Jump to content
Can the Twins take advantage of an advantageous pitching matchup and beat the Dodgers? Join our game thread! ×
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

chopper0080

Verified Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    403

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Profiles

News

Minnesota Twins Videos

2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospects Ranking

2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

Minnesota Twins Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

Guides & Resources

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

The Minnesota Twins Players Project

2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick Tracker

2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick Tracker

Forums

Blogs

Events

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by chopper0080

  1. chopper0080
    This leads to my biggest question regarding Hicks. Is he really not better as a fielder than Robinson or Shafer or Hunter? If not, than he was a bust as a pick and as a prospect. If he is, than why isn't he on the Twins and working towards a gold glove?
  2. chopper0080
    He isn't. The Hunter signing was a way to spend money while also placating nostalgic fans. Another marketing ploy to cover up one of the league least talented rosters.
  3. chopper0080
    They will adjust the marketing like they have the past 4 seasons. The laughable part is that I give Terry Ryan more respect than he gives me. I know he is smart enough to realize the talent that he put on the field this year despite his claims of a roster that can compete. He knew he was putting an awful product on the field, but he obviosuly doesn't believe his fans are smart enough to see it.
  4. chopper0080
    To blame Molitor is to ignore a real truth about coaching. You have to have talent to coach, and the Twins roster does not have talent. The blame goes on Terry Ryan, and has this whole time. You can't take 2, 3 and 4 years to retool a team in today's sports, especially when you have very little to show in terms of progress. Ryan either misevaluated where his farm system was at, which is his fault, or he thought that this group of players actually was talented enough to win, which is also his fault. Any way you cut it, this team is worse than it was during it's first 90 loss season in terms of starting pitching, relief pitching, offense, and defense. That is a travesty. Good teams, especially those who exceeed expectations, win because of their level of talent. My issue heading into the season with those who thought we could compete was, we simply don't have the talent to do so. When we play the Royals, they are almost better at every position on the field than we are. It is tough to win 3 or 4 game series when this is true for almost every team you play.
  5. chopper0080
    This roster is a joke.
  6. chopper0080
    Everything Royals >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Everything Twins
  7. chopper0080
    Is Carlos Gomez (the player now) and prospects for Johan Santana really a bad deal is retrospect? My arguement would be that the trade was good, but the organizational development which failed Gomez is what is to blame.
  8. chopper0080
    Ok, you are right, good luck finding an example of the interval vetting of free agents by professional baseball teams. Come on. You bring up "rooting through his trash" where as my point was it is there responsibility to due their due dilligence to ensure they get their return on investment. In terms of the rest, you speak about not digging when you have no reason to do so...ok, so there isn't a red flag on a decent player who can't seem to stick on a team (three teams in three years)? There isn't a red flag on players potential or historical use of PEDs, especially with the run of latin american players who have tested positive? You act like the Twins aren't a multi million dollar corporation that is looking to sink millions into acquiring a player. Yes, there is will always be a risk with people, but it is still your responsibility to do the necessary investigation. This example is like a team in the 90s claiming they had no reason to suspect a player was on steroids yet, lo and behold, most were. If any of us were to buy a used car, I would expect that we would get it checked out before we paid the cash. If not, we would deserve the lemon that was sold to us. That is my point, you can't put the blame of the Twins signing Santana on Santana. I'm sure the Twins did check out Santana, but obviously, they didn't do a good enough job. Own it, look to improve in the future, and move forward.
  9. chopper0080
    Re: Meyer, not being able to throw strikes is a big issue for a starting pitcher, especially for the Twins. It isn't as big of an issue for relief pitchers. Re: May, he can get stretched out at the major league level like Pelfrey will. Using a veteran bullpen early for a non-contending team is not a huge issue. Again, talent rises to the top, and if these guys (in their mid 20s) can't beat out Milone and Pelfrey, then they are probably not what we are hoping they will be. It's that or Ryan is purposefully putting worse players on the field which would hope is not the case.
