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JB_Iowa

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Everything posted by JB_Iowa

  1. JB_Iowa
    Thanks!
  2. JB_Iowa
    No, he didn't act too aggressively. You learn lessons in different ways and in different situations. For a lot of reasons, Ryan needed to do something early -- and, as you mention, he could afford to do it. (Even now, it's not like they've raised payroll by much). Has TR as GM ever had the flexibility or the need to be as aggressive in free agency as he was this year? Perhaps only in 2012/2013 and I'm not sure he had as much payroll flexibility then (although he seemed to have more than he used). In the long run, its about finding a balancing point on whether to lead the market or sit back. But the situation varies for each team each season. I'm pretty much so-so on the Pelfrey signing. I don't think it was a great step but I don't think it hurts that much either. And bringing Garza back to the Twins always seemed like a really long shot to me.
  3. JB_Iowa
    I don't consider it beating a dead horse for this reason (and this was the point I was really trying to make earlier): Many posters, when looking at signings (especially major ones over a significant number of years) get caught up in analyzing the player's potential WAR and the likelihood of a decline over a number of seasons -- and that would definitely include a position change. What this article pointed out to me, is that those factors -- which are so popular to discuss on the boards -- may be discussed internally but may very well not be discussed in negotiations between the parties. I thought it was a little bit of insight as to what was actually said at the bargaining table. Does anyone know if Shapiro's book about the Mauer negotiations is out yet?
  4. JB_Iowa
    For me, this part is probably the most difficult because the poster may see a connection between his/her "pet topic" and the posted thread that isn't readily apparent to the moderator. And it may well be based on a small side comment in someone else's comment. The lesson from that is, I guess, to consider the overall message/content of the thread rather than to take off on a particular comment (especially a minor point of someone else's comment). On the plus side, I do want to thank TD for regulating language. I'll on occasion use something like "put b*tts in the seat" -- I'm not sure putting in the u would violate the policy, it's just the way I've always posted. But as we've been in college BB season (and my beloved Hawkeyes are actually relevant again), I've been reading a wider variety of sites. I hope to never see the "F word" again. For any young posters here who may use it on other sites, it really has lost any impact value when one can't read two sentences without it being used.
  5. JB_Iowa
    Much of this discussion depends on semantics. The question that was asked in the thread title is what would be a "successful 2014 season" not what would be a "successful season" for the Twins (or any other team). That distinction really points out why we see so many differing views on this thread. Some are willing to see progress as "success", others are absolutist and see "success" only in terms of what would be success in ANY season for ANY team. I tend to come down somewhere between the two. None of the approaches are "correct", they simply point out a significant difference in the way that people view the question.
  6. JB_Iowa
    What it most illustrates for me is the difference between the thinking/discussion in negotiations versus the detailed analysis of WAR and declining phase players, etc. that tends to take place here at TD. I would guess that a consideration of health and longevity did play into the Twins' analysis of the situation but it doesn't sound like it was really discussed between the parties to the contract. It would indicate to me that the Twins put, perhaps, even more emphasis on the need to retain the "hometown hero" than I thought initially. And I try to contrast that with, for example, the Pujols-St. Louis situation. I just would have thought that when they were extending a 6'5" catcher through his age 35 season that there might have been some discussion about long-term health and position.
  7. JB_Iowa
    I also measure by the W/L column. Many of the other factors mentioned above are a measure of progress but to me, they don't indicate success. I'd consider 75 or more wins to be progress. I'd consider 81 or more wins to be a successful 2014.
  8. JB_Iowa
    I just saw them put up miles of replacement telephone poles near me (northwest Iowa) about a month ago. Some of us still love our land lines (never fear, we'll all die off someday).
  9. JB_Iowa
    I find this statement from today's Strib article baffling: "Every factor that the Twins and Mauer’s representatives could think of was discussed, projected and appraised before an agreement was reached. Every factor but one. “I don’t think there was ever any expectation on either side,” Mauer’s agent, Ron Shapiro, said, “that Joe would be anything but a catcher.” http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/244562131.html I know many (most?) fans thought he'd catch longer than through 2013 but almost all of the boards were discussing how long he'd catch and how many games he'd catch as he aged. I can't believe that it wasn't part of the negotiations. (I'm not calling Shapiro a liar, I'm just stunned).
