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Linus

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Everything posted by Linus

  1. Linus
    I assumed all along he was signed to be a starter. I have been generally skeptical of framing statistics but the numbers in the article seem meaningful. Generally speaking, I think most TD posters are getting ahead of themselves when it comes to prospects making their big league debuts. My guess is that Pinto (along with Sano, Hicks, Meyer, Gibson) all start at Rochester and remain there for a couple of months minimum or until they prove they can adequately handle themselves at the AAA level. I also think this is the correct way to handle this situation - if Pinto (or any of the others) can't handle AAA, there is no point in pushing them to the majors. Losing a year of development (see Hicks, Aaron) is a far bigger price to pay than the benefit of a couple extra months in the bigs.
  2. Linus
    Yep, now that I think of it, best prospect would be quite an impressive award. Sounds like this coming year will be very important for him. In other words step it up or step aside.
  3. Linus
    I don't think this is that complicated. Nobody knows what Florimon will do at the plate this year; no person or model can accurately predict this. Based on his track record, its not likely that he improves greatly with the bat but improvement is possible. This discussion is even possible because he is an elite defender. Seems clear to me the Twins are giving him one more chance to see if he gets better at the plate. If he does, they have a plus player at a position where plus players are hard to find. If he does not improve, someone else will be playing shortstop for the Twins next year, or maybe even this August.
  4. Linus
    OK, color me skeptical. I'm sure it works in certain circumstances but not in others. Another factor not discussed is that pitchers have to be able to pitch to the proper spot in relation to the shift - the old pitch them away, play them away, etc. If you don't hit your spots, the shift just puts people out of position. Baseball has been played for a very long time and while we have greater raw data now, its really the professional sport that has changed the least over time. The current obsession with strikeouts is another example. I think we all agree that it is very handy to have a pitcher with the ability to strike someone out with a man on third and one out. I'm pretty sure Connie Mack, et al were smart enough to figure this out as well. There are many parts to the success equation, whether it is pitching or defense.
  5. Linus
    This. The Twins can't afford to have another setback with Hicks as last year was pretty much wasted. Two wasted years at this stage in his career could be big trouble. Pretty much the poster child for not rushing prospects not named Mike Trout.
  6. Linus
    Wasn't Santana voted "Best Prospect" in the Eastern League last year by the managers? I get the relatively unimpressive performance from a sabermetrics POV but he must have something that catches the eye of experienced baseball people.
  7. Linus
    Its possible that Swarzak is just figuring things out - it takes some guys a while. He really pitched well last year and I think it is wise of the Twins to see what he can do as a starter. We may have a Jeff Samardja on our hands as that was his path and is now a valuable starter. Swarzak certainly needs to pitch in a more important role - either starting or set-up
  8. Linus
    I'm satisfied mainly because I believe its another step in returning the Twins to long term success. Their farm system is short on starting pitching so they went outside their box to fix that for the near term. I don't see much in position player moves, just because there isn't much out there. I think their offense will be a little better just from player improvement and better health. I think the real activity is going to place in July when I anticipate that Willingham, Correia and Burton will all be moved.
  9. Linus
    My understanding is the punishment is not based on the regular drug testing schedule, rather that A-Rod was guilty of "obstructing the process". Since this involved many other players and it appears A-Rod played a large role, they felt justified in issuing a greater suspension. I think teams should be required to pay the salary in some fashion (not to the player) so they have an incentive to not tolerate doping. Part of me wants him to beat this so the Yankees are stuck paying and playing him. He's done as a player.
  10. Linus
    The thing I like about this idea is that if there is one area of weakness in the organization it is shortstop. We have a couple of OK prospects that are 1-3 years away from playing big league ball - maybe. The thing that I don't like about the idea is that Drew is not as good a defender as Florimon, period. I don't care what dWar or anything else says, Florimon is a superior defensive SS and it ain't close. Drew is clearly a better hitter but he isn't going to get better and Florimon might, given his age and lack of experience. All things considered I'd take the money and put it towards signing Garza instead of Pelfrey / Arroyo.
