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Kwak

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Everything posted by Kwak

  1. Kwak
    RF. Remember, only half of the games are played in Target Field.
  2. Kwak
    So, Souhan's article today shamed Ryan into acquiring a LOOGY. Wow! He sure caved fast.
  3. Kwak
    The "sticking point" to promotion isn't "BB rate" it's the old-fashioned "fear of the unknown". Using a veteran player (even one who isn't very good) provides the comfort of "knowing what to expect". Since it's the owner's money the temptation is great to "play it safe" with a more expensive veteran than promote a minor league guy. If the veteran fails--it's his fault. If the rookie fails--it's management's fault.
  4. Kwak
    CF: If the Twins believe Buxton needs more seasoning before handing him the job (frankly there is plenty of evidence supporting that position) it makes far more sense to put Rosario in CF than anybody else. Santana "success" in 2014 wasn't in the field--it was as a hitter. As a CF he was over-matched--throws off-line and circuitous routes. Showcase his ability as an all-around OF and be prepared to trade him next year if Buxton "takes ownership" of CF. RF/LF: Clearly Sano will play someplace, but it's backa**ward to award major league jobs on the basis of "he's out of options". I earnestly hope that ABW and/or Palka step-up and show that they are true sluggers so that one of them become a starting OF and provide another source of consistent power-hitting. Kepler will likely become a more "rounded" type of player--and there will be two corner OFers in the line-up! So, no need to worry about him. You ask "well what about Rosario?" (and others). This is why executives get paid--to make the tough decisions. Select the starters--and trade "the silver medalists" while they have considerable value. Stockpiling "options" because an executive is afraid to make a mistake (or just needs a security "blankee") is destructive to the franchise. Only nine are in the field, and talent can't be wasted on "options". The "2nd place" talent must be exchanged for youth to maintain a constant reloading of talent.
  5. Kwak
    I consider the proposed trade ridiculous. Use the same deal and let MILW keep Lucroy and the Twins are ahead in the deal.
  6. Kwak
    Meyer is a failed starter. The Randy Johnson straw man is obscuring reality. Meyer is more like Jim Hoey. Give him time in Rochester's pen and ascertain if he can command the strike zone. If Meyer can't command, he is just a thrower and not a pitcher. Beware, there are lots of prospects coming up the system and the Twins must not let pride and the shame of a failed trade block better talent from promotion.
  7. Kwak
    Honesty and Twins PR? Oil meet water.
  8. Kwak
    Could the Twins have multiple closers? Of course--but that isn't part of the Twins' way. For many years the Twins have operated with a defined closer, 8th inning guy, 7th inning guy, LOOGY, long-man, etc. Will they change that philosophy? I doubt it. They are more likely to simply reassign personnel in each role that to craft a new bullpen philosophy. Question marks. As far as I'm concerned signing veteran free-agent relief-pitchers doesn't eliminate question marks--they simply make it easier to identify the guilty parties for failure. The Twins have many candidates for the bullpen (plenty of TD threads on that!) it's time to start using them. The 83-win season eliminated the losing streak and the pressure to stop the bleeding. Now is the window to complete the development and transformation of the Active Roster to one of a consistent winner--and that requires some risk-taking. Continue the internal promotions to build the consistent winner.
  9. Kwak
    I remember Mitch Williams coming in to close, walk the first three and then strike the next three out. BB's and for that matter, K's, are simply interesting statistics. What actually matters is--did the pitcher pitch a scoreless inning and get the "save"?
  10. Kwak
    OK. If [we] use the $118MM number, it's easy to see why a premium-priced relief pitcher wasn't signed to a contract. I conclude that the Twins viewed any debate between adding a hitter (Park) or a premium-priced relief pitcher (Bastardo) was an either/or but not both, decision.
  11. Kwak
    Mauer belongs in Hall of Very Good Players--period. Compare to Oliva/ Sure! Tony played Hurt--frequently. He had a finger so badly swollen the bat would repeatedly fly out of his hand if he swung and missed. Mauer--well, let's just say he spent a lot of time on the injured list. he mostly had knee problems. Did catchers have knee problems (and concussion-symptoms) in the 60's and 70's? Of course, but those guys played! Joe is a hometown favorite. It's great to be a huge fan--but was he great? Great players are leaders. Joe? I can't remember anybody extolling that quality in Joe (as a Twin). Post-season success? This is often cited as a huge factor in HOF consideration. Sorry, Joe doesn't have much. That sort of forces Joe to the Ted Williams/Ernie Banks model for HOF consideration. Sorry, Joe's numbers aren't at the level of those two.
  12. Kwak

