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stringer bell

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Everything posted by stringer bell

  1. stringer bell
    The comment immediately above summarizes what I see and lays it out better than I ever could. Look up "media darling" somewhere and Torii's picture should be there. That doesn't mean he hasn't been a good player (he has), but his popularity is greater with the media than everyone else. Torii would be a fascinating person to get to know and he is a great example to younger players, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's a "great clubhouse guy" or will be a great mentor.
  2. stringer bell
    I have liked Plouffe since I started reading his Twitter feed. The play on the field has improved each year and last year he made big steps as a third baseman. That said, he is not a guy the team is going to build around. If the Twins can acquire a player or two for him that have the potential to be cornerstones, they should go for it.
  3. stringer bell
    I do find it ironic that the Twins run of contention that started in 2001 was based on defense. Outside of catcher, they had plus defenders at every position and won games by being fundamentally sound, making great plays on defense and getting just enough offense. IIRC, Ryan was the architect of this formula and now seems to be discounting or disregarding defense. The game has changed since then, but defense is probably regarded as more important now than it was 14 years ago.
  4. stringer bell
    I want to agree with Ryan, but the numbers are pretty dramatic. I don't think corner OF defense is quite as crucial as up-the-middle "D", but combining slow guys who take bad routes with inconsistency in center hasn't worked.
  5. stringer bell
    Knowing nothing about Robinson, I'll predict that he makes the club as backup/platoon partner for Schafer. I have stated for over a year now that Hicks needs AAA time and that he should play in the minors before he gets another AB with the Twins. That means that somebody who is not a prospect needs to be the fourth OF. After checking BB Ref, I see that Robinson has played all three OF positions capably, isn't much of a hitter and has some speed, probably more like Jason Repko than any other backup the Twins have employed recently.
  6. stringer bell
    Why is the time past? Dozier was 25 when they sent him back to AAA and he came back the next year and performed very well. I'll be charitable and say that Hicks failed once and disappointed the next time on the big stage. It makes no sense to me to try a failed strategy a third time. I still believe he could be a good major league player, but it will take more than a tweak or magical mentoring from Torii Hunter to make him a productive major leaguer. Because he still is a prospect, it is ridiculous to pencil him in as the right-handed half of a platoon. BTW, I think we have found the Twins' fourth outfielder/platoon partner for Schafer. In minor league talk, it is reported that the Twins signed Shane Robinson, a 30-year old with 452 plate appearances with the Cards spread out over five years. He is a capable outfielder who doesn't hit much (plays all three OF positions). That kind of guy will do until Hicks/Buxton/Rosario take over center either this year or next.
  7. stringer bell
    Ricky Nolasco last year was exactly what you are advocating for this year--a proven arm with a history of at least being adequate or better and providing innings. That didn't pan out. Just two years ago Masterson was an All-Star. He suffered injuries and was terrible last year. If he regained his 2013 form, he would be #1 or #2 on the Twins staff. That is exactly what I think the Twins should look for.
  8. stringer bell
    So this is a two-fer? They sign Hunter and he fixes right and center field? Nonsense! If Hicks can play, he should play, but he needs to master AAA. No showing in the spring can change what happened previously. I think the Twins paid Torii Hunter market value (and ignored his age) to play right field. The intangibles may have helped to make the price tag easier to swallow, but if Torii doesn't perform, no amount of mentorship and leadership is going to make his pay check worth it.
  9. stringer bell
    IMHO, the Twins have to send Hicks to the minors to start the season. His performance has been poor at the major league level and he hasn't mastered AAA. He has shown that spring training stats (for him) should be disregarded. It doesn't make sense to platoon him as the RH component (they only start between 20-30% of the games) because he still needs development. Find a 4A player to platoon with Schafer to start the season. If Hicks tears up AAA, recall him as the full-time CF, if Rosario or Buxton jump ahead of him, so be it.
  10. stringer bell
    I didn't hear Torii's press conference, but according to Barriero, Torii will finish his career as a Twins, so (if true) all this talk about a trade at the deadline is a non-issue. I still don't like the move, especially moving Arcia and probably hurting the already-porous outfield defense. I wrote this earlier, but Hunter has been a marvel, producing at a high level in his late 30s. However, he could fall flat at any time and I have to believe that hitting between Kinsler and Miggy offered him a huge lift in his numbers. I want to yell "BS" about leadership. I don't think the Twins have had bad chemistry, they've had bad pitching and overall talent. I think Souhan's column is illustrative. Torii is interesting and quotable. That in and of itself doesn't make him a leader, but it sure makes reporting or writing about the Twins a lot easier. He does provide a great example of what staying in shape and working on one's craft can do for a career.
  11. stringer bell
    There was a solid case to keep each guy. However, if this is an indication of business as usual and status quo for roster decisions, I don't like it. Duensing will be relatively expensive for his role and there were a number of LH relievers non-tendered. I don't trust Thompson/Darnell to fill his role, and I believe adding a second lefty (non-closer) is a good move. I hope BD can be moved, either before or during spring training. I like what Nuñez has to offer and think he could be a nice piece. It does figure that the Twins will have more injuries in their infield (Plouffe was the only 2B-SS-3B to be disabled (besides Nuñez himself), plus Nuñez played an OK OF for the Twins last year. Having someone who can legitimately pinch-hit and pinch-run with experience at five positions is far better than carrying "spirit leader" Bartlett in that spot.
