Minnesota Twins

[john baptiste]

14-0 road trip?

[phlaming lips]

Another starting pitcher goes 8 innings. Fantastic!

I don't think we will get 8 out of Blackburn, but he has to keep us in it against Garland. Hopefully Morneau remembers how to hit against an old foe, since he can't hit for shit against the Angels this year.


C'mon Tampa~

[UNLTrpt]

Another starting pitcher goes 8 innings. Fantastic!

I don't think we will get 8 out of Blackburn, but he has to keep us in it against Garland. Hopefully Morneau remembers how to hit against an old foe, since he can't hit for shit against the Angels this year.


C'mon Tampa~

We couldn't have asked for a better start to this road trip. Hopefully its not downhill from here

[phlaming lips]

We couldn't have asked for a better start to this road trip. Hopefully its not downhill from here

I see Gardy is planning on resting Morneau on this trip since he has started 129 games this year. Slowey has to have a big game today. Win 3 of 4 against the Angels, that would be a great start to this trip. Just win each series Boys!

[phlaming lips]

Fuck! :thumbsdow

[bigeyefish22]

Today was disappointing. Bullpen. We need help there.

[Nick@Night]

Boy do I miss Neshek.

[UNLTrpt]

I should have shut my pie hole.

[Nick@Night]

Not to go off topic, but whatever happened to the OP of this thread?

[john baptiste]

Not to go off topic, but whatever happened to the OP of this thread?
haven't seen him around in a LONG time

[UNLTrpt]

Not to go off topic, but whatever happened to the OP of this thread?

:lorraine

[Xmasjjm]

Hopefully Liriano pitches well tonight. Rough day yesterday for the bullpen. I've seen that Philip Humber has a 2.68 ERA since the AAA all-star break. Maybe he could come up and help our the bullpen? We have all these pitching prospects who are starters, why not mold a few into bullpen arms?

[Nick@Night]

:lorraine
Banhammer?

[UNLTrpt]

Banhammer?

http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?t=112524&page=45

[john baptiste]

http://www.antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?t=112524&page=45
ya that doesn't make it any clearer for me.

he didn't die. he was last seen here three weeks ago.

[Nick@Night]

Sounds like a conspiracy as the guy's last activity was the first of this month. Anyways, Twins sent a guy named Hamburger to the Rangers to the rights to Eddie Guardado. World Series, here we come.

[john baptiste]

dennys reyes is finally reunited with his father.

[UNLTrpt]

ya that doesn't make it any clearer for me.

he didn't die. he was last seen here three weeks ago.

Sounds like a conspiracy as the guy's last activity was the first of this month. Anyways, Twins sent a guy named Hamburger to the Rangers to the rights to Eddie Guardado. World Series, here we come.

The guy with that Minnesota North Stars avatar is not the OP.

But that page (and the next one) tells the story.

[bigeyefish22]

dennys reyes is finally reunited with his father.

:lol

They gonna pitch Guardado in the 8th? :BANG

[Nick@Night]

We were already at the limit for rotund bullpen pitchers.

[bigeyefish22]

Portly.

[Nick@Night]

The guy with that Minnesota North Stars avatar is not the OP.

But that page (and the next one) tells the story.
If EatSleepJeep wasn't the OP, who was?

[john baptiste]

The guy with that Minnesota North Stars avatar is not the OP.

But that page (and the next one) tells the story.
really, because the first post in this thread (original post(er)) is the matthew and always had a north stars avatar. he's definitely the OP.

you claimed he's dead on page 46 of this thread, and yet there was activity with his account on the first of this month. i don't get it.

[phlaming lips]

Sounds like a conspiracy as the guy's last activity was the first of this month. Anyways, Twins sent a guy named Hamburger to the Rangers to the rights to Eddie Guardado. World Series, here we come.


Awwwww, fuck!

[Nick@Night]

Awwwww, fuck!
Fuck on losing Hamburger or fuck on getting Eddie? :cool

[phlaming lips]

Fuck on losing Hamburger or fuck on getting Eddie? :cool

I guess it was more for a dramatic reaction, than anything else I could muster up.

I guess it can't hurt at this point?

Welcome back "Every-other-week-they-let-me-pitch-an-inning" Eddie!

[UNLTrpt]

ok well this joke has gone horribly wrong. On that page I linked to you, I pretended like he was dead. He was on an extended ban for many months before that, I didn't know that ban had been lifted. So...yeah.

<---fail.

[john baptiste]

ok well this joke has gone horribly wrong. On that page I linked to you, I pretended like he was dead. He was on an extended ban for many months before that, I didn't know that ban had been lifted. So...yeah.

<---fail.
ya, on the page you linked us to i could tell it was a joke. on the next page, you continued into what i consider was bad taste.

take it for what it's worth, i just thought that joking about his wife keeping his jeep ready for their son to drive went over the line. that's where i got confused.

[bigeyefish22]

750k for a month of Eddie Guardado.

<--- Speechless :freak

:thumbsdow:thumbsdow:lorraine:BANG:violent

[UNLTrpt]

ya, on the page you linked us to i could tell it was a joke. on the next page, you continued into what i consider was bad taste.

take it for what it's worth, i just thought that joking about his wife keeping his jeep ready for their son to drive went over the line. that's where i got confused.

well me and him are very good friends. So you don't have to think that anymore.

[john baptiste]

well me and him are very good friends. So you don't have to think that anymore.
:thumbsup

[john baptiste]

ok, seriously, we need to sweep this series. any losses may work toward me losing my shit.

[phlaming lips]

ok, seriously, we need to sweep this series. any losses may work toward me losing my shit.

:thumbsup I've worked too hard this season (drinking beer, eating seeds, listening to games on the radio) to let it amount to nothing:rolleyes

Let the young messiah rise on the west coast and help our beloved get back into first place. When does this "rest" for Mornozee begin? Please let Gomez catch every ball hit to him for the rest of this road trip.

[Nick@Night]

Seattle has been pesky, I expect them to be more of the same this series. Hopefully Ibanez gets the shits and has to sit out the series.

[UNC41]

Why couldn't Sherill hold the Sox for one inning today? :BANG

The good news is the Twinkies miss Felix this series.

[UNLTrpt]

This Guardado trade doesn't make any sense what so ever.

[john baptiste]

This Guardado trade doesn't make any sense what so ever.
? really? a veteran who's been with the team and won't need to get reacquainted. another left-handed arm for the bullpen. our pen is our weak link.

makes plenty of sense to me.

[UNC41]

So, any chance we get somebody to take Cuddy's contract?

[phlaming lips]

So, any chance we get somebody to take Cuddy's contract?

"You serious Clark?"

[UNC41]

"You serious Clark?"

He's been ridiculously average his entire career aside from 2006. Where does he fit in the outfield with Span's emergence? I get that Gomez has struggled this year, but there is no way he's not in center after being the centerpiece to the Johan trade and spending this year at the Show.

[Nick@Night]

I'd be willing to part with Cuddy, Span is the better all around player, so if we can bring in a pitcher for Cuddy, I say we do it.

[UNC41]

The thought has been in my mind lately and Span's at-bat in the third put me over the edge. If you can keep Delmon's dad out of his ear the best move is to build around the three young guys in the outfield.

[phlaming lips]

He's been ridiculously average his entire career aside from 2006. Where does he fit in the outfield with Span's emergence? I get that Gomez has struggled this year, but there is no way he's not in center after being the centerpiece to the Johan trade and spending this year at the Show.

I think you are right on. :thumbsup I just like to quote Cousin Eddie every once in awhile.

What do you think the odds are though?

[UNC41]

I think you are right on. :thumbsup I just like to quote Cousin Eddie every once in awhile.

What do you think the odds are though?

:lol

I just can't imagine anyone taking on his contract for $18 million over the next two years.

[phlaming lips]

:lol

I just can't imagine anyone taking on his contract for $18 million over the next two years.

That salary tells you just how much the Twins believed in him. I do think Span can overtake him as the 3rd Face of the new ballpark, behind Baby Jesus and Mornozee. Gomez has to work out the kinks. The past 30 days has me forgetting just how well he has played (fielding and batting) this season.

