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nicksaviking

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Everything posted by nicksaviking

  1. nicksaviking
    I'd also guess that catcher is a unique position in that every level wants experienced catchers handling the developmental pitchers. He could be down there not because he needs to be held back but simply because he's good at calling games and a 19-year-old catcher may not be.
  2. nicksaviking
    I really feel that watching the documentary Bull Durham may be beneficial here, at least this part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8 His favorite players are Ken Griffey Jr and Mike Cameron? It seems a little funny as they were traded for each other. I like the BB/K numbers. The real test for those figures will be full season ball, though probably at least a level higher than the Midwest League. Promising start though and if he can limit the strikeouts while finding ways to get on base, he'd certainly be a revelation for the Twins. Edit: I removed the video and only copied the link as I can't recall if there are any naughty words uttered in that scene, I'd listen myself but I don't have my headphones at work.
  3. nicksaviking
    I think the Twins thought last year too, every year probably, however they didn't pay attention to the national trend, including what was happening on their own roster. The performances of the players corresponded nearly identical to their age. The younger players are just better these days, what they lack in seasoning, they more than make up for in speed, strength, reflex and velocity. There are plenty of bullpen options not named May that should be given spots on the 25-man, and May should bump one of the vets from the rotation. I don't think there is one thing more over-valued by this organization than experience at this time.
  4. nicksaviking
    I agree that May could easily pitch well enough to prove he should be in the rotation, perhaps even lead it, but a problem as I see it is how pitchers are used in spring training. Often starters pitch in later innings and relievers start games, if May is pitching well and Molitor is set on putting him in the pen, Molitor is just going to say, "see how well he's pitching in relief? We can't take him out now."
  5. nicksaviking
    *****Moderator Note****** Remember, if you feel a post or poster violating TD policy PM a moderator or report the post. Airing grievances or accusations inside the threads only derails the thread.
  6. nicksaviking
    In the two recent articles detailing the Twins and their swing mechanics I think Denard Span too could be listed as influenced greatly by the old philosophy. He's got as quiet of a swing as anyone and while it certainly has worked for him considering his career success, he has next to no power despite having a 6' 00" 210 lb frame. I always wondered if he could have been a 5 tool guy had he ever used his lower half to swing. Of course it's possible he could have been a complete flop as well.
  7. nicksaviking
    I went on vacation after Thanksgiving and missed this masterpiece. Another gem Parker, thanks for the read and insight.
  8. nicksaviking
    There have been many of us who have said they should be using as many young guys in the pen and in the rotation as possible. It's been almost four years since I've been posting on this site, but I finally added a sig.
  9. nicksaviking
    I don't understand the question.
  10. nicksaviking
    It reminds me of someone having to decide if they should pay a big repair bill or just buy a new car because they never bothered to get an oil change.
  11. nicksaviking
    I believe May is a big upgrade over the current options in the pen, however that's only because the Twins at this time haven't taken one of the two most reasonable approaches: A ) give the job to the young hard throwers, and I don't mean mop-up/long man roles, I mean the late inning spots that generally require strikeouts. Burdi, Meyer, Reed, Chargois, Peterson, the odds are against all of those guys flaming out. Throw them in the water and see who floats. If the batters don't need to be finished products to be called up into prominent roles, neither should the pitchers, particularly seeing as they generally have shorter periods of effectiveness. B ) sign the requisite free agents that can do what May is able to do. I'm concerned about strikeouts all around, but it's not going to significantly improve if May is replacing a guy like Pressley or Tonkin, he has to be replacing a guy like Fien. Same with the rotation, if the young guys are the ones striking guys out, it shouldn't be the young guys replacing other young guys, it needs to be the vets to get the boot. Also, regarding the sunk cost discussion. I'm very concerned about Hughes. I think there's a good chance there was something affecting him last year, but if not and his FB velocity is going to be 90 MPH going forward, he's in a boatload of trouble, he already scrapped his slider and his curve isn't all that good. If his velocity doesn't come back I think he's going to get rocked again.
  12. nicksaviking
    I'm not usually against minor league signings but Sweeny, Benson and Mastroianni? That speaks pretty loudly that they aren't going to go get an actual MLB outfielder even though they really, really need one who can hit lefties since Rosario, Arcia and Kepler are in the mix. I just don't get it. Chris Young and Ryan Rayburn will be very affordable (though I guess not minor league contract cheap) and Raji Davis wasn't expensive. I've said several times recently that I thought the Twins didn't have money issues, but just didn't want more long term commitments at the moment. I'm wondering now though if Park's $12.5M negotiation fee did actually eat up every dime available this year.
