Minnesota Twins 2014 - ∞: To Infinity & Beyond!

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Tue Feb 26 11:36 am

I think it's time. Spring Training has already started.

The only question I have is: Which will be higher at season's end, our starters' winning percentage or our lineup's on-base percentage?

Also, rumor has it the Twins may take a stab at signing Thome.

Post by **Gopherguy05** » Tue Feb 26 11:58 am

And you had to beat gopher6 to the punch....

Post by **Tanner** » Tue Feb 26 12:47 pm

dxmnkd316 wrote:Also, rumor has it the Twins may take a stab at signing Thome.

Awesome, I wish we could send him off with a ring but we all know that won't happen. But would be nice to add more experience to the team.

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Tue Feb 26 1:27 pm

Tanner wrote:
dxmnkd316 wrote:Also, rumor has it the Twins may take a stab at signing Thome.

Awesome, I wish we could send him off with a ring but we all know that won't happen. But would be nice to add more experience to the team.

I love Jim Thome and think he is one of the classiest human beings on the face on the earth, but really? What good does he do for this team besides eat up a roster spot that could be used by a younger player who could get some valuable experience in the big leagues?

Coach Thome? Great idea!!!

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Tue Feb 26 3:09 pm

Good to see that Joe Benson and Eddie Rosario went deep today.

Post by **Beauner** » Tue Feb 26 3:24 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:Good to see that Joe Benson and Eddie Rosario went deep today.

No doubt Gardy will send them down tomorrow because they didn't slide head first into first base.

Post by **monty** » Tue Feb 26 3:31 pm

Beauner wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:Good to see that Joe Benson and Eddie Rosario went deep today.

No doubt Gardy will send them down tomorrow because they didn't slide head first into first base.

Gardy doesn't Yeo will!

Post by **Norm** » Tue Feb 26 4:12 pm

Beauner wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:Good to see that Joe Benson and Eddie Rosario went deep today.

No doubt Gardy will send them down tomorrow because they didn't slide head first into first base.

Around here, we slap the ball to the opposite field.

Post by **sunbone** » Tue Feb 26 4:23 pm

Thome needs to hang it up. Sad to see a once great player bouncing around from team to team as a bench player like this. And if the Twins have any interest in him then TR needs to have that shiny dome examined.

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Tue Feb 26 4:49 pm

I think Rusty Staub is still alive. He might be an even better fit than Thome.

Post by **Beauner** » Tue Feb 26 4:52 pm

But he's a Gardy guy!
Forfeiting the season and getting those at-bats to a young guy who we need to see mature in the MLB is not NEARLY as important as getting a 42 year old with a bad back, bad knees, and a great personality a few more chances to hit home runs! He's going to help this team win the pennant this year. Duh!

Post by **sunbone** » Tue Feb 26 5:49 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:I think Rusty Staub is still alive. He might be an even better fit than Thome.

I have heard that Rusty was a good clubhouse guy, so who knows?

Post by **Greyeagle** » Tue Feb 26 9:58 pm

Great thread title.....
.....and in the correct section. :good2:

Post by **gopherguy13** » Tue Feb 26 10:00 pm

Greyeagle wrote:Great thread title.....
.....and in the correct section.

And the correct capitalization cherry on top!

Post by **dryfly** » Wed Feb 27 7:00 pm

Tanner wrote:
dxmnkd316 wrote:Also, rumor has it the Twins may take a stab at signing Thome.

Awesome, I wish we could send him off with a ring but we all know that won't happen.

Maybe ringworm.

Post by **dryfly** » Wed Feb 27 7:02 pm

sunbone wrote:Thome needs to hang it up. Sad to see a once great player bouncing around from team to team as a bench player like this. And if the Twins have any interest in him then TR needs to have that shiny dome examined.

Would he only be a bench player for us? Given our 'depth'?

Post by **sunbone** » Wed Feb 27 7:15 pm

dryfly wrote:
sunbone wrote:Thome needs to hang it up. Sad to see a once great player bouncing around from team to team as a bench player like this. And if the Twins have any interest in him then TR needs to have that shiny dome examined.

Would he only be a bench player for us? Given our 'depth'?

I guess if he has developed a knuckler we could pencil him in as the #2 starter.

