Twins Off Season Commentary

[buckamania]

PC - It's so early yet that I'm not gonna get all excited or pessimistic. The Twins do not have the money to do A "Marlins" on everyone right now. The Twins had their turn a few years ago but the Mauer and Morneau deals swallowed it up. We have to hope these two return to form or that money was just plain "blown." I expect Ryan to value-shop for people to plug-in right now to get the team competitive again while mother-nature decides Mauer's and Morneau's fates.

When are teams going to stop all this reckless spending on one guy anyway? It's like continually bailing out Chrysler Corp., simply throwing away money every few years, in my opinion. I say, stop putting all the eggs in one basket and, instead, build teams around a core of eager, hungry guys, and expect to lose them every 5 or 6 years. Saves a ton of money for future investment and reduces the chance of a catastrophic injury (Mauer or Morneau) from ruining a team for years to come.

 

[powerchord86]

Damn big day for the Angels landing CJ Wilson AND Pujols!

Meanwhile the Twins might be in on LF Josh Willingham. 2011 stats - .246 BA, 29 HR's and 98 RBI's

 

[powerchord86]

The Twins starters should be prepared for an extra point or two tacked on to their ERA with Pujols in the AL.. lol

 

[powerchord86]

Looks like the Rockies made it official on Slowey. Maybe he will be better suited as an NL pitcher. I seem to remember him being not too bad for a pitcher when at bat in the interleague games. Best of luck to him at the mile high.

 

[powerchord86]

Congrats to Cuddy and his wife with the birth of their twin girls. Hopefully he will see the irony of receiving his own "Twins" and do the right thing - Stay in MN. Sounds like the Rockies want him now too.

 

[buckamania]

You've been busy, PC! As have the Angels and Marlins. I think the Cards made the right deal on Pujols, more on that later.

Right now, all I really care about is getting Cuddy signed asap. Ryan has got to make that deal. After that, I don't see where losing Kubel for Willingham is more than a wash unless Kubel truly can't hit 'em out of Target field as some people are saying. I'd like to keep Kubel but Ryan hasn't called me for advice, as usual. Speaking of twins, didn't you two have twins a few months ago??

 

[powerchord86]

I got no kids buck. We were expecting a couple months back but had a miscarriage.

 

[buckamania]

PC - I'm very sorry to hear about that good friend. You know me well enough now...my heart is with you both.

 

[powerchord86]

Thanks buck. It's all good, I think she might be preggers again. Indication being that she lashed out at me pretty good earlier on the phone. My only escape was the ol' "I got a lot of work to do-Gotta go!" lol

 

[buckamania]

That's really good news, PC! Life goes on but most of us never feel it going by. We're often too young and too busy...but it's a short ride...try to get the most out of it. See if you can find jrs. He's a good guy, just like you, let's be there for him when he needs us too. Three of us united is way stronger than three of us individually. I may not understand baseball but I got life down pat. It's a tidal wave...better to be a cork than a ship...corks don't sink.

 

[powerchord86]

Sounds like the Twins are gonna let Mijares walk.

 

[powerchord86]

Bowtie Kenny reports that the Twins are front runners on Willingham. Seems like he really wants to play in MN.
I wonder why.. :confused2:

 

[buckamania]

PC - Good to hear from you! Mijares may have lost it, as all average relief pitchers quickly do. No need to keep him around since he was ineffective last year and is now 1-yr. older. I'm beginning to realize that the Twins are cleaning-house and going to a whole new clubhouse, save 3 or 4 key people, (the only one I recommend is Cuddy.) Thought I was a glass 1/2 full guy. Guess not.

Ryan's history shows that he will deal for a proven veteran (Willingham) but shouldn't it be pitching right now? Trouble is...everyone wants pitching. I am no way gonna criticize or back-bite Ryan this year, I don't do that anyway. He's got a real mess to clean up and he may only have 1-yr. to do it. You know that I don't trust the Pohlad boy's baseball accumen all that much. I still expect a lot more bad stuff if the 2012 team comes in last again. We could become a K.C. or Pittsburgh-type franchise real easy if the Pohlad boys try to run the team like a bank instead of an MLB team. Hang on!!

 

[powerchord86]

I am holding out hope they sign Cuddy. I hope they do it quick because I don't know how much longer Willingham will be around as a back up plan in the case that Cuddy goes elsewhere.

 

[buckamania]

Yup, Cuddy must be retained because you know that Morneau is gonna go down again and Cuddy can play 1b more than adequately. Cuddy is the reversible belt in your closet, every team needs one of these guys. Cuddy is one of the best in Twins history.

If they can afford Willingham, why not keep Kubel? Back to shaking-up the clubhouse, I suppose. I'll be mildly surprised if they get Willingham but he sure could help if he plays to his ability. What's his demeanor? Is he trouble-free? Kubel sure was. This is an important thing in a player. 2012 is going to be a real "grab-bag!"

 

[powerchord86]

Sounds like Willingham it is. I guess that means see ya later Cuddy..

I do hope they can still retain Kubel.

 

[buckamania]

PC - That would be insanity, IMHO (to quote an old acquaintance of ours, lol) as Cuddy is able to play muliple positons more than adequately. Kubel is not the same kind of player. He is one-dimensional. I like him and want to keep him but not at Cuddy's expense.In any event, Ryan knows what he is doing way more than me. Hope he's right!

 

[powerchord86]

I agree that Cuddy is on another level but there aren't many players that can be as versatile as he is. That is a big plus for him. I think Kubel is a decent outfielder with a strong arm and a big bat to swing in the lineup.

I am thinking that since they have now commited to Willingham that Cuddy is out. Twins were only offering $24 MM for three years and Cuddy could easily get $30+ MM for three years elsewhere. The only hope would be if Cuddy stands by his statement from last year about being willing to give a hometown discount to the Twins. I guess anything could happen so we can't really rule anything out right?

 

[buckamania]

Hope you're right, bro! Cuddy, Willingham, a 100% Mauer, and 100% Span ain't a bad beginning. Danny V. at 3b, the new faces at ss and back-up catcher, this is at least a descent(sp?) start for 2012 in the field. Look for Mauer to play a lot of 1b if Morneau goes down again. If we get some pitchers things could get hugh(sp?) After all, this is just the AL Central.

 

[powerchord86]

Pitching is what will make or break it for sure.

Don't look so good right now unless they are able to step it up big time.