John Bonnes

Terry Ryan says the Twins aren’t going to be able to buy themselves out of this funk they’re in. He’s absolutely right, especially when it comes to second base, where the Twins OPS ranks 29th in the majors. Because there is almost nothing to buy.[ATTACH=CONFIG]2030[/ATTACH] The free agent market for middle infielders is often limited, but this year’s market for second basemen is especially sparse. I count one starter – Toronto’s Kelly Johnson. Johnson is 31 years old, has a 692 OPS and is slightly below average fielding (according to UZR). And he’s the class of this group. There are several who have found their way into a bench job, including Jeff Baker (DET), Adam Kennedy (LAD), Jeff Keppinger (TB), Maicer Izturis (LAA) and Ryan Theriot (SFG). I find Keppinger the most interesting, slightly above Izturis. With the Rays, the 33-year-old Keppinger has hit awfully well but has been slightly below average defensively. And for his career (over 2300 AB) he has a .336 OBP. Everyone else has either been designated for assignment or hurt or both or retiring. It’s thin gruel. With those options, ones thoughts can’t help but turn to Jamey Carroll, who only has a 626 OPS but at least is getting on base at a .334 clip. The bigger concern might be that if he reaches 401 at-bats next year, then 2014 becomes a player option, albeit one that only pays him $2M. Frankly, that looks like a bargain and Carroll looks like a better option than anything Ryan is likely to find on the shelves this winter.

I hope you don't mind, but I deleted the "Title" font you had because of it's affect on the front page blog area. Great story.

"Life's like a movie, write your own ending." - The Magic Store from The Muppet Movie ~~~~~ It started with a decision in the spring of 1990. He asked her if their first date should be an afternoon at the Art Institute or a double-header at Wrigley Field. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2017[/ATTACH]"How is that even a call?" she replied. The sun gleamed, the grass glowed underneath the ballplayers and the magical afternoon was made more so because he thought it was probably their last date as well; neither was from Chicago. But he was wrong. Both traveled enough to occasionally gain discounted tickets and the 1000 miles between Minneapolis and Philadelphia wasn't as isolating as they both thought it would be. Or at least not initially. ~~~~~ Two years later, it was. So with $1000 shoved into his pocket and all his worldly possessions crammed in an '84 Honda Prelude, he moved to Philadelphia to court her. The courtship was fun, but not especially easy. First he had to find work during a recession, then she was assigned to a project out of town. And when the business world stopped conspiring to keep them apart, the tougher questions began. "Will he ever marry me? What's he waiting for?" "Is she really the one? How do I know?" The questions were more destructive than geographic distance ever had a chance to be. On a summer trip out west, his questions were answered in the Black Hills. And on August 13th, when they were supposed to go to a Phillies game, he showed up with flowers, acted all goofy and suggested they go for a walk. And she knew her questions were about to be answered too. Unaccustomed to being nervous, the proposal was awkward but genuine, and the response was delayed but jubilant. Standing together in the park, their future felt too large. Neither knew what to do, where to go, who to see. "So do you still want to go the Phillies game?", he asked. "How is that even a call?" It wasn't a call, because the one place in Philadelphia where they both knew there was some magic that year was at the Vet. The '93 Phils, lead by blue-collar rejects like John Kruk, "Dutch" Daulton, "Nails" Dykstra and closer Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams had somehow claimed 1st place in the NL East. They'd won games at Veteran's Stadium in every conceivable manner, including one in which Williams got the winning hit in the bottom of the 10th - at 4:30 AM. Tonight they were playing the hated Mets and it seemed like as good a place as any to look for magic. The electricity they felt made the game a secondary concern. She'll readily admit that she spent most of the game looking at the back of her hand. But the game slowly became the focal point when the Phillies lost their early lead in the top of the eighth. They scratched in a run in the bottom half, but were still down 5-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth. But there was a reason this hard-nosed city loved this team. They used a crucial error by the Mets to score one run and loaded the bases with two outs. Kim Batiste, a light-hitting 25-year-old utility infielder who seemed to have a special gift for striking out, came to the plate, and....... Grand Slam. Pandemonium. Magic. ~~~~~ Last night those same stupid kids went to a game, just like they have every August 13th now for 20 years. They saw a a double play neither had ever seen before. They wondered if a different Wild Thing might make Twins history. And they watched a 26-year-old utility outfielder have the game of his career. But they'll both admit; the magic didn't explode like it has in previous years. It felt like more of an undercurrent, sometimes visible, sometimes not. That works. These days, likfe is less about flashy fireworks. The work, the passion, is centered on building, supporting and and nervously trusting. The roles have changed since that family was started in Chicago and consumated in Philly. The stupid kids have their own stupid kids. But the base remains the same. Magic.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1998[/ATTACH]Aaron and John talk about the Twins' odds of contending or rebuilding in 2013, where Chris Parmelee eventually fits into the lineup, exactly how bad Tsuyoshi Nishioka looked, whether Nick Blackburn should stick around with a 7.50 ERA, Liam Hendriks' and Brian Dozier's long-term outlook, which of them would make a worse Olympian, Bert Blyleven vs. Patrick Reusse, and why Gleeman won't go to Las Vegas with Bonnes. Here are: the podcasts the rss feed if you want to subscribe and the podcast on iTunes.