Post by **Beauner** » Wed Feb 27 7:16 pm

sunbone wrote:
dryfly wrote:
sunbone wrote:Thome needs to hang it up. Sad to see a once great player bouncing around from team to team as a bench player like this. And if the Twins have any interest in him then TR needs to have that shiny dome examined.

Would he only be a bench player for us? Given our 'depth'?

I guess if he has developed a knuckler we could pencil him in as the #2 starter.

And 3, 4, and 5.

Post by **Bash Brother** » Wed Feb 27 7:16 pm

He could probably start in the middle infield.

Post by **Hobey Baker** » Wed Feb 27 9:44 pm

sunbone wrote:
dryfly wrote:
sunbone wrote:Thome needs to hang it up. Sad to see a once great player bouncing around from team to team as a bench player like this. And if the Twins have any interest in him then TR needs to have that shiny dome examined.

Would he only be a bench player for us? Given our 'depth'?

I guess if he has developed a knuckler we could pencil him in as the #2 starter.

They want some pop off the bench becasue Carroll and the back up outfielder have no power.

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Wed Feb 27 9:47 pm

Greyeagle wrote:Great thread title.....
.....and in the correct section.

I aims to please

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Wed Feb 27 10:28 pm

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/02/27/13/ ... eedID=5930

At least Joe can make it past first base off the field.

Post by **gopher_fan_in_sue_land** » Thu Feb 28 8:37 am

dxmnkd316 wrote:http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/02/27/13/Twins-Mauer-wife-expecting-twins/landing_twins.html?blockID=871117&feedID=5930

At least Joe can make it past first base off the field.

You don't know that for sure, based on his production history, it could have been a pinch hitter... And I'm not going to the replay to find out...

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Thu Feb 28 3:07 pm

Morneau has been killing it down in Fort Myers. Hopefully, he can start the season big and we can move him to a contender looking for power.

Post by **Beauner** » Thu Feb 28 3:14 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:Morneau has been killing it down in Fort Myers. Hopefully, he can start the season big and we can move him to a contender looking for power.

Knowing us, we'll win 5 of our first 25 games and think "We're gonna contend here! All we need is a little stretch to turn it around!" and hang on to him until mid-June when he breaks his wrist and we get nothing for him.

Post by **Beauner** » Thu Feb 28 3:24 pm

Per Common: Mauer's kids rooms are gonna be in the basement and all the toys are going to be stored in the cellar so they can truly experience being a Twin.

I aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalways :lol:

Post by **monty** » Thu Feb 28 3:37 pm

dxmnkd316 wrote:http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/02/27/13/Twins-Mauer-wife-expecting-twins/landing_twins.html?blockID=871117&feedID=5930

At least Joe can make it past first base off the field.

That line drive it the gap for a double.

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Fri Mar 01 8:33 am

Bushwood Gopher wrote:Morneau has been killing it down in Fort Myers. Hopefully, he can start the season big and we can move him to a contender looking for power.

I'm really torn on Morneau and what to do with him if he does prove to have a very good first half. I think we could get some killer assets if we were to deal him. On the other hand, I really think he can be a key player in getting this team back to the top.

Post by **Dances With Gophers** » Fri Mar 01 8:47 am

Deal Morneau while the getting is good. Tear it all down.

Post by **Handyman** » Fri Mar 01 12:08 pm

dxmnkd316 wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:Morneau has been killing it down in Fort Myers. Hopefully, he can start the season big and we can move him to a contender looking for power.

I'm really torn on Morneau and what to do with him if he does prove to have a very good first half. I think we could get some killer assets if we were to deal him. On the other hand, I really think he can be a key player in getting this team back to the top.

Unless he has an MVP year they cannot afford to bring him back. You cannot tie up that much money in him and Mauer the team will be doomed to failure since their owner has put them on a budget.

Post by **dryfly** » Sun Mar 03 2:05 pm

Handyman wrote:
dxmnkd316 wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:Morneau has been killing it down in Fort Myers. Hopefully, he can start the season big and we can move him to a contender looking for power.

I'm really torn on Morneau and what to do with him if he does prove to have a very good first half. I think we could get some killer assets if we were to deal him. On the other hand, I really think he can be a key player in getting this team back to the top.

Unless he has an MVP year they cannot afford to bring him back. You cannot tie up that much money in him and Mauer the team will be doomed to failure since their owner has put them on a budget.