[Xmasjjm]

:lol

I just can't imagine anyone taking on his contract for $18 million over the next two years.

I'm sure people will think I'm crazy for saying this but why does Cuddy have to be the one to go? Why couldn't the Twins trade Gomez and move Span over to center? Gomez should bring more in a trade and after Cuddy's contract is up Revere or Hicks should be ready. The Twins should shop both this off-season and see what they can add. I'm not sold on Buscher at 3B and do we really want Punto/Harris at SS next year? They have holes for next year and either Cuddy or Gomez could help fill areas of need.

[Nick@Night]

We get rid of Cuddy because as was stated, he really hasn't been that spectacular of a ball player except for his one good year. Gomez's potential >> Cuddy's current ability at anything.

[phlaming lips]

And Everyday Eddie is going for the *save* ftw:bounce

[Xmasjjm]

We get rid of Cuddy because as was stated, he really hasn't been that spectacular of a ball player except for his one good year. Gomez's potential >> Cuddy's current ability at anything.

I understand the sense in moving Cuddy but my point was gaining something in value in return. Cuddy and his contract won't bring anything, Gomez and his potential will bring more. If we can gain a quality player who can help fill a need, trading Gomez for quality player will be >>>>>>> than trading Cuddy and having Gomez hitting 9 next year. How much improvement can one honestly expect out of Gomez for next year?

[UNLTrpt]

? really? a veteran who's been with the team and won't need to get reacquainted. another left-handed arm for the bullpen. our pen is our weak link.

makes plenty of sense to me.

I know I know, it just doesn't mesh with our whole stay young team aspect.

[UNC41]

I'm sure people will think I'm crazy for saying this but why does Cuddy have to be the one to go? Why couldn't the Twins trade Gomez and move Span over to center? Gomez should bring more in a trade and after Cuddy's contract is up Revere or Hicks should be ready. The Twins should shop both this off-season and see what they can add. I'm not sold on Buscher at 3B and do we really want Punto/Harris at SS next year? They have holes for next year and either Cuddy or Gomez could help fill areas of need.

I can't imagine Gomez's stock is higher right now than it was when the Twins acquired him. It doesn't makes sense to give up a guy with his potential this early. You're not going to pull a huge prospect for Gomez this point. Even if Cuddy doesn't get much in return, clearing all of that salary allows you to go after other guys to fill holes in the infield.

[Xmasjjm]

I can't imagine Gomez's stock is higher right now than it was when the Twins acquired him. It doesn't makes sense to give up a guy with his potential this early. You're not going to pull a huge prospect for Gomez this point. Even if Cuddy doesn't get much in return, clearing all of that salary allows you to go after other guys to fill holes in the infield.

Gomez's stock is higher than Cuddy's. Spending money on free agents to fill holes is a crock. How's Lamb doing tonight? Still looking for a job? Spending money on players who are not a part of the Twins organization is a waste. It makes sense to trade Gomez's outfield potential for infield potential. The Twins could get an equal player for Gomez, just in the infield.

Trying to trade Cuddy's contract in the off-season is like trying to trade Boof right now. It just doesn't happen.

[phlaming lips]

Trying to trade Cuddy's contract in the off-season is like trying to trade Boof right now. It just doesn't happen.

