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Please Stop Telling Me How To Be A Fan


Dave Overlund

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blog-0800451001563455746.jpgI attended dozens of Twins games every year in the mid-90's as a kid. I sat through lineups composed of Otis Nixon, Butch Huskey, Midre Cummings and Rich Becker. I watched rotations that featured Scott Aldred, Bob Tewksbury and Rich Robertson.

 

Then, the 2000's happened. On one hand, it was very fun to see the Twins consistently contend for the playoffs and win 85-95 games every year. But the team never went out and traded for that one missing piece that would get them over the top and make them legitimate World Series contenders.

 

In the Metrodome years, it was understandable that they would be hesitant to take on contracts like those. The revenue streams were not there to support a $125 million payroll. Fine, so be it.

 

Then Target Field opened and fans were treated to what seemed to be a magical 2010 season. They had everything but a true #1 starter. Rumors flew around at the deadline, with names like Cliff Lee being floated as possibilities for the team to acquire at the deadline. We got Matt Capps, and were promptly swept by the Yankees in the first round.

 

Then, this time as a season ticket holder, I got to watch such studs as Darin Mastroianni, Chris Parmelee and Doug Bernier at the plate, while Mike Pelfrey, Sam Deduno and Scott Diamond "pitched" during the 2011-2018 seasons.

 

Meanwhile, the Twins raked in the money with revenue from the new ballpark and a new TV contract.

 

So forgive me if my patience has worn thin, and I am not content to just "enjoy the ride." I have been a loyal, money-paying, tv-watching, jersey-wearing fan for 35 years. It's time for the ownership to reward me, and the others who have been through the same thing, by unlocking the money bin and making some serious moves to become an actual World Series contender, not just a division crown contender.

 

I think the Twins need upgrades in the rotation and the bullpen. The team has the money and the prospects to get it done, right now. I personally don't give a crap if Trevor Larnach turns out to be a 10 time all star after he is traded if he brings back a player that can help the team win right now. Think of Shields/Davis coming to the Royals for Wil Meyers. Do any Royals fans really care if Meyers becomes a Hall of Famer after they traded him? I doubt it.

 

Don't think Madison Bumgarner is an upgrade over Kyle Gibson? Great. I can respectfully disagree with your opinion. However, calling fans who would like a trade "barbarians" (as Reusse did today) or talking down to people who aren't content to stand pat and see what happens, is just so frustrating.

 

It's great if you are fine to let the Pohlads rake in the dough and try to back their way into titles, that's your prerogative. I just think the narrative of fans who would like to see moves made being idiots, or bad fans, is growing tiresome.

 

Despite what Patrick Reusse, Jim Souhan or even commenters here might say, I personally think it's okay for fans to want more. We have waited long enough, and some of us aren't content with division championships.

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The "Pohlad's are cheap" fan is an uninformed fan.   Every Darvish or Kimbrel signing by another team gets that mantra going.  By the way, I'm happy the Twins didn't sign either one of them. The Twins are one of many teams going after the top players who will come available in the next two weeks (as more teams become sellers).  I trust them to make a good effort to sign what is needed. Still, I am not excited about giving up one of the big three prospects (Graterol , Kirilloff, Lewis) for a fading MadBum or a Sonny Gray type of pitcher.  The Twins should not give up that caliber of prospect if they are going to take on a big contract for someone like Zack Greinke.  The Twins should add another top starter and/or a top reliever, but the cost is part of the equation both in dollars and the quality the players we are giving up.    When Management considers the cost, it isn;t being "cheap", it's part of making a good decision ofr the the team asnd the bottom line too.

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The "Pohlad's are cheap" fan is an uninformed fan.   Every Darvish or Kimbrel signing by another team gets that mantra going.  By the way, I'm happy the Twins didn't sign either one of them. The Twins are one of many teams going after the top players who will come available in the next two weeks (as more teams become sellers).  I trust them to make a good effort to sign what is needed. Still, I am not excited about giving up one of the big three prospects (Graterol , Kirilloff, Lewis) for a fading MadBum or a Sonny Gray type of pitcher.  The Twins should not give up that caliber of prospect if they are going to take on a big contract for someone like Zack Greinke.  The Twins should add another top starter and/or a top reliever, but the cost is part of the equation both in dollars and the quality the players we are giving up.    When Management considers the cost, it isn;t being "cheap", it's part of making a good decision ofr the the team asnd the bottom line too.

Thanks for making my point. "Uninformed fan" is exactly the kind of comment I was talking about in my post, and you led off with it. Well played. 

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The Twins should not give up that caliber of prospect if they are going to take on a big contract for someone like Zack Greinke.  The Twins should add another top starter and/or a top reliever, but the cost is part of the equation both in dollars and the quality the players we are giving up.    When Management considers the cost, it isn;t being "cheap", it's part of making a good decision ofr the the team asnd the bottom line too.

 

I agree that the Twins shouldn't give up a top prospect for a Greinke contract, but I also agree with Dome Dogg that now is the time for them stop being cheap and loosen the purse strings even more to be willing to take on a Greinke-type contract.  Mauer is off the books.  Polanco and Kepler just re-upped for relative peanuts.  2020 is going to require starting pitching aquisitions anyway.  

 

I'd offer Lewin Diaz, Matt Magill and they pay half the remaining deferred salary payments ($12.75 mill) ... The Twins should also negotiate when they want to pay the deferred $12.75 mill that they will be responsible to pay out. He also gets $2 mill for being moved. Arizona can pay that too.

