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chopper0080

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Everything posted by chopper0080

  1. chopper0080
    So my comments were is response to this... You could make the case that we should take a large step forward this next year, or at the very minimum start to really show promise. Gibson is in year 3. May, Santana, and Vargas are in year 2. And our top four prospects (at least 4 of our top 5) could all crack the big league roster (Sano, Buxton, Meyer, and Berrios). If we play all our best cards and don't show promise of a contending team in 2 years, then I agree we are at the beginning. *** So, two years from now would be the end of the 2016 season. I guess Dec 2011 - Dec 2016 would be 5 years not 6.
  2. chopper0080
    I love this consideration. For all of my issues with the Twins roster, I can say that Dozier, Mauer, Plouffe, Santana, Arcia, Vargas, Hughes, Gibson, and Perkins are players that can be parts in a contending team. However, you need to add key pieces, AND THEN add in your prospects when they are forcing their way up. Build a roster that allows May to be a 5th starter. That allows Hicks to be a defensive OF. That allows Santana to grow into a position whichever it may be. That allows Buxton to be promoted into the back of the batting lineup rather than the top. Hell, you don't even need to add a superstar, just more quality players. What would the team look like with Elvis Andrus at SS and Santana in CF until Buxton pushes him to one of the corners? How about a starting staff with Mat Latos, Phil Hughes, Gibson, Vargas and May? This roster has potential, but unless the Twins make some moves, potential is all it will ever be.
  3. chopper0080
    and that would be fair if Meyer was a projected #2 who turns out to be a #4. But you are trading a proven MLB CF BY CHOICE to improve your SP depth. This wasn't an expiring contract issue where the team was handcuffed and took what they could get. This was an attempt to fill a very specific need by identifying potential top of the rotation players, and trading a poven commodity for one. The Twins could have kept Span, and just traded Revere for May. Mistaking a RP for a #2 SP is a HUGE gap to miss by. Should be a firable offense but the director would have double checked it so it becomes a dept issue.
  4. chopper0080
    So if Stanton was 32 years old, I would agree. However, trading for talent ENTERING it's prime is one of the smartest moves you can make. Stanton has 6 years until he turns 30. If that isn't a big enough window to contend, you aren't doing it right. You trade for Stanton now. You have a star to build around. You have Dozier who is now improved. You have a batter to support/hide Mauer's decline. Plouffe now is a key defensive pressen who hits some, rather than a poor hitting 3B with a decent glove. You support your staff of developing pitchers. You then have a winning environment to bring Buxton, Berrios, Goodrum, and Polanco into. You aren't heaping pressure onto these young players as they are adjusting to the major leagues. Trading for an elite young MLB player is the best move this franchise could make. Why does St. Louis always seem to have success when they bring in prospects? It is because their team is built to support those prospects rather than depend on those prospects. This is where the Twins fail.
  5. chopper0080
    So, let me get this right...are people really saying that making the trade is what is important, regardless of the outcome? That is a pretty sad state of expectations IMO. Here is my take on it. Trading a MLB proven outfielder for a starting pitching prospect is a good move. Trading that outfielder for a prospect who ends up being a relief pitcher is a bad move. If your GM isn't making moves to fill holes on the roster by dealing from positions of strength, that is a GM problem. I believe most would agree that Ryan made a good move trading a MLB CF for a SP prospect. However, if your scouting dept can't identify prospects who can stick as SPs, then you have a scouting problem. This isn't the draft. You have data vs potential ML talent to look at and evaluate. Meyer failing to develop into a SP because he has injury issues is one thing...Meyer failing because he has control issues which you knew about when you were scouting him, is a scouting or coaching issue. Meyer failing because he has control issues and also only has two pitches, all of which you knew about is a scouting issue. Results matter.
  6. chopper0080
    Who? Meyer, Mays, and who? Who have we acquired that is an asset for this team going forward? I have Hughes. Some will argue for Nolasco though I would argue that he seems like money wasted.
  7. chopper0080
    So if we aren't making progress in 6 seasons, we are at the beginning of the rebuild process? I think you are mistaken. If we aren't contending 6 years into a rebuilding process, we have failed in the rebuilding process. I already argue that we have failed to do so already, but I understand some are more tolerant of losing than I am.
