DaveW

I don't see why people are trashing Darvish for turning down a weak offer.....5/110 is weak, very weak. Twins should just step up and offer 5/125 and call it a day, that would be a great deal for them. I just hope we don't get too cute and go into the season with the current rotation we have, we would be lucky to still be 'in the hunt' by the time Santana is back.

QB- I'd sign Teddy for 2 years 6 million (incentives to bump up to 2/10) and DRAFT a QB somewhere in the mid rounds. Paying 20-25 million a year for Keenum (no way) Cousins (meh) is simply a waste of money IMO, much better ways to spend that extra 15-20 million...like... O-Line- I would spend that money on an elite O Lineman (or a very good one), additionally they need to draft at least one o lineman in the first three rounds as well. The line was 'better' this year, but the key is to keep that momentum going. A good o-line makes everyone else look amazing. RB- It's gonna suck to lose McKinnon, but to be honest, that's ok with Cook coming back. Murray is a good enough backup for sure, and you can always find a pass catcher type in FA or in the late rounds of a draft. TE- I'd trade or cut Rudolph. Yes, he gets touchdowns, but it's usually because he is wide freaking open. I don't think he is a good blocker...at all. The cap hit is only 1.3 million if you cut him, and I think you could prob convince a team to give you a 4th rounder or something for him. If you trade him you save 7.5 million, if you cut him you save 6.2 million. Spend that money elsewhere. WR- We are set at WR D-Line- Definitely need another pass rusher, and I would aim to bring in two guys overall that can rotate in. A big reason why the Vikes wore down and the Eagles didn't was the Eagles were rotating 8 guys in 4 spots, and the Vikes had 6 in 4. D-Backs- Go find a solid nickelback to replace Newman. The good news is, this all shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. The bad news is there is a good chance Spielman panics and overpays a meh guy like Cousins or Keenum.

Waynes was really really good this year. The Vikings have the best secondary in football heading into next year, but they still need to aim a bit higher. Newman was 'meh' but he needs to probably retired. Alexander was terrible, but he's young, and Waynes was dreadful early on as well. So maybe Zim can work some magic with him. I'd still look for another solid nickel type guy.

It shows why Zimmer is 1-10 in his last 11 playoff games. Sadly I’m afraid he is just yet another ‘transitional’ coach for this team. I fully expect us to go 5-11 and 7-9 the next two years and him be fired. Just like Green, Tice, Chilly etc Don’t get me wrong I like Zimmer and hope he succeeds, but Man, did he get outclassed.

I think it came down to scheming and injuries. Zimmer was outcoached plain and simple. Also Everson, Rhodes, Barr, Sendejo and even Smith all looked way less than 100% Additionally our CBs not named Wayne’s and Rhodes looked like absolute ****. They gotta figure out how to find at least a solid 3rd CB. It just sucks the D let them down, and it also exposed the offense as a team that absolutely is not made to come from behind. Which is why you absolutely let Case Keenum walk.

This one Hurt. I really thought this would be the one year we would make the super bowl in my life. The NFL will fold (or be a shell of what it was) within the next 20-25 years This team will never win a super bowl. ****

Please pass along to other Vikings fans who are making the trek: Info below: Right next to the stadium, let's try to get a healthy amount of Vikings fans for pre drinks and HOPEFULLY victory drinks after! www.meetup.com/Minnesota-Vikings-Twins-Wild-TWolves-Fans-in-NYC/events/246978890/ www.xfinitylive.com/dining/pbr-philly-a-coors-banquet-bar

That was aweeeeesoommmmmeeeee. Cya in Philly!

Those aren’t really reports, that’s just some random dude on twitter claiming Sano more or less was a bit of a womanizer (which isn’t illegal and in fact isn’t a big thing at all) The Cat calling is a little out of line, but I’m guessing he has grown, also it’s important to note different cultures etc Unless I missed something completely?

Why would you post this?!!!

It should be noted that nothing else has come out against Sano. What we have seen in these serial accuser type situations is that multiple people come out and accuse the person. Now that isn’t to say something did or did not happen with Betsy (I think the truth lies somewhere in between as it does most times) But at the very least the lack of “new” relevations or new allegations should allow everyone to take a step back, breathe and let the process play out before declaring he’s innocent or guilty.

Trading Sano right now would be very very dumb. I can’t be convinced otherwise. Also for all the pitchforks that came out re: the news last week, it should be noted that nobody else has come forward, and there haven’t been any real other developments on this story whatsoever.

One literally happened a couple weeks ago where numerous friends of the accuser came out and said she made the whole thing up. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/952410001

Haven’t read through most of this thread, so sorry. But from my experience in not only online media, but sports online media I feel I can share a few thoughts: 1. People shouldn’t EXPECT to get paid for posting written blogs in 2017. It’s awesome enough that twins daily that they do pay out to ‘contributors’ that’s pretty rare even amp at large national sports blog providers like SB, Fansided etc hell I have even written 4 ‘articles for deadspin’ and never saw a cent (to be clear I never expected to nor cared, even though combined they have over 100,000 reads) 2. If you want to make money in 2017 it’s all video video and more video. TD has no video to speak of, to be clear doing sports video without the rights is extremely tough, and I do get the sense that Brock, bonnes, Nick, and Seth etc aren’t in this for the money first and foremost, but if you other bloggers want to make a quick buck create video and find an audience, the CPMs are much much much better. 3. If people want ‘reads’ on blogs they need to be prepared to be a bit more provocative in nature with the opinions and takes. Barstool sports is garbage, but gets a lot of views for a reason, I’m not saying go full Barstool, but maybe feature the occasional “hot sports take!!!1!” Article from time to time. People love to read it.