  13. nicksaviking
    Offseason DFAs probably aren't such a big deal, however those in season DFAs we've seen recently, mostly involving Toronto it seems, leave the player in limbo for a week. When it happens to the guy repeatedly, the guy can lose a month of playing time simply because some clubs are jerking him around.
  14. nicksaviking
    Only four out of five games though, he'll be the starting pitcher every fifth day.
  15. nicksaviking
    I didn't like Nolasco signing as I didn't think much of him as a pitcher, but I applauded the effort and risk Ryan made in getting him as it had been so uncharacteristic and I said at the time that no matter how it turned out, I'd never hold the signing against him as I wanted to see him continue taking risks. However continuing to run him out there because they want to see if they can get their money's worth out of him is really only hedging that risk. If the absolute, number one goal is to win in 2016, then Nolasco's contract should have zero impact on his role (if any) with the team. It should be based on who is most likely to help the team, and clearly, recent track records would show that Duffey is more likely to help than Nolasco. Now, winning in 2016 and winning in the future may not consist of the same elements. If Ryan thinks that running Nolasco out there may increase his trade value and bring back pieces for the future (which I absolutely do not think is possible seeing as Mike Pelfrey and his wholly affordable contract still couldn't be moved last year), that's fine, but I'd really protest if the team then says that their number one goal is to win in 2016.
  16. nicksaviking
    I wouldn't like the Twins chances of retaining him if they wait until he's 29. Heck, me and my "25 under 30" philosophy might be against it. I'd have to think if he keeps hitting, he will be extended and any kind of free agent projected contract would be moot. If he is hitting well with very few question marks, I'd be advocating for an extension come July.
  17. nicksaviking
    Welcome to TD and thanks for the great first post!
  18. nicksaviking
    I have to say, if the Twins end up trading for McGee now, they might get eaten alive. Wouldn't the logical question be, "Why didn't you trade for him last July when he was reportedly available and the team desperately needed him in the pen?" I'd guess Souhan would start gathering up the townsfolk and the pitchforks after about a half hour. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way, after seeing what Giles and Kimbrel went for, I'm pretty sure I'm not interested. Giles got Velasquez, Fisher and Oberholtzer. Velasquez is a top 100 guy and Fisher very likely will be. The Rays will probably be asking for Kepler. What's the best the Twins can get away with here, some kind of combination of Polanco, Gonsalves, Duffey? The market is set, and it is ridiculous.
  19. nicksaviking
    Well I'd like to think that O'Rourke's measly 22 career MLB innings wouldn't be enough for the front office to give him the edge based on experience. They might though.
  20. nicksaviking
    I thought the Twins got the short end of the stick in the trade but didn't get too upset as I still think Hicks is going to turn back into a pumpkin. But the move was done way too early in hindsight. San Diego clearly needs a trade partner now and I think I'd rather have Norris or Hedges over Murphy.
  21. nicksaviking
    I'm dismayed by the inactivity. There aren't many free agent options left, and I don't want to be one of those sucker teams giving up good prospects for relief pitchers. However, despite my desire for action, my first hope for the 2016 pen was to throw Burdi, Meyer, Chargois, Peterson (and Jones) right into the fire and see which of them has what we need. So while this team has historically been extremely averse to relying on young arms, if something like this does come to pass, I'll be satisfied regardless of the results. I can't say that I like the idea of waiting four months to cast judgement though, I do like to point fingers.
  22. nicksaviking
    Are you suggesting the plan from the onset of the signing wasn't for Nolasco to end up in the pen?
  23. nicksaviking
    Winter leagues are fun to follow and can provide some benefits, but I don't want my star players there. Sorry if my desire for localized baby sitting borders on paranoia, but a lot is riding on these guys making healthy, safe and sane decisions. Maybe I'm just a jerk, but I'm never sure if those in charge of these young men are most concerned about their MLB careers. Better the DR than Venezuela though I guess.
  24. nicksaviking
    I don't know if it will get better or not, but he's kind of worked himself off of my radar. The Twins have future options for utility guys so Santana, even if he picks up his offensive game, doesn't seem like a long-term fit to me. I'm all for letting him keep his, um, "versatility" and roll the dice that his bat picks back up. A young guy who can hit and can be squeezed into both SS and CF has got to be attractive to another team or two. Like catcher, it seems to me that anyone that can put an SS behind their name gets bonus points, even if the SS is written in pencil.
  25. nicksaviking
    Worst case is that Shields comes here, is ineffective but still gets two years in the rotation, trumping the prospects due to his contract/name. Nolasco has already worn out any overriding allowances that come with his contract/name and will likely not be a roadblock for the younger talent.
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