everyone at the coffee shop in Plato I said hi.”
The popular Lepel has thrown batting practice and hit grounders to players this week as everyone gears up for real workouts next week.
A couple observations:
Matt Macri looks like someone who should be able to drive the ball well. This would be a good year for him to start doing it.
Infielder Steven Tolleson looks like a player. Sometimes its easy to tell the prospects from the major leaguers during these workouts. Tolleson fits right in. I’m sure it helps that his father played in the majors. He’s coming off of a nice Arizona Fall League stint during which he batted .383 and is moving up the list of the Twins’ top prospects. He’s one player I want to see in spring games.

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 13

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 3:14:22 PM

Pete M.

Posts: 5796
Joined: 7/31/2007
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Status: offline

Buscher and Morneau--The 'Roid Brothers.

_____________________________

Looks like Skilz sees 2010 as the Year of the Punto.

Post #: 14

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 6:29:55 PM

Pete M.

Posts: 5796
Joined: 7/31/2007
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Status: offline

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/giants-out-on-c.html#comments

Looks increasingly like a one-team race for Crede. I think it's becoming more and more likely that Joe Crede plays for the Minnesota Twins in 2009.

_____________________________

Looks like Skilz sees 2010 as the Year of the Punto.

Post #: 15

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 6:46:35 PM

Steve Lentz

Posts: 10255
Joined: 7/19/2007
From: Omaha
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pete M.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/giants-out-on-c.html#comments

Looks increasingly like a one-team race for Crede. I think it's becoming more and more likely that Joe Crede plays for the Minnesota Twins in 2009.

That is great news to me. Hope it works out that way.

_____________________________

It ain't the six minutes. It's what happens in that six minutes.

Post #: 16

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 7:19:41 PM

Elliot

Posts: 1622
Joined: 7/28/2007
From: North Highland Beach, NJ
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pete M.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/giants-out-on-c.html#comments

Looks increasingly like a one-team race for Crede. I think it's becoming more and more likely that Joe Crede plays for the Minnesota Twins in 2009.

If this proves to be the case and the Twins are the only team interested, it will be interesting to see what happens. Normally, Boras doesn't lower his demands. And the Twins don't up their offers. So it's essentially the irresistable force meets the immovable object. Maybe Crede will can Boras.

_____________________________

Life is just what happens to you,
While you're busy making other plans

~ John Lennon

Post #: 17

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 10:35:17 PM

Pete M.

Posts: 5796
Joined: 7/31/2007
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Status: offline

A lot of good stuff in the Strib today/tomorrow (Sunday), including an article DJSkilz should check out regarding Gardy's clubhouse skills and leadership. But what caught my eye was the story by Souhan. I think he makes some really good points, including the most salient one here:

The Twins have built a franchise that, all decade, has won more games than it should have, has overachieved in relation to dollars spent and superstars employed. This is a franchise, though, without a killer instinct. [emphasis added]

The organizational philosophy seems to be: ''Let's try to win 90 games, and hope that's good enough." That has kept the Twins interesting and competitive all decade, but last year was a quintessential Twins season: They overachieved and yet wound up one game short, meaning they were one good player short."

_____________________________

Looks like Skilz sees 2010 as the Year of the Punto.

Post #: 18

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/14/2009 11:18:03 PM

Steve Lentz

Posts: 10255
Joined: 7/19/2007
From: Omaha
Status: offline

Seems like I've heard that onerachieved line before

_____________________________

It ain't the six minutes. It's what happens in that six minutes.

Post #: 19

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/15/2009 12:46:26 AM

Todd Gray

Posts: 3553
Joined: 7/19/2007
From: Minneapolis
Status: offline

Yeah, I read Souhan's article and wondered which one of us ghost-wrote it.

_____________________________

The Minnesota Twins

13 consecutive World Series Of Respect championships and counting!!!

