Minnesota Twins 2014 - ∞: To Infinity & Beyond!

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Sat Nov 30 11:40 am

Let's keep in mind that Terry Ryan was advising the Twins on personnel matters during Bill Smith's tenure. I have a real tough time believing the Twins turned over all their personnel decisions to an administrative paper pusher like Smith. I wonder what title Ryan will get when he's eventually 'fired' as GM. Lord knows he, per the Twins Way, will still be wandering the halls long after he's terminated.

Post by **Beauner** » Sat Nov 30 12:08 pm

In a vacuum, I like the move. He's a solid pitcher with a very good breaking ball, something the Twins haven't had out of a starting pitcher in about 19 years.

In the grand scheme of things though, it's like pissing on a forest fire. As has been said multiple other times, if this team wants to be competitive before the Nolasco contract runs out we need to find some more good pieces to add to the puzzle and hope some of our young studs come up and produce instantly.
We signed him to a 4 year deal with a player option for a 5th year, but the team realistically isn't going to compete for 2-3 more years at a minimum without some additional outside help. It's a good start and potentially a good sign that they are willing to move some money around, although this contract is barely any different than the money Morneau had IIRC.

Post by **Handyman** » Sat Nov 30 12:13 pm

I dont like the coach, owner or GM and I am still a fan so I have no clue what you are talking about Slap Shot.

And I am sorry trix but Ryan being better than Bill Smith means nothing. Yes you are right but that doesnt mean he is the right guy for the job. Leslie Frasier is a better person than Chilli was but he is no better a head coach.

Post by **Bigbeer** » Sat Nov 30 12:17 pm

trixR4kids wrote:Ryan might not be able to turn this around but he's already significanty better than Bill Smith.

We comin....

Post by **trixR4kids** » Sat Nov 30 12:18 pm

Well yeah, I'm not saying he's the solution or anything. But not saddling this team with Nick Blackburn contracts and whatnot is a step in the right direction. Ryan could literally do nothing and be better than Smith that's how bad he was.

Post by **sunbone** » Sat Nov 30 12:20 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:Let's keep in mind that Terry Ryan was advising the Twins on personnel matters during Bill Smith's tenure. I have a real tough time believing the Twins turned over all their personnel decisions to an administrative paper pusher like Smith. I wonder what title Ryan will get when he's eventually 'fired' as GM. Lord knows he, per the Twins Way, will still be wandering the halls long after he's terminated.

Smith was Ryan's hand picked successor. His office was right down the hall. I have a hard time believing any of the major personnel decisions were made without being run by Ryan. Another reason they should have brought in someone else when they got rid of Smith. I mean when they moved Smith to a different office.

Post by **Beauner** » Sat Nov 30 12:32 pm

sunbone wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:Let's keep in mind that Terry Ryan was advising the Twins on personnel matters during Bill Smith's tenure. I have a real tough time believing the Twins turned over all their personnel decisions to an administrative paper pusher like Smith. I wonder what title Ryan will get when he's eventually 'fired' as GM. Lord knows he, per the Twins Way, will still be wandering the halls long after he's terminated.

Smith was Ryan's hand picked successor. His office was right down the hall. I have a hard time believing any of the major personnel decisions were made without being run by Ryan. Another reason they should have brought in someone else when they got rid of Smith. I mean when they moved Smith to a different office.

This.
People want to blame Bill Smith but Terry Ryan is the guy who was responsible for picking Smith and was still pretty heavily involved in the organization with scouting etc.

Post by **Handyman** » Sat Nov 30 1:20 pm

Exactly...in fact many of the people who rip Bill Smith now on this site were happy as dogs in :censored:

when he got the job BECAUSE he was "Terry Ryan's Hand Picked Successor" and Ryan was a genius.

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Sat Nov 30 2:21 pm

dryfly wrote:So.... Do we ave to wait until Jan 1 for Twins 2014?

Would a schedule make you and gopher6 happy? :lol:

How about Spring Training? You know. When the 2014 season starts.

Post by **Handyman** » Sat Nov 30 2:51 pm

I say we just get Jup to change the year in the title of the thread since it still works :lol:

Post by **Chris83** » Sat Nov 30 3:57 pm

How about "Minnesota Twins: The Neverending Sorry...er, Story"

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Sat Nov 30 4:12 pm

I can do it

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Sat Nov 30 4:14 pm

Post by **dryfly** » Sat Nov 30 4:15 pm

Captain Kickball wrote:
dryfly wrote:So.... Do we ave to wait until Jan 1 for Twins 2014?

