Platoon
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Everything posted by Platoon
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Check the standings, and the records for the Ryan years. While inflation may have driven the salary numbers up, there seems no change in the orginisational policies. Low to mid level FA signings, scrap heap bullpens, extensions to average talent already under control, a disregard for strikeouts by our pitchers, AKA PTC. And signing a 39 yr old fan favorite, with a declining skill set, when you had a plethora of young OF's who needed not only playing time but evaluation. And, letting him dictate his playing position and his playing time. This at a time when even Ryan admits her never thought they would sniff WC contention. If Ryan brings Hunter back on Toriis terms, which appears the only way possible, then I think it makes further positive commentary on Ryan's job performance seemingly indefensible. I M H O
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I wish I had written the Nowheresville999 post Jokin quoted. When one looks at the Twins orginisational philolosophy this quote from Nowhere guy might spell it out. "Of course, if there is one thing the Twins have shown over the past 15 years, they are perfectly happy being just good enough to be competitive and put fans in the seats". I phrased it thusly in a different post, "winning is not important, but winning enough to put people in the seats is mandatory". This could have been the much maligned Bill Smiths problem. He erroneously thought he was the GM of a MLB team, but in reality he was supposed to be running an entertainment venue, based on a PL statement.
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First off, a lot of comments, mine included are tongue in cheek. And as a former coach, I acknowledge the appreciation of attitude, which by the way comes in many different iterations. But in the bottom of the ninth down one with two outs, attitude don't hit the ball!
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Without any regard for his physical talents whatsoever, Puig would seem a perfect fit for the Twins. The Twins, an orginisation whose tolerance for large "outside the box" personalities is probably the most inclusive in all off baseball. :)
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I have never understood why switching Plouffe, Mauer, and Sano around between first, third, and DH on different days would improve the offense? But a left handed power bat at DH to protect Sano might. And once again for those who missed it the first ten times, if Sano cannot replace Plouffe at third, then everyone needs to lower their expectations for Sano, and the Twins.
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Thanks for all the info. Do you have any stats on the Twins number of called 3rd strikes, vs swinging. And how it compares with MLB averages?
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This appeared in the Strib today, after Souhans Mauer piece. It's Michael Rands comparison between Mauer and Parise, two home grown guys. After I post this, I am going to my basement, sitting in the SW corner, and putting my head between my legs! http://www.startribune.com/the-striking-difference-between-zach-parise-and-joe-mauer/331654431/
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Souhan's solution to the "Mauer Problem"
Platoon replied to USAFChief's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
It doesn't solve the problem. He is here and will be for 3 more years. He hits too well to sit, but not enough to be in the middle of the order. The Twins need a LH power bat for the middle of the order. They need a catcher, and they better hope one of their young OF becomes a legitimate one hitter. Those are the realities Ryan has to deal with. (I won't go into pitching) If he doesn't, then the league is just going to have to create another WC berth for us! -
The decline in BA was noted by one of the game announcers Thursday night in the Houston/KC game. What he said referred to BA and SO's: nowadays these guys come out of the bull pen, throwing mid to upper 90's! You just don't see the guy anymore in the upper 80's coming in to get through an inning! I sighed, and figured he apparently has not done any Twins games this year! Lol
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I am not sure what you are referring to, but my comment was about calling them both up in the same year, not drafting them in the same year. I should have been more precise.
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Souhan's solution to the "Mauer Problem"
Platoon replied to USAFChief's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Another take on the subject of him in the 3 hole is: For those who think he should have been there because he is the teams best option, that's an indictment on the rest of the roster! For those who think he did not belong there, who should have been? (If you say Dozier, please make sure you clarify, first half Dozier, or second half Dozier) While some might consider it off topic to the thread, this discussion yet again illuminates the roster deficiencies the Twins currently face. -
Souhan's solution to the "Mauer Problem"
Platoon replied to USAFChief's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
With some orginisations this would be a topic to be discussed. With the Twins, it's a waste of digital ink. (Soy based I hope). Mauer is going to play first base. As for the trio of him, Sano, and the Plouffeman, if you keep all three, you might as well let Sano DH. It gives you the best chance to win in that situation. But if you can trade Plouffe for a legitimate catcher, that's the ideal situation. Possible? But definitely preferable. -
OTD 1909: a brief note on progress
Platoon commented on Hosken Bombo Disco's blog entry in Hosken's Blog
Sounds like town ball in the good ol days! -
To expand on Kwaks point about the business side of the game. I don't know how many maniacal owners are left in MLB, but the Twins ain't one of them. It's a business, period. I believe Hunter was a result of a cost benefit analysis. We have to put seats in the seats. How? We need a beloved by the casual fan player, who can still play a little, but with enough resume to sell tickets. Some of his salary gets expensed to COG, some to advertising and promotion. Success is defined in the P&L. Winning is not necessary, but winning enough to sell tickets is mandatory. I don't know about other teams, but the Twins are run more like an entertainment venue, than a competitive baseball team. Win enough to give the illusion that success is tomorrow! But as my dad said, tomorrow never comes. TR makes the decisions, and takes the heat. But does the business model come from the corporate office? There is a persistent rumor that Bill Smiths demise was not due to the teams record, but to his inability to control spending. True? I don't know. But it seems he is the only management type who has ever been held responsible for the teams performance. Maybe just a coincidence?
