Since we are playing the Whiteys-what about AJ

[nokomismod]

I've never got the hating on AJ thing that many people in MN have. When he was here, he played really hard and produced. Then he was traded. Would any of you like to see the Twins bring him back for a 2 year deal next year, sign Doumit for 3, and start transitioning Mauer to 3b or RF? That would be a lot of catchers on the team, but all three of them are good bats.

[greengoblinrulz]

I hate AJ because he plays for the SOX not because he left here. Loved him here/will when he retires. Not now.

He's a jackass to most people also, there is plenty to not like him about.

He is overrated as a player IMO, get more props for playin everyday.....but it wears him out IMO.

[snepp]

He's not one of the good ol' boys.

[Mike Sixel]

Really, we know he's not nice to "most people", we know that?

 

I have no idea why people don't like AJ, he's exactly what most of us want in an athlete, competitive.

[PopRiveter]

LOVE AJ through and through. I cheer for him every chance I get. The guy is a pest, and a competitor and he gave his all in a Twins uni just like he does in a Chisox uni. He even helped the team by being traded for good returns at an opportune time. He's said in the press that he'd be favorable to return to MN in the future. I'd take him back in a heartbeat. I might not want to rent a house from him...

[nokomismod]

LOVE AJ through and through. I cheer for him every chance I get. The guy is a pest, and a competitor and he gave his all in a Twins uni just like he does in a Chisox uni. He even helped the team by being traded for good returns at an opportune time. He's said in the press that he'd be favorable to return to MN in the future. I'd take him back in a heartbeat. I might not want to rent a house from him...

Ha! Or rent him my house either! I agree with you 100%. He was big in the few post season games he played for us and was great during the White Sox World Series run.

[JB_Iowa]

I, too, like AJ. In many ways he's the anti-Joe Mauer. Mauer is a seditive. A.J. is a shot of caffeine.

 

And it also reminds me of why I miss Mike Redmond (at least when he was playing well).

[spideyo]

I'd take him but it wouldn't make sense to bring him here while we had Doumit. If Doumit signs somewhere else, give AJ a shot again

[Guest USAFChief]

One of my favorite Twins of all time. The guy would open a vein to win a game.

[ltwedt]

How can you not like a catcher who is competitive, fiery, hates to lose, gets under the skin of the opposition, and hits 300+ every year? He adds a personality dynamic to a team that the Twins just do not have - take him back?? Why the hell not? He'd be cheap compared to the last 3-4 players that we have suffered with because they were TR's attempt to find a veteran player with just a little left in the tank.

[Shane Wahl]

I don't hate the guy, but signing him would be rather silly. He is having a good year this year, but he is on the downward slope, does NOT hit .300 hardly at all, and costs $4 million. Chris Herrmann will be the same overall for 1/8 of the price.

[ashbury]

Mike Redmond was 34 when he joined the Twins, and people joked like he was someone's great-grandfather or something; his record showed steady decline after the first couple of years. AJ would be 36 if he joined the Twins. No reason not to expect a similar decline.

 

It would be really ironic if we brought him back to catch. He was moved (most productively) in order to make room for a new kid. Now the new kid maybe can't catch everyday? Bring back an older AJ, and let *him* catch.

 

Maybe at a Jim Thome-like price, as some kind of veteran presence on a youth-oriented squad, he makes sense. But he's making $6M this year. If he signs with someone for $3M or $4M in 2012, I hope it's not the Twins.

[ashbury]

Oh, and if he wants to retire as an active player, he can come coach at Rochester if and when Brunansky is brought up to the parent club. He can have dual portfolio as Batting coach and Fieriness coach. I wouldn't put him in charge of players at Ft Myers A+ level or lower though - imagine the havoc when he decides also to be Pranks coach.

[Nick Nelson]

He is overrated as a player IMO, get more props for playin everyday.....but it wears him out IMO.

Yet he's hit as many or more homers than Mauer every year of Mauer's career except '09. And Pierzynski has gone deep five more times than Joe this year at age 35.

 

Not intended as a shot at Mauer – that's not his game – but I'd say A.J.'s ability to hit double-digit home runs almost every year into his mid-30s is a pretty good indicator that he's not been worn down by catching regularly for over 11 years. Sort of amazing, really. I think it's pretty hard to make the case that he's overrated.

[Bark's Lounge]

Like some have said, AJ looks to be in decline, but his decline seems to be slow one. I'd expect a few more years of 400 PA's, a .270 BA, and 7 -11 HR's. He's not a catch and throw guy, but seems to handle a pitching staff more than competently. Would I want Pierzynski to rejoin the Twins as a player - No. Would I want T-Hunt to rejoin the team as a player - also no. Let's deal with the crisis that is now and look positively to rebuilding for the future. Nostalgia for players of the past is all and good, but is of no benefit to the task at hand. Cudos to AJ for still having a impactful career.