Would a schedule make you and gopher6 happy?

How about Spring Training? You know. When the 2014 season starts.

I was looking toward 2014 after about Fourth of July 2013....

Post by **Handyman** » Sat Nov 30 4:40 pm

This thread is now full of win!!

Post by **Alby22** » Sat Nov 30 9:59 pm

Looks like Hughes is next. https://twitter.com/stribsports/status/ ... 2946834432

Post by **MinnesotaNorthStar** » Sat Nov 30 10:14 pm

Alby22 wrote:Looks like Hughes is next. https://twitter.com/stribsports/status/ ... 2946834432

Well, start planning the parade....

Post by **Slap Shot** » Sat Nov 30 10:15 pm

MinnesotaNorthStar wrote:
Alby22 wrote:Looks like Hughes is next. https://twitter.com/stribsports/status/ ... 2946834432

Well, start planning the parade....

For what, a playoff loss to NY? :mrgreen:

Post by **Handyman** » Sun Dec 01 12:23 am

Well at least this team is good for a laugh :lol:

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Sun Dec 01 12:50 am

Alby22 wrote:Looks like Hughes is next. https://twitter.com/stribsports/status/ ... 2946834432

Sure has more potential than throwing out guys like Scott Diamond, Cole DeVries, P.J. Walters, Liam Hendricks, Pedro Hernandez, Andrew Albers, Vance Worley, etc, etc.

All the negativity in this town sucks!

Post by **Handyman** » Sun Dec 01 1:10 am

Last year he was 4-14 with 5.19 ERA in 29 starts. He also gave up 170 hits in his 145 innings :shock:

But hey, the year before that he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA and he gave up 196 hits in 191 innings! (32 starts)

He won almost as many games in his 1 good season (18 in 2010) as he did the 3 years after that. (25)

Cant wait to find out what stat someone digs up to show he is actually the best pitcher in the AL though :lol:

Post by **trixR4kids** » Sun Dec 01 2:32 am

I can defend Nolasco but this one... why the hell would you commit to three years of Phil Hughes...?

Post by **Alby22** » Sun Dec 01 2:38 am

trixR4kids wrote:I can defend Nolasco but this one... why the hell would you commit to three years of Phil Hughes...?

Guess I'll wait to see how it plays out but 3 seems like a lot. Hopefully he returns to his form of early on with the yanks.

Post by **Slap Shot** » Sun Dec 01 2:56 am

I'd sign Hughes for that kind of money if he only had to pitch to the Twins at Target field.

Post by **Handyman** » Sun Dec 01 3:58 pm

trixR4kids wrote:I can defend Nolasco but this one... why the hell would you commit to three years of Phil Hughes...?

Not just 3 years...$8 million per year! That is $2 million for each win he had last season :lol:

New prediction, by June 15th the team will start having their shills put out there the "Dont blame us we are spending money" mantra to smokescreen the fact that these guys have no f'n clue what they are doing. I say it is 50/50 the fans buy into it :evil:

Post by **SkiUMahLaw** » Sun Dec 01 4:04 pm

Handyman wrote:Last year he was 4-14 with 5.19 ERA in 29 starts. He also gave up 170 hits in his 145 innings

But hey, the year before that he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA and he gave up 196 hits in 191 innings! (32 starts)

He won almost as many games in his 1 good season (18 in 2010) as he did the 3 years after that. (25)

Cant wait to find out what stat someone digs up to show he is actually the best pitcher in the AL though

Sounds like the definition of "pitch to contact!" :biggrin2:

Post by **Handyman** » Sun Dec 01 4:08 pm

SkiUMahLaw wrote:
Handyman wrote:Last year he was 4-14 with 5.19 ERA in 29 starts. He also gave up 170 hits in his 145 innings

But hey, the year before that he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA and he gave up 196 hits in 191 innings! (32 starts)

He won almost as many games in his 1 good season (18 in 2010) as he did the 3 years after that. (25)

Cant wait to find out what stat someone digs up to show he is actually the best pitcher in the AL though

Sounds like the definition of "pitch to contact!"

