Loosey

Bad hitter he may be, but he is a better hitter than Casilla, Nishioka, etc.

I apologize. I see this was brought up just a few days ago.. Can I delete my post on here somehow as not to look like I'm hijacking somene elses ideas?

I'm sure this has been discussed in a thread before but I haven't seen one out there on this subject so I thought I would bring it up. Going into next season the Twins obviously have a lot of needs to make them a competitive team. While watching a game the other day I heard it mentioned that Gardy is trying to get Mastroainni into every game if possible. However, the complications with this is the Twins current outfield is pretty much set with Revere, Span and Willingham and the outfield is the one area of need the Twins don't need to address in the Minor league system at this time. However the Twins have needs at both the Major League level and in the Minors for middle infield help. At this point in the season I think it is clear the Twins are going to move on without Casilla after the season, Nishioka is pretty much done as Twin and Carroll has 1 season left and has been great but lacks a bat that scares anyone. Add to that the fact Dozier is back in AAA and Florimon hasn't even played a game yet and I think Mastroianni deserves a shot at 2nd base. He seems to have the qualities of a good second baseman, high on base percentage, speed, hustle and seems to have occasional power. He's played an inning this year at 2B, and has played a little bit in the minors. What would be a reason to not try him there as a long-term option? What does everyone else think about this and do you think it is even a possibility that the Twins would try it?

I think the injustice that everyone is trying to describe is the fact that the Twins signed Mauer to a 23M/year contract for him to help the team win baseball games. They didn't just sign him to have be a good player on a mediocre or worse club. It makes no sense to spend that kind of money if you aren't in it for the long haul and to spend money on guys around him, otherwise he is basically an expensive trophy wife the team parades out there. It's an injustice to him, the fans, and other teammates.

C-Dog - I am also an analytical type and don't like to use "seems" and "feels" but like you said this post was meant to talk about a "feeling" I haven't had in a while. And it is a good feeling isn't it. J-Dog - As good as Parmalee has been as of late, I don't think the Twins should trade Morneau unless it is for a premium starting pitcher. I think Morneau is turning a corner and could be regaining his 06-09 form. I wouldn't want to give that up for anything less than a #1 starter.

I read an article on this earlier today. It said they tried to trade him but had no interest. The Giants then claimed him off waivers but offered nothing. The Royals would owe in 2.5M next year and have somebody who is a lefty specialist who happens to be able to get righties out as well and the Royal's GM said that is something that Mijares couldn't do so they rid themselves of him. Still very strange they just gave him away and got nothing in return.

I don't think I can even name 1 player on the Houston Astros today. . . . Checking Roster . . . . And the only players I recognize are on their DL. I'm impressed they've won 4 out of 34.

Do you ever get a strange feeling, and you can't put your finger on what it is? Well lately I've had a strange feeling every time on I turn on the Twins game. It's a feeling I haven't had in a while, what is that feeling you ask? Well, it started on Friday night. I turned on the game and I thought to myself, I think the Twins are going to win. Then it happened again on Saturday, then Sunday and then once again tonight. I don't know why, and it is an unfamiliar feeling. Maybe it has to do with the fact that during the summer months the Twins have a winning record. Maybe it's because I think the Twins actually believe they are going to win everytime they step onto the field. Whatever it is I like it. It's a feeling I haven't felt in two years. I actually think the Twins are going to win. After tonight's game I have a renewed faith in this team. No, I don't think they are going to go on to some magical run and make the playoffs, but I think the future is beginning to look a little bit brighter for this team. The offense which was touted as being able to score runs going into the season is coming around and actually starting to look stronger heading into the last third of the season. The entire lineup is under the team's control going into next season and some salaries are coming off the books next season. I hope the Front Office is starting to feel this same feeling I am having and are beginning to butter up the Pohlad's for some extra cash to spend this offseason. Assuming no major trades are made involving the lineup this offseason, I believe this lineup along with some quality starting pitching can contend in the Central. One top of the rotation starter and middle of the rotation guy instantly brings respectability back to this club. Two new arms, Diamond, Gibson, and rounding out the 5th starter spot with Blackburn or Deduno doesn't looks that bad. Yeah, something definately feels different.

