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Kwak

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Everything posted by Kwak

  1. Kwak
    I contend that we would be disappointed with any 25 man roster--there just aren't 25 who should be on a ML team yet. Politics matters--When the new executives were hired they were told that Molitor (and quite a few others!) had to stay. It is to be expected that Molitor howled loudly that if his tenure depends on wins/losses that he must have substantial input into the roster, rotation, and daily line up. Inevitably that wish would be (mostly) granted. I shake my head when I read that (so and so) shouldn't be on a bad team because... . My take should he be on a good team? If not, then cast him out. The goal should not be building the best bad team but rather building the best team practicable.
  2. Kwak
    I believe that the roster will be pretty much what Molitor wants but has to include the FO's acquisitions. This allows the FO to "sharpen the axe" for predictable failure so it will be PC for them to "kick Molitor upstairs" and hire their selection as field manager. Hoping that veteran RPs from this staff can be "flipped for prospects" is like tossing a coin in the fountain and making a wish.
  3. Kwak
    But managers are paid to know their players' skills (availability and suitability). When to change and when to leave the pitcher in. Management by pitch count, inning, or batter is lazy and implies that the team either has little trust in their manager or is a back seat driver/puppet master.
  4. Kwak
    Several issues here: Nobody has earned a defined role (maybe not even Molitor!) Second, baseball has evolved to place a higher value on the "fireman" role--base runner(s), close score, dangerous hitter(s)--a "tough" job. Third, the "closer's role is overvalued and grossly overpaid compared to the firemen. Last, I wouldn't be citing Perkins. He strikes me as the guy who was trying to avoid pressure situations and maximize salary at the same time. Entering a game at the start of an inning, with a lead (which was often two or even three) is a much easier task than entering with base runners and the score tied (or even behind). The "closer" got much glory and a huge paycheck, but each game still counts only one.
  5. Kwak
    To me there are two separate issues: drafting Jay 1-6 and using Jay as a starter or in relief. Addressing the draft issue is easy--the point is moot, water-under-the-bridge, dunzo. It was most likely a mistake but the second issue overrides the first now. If further changes in management are needed to see that this mistake isn't repeated, then make them. Changing management personnel is separate from what to do with Jay. As to what to do with Jay I think that RP is his best role. Some seem to think a really fast FB is a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. Sadly, there is insufficient evidence that that is Jay's future but a bevy of evidence that Jay could be very successful in relief.
  6. Kwak
    It's time to replace management by rote with flexibility--use bullpen by committee. To be blunt, this team doesn't have proven veterans for defined roles and it is pointless to make believe that they do. Using a designated 7th, 8th, and 9th inning pitcher is self-defeating and lazy thinking. Challenge the guys to prove they belong in the majors first and rotate them based on availability and success ("the hot hand"). Time will tell who's who.
  7. Kwak
    Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton was very highly touted as an OF and possible slugger (which he became). The Twins looks for "toolsy" (speed, defense, OBP) and draft that guy.
  8. Kwak
    Amen to all of the posts disagreeing with the selection of Jay at 1-6. Further evidence that management was beyond their depth and change was required. Maybe more change?
  9. Kwak
    Expand your mind--consider a top young player about to enter free agency, then trade him for multiple players. Example: Sano. He stays for 4-5 years--then trade him for multiple players. Maybe the same for Buxton (or if possible) another Twins player who shines--and trade him--all for multiple players. True this takes time to build a powerhouse team but it can work. Huge contract extensions to stars moving into free agency (or about to) e.g. Mauer and Morneau didn't lead to long term success. In fact it lead to crimped payroll restrictions to try to piece together complementary players around them to build a winner. Trading those two for multiple player might have yielded a bonanza (or a Milbury). Consider what Houston did--traded their best for prospects, lost like crazy, and hit (and missed!) in the draft. Perhaps they trade one or two of their best before they reach free agency in an attempt to fill a pipeline of top talent? Though, Houston can generate enough revenue to keep players if they choose.
  10. Kwak
    A credible method for building a top team is to trade elite prospects for multiple prospects. One can become three, then nine. It takes time, but it is sustainable.
  11. Kwak
    Just mention the Mauer contract around 1 Twins Way sends people scurrying like cockroaches in a newly lit room. No way are they going to spend big money on a multi-year contract--for a pitcher! This team is not a contender or even close. When the team is rebuilt to a consistent winner, then the checkbook might open for a 1-year big money contract for a pitcher ala` Jack Morris. But next year--pure fan fiction.
