DaveW

Except for the fact that Francouer never came close to the success Puig did in his first two years when he averaged over 5.0 WAR a season. Puig's speed and defense also makes him a much better player than Francouer as well. Also Puig would only need to be better than Rosario/Walker/Palka to make it a decent move.

Francoeur had a .742 and .782 OPS in his first two full seasons (87 OPS+ and 102 OPS+) Puig put up a .925 and .863 OPS

I think Antony realizes the writing is on the wall and anything baring a miracle means he won't be GM heading into 2017. What is a good way to "make a miracle" happen? Make an amazing trade for an amazingly talented player and hope it's the kick in the rear that he needs. As far as him starting brawls or what-not, we complain all the time that the Twins are to boring. Maybe this team needs someone with a little attitude/what not.

Oh please, the Twins built a statue and named a street after an alleged domestic abuser. I loved Puckett as much as anybody, but the fact that the Twins never used his issues to educate the fan base or try to raise awarness for domestic abuse is a shame and a black mark on this franchises history. Let's not pretend that was the reason why they didn't go after Chapman, they didn't go after him because it would have been complete outside the box idea. Something steady Ryan and company wouldn't consider.

The only way I could see the whole foot/saran wrap thing paying off is if the lawyer somehow smuggles something into the prison for Naz, however this would be a terrible direction to take his character IMO, Stone doesn't seem like the guy who would actively smuggle something in (knowing the full consequences of his actions) and if he did so it would ruin the character (of the under-dog scrappy lawyer)

Again, I agree 100% it looks obvious that they are taking a 5 episode series (Criminal Justice) and trying to stretch it out to 8 episodes. Thus far the series has mimicked the BBC one step by step.

I think all things considered he would prefer to play for a team willing to play him every day (and want him there) instead of a team like the Dodgers who perpetually mishandle him/bench him/refuse to mentor him etc

The Dodgers have won 92+ games a year and won the division in each year Puig has been with them. The "Clubhouse" cancer thing is overblown. During that time the Twins will have had 4 years with 0 playoff appearances and 90+ losses in 3 of the 4 years. Maybe it's time to stop worrying so much about chemistry and actually worry about putting talented baseball players on the field.

The problem with Delmon Young wasn't the fact that they brought in Delmon Young, it's that they traded a young highly regarded pitcher and a young starting SS for him in Garza and Bartlett. Just like the problem with Capps wasn't that they brought in Capps, it's that they gave up Ramos for him. If they would have traded a FA to be (Suzuki)+ a 4th OF for Young, the backlash would be minuscule.

Olivia could be a great potential mentor. And like I previously mentioned, the Twins may be a better fit for him anyways. The Dodgers are full of proven and aged superstars, the Twins have a ton of young talent (many of them foreign/spanish speaking) that could gel better with Puig. Have him work with a patient Joe Mauer on pitch selection, have him work with Sano on pitch selection etc. NTM the Minnesota media/expectations/backlash are significantly less than that of LA.

How on earth would Puig be a short termed asset at best when he would be under team control until 2020? Trading for Puig is about contending in 2018/2019 when this team may have a shot. His salary is pretty much the same as Mike Pelfrey's was, I'd much rather spend that money on a guy who is only 1.5 years removed from being one of the most dynamic players in baseball then a never was like Pelfrey (or the plethora of other mediocre players the Twins pay for)

Bundy would be at the top of my target list, but Baltimore really has no incentive to trade him. Especially for a guy like Santana IMO. I'd do it in a heartbeat if they made him available though, I just don't see it happening. That would be like the Twins selling low on Buxton. The O's already traded for a pitcher on a long term deal (Wade Miley) anyways.

I wouldn't worry about making from for Walker, he is 24 in AAA and hardly tearing it up. He is striking out in 45% of his at bats (38% of his PA). I don't think he is a viable major leaguer unless he does a complete 180, or at least a starting major league ball player. Palka is ok, his OPS is certainly nice, but the guy has no home run power and he is striking out in about 35% of his plate appearances. Basically I wouldn't worry about keeping roster spots free for them, let them force the issue with improved play or an injury at the major league level.

I'd pay $60 million for a guy with a .917 ops and 36 HR a year his last 5 years.

Agreed, color me very concerned when it comes to not steady Eddie.

Papelbon has a ring and is on a first place team, clearly his attitude isn't toxic enough to effect much. Young was an idiot but his main problem was he just wasn't very good at baseball.

Good episode again tonight, **** is really going to get started next episode me thinks. Again, way too much focus on Stone and his feet (and his bored hooker sex....that whole scene was weird) it just seems like overkill at this stage, we get it, Stone is a down on his luck, low level lawyer who has all sorts of confidence issues and other issues. Him fighting for Naz is like him fighting for his own life, we get it guys! Other than that, very nice episode.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/yasiel-puig http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/yasiel-puig/ Signed to a seven-year, $42MM contract out of Cuba prior to the 2012 season, Puig’s deal allows him to opt into arbitration upon accruing three years of Major League service, which he’s done this year. He’s slated to earn $6.5MM in 2017 and $7.5MM in 2018 He got a 12 million dollar signing bonus when he signed, for payroll purposes that is paid out yearly, but that is all paid out by the Dodgers, thus whoever would trade for him would be on the hook for $14 million over the next two years.

