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Platoon

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Everything posted by Platoon

  1. Platoon
    You have some very valid points. Nor in a perfect scenario would I argue them. Hopefully there are other avenues to improving the pitching? But thay all have issues. An expensive veteran? Trading one of our top position prospects? A currently non existent FA market? And while your take on supply and demand is likely correct, will the demand increase? The chances of that, and the chances of a prospect like DeLeon are both open to the same level of conjecture. Both the Dodgers and Twins would be trading something they don't need for something they need. That to me impacts my view on this negotiation. While I cannot guarantee DeLeons future success, BD past history of lengthly droughts does not allow the guarantee of his static value at the trade deadline. Nor for that matter his value to the Dodgers playoff chances. While it is true that the immediate impact of the trade most likely will be in the Dodgers favor, the fact remains that short of trading some of the high end Twins position "prospects", this team has little foreseeable avenues to improving its SP in time to take advantage of the maturation of these "prospects". It's not an enviable situation. That said, if I thought BD would have more value in June, or even next winter, I would keep him. But I don't. IMHO he is a luxury this team would be remiss in not cashing in on.
  2. Platoon
    While one could nitpick and contend the offensive grading was about a letter to generous in comparison to the SP grades, one cannot deny that this staff was almost comical in its ineptitude. And not all of it was strictly the fault of the players. Hopefully the new regime gets away from trying to change players into something they are not.
  3. Platoon
    Contrary to some views, Dozier will not become more valuable during the season. It's highly unlikely his offensive numbers will improve from career highs, his defense won't, and his contractual stability is a diminishing asset. The Twins will not be a better team because BD is here next year. That will not happen until the SP is upgraded, and the up the middle defense is improved. It is possible that if, dangling Dozier out there like a 2004 GMC pickup in the front yard with a "For Sale" sign on it that the best offer to the FO underwhelming, Dozier is not worth what some thought. But what is not possible is the fantasy that he will be worth more in the future.
  4. Platoon
    I also thought the grading was too high. Someone above me made a point that even Doziers grade was high due to his two month black hole. I kind of go back to RG. If he is a B, then Sano and yours truly should be taking fly balls this winter. We can run lousy routes with the best of them, although at my age bending over, running, and stepping on my own glove would be difficult. . I only wish my teachers had graded like this. It would have likely elevated me into the upper 75 percentile!
  5. Platoon
    Grossman a B, and Kepler a B-? Grossman with a case to be the starting LF, or the DH? While not having RG in LF anymore would make TD GT far less entertaining, I will be more than happy to suffer that withdrawal. In the Old West, some towns made you check your guns on entering the city limits. I feel that policy should also extend to Robbie's fielding gloves at the Ft. Myers border. Btw, I apologize for using the words "fielding" and "gloves" in the same sentence with regards to RG. . And as for DH? When you have a hitter who's main weapon is drawing walks, and not doing much damage to strikes, it doesn't take long for MLB pitchers to narrow their zone.
  6. Platoon
    It's going to be interesting to see if Molitor can steer clear of his dart board lineups. I don't know if they were the result of a delusional effort to lose a couple less games on the way to 103, or if he thinks he can match up every position, every game? It would be interesting to know who was responsible for the decisions regarding the SP roster, such as the Trevor May fiasco. Ryan or Molitor? The single biggest thing a manager can do is put players in a position in which they have a chance to excel. Molitor has not shown either that basic attribute, nor the ability to recognize what sort of team he possesses. If he doesn't acquire those two basics at a minimum this coming year, I wonder how the new kids on the block will deal with an ill suited manager, carrying a lineup card in one pocket, and the Pohlad Pass in the other?
  7. Platoon
    May ending up in the BP last year was simply confusing from the get go. His staying there after his DL stints, when he was very clear about the lack of rest being a factor in his injuries, was more likely borderline stubbornness by either Molitor or Ryan. It wasn't like the talent level needed for a rotation spot was of Cy Young caliber. These issues keep bringing me back to Molitor. I know the new guys can't blow everything up this week, and that Molitor is operating on a "Pohlad Pass" this year. But to me, part of 2017 is going to be whether he can put a cohesive lineup on the field this year. While I wouldn't expect anyone to have won with the dearth of pitching last year, his dart board approach to managing certainly didn't minimize the carnage!
