ajstolt_09

Injury prone is exactly the term for him. He might not have a chronic elbow or knee that flares up, but wether it's his body type, how he plays, or any other circumstances, he has been on the injured list more than we'd all like him too be. It doesn't mean he's a bad guy. It doesn't mean we don't want him to succeed. He just finds a way of getting himself dinged up more than a lot of people. And that is injury prone!

If Romero, Gonsalves, and that hoard of bullpen guys don't all get significant run in the next month and a half, I'll be shocked!! The bullpen guys deserve a long enough chance to fight through the struggles they might have, and Romeo and Gonsalves are going to be part of what the rotation is built on in the next few years. Get their feet wet this year so next year they can jump right in in the deep end.

My question is are we punting on next year already? One of our best 2 relievers under control next year, and a guy that loved playing here that we could have resigned. Especially valuable with the struggles of Sano and impending departure of Dozier. I don't understand what we are doing here. And of course the obvious Why is belisle getting innings that the AAA guys deserve? I mean, it's great getting these single A guys that might never pan out as talented as they are, but what about next year?? I'm shaking my head at the 2 guys we dumped today. I'm all for getting rid of Rod, Duke, Dozier, Lynn, Santana.....but how things are moving, Gibby, our #2 starting pitcher is going to be next and I'm really against that. Go into next year with nothing but budget free agents and the AAA roster. Gives a person a lot to look forward to. Glad the farm will have profile to follow

This could have been selling high, but I feel like Hicks has more to offer. I liked what he did, and finally started coming around the last half of this year. I don't love this trade at all, unless I am missing something on this 3 year backup catcher. I hope this doesn't mean Sano will move to the outfield! Unless they really don't care about outfield defense, which was one aspect that hugely improved this past year

The fact remains that the money is spent and at this point the contract is not the issue. It wont hinder the team from making moves. The problem is the black hole he has become at 1B and 3rd in the lineup. He is blocking Sano or Plouffe from moving to first. He is also occupying a very important spot in the lineup. And hes not dangerous enough to want to play at DH much. Moving him from 3rd in the lineup will be a very tough pill to swallow for him, and management. It will remind everyone that the 8 year, 23 million per was maybe a bit overzealous. I just see the team being more competitive with Joe not at first everyday and batting 6 or 7

We DID have to sign him to this contract. I thought it was too rich at the time, but that is besides the point. I think we all completely understand that the money has been spent and we understand that there are numerous young players making little money. Not every player on your team can be signed on a big contract or you would be called the Yankees. The issue with Mauer and this contract is what I call the "boat anchor" effect. Joe is basically anchored in at the 3 spot in the lineup and at first base. This is the issue. The studies have been done and Joe ranked very low, if not one of the lowest starting first basemen in the league in productivity. Being anchored in at these spots doesn't allow us to either move someone up or to sign someone from outside in order to improve either the 3 spot or first base. So if the last 2 seasons are what we are going to come to expect from Joe, he is dragging the team down, or best case, keeping it where its at and not allowing for improvement. It would be a tough pill for the organization to swallow to take him out of the everyday lineup or out of the 3 spot, but at this point, based on recent performance, a guy who NO LONGER reaches base 40% of the time, should not be in the middle of the order. The Mauer issue is possibly the biggest issue going into this offseason. Can we build the lineup to push Joe to the 6 or 7 spot? Can or should we rely on him to spend larger amounts of time at DH allowing for a harder hitting first baseman? Its complicated. He no doubt has sold the jerseys and gotten the organization their dollars worth, but now its down to production and there just hasn't been much. How do we change things knowing that hes going to be here for 3 more seasons? If Terry Ryan can figure that out, he probably deserves a raise!!