 

It would be a blockbuster for the Twins, if Greinke approved it.  I don't know how much he hates the Twins, since he blocked them.  I would think the playoff chase and young core with manageable committed money (even after taking on his deal) would be enough for him to push it through.  

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I agree that the Twins shouldn't give up a top prospect for a Greinke contract, but I also agree with Dome Dogg that now is the time for them stop being cheap and loosen the purse strings even more to be willing to take on a Greinke-type contract.  Mauer is off the books.  Polanco and Kepler just re-upped for relative peanuts.  2020 is going to require starting pitching aquisitions anyway.  

 

I'd offer Lewin Diaz, Matt Magill and they pay half the remaining deferred salary payments ($12.75 mill) ... The Twins should also negotiate when they want to pay the deferred $12.75 mill that they will be responsible to pay out. He also gets $2 mill for being moved. Arizona can pay that too.

 

It would be a blockbuster for the Twins, if Greinke approved it.  I don't know how much he hates the Twins, since he blocked them.  I would think the playoff chase and young core with manageable committed money (even after taking on his deal) would be enough for him to push it through.  

I don't think Grienke hates the Twins. It is known that he prefers the National League though. He likes hitting and probably doesn't enjoy facing DH either.

 

Another thing to consider is how he feels about Arizona's current playoff chances. He probably doesn't want to walk away from his teammates while they are 0.5 games out of the playoffs and have the 2nd best run differential in the NL. He probably values his current teams playoff push more than joining another one.

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Not that tough, Twins need at least 2 reliable relievers. It won't break the "bank" of young players. The Twins are a relief core away from contending seriously.  We have a fairly young core of players and there are a couple of young relievers that we could control available (e.g. Greene, Detroit). 3/4 of our minor league will never see the Big's with the Twins. I have been a fan since 1964 this is one of the rare years we could seriously contend. Just go get some relievers!! I am not uninformed!

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I'm willing to part with big time prospects, but I don't see any Cliff Lee-in-his-prime types available this year. The Twins find themselves contending in an unfortunate year where nearly all the best pitchers are already on playoff contending teams. Of the rumored starters available, only Syndergaard gets me thinking happy front of the rotation thoughts.

 

I'd still like to figure something out. I like but don't love Bumgarner, but getting a big name (even if he doesn't provide big results anymore) may have a positive even if incalculable psychological impact on the club.

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Not that tough, Twins need at least 2 reliable relievers. It won't break the "bank" of young players. The Twins are a relief core away from contending seriously.  We have a fairly young core of players and there are a couple of young relievers that we could control available (e.g. Greene, Detroit). 3/4 of our minor league will never see the Big's with the Twins. I have been a fan since 1964 this is one of the rare years we could seriously contend. Just go get some relievers!! I am not uninformed!

Couldn't we contend for years to come?  I don't agree that this can be a rare occasion.  There's a solid, young nucleus signed with control for several years down the road for most.  I agree that 2 reliable relievers are needed but obviously moving forward, the same will hold true for starters next season.  I don't see them as a contender this year in spite of the record and success to this point.

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By the way, Larnach was promoted to AA just a couple of days ago.   In a league where power hitting is at a premium, Larnach looks like one the Twins should keep.. 

 

They have some bats, no doubt.  Blankenhorn has been raking it as well.  I'm wondering if they could move him up this season at 3B.  I'm not a Sano fan.

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Couldn't we contend for years to come?  I don't agree that this can be a rare occasion.  There's a solid, young nucleus signed with control for several years down the road for most.  I agree that 2 reliable relievers are needed but obviously moving forward, the same will hold true for starters next season.  I don't see them as a contender this year in spite of the record and success to this point.

The Twins are always playing to contend "next year"

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If you broadcast an opinion about a team, you have to expect people to disagree with you. Telling them how they can and can't respond to you (outside of hate speech or threats) is ludicrous and evidence that you're trying to control the narrative. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Don't want anyone to criticize your opinion! Keep it to yourself.

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If you broadcast an opinion about a team, you have to expect people to disagree with you. Telling them how they can and can't respond to you (outside of hate speech or threats) is ludicrous and evidence that you're trying to control the narrative. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Don't want anyone to criticize your opinion! Keep it to yourself.

To be fair, 'respectfully disagree' was stated in the original post.

I think this is more about the personal attacks some writers, like Ruesse, have made toward others simply because they have a different opinion.

I personally post here less often because of ridicule. Most of that was because I didn't want the Twins to trade a guy that many others were saying should be traded.

I'm not always right, but in this case that player's name is Eddie Rosario.

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If you broadcast an opinion about a team, you have to expect people to disagree with you. Telling them how they can and can't respond to you (outside of hate speech or threats) is ludicrous and evidence that you're trying to control the narrative. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Don't want anyone to criticize your opinion! Keep it to yourself.

I'm afraid you completely missed the point of my post, which is no big deal. 

 

I was not saying that I am right. I actually enjoy when people disagree with my opinions and I appreciate hearing someone else's point of view. That's part of the fun of baseball. 

 

However, in today's world it's not enough to just disagree with someone. Now, the response is to say, "Not only do I disagree, but you are an idiot for thinking the way you do." 

 

That's what I am talking about in my post, I am not telling people they can't disagree. People are too quick to insult others, and are not willing to discuss things as trivial as baseball with a polite and open mind. 

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