Small market realities.

Post by **Handyman** » Sun Mar 03 8:14 pm

Sorry but the small market bs doesnt fly anymore. The Pohlads are making money hand over fist that they budget the way they do despite giving Mauer 23 million is the biggest joke/fraud in Minnesota sports. That is why I laugh when people rip on Zygi considering how much the Pohlad family has done to bend over the people here.

Post by **dryfly** » Sun Mar 03 8:32 pm

Handyman wrote:Sorry but the small market bs doesnt fly anymore. The Pohlads are making money hand over fist that they budget the way they do despite giving Mauer 23 million is the biggest joke/fraud in Minnesota sports. That is why I laugh when people rip on Zygi considering how much the Pohlad family has done to bend over the people here.

This is one of those 'both arguments' are true things - Pohlads are cheap and the Twins do have real budget constraints that NY, LA, Chicago do not have.

But I also won't deny the toughest constraint is the tight fisted grasp the Pohlads have on the purse string.

Post by **Gopherguy05** » Thu Mar 07 1:33 pm

Hicks has 2 homeruns, the first off of Cliff Lee today, and now has 4 in his last 3 games for the Twins. I think we may have our new Center Fielder.

EDIT: Make that 3 home runs today! Damn...

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Thu Mar 07 2:39 pm

Gopherguy05 wrote:Hicks has 2 homeruns, the first off of Cliff Lee today, and now has 4 in his last 3 games for the Twins. I think we may have our new Center Fielder.

EDIT: Make that 3 home runs today! Damn...

3 HR in one game? He probably just killed any chance he had of even making the club....

Post by **trixR4kids** » Thu Mar 07 2:43 pm

Handyman wrote:Sorry but the small market bs doesnt fly anymore. The Pohlads are making money hand over fist that they budget the way they do despite giving Mauer 23 million is the biggest joke/fraud in Minnesota sports. That is why I laugh when people rip on Zygi considering how much the Pohlad family has done to bend over the people here.

All of this is true but it's amazing how the Twins can spend somewhere near 100 million the last two years and be as terrible as they are. Tying a third of it up in Mauer and Morneau hurts but even then you still have more to work with than the Oakland A's...

Post by **Handyman** » Thu Mar 07 2:51 pm

Well maybe if we had a pitcher who could break 95 and not have elbow problems

If Hicks didnt hit those homers the opposite way he might as well rent an apartment in Rochester seeing as Gardy wont play him :lol:

Post by **monty** » Thu Mar 07 3:24 pm

Careful with the Hicks hitting performance. The pitchers are working on their on stuff, I don't think they have a scouting report on Hicks. It is a good sign that he is hitting mistakes for power. Let's wait and see how he performs the last week of spring training. Gardy cares more about the quality of at bat then then the results of the at bat.

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Thu Mar 07 3:37 pm

monty wrote:Careful with the Hicks hitting performance. The pitchers are working on their on stuff, I don't think they have a scouting report on Hicks. It is a good sign that he is hitting mistakes for power. Let's wait and see how he performs the last week of spring training. Gardy cares more about the quality of at bat then then the results of the at bat.

Comedic gold. Thanks!!!

Post by **gopherguy06** » Thu Mar 07 3:57 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:
Gopherguy05 wrote:Hicks has 2 homeruns, the first off of Cliff Lee today, and now has 4 in his last 3 games for the Twins. I think we may have our new Center Fielder.

EDIT: Make that 3 home runs today! Damn...

3 HR in one game? He probably just killed any chance he had of even making the club....

3 HR in a split game, I believe.

Post by **Beauner** » Thu Mar 07 4:32 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:
monty wrote:Careful with the Hicks hitting performance. The pitchers are working on their on stuff, I don't think they have a scouting report on Hicks. It is a good sign that he is hitting mistakes for power. Let's wait and see how he performs the last week of spring training. Gardy cares more about the quality of at bat then then the results of the at bat.

Comedic gold. Thanks!!!

The sad thing is he's right even though he might not have intended that as a slam.
We had a "stat" our high school coach invented called QABs, aka Quality At-Bats. Basically it minimized the importance of getting a hit or otherwise doing your job for the prospect of taking pitches.
IIRC, a QAB was either:
Hard hit ball, even if it was a GIDP.
5 pitches or more (so a 4 pitch walk? no good)
Sacrifice bunt

The coaches emphasized this crap so much that guys would refuse to swing at the first pitch for fear that they might get a bloop single on the first pitch and not get a "quality at bat."

