tarheeltwinsfan

The Twins FO dug itself a deep hole with Donaldson's contract I said this before Donaldson was signed, that Donaldson's old skinny legs would not hold up because he came to the majors as a catcher, and had had leg (calf) problems for years, plus he was old for a catcher. Who signs an old catcher to a high dollar, multi-year contract ? Nobody.. OK I understand that Donaldson was/is an "ex-catcher", but the results of minor league years of wear and tear on his legs are showing. But did the FO read my posts and take my advice. NO ! You may say, "Well Tarheel, hindsight is 20/20"...but I never would have signed Donaldson and I said so before the Twins signed him, so that's not hindsight. That's foresight.

Let Arraezbe the primary DH. and fill in in the field in emergencies. Do not trade him. He is an exciting, special hitter. A team does not have to have a power hitter at DH. A team just needs a "hitter". Arraez is certainly that. He would be an awesome DH with 4 more years of affordable team control. He also would be a super PH in critical situations late in games when a runner is needed to get on base, or a runner needs to be advanced or a runner is on 2B or 3B and needs to score. He also would bring energy with his at bats, which can turn the tide in the late innings of close games. Let Arraez bat behind Buxton and watch the show. Buck on 1B and Arraez at bat would be a pitcher's nightmare.

1988 Mark Davidson card, because he is a friend of mine.

How much would the Twins had to have paid Berrios to get him to extend 5 years? This article and the accompanying charts, make an excellent argument for why the Twins should have paid Berrios a lot of money to remain a Twin. There's more to keeping a fan favorite than just comparing how much it would cost, compared to "players on other teams". There are hidden costs and investments the Twins make on all of their minor league players. We Twins fans are "invested " in the Twins with our time and energy and some of us invest our hearts and souls. I am sick and tired of the Twins letting career Twin minor league success stories, who become successful major league players for the Twins, and fan favorites, walk away because the FO and/or owner will not pay to keep them enough to keep them. We root fore these players for 4-6 years and then they wander off to be "play-off heroes" for some other team. Think outside the box. There needs to be a better way to build a successful team from within the organization. Invest more money into player scouting and player development. Convince these players that the Twins really care about each player and there really is a "Twins Way" which builds successful, winning, team oriented players. SIGN BUCK.

Really good article Ted. Thanks. SIGN BUCK !

Sign both Pineda and Gray. I've been an advocate for Gray in several of my posts. SIGN BUCK !

Can Miranda play SS? Seriously. .

"Low risk, high reward opportunity." I like that quote. Keep Garv Sauce.

Please sign Buck. No to signing Kluber. No to signing Baez. Twins must let letting the young, minor league prospects play in the majors.. Please sign Buck.

While the Twins are playing, I can sometimes be doing other things while the game is going on in the background, EXCEPT when Buck, or Arraez are batting or Maeda or Ryan are pitching. I always watch these 4, every time.

Well said. I agree.

Yes, we waz robbed.

Sad he got hit. Glad it wasn't worse.

Sign Buck. Get some SP's.

Would the team have been better with Polo at SS and Arraez at 2B, rather than Polo at 2B and Simmons at SS? To me that is a close call. But hindsight is 20/20.

If we could get two pitchers as good as Odo and Maeda, I'd be happy.

He didn't tell me that when I talked to him. Well....... I admit that was years ago at spring training ago and I said "Good luck this year" and Jose said "Thanks". That's about it. But he never told me would not sign an extension during our conversation. Maybe I did read to much into our conversation.

Should have over paid Berrios and locked him up for his career. He has a better chance than any of the others to avoid injuries, due to his workout routines. Plus, Twins fans love Jose Berrios.

I agree . Situational hitting. YES !

I meant Manaea, not Maeda in my response. Sorry.

Nick, I really like your realistic "Dream Team for 2022". I really like Gray a lot. I'd rather have him for 3 years than almost any other pitcher who is worth similar dollars.. Three questions: 1) If not Verlander, who? 2) If not Galvis, who? I especially like 3 of your 4 bench players. But I must ask, 3) "Where is Miranda?" Why not save $4.4 million and put Miranda in the OF instead of Dickerson ( a lefthanded hitter).and let him mature. I think Miranda can do it. It is time to find out. Let Miranda also play some 3B. If Miranda can cut the mustard, trade Rooker. Too many strikeouts for me and we already have Sano striking out every third AB. I predict we may have seen the last semi- healthy season from Donaldson. If the DH is adopted in the NL, I would do everything possible to trade Donaldson, although it may have to wait until the 2022 trade deadline. Donaldson may have played a lot of games in 2021, but he jogged to 1B too many times for me. Bad example for the highest paid player on the team to set for the young players. Pineda could be signed for less than Maeda and keep Kepler to alternate some with Miranda. in RF and for defensive purposes. Kep would be a great 4th OF. Defense, some speed and some pop. Promote the fastest relievers in AA or AAA and see who can consistently get the ball over the plate. What more does a reliever have to know. Just throw the funky-fast pitch where the catcher tells him. I know Dobnak is signed long term, but I'd rather have a young flame thrower. SIGN BUXTON for 6 more years. ! Period. Thanks Nick, It is fun to be a dreamer. "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one". "Imagine". by John Lennon.

My wife and I I watched Eddie Rosario have a nice interaction with a young couple and their small son at Ft. Myers one sunny spring day. The father and son were pitching ball, while Eddie was across the chain link fence in left field. After practice was finished, Eddie walked over to the little boy, knelt down and talked to him and his dad for a while. Eddie was so patient with the little boy who said: "Eddie, you're my favowit pwayer". The next year we were at a spring training game and Rosario was announced over the loud speaker as coming to bat. Behind us , my wife and I heard a little voice say: "Rosario?" We turned to look and it was the same little boy, eyes aglow, watching his "Favowit Pwayer". We reminded his parents that we had seen the interaction between Rosario and their family the prior year and we all shared a really nice moment. Therein lies a problem for me...I come to care about these players when they are in the minors chasing their dreams, I watch them mature. Most don't make it for long in the big leagues, if ever ....but some, like Eddie Rosario do. Then they get dropped, waived, or traded. I personally think of Torii, LaTroy, Berrios, Dozier, Kyle Gibson, Gardy, Nelson Cruz, Morneau, Mark Davidson, even Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew, all were disposed of by the Twins. And don't forget Harold Mains and his son, Mike, who ran the Elizabethton Twins as a family franchise for years, which was recently abandoned by major league baseball. Baseball can be a cruel profession for those of us who are sentimental fans, but especially for the players, coaches and staff and the Elizabethton Twins "family". But baseball and the Twins have such a hold on me that I continue to dream with the minor leaguers, and those who make it to the Twins, and cheer for them all, and grieve with them when it inevitably ends.

Nice article about a nice man. Congratulations Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.

I agree. A lot depends on whether Lewis can play SS. If Buck gets an extension and Lewis is an above average SS, with Polo at 2B and Kirilloff at 1B (where I thought he looked competent) the Twins IF will be good. enough In view of the defensive shifts, the 3B position requires a good fielder. We can no longer stash a slow- moving player at 3B. I thought Sano was a better than adequate fielding 3b, especially with that rocket arm.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ! Just NO ! I do not want to build a team this way. As Cuba Goodin said : "Show me the money, Jerry !" Just spend the money and keep and reward the good players and sign some really good FA pitchers. Please. And start promoting players while they are younger. What more does Miranda need to do to get promoted? Get some more hitters, and jettison those hitters who are strikeout artists. Throw the ball hard and accurately, hit the ball where they ain't, catch the ball. It's not that complicated. Damn.