I bet Gardy is sitting in his office right now chewing on some Red Vines excited for next year!! :lol:

Post by **trixR4kids** » Sun Dec 01 4:53 pm

Handyman wrote:
trixR4kids wrote:I can defend Nolasco but this one... why the hell would you commit to three years of Phil Hughes...?

Not just 3 years...$8 million per year! That is $2 million for each win he had last season

New prediction, by June 15th the team will start having their shills put out there the "Dont blame us we are spending money" mantra to smokescreen the fact that these guys have no f'n clue what they are doing. I say it is 50/50 the fans buy into it

Again, given how inflated the market is 8 million is basically nothing. Obviously the Twins should pass on this one but to me the number of years is more insane than the actual money paid per year. Nowadays contract negotiations are more about the number of years of guaranteed payment than anything and Hughes hasn't really had any good years much less 3 in a row.

Either way we agree that Twins management is incompetent and this was a dumb move.

Post by **monty** » Mon Dec 02 7:55 am

Shrewd move by the Twins to sign Hughes. He is 27 years old and in the prime of his career. Wait until Anderson gets hos hands on him, probably make him the best pitcher in MLB. :biggrin2:

Post by **trixR4kids** » Mon Dec 02 10:18 am

Only thing about Hughes that I will say is that he's moving to a bigger park and most of his problems are due to giving up dingers at a higher than average rate. Now I think we'd all agree that there's a certain amount of skill to keeping the ball in the park, especially Yankee Stadium, and that the guy isn't CC Sabathia or Andy Pettite. But I think his numbers should get slightly better unless he get significantly worse in some other aspect.

Post by **Steve MN** » Mon Dec 02 10:27 am

Handyman wrote:This thread is now full of win!!

Methinks someone got fed up with complaining about what thread we should be posting in

And

for the change.

Post by **Eckes** » Mon Dec 02 10:44 am

I actually like the Hughes signing more than the Nolasco one. Nolasco has always been an up and down, mediocre at best pitcher. Hughes at least had some potential (he was a 1st round pick and just a few years ago was in the discussions to headline the Johan deal to the yankees). I like Hughes as a higher upside pickup. Nolasco will be the Vance Worley of this year, I think.

Post by **trixR4kids** » Mon Dec 02 11:15 am

Nolasco is a guy who has good peripherals and actually K's people and keeps walks down. It hasn't translated to good ERA numbers but you wonder how much of that was due to the abysmal defense of Florida and some bad luck stranding runners. His left on base % has been higher than league average for the most part and finally it regressed to around league average last year, and can help explain the improved performance (that and his K rate went up a little). While it's possible that he's just bad at pitching out of the stretch or he tips his pitches from the stretch, a lot of it is due to random noise and bad luck, especially in 2009 and 2011. This is what the Twins are betting on and we'll see if it comes to fruition.

Hughes is similar in that his ERA is usually a bit higher than his FIP but his FIP is pretty bad and he's also been giving up more dingers each year. Park change should help a bit but he has trouble finishing at bats and putting hitters away. He also has only two pitches and is probably going to get significantly worse each time through the lineup.

Here's what fangraphs has to say about the two acquisitions: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/twins-re ... nd-hughes/

Post by **Handyman** » Mon Dec 02 11:48 am

trixR4kids wrote:Only thing about Hughes that I will say is that he's moving to a bigger park and most of his problems are due to giving up dingers at a higher than average rate. Now I think we'd all agree that there's a certain amount of skill to keeping the ball in the park, especially Yankee Stadium, and that the guy isn't CC Sabathia or Andy Pettite. But I think his numbers should get slightly better unless he get significantly worse in some other aspect.

The only team that struggles hitting them out of Target Field are the Twins. Hughes' numbers wont improve that much...

Post by **ScoobyDoo** » Mon Dec 02 11:49 am

Handyman wrote:The only team that struggles hitting them out of Target Field are the Twins. Hughes' numbers wont improve that much...

Bingo.

Post by **trixR4kids** » Mon Dec 02 12:54 pm

Handyman wrote:
trixR4kids wrote:Only thing about Hughes that I will say is that he's moving to a bigger park and most of his problems are due to giving up dingers at a higher than average rate. Now I think we'd all agree that there's a certain amount of skill to keeping the ball in the park, especially Yankee Stadium, and that the guy isn't CC Sabathia or Andy Pettite. But I think his numbers should get slightly better unless he get significantly worse in some other aspect.

