Linus

Obviously these stats don't mean anything but then we also have to say that Pinto's September doesn't mean much either. Despite the hatred it receives from some posters, you can see why TR quickly signed a veteran backup catcher like Fryer. If Pinto and Hermann have to go to the minors (not unlikely), and you throw in an injury (quite likely), we might need the guy.

The Tanaka factor could get quite interesting in that MLB and NPB(?) seem to be at an impasse regarding a new agreement for posting rules. If you are seriously interested in him, do you wait it out, risking the possibility that your other free agent interests sign with other teams in the meantime? What happens if teams wait and he doesn't even get posted this year? Between this and the TV money, it really is going to be an interesting off season.

True story.... I believe alcohol may have been involved.

As in Shirley Jones or Basketball Jones?

A hundred years ago I was a student at the U of M, when they still played football outside at Memorial Stadium. Towards the end of each season it was frequently cold with snow piled up in the bleachers. A fellow student sitting about 20 rows below me would come each Saturday dressed in a bomber hat, goggles, scarf and shorts. The tradition was that he would hold high above his head some sort of stuffed rabbit / jackelope type creature as a target; he would immediately be pelted with hundreds and hundreds of snowballs. He did this many times per game until he was battered. It was amazing and brutal all at once and it was great fun. I always said "this guy, his positive attitude, his ability to take punishment - I love this guy". I love you jcphitman

I didn't mean style of pitching rather results. Old Goat did a comparison in another thread (which I can't find, sorry) and it was rather remarkable how KC had better stats than Hughes across the board, traditional and SABR stats. The only thing that intrigues me about Hughes is his age, and how much better his stats are away from Yankee Stadium. If that doesn't translate to Target Field (which it should) he solves nothing for us. I think strikeouts are great, rather have them than not but its not the be all, end all. Plenty of effective pitchers out there getting guys out in a variety of ways. A quick nit to pick: I think our infield defense other than Plouffe is fine.

Therein lies the problem....when you have as far to go as the Twins do, it really is a multiple year process if you are going to replace them with better parts and still get something for them. That's why I am really hoping that Willingham starts fast so we can deal him. One of the things I am really looking forward to is a roster that doesn't have so many guys that are sub par defenders shuffling around between corner outfield, first base, DH, etc.

I understand the notion of leaving Swarzak alone now that he has figured it out. However, no matter who they target as FA aquisitions there will still be people pitching at the bottom of the rotation that could be improved upon. That's where I hope Worley and Swarzak fit in, not that they would be answer to the top two or three spots in the rotation.

Just say no to Phil Hughes. He's essentially Kevin Correia and there is no reason to give him that kind of a contract. I like taking a flyer on Johnson because, if by some miracle he stays healthy, you actually have a top notch pitcher as opposed to another 3/4 type starter. I honestly believe Swarzak could put up Phil Hughes type numbers if given a chance (I know, let the ripping begin). I would also make sure Willingham, Doumit and Plouffe all get plenty of at bats early and deal any / all of them as soon as they hit a hot streak and their value goes up some. Doumit could be dealt this winter as his value is likely to be the same. I would let Parmelee play first / right field a bunch with the idea that this is his last chance - he sinks or swims. Lastly, the question of when to call up the next wave is simple. When they are ready, bring them up; no need to rush them if they haven't handled AAA or no need to delay for service time reasons.

I like the three that you ended up with. I'm not sure about all the love for Phil Hughes at TD. He basically has been Kevin Correia over the last three years only not as durable. If he gets 3 / 33 like some are suggesting is reasonable, then we need to put up a Terry Ryan statue for signing Correia for 2/12. Two other off the wall thoughts: I think Worley will surprise next year. He's only 25 and has already been a productive big league pitcher. I also would let Swarzak try starting again. I know he struggled before but he has gained a bunch of experience and pitched quite well last year. He could make a Jeff Samardja(sp) type transition from struggling young pitcher to effective bullpen guy to good starter.

Well, there is a reason that managers get paid far less than the players. For the most part, players decide games. I'm not defending Gardy, per se I'm just saying that this team (as currently constructed) could have the greatest manager in the world and they are not going to win.

Well, their roster wasn't the same for starters. I'm pretty sure that Buck Showalter or Terry Francona would have won a similar number of games had they been managing the Twins this year.imilar experience if they were managing the Twins this year. We don't have very good players and a different manager is doesn't change that.

I think speculation about this is not good. We have no idea what Gardy believes about this and to casually speculate he has a racial bias is unfair. Its one thing to assert without evidence various baseball issue, quite another to cross over into asserting things about race without a shred of evidence.

Um...because we don't have very good players. With the talent level currently on the roster, it doesn't matter who is managing the team or coaching the pitchers.

Some how, some way they need to get Hendriiks, Diamond and Parmalee back up here for the rest of the season. To me, these are the last question marks that need to be evaluated going into the off season. Whether Colabello or Ramirez goes up or down or is DFA'd really doesn't matter. These are not important pieces of our future.

