Dear Negative Twins Fan, Get Over Yourself

[Seth Stohs]

 

In future years, I hope a WC spot is a letdown.

 

In 2015, it's not a letdown.

 

Yeah, I would be completely fine with this.

 

I like this article because 1.) I agree with it, and 2.) it does a nice job of countering the countless "Sky is falling down" forums and articles out there. 

[Loosey]

I agree and disagree with this article.  I agree about the whole already complaining about a losing streak that hasn't even happened.  That's no fun to read or hear about, that to me is just plain being pessimistic and looking for something to be negative about. 

 

However, I think it is perfectly fine to complain about some of the decisions that have been made, (Tim Stauffer I'm looking at you).  To question what the front office is doing and some in game decisions, that is fandom and creates good conversation.  If we agreed with every the team does Twins Daily wouldn't be around as we would have nothing to talk about. 

 

Questioning decisions and arguing with other fans is what is great about sports.  We all have differing opinions and desires for the route we want the team to take.  The only thing we really have in common is the destination we want them to end up at.

[Blackjack]

 

 

 

Life's too short to go on about this stuff any more. And i have no desire to convince anyone about anything here.

 

In the past I've told myself to stay away from the '_______ sucks, why is he on this team' threads but its like a soap opera, you wonder what kind of stupid 'the sky is falling' comment is going to come next. Especailly when you've seen the earlier comments about players like Boyer fizzle out and you realize that maybe Twins management really does know what they're doing.

 

Go Twins!!! I'll be listening tonight at 5:30!!

[jimmer]

 

Yeah, I would be completely fine with this.

 

I like this article because 1.) I agree with it, and 2.) it does a nice job of countering the countless "Sky is falling down" forums and articles out there. 

So a good way to counter all those 'Sky is falling down' articles and threads is to write positive articles and threads about the players and the team. Certainly have a lot of stuff to work with right now to make that happen.  Maybe one about Molitor's impact, Hunter's impact, and so on and so forth.  Seems this would be a much better way of countering all the sky is falling down articles and threads than writing yet another post that's sole purpose is to tell other Twins fans how to be fans and to get over themselves. 

Edited June 2, 2015 by jimmer

[Mike Sixel]

 

Yeah, I would be completely fine with this.

 

I like this article because 1.) I agree with it, and 2.) it does a nice job of countering the countless "Sky is falling down" forums and articles out there. 

 

I am curious about that:

 

a: why do you care what other fans (or anyone for that matter) feel about the Twins?

b: why do you think you should tell them to feel differently?

 

I am genuinely curious if your happiness is driven by how others are fans.

[Mike Sixel]

 

So a good way to counter all those 'Sky is falling down' articles and threads is to write positive articles and threads about the players and the team. Certainly have a lot of stuff to work with right now to make that happen.  Maybe one about Molitor's impact, Hunter's impact, and so on and so forth.  Seems this would be a much better way of countering all the sky is falling down articles and threads than writing yet another post that's sole purpose is to tell other Twins fans how to be fans and to get over themselves. 

 

I would think this is the answer.....if you want to have conversations about other topics, start them. If you don't want to read conversations that will bother you, don't.

[kenbuddha]

Right now their record is 30-19, if they keep that pace they end with 99 wins. Okay, not likely, but that's the upper bound.

 

The lower bound would be if they play the rest of the way at a pace that a lot of fans thought they'd play (a 90 loss season), so .444. So, if they play .444 ball the rest of the way, 80 wins = lower bound.

 

If they play .500 ball the rest of the way, 87 wins (rounding up).

 

Based on the where they're coming from, even the lower end at 80 wins is a HUGE improvement over last season and I'd be happy with that. So, yeah, a losing streak may (will?) come but this just doesn't seem to be the same team as the past 4 seasons. So, sit back and watch what happens. Will the team make some disappointing decisions, sure. Will they lose some close ones or have their pitching shelled a few times, sure. But don't let the fact that we're seeing amazing outcomes so far allow us to be disappointed that they don't keep winning at this level. The fact that they're stringing together runs and wins is a good sign that consistency could lead to even better long term things. Accept and enjoy.

 

Win Twins!

[Mike Sixel]

I endorse kenbuddha's post.

[Craig Arko]

 

I endorse kenbuddha's post.

