peterb18

All of the above suggestions are good, etc. But, the main problem is with ownership decimating the core of the team in the last few years. Either through not signing your free agents(Kubel, Cuddyer, Nathan), losing clubhouse leadership(Cuddyer, Nathan), bad trades-Hardy, Ramos,etc. Unless management, or ownership changes nothing will happen for many years. This team could have remained competitive for the next few years until the young players arrive on the scene if ownership wanted it bad enough. When you choose to cut payroll when you have a new stadium built for you, then we all know what happens--a bad team. Not only bad, but the worst in the majors!

Bob Nightengale is paid to give his opinions. I've listened a lot to Bob over the years and he usually has been very complimentary to the Twins. As far as Joe is concerned, I think, yes, he is batting in the wrong position for the 3rd spot. That spot usually demands a more agressive approach at the plate--for old timers think: Eddie Mathews, Stan Musiel, Roger Maris, etc. Joe has all the ability in the world, but is hard to change approaches. I also think that he will be close to a hall of famer. Even if he stays at first--he can be a Mark Grace type which isn't too bad.

Sorry to hear that Benson is doing so poorly. He seems like a players with tools, but has a hard time with the game. Just like Billy Beane in Money Ball--all tools, but lacks senses.

I agree with Seth. I would go with Zunino, the catcher from Florida. You are getting the number 2 rated player in the draft---plus you can solidify the catcher position for years to come(the catcher thing is a real problem the Twins). Then Joe would be free to play 1st and catch on occasion. Pitchers(outside of a few exceptions) are usually a developmental thing. We can get some quality in the next few picks. The problem with the Twins in the past is there selections of pitchers. Hasen't worked out well.

Good moves at this time! Valencia needs a change of scenery. He will always be a journeyman, at best. Swing is too long--can't handle, or is a sucker for the outside and low breaking ball. Similar to what Cuddyer would always fall for! Besides, Valencia will not be a part of the future with the infielders coming up in a few years.

I do think that when teams are of equal ability then the right manager does make a difference. I don't know how many games over the season; but, there would be some. Gardy's biggest attribute is his personality and working with today's high priced athletes. That is big for management today. However, I do think that Gardy is average at best(or over-rated) in strategy. Example: In tonights game--5th inning)--Santana is starting to get wild--walks a couple of guys, etc. then Spann goes after the first pitch. Even a good Legion, or High School coach--would say, Let's take some pitches and make him work. Doing what Spann did is not the supposed, "Twins Way".

I don't think Benson will be a solid big-leaguer--too out of control. I've made this analogy before: a great athlete who has a hard time with the game. Like a hockey player who is very skilled, can skate, shoot , etc.--but, when the game starts he has a hard time. Billy Beane is an example of this type of player. Hope I'm wrong!

I mentioned this quite a bit last year---that we were going to be the worst team in baseball( this season). How can you improve when you don't re-sign your base(Kuble, Cuddyer,Nathan) and make terrible decisions like the Wilson Ramos trade and the giving away of Hardy? I mentioned that I thought that if Hendricks is our future in pitching we are in trouble. Some did not like this! The solution was to keep our core of players until the A-level players arrived( 2-3 years) and sign free agents pitchers. I know this takes money, but the Pohlad family has the ability to do this. Example: the Cardinals--a model franchise. A francise considered mid-market, which we are now. To use a baseball term- "The Pohlads, or ownership, has not stepped up to the plate. Cutting payroll with a new stadium is terrible thing to do to the fans. Can you imagine what it is going to be like in mid-summer? Yes, with a weak farm system at the high level--the only solution to have a competitive team in the short term is to sign quality free agents, especially pitchers.

As I'm responding to this and watching Blackburn get pounded, I'm thinking that I remember reacting to various threads in the past year and placing the blame for this debacle on ownership. In summary, I stated that : two years ago they decimated the reliever corp, and last year they got rid of the power base(Cuddyer and Kubel), letting one of best relievers go(Nathan)--not to mention the leadership of Cuddyer and Natan. I got blistered for bring this up(in a gentlemanly way). This is purely an ownership problem. For one thing you don't cut payroll after a new stadium is built for you. The stadium alone has increased the value of the team by at least 300-400 million. Remember this is the same ownership that has tried to contract the team and also sell the team to a guy in North Caroliona. When we had 93 wins two years ago and fell short--most ownership would try to add a few pieces , but no we go the other way and subtract and end up with the worst team in all of baseball. I don't have to repeat all of bad moves management has done in addition to ownership's decision to downsize the team on the field. Just think what this situation will look like in August--lots of empty seats!

