DL450

First of all, you're really defensive about someone calling your comments melodramatic. They were- this team is not "paralyzed." Hindered, sure, but calling them paralyzed fits very squarely within the definition of being melodramatic. Second of all, though, and more importantly, you really are living in a fantasy world talking about the $120 million payroll the Twins supposedly would have had. Even before the team was awful in 2011, ownership said that payroll was too high and they intended on dropping it. I have no idea why you think that $120 million is the appropriate number because I don't think there's any evidence anywhere to support that it should be that high. Third, Joe Nathan didn't want to sign with the Twins. With the money being equal (or even slanted in favor of MN), Nathan wanted to play for whoever would give him the best shot at a world series. MN can't compete with Texas in that department this season and Nathan doesn't have many years left. He was gone anyway. And Cuddy and Kubel didn't want to stay here, either. Kubel really didn't try to hide the fact that he would be leaving via FA. Fourth, who do you think the Twins could have received by trading Liriano, Valencia, Casilla, or other starting pitchers or prospects? These guys carry VERY little trade value, and for good reason. No one would want them on their team. So they aren't going to trade a starting caliber 3rd baseman or 2nd baseman. Not to mention, who would fill the SP void? Have another rookie take a shot in the rotation? Not that I don't love having Swarzak and Manship take their turns in the rotation....

It apparently was. People on here and people on ESPN all seem to assume that because MN was 99 loss bad in 2011, that they'll be awful in 2012. I guess sports memory is only one season long. *Exception- you are a CWS fan and think that the 2005 world series just happened. I think the Twins will be fine this year. Not great, but slightly above .500.

You forget that there is development costs associated with a 1st round draft pick, and the Twins already stockpiled some from their own poor performance and with the departure of other FAs. They would have had to go out and sign someone else to be the closer, who will have the same shaky track record of Capps, unless they are going to spend even more money, and then spend a few million more to develop a high draft pick that still probably doesn't pan out. Early in the offseason, all I saw from Twins' fans was that they should sign Broxton, who signed with KC for slightly less than what Capps signed for. Broxton's numbers are comparable/slightly worse than Capps', and he's coming off a season with some pretty significant injury concerns. Rip on Terry Ryan all you want- he was put into a tough position this offseason and he's done what he could. My biggest issue with him is signing Carroll... it seems that he could have done much better there. But regardless, the guy put out competitive teams while he was the GM.

I'm kind of surprised at how many people got invited to spring training. I don't think there's much legitimate question who will make the 25 man roster this season. As long as there are no injuries that will result in one of those guys listed on Nick's projected roster, I'll be surprised if that isn't accurate. I think the only real chance that it differs is with the final two bullpen spots, and even then, I would be surprised if Burnett at least didn't get one of them.

We have different interpretations of average. Regardless, he doesn't put up power number hitter numbers because he isn't- and never has been (aside from possibly 2009)- a power hitter.

I think you have to concerned about Mauer's health. Just because he's coming into this season purportedly healthy, the guy has had so many injury concerns, you have to think that his health is going to be an issue until he demonstrates otherwise. Maybe it would be different if his previous injuries were the type that aren't ongoing. And if he's going to play catcher, he's going to get dinged up at some point.