Concur.

[Platoon]

There seems to be two camps here. The presentists, who are glad we are winning, no matter how or why. I might be presumptuous, but this camp is for doing anything to keep it going, whether it affects the future potential of the franchise or not. We will worry about next year, next year. The other camp is the futurists, enjoying the winning, hoping moves (mostly internal) will be made to continue a decent path this year, and set the team up for the next 5 years to be not a surprise contender, but an expected and respected contender. The real debate will come at the trading deadline, when TR makes or does not make a trade, which will or will not drive one of the two above groups bat poop crazy! . If the Twins are even still pretenders at that time, the pressure on the FO to make a significant move to keep selling tickets will be enormous.

[spinowner]

 

There seems to be two camps here. The presentists, who are glad we are winning, no matter how or why. I might be presumptuous, but this camp is for doing anything to keep it going, whether it affects the future potential of the franchise or not. We will worry about next year, next year. The other camp is the futurists, enjoying the winning, hoping moves (mostly internal) will be made to continue a decent path this year, and set the team up for the next 5 years to be not a surprise contender, but an expected and respected contender. The real debate will come at the trading deadline, when TR makes or does not make a trade, which will or will not drive one of the two above groups bat poop crazy! . If the Twins are even still pretenders at that time, the pressure on the FO to make a significant move to keep selling tickets will be enormous.

Good analysis. I'm guessing TR falls into the futurist camp, this in spite of public proclamations the last couple springs that the Twins want to win this year.

[Squirrel]

 

I didn't realize there was an ignore list option, thanks.  Something good has come from this thread!  

If you need further 'how to' instructions, PM a moderator for help. Or start a thread in MinnCentric. Or just start exploring your 'My Profile' and 'My Settings' options. (Start by clicking on your user name up there at the top on the right.)

[gil4]

 

If they don’t win the division, or the World Series, well, then that’s what’s supposed to happen. But if they improve by 15 wins from last year, that’s pretty damn good—especially with five of baseball’s top 50 prospects on the way.

I know that's what is supposed to happen, but I'd rather focus on what could happen.  The timeline has been 2016/2017, but there is possibly an opportunity to accelerate the timeline without sacrificing that bright future.  If the core isn't good enough, fine.  If they give it away on the margins (keeping 7 relievers instead of a DH who can hit, letting a marginal prospect learn to play SS on the job at the major league level...) that might be not-so-fine.

 

I will say that our first choice for the rotation in AAA right now is better than what our #3/4 starters with the big club have been over the past few years. Kevin Correia, Cole Devries, P.J. Walters, Scott Diamond, and Andrew Albers, you are not missed.  Liam Hendriks and Samuel Deduno, I thought you might be missed, but I was wrong.  Things are looking up, and they could look way up if they play the cards right. 

[gil4]

 

 Things are looking up, and they could look way up if they play the cards right. 

I want to add that they need some cards to fall to them, too. They could play the cards right and still finish .500 or even below.  I just don't want them to miss the playoffs by a game because they kept a pair of 3's instead of going for the straight flush.

[jimmer]

 

I want to add that they need some cards to fall to them, too. 

I don't think they will trade us too many impact players :-)

[nicksaviking]

Nice first post, though I think the "negativity" is probably being mis-interpreted.  I don't think many are "negative" about the actual team, more so the aspects they think should be improved. 

 

Everyone was pretty excited back in 1987, but it didn't stop people from commenting on how thin the starting pitching depth was once you got past the number 2 spot in the rotation.

[gil4]

 

 

I just don't want them to miss the playoffs by a game because they kept a pair of 3's instead of going for the straight flush.

 

Or maybe they were supposed to keep the pair of threes...

 

http://stmedia.stimg.co/TWINS_WHITE_SOX_BASEBALL_342479091.JPG?w=525

[tobi0040]

I can only speak for me.  But I am both very thrilled with the fact that the Twins are in first place, and irritated that Stauffer is playing over more talented players.  And wondering why Suzuki has hit 2-6 in 26 games.  I want what is best for my team.

 

I also think the users on the site have been more optimistic than at any point in the few years I have visited.  Without question.

[spinowner]

 

Nice first post, though I think the "negativity" is probably being mis-interpreted.  I don't think many are "negative" about the actual team, more so the aspects they think should be improved. 