  10. JB_Iowa
    I'm not a moderator but I saw your question earlier and was not sure what you were asking. Is it: how much of the BP article can be posted? If so, I think you may use short quotes and discuss the article generally but you can't post long segments from the article. Is it: how nice/critical can you be because its Aaron Gleeman? If so, you can be critical as long as you are fair and don't rant/rave (similar to anything on TD). Also, as you may have noticed the forums tend to be fairly quiet on Saturdays during the off-season (and really quiet on Friday & Saturday nights -- imagine that, the "youngsters" actually have other plans) so that may be the other reason your original post didn't get responses.
  11. JB_Iowa
    I'm only an occasional poster in the game threads but I've usually found them more welcoming than other threads. In part because nobody cares how much technical baseball knowledge you have nor do they get into detailed arguments. It's really just a place to share some fun (or misery) during games. Like any party, it may take a little while to break the ice. But if you make the effort, you may find some kindred spirits. (And I find the Game Threads much more like a sports bar than the "Sports Bar" which almost seems like a political bar to me). RB's intro posts on game threads are also in my "Top 5 things I like about Twins Daily".
  12. JB_Iowa
    And, now, NO MORE APPEAL: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-did-a-rod-finally-call-off-his-unwinnable-fight-002508566.html http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/10420424/alex-rodriguez-new-york-yankees-withdraws-lawsuit-overturn-suspension
  13. JB_Iowa
    It's February and I have absolutely no influence on the team. Nor do I plan to head to Las Vegas or any other betting locale. So what they heck, Twins go from worst to first and finish in the top 5 in MLB.
  14. JB_Iowa
    LOL. I'd love to read Bruno's real diary. Probably would be a lot duller reading, though.
  15. JB_Iowa
    I just wish I could hear you say your post instead of having to read it -- I don't do well imagining British accents but I love them! Welcome.
  16. JB_Iowa
    My favorite is that he loves being BEHIND the camera. I love looking through his photo album on flickr:
  17. JB_Iowa
    Roster now at 39. (Good Luck in Korea, Andrew Albers). Time for the Twins to show which way they are headed with another signing this off-season.
  18. JB_Iowa
    I'm of mixed mind about the comfort level thing. I'm happy with Pelfrey wanting to mentor Meyer and I hope that it works out. The mentoring factor was one I mentioned early on in the off-season in reference to Carl Pavano 2010 -- Pelfrey would seem to fit that mould (although I'm not sure we saw evidence of it in 2013 but with better health and performance for him, and a 2 year contract, it may become more apparent). And I definitely don't believe in a fear-driven workplace but over the last few years, I've often had questions about whether the Twins were being "comfort zoned" into hibernation. It's probably still one of the biggest reasons I'd like to see a new manager. While I believe Gardenhire could go elsewhere and be successful, I'm just not convinced that Minnesota is still the best fit for him. It really seems like they need a jolt of some kind. There has to be some distinction between a happy workplace and a totally comfortable workplace.
  19. JB_Iowa
    In light of the Vielma discussion in the Keith Law thread, I'm bumping this. Looks like Law may agree with Radcliff.
  20. JB_Iowa
    I hope he pitches as well as he interviews! Great article.
  21. JB_Iowa
    I just hope its not Arroyo.
  22. JB_Iowa
    This is a minor league deal. It doesn't cost a spot on the 40-man, correct? It's hard to see any harm. Sounds like he has a fair amount of rehab yet to do but you never know when a little depth might come in handy.
  23. JB_Iowa
    Advanced metrics can enhance understanding of the game but for many fans (myself included), that is all they do --- enhance understanding. Some of us don't aspire to be general managers (even of a fantasy team) or to work for a baseball team in any other manner. Nor do we feel a compulsion to prove that we are the "smartest kid in the class". For me, while I learn something from the advanced stats and dig through the info when someone presents it, I don't particularly want to spend a lot of time or energy making understanding them a highlight of my life. Nor do I want to get drawn into long discussions of statistics. I really just want to sit and enjoy the game. And knowing some advanced stats can enhance that. And things like Parker's analysis of a player (one of my favorite things on TD) can enhance that because I continually learn more about the game. But sometimes just watching and enjoying those "gut feelings" is good enough, too. Baseball (especially in the winter/spring) is about HOPE. The possibility that THIS will be the year. The possibility that a player will be better than we expect (maybe even better than we dream). The possibility that a young player will have a breakout season. The possibility that everything will "go right". It isn't what I expect but can be what I hope for. And its why I kept watching the Twins even when all the losses mounted up the last few years. If I place too much emphasis on advanced stats, I have a "gut feeling" that I would conclude that "all hope is gone".
  24. JB_Iowa
    Always love to hear from someone who remembers the 60's!
  25. JB_Iowa
    I'd be happy with ruling part of the world on 4/7/14.
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