Rube

I couldn't agree more! Souhan is a hack. He knows very little about sports in general, but especially little about baseball. He's just trying to generate controversy in an attempt to get someone to read his drivel.

To get a pitcher making 13 - 15 per year they will want a multi year deal (Haren is the exception) plus the $5 M flyers. Thus the $100 million. I agree that was never in the cards from the beginning. TR has never done it and never will. I just wish they would shed a little more light on what goes on behind the scenes - otherwise, like the commentors said above - all this bantering is uninformed gibberish.

Sure this signing sucks, and everyone seems to agree that signing no one would be better. But if TR did sign no one everyone would be complaining about that also. Guy can't win - unless he spends $100 million on pitching.

I like your analysis and its been proven to be pretty accurate so far as the trade deadline is concerned. It also shows that TR is not the teetering old idiot that needs to be put out to pasture that many commenters portray him to be. He does have a plan and he will work the plan and see it thru.

"Selling the dream"? The Twins are trying to trade a player to a team that has their own scouts and evaluate players independently of what the Twins might "sell" them. There is not a lot they could have done to increase Liriano's perceived value.

[h=3]Below is from Ken Rosenthal of Fox sports on July 9, 2012: GAMBLING ON LIRIANO[/h]Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano is 3-2 with a 2.74 ERA in eight starts since returning to the team’s rotation, but most clubs still are wary of trading for him. Liriano, even during this period of relative prosperity, is averaging 4.4 walks per nine innings. The Braves have been linked to him, but why would they want a potential free agent, who is no more trustworthy than their young starters? Better the Braves should trade for Greinke — or better still, Rays right-hander James Shields, who is earning $7 million this season, with club options of $9 million next season and $12 million in 2014. Some clubs like Liriano better as a reliever. And it’s doubtful that any will part with significant prospects when under the new collective bargaining agreement, there is no possibility of draft-pick compensation if he leaves as a free agent. The Twins, by the way, will listen not just on Liriano. Closer Matt Capps, recovering from right shoulder inflammation, also will be available once he comes off the disabled list, sources say.