Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

Jham

Old-Timey Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,320

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Profiles

Minnesota Twins News, Rumors & Analysis

Minnesota Twins Videos

2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Rankings

2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Minnesota Twins Trade & Free Agent Rumors

Minnesota Twins Fan Guides & Resources

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

The Minnesota Twins Players Project

2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Forums

Blogs

Events

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by Jham

  1. Jham
    Personally, I thought Boyer looked tired the second half of the season. His stuff was still ok, but the control left him and every ball was up in the zone. Opposite of when he was pounding low and away with the slider earlier in the year. Not surprising given his physique, how much work he put in just to make the team, the fact he was out of baseball last year, and his insane usage by management. I'd be willing to see what he's like after a significant rest, if he gets that. Duensing and Fien were both rushed back from injuries, and it showed in their productivity. Duensing particularly turned a corner more recently. Having JR Graham and May in the pen has really hurt the rest of the pen since those two arms are hardly ever used. The old rubber-armed relievers have value if only to save the rest of your go-to options. Unfortunately, it looks like all our relievers break down with high-usage.
  2. Jham
    Negotiate retirement? What's to negotiate? His contract is guaranteed. Why on earth would he agree to give money back? He'd be the first player to do so, it would only highlight his decline, and further humiliate him. The chances of him retiring are a fraction of a fraction of the options we're not allowed to propose on this thread. However, you did hit on a couple points: pride and below-avg at the position. Would he accept either of those roles? Would other more forbidden options start to look more appealing?
  3. Jham
    Of course you'd trade him for a sure fire star. Trout, Harvey, Fernandez, etc. However, few teams if any would be willing to trade a proven superstar for a potential future super star. Therefore, you probably keep the potential super star unless you absolutely need to deal one in order to get that final piece. Like any trade, you're balancing now vs. then, and potential vs. proven ability. Sometimes a star now is worth a potential superstar later or a potential star might be worth 1 season or even half a season of a super star. No one should be off limits, but it would take quite the stretch to imagine a scenario where it would make sense to trade Buxton for what his market value would likely be.
  4. Jham

    Beltre' HOF?

