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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    I think Escobar has had an off-year defensively at shortstop, compared to previous seasons. He has bobbled or kicked more balls this year than in the previous two IMHO, some resulting in errors, some called hits and some ruling out double plays. My eye test of Polanco (limited reps) is that overall he probably fails in the "adequate" category. The arm is sufficient, but I"ve seen enough misplays to consider him in the bottom half of the shortstop pool. While SS may not be his eventual position, I have no problem with sending him out there to start the season in 2017. Perhaps, with many reps, he'll improve. Maybe someone will trade for him as a shortstop,
  2. stringer bell
    C'mon Ash! I just found my pitchfork and was going to light a torch and then find Suzuki. Then you use this logic and common sense! I do imagine Tim McCarver had a great CERA when he was Carlton's personal catcher (it was McCarver, wasn't it?). It seems to me that Molitor has been pretty random in his catching assignments. It also appears that none of Suzuki's supposed intangibles have helped the pitching staff at all.
  3. stringer bell
    I guess it should be an open competition between the two 1B/DHs. Vargas is younger, a switch hitter and performed far better this year for the Twins. The team has a lot invested in Park, but that should only give him a mulligan for 2016.
  4. stringer bell
    Great job Van! As for my characterization--I'm pretty sure I'd do whatever Chief suggested.
  5. stringer bell
    I would think that one of Antony's biggest regrets would be not trading Kinzler at the deadline.
  6. stringer bell
    Dozier has had a superstar season, granted he's produced those numbers largely in four months. You have to build around him, I think. The thing that troubles me most is moving goalposts. In 2012, it was 2015. Now someone just wrote 2019. What is wrong with this organization? They will have had top picks in five of the last six seasons. The results on the field should be much better and guys to their early to mid-twenties should be well on their way to established instead of having so much to prove. To respond to the OP--Dozier, Sano, Kepler, Berrios, Polanco. Berrios is so important because of the implosion of the major league pitching staff. The player I listed with the fewest question marks is Kepler. I think his floor as an average corner outfielder is secure and he could become an all-around star. There are defense and position-related questions about Sano and Polanco, although I think Jorge has shown that there is little doubt that he can handle big league pitching. Edit: OMG, I forgot Buxton. I'd put him right behind Sano. He has to do a better job hitting, but his defense in center could be special and those wheels on the pads could be game-changing
  7. stringer bell
    My final and enduring memory of Carl Pohlad was when I was working as a volunteer in a food stand in about 2002ish. The Twins were losing and Carl and Eloise were both covered up with faces visible and pushed to an exit by ushers. My thought then was that ultimate wealth doesn't buy ultimate health. Eloise died within months of that day and Carl lived on, but apparently in failing health. I don't know if he made many public appearances in those last years.
  8. stringer bell
    As I said earlier, some players on this list are personal favorites. That would include Koskie and Cuddy in particular. Oliva never made it, to my surprise. Mauer never got that many plate appearances when he was a great player and the big first sackers, Morneau and Hrbek didn't make this select list. Good on Dozier for adding his name. I think it just reinforces how good a season BD has had, historically good!
  9. stringer bell
    The last Twin to both drive in and score 100 runs in a single season is my personal favorite. Michael Cuddyer bounced through many positions and roles with the Twins before establishing himself as the right fielder in 2006. The team started slow that year, but had a torrid second half and won the division on the last day. Probably my biggest disappointment as a Twins fan was their loss in the playoffs that year. They had the Cy Young (Santana), MVP (Morneau) and batting champ, but fizzled against Oakland. Cuddyer had his best season with the Twins, hitting .284 with 24 homers and 109 RBI. Cuddy scored 102 times, the only time he reached 100 in either runs scored or RBI.
  10. stringer bell
    Number 5 on this list is the "big dumb Canadian". Corey Koskie arrived in Minnesota as a project. He developed over a few years and had his best season when that group of Twins came of age. 2001 was the year that Twins' fortunes took a sharp U-turn for the better. The United Nations infield, Soul Patrol outfield and AJ behind the dish meant a young and exciting lineup. Koskie hit .276, crashed 26 homers and drove in 103 while scoring exactly 100 times. In addition Koskie swiped 27 bases, making it one of the top power-speed seasons in Twins history!
  11. stringer bell
    Get in your way back machine for the first Twin to score and drive in 100 runs in a single season. Bob Allison accomplished the feat in 1962. JFK was president, the Twins were still a novelty and Bob Allison was the second half of the Twins 1-2 punch. Allison was a more complete player than Harmon, ran well for a big man, fine throwing arm, good batting eye and plenty of power. The Twins were a first division team in '62 and Allison was a big reason why. He hit 29 homers and scored 102 runs, while also driving in 102.
