Article: Keeping the Dream Alive

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php/2558-Keeping-the-Dream-Alive

[tjsyam921]

I enjoyed watching all of these players and their stories. I wish that Colabello could've had more success. Will be interesting to see if he can adjust to MLB pitching standing so far off the plate. Bernier could certainly get another shot as there doesnt seem to be many utility players in the upper minors. Albers with a successful start could be on the verge of a callup if Gibson, Meyer, or May struggle. I'm sure Thielbar is already locked into the '14 bullpen lefty role.

[Tibs]

All of these guys have shown they at least deserve a shot to make the team out of spring training.

[Thrylos]

All of them are great stories, but here is the question:

 

Do they ever make it in the bigs (other than as September call ups) in a team that is competing for the World Series? Doubtful. The fact that they did, speaks more about the horrible shape the Twins have been. Likely not a single one of them will make the 2014 Twins' team (and that would not be a bad thing)

[Old Twins Cap]

Sorry if I have a hard time going all the way on these three players. To me this is indicative of a team that doesn't really have anything to dream on. Give me an Aaron Hicks or a Sano or a Buxton. That's something to dream on. These guys made it to the majors because a team had nothing on its roster to keep them in the Minor Leagues. I'm getting a little tired of trying to get juiced about a journeyman player who gets a cup of coffee after a decade. If we're the Yankees, that's potentially a great story. Because we are the Twins, it's just pathetic. I mean, what other team would give these guys a chance?

[Tibs]

Sorry if I have a hard time going all the way on these three players. To me this is indicative of a team that doesn't really have anything to dream on. Give me an Aaron Hicks or a Sano or a Buxton. That's something to dream on. These guys made it to the majors because a team had nothing on its roster to keep them in the Minor Leagues. I'm getting a little tired of trying to get juiced about a journeyman player who gets a cup of coffee after a decade. If we're the Yankees, that's potentially a great story. Because we are the Twins, it's just pathetic. I mean, what other team would give these guys a chance?

 

You don't think the Yankees would have given the International League MVP a chance?

[Mike Sixel]

Great stories. Happy that each of them lived their dreams. Not all of us get to do that. Good for them.

[PopRiveter]

Thrylos & OldTwinsCap, Seth opens the article by first acknowledging what we all know-the season was difficult for MN and their fans.

 

You both obviously love baseball deeply. We all want our favorite team to win it all every year. That won't happen. One of the things I love most about baseball is how a long, bad season can produce a fantastic game on a given day. And just one or two steps back from that, I see a parallel-a poor team can produce compelling storylines. Sure, these storylines probably wouldn't happen if the Twins were at the top of the division in 2013, but they weren't. That doesn't mean we don't get to enjoy them.

 

If you really love baseball, you gotta understand that right? It's what makes guys like us something more than just football fans. InsertSmileyFaceEmoticonHere

[Old Twins Cap]

Thrylos & OldTwinsCap, Seth opens the article by first acknowledging what we all know-the season was difficult for MN and their fans.

 

 

 

If you really love baseball, you gotta understand that right? It's what makes guys like us something more than just football fans. InsertSmileyFaceEmoticonHere

 

You know, once every couple of years, if there are stories like this, that's great. But, when it becomes the only story, and it has these last three years, it really starts to wear on a fan. Not to beat a dead horse, but, the Twins have kind of become a one-trick pony in regard to their roster: guys who can't make it on any other team. It's tiring. I'm afraid I'm going to die without ever seeing another competitive baseball squad in Minnesota. I want more than a heart-warming story about a mediocre ball-player who once made it to the majors on a 90-loss team.

[clutterheart]

All of them are great stories, but here is the question:

 

Do they ever make it in the bigs (other than as September call ups) in a team that is competing for the World Series? Doubtful. The fact that they did, speaks more about the horrible shape the Twins have been. Likely not a single one of them will make the 2014 Twins' team (and that would not be a bad thing)

 

Albers and Theilbar might have got called up on any team if the injury situation presented itself.