    Nunez

    Kwak replied to DaveW's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk

    "...someone [elite] ..." . From the dumpster? Because if that guy isn't in the organization that's where Ryan will have to go--and I don't think there is anyone there who is elite.
  13. Kwak

    Nunez

    Kwak replied to DaveW's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk

    I'm sorry my post was short and didn't include a lengthy explanation--so I can see why it was misinterpreted. I'll try to clarify: Dave often complains ( ) about "dumpster-diving". I do too! Nunez' role (bench player) is often filled by dumpster-diving. His point is (roughly) why keep a low-quality veteran--who is unlikely to improve--when the Twins can "go fish" in hopes of finding a suitable replacement for the "bench role". My response: is to contend that Nunez actually succeeded in the role of "bench player"; they quite possibly won't obtain as useful of a player for the bench if they "go fish", and finally his advocacy that the Twins should "go fish" after a plethora of posts criticizing the frequency of the Twins using that tactic is hypocritical. Retaining Nunez also "fits-in" with the several posts I've made concerning the lack of depth at 3B (in other threads). Nunez's role is not expected to involve "upside". Santana is different. Is Santana a possible starting SS (where "upside" is used in the evaluation metric) or is Santana consigned to the "bench"? Bench players are for now--what will you do this year. In the "bench role" Nunez outperformed Santana last year--and he is unlikely to "sulk" because he failed as a starter (like Santana did in 2015).
  14. Kwak

