Ultima Ratio

If we seriously reflect for a moment, should we expect Clete to improve, perform as he has been, or worsen? I think we're seeing the base line, but maybe some marginal improvement.

When we hit like this I think to myself, "are we this bad or is the pitcher really this good?" In the final analysis, we make pitchers much better than they are, and too often.

I think you are correct about the culture and expectation of winning, that we have a good chance to win every game we play, even when it's late and we're down. You can't teach this, but it pays dividends.

I use the term apologist as a defender, as in Plato's "Apology" -- The trial of Socrates and his defense. If you think this is insulting, it is not. I don't know why you feel attacked. Perhaps you don't take others' arguments well in stride, taking disagreements personally and writing sarcastic and snarky comments to get back them for not seeing things as you do. This is a petty exercise. You charge me with (further) demonstrating that Nishioka is worth 3million/year, Cuddyer's 24 million/3year contract was a great deal for Cuddy, no so much the Twins, that Capps has pitched below expectations of a setup/closer making 5 million/year? It isn't a question of whether Mauer or anyone above make too much money, it's a matter of not performing at the level the market valued your production to be when you signed the contract. Do you think there's ever been a bad contract (for the team, I mean)? I suggest that Nick Punto was overpaid for his production on his 2 year/8 million contract. I also submit that Mauer is thus far being overpaid for his performance. I given the numbers several other places. Mauer's career/season OPS+ is between David Wright and David Ortiz... they are both making 14-15 million/year. Someone else gave Jaun Pierre's season stats lines and they were very similar to Mauer's. He does catch and is the fan favorite, yours too I'd guess. So this may increase the salary, but not to the level that he's producing. The point I'm making (demonstrating, very well thank you) is that there have been several other players who've not performed commensurate with their pay. Is this something you wish to argue? I don't find that controversial at all. Last, separate paragraphs indicate separate topics (usually) and this is true for my separation. The point here is that some sports franchises noted for winning and getting good results from players -- and their fans -- hold their players accountable, such that when they are not performing to a level commensurate with their pay or the internal expectations of the team for each player at each position no matter who it is.... they are roundly critiqued, and correctly so. So, if you think Mauer is has performed at a level that is commensurate with his pay and beyond critique, by all means shout it from every hilltop, just don't misrepresent or insult your detractors.

You nailed it John. Insightful analysis. The apologists need to understand that the frustration and criticism with Mauer is not unique nor personal. Capps underperforms for the money, Nishioka the same, Cuddyer for years was criticized for having a great contract year, then underperformed and was hurt during most of those big pay years. These players and more have been understandably and correctly criticized for failing to live up to the expectations of their contract. Heck, I'm sympathetic with Yankee fans who begrudge the Pavano contract with the evil empire. None of this is controversial, mean-spirited, or out of place. Of course, health problems and their impact on performance and living up to a contract cannot be known with certainty at the contract's inception, but when healthy and a player still underperforms commensurate with his contract, then criticism is not only natural, it's deserved -- as is a substantial measure for the front office. Living in Pittsburgh, you hear the Steelers philosophy which is part of the team, corporate and fan culture of Steeler nation: The bar is where the bar is. If a guy get's hurt, his replacement is expected to play at the same level as the starter, who was expected to play at or above expectations. It's all about accountability, setting the bar high and demanding it be met no matter who is in the game. It's amazing how different the fans, team and players hold themselves and their team accountable. Amazingly, the Steelers get results.

Haha... that would certainly would be more comfortable... haha!

Only 4 of the 5 runs were earned... to be fair to the mustache. Although another start without a quality start. Ugh.

What would question my fandom???? A: A wildly attractive woman wearing a White Sox jersey, rubbing on my leg. I'd question my allegiances for some moments... then snap out of it.

At least the Royals are next. We can take one game hopefully, but not getting my hopes up.

I'm pulling for everybody! However unlikely, all we fans want is wins.

Agreed in toto.

Recovering from concussion symptoms, they are not going to send Morneau into a possible collision or vigorous slide at the plate.

Hi everybody! Quality start update: 3/19 With Swarzak pitching now, who's making the start in place of Liriano?

The real caveat with griping the 23 million/year instead of the 15 million that he's producing is this: Only if the front office would take the 8 million/year and purchase quality pitching with is it worth an overall argument of scarce resources and efficiently utilizing that money to produce wins. That's the bottom line: wins. So, if the front office would not take the 8 million and put it to use, then I could care less if that's what Mauer makes, because it's not helping or hurting the team. You could payer Mauer 90million and have the rest of the team make up the 10 million this season and I'd bet we would still get 5 wins thus far. Am I wrong?

Matt Holiday is making 15million/year and has a better career (162 games total average) OPS than Mauer and much higher RBI. If you look at adjusted OPS+, you'll find he's between David Wright and David Ortiz, both making 14-15million/year. This is what Mauer is worth on the field, roughly. Is there an off the field dollar amount, sure, but let's at least parse the two separately, but there's also an off the field number or Ortiz, Holiday and Wright, no?

This is why you move Mauer to the 2-hole --- he's a very (too) patient single/doubles hitter who get OB a lot, but not an RBI guy. This also gets our best hitter more ABs. Why not make this move? B/c Grady likes a "balanced" lineup? B/C it's an admission of weakness, that you're "supposed" to have your best hitter in the 3-hole? Vs. RHP VS. LHP (changes) Span Mauer Willingham Morneau (1B) Doumit (DH) Valencia Parmellee (RF) Plouffe (RF) Carroll Casilla

This is a nice blog entry. I too am in it for the ride, though I think you can have the glory too. You build a team to be competitive year in and year out -- to get you into the playoffs -- but you also must make additions to help succeed in the playoffs. This is doable in my humble opinion and that is what frustrates me the most about this organization; well, until now when they are just horrible or playing well, but well below what they're begin paid to do. Keep 'em coming!

Good effort turning the 1-6-3 DP. Too bad we couldn't get it. Oh well, we tried super hard and that's what counts.

Mauer down 0-2 in the count... again. And then Ks. Yeeeehawww!

Of all starts, we've gotten a quality start only 16% of the time so far this season. That's one quality start every six games. Until you fix that, it doesn't matter so much what the offense does. Buy hey, at least we win at a hight % than we are getting quality starts, right!

Bwahaha! Thanks for the levity!

I am pleasantly surprised with Gray's performance thus far as well... not super impressed but impressed given the expectations. Genuinely

Humility is a virtue, but so is honesty.

Bottom 1st: Twins have the bases loaded, one run on the board, and only one out. In any other year beside last and this year, do you bet the opposing pitcher gets a quality start? Says everything about the offense really, and that's the bright part of this team. Still smiling!

Dear Joe Mauer, For the love of cheerios, swing at the first pitch, grooved at 89 mph right down the meat of the plate, once in a while -- this will keep opposing pitcher's off balance in their pitching approach which helps your overall batting approach. Sincerely, Uninformed observer