The only team that struggles hitting them out of Target Field are the Twins. Hughes' numbers wont improve that much...

Park factors lists TF as a pitchers park or at best neutral. It's HR effects are quite different from Yankee Stadium as well.

Post by **ScoobyDoo** » Mon Dec 02 12:55 pm

trixR4kids wrote:
Handyman wrote:
trixR4kids wrote:Only thing about Hughes that I will say is that he's moving to a bigger park and most of his problems are due to giving up dingers at a higher than average rate. Now I think we'd all agree that there's a certain amount of skill to keeping the ball in the park, especially Yankee Stadium, and that the guy isn't CC Sabathia or Andy Pettite. But I think his numbers should get slightly better unless he get significantly worse in some other aspect.

The only team that struggles hitting them out of Target Field are the Twins. Hughes' numbers wont improve that much...

Park factors lists TF as a pitchers park or at best neutral. It's HR effects are quite different from Yankee Stadium as well.

How would they know? There's never been a home team there that had any pitching. :conf2:

Post by **trixR4kids** » Mon Dec 02 12:57 pm

You can look at the away teams pitching there vs all other parks.

Post by **ScoobyDoo** » Mon Dec 02 12:59 pm

trixR4kids wrote:You can look at the away teams pitching there vs all other parks.

Ok, that's a pretty small sample size. Park's only been there three years and you can only use the opposing teams data.

Post by **trixR4kids** » Mon Dec 02 1:00 pm

It is kinda small admittedly and park factors can definitely change. You can also look at Twins pitchers home/road splits as well and I wouldn't be surprised if they were slightly worse on the road. The picture should become more clear after a few more years worth of data.

But the point is we KNOW Yankee stadium is a bandbox compared to TF, that's not really in dispute.

Post by **ScoobyDoo** » Mon Dec 02 1:03 pm

trixR4kids wrote:It is kinda small admittedly and park factors can definitely change. You can also look at Twins pitchers home/road splits as well and I wouldn't be surprised if they were slightly worse on the road. The picture should become more clear after a few more years worth of data.

But the point is we KNOW Yankee stadium is a bandbox compared to TF, that's not really in dispute.

Maybe if the Pine Trees were still there that would alter the Park Factor.

Post by **trixR4kids** » Mon Dec 02 1:08 pm

Forgot about the pine trees :lol:

Post by **theskillz** » Mon Dec 02 2:36 pm

Ahh.. remember what $8 million per could get you back in the day?

Now it gets you Hughes.

Post by **sunbone** » Mon Dec 02 7:15 pm

Either years of ineptitude in drafting and developing pitching has made the Twins overly desperate, or TR has some master plan that involves cornering the market on mediocre to crappy starting pitching that I am just not seeing.

Post by **ScoobyDoo** » Mon Dec 02 7:28 pm

sunbone wrote:Either years of ineptitude in drafting and developing pitching has made the Twins overly desperate, or TR has some master plan that involves cornering the market on mediocre to crappy starting pitching that I am just not seeing.

It's the latter.

dxmnkd316 · Post by **dxmnkd316** » Mon Dec 02 11:31 pm

Steve_MN wrote:
Handyman wrote:This thread is now full of win!!

Methinks someone got fed up with complaining about what thread we should be posting in

And for the change.

Post by **gopherguy13** » Tue Dec 03 10:56 am

The Pierzynski dream is dead :lol:

Post by **Beauner** » Tue Dec 03 2:51 pm

gopherguy13 wrote:The Pierzynski dream is dead

Don't worry, Jared Saltalamacchia may come save the day!
I wouldn't mind him. He's a been a very solid defensive catcher and has some pop in his bat (albeit to CF and RCF which is death valley at Target Field).

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Tue Dec 03 4:07 pm

Beauner wrote:
gopherguy13 wrote:The Pierzynski dream is dead

Don't worry, Jared Saltalamacchia may come save the day!
I wouldn't mind him. He's a been a very solid defensive catcher and has some pop in his bat (albeit to CF and RCF which is death valley at Target Field).

It's being reported they're going with Pinto. Saltalamacchia's out.

