Twins Off Season Commentary

[powerchord86]

I hear ya there buck! Keep up the posts up over here on the Hoop!

 

[buckamania]

I'll do the best I can but I need something to talk about. You know who I wish was here sometimes is the Bump because he is so nuts. What ever happened to that dude, anyway? Never hear from jrs either. Ever since that trophy whitetail ran him up a tree, jrs has been layin' low. Some people's kids!

 

[powerchord86]

Yeah, Bump seemed to know his stuff plus was always good for a laugh.
jrs seems to have gone bye bye. For now at least. Maybe once things start heating up he will grace us again with his presence.

 

[powerchord86]

Sounds like the Twins were sniffing out Capuano but the Dodgers seemed to have snatched him up...

By Mark Polishuk [December 1 at 9:52pm CST]
The Twins are interested in free agent left-hander Chris Capuano, reports La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link). The Dodgers are the only other club known to be pursuing Capuano, whose desire for a two-year contract was the reason the Mets lost interest in re-signing him.

Capuano, 33, posted a 4.55 ERA in 33 games (31 of them starts) for the Mets last season, though as Ben Nicholson-Smith explained in a recent Free Agent Stock Watch post, Capuano's xFIP and SIERA were each almost a full run lower. Capuano didn't pitch in 2008 or 2009 due to Tommy John surgery and has spent all seven of his pro seasons in the National League. He would seem like a good fit in Minnesota, where the rotation is unsettled beyond Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker and Carl Pavano.

 

[powerchord86]

Damn, Rainbow Trout signed Bell. I bet the Twins were just about to... :nonod:

 

[buckamania]

PC - You are definitely setting up to be "Twins Central" this year and I really appreciate your efforts! The Twins are "our" team win-or-lose and they are fun to follow. I got a lot of irons in the fire with my business, and I'm way down here in Fl., so I don't hear all the day to day "skinny." I rely on guys like you to keep me posted. Keep up the good work, I'm with you!

 

[powerchord86]

Not a problem buck. Glad to do it.

Sounds like that new Miami team is making some noise down there in your neck of the woods. What are your thoughts and that situation? I have heard mixed reactions on the new Miami Marlins. I have to say that those new unis are bit questionable though.. lol

 

[buckamania]

PC -0h Man, did you read my mind! Those unis are really weird, they look like a college team, or something. I was looking on-line yesterday to get a hat and when I saw that logo I opted out. I told all my posse about this and then you bring it up. What's the word for this..VD, deja view, or sumthin'? I can never remember that stuff

Anyways, I'm excited about the new stadium and the new direction with Ozzie, and all. I think Ozzie is a real lunatic so I expect a lot of humor out of this team. The stadium is in Little Havana, which can be a lot of fun. The old stadium (Dolphin Stadium) often had a salsa band playing before the games to set the mood. I expect this, and more in the new joint. Me and my beautiful bride, Lena, will be there a lot. Hopefully on opening week. I still like to party...a lot!

Speaking of new stadiums, my town, Ft. Myers, FL, is just about done building the the Red Sox a new Spring Training Palace. The playing surface includes an exact scale replica of the Green Monster in left field. I drove by the park today (Jet Blue), it's approx. 5-miles from the Twins Park, Hammond Stadium. Tickets at Jet Blue will be sky-high, I probably won't be going this year! Price tag, approx $100,000,000! My taxes show it!

Later!

 

[powerchord86]

I heard Ozzie is on a mission to turn Hanley into a beast of a player. I feel like Ozzie will be in his element out there with the new team. Should be fun to see what unfolds for them this season. They are deffinatley going after some big talent this winter.

That sounds like a cool new place for the BoSox. Would love to check that out if I ever get down there.

 

[buckamania]

Yeah, PC - We Twins fans know all about Ozzie and his antics. He will make things fun but winning is the real duty he has. The Marlins have some talent already, but they have a lot of holes as well, not unlike the Twins. Once again, it's up to the GM to get the right guys for Ozzie to pencil in the lineup. If you give Ozzie the power to pick the players you might get an insane asylum. My problem with Ozzie is that he enjoys the limelite too much and seeks to become the focal popint of the team. Managers should be seen but not heard.

Speaking of managers, why is it that the axis-powers haven't screamed for the heads of Joe Girardi and Charley Manuel. These two guys had the best players in their leagues and no injuries to key players and they get bounced right away in the playoffs. How do you insult and tear down Gardy stuck with a guy like Nishi at 2b and Joe Mauer and 1/2 the starting players in and out of the lineup all year, and then ignore the collapse of the Yankees and Phillies?? Talk about not understanding the game! This kind of ignorance is hugh!!

 

[powerchord86]

Sounds like a deal for Capps could be coming. One year for $4.5MM with $6MM option for 2013.

 

[buckamania]

PC - Who's makin' the deal? Hope it's not the Twins. Capps did not impress me last year.

 

[powerchord86]

I hear ya buck, but it sounds like a deal is pretty much done to bring Capps back.

 

[powerchord86]

Kevin Slowey heading to the Rockies for a player to be named later.

 

[powerchord86]

Rumor has it that the Twins have made a three-year $25MM offer to Cuddy.

 

[buckamania]

Ryan probably should check with FC before re-signing Cuddy.

 

[powerchord86]

Ryan probably should check with FC before re-signing Cuddy.

That's true. Wouldn't want to get on his bad side..

 

[powerchord86]

I hear Manny Ramirez is looking for a job. Doubt he would want to come to MN but he might come a bit cheaper to any team that bites after all of his BS and messing around with taking female hormones. But then of course there would just be more BS to follow so is it really worth it? Probably not.

 

[buckamania]

PC - Say it's not so! Manny is a cancer wherever he now goes. I watched his antics in Tampa last year before he was caught on steroids "again"!!!

You and I both know that pitching is the key for the Twins in 2012. Smith's moves in this dept. were near-fatal. Capps does not look like an MLB closer to me.

Assuming Mauer comes back to form, and Kubel and Cuddy are retained, we have some descent (sp?) punch here. Remember, Cuddy solves 1b if Morneau can't return to form. We got other of's to go to in a pinch, especially if Kubel is kept. Keeping Cuddy & Kubel is hugh (sp?) to me!

Nishi will not make the team unless he's spent the Winter learning the fundamentals of the MLB game. I'm betting he didn't. Sayonara! Casilla would be tolerable if he hits .250, or better. Danny V. has to come up big in 2012 as well.

What I'm saying is that Smith put this infield into such a shambles that there are dead-ends everywhere that can't all be corrected instantly. 2012 is a wing and a prayer!

 

[powerchord86]

Padres get Huston Street. Are we really going to be forced into another year of Capps closing? I am not ruling him out to have a comeback year but he has some work to do in order to be trusted again.

Also saw the Pirates signed Jose Morales. Nice opportunity for him there. Hope the best for him.