[twinswon1991]

Think how much better off the Twins would be now with AJ at 6 mil instead of Mauer making 23 mil!!!! AJ is never hurt, can handle a pitching staff, and never EVER asks out of the lineup or to DH!

 

The Twins could have AJ plus a CJ Wilson type ace for 23 mil or Softy Mauer whose contract will haunt the Twins for years! Sigh.............

[Boom Boom]

The only thing I have against AJ is that phantom strikeout/passed ball from the 05 World Series. But that's ancient history. I loved the guy when he was here and I don't understand all the booing he gets. He's been a rock-solid player for a long time and has been extremely durable for a catcher.

 

I'd take him in a backup role, absolutely.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

I love this. Anybody who says they would not want AJ back in a Twins uniform does not know a thing about baseball. Let's see:

- Durable

- Will do anything to win

- Loved by his teammates, reviled by his opponents

- Hits for decent average and power

- Has not shown any massive signs of slowing down (slight ones yes)

 

Finally, who is the Twins backup again? oh yeah...DREW BUTERA!!!!!

 

Seriously folks, if he could be had on a multi-year deal for a reasonable amount, get down on your knees and thank the stars. But the bottom line is that virtually every contending team would overpay have him, even in a backup capacity. As much as I would like to see him as a Twin, it is not going to happen.

[Ultima Ratio]

Does anyone remember when AJ spiked Morneau on the ankle/foot running to first? I think it was around 2008. It was intentional. Love his competitiveness but he's also a red-ass dirty player.

 

Found it. From Wikipedia:

 

On May 28, 2007, in a game versus the Minnesota Twins, Pierzynski twice ran down the first base line with his feet on the inside of the base, possibly nipping Twins first baseman Justin Morneau with his spikes. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was furious with the umpires, which resulted in a long tirade. However, he was not ejected. Pierzynski denied any attempt to step on Morneau.^[15]

 

And here's the link from mlb.com for this reference.

 

AJ said "I'll do it again if I have to"

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070528&content_id=1991531&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min

[Ultima Ratio]

Therefore, he's not coming back to the Twins, and the Twins don't want him back. I respect his talent and the years he played for the Twins, but good riddance after all that's gone on since then.

[CDog]

How can you not like a catcher who hits 300+ every year?

If only they kept track of what people hit and recorded it somewhere that people could access, that would be awesome!

[darin617]

I love AJ he was a great catcher. What makes me laugh when the Sox come here that people boo him and I asked them why and they don't know or have a lame answer. He drove pitchers nuts fouling off so many pitches, something you have not seen a Twins hitter do since he left. Who cares if he was an A-hole he was a great player and I would love to see him as a Twin again.

[darin617]

Therefore, he's not coming back to the Twins, and the Twins don't want him back. I respect his talent and the years he played for the Twins, but good riddance after all that's gone on since then.

Yeah, don't forget about what his trade brought back to MN. If only we could trade Mauer and get half the talent in return and get out of that horrible contract. Fire Terry Ryan and Gardy and bring back AJ!!!

[CDog]

Almost everyone loves a hard-nosed player. Not nearly as many love a dirty player. I think that's the gist of the wide-spread feelings on AJ.

[twinswon1991]

Yeah, don't forget about what his trade brought back to MN. If only we could trade Mauer and get half the talent in return and get out of that horrible contract. Fire Terry Ryan and Gardy and bring back AJ!!!

The Twins would get an equal talent in tha AJ for Mauer swap. AJ still probably has more years left as a catcher than Joe does and AJ can actually hit homers. Since Joe got paid he seems more interested in DHing as opposed to playing the position he was paid to play.

[TroyVang]

I feel like a lot of the people who are loving AJ are remembering the last few years when there hasn't been a huge rivalry between the two teams and forgetting the times when they were competitive and he was aggravating all of us.

[luckylager]

I love AJ. The Twins could use a guy like him. He is a competitor. He is an a-hole. He plays hard!

[nokomismod]

Like some have said' date=' AJ looks to be in decline, but his decline seems to be slow one. I'd expect a few more years of 400 PA's, a .270 BA, and 7 -11 HR's. He's not a catch and throw guy, but seems to handle a pitching staff more than competently. Would I want Pierzynski to rejoin the Twins as a player - No. Would I want T-Hunt to rejoin the team as a player - also no. Let's deal with the crisis that is now and look positively to rebuilding for the future. Nostalgia for players of the past is all and good, but is of no benefit to the task at hand. Cudos to AJ for still having a impactful career.[/quote']

In my opinion the Twins need a guy like AJ or Torii to challenge some of the others on the team. They don't need both of them and AJ will be less expensive and more valuable as he a catcher than as another outfielder. I would take Hunter as well, but he will probably fetch around 8 million and I think AJ will be around 3-4 million.