Do you ever get a strange feeling, and you can't put your finger on what it is? Well lately I've had a strange feeling every time on I turn on the Twins game. It's a feeling I haven't had in a while, what is that feeling you ask? Well, it started on Friday night. I turned on the game and I thought to myself, I think the Twins are going to win. Then it happened again on Saturday, then Sunday and then once again tonight. I don't know why, and it is an unfamiliar feeling. Maybe it has to do with the fact that during the summer months the Twins have a winning record. Maybe it's because I think the Twins actually believe they are going to win everytime they step onto the field. Whatever it is I like it. It's a feeling I haven't felt in two years. I actually think the Twins are going to win. After tonight's game I have a renewed faith in this team. No, I don't think they are going to go on to some magical run and make the playoffs, but I think the future is beginning to look a little bit brighter for this team. The offense which was touted as being able to score runs going into the season is coming around and actually starting to look stronger heading into the last third of the season. The entire lineup is under the team's control going into next season and some salaries are coming off the books next season. I hope the Front Office is starting to feel this same feeling I am having and are beginning to butter up the Pohlad's for some extra cash to spend this offseason. Assuming no major trades are made involving the lineup this offseason, I believe this lineup along with some quality starting pitching can contend in the Central. One top of the rotation starter and middle of the rotation guy instantly brings respectability back to this club. Two new arms, Diamond, Gibson, and rounding out the 5th starter spot with Blackburn or Deduno doesn't looks that bad. Yeah, something definately feels different.

Could the Twins be in 3rd place by the end of the week? Possibly. The Twins are currently only 3 games behind the Indians who are in a complete tailspin right now with the upcoming series between the two teams we might see some shifting in the middle of the AL Central. Personally, I think a finish in 3rd place in the division is quite a feat for this team if you remember how they started. On May 27th the Twins were 15-32 (17 games under .500). Today August 6th, they are 47-61 (14 games under .500). Over their last 61 games or 56% of the games they have played this season Twins are playing .524 baseball (32-29). So really how bad is this season's team? The record of 47-61 is terrible, but the first 2 months of the season were historically bad. If they were playing at the their current 61 game clip over the entire 108 games this season this team's record would be 57-51, good enough for 2.5 games out of first place. Where could the Twins end the season at? Using their currect full season record extrapolated 162 games the Twins projected record would be 71-91. But this post is meant to put a positive twist on things, so I'll do just that. Making the assumption of a continued .524 winning percentage the rest of the way the Twins projected record will be 75-87. If the Twins finish this season just 12 games under .500 I would say that is where most knowledgable fans and experts would put them to start the season and quite a ways away from the 100 loss season many were suggesting in Mid-May. What are your thoughts on the season if this is actually how it ends?

I may be in the minority here but why is everyone in such a rush to dump Morneau? I think he is still has a a few pretty good seasons left in tank. Personally I think he hitting issues have been mental and it appears that things are starting to "make sense" again to him. If he does get back to the 3/4 of the old Morneau don't trade him. Use him to build your team. It's only been two seasons of losing baseball and I'm already sick of it. Anytime someone starts to play well we assume it will fix everything if the Twins trade them for a prospect. I would rather hold on to who we have if they are playing well. The Twins offense in my opinion is good enough to be a contender, and with an improving Morneau will get better. Now in the offseason if the FO can make 2-3 solid moves to improve the pitching staff I honestly think the team can start to compete in the Central. Plus, After next year, Morneau will not be getting a raise from his $14M salary when he hits free agency. He hasn't been the MVP player he was from 06-09, and he is one bumped head away from ending his career. Keep him and build the pitching staff back to respectable.

I agree with you in theory, but in actuality what sort of return would Burton bring? He's a bullpen arm having a career season with a history of injuries. I'd rather keep the solid bullpen arm than take a middling double A reliever they'd get in return.