  12. stringer bell
    Third Hall member--Rod Carew! Always more of a table setter, Carew reached 100 RBI once in his career, his MVP season of 1977. The Twins that year were a (much better) version of this year's team--very good offense, questionable run prevention. Carew was at the forefront of the offense, hitting a career-high .388. Rodney hit 14 homers, drove in exactly 100, and led the league with 128 runs scored. The Twins started hot that year, but wilted to a third place finish IIRC.
  13. stringer bell
    I'll reveal this slowly--first the two guys who did it twice. Twins icon Harmon Killebrew had great seasons in 1967 and 1969. Harmon tied for the league lead in homers in '67. Scoring 105 runs while driving in 113. The Twins lost out for the AL pennant on the last day, losing to Boston in Fenway in what may have been the best pennant race I remember ( four teams in the race until the final week, three until the final day). 1969 was the first year of divisional play. The Twins, under Billy Martin, cruised to an easy divisional crown. Harmon had his MVP year hitting 49 homers, driving in 140 and scoring 106 times. Great seasons for the Twins first Hall of Famer. Kirby Puckett tallied two seasons where he exceeded both 100 runs scored and driven in. Ironically both of the fine seasons occurred the year after the Twins won the World Series. In '88, Kirby hit 24 homers, drove in 121 and scored 109 times. In '92, he tallied 19 homers, 110 RBI and scored 104 times.
  14. stringer bell
    I found the last guy! Some of my all-time favorites. Three guys, including the "multiples" had their numbers retired and are in the MLB Hall of Fame. The other three-solid performers, but not considered the best player on the team.
  15. stringer bell
    Dozier is set to join another elite group when he exceeds both 100 runs scored and 100 RBI, which could happen tonight. Bremer mentioned that only six players in Twins history had accomplished that feat, two of whom had done it twice. Working with my phone last night I found five players, including the two repeaters. Does anyone know all six? It is a pretty rare achievement and probably takes other good hitters to accomplish. I wouldn't say Dozier has had much help, but he has scored and driven himself in 41 times. Unbelievable!
  16. stringer bell
    How does Ausmus not walk Dozier? Glad for Doze to get a couple more RBI, but that is managerial malpractice.
  17. stringer bell
    A homer championship plus the Major League record for homers more than trumps Altuve's second batting championship IMHO. By WAR, OPS and just about every metric, Altuve has had the better season, I agree, but it will come to a vote and I think the case can be made for the Twins' guy. The numbers from metrics are getting tighter. Dozier at this minute has an OPS of .935 and Altuve is just ahead of him at .952.
  18. stringer bell
    I heard he was really only 5-5 and a half.
  19. stringer bell
    1901
  20. stringer bell
    I wonder how much hot water Mr. Rosario is in. Starting both Grossman and Schafer against a right hander. Or maybe Molitor knows what he has in Rosario and wants to see what Robbie and Logan can do? I don't think so, I think Eddie did or said something the manager didn't like.
  21. stringer bell
    My thought included the awards already issued--Altuve won a SS & GG last year and was the All-Star starter. Dozier may well break a HR record for 2B that has stood for over 40 years and for him to receive nothing for that is odd. Altuve's numbers are better, but Dozier's are close enough to merit argument. If the numbers narrow even further, I think Dozier has a chance and should be considered.
  22. stringer bell
    Brian Dozier's home run barrage has lifted his numbers this year from good to extraordinary. A few days ago I wrote a blog entry where I stated that Dozier wouldn't win any national awards despite his outstanding season. With the new record for homers by an AL second baseman established and a chance to set a record for all second basemen possible along with a chance of leading all of baseball in homers, I have changed my mind. Dozier might win a Silver Slugger award and a decent case could be made for deserving that award. I know such awards don't mean that much, but some recognition for a truly historic season might be in order. Dozier's principal competition would be Altuve, with Cano and Pedroia also having fine years.
  23. stringer bell
    I don't think it's fair to say "career eight weeks". First of all, since June 1, Dozier has been an elite hitter, that's a lot more than eight weeks. Dismissing his otherworldly stretch would indicate that he'd never approach elite status again when he's performed at that level for many stretches. Yes, Dozier had several consecutive bad months, but Dozier has put together four good years and the trajectory has been up.
  24. stringer bell
    The only reason to watch going forward left the game I see. Dozier was HBP, is he injured or did Molitor want to see what Grossman could do as a PH?
  25. stringer bell
    Congrats to Chargois! The key here is that Tito could have walked Mauer, but didn't. Earlier, he walked Dozier to pitch to Mauer.
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