Offseason Handbook readers: please give input

[Brock Beauchamp]

Hey everybody, I know many of you read the handbook and I wanted to get feedback on one specific thing:

 

What device did you use most often to read last year's handbook?

 

If you didn't buy last year's book but plan to buy this year, what type of device will you use to read the handbook?

[Mike Sixel]

LolBerry.....almost chose that for laughs.....

[goulik]

I also like the paper printed out version...

[Steven Buhr]

I also like the paper printed out version...

have to admit, I do this, too.

[glunn]

I also prefer a printed version and would pay more for that.

[Willihammer]

A suggestion

 

download the PDF

Print it.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah, there's no way we're printing a version of the handbook. Sorry. It would be almost impossible to just break even on the book if we had to foot printing costs.

[Squirrel]

I read it on my desktop last year.  But I didn't have my iPad then.  If I get one this year, and I probably will, I will more than likely want to read it on my iPad.

[glunn]

A suggestion

 

download the PDF

Print it.

I did that last year.

[glunn]

Yeah, there's no way we're printing a version of the handbook. Sorry. It would be almost impossible to just break even on the book if we had to foot printing costs.

What about making it available through an online on-demand publisher?

[Brock Beauchamp]

What about making it available through an online on-demand publisher?

It's possible, though making a profit through those companies is pretty much an exercise in futility. Given the format of the book, our options are limited in size and shape, which in turn degrades the digital experience and we'd only make a dollar or two per book to keep the price reasonable.

[Paul Pleiss]

This is a solid product, and having book or magazine quality printing seems wasteful. I print the pages I want to mark up and write on, and usually make up a word doc or two to go along with it. I like it for the org depth charts, and mostly the FA write ups. It's a fun exercise for the off-season. And usually a pre-order gets it during the post-season, so I get a head start after the Twins are done playing baseball.

[goulik]

A suggestion

 

download the PDF

Print it.

I do that.

[DuluthFan]

A suggestion for your rankings.

 

While the standard numerical listing of prospects that everybody does are all good, how about a ranked list of when those players are expected to be major league ready? And by ready, I mean called up to stay and be productive. A number one prospect in A ball has less of a chance to be promoted to the major league team than a number ten ranked player sitting at AAA. (The Polanco situation being a surprise). And be realistic on your predictions of promotion, this is the Twins system we're talking about. Rushing prospects and skipping levels is not a common occurrence.

[twinsnorth49]

Laptop, I spend a lot of time in hotels, it's a good way to kill time.

[Thrylos]

Yeah, there's no way we're printing a version of the handbook. Sorry. It would be almost impossible to just break even on the book if we had to foot printing costs.

 

Did you check out Amazon's createspace self publishing tool?  My impression is that there is no cost other than a cut off the top with the authors getting a 60-80% of the sales and they the rest.  That is for books sold via amazon.  If you order and print the books and sell them, then there is cost.

 

might want to give it a look

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?topic=200260520

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah, I've used create space. It's a decent service though we'd have to charge $20-25 for the handbook just to make $3 or so.

 

On demand full color printing is really pricey.

[Mike Sixel]

Print is not happening.....Huge companies can't make margin on print.

 

Rankings by tiers, can by ceilings, and by floors.....that would be nice.

[davidc3915]

As a new member of Twins Daily, I am very intrigued and excited to check out this handbook. I will likely print off the PDF (at work, gotta be a perk to this job somewhere) to have a print copy.

[DaNutz]

I used iPad last year but would likely use the new iPhone 6+ this year.  Screen is large enough now.

[Wookiee of the Year]

I printed it out last year and will again this year.

 

(I totally get the limitations to doing a bound book on your end, and I'm happy to do the printing myself--but since that's not a poll option, figured I'd chime in with the comment.)

[John Bonnes]

Just an fyi - we did try a printed version back in our first year. The publisher told us we had to price is at $25 or so, if I recall, because of their printing and shipping costs. They wouldn't sell it for less. So we might be able to do it, but it would cost you a ton. Maybe it would be worth it to some. They would certainly be an interesting collectible.

[glunn]

Just an fyi - we did try a printed version back in our first year. The publisher told us we had to price is at $25 or so, if I recall, because of their printing and shipping costs. They wouldn't sell it for less. So we might be able to do it, but it would cost you a ton. Maybe it would be worth it to some. They would certainly be an interesting collectible.

It could be worth millions of dollars a thousand years from now if you and the rest of the TD owners would sign it.  

 

In the meantime, $25 would be worth it to me to have something printed and bound instead of some corner-stapled printout.

[Williston]

I've always printed mine and had it spiral bound at OfficeMax or FedEx. Like to keep them.

 

thanks,

Peter

[ashbury]

I've always had skilled craftsmen form the likeness of each page into the side of a block of polished granite, and used those blocks for cornerstones of important buildings.

[jharaldson]

In regards to content I would like to see all of the Blueprints use a similar format so it is easier to flip between them and compare.  I would also be interested in some additonal blueprints.  Last year it was Seth, Nick, and Parker.  Maybe add in John, Brock, and possibly even a guest blueprint (Gleeman, PA, Mackey, ect...).  I would also be interested in seeing the authors react to their previous years blueprints.  Thanks!

[Mike Sixel]

Pictures, lots more sexy pictures of the authors

[John Bonnes]

It could be worth millions of dollars a thousand years from now if you and the rest of the TD owners would sign it.  

 

In the meantime, $25 would be worth it to me to have something printed and bound instead of some corner-stapled printout.

 

I would really love to do that. I don't think we can this year, but stay tuned. I would love to creates a series of these and provide that option. I might talk to you more about this offline.