Minnesota Twins Whine Line

[Vanimal46]

I'm pretty confused at this point. If I wanted to hate watch TV I would turn it to Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Bachelor(ette), and anything on MTV. The Twins have been stinking up the place, and it's showing all over TD in our posts. Let the hate flow through us, and centralize our frustrations here.

 

Vanimal from Austin, you're on Twins Whine Line....

 

First time caller, long time listener. My frustration with this team is growing by the day, mainly because I don't know who to put the blame on for these roster decisions all year. TR? The Pohlad's? Molitor? There were several options to improve the club through trades, internally, but the bare minimum has been done to do that this season. I'm lost on the vision, because they're certainly not acting like contenders, and they're still employing players who have no future on the team beyond 2015. I'll hang up and listen.

 

Next caller please.....

[twinsnorth49]

Just watching the same old **** day in, day out as if nothing is actually wrong with this team. Either nobody has the smarts to do something about it or they lack the courage. If players can't get themselves to play the way they are expected to, someone else needs to take matters into their hands.

 

It's like everyone is watching the toilet bowl overflow and waiting for the other guy to grab the plunger.

[zchrz]

Just going to throw a couple thoughts out there because I as well am frustrated.   

 

This organization lives in the past, perennially haunted by the ghosts of the Metrodome and the piranha teams. 

 

They value unmeasurable intangibles in a era where measurable statistics are revamping the way the game is thought about.

 

This is year 3 or 4 that they needed to rebuild, and they have yet to actually do it. 

 

They stuck with a obviously done manager for multiple years because of comfort and are still sticking with an obviously done GM currently. 

 

The free agents brought in are always lack luster with little upside to realize.

 

Any cheap veteran that has a close to average year is immediately resigned for multiple more.  Said average veteran is also basically guaranteed a roster spot despite what may be behind them. 

 

They rarely sell high on anyone and that is key to a team that isn't going to sign higher end talent in free agency.

 

They constantly dumpster dive and point to any of those players being decent as a major front office success.

 

They preach fundamentals to the highest degree but few prospects that get called up seem to exhibit them.

 

Mediocrity seems to be the overall goal and best possible outcome.

 

Target Field was argued for to launch them into contention with the big market teams, I don't even live in Minnesota and that pisses me off.

........

[glunn]

This debate is going on in so many threads that if I tried to merge them then the server might catch fire.

 

I see a lot of wheat here and some chaff.  As many posters have argued in multiple threads there may be good reasons for some of what is being labeled an incompetence, cowardice and/or laziness.  For example, maybe Ryan did make a serious bid on Tulo.  Maybe he spent 10 hours on the phone trying to make that deal.  We will never know the details.  Obviously, there is a lot that Ryan knows that we don't.  Ryan may have had his expert study Tulo's medical report.  None of us will ever know whether that occurred, much less whether Tulo has some question marks physically.

 

Personally, I don't know whether Ryan is lazy, incompetent and/or too set in his ways.  I have seen arguments for and against all of the possible positions on multiple issues.  There are enough posts on Ryan on TD to fill an encyclopedia yet little consensus.  Lately the focus seems to be on alleged bungling of the trade deadline and the failure to make roster moves that seem obvious, but some people gave up on Ryan a long time ago and for them he may never find redemption.  

 

My point is that if we knew more we might reach different conclusions and regret labeling Ryan as incompetent or lazy.  I think that it's great to make a case that Ryan is wrong about something or has made a terrible move, but it sometimes seems unfair to then conclude that he must be stupid and/or lazy.  Personally, I am bitter that Ryan did not do more at the trade deadline and that we did not get Tulo, but I say that knowing that if I knew what Ryan knows this may have made a lot more sense.

[Vanimal46]

 

Just going to throw a couple thoughts out there because I as well am frustrated.   

 

This organization lives in the past, perennially haunted by the ghosts of the Metrodome and the piranha teams. 

 

They value unmeasurable intangibles in a era where measurable statistics are revamping the way the game is thought about.

 

This is year 3 or 4 that they needed to rebuild, and they have yet to actually do it. 

 

They stuck with a obviously done manager for multiple years because of comfort and are still sticking with an obviously done GM currently. 

 

The free agents brought in are always lack luster with little upside to realize.

 

Any cheap veteran that has a close to average year is immediately resigned for multiple more.  Said average veteran is also basically guaranteed a roster spot despite what may be behind them. 

 

They rarely sell high on anyone and that is key to a team that isn't going to sign higher end talent in free agency.

 

They constantly dumpster dive and point to any of those players being decent as a major front office success.

 

They preach fundamentals to the highest degree but few prospects that get called up seem to exhibit them.

 

Mediocrity seems to be the overall goal and best possible outcome.

