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Dman

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Everything posted by Dman

  1. Dman
    I agree the Twins are interested in Tanaka and certainly are in a good position to make it work but given the history of the franchise I feel quite certain they will come up short. Another team will outbid them. When have Twins ever landed the premier free agent or player in their history? They will make a good bid but they will not get Tanaka so hopefully there is a plan B.
  2. Dman
    I always liked Hunter but never felt he was elite and wasn't that upset when the Twins let him go. In Hindsight I really didn't appreciate everything he brought to the table and when with the Twins he seemed to get hurt so I figured his career was in decline. As usual I couldn't have been more wrong. As for his love of the media and saying controversial things it never really bothered me much as it seemed he got along with teammates just fine and that is what mattered to me. If he was clubhouse cancer that would be a different thing.
  3. Dman
    Well that does it for me. It was tough to see the Twins going for him to begin with but after that information I don't see them taking that kind of risk ever. Hope I am wrong but I am convinced we will not get Tanaka now. So best move my mind to the next best pitching option for the Twins.
  4. Dman
    I thought the posting fee didn't count against the cap or am I mistaken about that? So the Yankees or Dodgers or Angels could spend whatever they thought they needed to win the bid and getting a high quality pitcher for 10-12 million per year shouldn't break the bank for them. I am no scout but I think he looks good enough for high market teams to be interested and with the TV money coming in this will be a bigger offer than normal. I really don't think the Twins can play with the big boys on this one. I really, really want the guy as it appears he could make us relevant in the very short term. TR has never proven good at these types of things because he places logical value on players vs performance. I don't think his brain can stretch far enough for Tanaka. Add in the unknown TV revenue effect and it makes it even harder to get this done. I think the Twins will put in a good bid but it won't be enough.
  5. Dman
    How much do we know about Duke Welker? Lots of people on this site called him a AAAA pitcher is that a fair assessment? We seem to have a good pen already do you see how he fits in to the Twins future plans?
  6. Dman
    I think Ryan simply believes the team has a talent problem. When Gardy had some good pitching and decent players the Twins were successful. In general teams that have good to great pitching will be successful. I think he just likes to keep it simple and doesn't believe sabermetrics and FA and other things are as relevant as just getting good to great players on your team. Oh and they have to be cheap as well. That being said there were some fairly huge errors or bad luck in player development while we were winning which I blame Ryan for to the point we pretty much had depleted our farm system and now we need to be in rebuild mode and replenish the talent level. Who really knows how long that will take? It would be nice if Ryan would use sabermetrics more and be less old school, but I still believe in the guy and I think this team will be just fine in the next few years. Hopefully around 2017 the young pitchers we have will be up and be dominant and we can make another run for 6 to 8 years.
  7. Dman
    Given what we know currently I think that mock is pretty much on. I don't think Turner will go that high. It seems lots of people prefer power over speed but maybe Turner is just that good. I think Turner will drop. I also have seen Mocks with Kolek at number 3 or 4. If he does well in the spring I don't think he will make it number 5. It would be pretty cool if the Twins did get him though. Two guys that might throw the ball in the triple digits would be pretty cool. No matter what the order is it appears the Twins will get a difference maker and potential all star. I think the top 10 to 12 players could be incredible this year. Let's just hope the guy we pick is the best guy for this team.
  8. Dman
    If the Twins would go after top talent in FA then I would be on board with 2014. The 2013 team competed for for the first two months of the season so with some better pitching and better hitting with runners on base they could improve dramatically. The thing is TR isn't a believer in FA and we don't have a lot of pitching help on the horizon so next year is this year plus maybe see some of the younger prospects at various points in the season. 2015 is the earliest time frame for your scenario in my mind unless they find better pitching somewhere and a lot of it.
  9. Dman
    I totally agree with OBP. I too think that is the way to go. Typically speed guys have a good OBP because they can turn choppers into singles or can bunt to get on. Certainly not all of them but would be hoping Turner would as the reports I have seen say he has good plate discipline. Hopefully he would develop some pop as well although it wouldn't be Gatewood type pop. The more I think about it and look at what is available I think I am hoping the Twins go pitcher with their pick. I am afraid we don't have enough guys in our system that have the potential to be 1, 2 or 3 in the bigs. FYI I am a big fan of your posts on this site. I typically agree with most of your analysis and like your measured approach. You obviously know a lot more about the Twins and baseball than I do and I have learned a lot from you and many other posters here. I am glad you are on this site and respond to rookies like me.