I’d tread carefully here, I lived in Washington heights for 4 years with two white females (prob the most concentrated Dominican population in the USA) and while yes, there were certainly cultural differences towards how men would approach women (I’d personally call it a lot of ‘somewhat respectful catcalling’ towards them) the fact is everyone still knew what he boundaries were when it came to physical interaction, touch etc. To imply that domincans think that grabbing someone, trying to aggressively pull them into a bathroom etc is ‘ok because of their culture’ is not only dangerous, but pretty misguided and potentially racist as well. Also having spent a lot of time in every continent except Africa and Antarctica I am pretty confident that people throughout the globe know when someone is uncomfortable/not willing in these sort of situations.

That isn’t even close to true, even in America.

I will say the timing and chosen method of ‘release’ of this info seems a little odd. IMO she should have taken this to either the police, The Twins or MLB first. While I understand 110% why rape victims etc are hesitant to come forward soon after the attack (and sometimes never at all) I have to say that waiting two years to come out with this (after allegedly losing ‘access’ to the Twins? According to some in this thread) at least raises a minimal amount of suspicsion. To go out on twitter and do it? Not saying it was wrong etc, just seems like she maybe should have contacted a lawyer first to go about it the best way. By her own account it didnt goto sexual assault as per the letter of the law (other than Sano trying to kiss her and allegedly trying to hold/grab her into a bathroom for up to ten minutes) Again, I always believe the accuser, but this seems to not be as cut and dry as a Matt lauer, Harvey Weinstein, etc type of thing, and reminds me a tiny bit of the Oklahoma RB situation that transpired. I know that some of you guys know her personally, and I get that, but I would suggest you guys remain a little impartial as well until their is at least an investigation. Like most things I feel the truth lies somewhere in the middle in this case, it doesn’t make Sano any less “wrong” but the severity may not be asdamning as some want to jump to.

Since Sano is denying it, then for better or worse MLB and the Twins need to wait until an investigation is done before any punishment comes out. While I do always believe the victim in these stories, it’s imporrant to note that every once in awhile the accused is proven innocent (see the recent thing with the Oklahoma Running back) Plenty of time for the investigation to be done prior to ST, and then whatever punishments need to be dolled out will.

Assuming he is ‘guilty’ which I no doubt think he is, I think it’s important Major League Baseball takes a long, smart, and in depth look at what the punishment should be. If it were “rape” or anything in that pure category I would suggest the Twins cut him and he is banned from baseball. However this feels like a grey area between sexual harassment and assault. I wouldn’t ban him for life, or even for a year, nor would I cut him. I think a 50 game suspension seems about right. 30 by MLb and another 20 from the Twins. Though this story and incident is terrible, I am very glad for the victim (and to a much much lesser extent Sano) that it didn’t go any further. Frankly there is no excuse for it, and even though I think Sano shouldn’t be cut, I wouldn’t be very upset if the FO decided they did need to cut him.

Why would the pirates go for that deal at all? Kepler looks to be a solid young corner OF, but isn’t exactly an all star or even a guy teams can pencil in every day due to struggles against LHP ....to be clear, I think Kepler eventually reaches his peak and becomes a borderline all star player during his prime, but any other team is gonna view him on his results, floor etc as well. Jay, Stewart, Javier aren’t ‘bad’ prospects, but none of them are very great either. Let’s put it this way, if the Twins were to trade a Cole and McCutchen and we got that package back, we would be pretty damn pissed I imagine.

Napoli would be such a terrible signing. I’m not a huge fan of Grossman, but at least he can get on base and pretend to play defense if all things go pear shaped, Napoli is not a guy you need to bring in when you have Mauer, Sano etc who will need to be taking a decent number of at bats at the DH spot this year. If Sano gets hurt, then you look at a mediocre DH like Napoli, not before though.

Same team Terry Ryan left them with, winning the wild card during a weak year was nice and it as no doubt a fun season bc they exceeded expectations, but it was clear they were NOT title contenders. Being the 10th or so best team in a 30 team league is a start.. As of today I would put their odds at the division at 10% and wild card at 25-30% Too many other teams have improved this off season thus far. Gotta fix the pitching.

Sports are a results business IMO. I don’t care that they ‘want’ an ace like Darvish, every team in baseball would ‘want’ Darvish under the right scenario. Overall have yet to be impressed with any of the moves in the 12+ months the new FO has been here

IALTO

I guess you didn’t see the part where I said “so far” I also didn’t realize that it’s not allowed to voice concern about an off-season until the offseason is 100% done. Yes, signing a darvish type would be awesome, but that still didn’t prevent the Twins from bringing in bullpen arms better than Zach Duke or Fernando Rodney thus far. If the plan was to not spend any money on RP and only spend it on Darvish and Davis, then I really hope we end up getting them, because if not this is a massive failure of an off season, since the current rotation and pen still as of today look pretty damn bad.