Front Page: Josh Donaldson, Bringer of Rings

[tony&rodney]

For everyone who brings up Mauer - he was the worst three time batting championship catcher in MLB history. 

 

My take on JD signing: hip hip hooray!

 

[Otwins]

I don't think the Twins lose their competetive balance pick.  I think those are protected. It should be their third round pick.  Nice to get the Competetive balance pick to balance out the one that is lost.

[nmcowboy]

Yee haw!  Nice! 

I recently hacked MLB's website and came across the following email:

"To: TheCommish@mlb.com

Dear Rob,

We would like to remind you that the Twins set a new record for home runs last year, which was very exciting.  As you can see from our roster, we are looking to do more this year.  Our goal is a very doable 350 this year.  Think of the fan excitement!

All ask that you do your part and KEEP THE BASEBALLS JUICED!!

 

Signed,

 

Falvine"

[kenbuddha]

 

Everyone seems happy about this...reminds me of another MN player who got a 80 Million payday and takes That team no where as well....Unless Donaldson can pitch into the 8th inning I don't get this deal. When the Twins had all their money tied up with Mauer they had to get rid of fan favs just to pay 1 man. And when Joe retired, the Twins had cash to get decent players and sign players to longer contracts....I would rather pay a 24 yr old as opposed to a 34 yr old this money. And NO, don't even think about trading Eddie!

Mauer's contract had NOTHING to do with who or how they paid anyone else. The owner/FO made a decision to pay for nobody else. They were in a new stadium bringing in tons of cash and they CHOSE to keep payroll down. They had the money to pay free agents yet chose year after year to not do that.

 

2011 $113M

2012 $94M
2013 $75M

2014 $86M
2015 $109M

2016 $108M

 

If you notice they actually dropped payroll after they got into the new stadium. They stated they'd pay about 50% of revenues which were about $250M which should have had a payroll of $125M. So why didn't they? Mauer's contract had NOTHING to do with it. Greed did.

[andy4butler]

 

Against lefties (given Polanco's struggles as a RH bat):

Garver
Donaldson
Cruz
Sano
Rosario
Kepler
Buxton
Arraez

Polanco

vs. righties:

Polanco
Arraez
Donaldson
Cruz
Rosario
Sano
Kepler
Garver
Buxton
 

with the new rule on pitching change limitations, I would definitely alternate left and right handed batters.  
 

I like:

 

Garver

Polanco

Rosario

Cruz

Donaldson
Kepler

Sano

Buxton

Arraez

 

[wabene]

Mauer's contract had NOTHING to do with who or how they paid anyone else. The owner/FO made a decision to pay for nobody else. They were in a new stadium bringing in tons of cash and they CHOSE to keep payroll down. They had the money to pay free agents yet chose year after year to not do that.

 

2011 $113M

2012 $94M

2013 $75M

2014 $86M

2015 $109M

2016 $108M

 

If you notice they actually dropped payroll after they got into the new stadium. They stated they'd pay about 50% of revenues which were about $250M which should have had a payroll of $125M. So why didn't they? Mauer's contract had NOTHING to do with it. Greed did.

Looking at those payroll lite years it's time for some payback. $165m? That might change some fan narratives. Go get another pitcher!

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yea and I should be dating Kate Upton. To dismiss the financial implications of this signing by saying the Twins should spend more is ignoring history and reality

Except for that one part where the last time they fielded a 90 win team, they were around 10th in MLB payroll.

 

Besides, should we just let ownership slide when they’re being cheap just because they’ve done it in the past, too?

[Linus]

Except for that one part where the last time they fielded a 90 win team, they were around 10th in MLB payroll.

 

Besides, should we just let ownership slide when they’re being cheap just because they’ve done it in the past, too?

Nope just saying what the reality is. I wish they would spend more but I also wish I could date Kate

[bobs]

 

22 Games, 97 PAs, .373/.464/.819, 1.283 OPS 
10 HR, 21 RBI 

So 35 HR and 80 RBI.....at home! 

[PopRiveter]

 

Signing Nelson Cruz absolutely helped the team identity. He "was the heart and soul of this club" in 2019- Derek Falvey. 

 

Cruz was our team MVP this year. He not only produced MVP type numbers but also had a huge affect on improvement from other guys, most notably Sano.  

 

Cruz was a fantastic hired gun, but whatever Falvey says, Nelson Cruz will not be remembered first as a Twin. He won't be wearing a Twins uniform in the HOF. 

 

I personally got more satisfaction from watching Kepler, Berrios, Garver, Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Duffey etc thrive last year than I did watching Nelson Cruz.

 

I'm an outlier on this issue. I just can't start caring about a free agent signee the same as a I do a guy that I've been dreaming on through the minors. 

 

My comments were to acknowledge that I'm totally irrational on this issue and despite my prejudice against free agent signings, even I can't find a reason to complain about the Donaldson signing.