Thread: Dave St. Peter: We'll be competetive

Tyler Mason interviews Twins President Dave St. Peter, mostly about off-the-field stuff, but ends with some talk about this year's team.

"I really like our chances to surprise some people. I fully expect us to be competitive and, to be honest with you, it's my strong belief that we'll be playing some meaningful baseball games here in August and September."

Good news Dave....you can still jump on that 64.5 over/under in Vegas.

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/02/23/...73&feedID=3546

I'm shocked! I totally expected Dave to say the Twins are rebuilding and he doesn't expect the team to go very far this year.

Define..... meaningful.

Originally Posted by righty8383

I'm shocked! I totally expected Dave to say the Twins are rebuilding and he doesn't expect the team to go very far this year.

You make a good point. Part of his job is inspiring ticket sales, so he needs to be positive. But maybe he is hearing positive evaluations from the coaches and scouts about some of the younger players, and this is inspiring optimism.

Originally Posted by Badsmerf

Define..... meaningful.

Not exhibition. They will count towards our final record.

The Twins will likely surprise this year, but only in the +8-10 range. So 74-76 wins is my prediction right now. This would be contingent a bit upon how the trade deadline works, but there is enough talent that would come up at that point will make up for the loss of Morneau, Willingham, and perhaps Burton and Duensing. Hopefully the Twins are smart and Gibson still has 30+ innings to pitch in September. Hopefully Harden is still healthy by that time too. I would expect Hicks, Benson, Arcia, Herrmann, and Colabello to be contributing offensively, and in a substantially way at the end of the year.

Originally Posted by Badsmerf

Define..... meaningful.

It will be August and then September, meaning they will be playing games

If he really does believe that, what does that say about his baseball knowledge vs nearly every expert?

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

If he really does believe that, what does that say about his baseball knowledge vs nearly every expert?

I'm no expert but I, for one, think there's a perfectly legit chance he could be right. A record approaching .500 is not completely unrealistic. And I personally appreciate the fact that he's trying to be realistic. Notice that he's not talking about winning the division or contending for a championship.

Maybe he means they will be playing other teams fighting for the playoffs, that would be meaningful.

nick, I also am no expert, but the over under is 64.....is it realistic to have a strong belief they will be competitive? If he thinks this pitching staff really is good, how likely is it they will try to get better? That might be the issue, they actually do believe they are good now.

Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

A record approaching .500 is not completely unrealistic.

Quite the lofty goal. Inspiring even.

Seriously, what do you expect him to say? He's entitled to maintain a positive outlook and as the senior executive you would expect nothing less. St. Peter will leave the realism to the critics, his job is to make sure the sun shines every day.

It scares me a little to think that the FO could believe this team is good enough, the trades with Span and Revere and the bizarre reluctance to sign a decent pitcher to a one or two year deal lead me to believe otherwise though. It's their way of saying "it's about the future". The real indication to me however will be based on what they end up doing with Willingham and Morneau.

Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

Notice that he's not talking about winning the division or contending for a championship.

But that's never been the goal for this FO, don't you remember?

Originally Posted by Badsmerf

Define..... meaningful.

Meaningful to the teams we're playing against that are in playoff contention...

I expect him to say that....my question was does he really strongly believe this is a good team, that does not need to add much talent to be a serious contender?

Originally Posted by mike wants wins

I expect him to say that....my question was does he really strongly believe this is a good team, that does not need to add much talent to be a serious contender?

We'll never know what he truly believes...

That will be true, but there has to be a buyer for Willingham and Morneau that will pay a reasonable price for them. That may or may not happen, most clubs will not give decent AAA or AA pitchers for a rental player. That means either the Twins have to take suspects or hope the season brings an offer of some A pitchers that have a high upside(and also risk). It also means Willingham will probably be here this year unless the twins are overwhelmed by an offer. Morneau will be whether Parmelee makes it and if the Twins can get a decent offer.

I think the Twins primary goal entering this offseason was to field a team decent enough to avoid the late-season attendance collapse last year. That is why they wanted "MLB-ready" pitching for Willingham this winter. If the Twins are out of contention by the deadline, I think the Twins will loosen on their asking price for Willingham. I don't think it would take more than a mediocre prospect or two to get a deal done, similar to the Delmon and Liriano trades.

Originally Posted by USAFChief

Quite the lofty goal. Inspiring even.

It is what it is. This is a bridge year. No one's hiding that anymore.

Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

It is what it is. This is a bridge year. No one's hiding that anymore.

Except Dave St Peter