DaveW

Willingham 7 mil. Doumit 3 mil. Burton <1 mil. Those three combined were had for less than for what it would have taken to retained Cuddyer alone. Also they now have more payroll flexibility in 2013 and 2014 because of those deals. Did you read what I said or just react? "...but saved a bunch of money..." I read what you said. You claimed they took the "saved money" and bought car dealerships or whatever. I pointed out that by finding Willingham/Doumit/burton as cheap options, the Twins now have more payroll flexibility and less holes to fill in 2013 and 2014 then they would have if they just would have resigned Cuddyer or Cuddyer+1 other.

Willingham 7 mil. Doumit 3 mil. Burton <1 mil. Those three combined were had for less than for what it would have taken to retained Cuddyer alone. Also they now have more payroll flexibility in 2013 and 2014 because of those deals.

Well he will be the top FA on the market, and I would be shocked if he gets less than 95 mil.

Trading Mauer for anything less then an Ace in their prime and an elite prospect would be unforgivable in my eyes. You don't trade a hall of fame player in the prime of his career. Yes, he is owed a lot of money, but the Twins have the means to spend 100+mil from here on out.

I seriously hope and doubt Mauer isn't traded, and frankly the Red Sox don't have the players needed to pull it off anyways. I do hope that the Twins claimed Doubront though, ideally they could trade away a young OF for him. (Benson?)

Yeah, that is what he appeared to be saying. Don't plan on us making a run at the elite FA pitchers (Greinke) since there asking price will be astronomical. The last thing this club needs to do is hand out some huge contract to a question mark like Grienke or Sanchez. Sounds like he was just preparing the fans that the Twins won't be in the Greinke sweepstakes. In regards to Morneau, There is no reason for him to say: Oh yeah we definitely want to trade him! What does that accomplish? They have already stated they would listen to offers on Morneau, they need to make sure they get talent back in any trade. I still think the Twins best bet on acquiring a front of the rotation starter is by trading Span, and Ryan should be able to make some key signings. Last year he was able to land us Willingham, Doumit and Burton which were all great pick ups. Caroll was what we expected, and Marquis didn't work out. Hopefully he can find us the pitching equivalents of Willingham and Doumit this off-season. "I don't think either one of us should independently make that call. I wouldn't want to force-feed a coach on a manager. That never works in a clubhouse."- exactly, Ryan and Gardy need to sit down after the season and decide who needs to stay or go. Frankly, I don't want them to fire either Varva or Anderson as I think both are pretty damn solid options, could care less about the rest of the guys, but is a new 1st base coach or bench coach really going to change this team? The Twins best bet for 2013 is to trade one or two of Span/Willingham/Morneau for some high upside pitching and then to fix the rotation with some shrewd signings, also they will need some of Gibson/Hendriks/Hicks/Arcia/Benson to step up as well.

Feel free to visit any other thread, or any other site then...

Did someone miss nap time this morning? Awwwww.... No, there is just not another team I despise more then the Braves: 1. Georgia is a cesspool of scumbags, rednecks and racists. Atlanta is even worse, have never visited such an awful city in all my life. The only redeeming quality the state has is Athens, and the water. 2. Ted Turner is one of the 5 douchiest owners in all of sports (and that is saying something) 3. The fans are the worst. 1. The Braves originated in Boston and played there for 70 years before moving to Milwaukee for 15 years and then to Atlanta. The team is no more Georgia than Evander Holyfield. 2. Ted Turner has not been the owner of the team in the 2000s, so that's a very poorly placed sentiment. 3. I could easily name 10-15 worse fan groups in baseball. Of course, you not liking the area likely skews any rational discussion you could have for the fans. 1. The Twins didn't orginate in Minnesota techinically, since they were the Senators prior. I would argue that the Twins are very Minnesota. You are the one who seems to think there is some huge Braves fan base that still lives in Milwaukee and thus skews TV dollar deals or whatever. With that said, I think most Atlanta Braves fans would argue that the ATLANTA Braves are Georgia, just like Dodgers fans would claim the Dodgers are "Califonian" the Rangers are "texas" etc etc etc.... 2. Meh, Im sure he sold it to someone equally as douchey. 3. I bet you couldn't.