Not interested in pitch to contact guys any more. Too many in the organization. Just another Slowey, or Blackburn.

I don't have to develop 3 scenarios. I really like what DAM dc twins fans has put forth. The only thing that worry about is that Benson doesn't develop. He reminds me of a great athlete who has all the tools but has trouble with the game. Hope I'm wrong on that one. However, in relation to number 2 I would include Benson with Spann in the trade group with Valencia starting in July. Disagree with Diamond---too soft of a tosser---not a Whitey Ford!! However, good analysis---wish the Twins would listen!

I agree with Spideyo--don't enjoy TK in the booth! He is too tutorial and boring--find it almost demeaning. He is really interested in showing how much he knows. I also think one of the problems with the organization is too much TK roaming around the minors and talking about hitting the 4 spot for pitchers(example), etc. Way too technical! We need new blood down there to get this organization moving again. Remember, this is a minority view, but most of my baseball friends feel the same way. Agree that he is knowledgeable, but, Bert is also--Bert explains things in a very simple way with a lot of nice light-hearted humor.

"Be careful what you wish for; a change in regime could be worse... " I would love a change in ownership--the last two years we've had the worst team in baseball. And the worst pitching staff! The Pohlads decimated the team the last two years. Usually, when a team is close to a champioship--like they were two years ago--most ownership would try to go the next level by adding some talent--a few pieces to the puzzle. The Pohlads decided to go the other way and gut the team. The Resources are there for a good team. If they wanted a good team there would be one!

"It IS partially the front office's fault that the pitching is bad". No, it is all managments fault that the pitching staff is so bad. Did you watch Blackburn last night? As bad as you can get for a starting pitcher in the major leagues. The ball is so straight, no zip, very little changing speeds, no change-up to mention. This team is not a small market team--two years ago before the passing of Carl the franchise was listed as the richest in all of baseball. The management, or ownership, has to step up to the plate. They needed to sign a few good free agent pitchers. However, in relation the the draft, I think you should sign the Florida catcher first--then go for the pitchers after that. Because of the uncertainty of Joe's health we need to take care of that. Good pitchers will be available from round 2 on--Then sign 1 or two free agent pitchers--this yr. or next!

Interesting discussion. First, I would like to state that Morneau is one of my favorite players. But, I would like to relate a discussion I heard on XM radio(MLB station) last weekend. Two hosts(one was a former GM) were discussing the Twins and Morneau. They both thought that the 15 million per year contract of Morneau was holding the Twins back from making major moves. They based this upon the concussion(hard to get completely healthy) situation,etc. They felt a trade would be the best route to take. However, no team would be willing to take the contract on. Most of these so-called analysts are usually not positive about the Twins future, especially the pitching staff. I feel the best way to go in the future would be to draft the catcher from Florida--then go after pitchers with most of the remaining picks. By drafting a catcher then you could move Joe around and preseve his future and the catcher position is solidified. Many good pitchers can be taken in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

A few posts have it right. There is too much coaching. Why does he touch only 89-91 mph lately, when he can actually throw in the 93-94 range. It is because he is trying to pitch to spots. A power pitcher has to just bust the ball in there and let the natural movement take over. Way to much coaching! Ever listen to Tom Kelly when he is on the broadcast and keeps talking about hitting certain areas that are numbered? Too much of this over-coaching pitchers in the minors and taking away their natural ability. Look what happened to Winners. Everybody can't be a Whitey Ford!

I think Liriano's problem is too much coaching. He has been told to hit the spots. A fast ball pitcher has to bust the ball in there and let the natural movement of the ball take over. If you told Sandy Kofax to hit a certain corner consistently it would be hard. Some pitchers can do that. It is not Liriano's style. If Liriano would just go out and use his natural stuff and not try to control his fastball it would be better for him.

Agree with twinswon1991---Blackburn is a marginal big-leaguer at best. We need to get rid of this pitch to contact philosophy. It is ok for some--but when you have a hard thrower--let him bust it in there. I think one of the reasons of Liriano's decline is too many thoughts in his mind. Ever listen to Tom Kelly on TV when he talks about hitting the 4 spot,etc. Could be one of the problems Winners had last year--they put too much on his plate. Although, Winners is not a power pitcher--just an example. A power pitcher cannot do this! There has to be a reason why we don't have many of those type pitchers in the system.