It made me vomit every day. I get a little nauseous just thinking about it, 8 years later.

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Thu Mar 07 4:39 pm

Beauner wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:
monty wrote:Careful with the Hicks hitting performance. The pitchers are working on their on stuff, I don't think they have a scouting report on Hicks. It is a good sign that he is hitting mistakes for power. Let's wait and see how he performs the last week of spring training. Gardy cares more about the quality of at bat then then the results of the at bat.

Comedic gold. Thanks!!!

The sad thing is he's right even though he might not have intended that as a slam.
We had a "stat" our high school coach invented called QABs, aka Quality At-Bats. Basically it minimized the importance of getting a hit or otherwise doing your job for the prospect of taking pitches.
IIRC, a QAB was either:
Hard hit ball, even if it was a GIDP.
5 pitches or more (so a 4 pitch walk? no good)
Sacrifice bunt

The coaches emphasized this crap so much that guys would refuse to swing at the first pitch for fear that they might get a bloop single on the first pitch and not get a "quality at bat."

It made me vomit every day. I get a little nauseous just thinking about it, 8 years later.

Gardy coached your high school team? Cool!

Post by **beersong** » Mon Mar 18 5:11 pm

The warden and I just booked a trip to DC in June while the Twins are there playing the Nats. Anyone been to this ballpark? Any advice on where to sit, eat, stay, etc?

Post by **Beauner** » Mon Mar 18 6:46 pm

beersong wrote:The warden and I just booked a trip to DC in June while the Twins are there playing the Nats. Anyone been to this ballpark? Any advice on where to sit, eat, stay, etc?

Buddy of mine went there last year and sat out in right field about 15 rows up. Said the stadium is fantastic and the seats were pretty good considering they were outfield seats. May be one of those "not a bad seat in the house" type ballparks.

He was out there for a work trip so he stayed at some real fancy place and ate at a bunch of fancy-ass restaurants because it was all comped, but he said the food at the ballpark was terrific so plan to go to the game and get a thing or two to eat.

Post by **Hobey Baker** » Mon Mar 18 9:22 pm

I hate to say it but our weather makes the start of the baseball season seem like it is months from now! :ddown:

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Tue Mar 19 10:38 pm

The Dominican Republic wins the World Baseball Classic. I imagine there might be some celebrating going on in the D.R. as we speak.

Samuel Deduno of the Twins with the win. If this kid could harness his control, as filthy as his stuff is, he could be a great pitcher.

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Tue Mar 19 10:41 pm

Who won the what?

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Tue Mar 19 10:44 pm

dxmnkd316 wrote:Who won the what?

Aww come on you know you there for every pitch.

Post by **Six Hole** » Tue Mar 19 10:46 pm

Sam Deduno is the best pitcher in the world. Should look to trade him pronto, as they could probably get a decent return. Probably not Trout or Harper, but maybe the tier below.

Post by **Goldy77** » Tue Mar 19 11:00 pm

Six Hole wrote:Sam Deduno is the best pitcher in the world. Should look to trade him pronto, as they could probably get a decent return. Probably not Trout or Harper, but maybe the tier below.

Does he throw too hard? :wink:

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Tue Mar 19 11:01 pm

Gopher Hockey Rube wrote:
dxmnkd316 wrote:Who won the what?

Aww come on you know you there for every pitch.

Ha! I don't even know what channel it was on if it was even on TV at all.

Post by **Hobey Baker** » Wed Mar 20 10:47 am

Six Hole wrote:Sam Deduno is the best pitcher in the world. Should look to trade him pronto, as they could probably get a decent return. Probably not Trout or Harper, but maybe the tier below.

He has worked his way into our starting staff with his WBC performance!

Post by **Beauner** » Wed Mar 20 10:59 am

dxmnkd316 wrote:
Gopher Hockey Rube wrote:
dxmnkd316 wrote:Who won the what?

Aww come on you know you there for every pitch.

Ha! I don't even know what channel it was on if it was even on TV at all.