Actually, my original post was not intended to be an indictment of Terry Ryan - I'm actually one of the folks that thinks he is a good GM. My main point was to draw attention to the fact that we have internal candidates that are not great but each provide a reason for the Twins to give them a chance next season, especially compared to the vast majority of the free agent pitchers out there who are older, will be much more expensive and are not likely to be much better than what several of the pitchers I listed will do in 2014. Some of our internal candidates will return to form or health and likely be better but it is certainly not a staff that is going to allow the Twins to contend. I don't believe we need to add more of the same as some are suggesting: we've got quantity already, we need quality, even if it is just one addition. I think Ryan will take a run at a quality arm or two but the problem is that there are very few available and everyone will be after them. Its just not likely he is going to land Phil Hughes as much as I would like him to and it won't be his fault, per se. If you throw out the top half dozen starters, Pelfrey is as good as any that are left for Pete's sake - at least he is 30 and has the excuse of coming of TJ surgery. Free agency didn't help us last year and likely won't help much this year - that's one of the main points I am making. I don't blame Ryan for this as he correctly assessed last year's market for the most part and this year's is worse. It really just points out that you really can't build an entire rotation through free agency. So our rotation is what it is....and I knew you weren't going to like it......

I believe they can only trade for another player who has cleared waivers or is not on the other team's 40 man roster....

The problem, as I see it and tried to lay out in the post, is an issue of quality. They've got enough quantity, and with few exceptions, that lengthy list of free agents doesn't really help us (especially if you want someone young enough to be around a while). It really boils down to living with what we have or making a major trade, involving some of our top prospects. I am reluctant to endorse that as we have finally gotten to the point where our farm system has some depth and could produce multiple quality players each year for the foreseeable future.

Actually, I am quite the opposite of cynical. See my prediction that I believe that rotation could be .500. The Twins have not been blessed with great luck lately on the injury front so maybe Worley pitches better and Hendriks figures it out at the major league level. And, if you want to look at the bright side, several of these pitchers could be acceptable to good back of the rotation starters, there's just no quality there and that ain't gonna get fixed in next year's free agent market. Hence the title, you ain't gonna like it.....

Actually, I think it will be hard to replace his production at the plate and in the field from the players they currently have. The only current player on their roster who is going to play elite defense and is likely to hit 280 with 20+ homers and 85+ RBIs is Morneau. People tend to forget that he is their best first baseman and arguably their 2nd or 3rd best hitter. Plus, he's not that much older than Colabello.

His Saturday morning radio show on 1500ESPN about 2-3 weeks ago. Mackey asked him point blank and he answered very directly that he would not be called up this September because he does not have to be added to the 40 man yet.

As I was watching Andrew Albers work his second magic show, I started thinking about next year's starting rotation and all the different scenarios that could play out. Here is one that I think is actually quite likely and almost certainly not going to be popular with the fan base or TD posters. First off, assume that Deduno gets over his two game hiccup and finishes out the year with the acceptable performance he has shown most of the summer. Also assume that Albers, while coming directly and quickly back to earth, turns into fairly regular "quality start" guy (I know everyone hates that reference but its my post so go with it). If that happens, he is all but assured a spot in the roto as one of our favorite, yet short lived posters used to say. Gibson is a given whether he deserves it or not, due to his highly valued prospect status. Corriea is under contract and likely can't be moved...... With almost nothing available in free agency (I like Hughes but if the Yanks want him, they have him; E. Santana strikes me as the classic big contract mistake waiting to happen...) that means the last spot in the rotation goes to Hendriks, Diamond, Worley, et al. So there you have it: 1. Deduno 2. Albers 3. Gibson 4. Corriea 5. Flotsam from AAA Makes you want to go right out and renew those season tickets......(I actually think it could be a .500 rotation if they catch a break or two). What do you think?

I am in the camp of it doesn't make sense to bring them up until they are ready to contribute at the major league level. I'm all for him playing in Rochester this fall for the playoffs and start at AAA next year. When he has proven himself there for a sufficient period of time (say half a season) then bring him up. The goal should be that once he comes up he is ready to stay and contribute, then we don't have to worry about service time. As far as a September call up, its not happening. TR has already stated that and I think it is the correct decision. He doesn't have to be added to the 40 man so it doesn't make any sense to take up a spot when you don't have to. Yes, I realize there are several people they can DFA, but there are probably an equal number of valuable prospects they have to add or risk losing. Plus, they need a spot or two open for trades / Phil Hughes

His throwing is a major issue and has been at every position. He has a strong arm but looks scared when he throws, almost like he has the yips as some other players have experienced. The super utility role for him just doesn't excite me as he is basically below average defensively no matter where he plays which really isn't worth the occasional home run. Until he makes more consistent contact, particularly on pitches on the outer half of the plate, what you see is what you get. My hope is that he stabilizes his play in the field and at the plate and turns into a viable trade chip.

There is no harm in trying other than it would take a while to find out. I think the reason why he struggled defensively at short was simply that his skills are much better suited to second base. The two positions are quite different in several important ways that benefit Dozier. He uses his acrobatic athletic ability to cover ground at second diving and stopping balls that would not be possible playing short. This acrobatic aspect to his game extends his range at second, compared to short. Also, his arm strength is not there to be an elite shortstop, but is just fine for second base. Good shortstops have to make tough plays without leaving their feet as much and have to have a gun to then make more difficult throws with less time. Nothing wrong with being a damn good second baseman.