Twins Off Season Commentary

[buckamania]

Speaking of swinging away, Alexi was in the cage just hurling himself at every pitch and hitting the snot out of the ball. When he finished I called him over and gave him a pep-talk about how solid he looks in the cage and how he must attack the ball. I think he knows he may be on his way out if he doesn't step it up at the plate .I kinda think he will do just that this Spring. Never saw Nishi, is he still around?

 

[jrs21]

Speaking of swinging away, Alexi was in the cage just hurling himself at every pitch and hitting the snot out of the ball. When he finished I called him over and gave him a pep-talk about how solid he looks in the cage and how he must attack the ball. I think he knows he may be on his way out if he doesn't step it up at the plate .I kinda think he will do just that this Spring. Never saw Nishi, is he still around?

Cassilla will be hitting clean-up this year.

 

[jrs21]

I thought about your posts for the last few hrs., while I got some things done around the man-cave. You know how much I like and respect you and how much I admire guys who've played the game for money, especially those who've reached the bigs and become stars. I know how much you admire Joe. I respect that big-time, good friend.

I can't "dog" Joe mauer, that's simply not how I'm wired, but I can say I speak for a lot of guys who really question his heart right now. I ran into a bunch at ST today while we watched Joe warm-up. The way Joe handled his 2011 absence by going into seclusion left fans already p.o.'d by the poor Twins start to start reaching their own conclusions about Joe's problems. Then there was the nature of his injuries, especially the "Tired-legs" syndrome, that just didn't fly at all. The guys I talked to today were skeptical of Joe. The old ladies were just the opposite.

Now I stand at the batting cage and watch the biggest player on the team trying to doink balls into LF instead of swinging away as he did the year he hit 30 HR's. I know what he "did' in the past, and I know what his exorbitant contract has done to the team in return. He has got to earn this money every year, every game, every at-bat. He's got to play and carry himself with confidence, and he's got to suck it up when necessary. If he doesn't, I'm convinced the whole team will wilt again. If he bursts forth, the whole team will flower. I truly believe this. I hope he does the latter as much as you do but I'm not betting a lot of money on it. Time will tell.

I understand the points you have made and I agree that Mauer brought some of this upon himself with his "injuries", and part of it was brought on by the Twins with the way they handled things. I think it was the Twins who came up with the term "bi-lateral leg weakness", I along with everyone else thought this was a very strange injury. I think that they could have prevented a lot of this by calling it a pulled hamstring or something along those lines.
I have been wondering how much of the anamosity thats held against Mauer is attributed to the $23M / year he is making. While that is obviously an extrodinary amount, does it really matter if he were making $8m/year or $23m/year? My thinking is that if he were making $8m/year we wouldn't be hearing nearly as much about it, and I expect the same 100% effort from all the Twins, no matter what their salary.
With all sports salaries skyrocketing to amounts that are not even really comprehensable to all of us "normal" folk, I have found that the only way I can enjoy sports is if I can ignore the economics as much as possible. However it is continually thrust in our faces by espn and every other sports talk show out there, so it is impossible to ignore especially when it seems that the fate of losing is predetermined for about 30% of the teams before the season starts and there is only a minimal chance for another 30%.
Having said all that, I am looking forward to a good season from Mauer, I don't expect to see 30 hr.'s from him, but I think he will stay healthy this year and hit .320, if he can do that I would be satisfied.

 

[buckamania]

Good points, for sure, jrs. Absolutely, the $23 million is a huge part of the animosity he's getting and I'm in agreement. I think that he has gone to that higher "plateau" among sports elites where they quit trying as hard as they used to and as hard the Cuddyer's and Red-Dog Redmonds every team has.

To me, Joe has to earn my respect back and at $23 million, .310, 12 Hr's, and 80 RBI's won't cut it. Of course, the other side of the argument is that the owners paid him, so it's their fault, not Joe's. I see both sides but Joe has no worry about getting fired for poor performance like you and I do. His contract is, basically, one-sided in his favor. As a businessman I cringe at MLB contracts like his. That's why I keep expecting the Pohlads to sell the team in the next 5-years in order to get back into a "normal" business.

