Platoon
-
Posts
5,830 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
6
Content Type
Profiles
News
Minnesota Twins Videos
2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospects Ranking
2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks
Minnesota Twins Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits
Guides & Resources
2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks
The Minnesota Twins Players Project
2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks
2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick Tracker
2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Tracker: Picks & Bonuses
Forums
Blogs
Events
Store
Downloads
Gallery
Everything posted by Platoon
-
I don't think so. Rightfully or not, catchers and umpires end up with a "relationship". They get beat up together, and each have the same view of the game. A good catcher will never tell his pitcher a ball was a strike, it makes the pitcher upset, and the umpire more so. I showed up to do a game once for the same team the third time in about 2 weeks. I mentioned to the coach that we sure seem to see a lot of each other. He said, "makes no difference to me, my catcher likes you, that's all I care about".
-
I will have to paraphrase somewhat since its been a long time since I heard this. Maddux once was asked after a game about his pinpoint control. He said something to this extent: If I throw 100 pitches in a game, I hit my spot about 80 times. I will miss badly enough on around 15 which you won't be able to hit anyway. That leaves you 5 pitches to hit in a game.
-
There is a difference between accepting the fact that human beings officiating sporting events are not perfect, and contending that a segment of the fans enjoy that fact, or embrace it. To the contrary. I don't enjoy watching a crappy job, whether it be a touch foul basketball referee, or an inconsistent plate ump, or someone who cuts me off on the freeway and then drives 57 mph. Accepting the fact that the preceding issues happen in the course of a day is a lot less stress. And trying to remedy each to the point of perfection will in all likelihood make all of them worse.
-
When using a deep playoff run, not just a one and done second WC as a bench mark, I think that window is open, but not as far as I had thought it would be a few years ago. The failure of so many of the high velocity BP arms to produce, the continuing lack of a legitimate #1 starter, and a fairly mediocre level of defense in the IF makes this a far more difficult project than I had anticipated. Spring training will flesh out the roster issues somewhat but it seems the SP issue will go unresolved, some due to options, and some due to indecisiveness. And the Sano issue could be an all season problem for any of several reasons. If the division is as weak as it seems we may pad our win total to allow a second WC appearance. Yawn.
-
Whine Line Investigation: Explanation for a Boring Off-season
Platoon commented on Vanimal46's blog entry in Minnesota Twins Whine Line
Your article never addressed the most compelling question. What exactly did you guys decide to eat? Or did you even manage to order before the lunch menu time frame expired? Instead of the intern you should have taken me. For one thing I have never been to a Cheesecake Factory. And for another I will go with anyone who picks up the tab. Plus I am decisive. I would have immediately went with the spaghetti and meatballs, likely the cheapest option. This also would have given you a closer comparison to what being Falvine is really like. .- 10 comments
-
- 2
-
-
- whine line
- hawt taeks
- (and 2 more)
-
While I am sure Sam will have his own answer to the above, a couple general points come to mind in several sports. Basketball crews are well known for having different tendencies in how close they call a game, or even a half. If it gets too rough they tighten it up, later in a game they often "let you play". Some football officials call holding endlessly, others don't as often. Some baseball umpires have a low zone, or a big outside corner. All that said, I highly doubt that the results of many games will change. But I think the way the game is played, viewed, discussed, and appreciated will. Far more than many think.
-
What I detest about instant replay is the delay so the manager can get input from someone on a replay to see if he should challenge. That's BS. If the call is so obviously wrong, throw the flag or beanbag or whatever. If it takes a microscope to determine the difference then you really have no idea what happened. But if you think you were wronged, go for it. One wrong challenge is all you get. That also would speed the game.
-
The solution! Holographic (3D) umpires. Maybe use Leslie Nielsen in 'Naked Gun' as the prototype?
-
Reading is what I would be doing right now, except I got caught up in an infantile discussion started by some poster about officiating! :)
-
Another thought. What will the elimination of calling balls and strikes do to the umpiring profession. Most umpires view the plate assignment as the most coveted spot. I always did. Not only did I not enjoy the base position, I also found the plate easier to handle. You got into a rhythm and on most days it just flowed. While one could argue that for the kind of money MLB umps make, there will be plenty of them, I don't want umpires who do it for the cash. I want umpires who do it because they love what they do.