  10. Dman
    Yeah power is good and speed guys do have a tendency to get hurt but the nice thing about speed guys is even if a pitcher walks them they are pesky because they can steal second and be in scoring position right away. You can walk a power guy to get around him and try and set up a double play as they are typically slow. A team needs both types of players to put stress on the opposing team. Hard to find guys with 80 speed and it is good to have them at short and center field. Power is great but in my opinion not the be all end all. I also like pitching prospects for the Twins. I am not opposed to Gatewood but I don't know much about him.
  11. Dman
    I think the Twins should go pitcher with there top pick unless short stop Trea Turner is available then I would go him. It would be crazy to have Hicks, Buxton and Turner in the lineup to give us 3 speed guys. My dream lineup would be Buxton, Turner, Mauer, Sano, Arcia, Pinto, Dozier, Rosario and Hicks. I think that would be a pretty tough lineup for any pitcher to get through.
  12. Dman
    I am torn about moving Mauer to 1st. He has proven to be a good 1st baseman when playing there, but I like him better at catcher. I guess in the end I am fine either way but I was definitely in the camp to just keep him catching. Foul tip seemed like a bit of a freak thing to me. Can you get struck by lightning twice? He is valuable anywhere he plays and if Pinto can hit .260 or so and play decent defense then I guess that is OK.
  13. Dman
    I agree TR is the fall guy for the Pohlad's but I don;t think the Pohlads are tying his hands from spending. He can spend up to the 100 Million mentioned on this board any time he wants to. TR just isn't a believer in spending money on FA's to build a team. He is waiting for the prospects to develop and then when he see's the holes left might fill it with a FA. He can spend but he won't thus the difference in quotes between him and Mr. Pohlad TR will take the heat for the Pohlads for not spending though and I don't think he will get much of an argument from Mr. Pohlad. From what we have seen from TR he doesn't know how to rebuild any other way than what he is doing right now.
  14. Dman
    I agree Ryan will do the same thing he always does in free agency. There will be no big signings. He is determined to rebuild like the Royals, Pirates, Baltimore and Houston are doing and that is don't be afraid to be incredibly bad and draft high until the farm is finally stocked and you come out with a couple of super stars. Then see what pieces are missing and maybe finally fill in with free agency. That isn't going to change anytime soon I don't believe. It would be nice if he would at least look at the cubs approach and buy decent free agents and then trade them for prospects at the deadline. That way you can essentially buy prospects. Tough thing there is they have to do well or you are stuck with them. Also would be nice if the Twins would pony up at least 50 to 60 million posting fee for Tanaka just to prove that are willing to overspend like several other teams but I doubt they have what it takes to win any kind of bidding war. Regardless of what is said I believe Ryan is in charge and this is an old fashioned rebuild. It was hard to watch this year so even though I like picking high in the draft they need to get better soon or it is going to be hard to stay interested in this team.
  15. Dman
    I agree with you. I find nothing good in an unfair judgement or call. I still hate that Jim Joyce made that call that ruined that pitchers no hitter. What is good about something like that when the result was not even true. The guy was out by a mile everyone could see that. it wasn't even close and the pitcher gets robbed of a major accomplishment. If Balls and strikes are called fairly you don't need finesse catchers to prop up the strike zone as the playing field would be level as it should be anyway. I don't think I can be convinced to see mistakes in judgement as good for the game. The outcome of any sport should be based on the rules being equally and fairly applied to all participants as it makes the result more palatable to all those involved including the fans.
  16. Dman
    A strike is a strike and ball is a ball with greater accuracy would be nice. If computer controlled and consistant it would take alot of angst out of the game for both pitchers and batters.