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Discussing Hunter as a 4th OF is similar in wasted time as discussing trading Mauer. Torri has been clear, crystal, as to the chances he signs without a guarantee of a full time job. If you think he's kidding ask Buxton and Arcia. Not sure if you meant Berrios was coming north, but he won't be. They will never burn service time on him next spring. As for Kurt, Ryan has already offered his support. And if I had a dime for every time TR said, "if there's a [player] there who can help, of course we'll look at him" I would be retired, and reading TD at 4 pm......... Oh wait.......
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Here's yet another passive? agressive? pork chop to toss to the ravishing pack! . In how many orginisations would an arm like Meyers been left to marinate for all these years in the minors? Remember this question is asked in light of said team being 4 yr 90 loss+ losers, not well built contenders. Plus having historically poor pitchers on the big league team. This regardless of whether he was in a lights out mode, or walking the entire population of Rochester NY. Made no difference, there was always an excuse. If you are looking to why the Cubs succeeded on Arrieta, and we have the pitching woes we do, this might, or might not be an example?
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I don't think the discussion is about a LACK of process? It about the DIFFERENCE in process!
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Anyone who has ever watched a Ryan/Gardenhire team, and thought that Pinto had a snowballs chance in Tuscon of ever catching once Suzuki was signed, has not been paying attention. I am not arguing that Pinto was better or not, for that discussion is a moot point!
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Ryan has made it clear that after he signs a FA, he will not flip him. (See Willingham) He considers that disrespectful to the player, and has said this will discourage other FA's from signing here in the future.
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Without a hint of sarcasm, we don't trade or promote "stuff". "Stuff" is exasperating, it leads to walks and strikeouts. Ground balls are far safer and more consistent. "Stuff" on offense results in high swing rates, home runs, and swinging strike outs. It's far safer to work the count, and take an enormous amount of called third strikes, followed by the requisite perplexed look at the umpire on the way back to the dugout! Again, no sarcasm intended, it just the way I see the decision making process at One Twins Way.
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This might be my biggest issue with the FO, an inability to react. They move so slowly, take no chances, and almost always defer to the stable veteran, than the upsided rookie. This is what breeds mediocrity. If something is not working, try something. Who knows, you might end up with more than one Tyler Duffy in a year? I may be wrong, but I think the era of 26 yr old rookies is coming to a close.
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It took them 12 years. The Twins rebuild took 4 years. Does that mean that TR/Bill Smith get 3 times the credit Dayton Moore got? Are we that sure we are "rebuilt"? We missed the second WC by 3 games. And the general consensus is that the lineup that goes north next year, will greatly resemble the lineup that played last Saturday. I am not sure if that is what I want to be considered a rebuild.
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Ryan has been the Twins GM for what? 17 of the last 20 years. It is him who does not have Jeff S and the college kids, and the high velocity relievers. I am not saying all Ryan's decisions have been bad, but they have been Ryan's decisions. Btw, this thread has resulted in one good thing, if none other! The Chief and Dave being in agreement! :).
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For several seasons the Twins have been linked, correctly or not, with the Cubs and the Astros as the teams with the best minor league prospects, depth and talent. After watching the other two teams the last two nights, and over the course of the season, I wondered if we have fallen back in the pack? Have the injuries to Sano and Buxton been that detrimental? Have we/they over rated our players? Or have the other two teams been more aggressive? Or lucky? And more importantly, if we are behind, will we catch up?
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Trade: Joe Mauer +30 million for Justin Morneau
Platoon replied to curt1965's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Ego? Or competiveness? As Sherlock said, "that is the question"? I do agree with the thought that there is no sense in trading a corner IF for another corner IF.
