tony&rodney
-
Posts
9,758 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
86
Content Type
Profiles
News
Minnesota Twins Videos
2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospects Ranking
2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks
Minnesota Twins Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits
Guides & Resources
2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks
The Minnesota Twins Players Project
2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks
2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick Tracker
2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick Tracker
Forums
Blogs
Events
Store
Downloads
Gallery
Everything posted by tony&rodney
-
Removing all electronics from the dugout (Ipads, phones, watches, etc.) and restricting clubhouse technology to tapes of previous games might be part of a solution. Another approach might be to enforce the 20 second pitch clock. Batters must remain in the box once their at bat begins. One foot out for a quick sign check and back in to hit. Every single MLB player grew up with those rules, including Nelson Cruz. High schools, colleges, and the minor leagues effectively eliminated posturing, stalling, glove adjustments, etc. decades ago. Not everyone pitches like Buehrle but taking thirty seconds not only slows down the game but creates time for individuals and teams to seek "outside" advantages.
-
The best explanation for anyone interested to know about what effect this cheating has is a video by Matt Antonelli on page 3 of the post concerning the Astros. In short (if you won't watch it), there isn't anything in baseball that results in a better advantage for a hitter than knowing what pitch is coming. Please don't insert steroids as a similar advantage. We all know someone who has taken steroids and can't hit a softball. Yes, steroids are huge for recovery of injuries. Yes, steroids must be eradicated from baseball, but they do not belong in the same conversation. Also, betting? C'mon, there is definitive proof and knowledge by hundreds of former players, as well as the league, concerning Pete Rose. The Twins most likely were affected by teams using technology against them. To collect and prove that assertion becomes necessary for any penalty to be levied, however. Several times in the last couple of year, while watching the Twins, I have commented out loud about a catcher going through complex signs when the bases were empty. Until such time as firm evidence is presented, we will have to accept that the Yankees just were really good at laying off tough pitches and guessing.
-
A decent extension (4/$40) would be nice but I would also support going year to year with Berrios.
-
Trade Gordon for Bryant and then Bryant to Houston for a PTBNL. The Twins don't want Bryant.
-
Yah, Nick the Stick is a hack in the infield. He is fun to watch hit though. The Twins shouldn't even consider Castellanos.
-
Pray for the ghost of Doc Gooden (the pitching part -1984-93) to visit Graterol, Balazovic, Duran, Thorpe, and Dobnak.
-
I hope Bailey does well. I wanted Cole but Bailey beats nothing.
-
Agree with above post - Sano is fine at 3B. Why get an inferior player and trade prospects?
-
The Twins can use a smorgasbord of players at 1B: Gonzalez, Adrianza, Kepler, Sano, Garver, Astudillo, Rooker, Kirilloff, and others. If they sign Donaldson the options narrow, but the team is improved. If not JD, then the only true focus for this year is pitching and we can hope that this might be something substantial gathered through a trade. 3B is not a concern. I do encourage the front office to be in touch with all teams for surprising options that may arise: Story, Betts, Gray, and so forth.
- 60 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- kris bryant
- minnesota twins
- (and 1 more)
-
The Twins would be nuts to trade any of their top seven prospects for Bryant. This is especially true because Donaldson is available, prospect free.
- 60 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- kris bryant
- minnesota twins
- (and 1 more)
-
This is true. As much as I prefer an excellent defensive team and still firmly believe that it is important, the number of balls hit in the air and strikeouts have reduced the critical importance of defense to some extent. Just add Josh Donaldson and 3B becomes improved defensively and he makes the lineup even more formidable. This is the best option which is precisely why the front office is still engaged on JD.
-
Donaldson's sore calves would really look good hitting second.
-
A nice little piece of writing that details in a different fashion why the Twins should sign Donaldson if they are after a 3B. Additionally, a great signing of Sano and agreements with everyone except Berrios, and there may be negotiations ongoing there. Looks like the Twins came in below forecasts on arb guesses as well, which means ... throw a little pile towards JD.
-
I like it - good job. Lots of room for discussion and arguments about placement, etc., but well constructed and reasonable at every level. Thanks.
