Ok. So Liriano has been traded to the White Sox for two marginal prospects. Let's look at at a few things we can assume to be correct:

1) The Twins were not going to offer Liriano the $12.5 mil qualifying offer at the end of the year.

2) The Twins do not want to roll the dice with Liriano in the future (ie long term contract).

3) The Twins made the best deal they could as the deadline approached. Like it or not, 2 low level prospects was it.

Now, Let's look at some facts:

1) $2 million saved is $2 million saved

2) At this point and juncture, trading to an intra-divisional rival has zero impact on the future. Liriano is a FA at the end of the year, at which point he could sign with any team. As the Twins are out of the race now, it has no bearing on this year whatsoever.

3) We, the general public, know nothing about anything. We do not know what the Twins front office thinks about Liriano, his pitching, or his state of mind. We do not know what Liriano or his agent told the Twins about next year. We do not know what other offers were on the table for Liriano.

I continuously make the mistake of looking at the comments and reactions to things like the Liriano trade, or other moves the Twins do/don't make. It never ceases to amaze me how much anger and hostility there is at the Twins and the organization. I'll bet the negative comments outweigh the positives ten to one, and the positive comments are met with ridicule and "homer" comments.

It reminds me a lot of my 2 year old. Scream and yell at everything if it isn't perfect. If something doesn't go the way you think it should go, throw a tantrum. If complaining doesn't get your way, complain louder. It makes me wonder how the Twins Daily guys could possibly keep an open mind on things when they are constantly reading whine, whine, whine all day long. All I can say is that I empathize with them as I watch my 2 year old.

Here is my take:

1) The Liriano trade was fine. Liriano's ups and downs made it impossible to get any value for him.

2) Terry Ryan needs more time to be adequately evaluated. Drafts and prospects need 3-5 years before they can be considered good or bad.

3) I have said this many times before. Ryan is working under the guidelines set before him by the Pohlads. He is working under budget constraints and who knows what else when it comes to the decisions he has to make every day. The last time Terry Ryan left, it put us back into the situation we have now. If Terry Ryan was fired today, who knows who would come in. Be careful what you wish for.

Folks, rooting for the Twins can be very difficult at times. They don't throw money around like its water (like the Wolves and Vikings have done in the past). We all know how the Pohlads operate, that they treat the Twins more like a business model, and less like a girlfriend. Not every team can have Mark Cuban as their owner. But you have to know and accept this to be a Twins fan. Otherwise you are just wasting your time and mine by having to read your whining.

The Pohlads are not going anywhere. Deal with it. Live with it the way it is. Take the Twins organization for what it is. Otherwise, please take your unfounded whining about the intelligence levels of the front office, managerial staff, etc. and direct it about 4 hours east of here. The Brewers need more "fans" anyways.

Ahh, the mantra of the Midwest ... if you don't like where things are at, shut up about it and don't expect things to change. I get your post, Fire, but I disagree with your exhortation for us to "Deal with it." This is not the way the organization was run during the championship years, and if you don't expect better, you won't get it. If you find Central Division titles in a weak division satisfying in the best of years, then by all means -- don't set your sights any higher and don't demand more of the organization. One of the reasons why the FO doesn't do more is probably because many fans share your perspective.

As a Dad myself, I know that 2 year olds sometimes throw tantrums for a good reason. But there's a line between whining and dissent with cause. The fans have a few good reasons to be upset these days.

You wouldn't be whining about the whining, now would you?

Ahh' date=' the mantra of the Midwest ... if you don't like where things are at, shut up about it and don't expect things to change. I get your post, Fire, but I disagree with your exhortation for us to "Deal with it." This is not the way the organization was run during the championship years, and if you don't expect better, you won't get it. If you find Central Division titles in a weak division satisfying in the best of years, then by all means -- don't set your sights any higher and don't demand more of the organization. One of the reasons why the FO doesn't do more is probably because many fans share your perspective.

 

As a Dad myself, I know that 2 year olds sometimes throw tantrums for a good reason. But there's a line between whining and dissent with cause. The fans have a few good reasons to be upset these days.[/quote']

 

I can see your point of view, but you are ommitting something everybody knows. The Pohlads have run this team virtually the same way since they purchased it. They have said time and time again they have no intention of selling the team any time soon. I believe that within the confines they lay out, Terry Ryan is probably the best man for this job. While I disagree with many of the things Gardenhire does, I also believe him to be a solid manager that is willing to buy into the organizational structure. Because of the guidelines laid out by the Pohlads, you will not see any fundamental shifts in ownership approach to this organization no matter how much you complain. If you can't accept that, you are going to have a tough time being a Twins fan.

 

Also, during their "best of years" there were a few times in there they were arguably the best team in baseball, so I don't necessarily buy into that argument.

 

I have no problem with change. If you don't agree with things, the squeaky wheel typically gets the grease. Many posters here simply come in to stir the pot, demand rolling heads and complete changes without putting any thought into what those changes can bring. Change for the sake of change is not always a good thing.

 

Lastly, as I've said before, I would rather have a run like the Twins had, or the Braves had, having a chance to win every year rather than 2 great years and 5 horrible ones. I enjoy the ride more than the glory.

You wouldn't be whining about the whining, now would you?

Touche. If somebody doesn't say it, nobody will.