If the Pohlads wanted a winning team on the field this year there would be one! This is a management thing. The financial resources are there for a quality team, but upper management decided it was time to rebuild. If you wanted to continue winning, you wouldn't decimate the bullpen(last season), not sign your power base(Kubel & Cuddyer), leadership-Cuddeyer, and leave a top reliever(Nathan) go. If you would have kept the core until the young base is ready--plus sign a few quality pitchers--more than likely you would be competitive. That is why it is hard for me to accept the current position of this team. Most independent analyists think the same way(MLB FM).

I can't believe that somebody would call Punto a garbage player. I consider him a high level athlete! He is so talented--was a high- light reel fairly often on ESPN. Gardy and most baseball people really like him. Every team needs players like Punto. Such a team oriented player-infectious! He and players like him will always have jobs in the big leagues.

The answer is from Dave Schoenfeld who writes the "Sweet Spot" blog on ESPN's MLB page. I can see a scary situation unfolding in Minneapolis. Say Mauer and/or Morneau gets hurt again early this season, Target Field could be half empty before the All-Star break as the 2012 Twins challenge the 1962 Mets for the ultimate distinction in baseball futility. How long before Gardy gets his long overdue ejection by the front office, even if the Twins stay healthy? The fans have wanted his head on a platter for years. [h=6]David Schoenfield (1:12 PM) [/h] Eric Karabell just taped a video on managers on the hot seat. As you know, Twins are historically conservative (two managers since 1987), but I do wonder how long of a leash Gardy gets. It's time to change the entire organization philosophy of finesse pitchers, invest more/better in Latin America and maybe they'll have to replace Gardenhire to do that.

The answer is from Dave Schoenfeld who writes the "Sweet Spot" blog on ESPN's MLB page. I can see a scary situation unfolding in Minneapolis. Say Mauer and/or Morneau gets hurt again early this season, Target Field could be half empty before the All-Star break as the 2012 Twins challenge the 1962 Mets for the ultimate distinction in baseball futility. How long before Gardy gets his long overdue ejection by the front office, even if the Twins stay healthy? The fans have wanted his head on a platter for years. [h=6]David Schoenfield (1:12 PM) [/h] Eric Karabell just taped a video on managers on the hot seat. As you know, Twins are historically conservative (two managers since 1987), but I do wonder how long of a leash Gardy gets. It's time to change the entire organization philosophy of finesse pitchers, invest more/better in Latin America and maybe they'll have to replace Gardenhire to do that.

Gunnarthor--The point is: The Twins are not a small market team. They are a team that doesn't have to go through the rebuilding mode the way they did in the past. They are in a financial position to acquire quality free agents. Also, they could have kept Kubel, Cuddyer, and Nathan-signed a few pitchers and then wait until the young guys are ready. I don't know if you listen to baseball on XM with Kevin Kennedy, Casey Stern, Jim Douquette(sp) plus other baseball analyists? But, most independent experts predict another season like last year. In other words, the rebuilding could be done in another way without a complete dismantling of the team. The results will show at the gate by the middle of the season.

This problem is deeper than Gardy. He is just part of a whole organization that needs revamping. It goes to philosophy -- the front office--the Pohlads with an unwillingness to step up to the plate and sign quality free agents. When the strength of your farm system is in the lower minors-you then do like the Cardinals and sign what your team needs to contend. I listened to the baseball network on XM yesterday and a guy from Iowa called in asked about the Twins. Casey Stern said that the Twins are an organization that he can't understand. He said that most organizations when they almost get to the top try to add pieces to go to the next level. But, the Twins have taken the other approach and are dismantling the team. You would have to assume that the Pohalds have told Ryan to cut payroll. Again, this organization needs a transformation in philospphy!

Was visiting with a couple of ex-gopher baseball players (both were captains in different eras) and they both thought that one of Baker's problems is walking around too much between pitches. Wanders too much--this causes a loss of focus. This ,of course, is based upon a healthy Baker. When healthy he has a very live arm. Blackburn's problems have always been the lack of secondary pitch. His breaking ball was so flat--we used to call it a "nickel" curve. Ever notice that most great pitchers(or strikeout pitchers) have a breaking ball that has an extreme downward break--like Sandy Kofax, or Camilo Pascual. Like Bert says--drop the breaking ball into the dirt.