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Kwak

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Everything posted by Kwak

  1. Kwak
    I disagree. There are lots of different ideas expressed in forums like this one as well as others.
  2. Kwak
    "A combination of what the front office deems as the right pieces and what a manager would deem and how much he can delegate those pieces." This explains the delay in selection. The struggle for control over the complete dugout, players and coaches, and likely philosophy as well.
  3. Kwak
    KC also traded Grienke, before they were even close to being a playoff team, and they obtained quite a haul! But also consider it had been 28 years since they had a playoff game when they made the trade with Tampa Bay.
  4. Kwak
    This has been typical for the Twins--many chances for marginal talent. Especially if said player had "the mark of special" on his forehead (came in a trade, 1st round draft choice). Plouffe owes his career to the "many chances" provided policy. I think part of this is due to preferential treatment, part due to the overall lack of talent in the organization, and the rest to resistance to admit failure. I don't expect this will change any time soon.
  5. Kwak
    "What could Ryan have done...[to make the Twins better]?" How about making massive changes to the organization? Those who were reponsible for drafting and developing? No, he just kept the gang together, found excuses for the Twins losing records, and trusted in the old ways of roster rebuilding using the same people to turn ducks into swans [marginal talent into viable major league players]. Oh, and while cutting payroll and praising prospects from Mount Target.
  6. Kwak
    No. Magglio Ordonez signed as free agent, was paid 16.2 MM in '06. Ivan (Pudge) Rodreiguez signed as a free agent, was paid 10.6 MM in '06 Kenny Rodgers (as you mentioned) 8 MM Carlos Guillen signed as a free agent, paid $5 MM in '06 Placido Polanco acquired from PHL during '05 season "rookie performing well" = Justin Verlander, who wasn't wasted in the minors climbing rung-by-rung and yes they have "improving players" from their own system. Last, but not least, acquired a proven success for their field manager Oh yes, their goal was to build a winner as opposed to cutting the budget.
  7. Kwak
    The 2003 Tigers were atrocious--43 wins or something like that. 2006 they were in the World Series.
  8. Kwak
    It's a bad idea. I can't imagine a new manager agreeing to it either.
  9. Kwak
    There has already been some MiL changes--the roving pitching and hitting instructors have been 'let go". Considering the problems the Twins have had it is expected that there would be a several changes. I am wondering when "change" will be made in Player Personnel.
  10. Kwak
    "...sustainable winning team." What a loaded statement, vague to the point of meaningless. Given 81 wins is breakeven "sustainable" could mean +/- 10 wins.from breakeven. It also implies that "the plan" isn't to assemble a championship team but rather a team that "bobs the surface". Was that the reason cited for the massive public subsidy to build a new stadium?--and said stadium to nearly triple the price of tickets as a bonus? I don't remember that as being cited as a reason to build TF.
  11. Kwak
    +1000 That has been "The Ryan Way. Sift through rosters and waiver wires and seek discaded gems because no only are players inexpensive you can be called "a genius". Yes, Ryan won the lottery with Johan Santana--and gets the proper credit--but team building isn't about winning lotteries. It's signing, developing, and occasionally exchanging, to fix problems and plug holes.
  12. Kwak
    Ryan has stated (for years) that he only gets involved in the first round of the draft. He disdains the draft as "a crap shoot". He firmly believes in his own scouting ability and scans the rosters of other teams for "talent".
  13. Kwak
    +1. Things like profit, cost control, making the owner happy, etc.
  14. Kwak
    Amen. Plus, as noted above the Personnel Staff (the group that is responsible for the draft) has had so few positive results--yet none of them got fired ever. I believe Smith's job was to cut payroll and rebuild to win in the future (like '10). The fact that '08 and '09 went to game #163 was completely unexpected--basically to the point of amazing. Smith got axed because he didn't make massive cuts for '11 and that basically everyone else in the Twins (apparently) really disliked him. Note the lack of outpouring in his defense or the mention of three successful years. This tome in defense of Gardenhire ignores that his fingerprints are all over this mess, as well as the utter collaspes of team performances past the ASGs.
