Squirrel

fyi ... here's a link to the Jeff Passan article, which is behind a paywall, but you can read a couple paragraphs before you can't, unless you are subscribed. https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/32612663/why-mlb-seems-headed-lockout-how-thatll-create-free-agent-frenzy

I like when you ask what they like to do in their free time. in this interview, I liked hearing about being shut down this season with his shoulder and how he heard weekly from various Twins personnel to discuss his progress and how informed he was what they were doing with him and why, for the longevity of his career and how much he seemed to appreciate how invested they were in him, I liked hearing that he finished his degree. im not sure what else I’d want to know as you are pretty thorough on these. Maybe ask, ‘If you weren’t doing baseball what would you pursue career wise?’

Heh, in my line of work, I more or less give the same advice. I work in a very specific field that is hard to get into and up the ladder, so when I speak to college students I tell them to get experience any way they can, even if they have to create it themselves. I also tell them what courses to take that would be specifically beneficial.

Another great spotlight episode … and no mute issues! ?

The debate is concluded. Please read and submit your vote. The thread is now open to public comments. I want to thank both participants for being the guinea pigs in our new site feature ... they did a tremendous job! Please give both a virtual round of applause! ??? Look for new debates to start soon ... "Mauer vs Puckett: Who was better?" and "Strong lineup vs strong rotation: Which is more important?". If you want to be a debate participant or have topics to suggest, please PM @Otto von Ballpark or @Squirrel.

The first H2H debate is now live ... opening statements tonight, Poster A will submit a rebuttal post tomorrow, Poster B on Tuesday, Poster A again on Wednesday, Poster B on Thursday; then both will give a closing statement on Friday. Each of the posts will go live (approx) the same time each evening ... then on Saturday, we will open the debate up for voting. Hoping to get the next one started next week ... so ... if you are so inclined ... we await your PM saying you want a go at it

I go back and forth on this and what Brock is trying to say. There have been a lot of fun seasons in the years he mentions ... and then great disappointment in the post season. I mean, I get that the goal is to win it all ... but only one team can do that. And there are a lot of reasons why many teams, not just the Twins, are not that one, but that would be worthy of another thread. I think what some are saying is that the disappointment outweighs any fun we had to get there. That is certainly a valid point to make that allows an opinion contrary to Brock's statements; and that is something we can either agree or disagree with all day long. If you remove the post-season play from the equation, we had some great, fun seasons. Yes, it's gotten to the point where the disappointment becomes the focus, but it isn't the whole story, at least not for me. It makes it difficult since that's where things end, on the disappointment, and we all tend to carry that forward and forget what got us there. For me, personally, I've always tempered my expectations with the mantra "It's just a game." That works for me ... and I'm not suggesting that anyone else follow my lead on that ... but that's what I do. I can enjoy or not enjoy each and every individual game. They either add up to a more fun or less fun season. And then I regard the post-season as something else. I don't know ... but compartmentalizing sports like this still allows me to enjoy the sport ... most of the time. What irks me the most isn't the conversations of post-season disappointment, because that I get, whether or not that is my personal view. But what irks me the most is all the bemoaning some do each and every game from game 1 of a new season. It makes trying to watch a game very unpleasant when I'm just trying to take a 'each day is new' approach to get through the season and enjoy that one game, one game at a time.

Found this to be very interesting ... in a good way

You don't have to get it through emails ... mine come through notifications on the site, not emails ... check your settings. I believe you can change follows to be received through site notifications not emails

Did you check 'follow'? You have that option with most everything ... any threads or clubs

The paring down continues ... this was one that maybe could have gone either way, so I'm not exactly surprised or, really anything ... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/twins-decline-mutual-option-on-alex-colome.html

We have a thread every year to post news and tidbits about happenings and signings around the game. If the news is 'big', feel free to start a separate thread. Not everything needs to go here, but, consider this thread a collective. I'll start with this news bit:

Seth ... again with the mute? Are you doing that on purpose now as your 'schtick'? Wow ... what a great kid! So fun, enthusiastic, he's going to be a great team guy. And the personality to be my favorite player when he makes it.

Seth ... don't forget to unmute tonight ...

That was really funny

Lol ... 'Jack Morris everyone, we'll be back with Martha Stewart ..'

I've been suggesting this for a couple years now. I think trading Arraez makes the most sense, both in making room for Miranda and for potential return value. But, like what mikelink45 said above, it depends on the return.

Wow. He’s lucky that didn’t break his jaw. Glad he’s ok except for a few stitches

Debate topic: Strike zone wars! Robo Umps vs Human Umps Send an email to either @Squirrel or @Otto von Ballpark if you interested in debating either side of this.

Ugh!

Debate topic: Building a strong lineup vs building a strong pitching staff - which is more important? Follow the progress of the debate as our debaters try to persuade you of which is more important. At the debate's conclusion, watch for a post-debate poll and this thread will be opened for public comment. Enjoy, and good luck debaters! Thanks to both of our participants for this round: H2H Debater A: @Vanimal46 H2H Debater B: @Danchat The poll is now closed, but the thread will remain open for further discussion.

Debate topic: Who was the better player: Kirby Puckett or Joe Mauer? Thanks to both of our participants for this round: H2H Debater A: @jharaldson H2H Debater B: @Brock Beauchamp The thread is now open so anyone can join in the debate.

No, Polanco was a starter at that AS game ... he was voted in by fans, not players and coaches See above. Polanco was voted in by fans, not players and coaches

If you have a particular baseball/Twins topic you would like to see debated, please post your suggestions here. You may also send a PM to @Squirrel or @Otto von Ballpark. Definitely send us a PM if you want to take one of the sides of your suggested topic to keep it anonymous. As we get suggestions and/or get debates lined up, we will post the threads and hopefully assign a start date.