  10. chopper0080
    I'm ready for another 90 loss season, and then hearing about all of the progress we have made. I hope for better, but I don't see it. The Twins lack a player who you have to watch so for another year I will save on MLB pass, and just catch the games that are nationally televised, and even then, watch them on DVR.
  11. chopper0080
    This is kind of a naive statement, because this is what most businesses are expected to do. You should make sure you look into the backgrounds of players before you sign them to large contracts. Businesses do the same before buying other businesses. You want to ensure your investment is solid, and you get what you are paying for. I don't know how much the Twins do this, but if they don't, they are putting themselves in line to be the sucker. "Good faith" in business is a fairy tale. It is up to the buyer to ensure it is not getting taken for a ride, not the other way around.
  12. chopper0080
    My guess is that Ryan and the Twins are not as high on Meyer and May as we are. You have to believe if either player was top of the rotation quality, they would have forced their way onto the roster by now. Neither are young prospects. No other reason to put guys like MiIlone and Pelfrey over them .
  13. chopper0080
    IMO, of course you trade him, and you try and get as many minor league power arms as you can. It was silly of the Twins to not move him at the deadline last year, and would be silly for them not to move him if his value ever increases this year. Glen Perkins will not be a top end player when this team is competitive. That, and Alex Meyer is looking more and more like a bullpen arm every day. We have other power arm talent in the minors out of the pen. No reason to not move him.
  14. chopper0080
    I'm so glad the Twins didn't trade him when his value was high...
  15. chopper0080
    I get neither May or Meyer set the world on fire, but throwing strikes is something they can learn at the MLB level rather than get fringe players to chase filthly stuff outside the zone the MLB guys will laugh at. At some point the Twins are going to have to stop protecting 25 and 26 year old professionals and put them in the deep end. Why not do so when expectations are low so they can be at full speed and can take the load off the hitter when they move up. Also, if these guys are good enough to beat out Pelfrey, Stauffer, Shafer, and/or Robinson, they probably shouldn't be sold as the future of the team. Again, I just don't see any reason Hicks, Meyer, and May aren't learning at the pro level right now other than they just aren't that good. If that is the case, then the team probably shouldn't be preaching those guys as the future of our staff.
  16. chopper0080
    OK, but I know what Jordan Shafer and Shane Robsinson are as MLB players, and I don't know it because of Spring Training. I know what Mike Pelfrey is, along with Tim Staufer. I understand Arcia's fielding issues, and Hunter's age. What is Pelrey going to do that Alex Meyer can't? What is Tim Staufer going to do that Trevor May can't? Are you really telling me that Hick's awful hitting is worse than Shafer? Is Molitor not creative enough to figure a way to get Hicks or Rosario at bats? I get it with Rosario, Sano, Buxton, and Berrios, but what more does AAA offer Hicks, May, and Meyer other than sub par competition? Allow them to figure out how to get MLB hitters out from the bullpen and possible spot starts. Force them to figure out how to get MLB hitters out IN the strike zone. If they fail, they fail. It will be due to poor scouting more than anything else, and the team can move on. Inconsistently great is better than consistently bad every day of the week for me, and our roster is consistently bad right now. Unless Vargas and Santana pick up where they left off last year, it could get real ugly, real quick.
  17. chopper0080
    When you consider almost every FA starting pitcher is overpaid for, this is a pretty decent contract. I like going about the SP spot with quantity. Should keep us from having to dig too deep into our system this year. I like the power arms that can potentially come out of the bullpen if May and Meyer struggle in spring training. Gibson can stay a 3 or 4. Santana is a fringe 2, but as hitting declines, pitchers are putting up better numbers. Depending on where Meyer, May, Burdi, and Jake Reed end up out of spring, there could be some fire coming out of our bullpen.
  18. chopper0080
    I'm sure Ryan's call to Maddon went like this. Ryan - "Hey Joe" Maddon - "Hey Terry" Ryan - "So Joe, you taking the Cubs job now?" Maddon - "Well, it's the only serious offer I have received so far, and there aren't many open jobs." Ryan - "Well Joe, it stinks that you are taking the Cubs job. We would have loved to have ya. Best of luck." *click* Maddon - "Hello?"
