Kwak

Thread title: Twins Trade Doumit to Atlanta Spot on for a title. My point is: was the trade made to specifically acquire Gilmartin, or to move Doumit, or was it initiated by Atlanta because they wanted Doumit? Yes, there are two parties to this trade and either could have been the initiator. My take: Atlanta wanted Doumit, initiated the discussion, and then agreed to send Gilmartin. Maybe Ryan really is sold on yet another soft-tossing LHP (who has had recent injury) or maybe he is relieved to be rid of Doumit, his contract, and the roster spot--he didn't say. As far as I'm concerned the real value to the Twins is moving Doumit. The lottery ticket named Gilmartin is simply a bonus--but the Twins must realize that Gilmartin is nothing more than that as opposed to a "prospect". Sadly, the word "prospect" is tossed-around so loosely that its' meaning has been obfuscated.

Wasn't that the same series against Chicago where their CF botched two fly-balls for inside-the-park HRs and when said CF came to bat he received a standing ovation!--On that AB he hit a HR and the Sox won!

A top 5 selection should be used to draft a guy who might be great--a big "impact" player--and not on someone who is more likely to be a "good" player. Teams generally prioritize on: 1) probable sluggers huge HR guys; 2) "ace" starting pitchers; 3) the all-around guy .300 avg/ 20 HR/ defense/ speed. The Twins should do likewise--raise the projection bar, and look for a star!

Exactly!--Refer to post #81. Gilmartin might get a chance to compete for a SP job, but I believe he will be developed with the expectation he will be a RP--LOOGY, or a disaster repair guy.

Perhaps there should be a limit on the total number of posts on a thread? After all, how many posts does one need to express their opinion on a specific thread?--there will be more threads in the future.

"...tolerate a high strike-out rate..."​ ? My Gosh, he fits right in!

I thought Perkins had to be DFA'd to demote him to AAA to convert him to a RP. Wouldn't that count as "cut"? Also, were Kyle Waldrop and Matt Fox promoted and then released? In, short it's not unprecedented that Ryan gives-up on a 1st round choice. Would Delmon Young qualify?

Deduno will be on the 60-day DL and Worley will be named the 5th starter. Ryan isn't going to give-up on a guy who was trumpeted as "part of the pitching solution" just yet. Diamond might be added to the bullpen--because I think the Twins will offer LHP (?!) in trade! Duensing, Albers, Theilbar, (not Kris Johnson!), and Diamond will all be offered in some kind of a package and if it's Duensing that leaves, then Diamond will replace him in the bullpen.

The biggest effect of the FA signing is to eliminate the perception (reality?) of playing minor league talent and charging major league prices. Those signed aren't "all-star" caliber, but they have legitimate major league experience compared to most of those employed for the past two seasons.

Well, the Twins are all about loyalty and Pelfrey said he wanted to return. It's not there he had to fight through others to talk to Ryan. Sure hope Pelfrey uses more off-speed pitches from now on.

The "average" cost per ticket should not be used because the most expensive tickets have already been sold. Incremental ticket sales will be from unsold seats--"the cheap seats". Those tickets were in the $13-17 range per seat.

Neighbor's grass always looks greener.

I believe it will be a LHP--one that is the easiest to trade for a useful minor leaguer. Might even be Duensing, but Diamond and Albers qualify.

How about: Month Inn/game April 4.42 May 4.83 June 6.37 July 5.44 August 5.83 September 4.78 So, a 5 innings/game SP was signed for ~$5.5MM/year. Did his contract include a RP to get his starts through 7 innings? If Pelfrey is an "innings-eater", he must be on The South Beach Diet​.

Laughed my butt off! That poster of Ryan in "the add" reminded me of so may posts I've read in TD​.

I guess this means the Twins will not be signing Garza.

No, Ryan hasn't spent a dime of that found money. Examine the payroll (found on hyperlink at top of TD header) and we find that the payroll is still lower than that of the 2013 season. Ryan has simply redeployed the salaries of Morneau, Blackburn, Carroll, Butera, and Pelfrey to salaries for Nolasco and Hughes. There is still another $2MM or so remaining for redeployment. None of the "found $25MM has been used.

My guess is that Kubel begins in Rochester (still not on the 40-man roster!), with a promise for "seconds". Parmelee (or Colabello) makes the active roster for April, but has a three to six week "make-good" period. If (when!) he "fails again", Parmelee is DFA'd with a promise to receive a AAA contract if he wants it. Kubel would be added to both the 40-man and active roster taking Parmelee's spot. Considering the time frame would be April/May other teams have already filled their rosters and are less likely to want to sign Parmelee than in February/March. I would also expect that Kubel doesn't finish the season with the Twins--he will be traded or DFA'd in/by August. Space will be cleared for a promotion of an OF prospect presently in the minor leagues.

I strongly prefer Garza over Pelfrey. I think that there is "a game of chicken" being played between Garza and all of his suitors. I believe the first team to match his asking price--will get him, especially if said offer is made before Christmas. There isn't much posturing available for the Twins--losing team, probably stay that way for a few more years, and never be able to match the star power of the revenue kings when the Twins eventually reach the playoffs.

I hope the priority is: 1) Garza 2) Garza 3) wait for next year and target someone better than Garza and pay the price for him!​

Final negotiations: the decision to "make a deal" was already made, now it's simply agreeing on the price. Contract negotiations--sounds like the final step to me--so where are Smith's fingerprints? He neither started things nor ended them. To me Smith was the perfect Patsy, if things went well it was due to the fine work of others, but if things soured--it was Smith's fault because his job had a fancy title. Considering that he has been painted as "the fall guy", it is a wonder that he retains employment with the Twins in any capacity.

From the article; "...Smith was hired with the thinking that he could provide a seamless transition. Since Smith was seen as more of an administrator, the team also promoted then-scouting director Mike Radcliff to vice-president in charge of player personnel." I infer the following from this statement: 1) When Ryan was GM he was the boss of the player personnel director (Radcliff); 2) the organization was changed to reflect that Smith was not "in charge" of player personnel, or Radcliff; 3) Radcliff's position (VP player personnel) was horizontal and slightly elevated to Smith's position (Radcliff was a VP, but Smith wasn't a VP, only the GM). Thus Smith, as GM, did not have the same power that Ryan held as GM. Smith would need to balance the interests of different mangers, some of whom were outside of his authority. Ergo, he must build consensus between people which may involve "horse-trading" of decisions and goals. It isn't realistic to conclude that Smith could act with the same latitude as Ryan--Smith didn't have Ryan's power. Smith wasn't "at the top" as his title suggests--player personnel was outside of his purview. Therefore, Radcliff (and his subordinates) who are making player evaluations (Gardenhire would evaluate the Active Roster also) is just as responsible as Smith for poor personnel decisions--because his (department's) provides the evaluations which would serve as the justification for taking an action (or non-action). In short, any blistering of Smith must include the very same for Radcliff and quite likely Gardenhire as well, their input served as the basis for the organization to take an action, Smith was simply (as he has stated) the last signature on the paper. Smith was "an organization guy", he wasn't the commanding general.

Unless the Twins intend to sign a premier OF, this is a waste of time. The roster is loaded with marginal players, there is no need to sign another.

Doumit was re-signed because he had hit in the clutch and he fulfilled the mandate of three catchers on the Active Roster.

That's what I thought, that Doumit's contract was that he was a catcher​ and his compensation was based on his ability to play catcher. If so, and Doumit announces he doesn't want to catch--well maybe the Twins can decide they don't want to pay him?