  17. Dman
    Being a rookie to this site and not a stat head it can be easy to misstate opinion for facts and get yourself in trouble. It is nice when people gently correct us newbies instead of slam us for a lack of knowledge. There are some really knowledgeable posters on this site with interesting ideas and analysis I have never thought of before. This can be a fun place to hang out when we play nice. I like the different opinions that people have but I agree that when things turn juvenile that is does turn me off. Just because people disagree with you doesn't mean they are completely wrong. Let's just agree to disagree. I like that you are trying to create a site with civil discourse. We will all learn more about the Twins and baseball that way.
  18. Dman
    IMHO I see them offering Gardy a three year deal. This team is still gonna be bad in 2014. Maybe not as bad as this year but still bad. 2015 he should have most of his best prospects playing and 2016 is his make or break or season. They would need to give him three years to turn things around to see if the Gardy of old still has the magic.
  19. Dman
    I don't think the FO blames Gardenhire for the teams 90 loss seasons they blame injuries and a lack of talent. Gardenhire did have a lot of success taking a young Twins team and winning division titles for several years so maybe they think once the system is reloaded he can do that again. He isn't a bad manager as many people have mentioned he likely would be picked up by another team right away. There isn't a divisive club house and the players who have left the Twins who could have burned him only say glowing things about him. Players like Morneau seemed to want to play for him and tried to get a contract done with the Twins so that he could. So I'm not sure that he is as bad as some people seem to think. That being said a fresh pair of eyes and different attitude could be good for the club as well. I just don't think the Twins will get rid of him as they are typically loyal and don't blame him for this mess. The only way Gardenhire goes is if he says no to the new contract.
  20. Dman
    I don't think think TR is going to spend on FA's. He might try for Tanaka but only if he doesn't have to over pay in a bidding war. I agree with others that he will either trade for pitching or essentially use what he has on the farm. I really think the plan is to build from within through the draft. I don't think he cares how much money the Twins have to spend he is going to stick with that plan. I think this is a typical. A's, Pittsburgh, Royals, Houston type rebuild. Be bad, build up the farm, make some trades. Hopefully in time be good for several years with farm replenishing key players as you inevitably lose some over time. Personally I don't think TR believes FA is an efficient way to build your team and he is apparently willing to live or die with that philosophy. He likely will not sign a large FA contract this year but I hope he proves me wrong.
  21. Dman
    I think that if Dozier ends up at second base then I think they should move Rosario to the outfield and trade Hicks. I don't see Hicks having the potential to hit much over 250 and I think Rosario can be a 300 hitter. Rosario is also younger. I don't love Arcia in the outfield but agree his greatest value on this team is if he stays there. I think he will see a fair bit of time at DH once things are settled unless he improves his defense. I hope all of our prospects turn out well. We are going to need all of them to compete.
  22. Dman
    That is exactly my point. It doesn't matter where you move him he can still get a concussion sliding into 2nd base or any number of things on a baseball field. Just because you move him doesn't mean he is safe from concussions.
  23. Dman
    Anyone know how many catchers have been knocked out of the game with foul tips based on concussions? What is the safest position to play to avoid concussions? So far I think we have had several outfielders have concussions and Morneau who is a 1st baseman has been impacted more by concussions than most and supposedly that is a safe place to play. I just don't think there is a safe place on the field to 100% avoid concussions. They can happen to anyone at anytime. Ask Justin Morneau how concussion free being a 1st base man is. If Mauer thinks it is too dangerous to be behind the plate and wants to give it up then that is fine but until then I say leave him where he is.
  24. Dman
    If Pinto's bat and defense play well then I could see Mauer at 1st base more often, but his value is at catcher as he is clearly one of the best in baseball at that position. After watching him play 1st I believe he can be a very good 1st baseman but he lacks the power you would like to have at 1st and would eventually block someone who is slow but has more power potential. Granted batting average, OBP and working the count are very important as well but again his greatest value is at catcher. I would maybe put him behind the plate less as time goes on but would be in no hurry to make that move until Joe Mauer felt like it was right thing to do.
  25. Dman
    I have had some of the same questions you cited in the article. Many people on the boards have been waiting for TR to prove he will spend some money especially on pitching. We all want to believe TR has a plan and will open the wallet at the right time for the right guy. It seems like that time should be close as many of our prospects should be ready for MLB by 2015. He needs to get things in place especially pitching soon or all his work is for nothing.
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