Riverbrian

If you drain the farm you'll have to go to the market for your ingredients. You'll have no choice. The Brewers are now critically low on Barley and Hops but they had a couple of impressive keg parties.

As always... you have talent Spycake. My research consisted of one article that I googled using "Evan Longoria Service time Manipulation" between bites during my lunch hour. It still stands that we are 11 years between Longoria and Vlad Jr.

Lot to cover here. Right off the bat... I'm a fan and I represent myself. I don't have representation at the CBA negotiation table. I'm the one drifting in the wind here. My happiness is in the hands of other people, I don't get a vote or representation at that table. I'm not going to lose sleep over a year of service time and I'm especially not going to lose sleep when I know that the agreement was negotiated by two power brokers, skilled at such things, while looking across the table at each other and not at gun point. Especially, Especially when I know that both sides are looking out for their interests... and not mine. Neither the owners or the players care if the price of a ticket goes up. They are negotiating to get the most money in their pockets, why am I taking sides? I'm not because NEITHER resemble Mother Theresa. The player can hit .189 and still collect the 30 million. The Owners can keep players under control until they are past their prime. These things were negotiated. I didn't get a vote. Both sides understand it is strictly business by now... the innocence is gone. If the business side of things hasn't hit them in the eyes in year one... it will certainly cold cock them once they sit down with the Arbitrator as the team tears them apart to save a couple of million bucks. So what's my interest? I want the players who suck... gone and I want the players with skill playing for my team as long as possible. According to the CBA, to which I have no representation, I have to tolerate all bad contracts, but my good contracts have a shelf life. I have to put up with players getting paid and throwing 85MPH and I have to put up with players struggling for 3 years of precious service time so he can get good right before he says goodbye. My interest is very uncomplicated. I want the players I want, playing for my team as long as possible. That is what is best for me.I am simply not concerned if Acuna makes 600K or 27 Million or if he reaches free agency at 26 or 27 or 32. I will trade 17 days of rookie ball in April for a full season in a players prime every single time. You can't compare 17 days in April to a full year in a players prime without recognizing how lopsided of a no-brainer decision it is. I am not bound by slight of hand or public relations. I don't have to say that the reason is defensive work, the player isn't ready or he needs rest for better health with a straight face. I can scream from the mountain tops without reservation or apology. "I WANT THE EXTRA YEAR" for my benefit and I deserve it. And the negotiated CBA states that I can have it. Did the players union negotiate a bad deal? Yes... they failed to see the future but at the time, they got what they wanted. They didn't see the Ivy league front offices doing cost per analysis down the road. It changed everything and the next CBA is going to be a nightmare when the players union tries to get things back in their favor. And once again... I won't have representation at the next CBA negotiation table either. Meaning... when they go into a lock out or strike... I'll have to sit there and take it.

You can't state that my wanting "an extra year of control" is not "relevant" and then state that holding players back is "not one that is good for the FANS or the players". However, if you wish to limit the conversation to your defined narrow scope of considerations. OK... I'm game... Let's start with the "Slippery Slope" that you mention. John Danks, Phil Hughes, Evan Longoria, Jordan Zimmerman are possible examples of "Service Time Manipulation" from 2007, 2008 and 2009. If you consider that it has been 12 years time from 2007 to 2019 and the players union just got around to using Kris Bryant as a "Test Case". Can you better define how slippery or slopee the slope actually is? If you want to cling your hopes on the vague usage of "Good Faith" in the CBA language. Go ahead but it's kind of like using a dog leash to stop a tanker at sea.

Yeah... You can't alter the future!!!

It's a business and these are big boys. The Twins will be alright and Byron Buxton will be alright. From my perspective. I wanted the extra year and I got it. That's all I need. I don't need to pile on the organization or Byron any further. If he becomes what he could become... that extra year will be nice. If he doesn't come around the extra year will not matter. I believe it will eventually matter. He didn't snap... He answered a question. I have no problem with players expressing themselves. He competed for the Twins this year. He isn't talking about it. It's OK to give him a pass.

It has been the only thing I’ve stated consistently. I want the extra year. I’m a fan and I’m looking out for MY best interest. I’m not running a charity here.