  8. Platoon
    I am not anywhere near as knowledgable about the status and abilities of some of the trade chips the Dodgers and Twins are tussling over as many on here are. But the principle you espouse herein is spot on. Take away the emotional aspect of Dozier being a fan favorite, and you are left with this. A player who while talented, has virtually no use in this orginisation at this point in time. Polanco will prove to be a suitable replacement, and in some aspects a more dangerous hitter. Taking what you can get for something you don't need is not a weakness, it's a pragmatic decision. My dad used to have an old tractor he didn't use anymore, a neighbor offered him $1400 for it. Dad said, "there's no damn way I am selling that tractor for $1400". He was right! Two years later he got $800 for it at his auction. Dozier is like that tractor. The difference is in two years we won't get $800, we will get $0.
  9. Platoon
    It should be noted, that given a chance, I would have been the hands down winner of this dubious distinction! Yet another millstone to hang around Terry Ryan's neck!
  10. Platoon
    Fred Bruckbauer. I think he had an era of infinity. Pitched once, faced 4 hitters, retired none, and never appeared in MLB again. He came in with the Senators roster I think. A legend in his own time!
  11. Platoon
    I always heard that Putin didn't have a sense of humor. That said, there are unconfirmed reports from the Kremlin that he was heard guffawing early on Nov. 9th.
  12. Platoon
    #3 If Brian got by with only one long night for commenting on the sister in law, he was lucky. Some have experienced the Ice Age. And while eventually the ice may melt, be prepared for an arctic blast 25 years from now, in the midst of a heated discussion over who left the garage door open overnight!
  13. Platoon
    While it may seem simplistic, the path to success for the Twins in the future goes through trading Dozier for pitching. But as big as the need for acquiring pitching is, the other understated need is to move Polanco off short. Imagine if the team keeps Dozier, either for two years and gets nothing when he leaves, or heaven forbid, extends him. That either leaves the SS position manned by Polancos bat, him wasting away as a sub, or worse traded. Sadly after 6 years of lousy play the reality is the Twins are still a team of the future. Any decision made to win a few extra games this year should be a huge red flag when analyzing the new FO.
  14. Platoon
    I agree, with the available choices tuis lineup is in the ball park. Definitely try and get May back in the rotation. I think he broke down 3 times last year in the pen. The only way Robbie G would make my roster, is if he promised to give away all his fielding gloves. A lousy Rosario is better in LF than a good RG. The Dozier thing is like a puzzle piece. Once it's resolved the rest will be easier to fit. That said, I don't see how the team will improve their dirth of quality SP without that happening. He is the classic scenario of getting something out of something you don't need at the current time, and won't end up keeping. If he stays Polanco virtually has to stay at SS. I don't think that's sustainable. If BD moves, I would still love a glove first guy (Vielma?) at that spot. That's not going to happen regardless of whether a trade occurs, but it's what I would do if I was king!
  15. Platoon
    I more or less agree with the lineup. At this time, only one of two things is going to happen, a lineup similar to this is either going to be pretty decent once we hit 2018, or this team will continue to be a disaster far longer than I care to think about. I opt for the former. But it's going to take time. Kepler isn't a MLB 3 hitter now, but could be. Mauer certainly isn't anymore, and won't be again. I am not as onboard with Park as you are. 20 HR's is ok, but not if he doesn't cut down the K's. His SO history is long and well documented, and it happened in a league with AA pitching. Your statement about Molitor was spot on, if he doesn't quit thinking its 2009 as far as Mauer is concerned, then the whole order is bleeped up. It's going to be interesting to see if he can start managing this team like a young team with a future, instead of a team that is supposed to win big right now. He didn't do that last year, and set the orginisation back another year in the process.
  16. Platoon
    You might have a valid point. Although I do think Polancos range makes up for a little. That said, if I was pitching, I would rather not look over my right shoulder and see either one!
