Blog Comments

Funny, I would say it is the exact opposite. It's hard sometimes to sift through all of the "fire Gardy, fire all the front office, promote everybody" garbage to find decent articles.

I would have to say that Bark and Souhan must be related considering their comments and articles always have the same tone. I guess he needs another tree to "Bark" up...

Whenever I have seen your stuff, I have enjoyed it. It seems like it is pretty tough to stay on the front page here. Sorry to see you go.

Sorry to lose you. I enjoyed reading your viewpoints.

Most blog entries are either not commented on, or the comments are very few. Not sure about your comments . . .

Anyway, it take all kinds to have a diversified community of contributors. I could hardly describe the general atmosphere as "rose-colored"!!!

You are right, everybody who advised and worked under Smith is still in place.

I could get on board with a lineup like this. I do agree that in this scenario Benson needs to be in LF. You could also potentially have Mauer at first and Parmalee in right.

I can see the arguments for both strategies. The front office needs to keep an open mind as the season progresses to see what the market is for certain Twins players with trade value.

Pavano is probably gone either way. It would only make sense for the Twins keep him beyond the trading deadline if they were in a pennant race. Otherwise, he's a great back of the rotation add-on for some team in need.

Doumit could go if there is another Buster Posey-like situation where a top-level team loses a starting catcher and the Twins could get some desperation value in return - but we wouldn't get enough back otherwise to justify the revisions to the organizational catching plans. (I'm assuming we have organizational catching plans.)

Somewhere in between is probably the best option.

I'd like to see Parmelee in RF over Thomas, that's for sure. Maybe they're trying to "protect" him so he isn't worried about his defense?

Swap Mauer and Benson. Mauer seems more like a RF guy, and Benson can cover left a lot more. Otherwise, I'm optimistic.

or D: Cuddaver was over-rated

Teflon, thanks for your comment. For some reason I am optimistic the Twins will resign Morneau when that time comes. I think he will take less years and a little less money. My gut feeling is he will become a DH type as his concussion symptoms will continue to get better, but will still hang around enough to warrant being a full-time DH - not that I think this the right thing or wrong thing... just my gut feeling. As for the pitching staff... I would not touch that topic with a 10 foot pole. That would take way too much time and I have a life I need to lead.

Fun to think about. You're optimistic the Twins will resign Morneau in 2014, I see. Unless he takes a pay cut, his age and likely salary ($10 million+?) would make that an uncharacteristic signing by the Twins considering their past history with players at that stage like Torii and Cuddyer. I'd more expect Mauer to fill in at 1B/DH and still catch some. The Twins also still have an option on Span in 2015, who will only be 31, so I would think it's likely he's still in the outfield somewhere.

What about the pitching staff?

Originally Posted by Twins Fan From Afar

Love it. Great post.
Although it's not on point, I'm hearing John Candy's soliloquy from Planes, Trains and Automobiles running in the background.

Glad you liked it. Bowden's been bothering me for few years, I had to get it off my chest (his Morneau trade scenarios being the antagonist). PTA is one of my wife's favorite movies and I am a fan too. Also, Twins Fan From Afar - you are doing a great job of keeping us Twin's fans informed with New Britain... keep it coming!

Love it. Great post.
Although it's not on point, I'm hearing John Candy's soliloquy from Planes, Trains and Automobiles running in the background.

Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

I would say Bruno... Molitor and Carew have been brutal as hitting coaches in their careers. Joe Vavra is a very good hitting coach who understands individuals and minor flaws, but he also understands the advanced metrics and uses those when discussion preparation with Twins hitters.

I actually don't think Varva is a bad hitting coach either. He has overseen some great individual hitting seasons and his joining the Twins staff in 2006 coincided with Mauer, Morneau, and Cuddyers offensive emergence. Not to mention 2 of T-Hunt's better offensive years. Those 4 guys are talented players, but Vavra should get a little bit of credit for their performance. I posted the Vavra topic merely to see what angry/despondent responses would be posted. With the 4 game losing streak to begin the season it has started to feel like the French Revolution on this site. Hopefully the guillotines won't be brought out.

I would say Bruno... Molitor and Carew have been brutal as hitting coaches in their careers. Joe Vavra is a very good hitting coach who understands individuals and minor flaws, but he also understands the advanced metrics and uses those when discussion preparation with Twins hitters.

No chance it would be Ulger. Personally, I would say Bruno is the only in house candidate that should be considered. It doesn't sound like Moliter would be interested and I would pray that they don't consider Carew.

You do have to look at this long term. If the Twins OF prospects pan out, they will have a bunch of young rangy outfielders to track down those long fly balls. They have consistently drafted and developed "pitch-to-contact" hurlers who would also benefit from a good defense with fast, rangy fielders. Finally, do remember that despite being outhomered at home, the Twins had the best home record in baseball in 2010.

It is strange that they have been outhomered by more at home than on the road both of the past two years. In that facet at least, today's Target Field doesn't fit its inhabitants.