:lol I don't know why that made me laugh, but it did.

~~~~~~~C'mon Twins, don't blow it again!

[Nick@Night]

Gomez's stock is higher than Cuddy's. Spending money on free agents to fill holes is a crock. How's Lamb doing tonight? Still looking for a job? Spending money on players who are not a part of the Twins organization is a waste. It makes sense to trade Gomez's outfield potential for infield potential. The Twins could get an equal player for Gomez, just in the infield.

Trying to trade Cuddy's contract in the off-season is like trying to trade Boof right now. It just doesn't happen.
He's talking going for someone who isn't washed up with the space cleared by a declining Cuddyer, not the second coming of Mike Lamb.

[Xmasjjm]

He's talking going for someone who isn't washed up with the space cleared by a declining Cuddyer, not the second coming of Mike Lamb.

Ok, but I'd still rather have a declining Cuddyer hitting 7 than Gomez hitting 9 next year.

[Nick@Night]

Ok, but I'd still rather have a declining Cuddyer hitting 7 than Gomez hitting 9 next year.
Not me.

[Nick@Night]

And fuck this bullpen, for shit sake.

[phlaming lips]

Aw fer fucksake!

[Xmasjjm]

At his MLB worst I'd like to think that Cuddy goes .260 17hr and 75 rbi with a strong arm in right. Not bad for a 7 hitter in the Twins lineup.

[Xmasjjm]

Should have let Eddie go back out! Nothing sucks more than Nathan not getting it done...

[Nick@Night]

Our 7 hitter shouldn't be making 9 million a year, that's what a guy hitting in the 3-4-5 spot gets.

[Xmasjjm]

Our 7 hitter shouldn't be making 9 million a year, that's what a guy hitting in the 3-4-5 spot gets.

Johan shouldn't need $20+ mil a year and Torri shouldn't need 90 million but it happens. I honestly think that a healthy Cuddyer, no matter how much he is paid, is more valuable than Gomez for 2009. Maybe that's just me...

[Nick@Night]

For what it's worth, Gomez has been more of a player this year than I thought he would be, even with his troubles. Once he gets through this year and gets another off season of development, Cuddy won't even matter.

[Xmasjjm]

For what it's worth, Gomez has been more of a player this year than I thought he would be, even with his troubles. Once he gets through this year and gets another off season of development, Cuddy won't even matter.

All it's worth is your opinion. I honestly hope that is how it works out but I am highly skeptical. I'd just hate to give up on Cuddy. Given they type of offensive player he is, I'd love to have his bat in the 7 spot.

And we just lost. This blows. Forget about it and win tomorrow. So much for being tied with the Bitch Sox.

[UNLTrpt]

son of a...

[john baptiste]

http:/www.battingstanceguy.com/twins

[Nick@Night]

All it's worth is your opinion. I honestly hope that is how it works out but I am highly skeptical. I'd just hate to give up on Cuddy. Given they type of offensive player he is, I'd love to have his bat in the 7 spot.

And we just lost. This blows. Forget about it and win tomorrow. So much for being tied with the Bitch Sox.
Cuddy has been pretty civilian when it comes to production, outside of his breakout year in 2006, so if there were a chance to move him we should being his replacement in the outfield is much better.

[Nick@Night]

I didn't realize we designated Lamb for assignment, there's more money flushed down the toilet at third base. After last night I wish we had Beltre on our side.

[Nick@Night]

http:/www.battingstanceguy.com/twins
I love the Brunansky stance.

[john baptiste]

there's no way they give up on cuddyer. i can tell you that right now. they stuck with nick punto after his career year in 2006, they're going to stick with one of their faces-of-the-franchise. and like it or not, he is one.

people liked to think that torii was, and he kinda was, but he really wasn't.

i'd like to know what gomez has done that has been so much better than what people thought. if this is outdoing peoople's expectations, it just means their expectations were extremely low. we all knew he had speed. speed on the basepaths, speed in center. he hasn't outdone expectations in the speed department and he hasn't done anything else. the guy is a 73% base stealer and he's only stolen 27 bases. nothing to write home about. he's got a sub .300 OBP. it doesn't matter where they're hiding him in the lineup, < .300 OBP should not be playing in the majors. the guy (as of right now) is nick punto in center field. he went the entire MONTH of july without stealing a base or hitting a homerun.

if the twins trade cuddyer after signing him to a big contract and having his season cut short because of injury, i will lose whatever respect i still have left for this front office.

[Nick@Night]

I don't see them honestly unloading/trading him, I just wouldn't put up a fuss if it happened.

[john baptiste]

I don't see them honestly unloading/trading him, I just wouldn't put up a fuss if it happened.
i would.

[Nick@Night]

Depending on how the Twins finish up, this offseason should be interesting. Span should be made an everyday player, they should TRY to find a solution at third and maybe trade someone for an arm in the bullpen.

[bigeyefish22]

I feel very good about a Young-Span-Cuddyer outfield next year.

Talk of trading Cuddyer is crazy-talk.

And, good morning everyone; I dont love waking up to read about another Twins choke job. Fuck.

[Nick@Night]

I stayed up and watched it, very painful to see.

Edit: The pitch Crain threw to Beltre in the 11th was on a tee, he smoked it.

[UNC41]

What's your solution for next year then? Cuddyer the epitome of average and parlayed one year into everyone thinking he's a lot better ball player than he really is. Span and Young have to be 2/3 of your outfield. And I don't think you can send Gomez to the minors. If they wanted to do that this year was the year. The guy has got quite the ego and after spending a full year in the bigs it's too big of a risk.

[Nick@Night]

What's your solution for next year then? Cuddyer the epitome of average and parlayed one year into everyone thinking he's a lot better ball player than he really is. Span and Young have to be 2/3 of your outfield. And I don't think you can send Gomez to the minors. If they wanted to do that this year was the year. The guy has got quite the ego and after spending a full year in the bigs it's too big of a risk.
Gomez should live with Favra in the offseason.

[john baptiste]

What's your solution for next year then? Cuddyer the epitome of average and parlayed one year into everyone thinking he's a lot better ball player than he really is. Span and Young have to be 2/3 of your outfield. And I don't think you can send Gomez to the minors. If they wanted to do that this year was the year. The guy has got quite the ego and after spending a full year in the bigs it's too big of a risk.

big fucking deal. he's 22 years old. go ask torii what made him the ballplayer he is today. he'll tell you it was being sent to the minors because he sucked. it taught him a lesson. the same lesson gomez needs to be taught.

gomez is the epitome of smoke and mirrors. i'm still looking for an answer to my question: what has he done? he's not a major league level player right now on the offensive end. weird how spending time in the minors produced the denard span everyone is jerking off now and how it produced the alexi casilla we can't live without now.

i'd take average (cuddyer) over gomez right now, for sure. span is everything people want gomez to be. we wouldn't be losing gomez's defense by putting span in center, and please don't try to tell me gomez would be better in right than cuddyer. we've got the leadoff hitter everyone tricked themselves into thinking gomez was with span. sorry, i got off the gomez train a while ago. i was a first-class passenger in april and may, but he has been BAD since may.

[Nick@Night]

No one has even suggested Gomez be in RF.

[john baptiste]

No one has even suggested Gomez be in RF.
i used the future tense. "please don't try to tell me". as in, "in the future, don't tell me..."

[Nick@Night]

You probably won't hear that.

[john baptiste]

You probably won't hear that.
kinda like an answer to how gomez has exceeded expectations?

[Nick@Night]

What were his expectations, to be a .300 hitter out of the gate? I honestly thought he'd do much worse than he has, so for me he exceeded my expectations.

[bigeyefish22]

What were his expectations, to be a .300 hitter out of the gate? I honestly thought he'd do much worse than he has, so for me he exceeded my expectations.

I think thats crazy talk. Did you expect sub-mendoza?

[UNC41]

big fucking deal. he's 22 years old. go ask torii what made him the ballplayer he is today. he'll tell you it was being sent to the minors because he sucked. it taught him a lesson. the same lesson gomez needs to be taught.

gomez is the epitome of smoke and mirrors. i'm still looking for an answer to my question: what has he done? he's not a major league level player right now on the offensive end. weird how spending time in the minors produced the denard span everyone is jerking off now and how it produced the alexi casilla we can't live without now.

i'd take average (cuddyer) over gomez right now, for sure. span is everything people want gomez to be. we wouldn't be losing gomez's defense by putting span in center, and please don't try to tell me gomez would be better in right than cuddyer. we've got the leadoff hitter everyone tricked themselves into thinking gomez was with span. sorry, i got off the gomez train a while ago. i was a first-class passenger in april and may, but he has been BAD since may.

Ok, I'll just go ask Torii. :lol

I haven't claimed Gomez has been a great success this year, so I don't know exactly what you're looking for. He wasn't ready this year and should have started the year in the minors.