Post #: 20

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/15/2009 7:01:19 AM

Mr. Ed

Posts: 17830
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Minne-so-ta
Status: offline

Pioneer Press Cuddyer story http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_11706636?nclick_check=1

Their 5 Questions: http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_11707404

_____________________________

The cuddly, underdog designation used to be cute. Now, it's old and annoying. It's time to win. The Twins need fewer Muppets and more Huns, and this is the off-season to find them.

Post #: 21

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/15/2009 9:39:28 AM

Steve Lentz

Posts: 10255
Joined: 7/19/2007
From: Omaha
Status: offline

Ted Uhlaender died Thursday of an apparent heart attack. He was working as a scout for the Giants. Last year he was diagnosed with bone cancer.
I enjoyed Ted as a player. The Twin family has lost another good one.
My thoughts and prayers to Ted and his Family.

_____________________________

It ain't the six minutes. It's what happens in that six minutes.

Post #: 22

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/15/2009 11:59:14 AM

Miles K

Posts: 5990
Joined: 7/16/2007
From: Vermillion, SD
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Elliot

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pete M.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/giants-out-on-c.html#comments

Looks increasingly like a one-team race for Crede. I think it's becoming more and more likely that Joe Crede plays for the Minnesota Twins in 2009.

If this proves to be the case and the Twins are the only team interested, it will be interesting to see what happens. Normally, Boras doesn't lower his demands. And the Twins don't up their offers. So it's essentially the irresistable force meets the immovable object. Maybe Crede will can Boras.

Wasn't and isn't Kyle Lohse a Borass client? Borass really blew his assessment of the market when Lohse ended up signing for only 4+ million for the one season with the Cards. They had been looking to sing a 4 year 40 million contract and wound up with a 1 year deal of 4+ million. Lohse pitches well for the Cards and gets a multi year deal.

Borass might be a tough negotiator but he has a history of misreading the market. He will claim its all about collusion but like it or not from his perspective, the market for ballplayers is down this offseason.

Which makes it absolutely inexcusable that BS hasn't followed through on his off season coments that the Twins would strengthen the left side of the infield. We are waiting..........

_____________________________

"If we don't sign Nick Punto there's about 20 other teams that were after him, that wanted this young man, because he's a baseball player."
Ron Gardenhire, The Punto Manifesto, circa 2009.

Post #: 23

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/15/2009 12:11:35 PM

djskillz

Posts: 23432
Joined: 7/17/2007
From: Nashville, TN
Status: offline

I still say, if we're keeping everyone, and get Crede, have Cuddyer be a super-utility guy.

Move

over to 2b. Move Casilla to SS. Play Cuddyer at OF/DH/3b if needed/2b. He becomes your Mark DeRosa.

That makes us a much better team overall IMO.

_____________________________

Murray: "Greg, would you consider us friends?"
Greg: "Sure Murray, I'd consider us friends."
Murray: "Well, we're not. We're just colleagues. I'm your boss. Don't you forget that."

Post #: 24

RE: General Twins Talk III - 2/15/2009 12:24:29 PM

Adam Peterson

Posts: 1472
Joined: 8/11/2007
From: Sykesville, MD
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

I still say, if we're keeping everyone, and get Crede, have Cuddyer be a super-utility guy.

Move over to 2b. Move Casilla to SS. Play Cuddyer at OF/DH/3b if needed/2b. He becomes your Mark DeRosa.

That makes us a much better team overall IMO.

How does moving Punto to 2B and Casilla to SS make us a better team? If we make Cuddyer a super utility, wouldn't we just keep Punto and Casilla at SS and 2B, where their defense is a known quantity?

I think if we sign Crede, it means Buscher, Harris and Tolbert all have to compete for two spots. We have no shortage of LH bats, so Buscher being LH may not be enough to account for a lack of position flexibility and defense.

Depth and competition is a good thing. Gets the best performers on the field, and it reduces the chances of us having to fill in with replacement level (or below) performances in the case of injury. In this respect, we are looking very good in OF and hopefully IF as well.

Post #: 25