  12. stringer bell
    But how do you really feel about it Levi? I tend to ignore some of the off-field stuff, but I don't think leadership is the #1 problem with this team. Hunter doesn't fix what is wrong and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what Ryan and Molitor are thinking.
  13. stringer bell
    First of all, Torii has been a marvel since he left Minnesota. He certainly can be an example on how to take care of himself, and probably how to prepare for each and every game. Obviously, his hitting has remained strong despite his advanced age. However, the move smacks of a blind spot or willfully ignoring Hunter's regression in the field. Further, I liked leaving Arcia in right field and I think putting him in the larger corner is a tactical mistake and moving him back and forth depending on whether Hunter is in the lineup is the worst idea. I think Hunter's value off the field is real, but a mixed blessing. The $10.5M is real money, but it only becomes important if it means the Twins check out of all free agent shopping for this off-season. Now, what happens if Buxton, Rosario, and/or Sano tear it up in Chattanooga or Rochester? Hunter takes at-bats from the future and most likely isn't enough of a positive to make the Twins a contender in 2015. It also means we're stuck with Schafer as Plan A in center fielder or giving Aaron Hicks another chance after failing/disappointing the last two years. No, I can't buy into this move. I would much rather have seen the Twins trade for Chris Heisey from the Reds and save the money spent on Hunter for pitching.
  14. stringer bell
    Now I like the deal even less.
  15. stringer bell
    Does he play left? Where will he hit in the order? How much will he play? Don't like the move.
  16. stringer bell
    If the Twins add no position players, I have Nuñez making the team and serving as a platoon left fielder. Is that ideal? Absolutely not, but until the Twins add someone who offers what Nuñez provides (versatility, RH bat, speed) I think he stays with the Twins. On the pitching front, injuries and ineffectiveness happen. Milone and Pelfrey currently slot as starters #6-7 and I think one of them (Pelfrey) fills the role vacated by Swarzak. Milone has an option remaining, so if he doesn't make the rotation in the spring, he could be sent to Triple A. Specifically regarding this thread, I think his track record is too strong to non-tender him.
  17. stringer bell
    I think the article reflects the consensus of TD posters this offseason. This is probably pretty close to an accurate prognostication, as well. However, while I am intrigued with Schafer's base-stealing tool and his decent hitting with the Twins, I wonder if his career numbers speak louder. I also like Nuñez as a utility guy, particularly if he could play a decent left field (the metrics were pretty good last year, my eyes saw an infielder playing outfield). He also offers very good speed and a righty bat.
  18. stringer bell
    It's really tough to beat a quality opponent on the road, especially when the road team doesn't have as much talent. The Gophers need more talent in the passing game and maybe a pass rusher, but they have closed the gap.
  19. stringer bell
    Jorgenswest, I used actual age at arb and also said that Plouffe could sign and play (about half the season as a 31 year old). Same with Dozier, now Dozier's BD is in May so he'll only play six weeks of each season at the younger age.
  20. stringer bell
    Mason's clubs got to the mid-level of the Big Ten in their best years. This year's team is somewhere between 4-6 out of 14 teams. If they can stay at that level and occasionally exceed it, then they are where Iowa has been since Fry left. The Sconnies are probably a tick or two above what Iowa is. Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State will be back, their programs are too rich to be content with an out of the Top 25 expectation.
  21. stringer bell
    Concur with most of your thoughts above jorgenswest, however, a factual nit to pick: Plouffe was a Super2 Arb last year at age 27 and will FA eligible at 31, and could sign and play for another team at age 31. Dozier will be 28 a year from now when he is eligible for arb and like Plouffe could sign and play for another team at 31 (only six weeks into the season would be his birthday).
  22. stringer bell
    Agree with Hosken. Hicks hasn't pitched in seven years. No way is he going to become a pitcher now. Ankiel switched from pitcher to hitter, Tim Wakefield switched from minor league hitter to knuckleballer. There have been a couple others, but none that I remember switching at the stage of career Hicks is at. I am convinced that this still-young guy needs to master Triple A. Perhaps then he can move up to the majors and fulfill some or most of his potential.
  23. stringer bell
    More like Utley's all-around game, but as a batter, unfortunately more like Uggla.
  24. stringer bell
    If Santana is truly going to be a shortstop, the Twins need two (2) outfielders, both of whom should be average or better to give their pitching staff a fair chance. Unless they want to use Peña as a DH/PH, he really doesn't fit the bill. He will run into quite a few so-so fastballs and a couple of hung breaking pitches, but he can be pitched to. He's probably a small upgrade from Colabello, but that is damning with faint praise as I see it.
  25. stringer bell
    I mostly agree that the pitching coach can't make chicken salad out of chicken s$#t. However, it seems that Anderson wasn't able to get expected performance out of a lot of guys recently. Perhaps he was too locked into his "pound the strike zone" philosophy, perhaps he wasn't able to communicate with his pitching staff, perhaps he didn't keep up with the way the game has changed. It was time for a change. Is Allen up to the job? Time will tell.
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