theBOMisthebomb

If that happens, I will seriously consider cancelling my 20 game season ticket package. No thanks, hard pass on Sano returning to Minnesota.

I find it funny that Chris Carter's photo on BB Ref has him in a Twins hat even though he played zero regular season games for the Twins. I guess the Twins signed him in May 2018 from the Angels for cash.

The Twins caught plenty of criticism when they fired Paul Molitor. I recall not being happy with the move and considered it a raw deal for Molitor. These are employees who have signed contracts, not at will employees. I'm not sure what double standard you are seeing, it wasn't advocated by me. I am assuming the contracts have remedies for both parties when an employee quits early or an employer fires an employee midseason.

Wes Johnson flat out quit on the Twins midseason in the middle of a playoff spot chase. He wasn't fired. Heck, Wes didn't even give the standard 15 day notice that every other courteous worker bee gives to their employer. I'm not sure what you are getting at here.

Well, Rocco and the front office said all the right things just to not create controversy as I'm sure it wasn't worth the headache. I'm doubtful the Twins organization was pleased with Wes' decision as he really left them in a bind. I wonder if the tables were turned and the Twins dumped a good guy like Wes midseason and had to pay him nothing if your story would be the same? I'm guessing people would have been crying of how a heartless organization could leave a good man jobless. It's interesting how when the tables are turned few consider the impact on the business.

Yes, I've changed jobs and in general I don't think changing jobs makes someone a bad person. I said Wes should have received more criticism and blame for his actions. I called his actions unprofessional, bush league, and low class. You are failing to consider that Wes didn't just leave a standard 9-5 job with a paycheck that most of us are used to. I'm assuming he had a signed contract and had to breach that contract to leave the Twins midseason. I'm guessing the Twins simply let him walk because it wasn't worth the effort and possible bad publicity to enact any legal remedies that might have had in the contract with Wes. Again, I don't begrudge Wes taking twice as much money for half the effort and less stress much closer to home. Good for him. It doesn't mean I have to agree with what Wes did, leaving the Twins in a lurch midseason chasing a playoff spot. I never called Wes a bad person.

It was a low class move to leave in that fashion. I didn't say he didn't have the right to do it, I suppose it's a free country. The discussion was focused on where blame should have been placed and I believe that Wes deserved more heat for his actions.

The blame needs to get placed on Wes Johnson the person. It was unprofessional to leave midseason like that. True bush league move. I'm assuming Rocco and the Twins agreed to release him. What other reasonable choice did they have? I get that Wes was doubling his salary with less stress and travel. Still, he deserved a lot more heat and criticism for leaving the Twins in the cold in the middle of a division race.

I go to springtrainingcountdown.com a few times during the winter to keep myself motivated to make it through the cold, dark time of the year. Don't forget there are winter leagues starting soon to feed the baseball addiction. My personal favorite is the Australian Baseball League.

Just curious, how did he look very below average? I remember the bad throw and error at Oakland in 2021 to give away a game, that was at third base though. I think he went through a tough stretch around that same time in 2021 also in left field. What did you see very below average in 2022?

I can't really see the difference, it looks essentially the same to me. After seeing the side by sides and reading the headline, I thought this was Stu's Friday contribution.

The process of selecting the winner seems like a good combination of old school and new school, at least on the face of it. Seven coaches from each team vote and they also use the ABR Defensive Index (SDI). Voting Rules The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® represents overall fielding excellence, and it is not an award based solely on fielding metrics and statistics, nor does it factor in offensive production. Only the manager and six (6) coaches for each Major League Baseball team vote, for a total of seven (7) votes per team. Each person must sign the completed Ballot in order to be considered valid. Managers and coaches cannot vote for their own players and can only vote for players in their own League. Managers and coaches cast votes for players at particular positions, not in general terms; i.e. qualified LF instead of three general OF. Eligibility for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award closely follows qualification standards set forth in MLB Rule 10.22 (Minimum Standards for Individual Championships). Only players listed in the resource guide are eligible for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award at the specific position listed. For rules on player qualification for a particular position, please see the “Notes & Glossary” section of the resource guide. Qualified players are sorted in alphabetical order. The votes are confidential between Major League Baseball and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. SABR Defensive Index The SABR Defensive IndexTM (SDI) is a measure of the number of runs saved by a player's defensive performance over the course of a season, compared to the average defensive player at that position. The SDI combines measures from six (6) different defensive data sources and includes factors that rate the defenders arm strength and accuracy, range and his sure-handedness, along with the number of “excellent” and “poor” fielding plays he makes. The SDI also incorporates a rating for a player's ability to turn double plays (2B and SS), fielding bunts (primarily P, C, 3B, and 1B) and scoops of throws in the dirt (1B). For catchers, blocking balls in the dirt and stolen bases/ caught stealing are also included. For pitchers, the SDI includes his ability to hold runners on base and control the running game. A positive SDI number indicates that a player was above average compared to other players at his position this season. Conversely, a negative SDI number means the player performed below the league average at this position this season.

The "all prospects are suspects" saying really resonates.

The constant ad popups are annoying and neverending and cause some delays. Sometimes the automatically played videos on the page maximize and take over my entire screen involuntarily. Although the site doesn't crash as far as I can remember.

Cave hustles, so that warrants a tribute that he has earned respect? I'd say it points to how uncommon it is to see a guy hustle full time in today's game.

Those totals are for nearly two seasons. From the article, "Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022-23 free-agent class, including players with options and opt-outs after the 2022 season. Players are grouped by position and ranked by their FanGraphs' wins above replacement total across 2021-22 (as of Sept. 9)..."

Yes, I remember when the first player born in the 1970s (my decade of birth) hit MLB and it doesn't seem that long ago.

I was at CHS on Monday night and SWR looked deserving.

Yes, the no one over the age of 35 comment confused me as well. I think it should be under 35. I'd vote for Friends reruns over Night Court. Friends was much more popular and has a wider audience and appeal. I'm guessing many in the proper age group have forgotten Night Court.

I say to blame the Baseball Gods.

Then, Louie Varland on Thursday could throw a gem.

Jeez, show a little bit of class. The guy has worked his whole life to get to this point and just got his first MLB knock. Take the foot off the gas on the criticism for at least a day. If this is all he accomplishes for baseball in this life he is top of the class in the big picture. Hitting a home run in the majors is an accomplishment to be proud of.

Fair enough and not totally unwarranted critiques of Miranda and Arraez. While you do back it with some numbers, it just seems odd to point the finger or even mention those two as any part of the problem.

Three more games this season. Watching Ohtani and Trout on Friday and Saturday night. Then, playing hooky the last home game of the season. I don't understand the comments about bailing on attending games because they are now out of the race, etc. To each his/her own, I guess. For me, I enjoy the game itself, the sights and sounds of Target Field, and (hopefully) nice weather for outdoor baseball.

My buddy hawked beers pre-COVID at Target Field and used to make hundreds in tips at a busy game. NFL games were even more lucrative. They even used to get a bunch of vendors together and car pool over to Lambeau when they had the chance so the money was so good.