tarheeltwinsfan

This is a very persuasive argument for trading a good player at a critical position. The flip side is that the Twins do not have a replacement who has shown he is ML ready, plus Zuke would be a good leader for the young pitchers next year, assuming we can sign him for next year. The contract extension talks have "fizzled fast" according to one report. All things considered, I say trade him quickly to a contender for some prospects, while many teams still think they are contenders.

He was costing the Twins $72,549 per game. I understand your point is that maybe the Twins could have gotten more in return...but I say cut your losses and trade him for whomever as fast as you can. Apparently that is what the Twins did.

I have long dreamed and proposed that the incomplete overhang be extended in both directions, ultimately extending from the break in center field to the foul pole. To further add to the new look, scrap the existing boring digital scoreboard- bring back an analog look!, and then recreate a version of the stone arch bridge as "supports" for the overhang, with portions of the scoreboard within each T: http://imagesbyjosh.smugmug.com/Journalism/Blog-P/ATT-ParkRight-Field/868549214_apJLG-M.jpg but built with arches like the most iconic public works project in the state: http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00003oc4yY3fKRw/s/750/mnqual265-75148.jpg That would be beautiful! The Cardinals have incorporated a Mississippi bridge design into their stadium and it is awesome. Please send this to the Twins FO and owners.

Can you explain this in more detail please.

I meant what I wrote...left- handed pitchers so the opposition could not take advantage of the short porch in RF, since their left-handed hitters would have trouble hitting our left-handed pitchers.

I agree about the right field wall. How can the Twins change the design with good aesthetics, to allow more HR in RF and accommodate the fans viewing the game? Then let's sign a ton of left-handed pitchers.

Get O'Rourke up now. Let's see what he can do. His numbers are so impressive, he deserves a promotion now. Let's see what he can do against right handed hitters, as well as left handed hitters. He must have something special to have those numbers.

What about Hughes, Gibson, and Perkins? How is Correia better than those 3?

Thank you for your optimism...but I'm just tired. I get too frustrated watching the games and expecting a win, or even a well pitched game. I find I'm more comfortable and easier to live with if I view the box scores and the Twins' highlights after the Twins' games, rather than viewing or listening to the games, pitch by agonizing pitch. These last series of disappointments have worn me out. These truly are the dog days of summer.

She's singing louder!

So have I seen enough of Nolasco starting. 49 million dollars! Mauer's hurt again! What's that I hear off in the distance at Target Field? Oh Nooooooooooooooo! It sounds like a fat lady singing. Put up the signs...YARD SALE SATURDAY at Twins Way.

Fun figures, Nick. 52 RBI's from the # 3 (primarily) batter will not result in many wins. I am a huge Dozier fan because of who he is as a person...therefore I hope the 30/30 season happens for him, plus a BA improvement to at least .265. Do you think Escobar's doubles will ever increase to HR's as he matures even more? OK, OK, I'll take the doubles and be happy. Hughes' 20 walks projection has resulted in Rick Anderson developing a man crush on Hughes. Hughes has been everything we Twins fans had hoped he could be. If Nolasco starts 32 games and averages 5-6 innings in each game, and if he will allow only 6.25 hits per game, he is on pace for 200 hits. Less than 1 hit per inning would be preferred for all pitchers. But with a weak fielding OF, which we have, it is more difficult to get fly ball outs, and limit extra base hits. But if Nolasco can limit his walks, that will help. He's a pro and he is ready every 5th day. I'd like to see Gardy leave Nolasco in longer in individual games. The Twins have gotten what they expected from Ricky. No surprises here. Perkins is doing his usual good job at baseball's most over-rated position...closer. I'm currently reading Mariano Rivera's autobiography, The Closer. Although I hate the Yankees, I tip my hat to Rivera. He has been dominate at his position and a class act. I will admit it is a great psychological advantage for a team to have a lights out, durable, strike-em out closer...but a team in the lead in the 9th inning will usually win anyway, whether Rivera is on the mound or whomever. Usually these mid season stats move toward the norm (whatever that may be) as the second half progresses, but it sure is fun to look at what you correctly titled, "Crazy Twins Stats". Thanks for an interesting and fun article.

Good article. I agree about the next couple of weeks being critical for the Twins 2014 season. The last 2 road trips knocked us down. Let's see if the twins can get up off the ground and go on a sustained run. When the going gets tough, the tough win at home.

I liked the statement: "Cheering for cloth."

Nice article. Thanks.

If we sign Ozzie as manager, does Hawk become our tv announcer? If so, I'm gone!

I had forgotten that. Do you remember what I said? I may owe you some $.

You sold some of your baseball cards? Oh Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

What do you think about moving Joe Mauer to left field? He would be less a fielding liability in left field than Willingham, Arcia, Parmelee, or Herrmann. Vargas looks like he may be successful at 1B...but if not, Parmelee is a good fielder at 1B. Plouffe could be good at 1B also...or even Sano at 1B, leaving Plouffe at 3B. Just saying....

Thanks. I enjoyed reading this. It took lots of time to study and arrange and write. I admire you for being willing to suffer the slings and arrows of our fellow posters. Good stuff.

Nice review. Thanks.

Great article and posts. Thanks.

Who says this isn't the classiest web site in all of baseball. Thanks Paul.

Thanks for this update. Some I miss, some I don't, but all used to be Twins. I wish every one of them well, especially the three classy ex-Twins playing for the Rockies. Did any of you read the recent article about LaTroy Hawkins? Great article about LaTroy, a really nice person, who happens to be a baseball player. One last thing... I don't want Big Poopi to whoop the Twins anymore.

Fien has been a fine find.