Getting the Old Gang Back Together

[ScottyB]

If the Twins go with the same theme next year, there are several ex-Twins up for free agency. Some of the bigger names include Torii, Cuddy, AJ, Liriano and my choice to actually go after JJ Hardy.

[Reider]

I'd welcome J.J. Hardy back, but i'm not 100% sure he'd come back after what happened the first time he was here.

[notoriousgod71]

Not ****ty enough. I'm thinking Rivas, Tom Prince, and Joe Mays.

[70charger]

Bring back Lew Ford!!

[Paul Pleiss]

Could be fun to see Hardy back in MN, a SS who can go both ways, fantastic. I agree with Reider, not sure he'd be bashing down any doors to sign in MN if he could get comparable money elsewhere. The Twins might be more willing to throw money at a SS next season as they continue their rebuild, but maybe Santana gets more consistent defensively as the season goes on and the Twins arent willing to sign a 4+ year deal for the aging Hardy.

[DaveW]

If the Twins go with the same theme next year, there are several ex-Twins up for free agency. Some of the bigger names include Torii, Cuddy, AJ, Liriano and my choice to actually go after JJ Hardy.

I think if AJ was going to come back he would have came this year, by next year we will know if Pinto is going to be a full time catcher, if he isn't the Twins will need to aim higher than AJ IMHO.

 

Liriano- As much as I would love to get him back, I don't see it happening. I think he gets snagged up by another NL team.

 

Hardy- Yes I would welcome him back in a heartbeat. Money talks, I think he would come back.

 

Torii/Cuddy- I actually think Hunter would be a perfect signing for this team. He would be a great mentor for Buxton/Hicks. Hunter-Buxton-Hicks with Arcia as DH next year gives you a pretty nice defensive and offensive OF (assuming Hicks can stick)

[Mr. Brooks]

I think if AJ was going to come back he would have came this year, by next year we will know if Pinto is going to be a full time catcher, if he isn't the Twins will need to aim higher than AJ IMHO.

 

Liriano- As much as I would love to get him back, I don't see it happening. I think he gets snagged up by another NL team.

 

Hardy- Yes I would welcome him back in a heartbeat. Money talks, I think he would come back.

 

Torii/Cuddy- I actually think Hunter would be a perfect signing for this team. He would be a great mentor for Buxton/Hicks. Hunter-Buxton-Hicks with Arcia as DH next year gives you a pretty nice defensive and offensive OF (assuming Hicks can stick)

 

Well the Twins should probably play him at catcher then if we want to find that out. Right now he's on pace to catch 32 games, which isnt really going to be enough to tell us one way or the other.

[Otto von Ballpark]

This approach would certainly make those "Where are they now?" articles much easier to write. The answer: they're all here!

[stringer bell]

Well the Twins should probably play him at catcher then if we want to find that out. Right now he's on pace to catch 32 games, which isnt really going to be enough to tell us one way or the other.

Two outfielders out has necessitated putting the two likely DHs at the outfield corners. The recall of Herrmann has given Gardenhire the flexibility to use Pinto as a DH. That won't last much longer, I hope. If the DH option isn't available for Pinto, he'll catch more. Also, with cool weather and frequent off days and rainouts, there has been no need to rest Suzuki. That will be different when the schedule tightens and the weather warms up.

[Mr. Brooks]

Two outfielders out has necessitated putting the two likely DHs at the outfield corners. The recall of Herrmann has given Gardenhire the flexibility to use Pinto as a DH. That won't last much longer, I hope. If the DH option isn't available for Pinto, he'll catch more. Also, with cool weather and frequent off days and rainouts, there has been no need to rest Suzuki. That will be different when the schedule tightens and the weather warms up.

 

If they are both in the lineup anyway there is no reason Pinto can't catch every now and then with Suzuki DH'ing.

Yes, I know Suzuki is nowhere near an ideal DH, but like I said, if they are both in the lineup anyway, doesn't matter much.

Whether or not Suzuki needs a day off should not be a factor. Pinto has a chance to be a part of the next Twins playoff team, Suzuki does not.

It's still early in the season, a lot can change, but if the Twins get to the end of the season still not knowing if Pinto has sunk or swam at C it will be very frustrating.

[Mill1634]

watching Liariano he has really improved. I would love to see him back

[Dave T]

Well, there's a wet blanket if I ever heard one. I am not predicting playoffs either, but I can't rule it out after the Twins' hot start offensively.

[DaveW]

Two outfielders out has necessitated putting the two likely DHs at the outfield corners. The recall of Herrmann has given Gardenhire the flexibility to use Pinto as a DH. That won't last much longer, I hope. If the DH option isn't available for Pinto, he'll catch more. Also, with cool weather and frequent off days and rainouts, there has been no need to rest Suzuki. That will be different when the schedule tightens and the weather warms up.

Yeah, also Suzuki has been playing pretty well overall. Defense has been solid, Gibson has been good (may have nothing to do with Kurt but....who knows) and he has been getting on base at a .375 clip. No real reason to pull him from the spot when you are still able to play PInto so often because of the reasons you mentioned.