Who do you want to see replace Baker?

[VodkaDave]

French has pitched very well in New Britain. I remember him as being part of the Jarrod Washburn trade (going to the M's). He has some big league experience and is a lefty, I believe (also breathing). To me, French and Diamond are cut out of the same cloth. Maloney had a nice spring and struck out hitters, but he's 28 and hasn't established himself in the majors.

If this team counts on Luke French in the rotation making any more than 1 or 2 emergency starts this year we are most likely staring 100 loses in the face.

[stringer bell]

If this team counts on Luke French in the rotation making any more than 1 or 2 emergency starts this year we are most likely staring 100 loses in the face.

You're probably right, Dave. I guess that the in-house candidates are 1) Hendriks 2) Swarzak 3) Maloney 4) Diamond. I threw out French's name because he has ML experience and has pitched well.

[ashbury]

[h=2]Who do you want to see replace Baker? [/h]

Terry Ryan. It's his job.

[VodkaDave]

You're probably right, Dave. I guess that the in-house candidates are 1) Hendriks 2) Swarzak 3) Maloney 4) Diamond. I threw out French's name because he has ML experience and has pitched well.

Yeah, I mean he could be a capable starter for a start or two, but if that point comes it means that half of our rotation options are either hurt on ineffective, things would be pretty ugly at that point. At least he still has his youth, I just can't see him succeeding much in the majors though.

[Westgaard66]

dumb question, but what does LOOGY stand for?

[Parker Hageman]

LOOGY = Left-handed One Out GuY.

[Westgaard66]

grassy ass!

[gunnarthor]

dumb question, but what does LOOGY stand for?

Lefty One Out GuY

[Shane Wahl]

Hendriks is the guy for sure. This does mean that everyone moves up the depth chart though. So, DeVries is someone to watch. As is Luke French. I would rather Swarzak see time as a middle relief pitcher for the bullpen. Diamond is better than his 2011 numbers suggest. And he is off to a good start this year. With Waldrop and Slama, the Twins may (should) be saying bye-bye to Maloney and Gray.

[itstimetotakeit]

To replace Baker... The best choice is Matt Moore.

 

Moore would probably be a tough get.

 

Hendricks is the answer. The kid just got his chance to make a MLB statement. I hope he runs with it.

Are you a troll or just stupid? Good god child.

[grubah]

While I think Hendricks has more upside, I think the Twins would be best served to get him some AAA starts the first part of this season. For that reason only, I would roll with Swarzak through May (unless he performs terribly).

[VodkaDave]

While I think Hendricks has more upside, I think the Twins would be best served to get him some AAA starts the first part of this season. For that reason only, I would roll with Swarzak through May (unless he performs terribly).

The problem with rolling with Swarzak over Hendriks at this point is that you take away potentially one of the better arms in an already shaky at best bullpen.

[gil4]

To replace Baker... The best choice is Matt Moore.

Not Verlander?

[Loosey]

I know this idea will get shot down by most on this board but my thought would be to give Perkins another shot at being a starter. He seems to have matured a lot in the last few years and has learned how to pitch, not just throw. He is turning into a great reliever who can throw in the mid 90's, I wonder what type of velocity he could maintain over 7+ innings every 5 days? My biggest concern isn't that he can't do it, my biggest concern is that our best bullpen pitcher would be out of the bullpen. What is everyone elses thoughts on this?

[nokomismod]

Who do I want to replace Scott Baker: Kevin Slowey

Who will replace Scott Baker: Liam Hendriks and/or Anthony Swarzak

I was just thinking about SlowRide too. I do wish the Twins weren't so stubborn about certain personalities. Slowey wasn't a great pitcher, but he was affordable and better than nothing.

[nokomismod]

I'd also think about giving Duensing another shot.

