Curt

Buxton is 2 for 22... a few others who could have been "forked": 1951 Willie Mays started 10 for 50 with 2 homers. 1951 Mickey Mantle started 11 for 51 with 1 homer 2011 Mike Trout started 8 for 51 with 2 homers. Mays started 1 for 26.

When asked why he kept a four man rotation when the rest of baseball had switched to five, Earl Weaver responded, "It's easier to find four reliable pitchers than five." Twleve? Oh my. I'm with Earl.

Great discussion.. just a few things... "the leadoff hitter only leads off once per game." Rickey Henderson led off an inning 1.82 times per game when he batted first in the lineup. I don't know why that would be different for him vs any leadoff hitter.All other things being equal (they are not!), The first position in the batting order will get 144 more PAs than the ninth position, on average.Regardless of whether or not the first batter in the lineup actually leads off an inning. He is always up before the best hitters on the team (assuming your best hitters are 2-3-4). A high OBP there improves your chances to score

What? Carew's '77 season did not make the cut? Unbelievable.

Considering his 0 hr in 101 AB at Pittsburgh, he may have to rethink this.

This. Don't forget about Morneau. As disappointing as he was, he was the 2nd best hitter on the team. With M&M: .242/.312/.381 Without: .232/.302/.367 SP may be Twins' biggest problem but it is not the only one.

8th at Fort Meyers. It was his 18th of the season, overall.

I tried to listen to the game on the radio. I had to quit when I found there was no 30 second skip button.

I just watched Pelotero on Netflix last weekend. I enjoyed it very much. Good luck on the next one.

I hope RD is happy and lives a long and prosperous life. He is the only player I can say this about, "If he had never been a Twin, my life would have been better." Ouch. I recognize that is harsh, but Aaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

"It's easier to find four good pitchers than five." Earl Weaver on why he had a four man rotation rather than five, which all other teams had moved to.

Wow that is tedious. Here is a list: ESPN "Hall of 100"

Other tall outfielders... Dave Kingman 6'6" Corey Hart 6'6" Jayson Werth 6'5" (I thought I saw him listed at 6'6" somewhere but Baseball-Reference lists him shorter)

If I may take a stab at what John wants (realizing he had ample opportunity on the podcast and he is here commenting too), he wants some kind of criteria to say what makes a prospect an A versus B or B versus C. Something like this: A - Sure thing with All-star potential B - Likely long term regular C - Likely role player D - Likely hanger-on for a few years F - Possible cup of coffee

From Span's perspective, it would be hard to imagine a better outcome for him than this trade. I hope he does well.

Careful. It has been a long time but that sounds suspiciously like Dante's third circle of Hell.

Everyone needs pitching. It is a scarce commodity. It should come as no surprise that the price of mediocrity increases. It should come as no surprise that, if someone has the need and the money, they will spend what it takes. It should come as no surprise that low-bidders will lament the high cost when they are out-bid. "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here." "Your winnings sir." "Thank you very much."

One of my favorites is "Old aches and pains" Luke Appling. Gotta love that.

Nice handle bro!

Wow. He should start writing over here so we can read him more.

I believe what you say is true. They could do that but we would have to assume that aliens had taken over their bodies. If what the Twins say about payroll is true (I agree that this is propaganda with no evidence to support it) that would require investment. Investment is a gamble and the Twins are pretty conservative and risk averse. The stated payroll goals are based on the Twins' business strategy which, of course, may be completely idiotic or very sane but reflect their goals. There are many ways to operate a business. Some invest in the hope of expanding, others cultivate their current business, trying to maintain or improve slowly. We have decades of evidence on which way the Twins operate.

"I think it is safe to say that Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are really good hitters. Austin Jackson and Hunter will comprise two-thirds of the outfield with Andy Dirks, Brennan Boesch, and young Avisail Garcia. Alex Avila, Jhonny Peralta, and Danny Worth will round out a very strong lineup" Won't Victor Martinez also be back this year? While not Murderers' Row, it is a pretty impressive lineup on paper.

"The Twins have historically told the public that their model is to spend about 50% of revenues on their Major League payroll. That goes back all the way through the old Metrodome days when the team had one of the worst revenue streams in MLB and it has continued through the “boom” years of their new ballpark. If they hold to that model, only half of the “new money” from the media deal will see its way in to their payroll budget. But why should that be the case? What additional expenses come with that $25 million in additional revenue? Absolutely none. It is simply “found money” that comes with no strings attached" Exactly. There is no reason an increase in revenue should equate to an increase in operating expenses. I always thought that way with the new stadium revenue. Does it cost more to operate from the new stadium? I doubt it. But you have found the perfect example. There is NO WAY that getting additional TV money increases costs.

How do we know if a team's payroll is too high or too low? AFAIK, teams do not share their financial information with the public. None are publicly held, which would require disclosure. Not only do they not have to disclose the information, they do not have to be honest with what they do disclose. What we might need to know is how does the payroll affect these... 1. The long-term value of the franchise? News flash... Most of the money made in baseball is made when the franchise is sold. Calvin Griffith cried about losing money most years then retired to his ranch when he sold his burden to poor Carl Pohlad for $44 Million. Poor Carl's $44 Million investment was worth $510 Million the last time Forbes estimated it (which comes to 9.14% annualized for 28 years. The Yankees went from $8.8 Million when Steinbrenner bought them in '73 to $1.85 Billion in 2012, 14.7% annualized for 39 years!). 2. The franchise's short-term profit? Short-term profit might keep investors from having to hire younger, less-expensive yacht staff (which need to be trained) and might help long-term value (see above). Lack of short-term profit does not necessarily kill reason #1 (see above about Calvin). 3. Winning. This is important in so far as it helps the reasons stated above. But winning is not the only path to success. Just look at the Cubs (sold for $21M in 1981 and for $845M in 2009 or 14.1% annualized for 28 years). As fans we want our teams to win. Ownership just might have a slightly different take on it.

"Why would he ditch the organization that raised him, even if an extra million or two was being offered by another club?" Asked and answered. "an extra million or two." Who wouldn't? Is that not a lot of money? A player's time is short. It is really short for a 31 year old pitcher coming off TJ surgery. So often I read posts tinged with anger and/or disrespect for the player when they choose to leave. Where is the anger towards the club when his productivity falls and he is placed on waivers, cut or non-tendered? "He doesn't get to that ball in the hole anymore but maybe they should give him a couple of years because he has been so loyal to the organization?" Ha! You will never hear it. Players are contractors with a limited career span. How many contractors do you know, in your real life, that stay where they are when a better contract becomes available elsewhere? Teams constantly evaluate a player's price and worth. They have several replacements already training to take his spot when he loses a step and the cost/benefit changes. They use every bit of leverage they have. Why expect less from the player?