As disappointing as Gomez has been, however, Cuddy was just as bad at the plate this year when healthy. Even if you're going to argue that Cuddy is an upgrade, you can't say it is a significant one. You've also got to look at the finances involved. Gomez is more than $8 million cheaper next year. That's huge for a team with cap restrictions like the Twins, and money that, if used wisely, can easily more than make up for any difference that would be there by having Gomez in the outfield rather than Cuddy.

[bigeyefish22]

If Cuddy comes back in mid-late July, is Gomez still with the big club?

[Nick@Night]

I think thats crazy talk. Did you expect sub-mendoza?
No, not an epic fail or anything.

[Nick@Night]

If Cuddy comes back in mid-late July, is Gomez still with the big club?
We're almost in September.

[Xmasjjm]

If Cuddy comes back in mid-late July, is Gomez still with the big club?

He means that if Cuddy came back in July Gomez would be the odd man out. He'd be in AAA where he belongs.

Remember what Span was doing before he broke his finger, right before his second and last ever call up? He was hitting at will in AAA, something that Gomez needs to learn. I've said it all year and I'll say it again: Gomez's speed is useless when he isn't on base. His number one offensive problem is that he can hardly get on base.

[bigeyefish22]

We're almost in September.

:lol

dick

[bigeyefish22]

He means that if Cuddy came back in July Gomez would be the odd man out. He'd be in AAA where he belongs.

Remember what Span was doing before he broke his finger, right before his second and last ever call up? He was hitting at will in AAA, something that Gomez needs to learn. I've said it all year and I'll say it again: Gomez's speed is useless when he isn't on base. His number one offensive problem is that he can hardly get on base.

Thanks. I agree.

[Nick@Night]

:lol

dick
I was fooled by the tense you used.

[john baptiste]

Ok, I'll just go ask Torii. :lol


Torii labored throughout the early season (2000). Trying to please Kelly by hitting to right field, he could not get into a groove and his average hoveed around the Mendoza line in late May. The Twins sent him down to Triple-A. For the second time in his career, Torii contemplated retirement. This time, his old friend, Basil Shabazz, talked some sense into him.
Salt Lake batting coach Bill Springman also got his ear. The same man who had once tried to recruit Torii to Pepperdine, Springman remembered the sophomore's old hitting style. He told him to stop listening to the advice of others and just react to the baseball. Thanks to Shabazz and Springman, Torii rediscovered his passion for the game and began stinging the ball. In a June game, he belted two homers and drove in seven runs. A few weeks laqter, Torriwas named Minnesota's Minor League Player of the Month. He continued to sizzle in July, running wild on the bases and hitting .444 during one three-week stretch.
By the end of the month, Torii was back with the Twins. On August 2, he collected four hits at Baltimore, and then homered in three consecutive games a couple of weeks later. Torii raised his average nearly 100 points to .280 over the campaign's final two months. He tied for third in the AL in outfield assists with 12, and was rated Best Defensive Outfielder and Most Exciting Player in the PCL by Baseball America.


I'm surprised you haven't heard this story before.



I haven't claimed Gomez has been a great success this year, so I don't know exactly what you're looking for. He wasn't ready this year and should have started the year in the minors.

As disappointing as Gomez has been, however, Cuddy was just as bad at the plate this year when healthy. Even if you're going to argue that Cuddy is an upgrade, you can't say it is a significant one. You've also got to look at the finances involved. Gomez is more than $8 million cheaper next year. That's huge for a team with cap restrictions like the Twins, and money that, if used wisely, can easily more than make up for any difference that would be there by having Gomez in the outfield rather than Cuddy.

ok, i'm a little confused. do you want the Twins to trade Cuddyer, or do you actually think that they're going to trade him a year after signing his contract?

[john baptiste]

I was fooled by the tense you used.
seems to happen to you a lot ;)

[john baptiste]

What were his expectations, to be a .300 hitter out of the gate? I honestly thought he'd do much worse than he has, so for me he exceeded my expectations.
you tell me what your expectations were for him.

all i'm saying is that for .256/.291/.348 with 18 2B, 38 RBI, and 26 SB on a 73% CS rate to be exceeding expectations, those expectations had to be pretty low.

sure, he has great potential, but he hasn't not been good this year. exciting at times, yes. my expectations were for him to be a smart leadoff hitter -- if that is where he was going to be used, and it was. leading off games bunting yourself out with two strikes is not smart. a leadoff hitter with sucha disastrous OBP is useless. Gomez is extremely luck Span got switched to leadoff, to take the spotlight off himself.

[john baptiste]

oh, and if the triple post didn't get the point across, i'm back from my interview and ready to piss people off. :)

[Nick@Night]

seems to happen to you a lot ;)
Present company included.

[Nick@Night]

you tell me what your expectations were for him.

all i'm saying is that for .256/.291/.348 with 18 2B, 38 RBI, and 26 SB on a 73% CS rate to be exceeding expectations, those expectations had to be pretty low.

sure, he has great potential, but he hasn't not been good this year. exciting at times, yes. my expectations were for him to be a smart leadoff hitter -- if that is where he was going to be used, and it was. leading off games bunting yourself out with two strikes is not smart. a leadoff hitter with sucha disastrous OBP is useless. Gomez is extremely luck Span got switched to leadoff, to take the spotlight off himself.
I figured he would not have played as many games out in CF as he did, or spent as much time at the top of the lineup as he did. Given he's been primarily both until recently, that's better than I thought.

Edit: Casilla making a name for himself was a nice surprise, I thought he might have taken over the lead off duties had Span not been up.

[john baptiste]

I figured he would not have played as many games out in CF as he did, or spent as much time at the top of the lineup as he did. Given he's been primarily both until recently, that's better than I thought.

Edit: Casilla making a name for himself was a nice surprise, I thought he might have taken over the lead off duties had Span not been up.

:thumbsup

i'm down with that thinking

[john baptiste]

Present company included.
always

[UNC41]

ok, i'm a little confused. do you want the Twins to trade Cuddyer, or do you actually think that they're going to trade him a year after signing his contract?

I'd like to see it happen and could give two shits when he signed the contract.

[john baptiste]

I'd like to see it happen and could give two shits when he signed the contract.
agree to disagree then. gomez doesn't do much for me at the major league level right now -- and i don't see him ever being much more than a speedy defensive CF. trading cuddyer doesn't make any sense because he isn't worth squat right now.

[UNC41]

agree to disagree then. gomez doesn't do much for me at the major league level right now -- and i don't see him ever being much more than a speedy defensive CF. trading cuddyer doesn't make any sense because he isn't worth squat right now.

Gomez is rough around the edges, but there is the potential there for him to be very good. I think the reason I am hesitant about moving him down to next year what happened with Felix Pie. There was so much talent there, but moving up and down really seemed to mess with his head so much that it looks like he won't amount to much.

The demand for Cuddy isn't high, but clearing $9 million would be huge for the Twins. That being said, I don't think they'll trade him.

[john baptiste]

Gomez is rough around the edges, but there is the potential there for him to be very good. I think the reason I am hesitant about moving him down to next year what happened with Felix Pie. There was so much talent there, but moving up and down really seemed to mess with his head so much that it looks like he won't amount to much.

The demand for Cuddy isn't high, but clearing $9 million would be huge for the Twins. That being said, I don't think they'll trade him.

i think it's more than the edges that gomez is rough around. he can't get on base. i don't care about average at all, especially not with someone as fast as gomez, but the only way that guy is useful is if he's on base and he's just not on base. i think a swing is something you can tinker with and fix and get big results out of, but i don't think (personal opinion) that guys that swing at bad pitches can change that habit either quickly or drastically. gomez's BABIP is actually higher than average so it's not as if he's just down on his luck. if we're trading anyone (which i think would be a really stupid thing to do) i'd trade gomez. span has shown that he is more mature and much more ready to handle the bigs than gomez, but again, i'd rather not trade anyone. we've got gomez on the cheap, he doesn't really help us all that much right now, so we should keep him and develop him.

as twins fans, we're just not used to exciting young talent. it doesn't come along that often and it's never as flashy as this guy.

[Nick@Night]

I'm impressed with Span's patience at the plate, the way he coaxes walks Gomez should take notice.

Edit: .310 average with .390 OBP.

[phlaming lips]

still pissed about the game last night:violent:violent

wtf, again to the lowly mariners. Liriano keeps us in the game, hell Everyday did well.

Can't drop 4 games in a row! :twenty4

[Nick@Night]