[Steve Lein]

I think the replacement should come from outside the organization. Put a little urgency into the plan that needs to be endorsed as suggested by LaVelle E. Neal III, here: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/146905625.html

 

This likely means trading away a good prospect or two or three, which I won't necessarily like depending on whom it would be, but it's something that just might have to be done. While I'd like to see Roy Oswalt signed (go ahead, bash me for that), it sounds like it's not very likely. But he's about the only "free agent" at this point whom would be worth anything.

 

I think they have to do something though. There were a lot of empty seats at the game yesterday already (in fact, on the radio this morning it was said it was the lowest attendance ever at Target Field, even worse than September last year), and it was only the 2nd home game of the year. That doesn't bode very well for the Pohlad's bottom line...

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think the replacement should come from outside the organization. Put a little urgency into the plan that needs to be endorsed as suggested by LaVelle E. Neal III, here: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/146905625.html

 

This likely means trading away a good prospect or two or three, which I won't necessarily like depending on whom it would be, but it's something that just might have to be done. While I'd like to see Roy Oswalt signed (go ahead, bash me for that), it sounds like it's not very likely. But he's about the only "free agent" at this point whom would be worth anything.

 

I think they have to do something though. There were a lot of empty seats at the game yesterday already (in fact, on the radio this morning it was said it was the lowest attendance ever at Target Field, even worse than September last year), and it was only the 2nd home game of the year. That doesn't bode very well for the Pohlad's bottom line...

the question is whether baker's contract was insurred... if it was, you probably have pretty close to what you need to sign Oswalt... that's probably my choice personally, though I doubt the Pohlads do it, nor should they if this team cannot compete...

[alarp33]

the question is whether baker's contract was insurred... if it was, you probably have pretty close to what you need to sign Oswalt... that's probably my choice personally, though I doubt the Pohlads do it, nor should they if this team cannot compete...

 

What in the world makes people think Roy Oswalt would have any interest in signing with the Twins?? My god people, he turned down offers from the Red Sox, Cardinals, etc. He is content waiting till June before signing with a CONTENDER

[CDog]

I think they have to do something though. There were a lot of empty seats at the game yesterday already (in fact, on the radio this morning it was said it was the lowest attendance ever at Target Field, even worse than September last year), and it was only the 2nd home game of the year. That doesn't bode very well for the Pohlad's bottom line...

It was c-o-l-d! I'm rarely affected by cooler temps, but last night was pretty darn chilly. In general, their low attendances have come early in the year, rather than late. I think there was even a non-sellout in the opening series of Year 1.

[Steve Lein]

It was c-o-l-d! I'm rarely affected by cooler temps, but last night was pretty darn chilly. In general, their low attendances have come early in the year, rather than late. I think there was even a non-sellout in the opening series of Year 1.

It wasn't that cold, CDog. We're Minnesotans for christ sake, break out the long-johns. The teams play last year and the attendance at the end of it, are already carrying over. If not going to the game because it's cold is affecting the 2nd home game of the year, attendance is going to be bad all year (relative to most of the first 2 seasons). Yes, there was the non sellout in year one, but there were still over 37,000 fans at the game that wasn't a sellout. There we're 31,000 there yesterday. Believe it or not, that's a significant difference. Several upper-deck sections were empty, and a few on the 2nd level. Empty rows of seats absolutely everywhere.

[Steve Lein]

What in the world makes people think Roy Oswalt would have any interest in signing with the Twins?? My god people, he turned down offers from the Red Sox, Cardinals, etc. He is content waiting till June before signing with a CONTENDER

Oswalt has said he'd need about 60 days to get ready to pitch in the majors after signing. 60 days from now, is June. So he has to sign soon with someone. Also, he's not going to get Edwin Jackson money, he'll get Andy Pettitte money so it's not like they'd be wasting a big pile of it.

 

Ya, he might not be interested, but it seems other teams whom would be those "contenders", have become uninterested as well. I can hope, right?

[SweetOne69]

 

I think they have to do something though. There were a lot of empty seats at the game yesterday already (in fact, on the radio this morning it was said it was the lowest attendance ever at Target Field, even worse than September last year), and it was only the 2nd home game of the year. That doesn't bode very well for the Pohlad's bottom line...