    Jham replied to Doubles's topic in Other Baseball

    My first thought was still the steroid rumors. Here's a fantastic article debunking much of that speculation. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/adrian-beltres-fluke-2004-happens-again/ I think his ability to stay at third and play at a high level in comparison to some others who dabbled and then went to first should get him in. Who's been a better 3rd baseman over that time period without switching to first? Cabrera sort of, but way worse defensively?
  5. Jham
    I fully agree on this. If it were up to me, I'd certify you as "fully hinged".
  6. Jham
    On your first point, I was going from memory. I'm sure you'll forgive me if the last few seasons, especially Hicks last few seasons, blended together. On your second point, I guess we just disagree on how much of a difference on development a couple extra weeks in the bigs would have for Arcia and Buxton. Buxton is still facing a new level. Both will probably be up in September if not sooner. I'm annoyed that Arcia hasn't been recalled since he can help the team, but perhaps the organization sees his personal development as more important right now. Buxton, I'm not concerned about at all. I'm disappointed he got hurt again, but other guys have stepped up, so his absence has not really been felt. As a final point, I would say there may be some organizational value in treating players like people instead of property or commodities. It's not unreasonable to think that an organization might get more out of their players by demonstrating some loyalty and accountability instead of cutting or scapegoating guys. I think we've failed in that regard in the past. It's a delicate balance.
  7. Jham
    I guess I read his follow up post to the article to indicate he'd be ok with getting some of the guys some rest while rotating Buxton in, similar to what we did with Escobar when Santana was clogging the infield (actually clogging, not like Hunter just being old).
  8. Jham
    Perfectly stated. You can prefer one player over another without having to bash a guy like Robinson or Hunter who have at least played to expectations, if not exceeded them.
  9. Jham
    Wait wait... Out of the guys defending Hunter, who is bashing Arcia? Now look at the Hunter-bashing and ask yourself if all that is really necessary. You can make a case for calling up prospects without bashing players who aren't under performing.
  10. Jham
    I don't think Bonnes ever asserted that reducing Hunter's playing time is "bordering on unhinged". Waiving Hunter or benching him for a rookie at this stage maybe, but he stated that a slight reduction in playing time for a number of players, Hunter included, was totally reasonable. Don't invent arguments because you want to see your favorite prospects. Not all fans are you. If this is Hunter's last year with the Twins, I'd like to see him go out the right way. And no, I don't think that even playing out the AAA season would hurt either Arcia or Buxton. In fact, many were shocked that Hicks didn't get the call last September. I think Hicks might have gotten the message finally. Arcia needs maturity and dedication, not more reps.
  11. Jham
    I've seen the Twins go into season after season with no Plan B. I've seen Terry Ryan's inability to make deals to help the team and fill holes in the roster. I'm satisfied with the production we've seen from Hunter. I'm satisfied with the level of mentorship cited by the players themselves (especially Hicks) we've received. I'm satisfied that he's not a long-term fixture who will take up money and significant playing time from younger players. I don't have a problem with Hunter being retained next season so long as a) he's not plan A (think Konerko in his final year); or we use our glut of knocking on the door types to improve the rotation, or catching situation. I'd be far more upset if we don't re-sign him, Rosario and Hicks regress, Arcia still can't figure it out, Buxton gets hurt again or isn't productive, and we end up having to trade prospects for an outfielder who might well be worse than Hunter.
  12. Jham
    We've gotten into this position by wasting the years prior. We're obsessed with catching lightening in a bottle (Perkins, Dozier) and hoping that our talent will mesh into something serviceable. Adding veterans during a rebuild should have provided opportunities to trade guys away, and groom younger guys. But we've refused to add notable FA, and failed to trade players at their peaks. Rather than continually trying to get more talent, we've contently waited around for talent to bloom. This "immense young talent" we speak of doesn't include a catcher, an ace, or possibly even a lock-down reliever or shortstop. Who are we waiting for who figures to be a huge upgrade over what we have on the field now? Polanco maybe? Pinto doubtfully? We have a bunch of average players and no stars. Will May and Berrios have better years next year than Pelf and Milone had this year? Mauer can't be moved. Once Bux and Kepler are up, how do the cupboards look?
  13. Jham
    Well there seems to be 2 different arguments that people are blending into one. 1) Should the Twins Bench/Waive Hunter in order to get Buxton at bats. 2) Should Buxton have been optioned to AAA or immediately called up or briefly rehabbed and called up in order to get experience wherever he could? I think only 1 poster has suggested benching or waiving Hunter, yet the Hunter v. Buxton debate rages on. Regarding Question 2: I wouldn't have been mad either way. I can't believe people are freaking out like this over a few weeks in AAA coming back from a thumb injury. This seems to be a perfectly reasonable course of action for a young player who wasn't met with immediate success in his first stint. Calling him up immediately in order to try to spark the team/gain experience in the league and with his team would have also been reasonable. Neither move is likely to change EITHER the Twins fortunes or Mr. Buxton's, IMO. I think people would say that AA is prospects league, more high end talent, while AAA is an extended bench with plenty of veteran minor leaguers with MLB experience ready to be recalled at a moment's notice. Perhaps fewer high-end talents, but with far more experienced and consistent performers providing a higher level of play day to day, week to week.