Obviously most everyone would take Vargas and his contract/age over Mauer and his contract and age at this stage. That simply isn't reality though. Reality is that BOTH guys are probably below average 1st baseman/DH moving forward, which is why I probably would have kept Arcia around as well to be a DH option moving forward (who has a .770 OPS for Tampa Bay) Or I would look to upgrade the 1B/DH position overall for 2017, One of Vargas/Mauer can take one of the spots, but with the other spot I would prefer they take a run at an impact bat like Trump or Encarnacion. MLB Trade rumors indicates that Encarnarcion could be had on a 3/60 type deal. I'd be all for that. CF-Buxton RF- Kepler LF- Rosario (or trade for Puig) 2B Dozier SS Polanco 3B Sano 1B/DH- Mauer/Vargas 1B/DH- Trumbo or Encarnarcion Catcher- Pray.

You are actually wrong on two of your major points you are trying to make: He actually was a damn good player in his rookie year and his second year. 4.9 WAR rookie season, 5.5 WAR 2nd season. Even last season with his injuries/issues he still managed to post a 110 OPS+, is that ideal? No, but it's not exactly like he was Drew Butera at the dish. He isn't owed 17.5 million the next two seasons, he is owed 14 million total the next two season (6.5, 7.5), and also is under team control in 2019 to boot. If he chooses arb this year (which he likely will) than he isn't guaranteed anything for 2018, so if he completely flames out (which is pretty damn unlikely) than you can move on after 2017 anyways. If however he bounces back/plays up to even a portion of his potential then he becomes a bargain. As far as attitude issues, the kid certainly has some room to grow, but let's not pretend he is Jeff Kent. The Dodgers org/management the past few years has been a disaster anyways (Mattingly was a terrible manager) a trade to quiet Minnesota could be just the wake up call he needs, not to mention the Twins have a lot of young spanish speaking players that could mesh better with Puig instead of a veteran team like the Dodgers. I actually think the Twins could be a perfect fit for him and he could thrive here.

We have a friend who was gearing up for a 2018 congress run, the GOP pretty much had guaranteed him the republican primary win (by more or less agreeing to back him/fund him and a lack of other real good candidates in his district) and legitimately had a 50/50 shot at getting the seat in 2018 (I'm leaving a lot of parts vague here for good reason) After Trump was nominated by the GOP he said he couldn't in good conscience run in 2018 and was going to see how things went and think about 2022 instead, after this Khan fiasco and how things have gone recently with the GOP continuing to back Trump time after time, he has decided to leave the party all together. Keep in mind, this was a very intelligent, very successful and somewhat youngish (under 45 years old) man who dedicated a lot of his life and time over the past decade or so to the republican party. Campaigning, raising money for others, etc. The fact that he no longer wants to run for the GOP, AND is going to vote Hillary speaks volumes IMO on how most reasonable Americans will view trump, even the reasonable republican voters. Many won't come out and say they will vote for Hillary, but I have a feeling once they get into the privacy of the voting booth they won't and can't in good conscience vote for the GOP's nominee for POTUS.

To be fair though, Puig prob has the highest ceiling of the players not named Buxton or Sano on the current 25 man roster. Kepler looks like the real deal, but I am still hesitant on Rosario.

That's not correct. He is able to make himself arb eligible (versus going with the guaranteed dollars owed to him)

Reports are that the Dodgers are aggressively shopping Puig who has struggled quite a bit this year, not only off the field with coaches etc but on the field as well. While Puig certainly has had his issues, few can doubt the absolute raw talent that he possess. The Twins obviously have some solid OF depth with Rosario-Buxton-Kepler currently, Kepler appears to be the real deal and Rosario has turned a corner it appears (but is a bit of an unknown still) but you can never have enough guys with upside IMO. The Dodgers desperately need some catching help and could prob use some OF depth as well. I doubt Suzuki+Grossman would be enough for Puig, but if they could toss in a 20-25 prospect I think it would be worth seriously considering the move. IMO at 25 Puig has the potential still to be a game changing type player, perhaps a change of scenary would be what rights his ship a bit? In 2013 and 2014 Puig put up 4.9 and 5.3 WAR, the arm is one of the best in the game, he can field anything (when he is focused) and has the ability to be a game changer at the plate as well. If you can get him without giving up any long term assets I think you have to consider it, if he can turn it back around he becomes a huge impact player. If Rosario continues to hit (and Puig does) then you can turn around and trade one of them for a nice package in the off-season or sometime in the next year or so. (I still think Rosario has a lot of value to another team as a CF) Obviously the flip side is that Puig could continue to struggle and ultimately becomes Delmon 2.0 for us. However that wouldn;t be a tough pill to swallow if Suzuki was the biggest name given up for him. Thoughts?

Perception is reality, if he is only getting 80 games behind the dish it's going to effect his value moving forward IMO.