 

Everyone was pretty excited back in 1987, but it didn't stop people from commenting on how thin the starting pitching depth was once you got past the number 2 spot in the rotation.

Pitching depth was less important then. In 1987 you could win a championship with only 2 solid starters because you only had to win 2 series and could get through the postseason with a 3-man rotation. Today you'd better have 3 solid starters and a satisfactory #4, especially if you're a wild card team.

[old nurse]

 

good point. I should not have come.

Cranko won't see it, he ignores you. (kidding)

[nicksaviking]

 

Pitching depth was less important then. In 1987 you could win a championship with only 2 solid starters because you only had to win 2 series and could get through the postseason with a 3-man rotation. Today you'd better have 3 solid starters and a satisfactory #4, especially if you're a wild card team.

 

Sounds like a logical actual baseball related discussion to have.  My attempts to push all the redundant and devisive negative/positive threads off of the front of the homepage is failing it seems.  If anyone wants to join me in other topics, I'll see you guys and gals in those forums.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I wouldn't use it.

Actually, I am not using the ignore list.  But it's nice to know it's there, in a "break glass in case of emergency" way.  Thankfully this forum doesn't have any voices that really require blocking in that manner.

[Platoon]

If you need further 'how to' instructions, PM a moderator for help. Or start a thread in MinnCentric. Or just start exploring your 'My Profile' and 'My Settings' options. (Start by clicking on your user name up there at the top on the right.)

We are supposed to be having an irrational senseless and completely irrelevant discussion here, and you completely throw it off topic by talking about settings options! :).

[Squirrel]

 

We are supposed to be having an irrational senseless and completely irrelevant discussion here, and you completely throw it off topic by talking about settings options! :).

Yup. And there is a reason to my madness!!

[Craig Arko]

 

Cranko won't see it, he ignores you. (kidding)

No, Old nose, I don't.

[Paul Feiner]

Just to be clear, I'm a constructive critic and appreciate those of you who are as well. The pessimism I was going after in this article is the joyless kind that says they're not good enough to make the playoffs. Then if they do, it becomes, they'll lose in the first series, and so on and so forth until you're standing beside the parade route with confetti raining down, and all you can say is, "Well, they'll never repeat."

[howieramone2]

 

Thanks to you, "Paul Feiner," for your original, well thought-out, and community-building article. We can only hope that you will continue to bless us with further contributions.

I sure hope nothing happens to you either.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

There seems to be two camps here. The presentists, who are glad we are winning, no matter how or why. I might be presumptuous, but this camp is for doing anything to keep it going, whether it affects the future potential of the franchise or not. We will worry about next year, next year. The other camp is the futurists, enjoying the winning, hoping moves (mostly internal) will be made to continue a decent path this year, and set the team up for the next 5 years to be not a surprise contender, but an expected and respected contender. The real debate will come at the trading deadline, when TR makes or does not make a trade, which will or will not drive one of the two above groups bat poop crazy! . If the Twins are even still pretenders at that time, the pressure on the FO to make a significant move to keep selling tickets will be enormous.

i don't know why it has to be either/or. I think this team can improve for this season without moving pieces that will necessarily impact the future too much. the bullpen needs to be improved badly and I think it can be done mostly internally, just DFAing Stauffer would help. DH needs to be improved badly, but I think could be done with a rotation of Hunter Arcia and Pinto. Catcher needs to be improved, and I think the afforementioned Pinto platooning w/ Suzuki could do it, or possibly a trade could be worked out.

[ferg8791]

amen!

[twinsnorth49]

 

Just to be clear, I'm a constructive critic and appreciate those of you who are as well. The pessimism I was going after in this article is the joyless kind that says they're not good enough to make the playoffs. Then if they do, it becomes, they'll lose in the first series, and so on and so forth until you're standing beside the parade route with confetti raining down, and all you can say is, "Well, they'll never repeat."

 

Just to be clear, I'm a constructive critic and appreciate those of you who are as well. The pessimism I was going after in this article is the joyless kind that says they're not good enough to make the playoffs. Then if they do, it becomes, they'll lose in the first series, and so on and so forth until you're standing beside the parade route with confetti raining down, and all you can say is, "Well, they'll never repeat."

Oh, so this is a hypothetical article, got it.