One Fan's Opinion: Cleaning the Clubhouse in Three Steps

[jmlease1]

I think people have pretty well covered the Simmons issue, lol. (I'm in agreement: his defense was worth, his offense was too putrid to be allowed near a twins lineup again, etc)

I'm a 100% no on signing Cruz, much as I loved him as a player here. Age is undefeated. Eventually it gets all of us, and as special as Cruz is, he's going to hit that wall too and I'd rather not be holding the bag when it does since he's already off the team (and we got spectacular value for him). We've got plenty of guys worth rotating through the DH spot, so I'd rather keep it open to ensure that someone like Arraez has a spot to hit in, Donaldson can take a break without losing us his bat, Kirilloff can take some reps at 1B without Sano being forced to take a seat, etc. Better chances of keeping some of these hitters healthy and productive, while still giving opportunities to young guys like Miranda too. Beyond that, he's going to command $10M if the NL adds the DH easily, and I'd rather spend that on pitching/SS.

I loved the Boomstick. Great guy, great signing, great player...but this would sadly be a reunion that i think would end in tears rather than cheers.

[old nurse]

On 10/11/2021 at 12:48 PM, Major League Ready said:

This is difficult to assess.  It appears to me it's a conscious plan with Tampa.  Do these other teams have low IPs from their starters because they are simply bad?  Has Tampa found a market inefficiency in SPs that don't excel when expected to go 6 plus but are good the 1st couple times through the order.  Have they adapted strategies and pitching sequences to succeed with this type of pitcher?  Jax appears to be this type of SP to me.  I think he would do better in the BP or in a stacking concept.

Tampa Bay has found a market insufficiency in assessing relievers. 10 of them with ERA 3 or under this year. Many are found off the scrap heap of free agency or traded for with a lottery ticket

Edited October 14, 2021 by Sconnie
Fixed typo to scrap

[Trov]

While I do not agree Simmons was as bad as a signing as some paint him, I agree there is no need to bring him back, and I recently read the Yankees looked to bring him in during trade deadline.  Not sure what was offered, but just about anything would have been worth it to give others a chance to show what they could maybe do on defense.  

In terms of Cruz, I would not be upset if he returns, I doubt he does as many guys can fill DH next year.  If team thinks Cruz still can get it done and they do not want others to DH I will not be upset, but not asking to bring him back. 

[LewFordLives]

Nice article, but I don't see any point in bringing Cruz back. The reality is this club will most likely not be playoff bound in 2022, so no need to shell out money for Cruz. The same could be said for some of the starters listed in the article. How many good years do Scherzer and Greinke have left? If you think it's only one or two, then there's no point in bringing them aboard for big $$$ for another fight for the bottom of the AL central. 2022 will be about seeing which of the younger guys can play at an MLB level.

[RpR]

22 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Nice article, but I don't see any point in bringing Cruz back. The reality is this club will most likely not be playoff bound in 2022, so no need to shell out money for Cruz. The same could be said for some of the starters listed in the article. How many good years do Scherzer and Greinke have left? If you think it's only one or two, then there's no point in bringing them aboard for big $$$ for another fight for the bottom of the AL central. 2022 will be about seeing which of the younger guys can play at an MLB level.

Cruz brought more to the Twins than just his bat.

I would wager money the Pohlads do not want to see dropping income continue from a Twins team that for years becomes one struggling to play .500 ball as they juggle the line-up with rookie wannabes.

One good year will put fans in the stands, for awhile, which this year showed so acquiring top level veterans, as they did in 2019 can be the shot in the arm they need.

[RonCoomersOPS]

I'd bring back Cruz, but not in a playing role at this point. I think he'd bring a ton of value to the organization in a hitting coach or a player development type of role.

[Melissa]

On 10/10/2021 at 6:23 PM, Sherry Cerny said:

Hi Everyone - I really like all the responses here and I am 1. really thankful you all took time to read it and 2. you left your honest thoughts. I am excited to continue my growth with writing and all of you!

So happy to have you here, Sherry! Baseball needs more female fans offering their insight. ?❤️

[Sherry Cerny]

On 11/23/2021 at 7:01 PM, Melissa said:

So happy to have you here, Sherry! Baseball needs more female fans offering their insight. ?❤️

Awwww thank you Melissa!!!! That means a lot!!

[RpR]

On 10/10/2021 at 7:20 AM, Sherry Cerny said:

What caught my eye was his errors, he had 49 errors over four years. This year, Simmons was tied for sixth out of 22 shortstops in errors. I know that shortstops tend to make the most errors on the team, but I am not sure what made the Twins think that he was going to be anything but a train wreck.

What made this even more frustrating was the fact that the Twins have players who could have played shortstop and got paid less. I am not advocating for Billy Beane baseball, but with assets like Jorge Polanco, Luis Arraez and Nick Gordon, it was really disappointing to have someone like Simmons in the line up, especially in the second half. It's a collective sigh of relief that Simmons is becoming a free agent. 

 

LOL, ? Yeah too bad he was not like he was in 2013-14-17 when he had 14 errors and won two MVPs and was a Gold Glove all those years.

Yep they could have played Polanco and returned to the glory days of 22 errors and being a minus in every Baseball Ref. category; Arraez Mr. throw the ball into right field, such a possibility the Twins did not even let him play SS, or Gordon, yep if other posters are correct, he is not even allowed to play SS in the minors any more.

Gordon may have a future with the Twins but it will not be at SS.

The Twins managed to avoid 90 losses, without Simmons it would have been 100 losses, minimum.

[ashbury]

7 hours ago, RpR said:

The Twins managed to avoid 90 losses, without Simmons it would have been 100 losses, minimum.

Wow, ten wins more than whoever would have replaced him. They should come up with a stat for that. I bet he would lead the league in it.

[RpR]

18 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Wow, ten wins more than whoever would have replaced him. They should come up with a stat for that. I bet he would lead the league in it.

And ten more the next year, and ten  more the next year etc., etc., etc, no wait -- put Polanco back at short, he was SO good.