I think Baker has another good game in him, I expect the ship to be righted tonight.

[bigeyefish22]

just got done with a fantasy draft and Im bored, so: Adrian Beltre v. Twins this year:

12-33 .363 ba., 7R, 8 RBI, 2 HR, 4 2B, 2BB - in 8 games

[bigeyefish22]

Barreiro:

1. REMEMBER THE STAT -- If, somehow, the Twins miss the playoffs, is it possible that all we will have to do is examine what this team did in Seattle, against a team on pace to lose 100 games, to understand the thin, crucial line between post-season and vacation? If they were somehow to allow themselves today to get swept, the Twins would finish 1-5 -- and sheepish -- in Seattle.

mm-hhmmm :shrug

[s33kUPec]

What are thoughts on the return of Eddie G to the twin cities? :thumbsup

[Nick@Night]

What are thoughts on the return of Eddie G to the twin cities? :thumbsup
I'm ok with it, with the bullpen being in shambles and unable to hold on to a victory lately he'll be a breath of fresh air.

[s33kUPec]

I agree, Bass, Guerrier, and Breslow have been less than impressive lately, Eddie should fit the 8th inning plug nicely.

[Nick@Night]

I agree, Bass, Guerrier, and Breslow have been less than impressive lately, Eddie should fit the 8th inning plug nicely.
If it helps out grind out a few more wins, his aquisition will be worth it.

[bigeyefish22]

I didnt like the Eddie G deal, mainly because I dont think he can fill the Neshek, 8th inning shut down guy role we desperately need.

If hes lights out, I'll be a monkeys uncle. :monkey

[Nick@Night]

I didnt like the Eddie G deal, mainly because I dont think he can fill the Neshek, 8th inning shut down guy role we desperately need.

If hes lights out, I'll be a monkeys uncle. :monkey
Up to this point no one has, so I'm willing to give him the opportunity.

[bigeyefish22]

Up to this point no one has, so I'm willing to give him the opportunity.

and if it works thats great, but I dont think it will and I think its clear that hes not the guy who can shut down the 8th. From that perspective, I dont like this particular move because, if we're gonna make one and go for it, GO for it, dont hedge on a safe pick (safe in a Twins kind of way).

[Nick@Night]

and if it works thats great, but I dont think it will and I think its clear that hes not the guy who can shut down the 8th. From that perspective, I dont like this particular move because, if we're gonna make one and go for it, GO for it, dont hedge on a safe pick (safe in a Twins kind of way).
Then we may as well stop trying and wait for Neshek to fill the role next year. Like I said, we haven't had a guy who can shut down the 8th all year once Neshek went down, so as a short term fill, it's reasonable.

Edit: Why give up a lot for a guy who's not going to be in that role next year anyways?

[bigeyefish22]

Then we may as well stop trying and wait for Neshek to fill the role next year. Like I said, we haven't had a guy who can shut down the 8th all year once Neshek went down, so as a short term fill, it's reasonable.

Edit: Why give up a lot for a guy who's not going to be in that role next year anyways?

well, theres the trouble with questioning moves, who knows what we would have had to give up for someone else and maybe this was the best out there, etc. Thats all true. Doesnt change the fact that Eddie G was our big move to shore up the 8th inning situation. I just dont have confidence in him being lights out.

Caveat: Im never for selling promising youth for a quick fix. Exponentially so when, as is the case this year, our chances are slim to even make the playoffs (I know we're in contention in August, but lets check back after 24 of 30 on the road).

[Nick@Night]

It's a slippery slope, unfortunate they had to be in this position to begin with.

[UNLTrpt]

Whew. We needed that one (and the Bitch sox loss) in a BAD way

[Ev42]

what the fuck 1 game from shitty seattle.

[Nick@Night]

At least we're done with them, pesky bastards.

[bigeyefish22]

4-0 in Oakland. Lets get serious.

If we lose 1, its tonight:

Today, 9:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM
RHP Nick Blackburn (9-8, 3.78 ERA) vs. LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.30)

Friday, 9:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM
RHP Kevin Slowey (10-8, 3.74) vs. LHP Dan Meyer (0-2, 5.95)

Saturday, 8:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM
LHP Francisco Liriano (4-3, 3.83) vs. LHP Dallas Braden (4-3, 4.13)

Sunday, 3:05 p.m. • Ch. 29 (FSN outstate), 1500-AM
RHP Scott Baker (7-4, 3.75) vs. LHP Greg Smith (6-13, 3.90)

[Crush086]

Whew. We needed that one (and the Bitch sox loss) in a BAD way
Alright Minnesota, do the MLB a favor and keep the Red Fucks out of the postseason.

New York will do you a favor and beat them tonight. But of course, our season is now over. We can play spoiler though.

[Nick@Night]

What are the odds the one homerun we hit this series will be overturned due to the replay?

[UNLTrpt]

What are the odds the one homerun we hit this series will be overturned due to the replay?

this replay homerun shit is funny. Remember we had those run of what...3 homeruns in a couple days that would have benefited from replay...

have we had a homerun since then that would have benefited?

Its gonna get used MAYBE twice the rest of the year. Postseason included. Seems kinda a waste to me.

[Nick@Night]

I guess the thought of it being there if need be helps some people sleep at night.

[UNLTrpt]

I guess the thought of it being there if need be helps some people sleep at night.

whatever. i think its a good idea to have replay in baseball but for just homeruns? That's going to help maybe 1 or 2 calls this year. The only reason there was an outcry (and ultimate inception of) was because there were multiple instances within a week of each other that would have helped.

[Nick@Night]

Do they expand it to base path calls then? Maybe calls that are in the 7th inning on or something to that degree. It seems like they are going to spend all this money on a system that just sits there most of the time...like my 360.

[UNLTrpt]

Do they expand it to base path calls then? Maybe calls that are in the 7th inning on or something to that degree. It seems like they are going to spend all this money on a system that just sits there most of the time...like my 360.

I agree. But is it really a system? Or is it just going to the TV replay? Every game is on TV nowadays so what's the point in having a system.

[Nick@Night]

I agree. But is it really a system? Or is it just going to the TV replay? Every game is on TV nowadays so what's the point in having a system.
So they can give it a fancy name and call it their own.

[UNLTrpt]

So they can give it a fancy name and call it their own.

Attention Major League Baseball:

you're not the NFL.

Thank you. That is all.

[Nick@Night]

The managers will have red colored baseballs to chuck at the home plate umpire if they want to dispute a call.

[Nick@Night]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8494528/Twins-thrive-on-affordable-home-cooking-

[UNLTrpt]

fuck.

[Xmasjjm]

It would be nice if these guys decided to #1 hit on the road and #2 beat shitty teams. They're only playing for the playoffs...

[Nick@Night]

Ok, first of all, Jesse Crain has turned in to an abortion of a pitcher, send him out to sea. Second, for being on a 14 game road trip, the teams they have to play actually favored them, but they've less than taken advantage. 7 games against the worst couple teams in the AL and they're 1-3 so far against them.

[bigeyefish22]

Ok, first of all, Jesse Crain has turned in to an abortion of a pitcher, send him out to sea. Second, for being on a 14 game road trip, the teams they have to play actually favored them, but they've less than taken advantage. 7 games against the worst couple teams in the AL and they're 1-3 so far against them.

Your pick of Dr. Cox = every Twins fan right about now.

:BANG:mad:thumbsdow

[Nick@Night]

I know I struck that pose last night in the bottom of the 9th.

[phlaming lips]

This road trip has turned for the worst, and the team has ZERO fucking confidence. CLOSE THE DEAL! Damnit, if you can't help but give up a run with your bullpen, then the hitters better damn well do their part.
:twenty4

[Nick@Night]

They finally put together the type of inning they're supposed to against this team.

[john baptiste]

torii on his new owner, arte moreno:

"Arte's awesome," Hunter says. "First of all, he knows my name. [Twins owner Carl Pohlad] called me 'Kirby Puckett' sometimes."

i don't belive this for two reasons: 1: i don't believe much torii says, 2: pohlad never sees any of the players to call them anything. he doesn't realize he owns a baseball team

[phlaming lips]

Fuck You Joe Nathan! Dammit:violent

[UNLTrpt]

are you kidding me?

[Nick@Night]

Always good to lose a game on a fucking bunt.

[PilotC150]

Thank you, Cleveland.

[Nick@Night]

For being nearly through the road trip with a losing record so far, the fact we're tied for first is amazing.

[bigeyefish22]

For being nearly through the road trip with a losing record so far, the fact we're tied for first is amazing.

Sadly, says alot about the 2 teams in the hunt.

[UNLTrpt]

For being nearly through the road trip with a losing record so far, the fact we're tied for first is amazing.

Sadly, says alot about the 2 teams in the hunt.

we're about right on par with everybody else (sans Tampa Bay, Anaheim)

We benefited from the bitch sox playing boston during our road trip.

I still think we're doing good despite what has happened with our bullpen. Think of where we would be had we not dropped all those late leads. We'd be at least 2 games clear of the bitch sox.

[Nick@Night]

Either way, if this is the type of bullpen we'd be taking in to the playoffs we may as well not even go. Now that the roster has been expanded for September call-ups maybe they can tweak some things.

[bigeyefish22]