MLB Network.
It was pretty entertaining to see how into it the fans from the Dominican, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Japan were. The American fans were pretty apathetic :oops:

I'm thinking that part of the reason was because a majority of the American stars weren't playing. Eric Hosmer was at 1B, Willie Bloomquist was on the team for cripes sake! So was JP Arencibia!
I wish more American players would actually take an interest in it. It sure seemed like the ones who were there were having a blast.

Post by **sunbone** » Wed Mar 20 11:04 am

Hobey Baker wrote:
Six Hole wrote:Sam Deduno is the best pitcher in the world. Should look to trade him pronto, as they could probably get a decent return. Probably not Trout or Harper, but maybe the tier below.

He has worked his way into our starting staff with his WBC performance!

I guess I wouldn't put it past the Twins to put way, way too much emphasis on a couple of basically meaningless games in March.

Post by **Hobey Baker** » Wed Mar 20 12:11 pm

Who else do they honestly have to start?

Post by **dryfly** » Wed Mar 20 12:14 pm

Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Maybe Mauer can pitch and catch... He is reported to be a miracle worker.

Post by **Hobey Baker** » Wed Mar 20 12:16 pm

dryfly wrote:
Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Maybe Mauer can pitch and catch... He is reported to be a miracle worker.

You are right .. Baby Jesus!!

Post by **Goldy77** » Wed Mar 20 12:57 pm

Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Article in the STRIB today talking about our rotation this year and how it's looking like it could be worse than last year. I don't know if that is really possible, but with what we got I wouldn't put that far off. Wait and see I guess. Scott Diamond is our Ace, followed by Worley, Correia, Pelfrey and then who knows maybe Deduno, Gibson in no order? Terry Ryan was saying he didn't like how Deduno threw so many pitches thinking he can't work late in ballgames. Gardy on the other hand was saying he would like having a guy that could throw and miss the bat. :biggrin2:

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Wed Mar 20 1:10 pm

Goldy77 wrote:
Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Article in the STRIB today talking about our rotation this year and how it's looking like it could be worse than last year. I don't know if that is really possible, but with what we got I wouldn't put that far off. Wait and see I guess. Scott Diamond is our Ace, followed by Worley, Correia, Pelfrey and then who knows maybe Deduno, Gibson in no order? Terry Ryan was saying he didn't like how Deduno threw so many pitches thinking he can't work late in ballgames. Gardy on the other hand was saying he would like having a guy that could throw and miss the bat.

Doesn't matter what his stuff is like, the bold is anathema to the organization and why ultimately he won't do much here.

They will keep a decidedly mediocre/poor pitcher like Blackburn on the roster for years simply because he throws it over the plate and doesn't walk anybody. TWINS WAY...

Post by **Goldy77** » Wed Mar 20 1:12 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:
Goldy77 wrote:
Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Article in the STRIB today talking about our rotation this year and how it's looking like it could be worse than last year. I don't know if that is really possible, but with what we got I wouldn't put that far off. Wait and see I guess. Scott Diamond is our Ace, followed by Worley, Correia, Pelfrey and then who knows maybe Deduno, Gibson in no order? Terry Ryan was saying he didn't like how Deduno threw so many pitches thinking he can't work late in ballgames. Gardy on the other hand was saying he would like having a guy that could throw and miss the bat.

Doesn't matter what his stuff is like, the bold is anathema to the organization and why ultimately he won't do much here.

They will keep a decidedly mediocre/poor pitcher like Blackburn on the roster for years simply because he throws it over the plate and doesn't walk anybody. TWINS WAY...

Why we can't get by teams like the Yankees or any decent hitting team for that matter

Post by **sunbone** » Wed Mar 20 1:25 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:
Goldy77 wrote:
Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Article in the STRIB today talking about our rotation this year and how it's looking like it could be worse than last year. I don't know if that is really possible, but with what we got I wouldn't put that far off. Wait and see I guess. Scott Diamond is our Ace, followed by Worley, Correia, Pelfrey and then who knows maybe Deduno, Gibson in no order? Terry Ryan was saying he didn't like how Deduno threw so many pitches thinking he can't work late in ballgames. Gardy on the other hand was saying he would like having a guy that could throw and miss the bat.

Doesn't matter what his stuff is like, the bold is anathema to the organization and why ultimately he won't do much here.