Ah, well...what do I know? Like you, and PC, I wish Joe the best as his success translates into the Twin's success. As Joe goes, so goes the Twins. I'll tell you one thing I know, though: Joe needs a new publicist real bad!

Later, bro!

 

[powerchord86]

It seems to be the popular opinion of Mauer right now. It was one bad season, yes, but I'm not about to give up on him yet. If it continues through this year then maybe we have a problem.

Everyone always says that these big contracts are always a bust and a waste of money but for some reason teams keep dealing them out to star players. I am sure the Angels fans are pumped to have Albert right now but then you have all the people ragging on the deal because it was too much and it won’t be worth it. Regardless he is going to play a big role for that team in making their run at the WS. These star players are going to make that money one way or another with a team somewhere. So it all comes down to who wants to take the big plunge, do the deal and win some games. Someone has to be the asshole right?

 

[powerchord86]

Speaking of swinging away, Alexi was in the cage just hurling himself at every pitch and hitting the snot out of the ball. When he finished I called him over and gave him a pep-talk about how solid he looks in the cage and how he must attack the ball. I think he knows he may be on his way out if he doesn't step it up at the plate .I kinda think he will do just that this Spring. Never saw Nishi, is he still around?

Was Alexi's response, "que?"

 

[powerchord86]

Morneau: Concussion Symptoms May Threaten Career
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [February 24 at 9:51am CST]

Justin Morneau has played just 69 games since being concussed July of 2010, and there's no guarantee his troubles are over with. The 30-year-old first baseman acknowledged that concussion symptoms could end his career, according to Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“I don’t think there will be a career if it’s something I’m dealing with," he said. “That’s the reality of the whole thing. I’m obviously not going to continue to mess around with this if it continues to be a problem. There comes a point where you can only torture yourself for so long."

Morneau explained that he enjoys playing baseball, but finds it frustrating not to be able to contribute on the field. He's under contract for $14MM in 2012 and the same amount in 2013. Morneau is a four-time All-Star who won the 2006 American League MVP at the age of 25.

 

[buckamania]

Meanwhile, the Twins keep paying that salary and try to fill the hole at 1B with whatever's left over in the cigar-box after mauer takes his cut. I'm not kidding you, PC, I'm a pretty sharp businessman but I wouldn't last 2 minutes trying to field a winning baseball team. The money being tossed around is frightening and the risk that the player will get hurt (Mauer & Morneau) or fail miserably (Adam Dunn of the ChiSox) is always right there. The guaranteed contract is something I can't fathom, never could, never will.

Saw Parmalee a few times this week, look for him to maybe open at 1B if Morneau hangs it up before ST ends. Why, oh why, did they let Cuddy go?

 

[buckamania]

Getting back to Alexi, he's a pretty friendly guy, but a little shy, I suppose because of the language-thing and all. Fortunately, I've picked up a little mexican-lingo in my travels so I can at least get the ball rolling with him. I think Alexi is gonna battle for his job big-time this year. He knows he's gotta get his head straight and use the bat as a weapon. I'm gonna keep encouraging him. He's got the talent and that blazing speed.

Nishi is a whole different ball-game (not becauase he can't hit or field) but because he only speaks chinese, and all I know is stuff like: moo goo gai pan, chop suey, ah so, etc. Last year, Nishi had an entourage following him wherever he went. I had a rapport with them until I one of my posse-mates called Nishi, "Kobayashi", by accident. The guy meant no harm, he was from Northern Minnesota (Duluth area, actually) which explains his faux pas. I'm now trying to raise my friend's cultural-awareness but it's been a real challenge. Well, Nishi's posse got pissed and clammed-up on us. Hopefully they won't recognize us this year. I'd like to get some close-up photos of Nishi beacuse I think he will be going extinct from the Twins pretty soon.

 

[buckamania]

So I charged over to Hammond Stadium again today and watched B.P. Morneau was taking swings with Danny V. and Drew Butera. Morneau is really skinny this year, I mean noticably so. He didn't exactly pepper the ball around the place but he did manage to park a few. He seemed relaxed and was joking with people. That's all I can report.