Either way, if this is the type of bullpen we'd be taking in to the playoffs we may as well not even go. Now that the roster has been expanded for September call-ups maybe they can tweak some things.

Would you be willing to agree that, with a bullpen bolstering move inevitable, circa 2 weeks ago, Eddie Guardado was a disappointing route to go down and clearly not good enough to put the team over the 6-8 inning hump regularly for the next month, and hopefully more?

[Nick@Night]

Would you be willing to agree that, with a bullpen bolstering move inevitable, circa 2 weeks ago, Eddie Guardado was a disappointing route to go down and clearly not good enough to put the team over the 6-8 inning hump regularly for the next month, and hopefully more?
Any move we would have made after the trade deadline was going to be a disappointment, so whether it was Eddie or some other guy who would have the ability to make it through waivers, it would yield the same result I think.

[Xmasjjm]

Fuck Boof, Boof sucks.

[Nick@Night]

Once again, bullpen is less than effective. Boof looks like shit.

[phlaming lips]

Boof sucks and so does our bullpen.

Toronto gets 17 hits? Fuck me.....:BANG

[bigeyefish22]

in the Twins defense, a position in which I rarely find myself, Toronto is playing really well. And at least the sox lost

[Nick@Night]

Even still, the Twinks yet again blew a big lead due to ineffective pitching.

[phlaming lips]

in the Twins defense, a position in which I rarely find myself, Toronto is playing really well. And at least the sox lost

:thumbsup

[UNC41]

It's so weird watching a Twins team with bullpen issues.

[Nick@Night]

It's so unfortunate watching a Twins team with bullpen issues.
Fixed it.

[john baptiste]

WHY DOES JOE DO this SHIT???? why does he ALWAYS put a guy on? it is INFURIATING, if you can't tell.

[john baptiste]

i'm going to lose it.

edit: "it" being my shit. i'm going to lose my fucking shit with this team.

[Xmasjjm]

So if the bullpen doesn't suck the defense does? This is bullshit. Want to bet the Pridie doesn't play rest of the year?

[phlaming lips]

awwwwwww fuck n a:mad

[Xmasjjm]

Does this team try to lose?

[Nick@Night]

Shit like this keeps deflating any confidence I had left.

[bigeyefish22]

Jump on the positivity express, people!

Before the trip, if someone offered you 2 back as a worst case scenario, would you have taken that? I would have. If we win today, our record on the trip is right where our away record this season projected we'd be... And we're comin' home to get well. :thumbsup

[Nick@Night]

It's the way we've been losing that's troubling, not the fact we are losing. Pridie, what the fuck? Sure, Nathan wasn't really effective up to that point but if Pridie doesn't field that ball like it's a hand grenade the guy doesn't tie the game and we possibly still leave with a W.

[bigeyefish22]

It's the way we've been losing that's troubling, not the fact we are losing. Pridie, what the fuck? Sure, Nathan wasn't really effective up to that point but if Pridie doesn't field that ball like it's a hand grenade the guy doesn't tie the game and we possibly still leave with a W.

well, its Jason Pridie, not Span or Cuddy out there. Now, expectation for Pridie may be higher than what you saw last night, but the bottom line is he is not an every day guy and hasnt even played this year, so, essentially, some scrub kicked the ball around in the clutch; Im not surprised.

Pissed, but not surprised. :BANG Im just trying to be positive cause its real easy to get all kinds of negative on these guys right now, and for good reason.

[Nick@Night]

The one bad thing about September call-ups, putting a guy who's got little show experience in to games that all mean something. I know Pridie has been doing good things at Rochester, but that was a little league effort on a routine single. That's shit that will keep you off the field down the stretch.

[bigeyefish22]

The one bad thing about September call-ups, putting a guy who's got little show experience in to games that all mean something. I know Pridie has been doing good things at Rochester, but that was a little league effort on a routine single. That's shit that will keep you off the field down the stretch.

I would only throw him out if we're losing by like 6 or more runs, at least for the next week - 2. Dog house. Go clean up the shit. :mad

[phlaming lips]

Jump on the positivity express, people!

Before the trip, if someone offered you 2 back as a worst case scenario, would you have taken that? I would have. If we win today, our record on the trip is right where our away record this season projected we'd be... And we're comin' home to get well. :thumbsup

I'll drink the Kool-Aid, dammit:shrug. The road trip hasn't bothered me about the wins/losses record issue as much as the confidence that IF and that's a big IF we make the playoffs, will this team play together? will the bullpen overcome a subpar season (awful in August) and the bats continue to drive in RBI's so we don't have to cling to a 2-2 or 3-2 score in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning adding extra stress to an already down/lacking confidence clubhouse?

[Nick@Night]

Shit, we can't cling to 5-0, 6-1 leads either.

[bigeyefish22]

I'll drink the Kool-Aid, dammit:shrug. The road trip hasn't bothered me about the wins/losses record issue as much as the confidence that IF and that's a big IF we make the playoffs, will this team play together? will the bullpen overcome a subpar season (awful in August) and the bats continue to drive in RBI's so we don't have to cling to a 2-2 or 3-2 score in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning adding extra stress to an already down/lacking confidence clubhouse?

There's alot of time left, and opportunities to get well. Hell, a big WSox series in the last week could do it for us alone, regardless of what happens til then (if we stay close)... :cool <- twins-colored glasses

[Nick@Night]

The key will be going back home with a win, at least end the trip the way it started.

[phlaming lips]

There's alot of time left, and opportunities to get well. Hell, a big WSox series in the last week could do it for us alone, regardless of what happens til then (if we stay close)... :cool <- twins-colored glasses

:cool ( I will put on the proverbial rose-tinted glasses with ya!) :monkey

[Nick@Night]

We're on the fast track of being swept out of Canada.

[bigeyefish22]

jesus fucking christ

[Nick@Night]

Way to go, guys.

[phlaming lips]

3 game series "fun facts"

Twins: 24 hits Bluejays: 45 hits

Twins: 9 runs Bluejays: 21 runs


Son of a bitch..........( I curse too much in this thread:evil)

[bigeyefish22]

our new bullpen help:

Bobby Korecky: 1/3 in., 3h, 4er, bb
Phil Humber: 2/3, 3h, 1er

I mean, what can you expect? but, come on...

[Nick@Night]

Seriously, bring back Rick Aguilera.

[phlaming lips]

Seriously, bring back Rick Aguilera.

how about Senor Smoke, Juan Berenger ftw.

[bigeyefish22]

Barreiro:

1. THE TRIP FROM HELL -- More insulting than the Twins' 5-9 road trip itself is commentary from Mike Redmond in today's Strib: "In my mind [1 1/2 games back] is a pretty good trip, although we had opportunities to win a lot games. We have to look at that now and focus on that." If you start a road trip 1/2 game out of the wild-card spot and come back virtually eliminated from the wild card race (5 back), that is not a pretty good trip. If the only reason you are not similarly eliminated from the division race is because the White Sox have not done much either, that is not a pretty good trip. It is a very lucky trip in which your own play has little to do with your position.

And if you win five of 14 games, play defense like an expansion team, have your closer go Ron Davis on the bit and your hitters play patty-cake with the ball, that is not a pretty good trip. It's a pathetic trip that now leaves the Twins two games back in the loss column.

[Nick@Night]

They lost 7 games to teams that should have only taken maybe 2, and those 2 would be Toronto. Their showins in Oakland and Seattle are forgettable.

[john baptiste]

peace out brian bass.

[bigeyefish22]

CHICAGO -- American League home run leader Carlos Quentin has a broken wrist, and the Chicago White Sox left fielder will have surgery Monday that could sideline him for the rest of the season.

We may be in a pennant-race with these guys (at least we think so), but this is never good to see. I think this kid was on his way to an mvp at 26 for a playoff team. Now? Not so much. Too bad for Carlos Quentin. Get well.

[phlaming lips]

It's starting to feel like Groundhog's Day, the movie, everytime Gardy calls in the bullpen. Seriously, Reyes, you gave up a 2 run homer to tie up the game, again? Frick You! (Larry David would be pissed at me, but the twins are making me swear more than when I watch a Vikings game:shrug)

[Nick@Night]

Each time Gardy goes to the bullpen now, I picture the scene from Major League where Lou goes, "Give me Vaughn" and Taylor replies, "You want Vaughn?"

[phlaming lips]

Each time Gardy goes to the bullpen now, I picture the scene from Major League where Lou goes, "Give me Vaughn" and Taylor replies, "You want Vaughn?"

:lol:lol:lol

C'mon Perkins, let's take this series and move forward.

[phlaming lips]

Each time Gardy goes to the bullpen now, I picture the scene from Major League where Lou goes, "Give me Vaughn" and Taylor replies, "You want Vaughn?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSBWz0lOF_k :monkey

[bigeyefish22]

We're still close, bottom line; we're just being afforded time to languish, which we are sure doing...

in any event, Nick, did you check out the Johnny game Saturday? If so, how'd they look?

[Nick@Night]

We're still close, bottom line; we're just being afforded time to languish, which we are sure doing...

in any event, Nick, did you check out the Johnny game Saturday? If so, how'd they look?
