ewen21

if Sano is Eskimo then why can't hit in April?

Hey I get it. Don't look at the hole in the donut.,....look at the WHOLE donut

I hated the Perkins extension

Max seems like a player who has the ability to take coaching and effectively make adjustments.

Guys, it isn't about the WHY. Forget the why. Only Joe can tell us why he takes this approach. It is about what the approach yields for the Twins in these situations. I am not slamming the guy, but I do bristle at the notion that what I have said can be classified as "mythology".

Edit feature isn't showing up so I cut and past this to correct something. Note the underlined is what I meant. Is it complaining to say the guy has done very little in these situations since his contract kicked in? Here are the numbers for Joe in Close and Late situations during that time: PA--614 AB--508 H----130 2B----24 3B-----1 HR---10 RBI---61 AVG--.255 SLG--.369 I would also like to add this as a comparison. Here he is in close and late situations from 2004 to 2010 (from the age of 21 to 27) PA--582 AB--464 H----142 2B----22 3B-----2 HR---16 RBI---85 AVG--.307 SLG--.433 Note how much more he slugged, how many more home runs he hit, how many more runs he drove in and this was done in 32 fewer plate appearances. No one was saying much about Joe taking too many strikes back during this period because he just WASN'T taking as many strikes. He was on those pitches a lot more than has been since the ink dried on the contract.

Why are we relying so heavily on RISP? There are plenty of situations where it is garbage time, or tack on runs, or times where we are down by six or eight runs, etc. Let's get into why he never was much for late inning dramatics. This is what we are talking about here. Joe Mauer in close and late situations: https://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/split_stats.cgi?full=1&params=clutc%7CLate%20%26%20Close%7Cmauerjo01%7Cbat%7CAB%7C Is it complaining to say the guy has done very little in these situations since Target Field opened? Here are the numbers for Joe in Close and Late situations during that time: PA--614 AB--508 H----130 2B----24 3B-----1 HR---10 RBI---61 AVG--.255 SLG--.369 Feel free to check my math. I have had a long day, but honestly, I really don't see why I even needed to go this route and put the numbers out there. We all watch the games. Simple observation should show anyone here the guy looks for walks these situations. Is it such a leap to say he lets tons of hittable pitches go by? It has been such a prevailing theme that it has made me wonder why he doesn't seem to have a "happy zone" or a specific pitch that he is looking to drive. The approach he takes makes no sense if we are talking about a player being considered for Cooperstown. This approach is why he doesn't have many big late inning hits in close games that we can refer to. It is as simple at this for me: Since 2011 the guy changed. That was when he was just 28 years old and it was before the concussion. Watching him play over the last seven seasons don't feel like I am watching greatness. Sorry, I just don't. Especially when we are talking about this topic right here. I have struggled through too many Mauer at bats over the last seven years in these situations to be just blowing smoke. The numbers don't lie and they reflect an approach that is passive to a fault when his team most needs him to HIT (not walk). Here's hoping he gets some memorable hits over the course of this season. Up until last year the dude had ONE walk off hit. That was in 2007 against Oakland. It took him ten seasons to get another one. That is just odd for a hitter of his caliber. Then again, it really isn't if you watch the guy's approach when the money is on the table. Rather than dig in and be the man he looks to set the table (when the table is already set).

Even Joey Votto, who also gets criticized for watching too many pitches go by doesn't get as stiff as Mauer does with RISP. He has walked 365 times in his career with RISP, less 133 IBB that = 232 walks. With no one on he has walked 470 times (more than twice that amount). Mauer, on the other hand, has walked 403 times with RISP, less 140 IBB that = 363 walks with RISP. With no one on? Mauer just 349 times. Even with the intentional passes subtracted out, Mauer has walked more with RISP than he has with no one on. How is that even possible? It is pretty easy to see that Joe becomes way more selective with RISP than he should. He was paid to be the franchise player it was incumbent upon him to carry more of that weight. Like you say he seems content to just unhook the shin guard and trot down to first and consider it a success. For a contrast, Miguel Cabrera:

I would agree with the underlined. I also looked at how much more often he walks with RISP than he does with no one on base. When you compare him to say....Miguel Cabrera, a guy who people DEFINITELY pitched around he walks way WAY more with RISP. I just don't see a whole lot of "Joe Mauer Moments" on his resume. He had that walk off HR last season and his only other walk-off hit up until then was against Oakland in 2007. My main issue with Joe is in big situations I see him standing in the box watching fat pitches sail on by way too often. I wouldn't call that a myth

Grrr!