Danny V. was crushing that freakin' thing again today. I mean the bat sounded like a gunshot when it met the ball. Danny looks very confident and very serious. I like that, since being a fool never did me any good.

Butera conked a few himself and actually put on a better show than Morneau but Morneau may be working his way back slowly this week.

Saw Nishi too. As luck would have it he was going from one field to another by himself and we came nearly face to face. I asked him how he felt and he said, "Good!" He doesn't hang around and small-talk, principally because he can't anyway, but it's nice that he made an effort. It's gotta be bewildering to go through what he has thus far. He's not that small either. It's just that everyone else is so big these days. I wish him well but he has a real hurdle to overcome this year.

Tomorrow me and the guy from Duluth are going over. I sense some humor coming out of this.....

 

[buckamania]

Apologizing in advance if I'm boring you guys but I see that Zumaya hurt his arm again today. So happens he was one of the pitchers throwing to Morneau, Danny v., & Butera today. When I found out who it was I was kind of surprised to see him throwing so hard so soon, I mean, he was bringing it to those guys! As usual, what do I know, but I sure hope we haven't lost Zumaya already.

P/S - No one took Zumaya deep, not even close. The team BP pitcher, I estimate to be throwing 50-60 mph, was the guy everyone was banging around. The BP pitchers are old, former players, not necessarily pitchers in their careers. They stand behind that chain-link screen when pitching so's they don't get killed. They also pitch from in "front" of the mound. I suppose this is to simulate a faster pitch to the hitter. When Zumaya came in all the HR hi-jinx ended!

 

[jrs21]

Hey Buck
Great reports from ST, sounds like you are having a good time. I guess I didn't realize that the players were so available to just any Tom, Dick and Buckamania! Its cool that you are able to talk to those guys.
I think Cassilla will have a productive year this year, I couldn't tell you exactly when it was, but it seemed like something "clicked" with that guy and I thought he was playing pretty well during the second half of last year. I think if he actually can go into a season knowing what position he will be playing and has a little security knowing that the position is his to lose, that he will play with more confidence and play more consistantly. On the flip side of this, Valencia is a guy that needs to show me something this year, and I think that some competition for 3rd base will only make him better and more focused. I heard some chatter about possibly playing Nishi at 3rd a little, maybe this is the spark Danny boy needs to get back to his rookie form.
Keep us informed down there Buck!

 

[buckamania]

Thanks, jrs., I don't want to sound like a know-it-all but I really want to share what I see with my friends too.

"Some" of the players & coaches, not many, will talk a little. Definitely not T.K, and Mauer, and Danny V. Gardy will if you catch him just right. Nicky P. was great, so was Cuddy. Scott Ulger (coach) is great. With so many of them you never really know, but if you are an old lady or a "babe," you got a good chance to get a moment. Speaking of coaches, I found out who throws the BP to Morneau, Butera & Danny V., it's Phil Roof, he was a catcher way back for the Twins. He's gotta be 6"5" and still in rock, solid shape. Gotta be at least 70 also. Great big paws for hands.

I saw Liriano & Blackburn tossing some BP today. They were not throwing with all their might like Zumaya was yesterday. Ryan Doumit took them deep a few times and took the regular BP old-guys deep a bunch of times. If this guy can hit the curveball he should make the team and replace Butera some day.

Once again, Danny V. and Casilla hit the "shoot" out of the ball. Even Morneau looked pretty good and no one knows if he's on a tight leash, or not. Jamey Carroll is much smaller than I thought. He's a line drive hitter and fast.

Now Nishi.....He bobbled an easy grounder during IF drills today in front of T.K., Casillo, Danny V., & Carroll. Not good! Nishi is on a short-leash because of his defensive issues last year, he can't be making mistakes during drills, not in front of TK. I'm convinced Nishi will be no better than the 4th-IF'er when they break camp. All that pressure and he can't speak English, gotta be terrible. Now I know how FC must feel (just kiddin', FC).

 

[powerchord86]

Cassia is probably feeling the preasure now that Carroll is there.

Doumit will be a big upgrade over Butera.

Zumaya is out already. Torn UCL. That is really too bad for him. That Onion article I posted a while back wasn't too far off. I hope he got to throw one last amazing pitch.