  15. Kwak
    My 2 cents on the high-velocity, low K pitchers is the following: 1) Their FB is their best pitch and they "ride it hard"--but it isn't a great FB. 2) Their secondary pitches aren't good enough. Breaking balls and change-ups are more likely to fetch Ks than FBs--if they're good enough. 3) Twins pitchers are coached to "be aggressive; attack the strike zone", etc 4) Those pitchers "that don't throw enough strikes" face career change--everybody notices.
  16. Kwak
    Your memory is a bit hazy. Game 1--challenged Thomas--HR. Game 2--Twins had a lead late, I believe two baserunners, Gardenhire calls "prevent defense" retreating OFers just about to warning track. A shallow pop-up to CF, and Hunter goes "all-in" to catch it--he doesn't. Ball scoots by him for an inside-the-park HR. Game 3--started a damaged Brad Radke--predictable result. Garza was left off of the playoff roster.
  17. Kwak
    Are we certain that these are the only people leaving the team?
  18. Kwak
    Sunrises require sunsets to precede them, we should look at Gardenhire's leaving as a sunset. I expect far fewer ejections of the next manager.
  19. Kwak
    Trading Nolasco to the Dodgers? Ice cubes to Eskimoes, Oil to Saudis, etc. What a fantasy.
  20. Kwak
    This off-season will determine how serious the Front Office is about winning NOW vs selling hope (as well as a low payroll) about "winning soon". Will there be big personnel changes or status quo with the sacrifice of some bits and pieces?
  21. Kwak
    "A batter is considered successful if he gets a hit one out of every ten trips to the plate." Hmm, ah, No. I am in favor (in principle) of trading prospects for proven talent. Though, each possible trade must be scutinized--not many are worth it. Top talent makes a huge difference. In the rotation, acquisition of a #1 pushes every one else down a spot to face (theoretically) a weaker opposing pitcher. I firmly believe that Johan Santana transformed the Twins from a contender to a consistent winner by being a true #1. But a trade for a sound #2 would be a huge boost. Vargas made a huge impact on the offense when he was promoted. Remember Willingham in '12? Then compare his next two seasons with '12--huge! Adding the equivalent of either a true #2 or a hitter who produces like Willingham in '12 substantially changes the Twins.
  22. Kwak
    I disagree with most of you. Hughes should go "all Kyle Lohse" on Gardenhire's office door and demand to pitch this weekend. Hughes simply shrugging-off the $500K bonus indicates his attitude. He requested (demanded?) this incentive be included in his contract and now an attitude of "I don't care"? What else doesn't Hughes "care about"? TWINSTALKER mentioned pulling Hughes (Friday vs Cleveland) after 7 innings and 90 pitches. Why is this arbitrary "pitch-count law" all that important? How many other games did this happen? Later in the same Cleveland series Corey Kluber was allowed to throw 120 pitches in order to complete 7 innings! Yet another indication of the flaws in "The Twins Way".
  23. Kwak
    I read the paper too--and immediately concluded that all four ideas were not mutually exclusive. While adding the aforementioned Latino coaches the team can also provide copies of Rosetta Stone with a note saying "get all the help you need and learn this"! They can also provide basic computer skills and a book on statistics for baseball. Replacing Gardenhire is a must--but not if it's someone who quotes Gardenhire and TK--it has to be someone with a fresh attitude. Patience is as long as next season--win enough to show the corner has been turned and playing to win the division at the end of the 2016 season will happen. The definition of "ace" is fluid and a name must be acquired--and so must someone who can transform Nolasco into someone consistently useful. Fixing Nolasco's problem would be huge.
  24. Kwak
    It seems to run counter to being "a player's manager" and not allowing a valued player the easy opportunity to earn $500K.
  25. Kwak
    My guess is that Sunday's game won't impact the post-season and Hughes can make a relief appearance. In fact the Twins might use the "emsemble approach" for the whole game if it isn't "meaningful".
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