Yes, I was in attendance, they looked borderline terrible. The offense is a shell of its former self, the D won the game for them (and even they had some mis-haps by roughing the punter twice and just being unable to tackle). It was 22-15 SJU with the visitors driving in the last minute at the Johnnie 38 and on 4th down the CB picked it off and ran it back for a TD with 18 seconds left. So the final 29-15 score was closer than it appeared. SJU was actually down 15-14 to start the 4th quarter, so for an opening game a lot of the holes were exposed, especially at QB. They ended up using 3, all of which threw for a TD, but also had moments that showed they shouldn't be out there either. I'm sure John will figure some stuff out for next week, but as far as Johnnie opening games go, it's one of the worst I've seen. They are going to have a tough time in the conference this year I think, they are in no shape to contend with Bethel right now.

[UNLTrpt]

gonna take the Twins fan out of the sig...hopefully that will change the mojo.

:(

[Nick@Night]

I'm afraid the wheels could be falling off, the ChiSox are being given ever opportunity to put it away, the fact were even in it still after these last 17 games is amazing.

[bigeyefish22]

Yes, I was in attendance, they looked borderline terrible. The offense is a shell of its former self, the D won the game for them (and even they had some mis-haps by roughing the punter twice and just being unable to tackle). It was 22-15 SJU with the visitors driving in the last minute at the Johnnie 38 and on 4th down the CB picked it off and ran it back for a TD with 18 seconds left. So the final 29-15 score was closer than it appeared. SJU was actually down 15-14 to start the 4th quarter, so for an opening game a lot of the holes were exposed, especially at QB. They ended up using 3, all of which threw for a TD, but also had moments that showed they shouldn't be out there either. I'm sure John will figure some stuff out for next week, but as far as Johnnie opening games go, it's one of the worst I've seen. They are going to have a tough time in the conference this year I think, they are in no shape to contend with Bethel right now.

Interesting. Thats kind of how it sounded. I listened on the internet from q2 on... How many times can you f'ing fumble? The official score said we fumbled 6 times but I'll be damned if its less than 12...

Otherwise its difficult to glean anything from the internet broadcast. Thanks for the info. :thumbsup

[Nick@Night]

Interesting. Thats kind of how it sounded. I listened on the internet from q2 on... How many times can you f'ing fumble? The official score said we fumbled 6 times but I'll be damned if its less than 12...

Otherwise its difficult to glean anything from the internet broadcast. Thanks for the info. :thumbsup
The QB's don't seem to have much of an arm to try and spread the field, there was no deep threat. The one guy who did have the best arm seemed to struggle the most when it came to quick decision making. On one play the QB (don't remember which one) ran the option the wrong direction and got smoked, not sure where his head was on that one. There was another play where the QB bootlegged right in to a d-end and the QB jumped right as the guy got there and he got slammed down hard. The offensive line didn't seem able to make any running lanes for the half backs either, they always got hit right after they got the ball. For what it's worth, I'll give them credit for holding it together to get a win, but it was more of a struggle than one is used to seeing. John was upset a lot of the game, especially after that punt where the punter ran towards teh sideline and decided at the last second to kick it and got hit by a defender. I don't think I've ever seen him that animated in a game so early in the season. But, like I said, the defense is going to have to guide them to some victories this year, it'll be interesting to watch/follow.

Edit: The best play of the game though was an interception right after we turned it over. Baptist went deep down the middle and the safety came over and jumped to make a one handed interception to give us the ball back, it was a very athletic play.

[bigeyefish22]

The QB's don't seem to have much of an arm to try and spread the field, there was no deep threat. The one guy who did have the best arm seemed to struggle the most when it came to quick decision making. On one play the QB (don't remember which one) ran the option the wrong direction and got smoked, not sure where his head was on that one. There was another play where the QB bootlegged right in to a d-end and the QB jumped right as the guy got there and he got slammed down hard. The offensive line didn't seem able to make any running lanes for the half backs either, they always got hit right after they got the ball. For what it's worth, I'll give them credit for holding it together to get a win, but it was more of a struggle than one is used to seeing. John was upset a lot of the game, especially after that punt where the punter ran towards teh sideline and decided at the last second to kick it and got hit by a defender. I don't think I've ever seen him that animated in a game so early in the season. But, like I said, the defense is going to have to guide them to some victories this year, it'll be interesting to watch/follow.

We avgd something like 1.7/carry. I think 64 total yards or so on the ground. Thats no good. Sounded like we'll be fine at receiver with Schnobrich and Vanderheyden. Thats the only postive, aside from the D getting it done when it counted, that I took from Sat.

[Nick@Night]

Once they can get a QB who's the undisputed #1 maybe they can find a groove and improve on those rushing numbers by having an air attack that needs to be given extra attention.

[phlaming lips]

78-65
19 games left.....Your Predictions please:

3 Royals (h)
3 Orioles (a)
3 Indians (a)
4 Rays (a)
3 Southside Rats (h) 7 wins 8 Losses in the season series
3 Royals (h)

Is there any gas left in the tank to make a run for the playoffs?:shrug

[Nick@Night]

The next 9 games are favorable, but they had 7 favorable games on that roadtrip and totally screwed the pooch, so I don't know what to expect out of this team.

Edit: There's no reason they shouldn't be able to go 6-3 at the worst in their next 3 series, just do the standard 2 of 3 and keep pace. The Rays will probably maul us, it's away, they are trying to win the East for the first time, they want it more.

[UNLTrpt]

I think a sweep against the Royals is an absolute must right now.

[john baptiste]

0-19

[Nick@Night]

I'm still fuming a bit from last night's Vikings/Packer game, I'm afraid to watch the Twins tonight for fear of having my head explode in rage.

[bigeyefish22]

12-7, we're in.
9-10, we're out.

I predict 10-9, and wait and see...

How about Konerko going down? Things are lining up well for us, but thats too bad.

[jordonh]

1 game back...after all that...

[UNLTrpt]

good win.

WOW! The bitch sox lost two. sweet.

[jordonh]

On sunday, I was ready to give up on them....Now there is a good chance..crazy

[UNLTrpt]

On sunday, I was ready to give up on them....Now there is a good chance..crazy

2 1/2 isn't that far back. Two straight wins by us and two straight losses by either team and its a whole new race

[Nick@Night]

Glad to see a solid pitching outing for once, top to bottom.

[Xmasjjm]

At this point it's all on the starting pitching. If those guys can pitch deep into the game we have a chance. Morneau should be clutch down this stretch. The offense should compete and if the starters can keep us in the game, late into the game, we have a shot.

P.S. I have no faith in our bullpen.

[Nick@Night]

What if Morneau just tears it up these last 3 weeks and puts Minnesota over the top and in to the playoffs, is he MVP?

Edit: For what it's worth, he's having a pretty good season minus the HR's, but his average and run production are both top ten in the league.

Edit 2: Second in RBI's, 14th in hitting.

[Xmasjjm]

What if Morneau just tears it up these last 3 weeks and puts Minnesota over the top and in to the playoffs, is he MVP?

He should. The guy is a run producing machine. He also plays everyday with solid D. If he carries the team into to playoffs he has to be MVP...again!

[Nick@Night]

Fuck, I need to realize what I'm looking at. Morneau is 8th in the AL in batting, 14th overall for MLB.

[bigeyefish22]

Posted on September 10th, 2008 – 8:41 AM
By Howard
Let me help sort out a few things.

Nick Punto v. Brendan Harris: Punto could be Gardy’s love child for all I know, but there isn’t a single solid argument for benching him and playing Harris at shortstop — only emotional ones.

On offense: Punto’s numbers are .285 average, .341 on-base, .399 slugging. Harris’ are .261/.319/.388. Punto has struck out about once in every six at-bats; Harris about once in every four. Punto has one extra-base hit every 12 at-bats; Harris one every 11. Harris has drawn 9 more walks than Punto in 135 more plate appearances. Punto has 11 steals, Harris 1.

On defense: The best defensive metric readily available is zone rating. Among AL shortstops who qualify to be among the league leaders (according to STATS, Inc.) the top three shortstops are Cabrera (.841), Betancourt (.834) and Bartlett (.833). To qualify, a player needs to have played the position in two of every three of his team’s games. Punto’s ZR in 388 innings is .844; Harris’ is .762 in 462 innings.

Among “qualifying” shortstops in the AL, the lowest ZR is .808. Harris doesn’t come close to that. If you remember back to the mid-80s, it’s like the Smalley v. Gagne debate at shortstop. One got to balls (Gagne), the other didn’t (Smalley). To his credit and the Twins benefit, Roy found other ways to contribute.

