Platoon
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Everything posted by Platoon
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When I view Doziers value I view the ceiling as something mid point between his first halves and second halves of the last two years. He can be a better hitter than he was the last two halves, but cannot be the hitter he was the first halves. Why? Because he is not a power hitter, period. And the only pitches he can hit with power, will be few and far between. To get to what I perceive as his real ceiling, he will have to start hitting the outside pitch to the right side, and he cannot hit HR in that direction. Doubles, sure. Decent fielder, and base runner, certainly. Regardless, I still think his value is at a peak now, as his gaudy first half numbers still allow the illusion of what he could be. I would trade him for an acceptable catcher in a heart beat. But, since I am posting this on a Twins site, I also know the chances of that happening are <0!
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Mike Berardino: Twins Hoping to Re-sign Shane Robinson
Platoon replied to East Coast Twin's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Robinson is the perfect 4th OF. Capable of playing in limited stretches, happy to be here, can run, and is versatile. I agree with the previous poster, Kepler, Buxton, and Walker will be in the minors. Robinson will not block any of them. Arcia? Another blogger I read called for Arcia to be released now, as he has no value. Just plain stupid. You can do that if he doesn't come around in April or May. Otherwise guys with power like that, and a precious history of being a decent hitter don't grow on trees. -
I agree that SS is not of the immediate need that some of the other spots are, but it's not like EE is such a fixture there that it's not out of the realm of possibility. Plus almost the first point anyone makes about EE is how good an offensive SS he is. The first words I want to hear about any SS, is how good a defensive SS he is. Then if you wish we can discuss hitting. It's the premier defensive position in baseball. It's not that he can't play it, it's just that I would keep looking!
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Twins Can Pull Plenty From World Series
Platoon commented on Ted Schwerzler 's blog entry in Off The Baggy
It's very doubtful the Twins are going to be contenders next year. Their key youthful pieces did not get enough experience last year, with the possible exception of Rosario. And while they have a seeming over abundance of players in some areas, they woefully lack talent in quite a few others. This isn't a situation of turning a sows ear into a silk purse, it more like turning a silk purse into a silk handbag! A lot of the parts are there, but too many are standing in the same place. The starting pitching solution is going to require somebody eating some contract money. There doesn't seem to be an alternative to that scenario. And the BP improvement may revolve around how much trust the orginisation puts in some of the younger power arms that have been drafted in the last few years. Drafting them is one thing, putting them on the mound with the associated learning curve is entirely another. It's going to be a fun winter! Will we accelerate the rebuild, and find out whether all this minor league talent is real? Or will we take the somewhat safer approach, sign a couple of middling vets, and hope that lightning strikes Target Field (metaphorically) two years in a row? Tune in next March. -
" The Body" was ok, but some of his appointments? Uff Da! "Da Crusher" Highway Commisioner. "Mad Dog Vachon" Head of Health and Human Services. "Baron Von Raschke" Education Commisioner "Sgt. Slaughter" Commisioner of Public Safety. Normally this level of administration would have rendered any state inferior to its neighbors. But a quick look at the Atlas will show that to be almost an impossibility!
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I did have trouble with that type of interference. I was writing something about Suzy in the boys room in Jr. High and the principal did interfere with my writing.
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Let it be known that I will never let historical facts get in the way of a good story! Our country was founded on that very principle! . It all started with a little boy and a cherry tree! And the rest is history. Or is it?
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Its a little known fact that Ryan had a chance to acquire Williams, but refused to part with Julio Becqueur? (Sp) Ryan was said to be skeptical of the 5/$375,000 cost that Williams represented. Ryan, a well known stats geek, also felt it unlikely that Williams would be able to maintain his high BABIP as strictly a pull hitter. Ryan was quoted as saying "until he learns to take the pitch the other way, it's doubtful he will continue to succeed, pitchers in this league know how to adjust"
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Wouldn't you still end up with a very low UZR? Or whatever that thingy is called?
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........be afraid, very very afraid! But in reality, seriously, what could could wrong?
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Don't you have to be a former Twin originally? Bonds does not pass that litmus test. On the other hand, I cannot think of one good reason Killebrew, Allison, Versailles, or Kirby could not return. Zoilo could replace EE, and drive some TD'ers to distraction. Allison could take over in RF and use his Cocal Cola acquired corporate skills to mentor, Kirby would finally resolve our CF defensive issues leaving Buxton to accumulate several years of valuable AAA time, and Harmon could join the rotation with Mauer, Plouffe, and Sano at DH, 1B, and 3B. This would allow a day of rest every 4th day. The problem with Mauer going back behind the plate, it would block Earl Battey!
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I don't think Ryan's tenure has been anything that will send him to the GM HOF. But he does have a chance this off season to use his excesses at some positions to rectify shortfalls at other positions. This isn't going to be all about the money, it's going to be about restructuring the roster, balancing it if you will. It's also going to take some trust in his minor league system, and make some moves based on upcoming talent. Iffy? Of course, but that's what separates the good GM, from the mediocre. If Suzuki is still option 1 behind the plate, if they have not resolved the Sano at DH issue, and if the BP goes north with the usual suspects, being competitive will rely on the rest of the division being non competitive. Unlikely. Just waddling along hanging onto the second WC fringes, should not be the criteria used in evaluating the season. You just might be there because of some other teams ineptitude, or bad luck. You should look at your own team, and decide whether you feel it's a good solid competitive team, can it compete as constructed if all goes fairly. Riding a streak of fortunate circumstances to 3 games out of the 2nd WC, does not a good team make!