Post by **Beauner** » Wed Dec 04 3:56 pm

[twitter=OverTheBaggy]New Japanese posting rules setting max bid at $20M, team with lowest winning% gets priority. This should bring Twins into Tanaka bidding.[/twitter]

That would be sweet.
That kid's numbers (albeit in Japanese league) are video game good.

Post by **JWG** » Wed Dec 04 7:50 pm

Beauner wrote:[twitter=OverTheBaggy]New Japanese posting rules setting max bid at $20M, team with lowest winning% gets priority. This should bring Twins into Tanaka bidding.[/twitter]

That would be sweet.
That kid's numbers (albeit in Japanese league) are video game good.

Wait... that $20m is the entry fee to bid. Once a team has anti'd up the $20m, they still have to agree to contract terms. Which, if the Yankees are willing to pay $20m over 5 years - I doubt the Twins will try to compete. Each team who is interested puts in the $20m, but you only lose it if you win the bid. Or so KFAN said tonight.

Post by **dryfly** » Wed Dec 04 9:08 pm

JWG wrote:
Beauner wrote:[twitter=OverTheBaggy]New Japanese posting rules setting max bid at $20M, team with lowest winning% gets priority. This should bring Twins into Tanaka bidding.[/twitter]

That would be sweet.
That kid's numbers (albeit in Japanese league) are video game good.

Wait... that $20m is the entry fee to bid. Once a team has anti'd up the $20m, they still have to agree to contract terms. Which, if the Yankees are willing to pay $20m over 5 years - I doubt the Twins will try to compete. Each team who is interested puts in the $20m, but you only lose it if you win the bid. Or so KFAN said tonight.

Pohlads would consider it a 'win' if they 'lost' the bid...

Post by **Armadillo** » Wed Dec 04 11:06 pm

Beauner wrote:[twitter=OverTheBaggy]New Japanese posting rules setting max bid at $20M, team with lowest winning% gets priority. This should bring Twins into Tanaka bidding.[/twitter]

That would be sweet.
That kid's numbers (albeit in Japanese league) are video game good.

Christ with a jumpshot, didn't we do this a few years ago?

Post by **Handyman** » Thu Dec 05 12:09 am

Yeah but this time it is different...because Terry Ryan is in charge and that guy knows talent!

Post by **trixR4kids** » Thu Dec 05 7:52 am

The Rangers did it with Yu Darvish too...

Post by **Beauner** » Thu Dec 05 2:16 pm

trixR4kids wrote:The Rangers did it with Yu Darvish too...

And the Mariners with Ichiro.
And the Yankees with Hideki Matsui.

I know there is "danger" in the Japanese market because you never know how guys will translate to MLB, but from what I can recall, Japanese pitchers seem to be a bit better at adapting than hitters, and Tanaka is about as good as it gets when it comes to a pitching prospect from Japan.

Post by **sunbone** » Thu Dec 05 2:36 pm

Beauner wrote: And the Mariners with Ichiro.
And the Yankees with Hideki Matsui.

I know there is "danger" in the Japanese market because you never know how guys will translate to MLB, but from what I can recall, Japanese pitchers seem to be a bit better at adapting than hitters, and Tanaka is about as good as it gets when it comes to a pitching prospect from Japan.

How did Nishioka do against him?

Post by **Gopher Hockey Rube** » Thu Dec 05 2:51 pm

sunbone wrote:
Beauner wrote: And the Mariners with Ichiro.
And the Yankees with Hideki Matsui.

I know there is "danger" in the Japanese market because you never know how guys will translate to MLB, but from what I can recall, Japanese pitchers seem to be a bit better at adapting than hitters, and Tanaka is about as good as it gets when it comes to a pitching prospect from Japan.

How did Nishioka do against him?

Why? Why? Why? That name should never be spoken here again!

Post by **team22tank** » Thu Dec 05 4:07 pm

Twins sign Phil Hughes http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/05/twins-announce-24m-deal-with-phil-hughes/3881989/

Sweet!

Welcome to the squad Phil, your new squad sucks and so do you.

Post by **YoungEagle** » Thu Dec 05 4:24 pm

team22tank wrote:Twins sign Phil Hughes http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/05/twins-announce-24m-deal-with-phil-hughes/3881989/

Sweet!

Welcome to the squad Phil, your new squad sucks and so do you.