  12. Kwak
    Fear not about the #1 flop in Twins history--Eddie Bane and Adam Johnson are arm-wrestling for that distinction.
  13. Kwak
    Ryan was viewed as "the super scout", and Smith as "the org guy". Smith didn't scout (or evaluate) the players individually per se--he pushed for the change in policy to actively seek/sign players from outside the US pool. The Nishioka deal, as Smith stated, he was merely the last signature on the paper. With respect to "the trades", Smith's fault was being unable to thwart Gardenhire's demands. Anybody remember: "the #1 priority for the Twins is to re-sign Punto"? There is no way that Gardenhire pulls that stunt with Ryan as GM. The difference was: Ryan was strong in his role as GM and Smith wasn't. As far as "the mistakes", the value of signing a star player that would have been ignored far outweighs the damage of Nishioka's signing. If the policy change of aggressively pursuing (as evidenced by actually spending the cash!) turns this team around we can fairly conclude that Smith was a good GM for the period he served.
  14. Kwak
    ETA 2018 seems pessimistic given the Twins "staff". It's refreshing to see a pitcher succeed by "pitching" rather than on brute force of a great fastball--though of course it would be super if he had one! Gonsalves sounds like he'll be the kind of pitcher who will have a long career. I sure hope he gets promoted to the Twins this summer.
  15. Kwak
    Reread Jeremy's Article in the What's Left To Work On section--4.7%. Is his number wrong?
  16. Kwak
    "...walk rate of 4.7%...". I had to double check--and sure enough I had just read the same number for Alex Gordon! I'll be watching the posts to compare the reactions for Gordon's and Kirilloff's walk rates.
  17. Kwak
    I think that the (old) FO had seen 3300 innings of Polanco at SS and concluded "not a MLB SS". Combine that conclusion with the investment in both Gordon and Javier and extend it to "one of those two is 'the future' Twins SS", so stop wasting time, space, and planning on Polanco as SS and "move him to someplace he can contribute as a Minnesota Twin". There was also the issue of both Escobar (Ryan's guy) and D. Santana (Molitor's guy) to hold down SS until "the future" was ready. Hence, no innings at SS for Polanco. Let's face it, Polanco is just a placeholder at SS until the Twins decide to give the position to Gordon (or Javier)--and Escobar and D. Santana are still with the Twins!
  18. Kwak
    Are people implying that Polanco forgot how to play SS (over 3300 innings were cited in the OP) because he wasn't used as a SS in the 2016 minors? Balderdash! There was plenty of background to estimate Polanco's effectiveness as a SS at the ML level. As I see it, there is a real disconnect between "advertised" skill level of a Twins' prospect and his actual performance.
  19. Kwak
    Drafting Jay so very early was an indication of desperation--drafting college RPs and expecting to develop them them as dependable ML SPs--"try to weave a silk purse from a sow's ear". I'm OK with spending this season to see if this dream can come true. But all should be prepared that 2017 will be another "setback" in Jay's "development" as a starter. If, as I believe will happen, that this "setback" occurs--it's time to change gears and place Jay in the MiL bullpen, and hope that he will soon make valuable contributions to the Twins' bullpen very soon.
  20. Kwak
    Modest K/9 and with the projected Twins defense? Kohl had better learn a devastating pick-off move or his ERA will zoom to the sky.
  21. Kwak
    The paper is planned to be disposable--just like some players.
  22. Kwak
    It's like changing the paper rolls in the men's room.
  23. Kwak
    The OP implied a long term approach to fixing pitching. Those who are citing only immediate personnel changes are only looking at the short term. Clearly both are important but need to be discussed separately. One part of a long term approach is defining pitching philosophy. The Twins employed P2C, banned the name, but did they change anything else?
  24. Kwak
    What's the players' focus? Dozier exemplified his focus--dead pull hitting with an uppercut. If MLB "pays for drives and 'putts' for show" expect him and the rest to do the same. There will be games where the Twins score in bunches, but many more where scoring chances wither away. Also consider the '11 and '12 seasons: after the 12-game home stand in 2011 (post ASB) the team basically quit when Gardy played the bench almost exclusively; and in 2012 post Labor day they might just as well not bothered putting 9 on the field--they won only 4 games! So, what will be the motivation of the players? How much "fight is in this dog"? Do they play for each other? Or only for personal statistics? 100+ loss seasons include many many "me first" guys.
  25. Kwak
    Option #4 Polanco replaces Danny Santana on the roster and serenades him with Happy Trails to You.
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