Not that backdating the injury a few days matters much, but the fact that the Twins announced today they believed Plouffe would be back in the lineup and then put him on the DL scares me. How can a medical staff have a guy who has been injured for a week, then think he will play today only to DL him? This is a recurring theme, Player gets dinged up, Training staff says, "should miss a game or two", Player misses a week of games, Then player is put on the DL retroactive to the day he was injured. Something is amiss. . .

The

I honestly think he is turning a corner here. He isn't hitting for much power but we are seeing the average begin to climb and hopefully with that his confidence and power will come back as well. He is only 31 years old. I wouldn't trade him this season because I don't think the Twins will get a return that will help the team. Next year however if he continues to improve and we see a guy with 15-20 HR's and a .280+ average I think the Twins could net a big return OR could re sign him to a deal that would be much less than his current one due to the concussion concerns. That's my take.

Here is my beef with the Twins cutting payroll and then eventually making claims that payroll has to be cut because of declining attendance: Terry Ryan and the Pohlads are businessmen and should have a basic understanding of business. If they think of the payroll and players as investments instead of an expense they would be more willing to "invest" in player salaries. But instead they seem to chase their tails and reduce payroll when the money coming in slows down. The way to bring back the revenue streams is to invest in good players. Just my thought on this.

My point exactly. I was pointing out how someone was comparing Hardy's numbers this year to Doumit's and essentially saying Hardy is no good. Hardy's numbers, while not All-Star caliber, are very good for a shortstop and I would take him back in a heartbeat.

Put Doumit's line in place of any shortstop that has played here recently and I think we would all be very pleased. (.253/.313/.405) with 6 HR's. If that were Dozier's line the Twins would be ecstatic. For a shortstop that line is very quality in my opinion.

I mentioned this in another post, but if the Twins are to move Morneau or Willingham or even Capps for middling minor leaguers I fully expect their opened up salary to be spent on at least one high end free agent. That would free up $20M+. I think a high end talent could be had for $20M. But I doubt it will happen. The Twins will load up on 4 aging Jason Marquis/Rondell White type players and pay them $5M each only to have them be out of the rotation/lineup by June. That's the "Twins Way".

Trading away everyday players for spare parts is not how you rebuild a team. Cole and Taillon are untouchable for the assets we are willing to trade. IF the Twins trade Morneau or Willingham or both it should be for extremely high upside talent that will be in the majors shortly. Also, if those two are traded I would fully expect the Twins to use the freed up salary on a high end free agent in the offseason. If they are traded and their freed up salary is not used, then I will believe this team is not playing to win and is going into cash hoarding mode and things will begin to look a lot like the mid to late 90's.

I disagree with trading either of these guys. First of all they have team friendly contracts at this point. Secondly, they are relief pitchers. Teams rarely give up high-end prospects for a releif pitcher due to the notion that they can find good arms somewhere without giving up much if anything. The only team that I can recall giving up a good prospect for a reliever is the Twins trading Ramos for Capps. I have mentioned this before, do not trade away your best assets for wild card B-level prospects. When you have a proven commodity in Perkins and Burton who are relatively young and assumingly have quite few years of success ahead of them why trade them for unknowns. The team will be better in the long term with these two guys than without them.

My problem with selling is that often the Twins just sell to sell. Use the Denard Span trade talk for example, why trade a very good leadoff hitter and Center Fielder who is under contract for two more seasons and is still young and very much a part of this team's future for some mid-tier prospects they are likely to get in return. The only way the Twins should trade a guy like Span is if his replacement is ready to at the Major League level, and at this point that guy is not ready.

My concern is: Has he changed his release point on purpose or is he so inconsistent that this happens to be where his release point is right now and it could be somewhere completely different by his next start?

As we all know the Twins start to the season was abysmal. However, as of late the starting pitching has steadied and the offense has shown flashes of scoring in bunches. They are now winning series and are 7-3 in their last 10. So my question is down the stretch which team does everyone expect to see, the early season team that couldn't win a game or the current team that is plodding along winning series putting up a respectable record?

They showed a stat during the game last night. He batted something like .290 during his first 7 games, then .130 during his next 10 or so, but over the last 8 he has hit .350 (all approximations). He is a rookie and will be inconsistent. I say keep him up here and let him sink or swim.