(True Story) Back in May of 2016... Brian Dozier was looking absolutely horrible (along with the entire team) but Dozier was capable of so much more. His extended slump had brought his batting average below .200 and I couldn't tolerate it anymore so the only thing I posted on Twinsdaily was something like: "BRIAN DOZIER -- FIX HIM!!!" The next day, Terry Ryan talks to the press and he is quoted saying... "We've got to FIX him". Dozier was benched the next day... for like a day and then he went on a home run tear... Hit like 80 home runs from June to September. Your Welcome everyone. I did that. (True Story)

I believe in Buxton and I wanted the extra year of service time because I believe in Buxton. I’m not paying attention to any other reasons being floated. None of it matters in a lost season. The extra year gained is huge to anyone who believes in Buxton and are waiting for that big Buxton year. Bryant can file all the grievances he wants. He won’t win... the agreement was bargained collectively. We got an extra year of Buxton. I’m hoping to enjoy it.

You said: "Those saying the money doesn't matter" I replied: "Every team has a budget". I was agreeing with you. The money does matter. My main point is that his price has gone from 4 million to 8 million and he priced himself into waivers at 4 million a year prior.

If Garver is capable of playing a decent 1B... Let him play C and 1B. Get him some more AB's in the process. We just watched the team move players around last year. We can do it again in 2020.

Last year the Sox were trying to sign Machado. With all the youth one year older... I don’t believe the attempt at the top of the pile was a one and done. Meaning... you will hear the White Sox in on Cole and the others. Meaning... whatever you think they are now has little relation to what they will be. Meaning; Dismissing the Sox is a bad idea. You can dismiss the Tigers and Royals tho.

Every team has a budget.

We acquired Cron off of waivers because Tampa didn't want to pay him the 4M he would have received in Arbitration. I don't believe we had the first waiver claim meaning other teams passed on paying Cron 4M. The price is now 8M and his year wasn't as good. Wait for Tampa to waive Jesus Aguilar and sign him.

Agreed

It isn’t the same organization. New ownership. It’s a ground floor opportunity. They tore it down and are building it back up. If Rowson can get those young players to hit with bench coach in the job title, It would be a solid step toward a manager job in the future. The only question that I would have is this: If our bench coach gets the Pirates job. Who replaces him? Would Rowson be a candidate for the same job with the Twins? If that’s the case... the Marlins job becomes a slightly questionable.

It's a song by Chicago.

A Bench Coach is pretty much insulated from the wrath of fans. The manager will bare the brunt of any decision that goes wrong. However, as we all know. Call for a run on 3rd and 7 and the fans will be all over the OC.

Should be the goal that you work tirelessly toward.

I support the concept of a bullpen management overhaul. It is long overdue. But, it has some serious challenges from decades past. The first hurdle in producing the change necessary is going to be the salary structure. As long as traditional "Closers" get more money in Arbitration and get signed for more money in free agency. The top relief pitchers are going to insist on a "Closer" Role. The Twins can buck this trend (I'd really like them to) but it will cause issues in recruitment and retention. Because the paycheck is simply larger based on saves. The closer role needs to be de-valued. I've already de-valued it in my head but unfortunately, that isn't good enough, I'm gonna need some help from all 30 teams, the agents and arbitrators.

This is always the answer... even if we trade Buxton. Gonna need 4 quality regardless.

No idea... that is always possible. However, I think it is more plausible that teams will overcharge the stronger organizations... being less willing to settle for a lesser players knowing that we have better players in the system.

Those players have to be so special... teams are willing to let them become free agents before they reach the age of 27 because of the benefit today. If a 20 year old is going to struggle. There is no sense letting him burn service time struggling so he can figure it out right before he reaches free agency at age 26.

Exactly... Things don't have to be all or nothing. I don't know anything about Lewis defensively but I'm willing to lay down a bet with anyone that when he hits the major leagues. It will be close to a mid-season ... and... and... the odds are that he will debut at position other than SS so I will be comfortable taking that bet as well. If that's the case and it probably is... Let him play multiple positions, he can still play the majority of time at SS if you so desire. And who knows... maybe in the process of doing so. A different SS comes around who can REALLY pick it. A different SS that also starts figuring it out at the plate because he now gets the chance to figure it out at the plate because Lewis isn't playing every possible inning at SS. So, now you have given opportunity to multiple SS's and may the best man win . You increase your production by a 2 to 1 margin instead of locking into one and saying we will live or die with you and you alone. Production is increased, options are increased... these are good things.

You are describing past “Utility” definitions. Super Utility is alive and well in this day and age.