 

[buckamania]

PC - He was really bringing it! This is really a bummer for all parties concerned. Thank Heavens we still have Capps?!?

 

[powerchord86]

PC - He was really bringing it! This is really a bummer for all parties concerned. Thank Heavens we still have Capps?!?

We'll see...

 

[powerchord86]

Anyone order up some tix when they went on sale over the weekend? I got tix for 6/14 when the Phillies are in town. Will be awesome for me to get to see the Twins and the Phillies in one shot! :smile:

 

[jrs21]

Thanks, jrs., I don't want to sound like a know-it-all but I really want to share what I see with my friends too.

"Some" of the players & coaches, not many, will talk a little. Definitely not T.K, and Mauer, and Danny V. Gardy will if you catch him just right. Nicky P. was great, so was Cuddy. Scott Ulger (coach) is great. With so many of them you never really know, but if you are an old lady or a "babe," you got a good chance to get a moment. Speaking of coaches, I found out who throws the BP to Morneau, Butera & Danny V., it's Phil Roof, he was a catcher way back for the Twins. He's gotta be 6"5" and still in rock, solid shape. Gotta be at least 70 also. Great big paws for hands.

I saw Liriano & Blackburn tossing some BP today. They were not throwing with all their might like Zumaya was yesterday. Ryan Doumit took them deep a few times and took the regular BP old-guys deep a bunch of times. If this guy can hit the curveball he should make the team and replace Butera some day.

Once again, Danny V. and Casilla hit the "shoot" out of the ball. Even Morneau looked pretty good and no one knows if he's on a tight leash, or not. Jamey Carroll is much smaller than I thought. He's a line drive hitter and fast.

Now Nishi.....He bobbled an easy grounder during IF drills today in front of T.K., Casillo, Danny V., & Carroll. Not good! Nishi is on a short-leash because of his defensive issues last year, he can't be making mistakes during drills, not in front of TK. I'm convinced Nishi will be no better than the 4th-IF'er when they break camp. All that pressure and he can't speak English, gotta be terrible. Now I know how FC must feel (just kiddin', FC).

Bring it on Buck, we hear little tid-bits about ST and what we read about on on fux, but nothing like you are reporting.

 

[jrs21]

Anyone order up some tix when they went on sale over the weekend? I got tix for 6/14 when the Phillies are in town. Will be awesome for me to get to see the Twins and the Phillies in one shot! :smile:

No tickets for this guy! I am boycotting the Pohlads for a while until they show me something.
Its cool that you got Phillies tickets!

 

[buckamania]

Thanx, jrs.! The complex conists of the big, main stadium that seats 7,500, or so. This stadium is used all Summer by the Twins minor league team, the Ft. Myers Miracle. We always go on "2 fer Tuesdays" and "Thirsty Thursdays" for 1/2 price beers. There's an out door Tiki Bar down the 1B line with the World Famous "Drink Rail". Yup, we got Season Tickets for that bad-boy. It is hot & humid and 400-500 people are usual crowds. This is where Mauer, Nishi, & Nathan re-habbed last year. Joe mauer's brother is the Manager.

Adjacant to the Stadium on the 3B side are 2 MLB-practice fields. This is where the players do 90% of their ST workouts. These field are just like big High School fields with MLB distances. It's all chain-link fence with enclosed benches for the players and some seating behind Home Plate for the fans. You stand right next to the players with just the chain-link between you, and can talk to them and hear them talk to each other and the coaches. Sometimes they come out for photos & small-talk. On Sunday Morneau's wife was standing next to me with her baby stroller. Morneau was mugging for the baby and his wife, and missing the baseball as usual. Just teasing, he hit o.k! No where else can you get that close to these guys. Mauer is really hugh(sp?) Carroll is quite small.

All the fans are relaxed & talking Baseball. It's a good time but it's not real MLB baseball. The ST games themselves are mostly just showcasing the "try-outs" until the final week when the starting lineup opens the games and get 2 -3 ab's. Everyone is on vacation blowing off steam in this nice weather, that's really what's going on. I hope you and PC can get down here some year. It's really fun!

P/S - 1st game is Sat. 3/5/12. My poor liver!