  19. chopper0080
    So, my final thoughts on Maddon not coming to Minnesota. 1-We are the only team with a managerial opening right now. 2-Our GM said he would hire the best guy for the job. 3-Maddon has more wins as a manager than all of the other serious candidates combined. At some point you either get things done or you don't. Sean Connery had a great quote in a movie about doing your best. This is just another time where the Twins will come up short in their pursuit of something, and will redirect the blame somewhere else. This mentality permeates through the organization. It is ok to consistently fail because of X, Y, and Z. Before we couldnt' compete because of big market teams. Now we can't compete because we are rebuilding. The problem can't be with us, it must be with something else. ridiculous
  20. chopper0080
    First, I don't believe the Twins will do what it takes to get him. Having to pay large money to someone outside the organization, especially someone who is unconventional, is not really the Twins MO. I'm sure the Twins will inquire about him, but I don't see them doing what some other teams will to get him in. Second, managers in baseball are overrated. They don't have systems which their front office acquires players for, and they don't really have too many schemes which create a competitive advantage. That being said, Maddon is good with younger players which is what I like the most about him in this spot. That is the main reason I would pursue him if I was the Twins.
  21. chopper0080
    First off - The royals grasped the most basic concept behind winning a World Series...you have to make the playoffs. This is where I believe Ryan has failed, but could make quick process if he was willing to take a gamble. Secondly - Getting hot, and winning big games is about having something you can hang your hat on as a team. Something you can go out and do, control, execute. In baseball, the easiest of these is defense. After defense, putting together a shut down bullpen is next. Hitting and starting pitching comes with a ton of variables. Building a team which can say, every game, we are going to play top notch defense, and shut down games from the 6th or 7th inning is an easy way to a contender which is what the Royals have found out. If I am the Twins, this is what I emulate. I trade Sano/Arcia for a plus outfielder who can hit, or a legit #1 SP (Mat Latos would be fine). If Buxton can be a plus outfielder right away, I bring him up. I bring Meyer up from day one to pitch in a bull pen role. Same with Reed and Burndi. I sign a legit infield and outfield utility player, Hicks could be that guy. I bring in a manager who understands the need for defense, and can get the team motivated to this thinking. Latos Hughes Gibson Nolasco May Meyer Reed Burdi Perkins Honestly, with that pitching staff and a good defense, we can get to the playoffs.
  22. chopper0080
    Meh, MLB managers are overrated. All they really need to do is get the players all going in the same direction. The defensive shifts, bullpen management, and lineup setting are all kinda overblown. You obviously have to have a high baseball accumen, but in terms of affecting the game, baseball managers do very little. It is an execution based sport which does not allow for many unique systems or schemes which result in a competitive advantage. Make sure you interview all the candidates, and pick the one who you believe can best motivate your team thru the grind that is the baseball season.
  23. chopper0080
    PLayers getting close to contract years can be available, even if they aren't advertised. The Marlins prefer to avoid large, long term financial commitments. that is known. That Nats have starting pitching, Gonzalez may be available due to positional depth and overall budget. Teams won't "shop" these players, but most guys can be had in certain situations. These players have been named because their situations dictate that they may be available even if they aren't being shopped. No one is saying "trade for Strasburg" because their isn't a reason for the Nats to get off of him.
  24. chopper0080
    You have been very clear in offering an alternative path of which the Twins could have followed rather than the wait and see approach of Ryan. IMO, the alternative viewpoint, which is the one which posted the question originally, is reaching at this point. I did not have an alternative plan of action, but I think yours is very good. Signing more international free agents would have been a much better plan, and would have given this team more assets to wrk with.
  25. chopper0080
    Quality, young players are generally not "available". You have to be proactive in searching for them, and make solid offers, comprised of good players to get them. If you prefer 30 year old guys entering the end of their prime, wait for free agency to start. I'm sure the next Nolasco will be available.
×
×
  • Create New...