Look at the picture of Terry Ryan shaking Phil Hughes' hand on the Official Twins twitter. He looked PISSED. I couldn't help but chuckle.

Post by **Beauner** » Thu Dec 05 9:30 pm

team22tank wrote:Twins sign Phil Hughes http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/05/twins-announce-24m-deal-with-phil-hughes/3881989/

Sweet!

Welcome to the squad Phil, your new squad sucks and so do you.

I dunno. For some reason I really like the Hughes move.
It's one of those types of moves where if he comes out and sucks it doesn't really matter because he can't be any worse than the assclowns he's replacing (Hernandez, Pelfrey, Hendriks, et al) but if he can figure out how to use his offspeed stuff effectively here and develop a changeup or a better slider/curveball he could really become a key to turning the ship around as another veteran for our young pitchers like Gibson, May, and Meyer to rely on, along with Nolasco.

Hughes' career numbers against the teams in the east, and at Yankee stadium, are pretty bad. His career ERA @ Fenway is 6.56, and 4.82 at new Yankee Stadium (5.92 at the old Yankee stadium). It's also been pretty brutal in Toronto (over 6) and @ Baltimore. However, he's had some very good success in the AL Central ballparks, Target Field included (*INSERT HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT TWINS SUCK CHEAPSHOTS HERE*).
Granted those are all smaller sample sizes, but his numbers at USCellular are dominant, and they are certainly more than respectable at Progressive and Comerica.
Hughes is a more of a fly ball pitcher than groundball pitcher and the AL East ballparks are not fly ball friendly.

Post by **dryfly** » Fri Dec 06 12:10 am

team22tank wrote:Twins sign Phil Hughes http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/05/twins-announce-24m-deal-with-phil-hughes/3881989/

Sweet!

Welcome to the squad Phil, your new squad sucks and so do you.

From the link...

"He probably wouldn't be sitting here if he had an average year. So maybe this is a good omen for us," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said, adding: "We've got hopes that with a change of scenery that we're going to get him going in the right direction."

Somebody needs to tell them 'hope' is not a plan.

Post by **Handyman** » Fri Dec 06 1:25 am

Beauner wrote:
team22tank wrote:Twins sign Phil Hughes http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/05/twins-announce-24m-deal-with-phil-hughes/3881989/

Sweet!

Welcome to the squad Phil, your new squad sucks and so do you.

I dunno. For some reason I really like the Hughes move.
It's one of those types of moves where if he comes out and sucks it doesn't really matter because he can't be any worse than the assclowns he's replacing (Hernandez, Pelfrey, Hendriks, et al) but if he can figure out how to use his offspeed stuff effectively here and develop a changeup or a better slider/curveball he could really become a key to turning the ship around as another veteran for our young pitchers like Gibson, May, and Meyer to rely on, along with Nolasco.

Hughes' career numbers against the teams in the east, and at Yankee stadium, are pretty bad. His career ERA @ Fenway is 6.56, and 4.82 at new Yankee Stadium (5.92 at the old Yankee stadium). It's also been pretty brutal in Toronto (over 6) and @ Baltimore. However, he's had some very good success in the AL Central ballparks, Target Field included (*INSERT HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT TWINS SUCK CHEAPSHOTS HERE*).
Granted those are all smaller sample sizes, but his numbers at USCellular are dominant, and they are certainly more than respectable at Progressive and Comerica.
Hughes is a more of a fly ball pitcher than groundball pitcher and the AL East ballparks are not fly ball friendly.

Hughes has had 1 good year...he is mediocre.

Post by **Gopherguy05** » Fri Dec 06 9:11 am

Handyman wrote:
Beauner wrote:
team22tank wrote:Twins sign Phil Hughes http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/12/05/twins-announce-24m-deal-with-phil-hughes/3881989/

Sweet!

Welcome to the squad Phil, your new squad sucks and so do you.

I dunno. For some reason I really like the Hughes move.
It's one of those types of moves where if he comes out and sucks it doesn't really matter because he can't be any worse than the assclowns he's replacing (Hernandez, Pelfrey, Hendriks, et al) but if he can figure out how to use his offspeed stuff effectively here and develop a changeup or a better slider/curveball he could really become a key to turning the ship around as another veteran for our young pitchers like Gibson, May, and Meyer to rely on, along with Nolasco.