I recall reading where he would be short 3-5 plate appearances or whatever.

There are certainly a lot worse ways to go out.

Anyone else interested in doing a TD.com fantasy football league? I can help run it. And we can discuss rules here: Maybe a $50 buy in?

The Diamondbacks are going to have a sick rotation over the next few years. Its a brutal division though.

Did someone miss nap time this morning? Awwwww.... No, there is just not another team I despise more then the Braves: 1. Georgia is a cesspool of scumbags, rednecks and racists. Atlanta is even worse, have never visited such an awful city in all my life. The only redeeming quality the state has is Athens, and the water. 2. Ted Turner is one of the 5 douchiest owners in all of sports (and that is saying something) 3. The fans are the worst.

Id give them Benson for him. Actually nevermind. I'm not sure who I would give up, but it wouldn't be for anyone of significant value.

The Braves will continue to suck and not win world series for the next 30 years, and it will be glorious.

Yeah that is a good point about Capps. I'm sure it has happened in the past, the teams/players understand its a business. It's not like the Twins are being "cheap" by declining Capps option, it is their right to do so and hardly think he would argue with it. Also with Capps, its not like there will be some huge market for him anyways, he seemed to like Minnesota enough and may be willing to stick around for a million bucks or so.

I'm not advocating going out and signing 4 of those guys to be part of the rotation, but let's be honest. Heading into 2013 are there really a lot of players who would be blocked? Gibson/Hendriks/Diamond will all get plenty of shots to be in the rotation regardless of who/how many they sign. I guess it could be argued that a veteran pitcher could potentially block the DeVries, Walters or DeDunos of the team, but I would argue they aren't talented enough to actually be "blocked"

Say what you want about Carroll, but he has been by far the most consistent and best option the Twins have had at MI this season. You can certainly live with a .331 OBP out of your #9 hitter. He isn't blocking anyone, Dozier was able to get plenty of starts and proved he wasn't ready yet.

I missed Guthrie, but you are right. I would include him on the list as well.

Yup, also Doumit was one of these type of players as well, and things have worked out great so far!

The only real "re-treads" I would prefer would be Baker and potentially Hunter. I don't see any harm in giving Pavano a shot in spring training.

If the Twins have a 95 mil budget for 2013 they should spend 95 mil. If they have a 90 mil budget they should spend 90 mil. There is no point to not spend that money for 2013, and all these players would be 1 year type contracts, and at the end of the day it can be argued there is no such thing as a "bad" one year deal.

My favorite part of this post (there are many to choose from: Poor spelling, grammar, etc) is perhaps the fact that he thinks facebook is somehow a bad business model to follow. Also, I would never suggest anyone use an ad blocker, but if a sliding ad and a couple 300 x 250 ad units cause you this much stress/frustration perhaps you should invest into that idea. It should also be noted that ESPN.com and other top sports sites use more annoying things such as: Auto Play ads, pop ups, expandables etc as well. Also I can't speak for the founders of this site, but I'm pretty sure the idea with the ads aren't "Lets try to make a ton of money for ourselves!" More they are hoping the ads cover the serving costs, labor costs? and maybe lets them pocket a few extra dollars for all their hours they put in throughout the days/weeks/months.

Those strikeout rates and velocity numbers are encouraging! But perhaps, what is the best thing overall is his BB rate. Looks like a guy who could blow through the system pretty quickly and could be in the mix as a future set up or closer type guy!

I like Vargas and his potential, but not sure he is a borderline top 10 guy for me. I'd have to place him in the 14-18 range currently since he brings zero defensive value. If a guy is to exceed as a "true DH" he absolutely needs to continue to mash all the way up the chain.