Officially the paid attendance was over 31,000. So I highly doubt it was the lowest ever.

[Steve Lein]

Officially the paid attendance was over 31,000. So I highly doubt it was the lowest ever.

Highly doubting it doesn't change the fact that it's true. Lowest attendance # last year was 34,228, here are the numbers:

 

2010: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2010-schedule-scores.shtml

2011: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2011-schedule-scores.shtml

2012: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2012-schedule-scores.shtml

[TwinsFan01]

I know this idea will get shot down by most on this board but my thought would be to give Perkins another shot at being a starter. He seems to have matured a lot in the last few years and has learned how to pitch, not just throw. He is turning into a great reliever who can throw in the mid 90's, I wonder what type of velocity he could maintain over 7+ innings every 5 days? My biggest concern isn't that he can't do it, my biggest concern is that our best bullpen pitcher would be out of the bullpen. What is everyone elses thoughts on this?

I agree that Perkins has probably earned another shot at starting; however, moving him would further weaken the bullpen. And given what we've seen of our starters so far, that just seems like a scary prospect to me.

Much as I'd like to see them bring some help in from the outside, as long as the Twins are committed to 'rebuilding' mode, I can't imagine them making a meaningful investment in either the starting rotation or the 'pen. I'm afraid this season, what we've seen so far is what we get.

[CDog]

It wasn't that cold, CDog. We're Minnesotans for christ sake, break out the long-johns. The teams play last year and the attendance at the end of it, are already carrying over. If not going to the game because it's cold is affecting the 2nd home game of the year, attendance is going to be bad all year (relative to most of the first 2 seasons). Yes, there was the non sellout in year one, but there were still over 37,000 fans at the game that wasn't a sellout. There we're 31,000 there yesterday. Believe it or not, that's a significant difference. Several upper-deck sections were empty, and a few on the 2nd level. Empty rows of seats absolutely everywhere.

I was there. It was cold. I'm from Minnesota, lived here my whole life, rarely get cold outside. Gettin' all tough guy about it doesn't change it. I also looked around during some breaks in the action and actually laughed out loud at the overwhelming sea of cold body language around me. Obviously being the lowest attendance ever isn't good, but it's been the pattern in the short history that early in the year isn't as well attended as later on.

[diehardtwinsfan]

What in the world makes people think Roy Oswalt would have any interest in signing with the Twins?? My god people, he turned down offers from the Red Sox, Cardinals, etc. He is content waiting till June before signing with a CONTENDER

Did you even read my last line? "nor should they if this team cannot compete." Kind of solves that issue doesn't it? The Twins shouldn't even bother if they aren't contending... and yes, I agree he wouldn't sign in that scenario either.

[Steve Lein]

but it's been the pattern in the short history that early in the year isn't as well attended as later on.

Look at the links I provided for attendance numbers, I don't find this statement to be true. Very minimal, at best, compared to the amount that was there yesterday.

 

And sorry, I wasn't cold there yesterday, so to each his own (and I was NOT wearing long-johns).

[Riverbrian]

I just want to say that this is my 100th post.

 

I have nothing important to add to this discussion and that is also true of the other 99 posts that I made.

 

Once... Again... This is my 100th post. Congrats are in order.

 

I'm sorry about the interuption... Please return safely to your interesting discussion on Minnesota April Temperatures.

P.S. Does anyone know how many posts I have to make to reach the AA level?

[Dilligaf69]

Marquis is a batting practice pitcher that should be released. Slowey is 100% better than Marquis but our clueless gm values nice guys because they get along with gardy. Bring up guys from our poor minor league system to get the innings since they will lose 110 games regardless.

 

 

 

He is?????? the same SloJam that was 0-8 or whatever last yr??? or the the Slowey who's wrist will likely never be the same thus never being close to the same pitcher he was before the surgery which was a 3rd or 4th starter at best anyway..that Kevin Slowey??