  17. Platoon
    Dozier is kind of the key to unlocking the door. Moving him brings in pitching. Allows Polanco to move to what is likely his natural position. Forces the team to hasten the upgrade of the black hole at SS. Defensively the choice between EE and Polanco is a wash. If Dozier stays for two years, the Twins middle infield defense stays static for those two years. That's not good. Dozier is a solid player, but not irreplaceable. He is also the only logical path to overall improving the teams largest weaknesses. Quality depth at SP, and MI defense. I hope we don't overplay our hand in making a deal.
  18. Platoon
    I was just outside with shorts on. I can say with certainty that there will be little rioting in the streets today. And since I don't tweet, I will do as I usually do, complain bitterly to my wife!
  19. Platoon
    On how good Byron Buxton can be: "I don't know how to answer that in terms of -- what you see creates the potential in your mind as far as where his talent might take him. I was somewhat jokingly at the end of the year saying I might have misgauged him a little bit in terms of what he could do because I was focused on bunting and putting the ball in play and cutting the swing down and strike outs and then he comes up and hits eight or nine home runs in September." This is the one that gets me. I know with his speed, if he could bunt like a Carew, he could bunt for the first 200 points of his average. As for me, I was kind of hoping they would consider him more of a generational, at least for the Twins, player. Not Ben Recere with a better arm.
  20. Platoon
    Sometomes I regret that TD only allows a simple like, not one that can be elevated to say a 10. One of the hardest things to find is an elite glove at SS. Simply trying to justify substandard leather at that position, with offensive chops borders on delusional. We have spent so many years looking at mediocre defensive SS, we have become complacent about the importance of the position.
  21. Platoon
    I want to semi like this! . But until Molitor proves he will handle a 4th OF as a 4th OF, any moves in that area are kinda scary. That said, if he uses a R. Grossman that much, maybe there is nothing to be done. I just hope if Molitor doesn't change his ways, the axe is swift and early. I can't watch another year of auditioning veteran AAAA players, while the future sits on the bench!
  22. Platoon
    I was surprised to find Keplers MiLB reps were that low in RF? I do think he isn't going to be a defensive problem in the future at all. I also think Sano will be an astounding 3rd basemen. He will astound you with a great play one inning, and astound you with a horrible play later. But you have to give him a shot, it's one of the cores to getting back on track. I have never saw Vielma play, but all accounts say he can pick it. There are various pieces that have to all be moved to make this happen. Dozier for a pitcher, getting Polanco to second, and a glove at SS. There will no doubt be a few struggles originally with offense, but teams who play what I call "clean" baseball are more successful and can improve. As someone else here said, this team is not as far away as some think. I agree. But it all hinges on putting this jigsaw puzzle together.
  23. Platoon
    All in all very valid, and well written. But it ignores one simple fact. The team is not winning with its offense at second base. Nor will it improve greatly if you keep Dozier, and replace the at least 15 HR's he won't hit this year with Sano's, Buxtons and Keplers. It's still going to leave you weak up the middle, and short of pitching. Now if you replace Dozier with a pitcher, and find Polancos second base defense a wash, and his hitting for a higher avg and plenty EBH's , and superior speed, you still have what better be an improved Sano et al in place, plus I would hope at a minimum a #2 starter. And move on a defensive SS upgrade ASAP. There's nothing wrong with keeping Doziers hitting, but frankly he's needed for bigger things. Pitching. As for the Twins relying on BD for power, if in two years he's your best power hitter, the problems this team now faces, are minsicule.
  24. Platoon
    Making the ASG the determination of home field always made me wonder how Selig ever got to a position like his in the first place. Yes, I know money had a lot to do with it! But if you make that kind of thin skinned decision over the outcome of a glorified exhibition game, just think of what happened when real pressure was placed on him. All ASG are about players, not "teams". Who gives a rats rear end whether the NL or AL wins. The NBA seems to have the best handle on this. Shoot early, shoot often, and don't get hurt!
  25. Platoon
    Teams "hide" poor gloves on the corners. But to do that you need the middle guys to take as many chances as possible away from them. Polanco doesn't do that, and Doziers range isn't elite either. Buxton fulfills that criteria in center, but we have become so complacent to substandard SS play that many were content with Nunez? Good grief. One can just not afford to underestimate the impact a quality middle IF brings to a team, especially one with a PTC history. This team butchered double plays last year in an alarming fashion. That alone needs to improve.
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