 

Target Field was argued for to launch them into contention with the big market teams, I don't even live in Minnesota and that pisses me off.

........

 

 

http://t1.livememe.com/ueo3iw_4.jpg

[blairpaul715]

Good title, just keep the whiners here, and I will keep watching with the knowledge that this wasnt going to be our yr anyway, unless we were going to trade, Buxton, Sano , for Hamels or Price and Tulowitzki, but yea, i know people think we could trade Duffey and Rogers and Hu for Hamels, and some people would think that we gave up to much...........Am i frustrated? Yes.......SHould we have made a better trade, i was thinking we might.........but so many think they would make a better GM have no idea what is involved, just because you want a player for the players you want to trade for them, doesnt mean the other team would do it. I could be a great GM, trade Plouffe for Correa , Mauer for Bryant, Gonsalves and Hu for Price, some people think it is how you do it, I make these outrageous trade proposals, because some people think we can get something for nothing and give up nothing for something........I am frustrated by the team, but more frustrated by most of the mass for the hysteria being spewed.........We may not make the playoffs, but if we were to go .500 rest of yr, in my mind it would be a successful yr........I dont even read most of the forums anymore ,especially after reading the titles, i already know what is being said.........END OF RANT!!!!

 

PS: I mostly read Minor league talk now.

[Mike Sixel]

Not one person suggested an unrealistic trade like that. But, straw man arguments make some people feel like they are right, so go for it.

[big dog]

I would like to see some emotion on the field, other than nervousness and resignation.

[nicksaviking]

 

Good title, just keep the whiners here, and I will keep watching with the knowledge that this wasnt going to be our yr anyway, unless we were going to trade, Buxton, Sano , for Hamels or Price and Tulowitzki, but yea, i know people think we could trade Duffey and Rogers and Hu for Hamels, and some people would think that we gave up to much...........Am i frustrated? Yes.......SHould we have made a better trade, i was thinking we might.........but so many think they would make a better GM have no idea what is involved, just because you want a player for the players you want to trade for them, doesnt mean the other team would do it. I could be a great GM, trade Plouffe for Correa , Mauer for Bryant, Gonsalves and Hu for Price, some people think it is how you do it, I make these outrageous trade proposals, because some people think we can get something for nothing and give up nothing for something........I am frustrated by the team, but more frustrated by most of the mass for the hysteria being spewed.........We may not make the playoffs, but if we were to go .500 rest of yr, in my mind it would be a successful yr........I dont even read most of the forums anymore ,especially after reading the titles, i already know what is being said.........END OF RANT!!!!

 

PS: I mostly read Minor league talk now.

 

I'm actually NOT bitter about the lack of trades (at least lack of big contract trades) but I'm still more in line with the rest of the "whiners".  Ryan is a fence sitter, he wants the best of both worlds.  He doesn't want to trade or lose prospects AND he wants a bunch of veterans. 

 

I can't speak for those that are still upset about a lack of trades, but I would be willing to bet that had Ryan not made any trades but instead he called up Arcia or Kepler to replace Hunter, put May and/or Berrios in the rotation and replaced Boyer, Duensing and/or Fien with young internal options, the pro-trade fans would have at least been able to acknowledge that at least Ryan finally chose a direction for this team. 

 

You're too wishy-washy Charlie Brown!

[DaveW]

Ryan isn't lazy, and I think his intentions and everything are good. I just think it's time for a change and the game has changed and he hasn't.

 

17 years is a pretty long lifespan for a GM. It's been a good run, but it's time to move on to something new.

 

Even Bobby Bowden, Joe Torre, Tony LaRusa and Tom Osborne had to walk away at some point.

[Squirrel]

 

Ryan isn't lazy, and I think his intentions and everything are good. I just think it's time for a change and the game has changed and he hasn't.

17 years is a pretty long lifespan for a GM. It's been a good run, but it's time to move on to something new.

Even Bobby Bowden, Joe Torre, Tony LaRusa and Tom Osborne had to walk away at some point.

This. I've been saying this basically for 2-3 years. You want change, it begins at the top.

[Shane Wahl]

This team is in contention for the playoffs. It needs the best 25 players on the roster. Terry Ryan and Paul Molitor aren't allowing that to happen. End of story.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Ryan isn't lazy, and I think his intentions and everything are good. I just think it's time for a change and the game has changed and he hasn't.

17 years is a pretty long lifespan for a GM. It's been a good run, but it's time to move on to something new.

Even Bobby Bowden, Joe Torre, Tony LaRusa and Tom Osborne had to walk away at some point.

 

Right. Ryan is smart. He works hard. He clearly wants the team to be good. But, imo, it is time for change.