This honestly happens to me. I find myself sometimes fearing to come to the site, because it's going to suck up the rest of my day.

"We have holes. And some of it is pitching, and some of it is not. There are other areas we need to address." - Terry Ryan as reported by Phil Mackey The Twins rotation currently ranks 29th in the majors in ERA and 28th in innings pitched. But Ryan is right – they aren’t the only sore spot that will need to be addressed this offseason. The decision to promote and play Tsuyoshi Nishioka at second base highlights one such area. The Twins rank 29th in the majors in OPS(On Base Plus Slugging) from that position. Even if their best option, Jamey Carroll, had played there the entire season, his OPS would only rank 25th. Similarly, the shortstop position ranks 27th overall. The Twins are likely to use the rest of the year to further evaluate this offseason’s priorities. They might start be looking at where each position ranks offensively versus the rest of the league: [TABLE=width: 244] [/TD][TD=align: center]OPS [TD=align: center]MLB Rank [/TD] Left Field [TD=align: center]938 [/TD] [TD=align: center]2 [/TD] Catcher [TD=align: center]822 [/TD] [TD=align: center]5 [/TD] Designated Hitter [TD=align: center]845 [/TD] [TD=align: center]8 [/TD] Third Base [TD=align: center]765 [/TD] [TD=align: center]11 [/TD] Center Field [TD=align: center]718 [/TD] [TD=align: center]17 [/TD] First Base [TD=align: center]749 [/TD] [TD=align: center]19 [/TD] Right Field [TD=align: center]692 [/TD] [TD=align: center]25 [/TD] Shortstop [TD=align: center]575 [/TD] [TD=align: center]27 [/TD] Second Base [TD=align: center]571 [/TD] [TD=align: center]29 [/TD] [/TABLE] 2B – Let’s start with the worst and get more optimistic. Most of the damage has been done by Alexi Casilla whose overall OPS is 580, which is one hundred points below his OPS last year and 50 points below his career OPS. He’ll likely get better, if he hasn’t already played himself out of the picture. (Again.) SS – Either you believe Brian Dozier will get better or you don’t. I think he will. He certainly needs to. RF – Even if Ben Revere had all the at-bats here, his 738 OPS would only rank 22nd. However, according to Ultimate Zone Rating, he has also saved another 10 runs with his glove. Using WAR, which tries to include defensive value, he ranks 12th overall. 1B – Parmelee (667 OPS) and Mauer (752 OPS) are responsible for about 40% of the at-bats here. CF – The Twins have only given 15 at-bats to players other than Revere and Denard Span in center field. Those players have gone 0 for 15, which drags down the number about 20 points. 3B – Imagine where the Twins would rank if Danny Valencia and his 522 OPS hadn’t eaten up about 1/3 of the at-bats this season. DH – The at-bats have been split four ways, but Ryan Doumit gets most of the credit. His OPS is 939 as a designated hitter, just 766 as a catcher. C – Not that the Twins two-headed catching monster isn’t working well. They only rank behind St. Louis (Yadier Molina), Milwaukee ( Jonathan LuCroy), San Francisco (Buster Posey) and Philadelphia (CHOOOOCH!) LF – Speaking of monsters, ladies and gentlemen, Josh Willingham, version 2012. Certainly, the Twins pitching has been an issue. But Ryan is correct to not overlook the uneven production from the lineup, too.