We are not getting him into the HOF. IT will be the Baseball Writers' Association of America, not people from Minnesota (or Twins fans) who love Joe Mauer.

I compared the numbers from what these players did at the catcher position. Those are just facts and those numbers will be reviewed in the process. Not reaching or complaining, nor am I interested in any back and forth. I will simply say this and move forward,.... Why are we pushing Joe out there for three more years given he suffered post-traumatic effects from a brain injury for three seasons? Someone that has suffered a traumatic brain injury needn't be playing professional sports into their late 30s. The guy has a family to think of and he has all the money he could ever need. If we are talking about his future does this not involve his future beyond baseball? Or do we need to push him out there for a few more seasons just so he can hit numbers?

Hits AS A CATCHER with (home runs and RBI at that position): Bench:1,464 (327, 1,184) Piazza: 1,906 (396, 1,205) Fisk: 2,145 (351, 1,197) Berra: 1,756 (291, 1,256) How about this guy? Simmons: 1,908 (195, 1,062) AS A CATCHER Mauer: 1,118 (91, 514) If we are going to compare Mauer to other catchers then it necessitates a comparison to those other catchers based on what they did at the catcher's position. It's only right if we are going to compare him to those players. The writer's with voting credentials will most certainly discuss and review those numbers. It will matter

I would agree.

He rounded down

YOu know what? I told some of my friends that Gibson may very well turn in a season like Carl Pavano did in 2010. One of those out of the blue seasons a pitcher has during his career where things click. I almost regret saying that already. Gibson looks like one of those guys who simply cannot visualize success. Give him an 8-1 lead and he just goes stage five mental. He had a win handed to him in a bow and he couldn't manage the game. Very VERY disappointing outing. I know it is early, but as I was going home from work and heard the lead dwindle it sounded like the same old song I have heard a hundred times with this guy, How can you have faith him? I tried to. He just won't let me

Sorry, but bunting is only just a quick fix. If Logan Morrison resorts to bunting every few games then he has been effectively neutralized. What he needs to do is go against the shift every so often. Develop an opposite field swing. It is like he is the exact opposite of Mauer in the way they are shifted. Are we left to hope that opposing teams have a mental lapse and give Morrison Mauer's shift? He's going to need to adapt

Worse than Buxton? Buxton had a hard time just making contact. After ten games last year Buxton was hitting .081 and had 20 Ks in 37 at bats. I can't recall a position player ever looking worse than he did those first 10 games last year. He was downright scary

When Gardy brought in Guerrier to face A-Rod with the bases loaded in 2009 I think I never hated him more. I hated him because I knew what was going to happen. I actually went downstairs to get a beer and by the time I poured it into the glass and walked it up the stairs the bases were empty and the Yankees had scored four runs. I will say this about him. The guy has a genuine love for the game and he does a good job at the desk. Hard to say anything bad about the work he has done in front of the camera. I don't think there is anything phony about his baseball work.