They will keep a decidedly mediocre/poor pitcher like Blackburn on the roster for years simply because he throws it over the plate and doesn't walk anybody. TWINS WAY...

Are you really going to make the argument that they are going to keep a mediocre / poor pitcher instead of the Great Deduno? Wouldn't the argument be they are keeping one crappy pitcher instead of another crappy pitcher?

Post by **trixR4kids** » Wed Mar 20 1:28 pm

But Deduno the Great ended the famine of 1817.

Post by **Beauner** » Wed Mar 20 3:22 pm

sunbone wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:
Goldy77 wrote:
Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Article in the STRIB today talking about our rotation this year and how it's looking like it could be worse than last year. I don't know if that is really possible, but with what we got I wouldn't put that far off. Wait and see I guess. Scott Diamond is our Ace, followed by Worley, Correia, Pelfrey and then who knows maybe Deduno, Gibson in no order? Terry Ryan was saying he didn't like how Deduno threw so many pitches thinking he can't work late in ballgames. Gardy on the other hand was saying he would like having a guy that could throw and miss the bat.

Doesn't matter what his stuff is like, the bold is anathema to the organization and why ultimately he won't do much here.

They will keep a decidedly mediocre/poor pitcher like Blackburn on the roster for years simply because he throws it over the plate and doesn't walk anybody. TWINS WAY...

Are you really going to make the argument that they are going to keep a mediocre / poor pitcher instead of the Great Deduno? Wouldn't the argument be they are keeping one crappy pitcher instead of another crappy pitcher?

My guess is his point was Deduno actually has some electric stuff, versus guys like Blackburn, Diamond, Deduno, Hendriks et. al. and the Twins are going to end up going with those guys over Deduno because they don't walk people, they just throw meat balls right down the dick. Deduno had a decent start to his big league career (6-5 on a terrible team and had some phenomenal starts) and pitched extremely well over the WBC. 0.69 ERA, 17 Ks and a 2-0 record.
I'd take him and his upside over Blackburn every single time.

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Wed Mar 20 4:28 pm

Beauner wrote:
sunbone wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:
Goldy77 wrote:
Hobey Baker wrote:Who else do they honestly have to start?

Article in the STRIB today talking about our rotation this year and how it's looking like it could be worse than last year. I don't know if that is really possible, but with what we got I wouldn't put that far off. Wait and see I guess. Scott Diamond is our Ace, followed by Worley, Correia, Pelfrey and then who knows maybe Deduno, Gibson in no order? Terry Ryan was saying he didn't like how Deduno threw so many pitches thinking he can't work late in ballgames. Gardy on the other hand was saying he would like having a guy that could throw and miss the bat.

Doesn't matter what his stuff is like, the bold is anathema to the organization and why ultimately he won't do much here.

They will keep a decidedly mediocre/poor pitcher like Blackburn on the roster for years simply because he throws it over the plate and doesn't walk anybody. TWINS WAY...

Are you really going to make the argument that they are going to keep a mediocre / poor pitcher instead of the Great Deduno? Wouldn't the argument be they are keeping one crappy pitcher instead of another crappy pitcher?

My guess is his point was Deduno actually has some electric stuff, versus guys like Blackburn, Diamond, Deduno, Hendriks et. al. and the Twins are going to end up going with those guys over Deduno because they don't walk people, they just throw meat balls right down the dick. Deduno had a decent start to his big league career (6-5 on a terrible team and had some phenomenal starts) and pitched extremely well over the WBC. 0.69 ERA, 17 Ks and a 2-0 record.
I'd take him and his upside over Blackburn every single time.

I meant to respond but got jammed with some work stuff--you nailed the essence of what I was going to say.

It's not to suggest that Deduno is the second coming of Pedro Martinez. Just that he has stuff the other guys don't and like you say, his upside is intriguing. Enough in my opinion to warrant keeping him around, control issues and all.

Post by **sunbone** » Wed Mar 20 6:21 pm

I'm not sure I'm buying the upside argument for a 29 year old career minor leaguer. He did better than I expected last year but I just don't see Deduno having any sustained success. Scouting reports will catch up to this guy eventually IMO. That isn't to say I think Blackburn is an answer either. I think we can all agree that having a Blackburn vs. Deduno debate is is a pretty clear indictment of the starting pitching options this organization has at this point.