[oldguy10]

Old Twins Cap nails it perfectly as far as I am concerned as does Thrylos, these feel good stories are getting awfully old and tiresome. Let me see some real prospects coming up not "never will be's", we know the difference, let's not try to sugar coat it all.

[goulik]

Old Twins Cap nails it perfectly as far as I am concerned as does Thrylos, these feel good stories are getting awfully old and tiresome. Let me see some real prospects coming up not "never will be's", we know the difference, let's not try to sugar coat it all.

Arcia's Debut and a breakout year at second base combined with two of the top three and seven of the top 100 prospects has made the Twins more interesting than the Vikings for me to talk about DURING FOOTBALL SEASON! I also think AAA international league player of the year numbers can bring a cup of coffee to anyone. Cola and Thielbar earned it!!

The Bleh in the line up was PJ Wilson, Clete Thomas, Wilkin Ramirez, Cole DeVries, Liam Hendricks, Etc. That have already been cut.

[goulik]

PS, great story Seth, Thank You

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Great article Seth. Yes, good that these guys got to live out their dreams. I agree with Thrylos that on a contending team, it is likely that only one (or none) would have made it. However, these guys do add something good to a very forgettable season. I hope all these guys go to spring training (whether DFAd or not) and give it their best shot.

[Guest USAFChief]

If these types interest you, great.

 

They don't interest me in the least. I want to see the Twins bring upi players who can lead them back to the WS. I don't watch the news for human interest stories, nor do I watch MLB for them.

[howieramone1406390264]

You know, once every couple of years, if there are stories like this, that's great. But, when it becomes the only story, and it has these last three years, it really starts to wear on a fan. Not to beat a dead horse, but, the Twins have kind of become a one-trick pony in regard to their roster: guys who can't make it on any other team. It's tiring. I'm afraid I'm going to die without ever seeing another competitive baseball squad in Minnesota. I want more than a heart-warming story about a mediocre ball-player who once made it to the majors on a 90-loss team.

 

Any way you can hold on 'til 2015?

[Steve_h]

I love these kinds of stories. It keeps me coming back. There is always a role for role players on successful teams. Colabello, Thielbar, Albers could all be part of a successful team — maybe not fulltime everyday players. The comments are right -- they won't be stars, but look at the '87 team. Joe Klink relieved for 12 games. Billy Beane (yes, that's right) played 12 games. Roy Smith started one game and relieved in six others. Even a WS team cannot have 25 Buxtons. You need all kinds of players, even role players who will never get more than a cup of tea.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

I'm wondering who will succeed Thielbar. Pinto, Tonkin, Meyer, Sano, and Buxton all seem like the best candidates.

[Seth Stohs]

Alright... Merry Christmas!!

[Dman]

I guess I don't get all the angst for these players. Yes they all struggled at the major league level but they were at or near the top of their peers in AAA. How many prospects have had a season at AAA like CC? Just because he didn't adjust to MLB pitching right away he sucks? Like any one with those numbers he has a legitimate chance to be a star. He is 30. So are several free agents and teams went 6 or 7 years with some of them. Why go negative?

 

Albers pitched better than Gibson in AAA and the majors. Why does only Albers suck? His slow fastball and pinpoint accuracy somehow worked better than the prospect touted to be a number 3 starter. Albers will never be an ace but neither will 90% of the pitchers currently in baseball, does that mean he isn't needed in a rotation? We just signed Coreia and Pelfrey to be essentially the same kind of pitcher he is. We need guys with upside and he could fill a roll on any team in MLB.

 

Thielbar held his own in the pen and was a better option than many in MLB. Is he a closer no, but lots of teams had worse options than the Thielbar last year. We got him for free he has been a good place holder until someone better knocks him off the roster or we get value back by trading him. He is still a good story and positive for the Twins.

 

I kind of despise it when people use stats to pump up why there prospect is good and then ignore them when it suits their needs. These guys had great years at AAA. It didn't translate immediately to MLB. That doesn't mean they are not or will not be better than lot's of current MLB players.

