Article: Shut Down Joe Mauer. Now.

[Steven Buhr]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2306-Shut-Down-Joe-Mauer-Now

[jm3319]

Agree 100%. There's no such thing as a minor head injury or concussion. We're a million games out, he plays a high risk position, and he clearly is still having symptoms. Sit him down. They have nothing to gain and everything to lose with him pushing to come back to play more meaningless games this season.

[Winston Smith]

+ 100% and he should be done catching!

[Monkeypaws]

I agree SD. The Morneau analogy gives one pause....

[Mr. Brooks]

Not to nitpick, but a "minor heart attack" is actually a legit term.

I suffered one a few years ago when I had a newborn baby, and was putting 100+ hours/week into getting my business off the ground, and was drinking 4 or 5 pots of coffee a day, plus pounding red bulls.

Those were the ER doctor's exact words, "it looks like you may have suffered a mild heart attack. Cut back on the coffee, and get some sleep."

 

That said, a "minor heart attack" is still a pretty bleeping scary event.

[RodneyKline]

...and how about making him the teams full time third baseman. He is very athletic and I think he would be great at third. Very agile and an amazing arm. It would be such a waste to put him at 1B. Sign Morneau back and put Mauer at a more valuable position. 1B is for a big power hitter or an aging guy that can't contribute anywhere else on the field. Play him there regularly and by mid season he is a gold glover over there. Plus make him the starting Quarterback for the Vikes!

[Mr. Brooks]

...and how about making him the teams full time third baseman. He is very athletic and I think he would be great at third. Very agile and an amazing arm. It would be such a waste to put him at 1B. Sign Morneau back and put Mauer at a more valuable position. 1B is for a big power hitter or an aging guy that can't contribute anywhere else on the field. Play him there regularly and by mid season he is a gold glover over there. Plus make him the starting Quarterback for the Vikes!

 

And where do you put Sano when he is up in June?

He's too young to go straight to DH without being given a shot at 3B first.

[Larsbars08]

Look, if he can come back and play with no problems, than let him do it. I have no problem if they played him at DH for the rest of the year, but it's still premature to shut him down immediately. It's become clear that no two concussions are alike. Morneau and Koskie are one end of the spectrum, but there are also guys who come back relatively quickly. This is not to call Mauer out. If he's still feeling symptoms, than don't let him near the ballpark. But if next week he feels fine, and the doctors have signed off on it, then why not let him get a few at bats.

[Mr. Brooks]

In an article in the Strib today, Terry Ryan says Mauer "will" play again this year, and that he "will" catch.

[Thrylos]

Totally agree, JC. There is no need to play.

 

In an article in the Strib today, Terry Ryan says Mauer "will" play again this year, and that he "will" catch.

 

Add this to the thousands of reasons that Ryan needs to go, he doesn't "get it"...

[CGNikolic]

Ryan does not need to go, calm yourself Thrylos. Ryan is trying to be optimistic and tell fans/media not to worry. I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if neither of Ryan's statements come to fruition.

[adjacent]

Ryan does not need to go, calm yourself Thrylos. Ryan is trying to be optimistic and tell fans/media not to worry. I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if neither of Ryan's statements come to fruition.

My thinking too. The twins always come with some statement that is what the casual fans want to hear, not necessarily the whole truth. I will put that statement in the category of "the Twins will be contenders this year".

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Great article JC. 100% agree. No reason Mauer should play rest of year--so what if Twins win only 72 games instead of 75. Not sure whether Mauer should catch next year--I know he wants to, but why risk injury.

[Thrylos]

Ryan does not need to go

 

Ryan needs to go. He cannot win. Had about 25 chances to prove that.

[h2oface]

It is a scary thing for Mauer right now. I certainly can't live in his head and know what to do. But what about Willingham? Why is he still in the lineup and batting 4th? If the lame duck manager insists on playing him while he is still hobbling, can't he take his walks and strikeouts somewhere else in the lineup?

 

Today's Gardenhire quote was so telling..........

"I can't figure it out," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

For three years he can't figure it out. Doesn't he have a mirror in his house?

Can the manager be shut down for the year and try someone else in his position in September. After all, his contract is up.

 

I am so tired of the current "Twins Way", and would welcome a clean house as the new prospects make their way to the majors. Ryan being replaced is part of the solution. Look at Boston. Not doing too bad with their choices...... and they didn't even spend that much money, just what they should spend, and that doesn't mean making the payroll approach 40 Million a year.

[exrugger9]

First off, Seth- no need to apologize for focusing more on the Kernels than the big club. It's been far more interesting to follow the doings on the farm than in the Cities this year. And last year. And the year before that. And probably the next couple of years, too.... But I'm in total agreement. From years of rugby, ice hockey, and boxing, I've been on the end of a few of those. When you have that much of an investment in a part of your team- THE major part of your team, you don't take chances with his health, or even his life. It's not like we're anywhere close to playoff hunt. Besides, I'm sure they're spouting that line to keep selling what few tickets they can at this point. Please, TR, please RG, shut the guy down.