- 44 replies
-
- 7
-
-
- royce lewis
- brusdar graterol
- (and 3 more)
-
"I think I’ll pass" - ewen21 Why? The team has the money. The other players won't be jealous. There isn't much committed for next year. Adding JD doesn't prevent the Twins from making trades. It may even help open some trade possibilities. Donaldson would most certainly make the Twins better. I never had JD on my radar until there wasn't any other free agents left. But he is available and nobody else is right now. Why not JD when the money makes no difference at all?
-
Sano is a fearsome hitter and i think he could really step forward. Experience, fitness, health, focus, and happiness could congeal to help the big man deliver an MVP level performance (please remember that MVPs are for Trout). I'm a fan.
-
Defense Evaluation - Jorge Polanco
tony&rodney commented on TwerkTwonkTwins's blog entry in Ryan Stephan's Twinpinions
The Twins won 101 games last year, but were swept aside in the playoffs. The quick defeats to NY were in part due to failed offense, but untimely pitching mistakes were exasperated by poor defense. Is it necessary to disrupt the lineup? Switching Polanco to 2B, Sano to 1B, and Arraez to 3B leaves the team without anyone playing SS and three players learning positions on the fly at the major league level. It could work, but it seems dubious. How can this change? If the defense is to be upgraded some trades would need to happen because there isn't anyone sitting at home waiting for a call to play SS in the majors. Trevor Story? Colorado would want something that makes their team better. Are the Twins willing to gamble on a major trade? Colorado will not be looking for prospects. Any ideas? Berrios, Arraez, and Rosario for Gray and Story? Hmm. The team defense does need to improve but the manner to do so is difficult. -
Losing out on JD at the above number would be a shame.
-
4 Twins Prospects to Watch in 2020
tony&rodney replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Less than 0%? Don't gamble with those odds. Is the unicorn named Verlander? I agree - the Twins are a cautious bunch. -
This is a well done series, thank you. My personal feelings are that Sano is underrated. I guarantee pitchers would rather face just about anyone else in baseball than Sano. He hits the ball so hard. It is not the distance it's the velocity. My judgement is that a secret poll of MLB pitchers would place Sano in the top dozen in all of baseball for fear factor. He is respected. That said, this year is a big year for the big man because he must stay on the field, stay focused, and produce consistently.
-
The manner in which I wrote the post you responded to was not clear. Sorry. To the last post - I too am very high on Graterol, but he is not going to throw too many innings this year. The Twins should put him out there though. I'm hoping for 125-140 innings this year.
-
Nothing major, especially between Gray and Alcantara. Things such as age, service time, innings pitched, baa and a few other things. There doesn't seem to be much reason for Arizona or Colorado to trade if they are going to compete. Alcantara is the youngest and seems to be possibly available (maybe not) and improving, while it would likely take more of the Twins top prospects to pry away Ray or Gray now. I have been thinking that July may be a time when trade options expand. I wonder what San Diego would ask for Paddock? Lewis and Larnach? Not likely. Two teams need to find a common goal and I don't know what that formula is. We already have a bunch of one year contracts. My thinking is that a major trade of prospects should bring a controlled player back.
-
Josh Donaldson: How Great Is He Actually?
tony&rodney commented on TwinsFan268's blog entry in You Shouldn't Have Lost
Josh Donaldson is worth what he is asking for right now, if it is $100-110M. The Twins definitely have the money with only $21 million committed in 2021. Now the front office can put the ball right back in his court by that offer (above). Then we see if JD really objects to MN money and will only play for Atlanta. This seems rather simple. -
Josh Donaldson is a risk. However, he is less of a risk than any of the other options discussed this winter. The Twins are only on the hook for slightly over $20 million for next year. The money is available. If JD doesn't want to play for Minnesota or the front office has him evaluated much lower for some reason, fine; we have to agree to disagree (unhappily) with their decision. If the front office believes Donaldson has value, then they need to force him to make the decision. The Twins should have the best offer. Price, Sale, Archer, Gray, Ray, and others are just not seeming to be very balanced decisions based upon multiple risk factors, such as price, injury, prospect cost, and statistical peripherals. I would not trade any of Lewis, Kirilloff, Larnach, Graterol, Balazovic, or Duran for that crew. If there are other combinations that work using lesser valued prospects, do it. In June or July there will be a new alignment of values for available pitchers and the prospects. This is looking like the time for a decision. Mitch Moreland for @$4M and Alex Wood for @$4M are my only remaining options. There is a good chance that some of the Twins young prospects will provide the performance and value we are hoping for this summer. They will be watched closely this Spring.