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Wed Mar 20 7:27 pm

sunbone wrote:I'm not sure I'm buying the upside argument for a 29 year old career minor leaguer. He did better than I expected last year but I just don't see Deduno having any sustained success. Scouting reports will catch up to this guy eventually IMO. That isn't to say I think Blackburn is an answer either. I think we can all agree that having a Blackburn vs. Deduno debate is is a pretty clear indictment of the starting pitching options this organization has at this point.

The scouting report is already out for Deduno, take, take, take! That's why I said if, and that's a big if, he could harness his control he could be a very effective starter. There are teams that are kicking themselves right now for not claiming Deduno for 50k in the offseason. As has been said, let's see what he can do over a half a season rather than trotting out the usual suspects, ala Blackburn.

Post by **theskillz** » Wed Mar 20 8:48 pm

I've already given up on the season. Makes it much easier -- any win, and I mean any win at all, is a bonus.

Post by **Handyman** » Thu Mar 28 11:28 pm

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2013/ ... ins+Now%29

Good thing we gave them that new stadium...they really kept their promise to put more money into the squad. $81 million now with it only to drop if/when Morneau gets traded! The Pohlad's bent this town over a table like they were Fred Hoiberg's agent and we are Doogie

Post by **dryfly** » Thu Mar 28 11:35 pm

Handyman wrote:http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2013/03/28/minnesota-twins-comparing-opening-day-payroll-to-detroit-tigers-is-kind-of-depressing/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TwinsNow+%28Twins+Now%29

Good thing we gave them that new stadium...they really kept their promise to put more money into the squad. $81 million now with it only to drop if/when Morneau gets traded! The Pohlad's bent this town over a table like they were Fred Hoiberg's agent and we are Doogie

Dad is proud of his boys....

Post by **The Rube** » Thu Mar 28 11:36 pm

Handyman wrote:http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2013/03/28/minnesota-twins-comparing-opening-day-payroll-to-detroit-tigers-is-kind-of-depressing/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TwinsNow+%28Twins+Now%29

Good thing we gave them that new stadium...they really kept their promise to put more money into the squad. $81 million now with it only to drop if/when Morneau gets traded! The Pohlad's bent this town over a table like they were Fred Hoiberg's agent and we are Doogie

I'd laugh, because I was one of many who told you so, but I'm also now paying for it, so ugh.

Post by **Handyman** » Thu Mar 28 11:43 pm

The Rube wrote:
Handyman wrote:http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2013/03/28/minnesota-twins-comparing-opening-day-payroll-to-detroit-tigers-is-kind-of-depressing/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TwinsNow+%28Twins+Now%29

Good thing we gave them that new stadium...they really kept their promise to put more money into the squad. $81 million now with it only to drop if/when Morneau gets traded! The Pohlad's bent this town over a table like they were Fred Hoiberg's agent and we are Doogie

I'd laugh, because I was one of many who told you so, but I'm also now paying for it, so ugh.

You didnt tell me so...I was out there with you shouting to the masses! I never supported giving that family anything they have used and abused this town like a victim on SVU!

I wonder what the excuse will be this year...

Post by **The Rube** » Thu Mar 28 11:44 pm

The royal "you." :wink:

I didn't wanna pay for this. User fees, sure. Other crap? Hell no.

Post by **Dances With Gophers** » Fri Mar 29 12:54 am

They should increase the price of stadium beer by 35% so the team can become competitive again.

Post by **Beauner** » Fri Mar 29 7:56 am

Brutal.
Watch the team win like 75 games now so the Pohlads will continue to be douchenozzles.

At least we're not the Astros though.

A-Rod will make more money than the entire Astros team combined.

Post by **trixR4kids** » Fri Mar 29 8:20 am

The Twins payroll increasing certainly wouldn't hurt but in reality they need changes to their front office. They need a new GM who actually understands player value and behind the scenes people who actually embrace advanced statistics and look for those under the radar type players (plus defense, platoon splits etc.). They need to build a farm system and get some home grown talent for once, there are some decent prospects but this isn't a top level farm system obviously. There are plenty of teams who do more with less money (Oakland, Rays, heck even the Pirates) than the Twins and I honestly don't think that if the Twins increased their payroll that they'd even use it intelligently enough to get past the ALDS.