  11. Linus
    I don't dig it either but the offensive loss is going to be less with Doumit than any of the others you mentioned excepting Wieters, and I'm done giving catchers huge contracts.
  12. Linus
    Doumit and ...................Eric Fryer. Mind you, this isn't my desire rather the practical reality of the situation. And I have no problem with this if Doumit is actively shopped and out of here by the trade deadline. At that point, we hope that our guy Pinto is ready for the show. Perhaps by next year we have the long term solution of Pinto and Hermann going.
  13. Linus
    This. And another reason why its really important to make sure you can, in fact win now, before your start mortgaging your future. If the Royals have misjudged their ability to win now, they could be looking at another extended down spell.
  14. Linus
    I think Pinto and Hermann both start at AAA. They need to develop as I could see them being a great catching tandem for a long time. One bats right, the other left. The likely backup also can play other positions - almost an ideal situation if they develop and take the next step.
  15. Linus
    My main concern would be not adding somebody where there is a prospect likely to take over soon, 3rd base for example. Also, one reason I'm not worried about Pressly starting in center - chances are Hicks is playing there by the end of the summer. However, we could use a productive corner outfielder because Willingham should be dealt as he is in the last year of his contract and he really just needs to be a DH, and the next outfielder up (Buxton) is likely two years away. I also would let Doumit catch (I know, let the defensive / framing ridicule begin). Mainly I am doing this so we can showcase him and deal him but also so Pinto can start at AAA along with Hermann. Fryer can ride the pine 6 days a week.
  16. Linus
    Yes he would have helped. No, they shouldn't have acquired him. The Twins need to stay the course and save their prospects so they can have an extended run at success instead of making 2014 marginally better.
  17. Linus
    I would kick the tires on Corey Hart. He wants to go back to the Brewers and play first but they don't seem to be pursuing him hard. He has played the outfield and, if healthy, could provide some good right handed pop. Stick him in left (he can't be worse than Willingham out there) for a couple of years until Buxton is up and we have our long term outfield set.
  18. Linus
    Therein lies the rub....there are no good defensive catchers available that can hit at all. I'd rather have Navarro than Salty. Actually, I'd rather play Doumit, trade him at the deadline and sink or swim with Pinto, et al.
  19. Linus
    Huh? I no longer want the Twins to model themselves after the Cards.
  20. Linus
    I would showcase Willingham, Doumit (yes, start him at catcher), Correia and Burton. As soon as any of them heat up, trade them for max value. In any event, all need to be gone by next trade deadline (would not trade Willingham this winter however). I would also pray that Plouffe runs into a few cookies and deal him for the best pitching prospect we can get. I don't think he will ever be consistent as a hitter and he has no position (he's equally bad no matter where you put him) - get rid of him as soon as you can get something for him.
  21. Linus
    I've always liked the way he swings the bat. I also don't understand people wanting to peg him as a utility guy when he's only 24 and made his way to the big leagues rather quickly. He can easily improve as a hitter and fielder and, if that happens, he's clearly preferable to Florimon. I would give him every chance to win the SS job.
  22. Linus
    I would not be shocked if it was Florimon for a while. He may learn to hit a little and keep the job and / or nobody else is knocking the door down to replace him.
  23. Linus
    I don't dispute your stats here but am curious as he was voted "best prospect" or something like that this year in the Eastern League. I'm wondering what the other managers are seeing in him? Stick him in Rochester and see if he sinks or swims......
  24. Linus
    I would not sign him for two reasons:' First, with the trend toward concussion awareness I think it would be wise to steer clear of larger contracts for catchers. Just doesn't make sense to tie up that kind of money for somebody who is going to miss so many games. I love Joe Mauer but always thought that having lots of money tied up in a catcher is risky. Second, Salty isn't very good. I think all this Salty love is frustrated fans wanting change in any form. He's below average defensively and average at the plate. Doumit would put up better numbers at the plate and not be that much worse defensively. If we are going to stink defensively than at least get someone who can swing the bat.
  25. Linus
    jcphitman - here come the snowballs. Surprised it took so long.
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