-
Robo or not there will have to be a human official behind the plate. Foul ticks, interference, line violations, foul balls grazing the screen, out of play calls. Rotations on the bases. I also think that Robo umps will change how players are viewed. Whether this is a plus or minus depends on ones viewpoint. But, during the 2020 WS, Brian Dozier, in the second year of a $180M deal, takes a 3-2 called third strike with the bases loaded, bottom of 9, Twins down by one run. Robo ump with a 99.7% accuracy rating rules the pitch hit the outside .25 of the plate. Twins color man Bert Blyleven says nary a word about black being part of the plate. While the accuracy of the call will be quite ok, the tenor of the off season would seem to change dramatically. As will how we watch a game. No more shots of a players pained expression after a called third strike as he trudges to the dugout, looking back at the plate ump. For him it's a resigned look, for the viewer at home, instead of a thoughtful self discussion on the validity of that call, it will be a benign yawn while you wait for the endless beer commercials to cease.
-
Dozier Debate: Contract Extension? Pace of Play?
Platoon replied to Cody Christie's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
The problem with extending Dozier is you almost have to then trade some MI talent. And they haven't shown any indication of trading anything so far. If you can't count on one or two of their MI prospects making the jump soon, there is no sense in having a scouting or analytical dept. Tat said, I would not extend Dozier, and since it's too late to effectively trade him I would let it play out. I highly doubt I would then keep him. In a perfect world I would use that money on pitching. -
I lifted this link from another blogger whom I read with regularity. It's a lengthly piece on the concept of the electronic strike zone. I have never been a fan of the idea, mostly for reasons of tradition. But everyone has their own take on the concept. It's a pretty indepth discussion, maybe it will cause some to revisit their own perception of the whole issue. Regardless, to paraphrase what a very wise man said recently, "who would have thought balls and strikes could be so complicated"? https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/37347/robo-strike-zone-not-simple-think/
-
The Twins should sign Yu Darvish, regardless of price
Platoon replied to mazeville's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Several posters on here, Mike and Chief come to mind, have made a valid observation if I am interpreting them correctly. And that is that their is a time to "overspend" and a time not to. This would be a time for the Twins to overspend. All professional sports teams operate in windows of opportunity. While,the length of time between those windows varies for numerous reasons, the Twins are in one. And in the Twins most recent history, that is a rarity. While I wont relitigate the pros and cons of a trade v a big FA payout, the bottom line is either you pay up now and take a shot at winning it all, or you remain simply one of many competitive teams with its most important part missing. Elite baseball pitcher sand football QB's are unique in that you can surround either with an average team and win, but you cannot do the reverse. -
I do not want Darvish, but thanks for disagreeing.
Platoon commented on mikelink45's blog entry in mikelink45's Blog
I agree three years for Yu is about the farthest I would go. But, and there is always a but, then there has to be an alternative. And I don't see one. They exist, for example a trade for someone like Archer, or signing a top end arm next year. But neither really seems plausible. The teams window is now. That is the only thing that makes me think Darvish at 5-6 years makes any sense at all. He should fill a spot when it's most needed. Five years from now, if Twins history and MLB history in general are any bell weather, Darvish and his dead contract will be a moot point. They won't have the talent to compete anyway. They will be back into full rebuild mode, and his money won't really make a difference. While I said I don't think a trade for an Archer type would happen, it would still be my preference. A Sano for Archer? Crazy? It could be if you thought that Sano would fulfill the prophecy and become the elite hitter he was projected to be. I wish he would, but I just can't see it. There's too many flags already, and I doubt we have saw the last of them. -
I think the impression was that the new Twins FO would make for a change in the manner in which high end FA were pursued. The Twins have always proclaimed themselves in on the newest shiny object. The Twins were always "interested", be it FA, trade possibilities, or Cubans. But so far in the SS alloted to the new FO the process is eerily familiar. While Darvish has yet to announce, it seems very much like the ever familiar "gosh, we were right into until the end, we thought we had a very good chance". This is likely the reason skepticism abounds, and optimism is bleak as regards any significant action on the pitching front. Whether one thinks Darvish is the answer or not, the fact of the matter is the Twins are never going to significantly change their position on top flight FA's. While I do believe there is a chance for the new FO to improve the roster by some better evaluation of talent, and hopefully improvise MiLB functions, I have no hope for big time acquisitions or trades. In those two instances the new FO is just like the old one, simply with more hair.