Despite his regular Web Gem appearances, I have been among those skeptical of Punto’s overall fielding prowess and, as an everyday player, I suspect he’d be a middle-of-the-pack shortstop by the numbers. But right now there’s no reasonable measure for anyone to make the argument that Harris should be in the lineup and Punto should be sitting. Yes, Punto has made some errors and takes some maddening ABs (the bases loaded/one out pop fly against Detroit on Saturday was a classic groaner), but the garbage he takes is disproportionate to what he deserves.

At third base, by the way, Brian Buscher has a ZR of .781 and Harris .780. Those numbers would put them at the bottom among qualifying third basemen, ahead of only Kansas City’s Alex Gordon. So don’t be thinking that Buscher, for all of his fielding faults, is the lesser option compared to Harris. Neither is exactly championship caliber, which is why I avert my eyes any time a ball is hit toward third (and Gardy looks for chances to play Tolbert).

Someone commented in Monday’s post that they “want some answers to why Harris has been benched.” You need any more?

Joe Mauer, wuss?: When Joe Mauer gets a day off, there are complaints about his toughness, his durability, his manliness, whatever. Innings caught is a reasonably objective indicator of durability. Mauer is second in the AL to Oakland’s Kurt Suzuki. (I’m assuming we’d swap ‘em straight up, right?) Mauer is also second in the percentage of runners caught stealing and he’s third in the league in hitting. He’s also hitting .371 against lefties. I’m trying to figure out exactly what he does that warrants the derision that he seems to get, and the derision directed at people who are unwilling to nitpick criticisms. Struck out with the bases loaded and one out Saturday? Ohmyfreakinlord. Not enough big hits? Not enough home runs? I guess those people really want him to be St. Joe.

Glen Perkins, Rookie of the Year: Only if the voters are all from Stillwater. Yes, he’s 12-4. But the Twins have lost five games in which Perkins has been given a lead of at least three runs. On Sunday, in a game the Twins needed against Detroit, he suffered another mid-game meltdown and couldn’t get through the sixth inning. Perkins has had a nice season despite his inability to be a bulldog with a lead, but to mention him as among those in the ROY running is silly. Of the Twins current five starters, I see him as the one most likely to lose his spot in the rotation as younger talent develops or the Twins look elsewhere to bolster their staff in 2009 and 2010. Would I mind if he proves me wrong on that one? Not at all.

Carlos Gomez should have been sent to the minors: Gomez is exactly where he should be right now — playing center field more often than not and batting ninth. I think some of the “he shouldn’t be here” venom comes, understandably, from the painfully excessive amount of time it took Gardy to decide that Gomez didn’t have to bat leadoff and play every day to protect a tender psyche. Yes, it’s been excruciating to watch Gomez at the plate much of the time. But, again, using the zone rating measure, Gomez is the best center fielder in the majors. Using the less meaningful Range Factor statistic, the difference between Gomez and the others is even greater. There isn’t another center fielder in baseball who has more than three putouts/assists per nine innings. He simply gets to balls that others don’t. Do some of you people miss Jason Tyner, or what?

Yes, I think the Twins would be better off at this point if Gomez had been in the lineup for, say, 20 fewer games. But I also think they’d be worse off right now if he’d spent time in the minors. Go back and look at Curtis Granderson’s early-career numbers and look at the player he has become. That’s what I see for Gomez in a couple of years, in part because of the Twins being willing to give him a major-league apprenticeship. Sometimes it’s inconvenient to be patient.

Free Matt Tolbert: Some people are romanticizing the work that Tolbert did before he head-firsted his way to the disabled list in May. The truth? His numbers are .264/.309/.352 in 99 plate appearances. I guess he really gets after it and battles his tail off.

[Nick@Night]

Where is that from?

[bigeyefish22]

Where is that from?

the Section 220 blogger guy from strib.com

I usually dont read him, but I thought that was some interesting stuff.

[john baptiste]

trib

[john baptiste]

can boof blow a 6-run lead?

my bet is yes.

[Nick@Night]

can boof blow a 6-run lead?

my bet is yes.
He actually dominated motherfuckers.

[john baptiste]

i'm actually trying to be as wrong as possible to reverse-jinx them down the stretch. it's been working so far. but of course, now that i said it, i fucked it.

fuck.

[bigeyefish22]

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!

There is no reason to take Nathan out for Guerrier. NONE.

Fuck.

[Nick@Night]

Did it go to extras or something?

Edit: I see Guerrier shit the bed. Fucking perfect.

[john baptiste]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_09_11_kcamlb_minmlb_1&mode=gameday

yes. we finally got the second out in the 10th. we're down 3-2 now.

[bigeyefish22]

Did it go to extras or something?

tie into the ninth so Nathan pitches; 3 up, down, 2ks. Goes to extras, Guerrier comes out and lights the whole fucking place on fire and now theyre hitting the shit out of everybody, up 3-2, runners on, facing Crain

[bigeyefish22]

NOT TO MENTION we've got the top of the order coming up bottom 10, so top 10 should basically be a save situation....

Fucking Ron Gardenhire.

[bigeyefish22]

:lol I dont know if I got some other issues I need to deal with by I am inordinately pissed off about this.

[Nick@Night]

Frank must have pitched a decent game, give up 2 runs in 8 innings, the last 5 scoreless.

[bigeyefish22]

Frank must have pitched a decent game, give up 2 runs in 8 innings, the last 5 scoreless.

There's no place for positivity in here right now. This space is reserved for weeping and the gnashing of teeth for at least... a few minutes.

[UNLTrpt]

This is one of the strangest seasons ever.

[UNC41]

Nice fucking bullpen.

[john baptiste]

:lol I dont know if I got some other issues I need to deal with by I am inordinately pissed off about this.
i'm over it. seriously. youngest team in the majors, whatever they do is just something to build on anyway, so whatev.

however, if they make the playoffs, i'll only be able to make a weekend game. in 06, they were trying to make me buy tickets for the whole series, meaning i would have had to try to sell the other games ridiculously quickly. anyone want to try to work something out if they make the playoffs? i'm really not a prick in real life. ;)

[UNC41]

i'm over it. seriously. youngest team in the majors, whatever they do is just something to build on anyway, so whatev.

however, if they make the playoffs, i'll only be able to make a weekend game. in 06, they were trying to make me buy tickets for the whole series, meaning i would have had to try to sell the other games ridiculously quickly. anyone want to try to work something out if they make the playoffs? i'm really not a prick in real life. ;)

One of my friend's grandfather is friends with Dave St. Peter, so we get single game playoff tickets. It's awesome.

[Nick@Night]

With each implosion the bullpen gives itself one less day to get their collective heads out of their collective asses before the end of the season.

[phlaming lips]

so fucking bush-league to not pull this one out today.
Good teams find ways to win and beat really shitty teams like the Royals when the playoffs are so close. We are not one of them, as of lately.....:thumbsdow

[Xmasjjm]

i'm over it. seriously. youngest team in the majors, whatever they do is just something to build on anyway, so whatev.

however, if they make the playoffs, i'll only be able to make a weekend game. in 06, they were trying to make me buy tickets for the whole series, meaning i would have had to try to sell the other games ridiculously quickly. anyone want to try to work something out if they make the playoffs? i'm really not a prick in real life. ;)

Depending on the days of the games I'd be willing to try and work something out. Provided they make the playoffs.

[phlaming lips]

Rain delay ftw (hopefully we can win both today)

[bigeyefish22]

that Morneau is so hot right now.

-Mugatu

[PilotC150]

Game one down.

Let's hope there are some hits left in the bats after the 12-2 drubbing.

By the way, Cuddyer's back.

[bigeyefish22]

Game one down.

Let's hope there are some hits left in the bats after the 12-2 drubbing.

By the way, Cuddyer's back.

wwhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa t?

[PilotC150]

wwhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa t?

He's only running at 60%, but he's activated, and had an at-bat in the first game (grounded out).

But it's good to see him back and available for late inning pinch hits. We need more right-handed bats.

[phlaming lips]

Good guys win two! Get the brooms out for tomorrow!:monkey

[UNLTrpt]

excellent excellent doubleheader win today.

great way to start off the road trip

[UNLTrpt]

Detroit couldn't show up for 1 GAME! just 1!?!?!?!

[UNLTrpt]

*sigh*

[Xmasjjm]

I just don't think it's going to happen...

[bigeyefish22]

THAT - 4 walks, 1 hit, 1 sac fly, 2 runs - is Twins baseball :lol

[bigeyefish22]

Waht about, to give the team a jolt they're sorely in need of, going:

Span
Casilla
Mauer
Morneau
Young
Kubel
Cuddyer
Tolbert
Buscher

or some such. I think that might wake us up, even if you just do it for the first couple games in TB or something...

[Xmasjjm]

We're done.

So much for paying Nathan the big $. Look at how many saves he has blown and games he's lost, then look at how many we are back. I hate to point fingers but come on...

[UNLTrpt]

UGH!

are you kidding me!?!?!

Come all the way back from 8-1 only to lose in extras.

This team has the fight, i just think its too late.