  8. chopper0080
    OK, just because you have a reason to do something doesn't make it a smart move. The question always remains, is the easy move or is it the right move? Are you doing it to win games or are you doing it to appease fans? I agree that the Twins re-signed Mauer to appease fans, but that doesn't make it a smart move. Where are the fans now that we have him, and are one of the worst teams in baseball?
  9. chopper0080
    There are so many flaws in this statement. It is never the wrong time to add premier MLB talent. It is always a good idea to trade potential for actual production. When it comes to pay the bills, take the cash, not the lottery tickets.
  10. chopper0080
    We will disagree on this.
  11. chopper0080
    and I offered $209mil...Yes, they made an offer which was lower than other offers that were on the table. The Twins could have done the same, but instead they offered a stupid contract and are paying for it. But let's not have that discussion here. In the end, the Cardinals make moves that pan out, and the Twins currently do not. A perfect example of the current differences between the organizations is the Cardinals handling of prospects vs the Twins.
  12. chopper0080
    Do you really believe Stanton would turn down money that would make him the highest paid player in baseball? Trade Arcia, Meyer, Sano, and another mid range prospect. Our farm system is still stocked. We are better defensively in the outfield. We still have a legitimate power threat. I'm not saying this is likely, but I am saying if I am looking to trade prospects for a MLB player, I am looking for a whale not a minnow. In all fairness, make this trade, sign Alex Rios, Emilio Bonafacio, and a 11 mil SP. Maybe some bullpen pieces. You can make the playoffs with that roster, and you aren't dependant on Buxton, Berrios, and others to carry your team.
  13. chopper0080
    Mine is easy. At what point do you use your farm system depth to acquire young, proven MLB players?
  14. chopper0080
    I don't know what else to say, and I have not seen anyone give any semblence of a reason that four 90 loss seasons is not a failure by the entire organization. There has yet to be anyone to express that Ryan was not aware of the rules he was playing with when he took the job. No one restricted the organizations ability to acquire talent other than the Twins themselves. How can that be an excuse. In a sport where rules have been implemented to maintain parity, people are arguing it takes 6 years to build a competitive team. Over half a decade, and where large market teams no longer dominate the post season. The days of the evil Yankees using teams as their farm system are over. The days of buying teams are over. Gone are the guady home run numbers. In the era of pitching, defense, and timely hitting the Twins are losing 90 games. We are a team that has gotten rid of Carlos Gomez, JJ Hardy, Justin Morneau, MIchael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Ben Revere, Josh Willingham (who I have been assured belongs on this list), Carl Pavano, and Joe Nathan. What did we get in return? What outside talent do we have on our roster to show for our four year plight? Nolasco, Hughes, and Suzuki. Alex Meyer and Trevor May. Is that really what should be considered a win after four offseasons to work with? How skewed is that perspective? Some of the posters on this board could do that. Seriously. We are four years into a rebuild, and we are just now firing our manager. I have asked it before, but if this isn't failing then what is?
  15. chopper0080
    Kemp is a half measure. Use the assets we have in our farm system and on our roster to get Stanton. Get a young superstar, pay him, and let him lead this team going forward. A 6 year extension only pays him until he is 32. The Twins aren't this progressive of thinkers, but it is the movbe to make if you are looking to acquire a young outfielder whose power plays in Target Field.
  16. chopper0080
    The Cardinals are a well run franchise, and we are not. It pretty much comes down to that. They don't make excuses, and the Twins do. They don't resist and resent change, and the Twins do. They are versatile in their ways of acquiring talent, and the Twins aren't. The Cardinals (Pujols) aren't affected by fan pressure, and the Twins are (Mauer). I agree, we should emulate the Cardinals. We should spend for quality players, draft well, trade for quality prospects, and trade prospects for quality players.
  17. chopper0080
    Well let's make sure that we don't sign anyone until we know for sure. I would hate to stumple upon a competitive team before our prospects are all ready.