-
"The goal at the end of the day is to try to help your pitcher keep as many strikes as possible," Castro said. "And to not do anything to take away from presenting pitches that are in the strike zone to the umpires that would lead them to believe that any given pitch is not a strike." Maybe the most pertinent thing said on this topic so far. Don't give away strikes being jumpy or awkward.
- 30 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- jason castro
- trevor hildenberger
- (and 2 more)
-
The Minnesota Twins Said No To Jim Thome
Platoon replied to Parker Hageman's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
Well the skeptic in me figures he would have left as soon as he was a FA. . But the bigger question is: Why is Brian Dozier driving that Gator in the parade? -
To expand a little on Jimbo's take. My lifelong neighbor was a very good amateur catcher and later a very good plate umpire. He always told me pulling the glove is useless. It's too obvious. But turning your body in to the plate, and catching the corners with the glove turned in shows the umpire the baseball. As does getting low and ease of movement. While I know that the line between balls and strikes in MLB is much finer, the principles are the same. In some of the frames shown Castro seems to be blatantly pulling the ball. On that point, as an umpire, when my friend heard a catcher question a non strike call after the catcher had pulled the ball over the plate he would ask the guy, "if it was so good, why did you have to pull it"? That was generally the end of the discussion. That said, I know that there are MLB catchers that are better than others at framing. The seemingly recent discover surprises me though. But then you read the Gladden comment, and wonder how Danno got a job as an analyst having not noticed something that I taught my kids
- 30 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- jason castro
- trevor hildenberger
- (and 2 more)
-
By the end of this off season, one should have a fairly good handle on the Twins new MO. But, it may be not as new as we would have liked. It could be the "new improved" version of their old MO. At this point they do not seem serious about a big buck FA acquisition, nor have they made any indication of making a blockbuster trade for a frontline SP. which leaves us with the upgraded TwinsWorld2. This version continues the ever popular economically conservative roster tweaking, and combines it with a modern system of analytics, scouting, drafting and player improvement. As an added attraction, a change in the motif of one of the drinking establishment in Target Field will be included at no additional cost. . Sarcasm aside, it is not an undoable process. While it does rely on being smarter than everyone in the room, it is also the only competitive alternative to a controlled payroll and limited trading philosophy. It could work, but if and when it does, the core group of players on this roster will not be involved in the result.
-
Twins Showing Interest in Wade Miley
Platoon commented on Andrew Thares's blog entry in Rounding Third
Dangle Darvish. Sign Miley. I don't know about baseball, but in retail I think that's called bait and switch? . -
ESPN reports Brewers have made offer for Darvish
Platoon replied to caninatl04's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
There is a difference between hoping the Twins would shell out the money for a high profile FA, and seriously thinking they would. For the latter, Lucy is still holding that football on the ground waiting for you. -
ESPN reports Brewers have made offer for Darvish
Platoon replied to caninatl04's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
And that should be the narrative, it it comes to pass. If nothing else, if this all fizzles as it now appears it may, we can resume normal operating procedures. No longer a need to daydream about shiny new toys. The light at the end of the tunnel will have to be drafting, development, innovative trade moves, and maybe a little more agression in retaining core homegrown players. I have no real problem with that scenario if all of these operational philosophies are in in use. But if we get squeamish and greedy about trading to fill needed spots, that whole business plan collapses in a pile of mediocrity. -
ESPN reports Brewers have made offer for Darvish
Platoon replied to caninatl04's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
It's exciting to see JP so fully invested in the hunt for high profile after all these years of just mouthing the words. I have no doubt he will soon open the vault and make a big splash signing! ............................ OK, I WAST JUST KIDDING,