    Nunez

    Kwak replied to DaveW's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk

    The premise of this thread can be summed-up as "why give a utility role to a guy who has actually succeeded for the Twins for two seasons in said role, when the Twins can pluck a random piece of garbage from the dumpster to do this job?"
  15. Kwak
    BB/9 innings shouldn't be the metric to evaluate RPs--try scoreless innings. The guy's job is to pitch one inning--especially a scoreless inning. If he walks someone--so what? Pitching around a batter (BB) can be sound strategy for a one inning stint--yet it will become a stat at the end of the season.
  16. Kwak
    Much of the discussion is based on the myth that KC wins because of their bullpen. NO! They are much better than that. Their team defense and speed is excellent permitting them to record the outs that should happen and some of those that appeared unlikely. They "gut things out"--frequently coming from behind to win. They "add-on"--not coasting but continuing to score. Contrast to Twins teams of the past (and dare I say 2015 also)--are teams of momentum. When things go well (like May) they really go well--but if the "wind shifts", the trend continues, witness the end of '11, '12, and '13. Character is developed over time--and the Twins need seasoning. Spending the owner's money for veteran pieces is fine--until he holds management accountable. The commitment to Park is comparable to the proposed level for Bastardo--if normalized out to 4 years. Which helps the Twins more--an every day hitter, or a one-inning set-up relief pitcher? As the article points out (OK it does read like a press release) there are plenty of options and one (maybe two) is all that is needed. The Twins bullpen is not wretched and the internal options also demonstrate management's commitment to careers for prospects. That provides incentives for the prospects to focus on success because their really is a path forward. The FO has boasted about their system--now rely on it!
  17. Kwak
    After Plouffe, how many players do the Twins have that have played 3B at the major league level? Nunez represents the security blanket of depth--and not just at 3B!
  18. Kwak
    WAR is a fool's way to evaluate pay for players--it's spurious and ignores financial reality. Examine revenue streams. Things like merchandise specific to the player, cost to replace player, impact on broadcast (all media) revenue/ratings. Not long ago, Houston played a $25MM (or so) team--yet many revenue streams are unchanged. to say Plouffe is worth $20+MM is ridiculous. One win is not worth $10MM--Houston (and Miami) just proved that! In a roundabout way, so did Detroit. The 2016 salary (for Plouffe) misses the point--it's his future free agent salary--which will dwarf the 2016 numbers. Given such a lack of depth the Twins are basically forced to keep Plouffe--unless they trade some valuable players (youth) for 3B depth. Plouffe shouldn't be paid a qualifying offer--he's not worth it.
  19. Kwak
    I think Jim Kaat has a better chance through the Veteran's Committee than anyone who built their reputation as a Twin.
  20. Kwak
    Reading this thread brings tears--a mediocre 3B (who was miscast as a SS for 6+ years) is the regular--and there is essentially nothing behind him worthy of any trust. Plouffe is: over-rated, over 30, and will soon become way overpaid. It is likely that Sano wasn't installed at 3B (like Mauer replaced AJ) is that the Twins have learned their lessons (CF and the chronic pain at SS and 3B) because they strongly suspect (believe?) that Sano is a solution at 3B--he is a patch there. Sano really belongs elsewhere and because the Twins have not provided depth behind Plouffe at third they are forced to pay (overpay!) him. This is why trades need to be made to fix the chronic 3B problem (as well as catcher).
  21. Kwak
    I think the Tigers become the Twins--fall to the bottom from 1st place, then linger there while they unwind high-cost players and replace them with cheaper and better. There are three things that could make Detroit's retooling proceed faster than the Twins' retooling: Verlander, and Cabrera could be traded for multiple youthful prospects and Detroit is more willing to spend to acquire talent than the Minnesota. Betting against KC seems foolhardy in 2016, but 2017 will be a much different sceanario. I can see the Royals spending to repeat before they inevitably break apart. Chicago, Cleveland and the Twins will slosh around in the middle and likely have very similar records at the end. Wild card teams will have W/L records similar to last season's NL--90+, not the mid 80's of the AL in 2015--so, only one team from the ALCD in 2016.
  22. Kwak
    Oh my, how rosy are your glasses? Catcher and 3B are huge needs, Pitching is always a need. The rotation is filled with mediocrity. To say they don't have SP needs is blind--they always have had dozens of "pitchers"--unfortunately most weren't very good and the few that were ML were mostly mediocre and don't last all that long. Stars?--there was one. He soon became very expensive, and sadly needed help. Oh--and then they get "injured". Hmm, too bad--it seems as if SP is a chronic problem--for everyone! Before anyone says "Sano"--he has yet to play any position. Sano doesn't have that physique that screams "I can play anywhere". More like 1B if anywhere. True 1B is fine--but elsewhere?
  23. Kwak
    If the Twins actually believe that the organization is truly solid in the middle, as this article claims, it decision-time for who actually represents the future and start trading prospects for help elsewhere. Goodness knows the rest of the team has plenty of needs and it's time to shuffle some of the excess to fill needs elsewhere.
  24. Kwak
    The Twins are more likely to finish dead last than first in the division this season.
  25. Kwak
    The Twins have oodles of relief pitchers--just need to promote them and use them. Notice how we frequently read posts complaining that "we don't play the kids"--yet scream how the Twins need to "sign more free agents" out of the other side of their mouth? Plouffe? Trading him for relief pitchers would be shameful. The Twins already have them. Top-of-the-rotation quality starters?--um, no. But Plouffe won't fetch one of them. Many posters complain ( ) about an OF (sign one of them too!?) that "an experienced one is needed", for what 2-3 months? There is no way the Twins will paint themselves into a corner at 3B under the circumstances.
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