Hughes' career numbers against the teams in the east, and at Yankee stadium, are pretty bad. His career ERA @ Fenway is 6.56, and 4.82 at new Yankee Stadium (5.92 at the old Yankee stadium). It's also been pretty brutal in Toronto (over 6) and @ Baltimore. However, he's had some very good success in the AL Central ballparks, Target Field included (*INSERT HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT TWINS SUCK CHEAPSHOTS HERE*).
Granted those are all smaller sample sizes, but his numbers at USCellular are dominant, and they are certainly more than respectable at Progressive and Comerica.
Hughes is a more of a fly ball pitcher than groundball pitcher and the AL East ballparks are not fly ball friendly.

Hughes has had 1 good year...he is mediocre.

Mediocre is a hell of a lot better then who he will be replacing....

Post by **dryfly** » Fri Dec 06 4:49 pm

Gopherguy05 wrote:Mediocre is a hell of a lot better then who he will be replacing....

And a mediocre staff is probably good enough to get us up to almost 75 wins. If we play Houston a lot.

Post by **sunbone** » Fri Dec 06 4:58 pm

I'm not sure using free agency to try and buy your way back to mediocrity is a great long term plan for this squad.

Post by **Handyman** » Fri Dec 06 6:05 pm

Mediocre is not what you sign in free agency if you hope to be a decent team...

It is gonna be funny though I bet he wins a couple early and everyone falls all over themselves to pump the move...then he finishes 8-15 with an era above 6 :lol:

Post by **dryfly** » Fri Dec 06 9:12 pm

Handyman wrote:Mediocre is not what you sign in free agency if you hope to be a decent team...

It is gonna be funny though I bet he wins a couple early and everyone falls all over themselves to pump the move...then he finishes 8-15 with an era above 6

Eight wins? You really are a closet optimist.

Post by **Handyman** » Sat Dec 07 12:11 am

He becomes the lucky guy who pitches when the Twins actually score a few runs. The rest of the staff then get zero run support :lol;

Post by **Hobey Baker** » Wed Dec 11 5:18 pm

Rumors of Twiins being interested in signing one more starter. The names Arroyo,Garza and Tanaka(Japan)top the billing along w the rumor the twins are interested in giving Santana a chance (rehab).

Post by **Goldy77** » Wed Dec 11 5:57 pm

Highly doubt it's Garza, he throws too hard. They should look into Terry Mulholland.

Post by **Bushwood Gopher** » Wed Dec 11 7:16 pm

What's the Japanese expression for "pitch to contact?"

I highly doubt it's Garza, too, since he clashed with Anderson and Gardenhire. Why would he want to play here again if they're still here?

It's most likely Arroyo since he's the oldest.

Post by **sunbone** » Wed Dec 11 8:07 pm

Bushwood Gopher wrote:What's the Japanese expression for "pitch to contact?"

I highly doubt it's Garza, too, since he clashed with Anderson and Gardenhire. Why would he want to play here again if they're still here?

It's most likely Arroyo since he's the oldest.

He will want to play here again if the Twins offer him the most money. Which I don't think they will. This one seems like another situation where the Twins will offer less money or years and then say, well, we tried.

Post by **Snowcool08** » Thu Dec 12 12:23 am

sunbone wrote:
Bushwood Gopher wrote:What's the Japanese expression for "pitch to contact?"

I highly doubt it's Garza, too, since he clashed with Anderson and Gardenhire. Why would he want to play here again if they're still here?

It's most likely Arroyo since he's the oldest.

He will want to play here again if the Twins offer him the most money. Which I don't think they will. This one seems like another situation where the Twins will offer less money or years and then say, well, we tried.

Wasn't there some story when Garza was traded away that him and Gardy did not get along? I vaguely remember it was actually something about pitching the "Twins way" and they did not like his approach. That seems like something they can overcome with money. It's not like it was Kyle Lohse who tried to beat down Gardy's office door with a bat.

Post by **monty** » Thu Dec 12 8:20 am

I doubt the Twins get Tanaka if comes available. They changed the posting rules for getting the Japanese players. The max posting amount is $20M, and if more than 1 team posts the max then the player is free to negotiate with each team that posted the $20M. The Twins could post the $20M along with the Yankees/Boston/Texas/Dodgers and they could offer more to the player than the Twins would.