IndianaTwin

Harry Carey would have called him something like Merle Zelaznog.

“...Andrew Vasquez is also here to serve up sliders at a rate that would make White Castle jealous...” I suggested elsewhere that 2/36 with a mutual option for an additional 2/28 has a potential for 4/64 with an opportunity for either side to opt out. But aside from making that suggestion, my primary purpose in commenting is to say that amidst a bunch of good lines, your one on Vasquez is an early candidate for Post of the Year.

Out of curiousity, what was Oakland's projection a year ago? After winning 75 in 2017, their roster looks like the type that would have entered last season with "average" written all over it and they won 97.

Steve Rushin once wrote it as: Yu-ni-es-ki Bet-en-court, Luc-as Du-da.

And if it's not a sore spot for people, I'd even let him bat leadoff and play 2B if he so desires and if he puts up Yount-like numbers.

He can play wherever he wants if he ends up with 77.3 career WAR as a one-franchise (ours) player.

Yes -- 18.

Half a career at short. Half a career in center. If he wants to turn into Robin Yount, I'd be okay with that.

Interesting in that four of the six Twins “legends” (in my book) spent significant time at 1B. (I’m considering Killebrew, Carew, Hrbek, Mauer, Oliva, and Puckett as the legends, though if you want to count Blyleven and make me qualify it as “position player legends,” I’m okay with that.)

Good stuff here. Another advantage the Twins actually have is that they have a better minor league system to use to for mid-season improvements, either from potential call ups or from using them for a mid season trade for MadBum or whoever.

Agreed that it doesn't have to be either/or. I get that people think of going from 146 to 165-170 this year, but let's not forget that 146 comes on the heels of 125, 90, 0, and 12. I'd also be into a plan that target last year's inning total. Another side benefit is that he'd get the year with the major league pitching coach that hopefully is going to be his buddy for the next 10 or so years.

Could you start a "Reddit for Dummies" stream?

DH: It seems weird to have two different rules, but there's something unique (and quirky, in a good sense) about having to manage and play in different styles. If they maintain the current difference, I do wish they would flip-flop the pattern, however. Use AL rules in the NL park and vice versa. That would give NL fans the chance to see the Edgar Martinezes and Nelson Cruzes of the world and give AL fans the chance to see the supposed intricacies of the NL game. Pitch clock: From what I've heard at the minor league level, this seems to have worked with comparably little effort. It would be interesting to see the breakdowns of guys who have pitched in the minors since that rule started. Have they continued to pitch more quickly when they get to the majors, or do they revert to prior patterns? But I'm for this rule change. Mound visits: Having six didn't seem to mess with the game much. If the desire was to shorten things, the next logical step is to try five, it seems. Roster size: Currently, it seems like the dilemma in roster construction, at least for AL teams, is whether to go with 12 or 13 pitchers. With a change, my hunch is that in the short term, most teams would settle on a 13/13 balance. Who knows how the game will change over time, however. For September, I get the arguments. It's nice to give guys opportunity for September callups, but making big changes to the roster during the pennant race doesn't seem right, either. I have a friend who's a AAAA player, and it's clearly been a reward for him to get a couple September call-ups based on a job well done. Anti-tanking: Uh, there's always going to be a way to try beating the system, and I'm not sure what they can do. Three-batter minimum: One of the things I worry about with significant changes are the unintended consequences. The 10-day DL, for example, was designed to let teams put guys on the DL a little more easily with minor injuries, but it's turned into a tool for roster manipulation. On the surface, a three-batter minimum might make some sense, but who knows how it would play out in actuality. And unfortunately, there's not a good way to test it, since the minor leagues seem to rarely do one-batter outings.

On Kimbrel, how about 2/36 with a mutual option for 2/30. Pitches great for two years, he opts out and we're not on the hook. Pitches poorly for two years (or in the second year) and we opt out.Somewhere in between and it turns into 4/66, not too far from what he's asking now.

Yes -- I managed to start collecting in earnest with the 1975 cards, so those two-color frame outlines were a favorite of mine as well. I also liked the 1976 set with the little figure for each position down in the lower left.

No, no, no, the other part. Reading TwinsDaily is part of the BEST things in American Life — so much so, in fact, that I was doing that instead of watching the Super Bowl.

Looking down through them, I have to say that they have been consistently sharp. The only feature that I haven't really cared for is that trim that goes around the neck and down the front in Nos. 12-14. But like you're a sucker for pinstripes, I'm big into the powder blues. (And that goes for a whole lotta teams, actually -- perhaps especially the Cardinals.)

Oh, and reading TwinsDaily, of course.

I predict that I will spend the evening watching the MLB Network. As George Will said, "Football combines two of the worst things in American life. It is violence punctuated by committee meetings."

Nice. I’m guessing a lot of remember our first “significant” card. It was a 1974 Rod Carew for me.

Really cool stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Talent levels aside, I think a reason people (including me) are reluctant to give big assets for a catcher is because the one we signed on a three-year contract got hurt early in his second year.

Now THAT'S a BB/K ratio I can get excited about.

Except for the part of having to put up with Cubs/Sox fans if they are playing in October.

After reading the thoughts people are saying about going after Machado on a short-term deal, I started thinking the same about Kimbrel, and then I read this on mlb.com. https://www.mlb.com/news/best-free-agent-fits-for-craig-kimbrel/c-302893196. 5. TwinsThe Twins are gearing up to challenge the Indians in the AL Central in 2019. They clearly think their young core is ready to make the leap, and they've added a lot of power to their offense by grabbing Nelson Cruz, C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop. But after those acquisitions, the back end of their bullpen still looks like it needs a boost. They did sign Blake Parker, they have some other options like Addison Reed and Trevor May, and Taylor Rogers might be the best reliever you've never heard of. But those guys just aren't in Kimbrel's class. On the other hand, as a bridge to Kimbrel… that could a strong group. Minnesota might have to wait out the market, but the idea of adding an elite closer should be a tantalizing one, especially since the Twins' bullpen was a big question mark even during their surprise run to the playoffs two years ago.Given that with the way the market has gone, it seems clear that he's not going to get the 70/4 that MLBTR predicted. How much would it take to get him on a 1-year deal? If no contention, he'd certainly net a haul as well.