  18. chopper0080
    OK, let's take this line by line. re: Willingham...either he is quality player, and Ryan failed in moving that for more prospects OR he is an average-at-best player who had little trade value on the market, and Ryan failed to being in a quality player. You can't have it both ways. FAIL re: Nolasco...If he is such a quality player, why was he the worst pitcher on an awful staff? Nolasco was a name, and one that looks like Ryan missed on. Spending money on bad players is just as bad as not spending it in the first place. FAIL re: Suzuki...this is the Willingham situation all over again. Either he is an average-player-at-best and had no trade market OR he had a career year and Ryan failed to move him. In a two more year plan, Suzuki has no value to this team. FAIL and then you talk about the Twins and the holes they have. That is what Ryan has had four years to do, FILL HOLES. That is precisely what he has FAILED to do. regarding Hendriks and Wimmers, it is easy to see their faults now, but these still were projected #3 or #4 starters in a MLB staff. They aren't close to that. Meyer can't throw strikes...how likely is it that he will suddenly turn it around? Berrios is 6'0 tall and a slim frame. Kohl is a raw high school pitcher who is learning how to pitch. Lots of pitfalls in this "better" group ie magic beans.
  19. chopper0080
    So the path starts by adding quality players...are you trying to state that Phil Hughes was the first quality free agent available over that time? Of course your aren't. The facts were that we weren't playing the FA game. Self imposed limitations aren't excuses. Ryan took the job KNOWING ownerships views. When you buy a car with 3 tires, you don't get to complain when you wreck driving it. In terms of our farm system rankings...it proves how futile it can be to wait and depend on these players getting to the majors.
  20. chopper0080
    I have a tough time believing that two players who hardly played in 2014, improved enough to make the big league roster. Baseball isn't something you really learn and grow by watching. Now, if you are changing your developmental philosophy, and believe that these players are strong enough mentally to be brought up and develop at the major league level do it. You will either crush their confidence, or speed up their developmental process.
  21. chopper0080
    1%
  22. chopper0080
    First, I wasn't advocating for all of those players. I was making the statement that there are lower-dollar pieces to be added every year in free agency. We have added one in four years. That is a fail in terms of improving the roster. Second, I'm sorry but "IF" and "TWO YEARS" are played out notions after four 90 loss seasons. Once again, I'm not arguing that the Twins are not 2 years away. I'm stating that because we are two years away after four 90 loss seasons, Terry Ryan has failed. A six year rebuilding plan that hinges on the emergence of 6 or 7 prospects is ridiculous. I'm sorry for those of you who can't see that.
  23. chopper0080
    Why? What good does it do anyone if the payroll this season is 100 mil vs 70 mil? Maybe by adding a quality starter last year, we don't spend on Nolasco this year. And since when is having too much talent a problem? Why can't the team trade a player when a minor leaguer forces his way up? If you can't trade the player then just cut him. Again, I'm not advocating going on a spending spree. Investing in 30+ year olds is a poor move. However, trading several prospects for young, proven MLB players is a smart move. Adding one or two quality pieces every offseason is a smart move. Basing your plan to compete entirely on the uncertainty of prospects making it to the pros and becoming All Stars is almost certain to fail. There are too many variables along the way. After four years to rebuild this team, Ryan doesn't have us significantly closer to competing other than players at AA ball rather than A ball. If you guys are seriously preaching this to be success, I am curious of your definition of failure.
  24. chopper0080
    Are we really touting Josh Willingham as a quality free agent addition? If so, then we failed by not trading him when he had value. You can't have it both ways. Ricky Nolasco looks great so far... Kurt Suzuki...again, if he is a quality player, we failed by not getting something for him. Again, we have have made one quality FA addition in 4 years. In terms of prospects and magic beans...where is Liam Hendricks? Aaron Hicks? Alex Wimmers? Facts are most of these players will not live up to their projections. Some will surprise, but trying to base a plan in terms of winning and competing on the magic year where every star aligns is a fairy tale. It is waiting for those bag of magic beans to sprout. Injuries....Suspensions...Regression...Failure to adapt...all of these are pitfalls for prospects. Sure, some come with less risk than others, but you still can't force the process to develop in the form of a plan. It just doesn't work that way.
  25. chopper0080
    1-Self imposed, and it doesn't excuse Ryan. He took the job knowing that is what he was walking into. 2-The only thing that we have which is sustainable is 90 loss seasons. Again, it should never be free agency OR farm system. There is a happy medium which the have ignored. It includes adding quality MLB players, while drafting quality prospects. Buxton, Kohl, Berrios, and Gordon magic beans right now. They have done nothing. Yet none of these players forced Ryan into putting players like Parmalee, Shafer, Correia, Pelrey, Marquis, and Capps, on the field not to mention other awful players.
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