"We have holes. And some of it is pitching, and some of it is not. There are other areas we need to address." - Terry Ryan as reported by Phil Mackey The Twins rotation currently ranks 29th in the majors in ERA and 28th in innings pitched. But Ryan is right – they aren’t the only sore spot that will need to be addressed this offseason. The decision to promote and play Tsuyoshi Nishioka at second base highlights one such area. The Twins rank 29th in the majors in OPS(On Base Plus Slugging) from that position. Even if their best option, Jamey Carroll, had played there the entire season, his OPS would only rank 25th. Similarly, the shortstop position ranks 27th overall. The Twins are likely to use the rest of the year to further evaluate this offseason’s priorities. They might start be looking at where each position ranks offensively versus the rest of the league: [TABLE=width: 244] [/TD][TD=align: center]OPS [TD=align: center]MLB Rank [/TD] Left Field [TD=align: center]938 [/TD] [TD=align: center]2 [/TD] Catcher [TD=align: center]822 [/TD] [TD=align: center]5 [/TD] Designated Hitter [TD=align: center]845 [/TD] [TD=align: center]8 [/TD] Third Base [TD=align: center]765 [/TD] [TD=align: center]11 [/TD] Center Field [TD=align: center]718 [/TD] [TD=align: center]17 [/TD] First Base [TD=align: center]749 [/TD] [TD=align: center]19 [/TD] Right Field [TD=align: center]692 [/TD] [TD=align: center]25 [/TD] Shortstop [TD=align: center]575 [/TD] [TD=align: center]27 [/TD] Second Base [TD=align: center]571 [/TD] [TD=align: center]29 [/TD] [/TABLE] 2B – Let’s start with the worst and get more optimistic. Most of the damage has been done by Alexi Casilla whose overall OPS is 580, which is one hundred points below his OPS last year and 50 points below his career OPS. He’ll likely get better, if he hasn’t already played himself out of the picture. (Again.) SS – Either you believe Brian Dozier will get better or you don’t. I think he will. He certainly needs to. RF – Even if Ben Revere had all the at-bats here, his 738 OPS would only rank 22nd. However, according to Ultimate Zone Rating, he has also saved another 10 runs with his glove. Using WAR, which tries to include defensive value, he ranks 12th overall. 1B – Parmelee (667 OPS) and Mauer (752 OPS) are responsible for about 40% of the at-bats here. CF – The Twins have only given 15 at-bats to players other than Revere and Denard Span in center field. Those players have gone 0 for 15, which drags down the number about 20 points. 3B – Imagine where the Twins would rank if Danny Valencia and his 522 OPS hadn’t eaten up about 1/3 of the at-bats this season. DH – The at-bats have been split four ways, but Ryan Doumit gets most of the credit. His OPS is 939 as a designated hitter, just 766 as a catcher. C – Not that the Twins two-headed catching monster isn’t working well. They only rank behind St. Louis (Yadier Molina), Milwaukee ( Jonathan LuCroy), San Francisco (Buster Posey) and Philadelphia (CHOOOOCH!) LF – Speaking of monsters, ladies and gentlemen, Josh Willingham, version 2012. Certainly, the Twins pitching has been an issue. But Ryan is correct to not overlook the uneven production from the lineup, too.

If The Twins Are Willing To Trade Morneau This Offseason, There Should Be Options Last week, as the trade deadline approached, Justin Morneau was featured in the latest trade rumors. That made sense. First, Morneau had been productive and healthy. Second, Chris Parmelee is raking at first base in AAA but shut out in the majors. Finally, Morneau is still owed about $19M for the rest of this year and next. Moving him would give the Twins that much more money to spend on pitching this offseason. No deal was consummated, and it doesn’t sound like one was close, but that doesn’t mean the end of the rumors. They’ll flow into this offseason and will likely gain additional steam because this year the crop of free agent first basemen is so bleak. There is no Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols or even a Paul Konerko in this class. The top name? Would you believe the 37-year-old Carlos Lee? Yes, the same Carlos Lee who was already salary dumped this year and then was rumored to be on the block again. He has all of six home runs, but at least he’s hitting .292. Now look into the rest of the void…. Sure, They’re Old, But At Least They’re Hurt. Lance Berkman He has just 75 at-bat this year because he’s been out the last two months after knee surgery, and that was following a previous stay on the DL for a calf injury. There will be serious concerns that his 36-year-old body can’t take it any more. Aubrey Huff Similarly, Huff is 35 years old and has only has 61 at-bats this year (and is hitting just .148) because of several DL stints which include an anxiety disorder and knee tendonitis. Carlos Pena Ok, he’s not hurt, but he’s hitting .193, so who could tell? He's also 35 years old and still can’t hit left-handers. Like the others, he’s worth a flyer, but who would rely on him for more than that? Bad, But Bad In A Youngish Way Casey Kotchman He’s just 30 years old, but he has never hit more than 12 home runs in his career, is struggling against left-handers and is hitting just .223. James Loney He’s the reason the Dodgers were talking to the Twins about Morneau at the deadline. He’s hitting .257 with two home runs. Two As in two more than I have hitting for the Dodgers this year. The only thing he has going for him is that he’s only 28 years old. They’re Old. They Also Don’t Start. Ty Wigginton All you need to know about the 35-year-old Wigginton is that the only way he’s available is if the Phils DON’T pick up a $4M option on him. That should clarify his value. Eric Hinske Yes, I’m talking about the 35-year-old bench player for the Braves for the lat 3 years. He has not seen 400 at-bats from a team since 2005. Winner: Justin Morneau Morneau, by comparison, is 31 years old, hitting .275 and has 15 home runs. Those numbers don’t justify a $14M salary next year. And if he was a free agent, he would not garner any offers for that kind of money annually. However, he is also the class of that list. If Morneau was a free agent, right now it looks like a two-year deal (for maybe $16M?) would not be out of the question. A three-year deal might be in play. If he and his agent insisted on a one-year deal (to increase his value for another run at free agency), a $9-10M deal might not be out of the question. But more important than the numbers is simply supply and demand. This offseason, the supply of first basemen who can be a middle-of-the-order presence for a competitive team is limited. In fact, it could be just Morneau. If Terry Ryan decides he is willing to trade Morneau – either to make room for Parmelee or to free up $14M in cash – there sure should be some desperate teams out there.