 

Personally I like the Twins approach. Find talent anywhere you can. Who cares where it comes from. who cares how old someone is if they can hit 25 home runs for you. Be patient and see if their skills will translate to MLB. Who knows you might find a star outside the draft but you'll never know unless you try.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Great work, Seth. The offseason is a perfect time for feel good stories, when all parties have time to reflect, take inventory, count blessings. In the middle of the season introducing a new call up as a "great story" is not the right time, and I very much agree with others in that respect.

 

Question: in the original Q&A was discussion about Collabello learning third base, any new developments on that? If he is actually looking to stick in the big leagues for a full season like he says, then the opportunity is right under his nose, it seems. Also wasn't Collabello the guy who took his home run ball away from a little girl? Lol

[orangevening]

Alright... Merry Christmas!!

 

Or Bah Hum Bug from others' perspective of this story

[AlwaysinModeration]

I'm holding out hope that Colabello will be a pretty good player for the Twins for at least a couple of years.

[Riverbrian]

Thrylos & OldTwinsCap, Seth opens the article by first acknowledging what we all know-the season was difficult for MN and their fans.

 

You both obviously love baseball deeply. We all want our favorite team to win it all every year. That won't happen. One of the things I love most about baseball is how a long, bad season can produce a fantastic game on a given day. And just one or two steps back from that, I see a parallel-a poor team can produce compelling storylines. Sure, these storylines probably wouldn't happen if the Twins were at the top of the division in 2013, but they weren't. That doesn't mean we don't get to enjoy them.

 

If you really love baseball, you gotta understand that right? It's what makes guys like us something more than just football fans. InsertSmileyFaceEmoticonHere

 

Awesome post... Simply Awesome... I agree with every single word.

[GCTF]

If these types interest you, great.

 

They don't interest me in the least. I want to see the Twins bring upi players who can lead them back to the WS. I don't watch the news for human interest stories, nor do I watch MLB for them.

 

Awesome post...Simply Awesome...I agree with every single word.

[cmathewson]

I love these stories. But I understand why some don't.

 

If you don't want to read human interest stories, consider these guys as a sign of an organization that is willing to use every channel of talent. Personally, I like the fact that they will give marginal guys a chance and let them earn their way to the majors.

 

Yes you need to draft the Kohl Stewarts of the world. Yes you need to sign the Miguel Sanos of the world. And you also need to sign the Ricky Nolascos of the world. But you don't exclude the independent league talent out of hand.

 

I think teams that do are missing out. The Angels used to have a closer named Brian Harvey. If memory serves, they saw him and signed him out of a softball league. He saved 126 games for them, and 177 games in his career.

 

I know Harvey was an extreme long shot, but there was practically no risk. Worst case, he closes games in AAA for his career. But every once in a while, a guy like that can help a team win a World Series.

[Riverbrian]

Awesome post...Simply Awesome...I agree with every single word.

 

I don't want to live in a world with no room for the underdog.

 

 

I'm sorry son... You were drafted in the 16th round. We can't let you play up here. A 16th rounder has no chance of learning anything once exposed to the best instructors in the world.

 

I'm Sorry Mr. Hershiser... Thank You for that 2.66 ERA in 1984 but we can't let you continue into 1985 because you had a 1.49 WHIP in Albuquerque in 1982 and you were a 17th round pick before that. We ain't stupid here... We just need you to fill up some uniforms so we have a team in Lake Elsinore.

 

I'm sorry Trevor Hoffman... We thought you were a SS when we drafted you. There is no reason for us to convert you to pitcher. Give up the dream... You are just wasting our time.

 

I'm sorry Mr. Nava... You are 24 years old and playing in Chico California... There is simply no way that you can help us get to the World Series. It would be a complete waste of time for you ride the bus for low pay trying to advance through each level of the farm.

 

This Game is made for 1st rounders like Trevor Plouffe and Chris Parmelee.

 

Let me stand here and say... To all Dreamers... Don't bother trying... Infield drills... Batting practice... Work in the weight room... Diets... All of it... Why do you even try...

 

Just give up!

 

There are simply no room for great stories in baseball. Just the elite talent.