Jocko87

Sorry I'm late to this conversation as it took me a long time to figure out how to log in again but I have been wanting to say this for a while. Steve Cohen was never going to spend $315m on Correa after the Giants deal fell through. Initially, I was on board with the thinking that he over committed over cocktails but the more I think about it from the business side Cohen is either an amazing negotiator or an amazing *******, but probably both. There is nothing a $20b hedge fund manager likes more than a distressed asset, especially if they see value add opportunities. Its real estate investing 101 and it applies here as well. If you are a hedge fund manager that has already paid almost $2 billion in fines for insider trading its also not a stretch to work to further distress that asset to improve the price. He and Boras could have agreed on any number and it would not have mattered, I'm convinced he was going this route from the beginning. Now that we can see the terms and poison pills the Mets were laying out Cohen was obviously not planning on paying more luxury tax and was more than happy to get the player on ridiculously favorable terms if Correa felt he was stuck. Frankly, good on Boras for getting him out of that situation. Another agent might not have been able to save it for his client. I have no issue being the third choice on this deal, the Twins nailed the market value of the player from the jump and they should be credited for that. At one point I was concerned that Correa would sign with the Mets for roughly what the Twins had offered which would have left a very sour taste in my mouth. We would have all justifiably felt like it was all lip service. It would also be the most Minnesota way to lose a player. However, when I think about it in these terms I'm completely comfortable with the way it played out. The Giants situation seems fairly straightforward and for 65m I couldn't be mad at him leaving. The Mets and Cohen shouldn't affect our thinking as it was not a normal baseball transaction. Normal in the hedge fund business maybe but we haven't seen a lot of negotiations like this in sports. Boras is obviously pissed but can't say a whole lot publicly. It will also be fascinating watching Boras and Cohen in the coming years. Remember a similar situation with Kumar Rocker? Boras client as well. Cohen may be winning in the short term but when agents realize what they are dealing with Mets offers won't even help to drive up negotiations. I've thought from the beginning of the Correa era in Minnesota that this pattern could repeat and be a solid road map for small market teams. Go after superstar talent in a one year prove it situation and try to sign long term if you like them. Win win on both sides and with a guy like Boras driving the change it has a chance to happen again even without a lockout factor.

I was lucky enough to catch his lone home double AA appearance last year and from my vantage point behind the dugout he carries himself with every bit of maturity and comfort that you would expect from a college coaches kid. In a one game sample he had a couple good at bats, squeaked out a couple hits and seemed functional in the field but I was mostly interested in watching him away from the ball, New team, new level, directly into the playoffs as the starting shortstop should be intimidating as hell and if it was he dealt with it well. He certainly belonged in that arena. I grabbed this picture at the end of the game. He was the only player who stayed in the dugout at all and he watched the other team celebrate for a good couple of minutes. It really struck me as something of note with the contrast to his teammates. Maybe the rest of the team was sick to death of the Midland whatevers and maybe he was just a little stunned that the wild ride was over for the year. Regardless, it stuck with me. Whatever the case he was impressive in a small sample and I'm looking forward to watching him in person for what will likely be a short time here in Wichita.

I miss the filters.

The correct answer to this question is Harold Reynolds. Saw it myself, first minute back from commercial.

Along with everyone else. I wasn't much of a poster on BYTO but I don't remember my last post here before this. I would hate to offend someone...I'm only here because I want a little Twins coverage.

I was thinking the exact opposite. It looks like every move he makes is sized to someone 5'6 instead of 6'5. Very tentative, especially on the throws to first. He just looked uncomfortable and not confident.

This reference is not valid in this location...

Do you send him here? Wow, sound off.

I don't have a problem with letting the 3-3 guy swing there either. Thats how it should happen.

It keeps me getting up in the morning, for now.

If you don't live the KC home market, don't complain.

Now you've done it.

See, you had it won and then had to go screw it up all in the same post. Don't be so afraid to offend.

Diane Chambers/Rebecca Howe?

Mauer almost lost a knee in the process.

My snarkmeter is broken from repeatedly slamming from snark to slobber in these game threads.

Tebow offered contract by arena football team, news at 4, 5, 6, 7, 9:15 and 11:42.

It's not like they are out of picks either. They weren't going to draft and pay 11 players that make the roster so the move makes sense to me. I call Floyd the first rounder, Rhodes the second and Patterson the 3rd. If those first three rounds don't delight people I dunno what to tell them. Taking on more first round money doesn't bother me, as long as it isn't an every year thing. I'm damn happy, now they can go gold mining on Saturday.

The guy that comes into a game with a 10 plus era has no business whatsoever thinking that.

Fox game means no watch at all in Wichita. Boo MLB

Did Dick just say one of the biggest hits in the history of the ballpark?

I've got it from MLB.com, haven't paid for this year yet.

Hicks swings like a man! Gonna have to tone that down if he wants the center field job.

That was me. Minnesota was always his #1 spot and besides the obvious chance at the rotation I'm pretty sure that he has non-baseball reasons as well. This could be my first (and last) scoop ever! Seriously, I love this signing, both for him and the Twins. I'll ask some more questions about how his arm is feeling. "The velocity is back" was all I was told and I didn't press. I'm excited.

I don't want to make it sound like I am questioning you, but I'm trying to figure out what is the Wichita connection, if any? Yeah, high school and college at Wichita State. I live half a block from the park and work with a very very close family friend. I didn't press to much about the velocity thing, whether it just feels zippy or on the gun. I can ask more later. I don't want to speak out of turn but I believe that he has some non-baseball reasons to want to be in Minnesota as well so that plus a pretty damn good chance to make the rotation would make sense. If he wants to be there it should help with the Boras effect. I'd take him in a heartbeat if the money makes sense.