This the classic case of what are we paying him for? Reward him for what he did vs. what he is going to be over the next several years. A lot fans seem to think of Dozier as a leader. What makes him a leader, I ask? Is it his personality? Is it what he says and what he does? I remember two seasons ago in spring training. I thought Dozier went out of his way to show everyone covering the team what a fun loving guy he was. During that camp, there were articles emphasizing what a fun loving group the Twins were and how much they laughed. Dozier seemed to be knee deep in this campaign. I recall they did a little profile on how Dozier and Escobar were "brothers" and in this little skit Dozier came off way too clownish for me. The whole piece seemed to be about how Dozier loved to bust Escobar's chops. It actually rubbed me the wrong way when he poked fun at Esco's accent. Dozier was quick to point out how he starts breaking Escobar's chops every day. To me it seemed like Dozier was trying to be something he really wasn't. Almost like he was trying to be Torii Hunter. There certainly were a group of "fun" guys on this team that spring and several players from this "core group", which included Plouffe, Hughes and Dozier tried to show everyone how they were bringing Byung Ho into their "inner circle" by inviting him over to watch the Bachelor. Look at how fun we are. Look at us building camaraderie! That was the pinnacle of ridiculousness for me. That whole spring training everything I heard about was how loose this bunch was and it all seemed so contrived. Then the season started and when things went sour Dozier got to be mopey. He did not run out a few grounders and he was just being strange. At one point, it was said Torii had a conversation with him about "being a leader". Then when we finally did win our first game in Houston, during the post game "celebration" he went to goof around with Escobar and Esco wanted no part of the silliness. He gave Dozier a very stiff cold shoulder. I will give Dozier full marks for turning things around that season and I will say that he has been a solid player for the last two and a half seasons. Can I say he will be THAT player next year and several seasons after that? Nope. And in fact, I would bet against it. When does a guy hit 32 years of age and then maintain a level of play they only just discovered a couple of years prior? Can someone site an example of a player with that type of career trajectory? I have watched baseball since the early 70s and I am coming up blank. Now, If someone wants to believe Dozier is one of those very rare individuals than who am I to even argue that? Historical data for players who hit that age (at every position) tells us otherwise so why even bother engaging in a debate? THis has nothing to do with hating on a player or thinking "negatively". It's about historical data and doing what is best for this organization. Statistically and numbers-wise, a 5+ year 100 million+ deal here is absolutely insane when you consider historical data and how players decline during their age 32 season. Especially when you consider how we have a couple of decent replacements who will remain cost controlled for a while. As far as Dozier and his "intangibles" are concerned I am not seeing it. This "face of the franchise" stuff really needs to end, in my opinion. Not just with Dozier, but in general. I remember in the early 2000s there was no such thing as "the face of the franchise' or "voice of the franchise" (as Cuddyer was labeled). During that era it was more about a group of guys pulling as one. No one seemed to be designated with any special tag. In the end, Dozier has been around through a lot of losing. I think that he has as many flaws as anyone and really isn't a guy who should be thought of as the "face of the Twins" (nor should anyone for that matter. Again, why that label?).. I question it. Especially when Molitor has to insist Dozier is comfortable at leadoff to a level where he cannot even explore the option of hitting him lower in the lineup in order to capitalize on his power makes me wonder. Why wouldn't Dozier step up and say, "I will bat wherever skip wants to put me. If he thinks I could be more valuable batting 6th so I could help this team score more runs then I am excited to do that" Dozier instead has been radio silent on that. He also made a jackass of himself last week with his comments on the Cisco bunt. Even before then, though......I couldn't go along with anyone who was saying Dozier's leadership is important to this team. As a matter of fact, if we cleared him out, maybe we could spend dollars in other areas to make a better team? Maybe a new and even better chemistry will emerge. Sorry to say, but Dozier reminds me of the old guard. He was a big Terry Ryan supporter and spoke quite a bit about how much Ryan meant to him after he was fired. So many little things Dozier has said and done that are head scratching to me.

It would be perfect to have a Redmond type backing him up. Dare I say, someone who can hit for a little average

It took about 18 hours for us to see the shoe on the other foot. Would be a great time to see Joe pull one into the right field corner and let out a triple

I was not concerned at all because he had a very low pitch count. He was underneath 90 pitches going into the 9th inning.

I read this post last night and was not sure what you meant about being upset. I know Dick reacted, but Bert quickly responded saying it was a good play by Cisco. I figured that was what you meant. I come to find out today that at least Dozier and Berrios spoke out against the play. I personally don't see the problem. IF they were up 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th and did that I could see it. Even then, though..... I can give Berrios a pass since he was pitching a shutout, he is young, etc. Dozier commenting on it the way he did doesn't come off well, in my opinion. He said: "I could’ve said something at 2nd base but they have tremendous veteran leadership over there." ​​From the Orioles perspective, what exactly are they supposed to do? Stop trying to win?? It's not like they were piling on. If facing a similar situation the Orioles faced yesterday, I sure hope this team doesn't decide...."Well, we are down 7 runs, let's pack it in. Gotta respect the game" I don't get it. Oh well Great outing by Berrios. I am GLAD my family did a get together Saturday instead of Sunday because I was able to watch this game without interruption. This makes up for missing that gem he pitched last May in Cleveland!

There were indications that he figured something out, but let me see him pull a Carl Pavano in 2010 trick and by mid June a Gibby outing just might be appointment TV. As it is now I remain wary. He was inches away from Blackburn country