If The Twins Are Willing To Trade Morneau This Offseason, There Should Be Options Last week, as the trade deadline approached, Justin Morneau was featured in the latest trade rumors. That made sense. First, Morneau had been productive and healthy. Second, Chris Parmelee is raking at first base in AAA but shut out in the majors. Finally, Morneau is still owed about $19M for the rest of this year and next. Moving him would give the Twins that much more money to spend on pitching this offseason. No deal was consummated, and it doesn’t sound like one was close, but that doesn’t mean the end of the rumors. They’ll flow into this offseason and will likely gain additional steam because this year the crop of free agent first basemen is so bleak. There is no Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols or even a Paul Konerko in this class. The top name? Would you believe the 37-year-old Carlos Lee? Yes, the same Carlos Lee who was already salary dumped this year and then was rumored to be on the block again. He has all of six home runs, but at least he’s hitting .292. Now look into the rest of the void…. Sure, They’re Old, But At Least They’re Hurt. Lance Berkman He has just 75 at-bat this year because he’s been out the last two months after knee surgery, and that was following a previous stay on the DL for a calf injury. There will be serious concerns that his 36-year-old body can’t take it any more. Aubrey Huff Similarly, Huff is 35 years old and has only has 61 at-bats this year (and is hitting just .148) because of several DL stints which include an anxiety disorder and knee tendonitis. Carlos Pena Ok, he’s not hurt, but he’s hitting .193, so who could tell? He's also 35 years old and still can’t hit left-handers. Like the others, he’s worth a flyer, but who would rely on him for more than that? Bad, But Bad In A Youngish Way Casey Kotchman He’s just 30 years old, but he has never hit more than 12 home runs in his career, is struggling against left-handers and is hitting just .223. James Loney He’s the reason the Dodgers were talking to the Twins about Morneau at the deadline. He’s hitting .257 with two home runs. Two As in two more than I have hitting for the Dodgers this year. The only thing he has going for him is that he’s only 28 years old. They’re Old. They Also Don’t Start. Ty Wigginton All you need to know about the 35-year-old Wigginton is that the only way he’s available is if the Phils DON’T pick up a $4M option on him. That should clarify his value. Eric Hinske Yes, I’m talking about the 35-year-old bench player for the Braves for the lat 3 years. He has not seen 400 at-bats from a team since 2005. Winner: Justin Morneau Morneau, by comparison, is 31 years old, hitting .275 and has 15 home runs. Those numbers don’t justify a $14M salary next year. And if he was a free agent, he would not garner any offers for that kind of money annually. However, he is also the class of that list. If Morneau was a free agent, right now it looks like a two-year deal (for maybe $16M?) would not be out of the question. A three-year deal might be in play. If he and his agent insisted on a one-year deal (to increase his value for another run at free agency), a $9-10M deal might not be out of the question. But more important than the numbers is simply supply and demand. This offseason, the supply of first basemen who can be a middle-of-the-order presence for a competitive team is limited. In fact, it could be just Morneau. If Terry Ryan decides he is willing to trade Morneau – either to make room for Parmelee or to free up $14M in cash – there sure should be some desperate teams out there.

Aaron and John talk about dumping Danny Valencia, bringing back Tsuyoshi Nishioka, what the trade deadline inactivity means, what can be done about the Twins' medical staff, John's new motorcycle, Alex Wimmers' elbow surgery, and a report about Miguel Sano and the Beloit prospects from special guest Seth Stohs. Here are: the podcasts the rss feed if you want to subscribe and the podcast on iTunes.

Aaron and John talk about dumping Danny Valencia, bringing back Tsuyoshi Nishioka, what the trade deadline inactivity means, what can be done about the Twins' medical staff, John's new motorcycle, Alex Wimmers' elbow surgery, and a report about Miguel Sano and the Beloit prospects from special guest Seth Stohs. Here are: the podcasts the rss feed if you want to subscribe and the podcast on iTunes.

How about Duluth?

I'm really enjoying these updates. I'm looking forward to hearing about Elizabethton.

I'll give an iPad tip. If you plan on using it o post on the forum or blog, there are some great protective cases that double as keyboards. Having a keyboard has changed how I use the ipad. Also, don't worry about being ripped a new one. We're definitely moving towards more civility. Finally, welcome. We're happy to have you here whether you blog, post, comment or just read.