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The Twins aren't going to sign an "A" level prospect. If they would, it would be the first ever. While one can argue about the level of their spending on players, it cannot be argued that their revenue stream is consistent with the Boston, NY and LA crowd. Money as a rule doesn't buy flags, it helps, but isn't the panacea some think. Good scouting, solid minor league orginisation, and aggressive management of assets is more important. One can always dream, and buying Chris Davis is a dream. For me, I would be far more interested in resolving the catching situation, getting some power arms in the BP, and figuring out what to do with the Mauer, Plouffe, and Sano conundrum. These actions are doable, and for little expense. And the net result, would be a greatly improved baseball team!
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Several thoughts. The Twins have been drafting high velocity relievers and trying to turn them into starters. They take their most physically gifted high velocity starter, and try and turn him into a reliever. The Twins theories on abhorring the walk, comes from the top down. Ryan would not be a "no walk" guy for 16 yrs, and then hire a "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" staff in the 17 th yr. Like it or not, his philosophy is engrained. Lastly, one of the hardest things to do, is throw strikes, if all you are thinking about is throwing strikes. It's like playing golf, the straighter you try and hit it, the further you have to walk into the woods to find it. It gets into your brain. Some players need positive reinforcement, and some need to see the traveling secretary sitting in the stands, holding an airline ticket to AA ball. The secret is to know the difference. It's probably why coaching is more about psychology than about teaching.
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Your wife pays attention to you?
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I would not retire his number either. It's already too easily done. And this would lower the bar further. That's not particularly a shot at Hunter. It's more of a call to keep the standards higher. Hrbeck? Lifelong Twin, although I still think a bit of an underachiever. But also, face of the franchise, and leader. Blyleven? In the HOF, nuff said. Hunter? Great Twin, but also took the money and ran. Had a very convenient and profitable 10.5m epiphany at the end.
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I posted awhile ago about my preference for an elite fielding SS rather than an offensive SS, and how difficult it is to determine defense simply via analytics. Needless to say their were some dissenters. The bottom line is that relying solely on analytics is no different than relying solely on the eye test. Too much of a good thing always ends up as too much of a good thing! Another poster I read regularity contends that the current spate of hiring "rookie" managers is being driven by more and more GM wanting total control over the roster. Something that would be very difficult with a veteran manager.
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I think the article referenced Hunter's decision as saving the Twins from themselves. But who am I to quibble, I withdraw the comment in an attempt to promote harmony and good will!
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I was never sure which Hunter was the real one. The one with the views I don't agree with and the accompanying attitude displayed to Bernadino, or the smiley friendly one displayed on the field? Likely a composite of the two. Whichever, it's mostly irrelevant as he is not paid to be my ideal male sports personality, he was paid to play baseball. Which I think he can still do to some degree. So did he retire because it was time, because he thought it best to go out on the higher note? Or because the Twins would not guarantee him a full time gig? If the Twins truly wanted him back with a regular lineup spot, it speaks reams about FO decision making, and the likelihood that any significant improvement is forthcoming. That said, while it can be argued pro or con that Hunter helped the Twins on the field in 2015, his biggest contribution will likely be his retirement, saving the Twins from yet another mind boggling roster decision!
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Article: Ryan On Suzuki: He Took The Post
Platoon replied to Nick Nelson's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Yes, but it is a well known fact that consistency is one of the hallmarks of any great orginisation. -
2016 Lineup construction challenge
Platoon commented on South Dakota Tom's blog entry in South Dakota Tom's Blog
I would agree with trading Plouffe and Dozier to get a catcher, and maybe even a young defensive middle infielder. I really hate the thought of trading Gibson. It would have to be for the proverbial "I made him an offer he couldn't refuse" in reverse deal. So why trade Plouffe and Dozier? Plouffe because he's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sano has to play third, as first is unavailable for 3 yrs, for this whole rebuild to work. It's one of the starting pieces to the whole project. Dozier, while a slightly above average defender, has shown no inclination to adjust to the way he is being pitched. Once teams got really serious about avoiding fastballs up in the zone to him, he became virtually an offensive liability, especially that high in the order. It's a rare chance to sell somewhat on the high side. The reason I advocate some of these moves is I don't believe this team, as constructed, can do anything better than compete for the second WC spot. If that's sufficient, then stay the course. Otherwise something out of the ordinary TW should be attempted. Do I think it will? Not a chance in hell. But it's nice to consider. Ryan said he needs a catcher to "take some of the load" of Kurt. Sounds like he has an agrssive plan for the off season in place already. -
Hoping for the Royals to win it. But the Mets starting pitching is a great equalizer. The Royals bullpen is minimized if the Mets SP keeps it very close. But Royals in 7, just by the hair on my chinny chin chin!
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If you think she would be upset over your lack of knowledge regarding alphabetical order, that would pale in comparison to the venom she would spew over your posting on TD!
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Twins interested in AJ Pierzynski reunion
Platoon replied to Boom Boom's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
I don't know if it's apples and oranges, but last year the Twins had a chance to "save" something like a half mil by sitting Kurt a few games at the end of a lost year, and didn't. So will they get another catcher solely to platoon for monetary reasons or on field reasons? As for just plain getting help, it it was I, and Turner was as advanced defensively as advertised, I would look at him as an option. I know his bat is short, but he also has had some offensive success. The bottom line is AJ does nothing to advance the Twins in the right direction. It's just a complete meh move! -
Twins interested in AJ Pierzynski reunion
Platoon replied to Boom Boom's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
[Not sure this is how I wanted to use my 1000th post. I was hoping to save that for when we won the World Series.] You might have to add another zero, and several years to reach that goal!