  14. Jham
    He's a back up. He's played decently if unspectacularly in sporadic playing time. I understand your roster frustrations. I too think we have better options. But I don't get knocking a guy who hasn't really been part of the problem If anything, he maybe overachieved, especially the month where we won games. I think you and I just evaluate players differently. I loved the tools I saw when Bux was up. But was not overly impressed with his routes and body control in the field or on the base paths. His plate discipline was seriously lacking. His reckless style of play lead to strike outs, dropped balls, and outs on the bases (and triples, outfield assists, and catches) and of course another injury. Has he dominated for a month? He's played well. Has he dominated like the best player not in the Major Leagues? Not for a couple years. Torii Hunter is not a red herring. Posters are hard-core bashing the guy who has as much responsibility for the teams relative success as anyone. IF you think that the season is over and it's time to focus on player development, fine. But you don't have to slam Hunter in order to do so. Some have taken this tact, others have chosen to take cheap shots at guys like Hunter, Nunez, and Robinson who have actually played up to expectations unlike many other guys on the team, some of which the same posters (myself included re: Arcia) are asking to be called up.
  15. Jham
    Seriously, what has Shane Robinson done wrong this year? I can see the frustration with Suzuki and before him Santana, but Robinson has gone about his business and performed admirably as a utility outfielder, IMO. What indication has Buxton shown that he's ready for the Major Leagues? When was the last time he dominated at the minor league level to the extent a top prospect should dominate? Others say Kepler's bat is already more advanced than Buxton. To expect him to come up and be better than Hunter right off an injury is unlikely at best. Let's see how his recovery goes. I personally don't have a problem with the pay. Perhaps this is a little organizational message to him about being smart and taking care of his money makers. He can really go get it, but if his hands and wrists go, he's useless.
  16. Jham
    That doesn't help the run differential. ..
  17. Jham
    Oh, so THATS why Shane Robinson is on the team... awesome.
  18. Jham
    Oh ok. THAT'S why we have 9 relievers. It's like we already knew. ..
  19. Jham
    You were half right. Wish it were the other half.
  20. Jham
    Wait, wait, wait. Who exactly should the Twins called up to get experience over the last 2 years? What would your rotation have been last year and this year? May has been up. Gibson. Berrios has been on the fast track, likely to go through 3 levels by the end of the year. Sorry if I don't see Duffey and Rogers, and... and.... as guys I can count on this year, while we're still in a playoff hunt let alone 2 or 3 years out or however long it would take fringe major league starters to accumulate the 50 starts you want them to accumulate to reach their full potential as bottom of the rotation guys. I'm fine with them filling in in a few years if Hughes, Santana, Gibson, May, Nolasco, Berrios or the significant upgrade we should be trying to acquire fall that far. I don't think it will happen in the next couple years such that we should waste time allowing projects to struggle with the big club vs. honing their craft in AAA. Yeah, who doesn't want to see more Duffey... I hope he gets a shot to compete for bull pen spot next spring where he'd have a legit chance of helping the team. If he's truly an MLB ready prospect arm, we should deal him as he'd be unlikely to contribute for several years for us.
  21. Jham
    0.0% is more likely. San Diego showed their reluctance to deal pieces that could help them last year. They were built to compete this year. If they traded Shields, it would be to either make their team better, or to get a significant prospect in return. I suggested something like Berrios + x for Shields for the same reason I would have been ok with trading for Tulo. Shields provides an immediate upgrade for at least a couple years. Berrios ceiling is probably right around a Shields if he ever gets to that point. I'm not necessarily interested in seeing Berrios struggle through his rookie year and league adjustments while the rest of the rotation will be gone by the time he gets good. Everyone says we have too many 3/4 starters which is pretty much what Berrios figures to be, at least for a couple seasons. If we're going to try to make a run next year, a 1/2 type at the front will probably be necessary once we got into the playoffs.
  22. Jham
    Decent time to get may stretched out. ..
  23. Jham
    Bunt? Indians love their pitcher, respect pelfrey, or not respect our offense. I'll say the last one.
  24. Jham
    Aside from getting one of the very best in the game, if this trade highlighted anything, it's that you can overpay for a player in his prime and then trade him for an even better player if you're willing to take the chances. People forget that quality free agent or trade acquisitions can be traded if necessary, as long as you're willing to eat some celery, er... salary. You know unless they get injured bad or are Joe Mauer. Also, getting the best of the best always requires overpaying. You can go through your whole life drinking Jack Daniels and Kendall Jackson because the difference between a $200 bottle and $25 bottle might not be $175 worth. Or a Perkin's steak vs. a Manny's steak. That's fine, but then you'll die having never had a great wine or a perfect steak.
  25. Jham
    How far down prospect lists do you guys think Buxton falls after another injury and wasted half season? I think is fair to wonder what toll the injuries are having on his body, let alone his development.
×
×
  • Create New...