[nytwinsfan]

I'd be for a change from Terry Ryan (assuming it is for the better-- it could be worse), but the decisions that concern me are not failing to go big at the trade deadline in a year when statistically the Twins were playing way over their heads, but rather the signing of Nolasco, moving May rather than Pelfrey or Milone to the pen, continuing to play a lost Santana when Escobar is perfectly decent, the extension of Suzuki, the management of the bullpen by TR. And Ryan's obvious thinking that Stauffer and Jepsen were anything more than very marginal improvements.

[Vanimal46]

Good calls so far.... We'll take a break and hear from one of our sponsors. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8UV7SAhvG4

[Loosey]

The Twins remind me of that guy who really wants to invest in the stock market but is too scared he will lose money.  However, when they finally get the courage, the market is at it's peak and they ride it down and lose money anyways, then they sell and don't get back in the game again because of the fear of losing . . . Until it hits that high point again, vicous cycle.

[Vanimal46]

AND we're back! Lots of calls about Terry Ryan so far. Who's next on Minnesota Twins Whine Line?

[Mike Sixel]

 

AND we're back! Lots of calls about Terry Ryan so far. Who's next on Minnesota Twins Whine Line?

 

Thanks, this is part of the thread is making me smile........

[Loosey]

How many members does Twins Daily have now?  And how much would the Twins take to buy the Twins from the Pohlads?  Let's do the math and see if we can work out deal.

 

First order of business, new GM.  DaveW, any interest?  I think the minimum contract length is 17 years.

[formerly33]

 

How many members does Twins Daily have now?  And how much would the Twins take to buy the Twins from the Pohlads?  Let's do the math and see if we can work out deal.

 

First order of business, new GM.  DaveW, any interest?  I think the minimum contract length is 17 years.

6,908 members.

 

How much would the Twins take to buy the Twins from the Pohlads?? That sounds like a win-win situation to me.

 

Sorry ... I couldn't help but point that out.

 

And the contract isn't an issue. These days anyone can weasel their way out of any signed document. They're all full of errors ... you know that.

[Winston Smith]

If everyone chips in 120K it might be enough.

[Vanimal46]

 

If everyone chips in 120K it might be enough.

 

 

I thought the stat was 62% of all TD posters live in our parents basement... Can someone cover the $120k for me?

[ashbury]

And how much would the Twins take to buy the Twins from the Pohlads? 

Forbes Magazine period review of the Business of Baseball puts the value of the Twins franchise at $0.895B. (Contrast with the Yankees at 3.2 and the Rays bringing up the rear at 0.625.) Since the Pohlads aren't currently looking to sell, you might have to offer them $1.5B to make them say yes right over the phone; a better negotiator than me might get them under a billion, but I'm not sure until they become motivated sellers that you'd see a lot less. OTOH, all these estimates are just that, estimates, and maybe you will catch Smilin' Carl's son Jim on a good day.

 

Going with 1.5B, divided by 6908 members, and you have $217K from each of us. I'll run the escrow. Just send your paypal info to nigerian_prince@yesitsascamduh.com.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Ron in Golden Valley, call Dark Star right now.

[Vanimal46]

What a segment folks. TD Community figuring out how much we have to chip in to buy off the Twins... Nigerian Princes?! This show is derailing quickly, but I like it! We'll take another short break. Carl, Andy, Curly, Mo, Suzie Jo, your calls are next on Minnesota Twins Whine Line. 

[Vanimal46]

AND we're back! I need to do a PSA before we return to the calls. Please do not give your bank account, routing number, and social security number to nigerian_prince@yesitsascamduh.com..... I didn't realize it was a scam. Back to the phone lines, hello?

[Mike Sixel]

Has Joe Mauer done enough to be in the Hall? I just love his sideburns and beard. I'll hang up and listen.

[Bark's Lounge]

Hello. I am a forty year old man who has ignored his wife during the summer months for the past 16 years to enjoy the hobby of watching Twins baseball. Now that my spirit is starting to break because of the unbearable baseball this team is playing, I have been thinking about giving it up.

 

The problem is I am not too excited about talking to my wife. I now view my summers as a vacation from her. Do I give it a shot or do I go back to the hobbies of my early twenties, such as practicing the art form of being a peeping tom, making popcorn jewelry, and going to random churches on Sundays dressed as a woman?

 

I'm confused. I need some advice.

[Vanimal46]

Has Joe Mauer done enough to be in the Hall? I just love his sideburns and beard. I'll hang up and listen.

Hey thanks for the call Mike. I couldn't tell you if Joe's HOF bound, but i'll tell you something that's been bugging me. Where do Joe's sideburns end, and the beard begins?

[OldTimeTwinkie]

Is there another team in baseball whose farm system has produced less in the pitching department than ours under TR? If Berios is not as good as Duffy what does that say about him. How many teams have gone 10 years withouth producing a bonified one or two pitcher from their farm system?