Paul

I've seen the word "cheapness" used, a few times on this thread, to describe the Twins FO in their handling of the opportunity of Sept callups. I think the word "frugality" would be more accurate. I don't know exactly how the math shakes out but, it would be some where around an $80,000, + expenses, investment per man for a 1 month look.. Their fiduciary responsibility as managers dictates that they look at investments and judge their viability intelligently and act accordingly. No matter who you are... 90 grand is 90 grand. I agree with those that have commented that there is more to the Slama situation than we can see from our vantage point. It appears irresponsible based on what we know and can see. But reason tells us that that may not be the case, and there is an element, or elements, we are not privy to.

The humerus bone is the upper arm bone. It connects the elbow and shoulder.

From my experience, the lower the arm slot the easier it is to generate the topspin necessary for sink. Think Eckersly and Webb. Apparently, for some reason, Blackburn can no longer get the rpms required for the sink he needs. This jives with Parker's observation of, "This has led to a flattening of his two-seam fastball and has given it less pitching arm side (PAS) run (or away from left handed batters and into right handed ones)." His observation makes sense only if the rpms are down. The lower slot would naturally create less run but should have increased the sink instead if the opposite effect of flattening the ball out.

I like the idea of selling high on Willy for all the reasons you gave. But, I think it's reasonable to expect that flipping him before the first year of his 3 year contract is even done will cost the team $ on future FA negotiations. With the greater revenue stream from the new stadium it seems likely that the team will be more active in FA pursuit, so that factor should be weighed carfully.

I can't let this go. Will one of you stat guys answer this? Is this opinion based on some kind of sabermetric formula that some find useful?

Steve, I was not mocking you. I was 100% sincere. I do believe he is the surest thing in the system. I'm sorry you got the impression you did. I try and catch myself from making disparaging or belittling comments about, or to, other commenters. (Except my filter seems to go offline when it is a "return in kind" situation.) Anyway, I value your firsthand observation. Your opinion carries weight with me.

Nothing? You're calling the offensive juggernaut SS called Brendan Harris and the flame thrower Jim Hoey nothing? Plus weren't there a couple more guys thrown in that almost made AA? Seriously, I think the problem with Gardy / SS is that Gardy was a very good div 1 SS, gotten old, tryin' to tell plus/plus major leaguers their business.

"...(Every time I saw him bat, he hit something like this. Every time.) Since then, he basically been my favorite prospect..." When the Twins drafted him, at 16 yrs old, I sought out videos of the kid. Two that I found were startling and very memorable. In fact it's fair to say they were so startling my whole universe shifted at that point. The first was him taking BP. Launching ball after ball. He exhibited a swing reminiscent of Griffey. So smooth, graceful and powerful it looked lazy. I thought incredible swing for a kid that young from a country where BB was about eighteenth down on the list of sports kids were interested in. Then I found a video of him with a couple of game at bats. He showed a swing like Maurer's. Hands inside, short to the ball with great balance. From my point of view, showing either style would've been impressive. But to demonstrate competence at 2 distinct and viable styles, at 16 with his background, was something I would not have believed possible if I hadn't seen it. I knew then that the kid was given a gift, and if he didn't fall off the rails the Twins had a monster on their hands. From everthing I've read since, it sounds like the kids got fantastic makeup. IMO, he's the surest thing the Twins have in the minors. Seth, thanks for the work that goes into this stuff. I greatly appreciate it.

[h=2]Is it time to just release him?[/h]That time has passed. Now is the time we should organize an intervention for TR's sake

Right on brother. It's not very often that I am utterly baffled by the Twins management activities. But I am here. IMO, this is a repeat of the middle of the mistake trail that caused the debacle of 2011.

I'll take one please. Do you have change for a penny?

I'm curious. Do you know if the 70% finding is the derived from historical results? Or is it simply the mathematics of probabilities using assumed or actual values on the variables?

This is off point but, the voices in my head are telling me to mention it. The picture in this article is perfect for a caption contest. I'll start it off. "Jesus H. Christ Terry. None of these fockers can pitch! Please. Quit playing with your ball and got me some pitchers!"

I too have noticed some being "driven by Other Voices".

I haven't seen this guy pitch but this article is extremely encouraging. I've never heard of, or seen, this particular malady before, but this info tells me this kid has a tremendous finish that gives him high rpms. The fact that he is 28 portends against it, but maybe with Anderson's guidance he can learn to control and separate the sinker and cutter. Also, with that f/x spread it's easy to see why his curve is a killer. With that much 93 mph coming up and in, with the batter not knowing if it's coming further in or back over the plate, it takes a very brave man to lean over the plate.

Shouldn't've backed off Chief. If the coaches can't handle their agony in a few sentences they should just laminate your comment and hand it to them. Their stress is pretty much the same stress I feel when I get a piece of road tar on my motorcycle. Makes me think of the old Martin Mull song "Rich Man's Blues"..."I felt so low down I threw my drink across the lawn."

I applaud your good sense, Chief

"There isn't a single *good* reason why the Twins weren't using their best relievers in that situation." You guys do realize pitchers need to warm up before they go in the game, right?

"...he got to hang out in Hawaii for 3 years playing baseball..." The Twins should target this kid just for his luck. He's one lucky SOB.

Thank you for your reply, and especially for the tone of your words. First, let me save you the trouble of reviewing my comments and again clearly state my position on the clutch thing. As I recall we are basicly in agreement. I believe what the observer sees as "stepping up" in high pressure situations is in reality not stepping up, but rather "not stepping back" with the competition. In other words, some people handle pressure better than others. Ask the carpenter if the boss has a guy he would call on to get the job done under an unreasonable deadline. Ask the baker if he's got a guy he can count on under any circumstances. This is what you are asking the BB player. Do you see that some players are better in the clutch for some reason? Not about the molecules and atomic structure of a bat. Or the load bearing physics of leather from various locations on the cow or kangaroo. Or the magnus effect on the ball. Or asking him to design a new and better pitching machine. I'm guessing you'd be hard pressed to find any pros that would say no. It's my postion that this is most definitely tangible and can be taught and observed. It's as tangible as happiness. As confidence. As certainty. As knowing. It comes from reps. Drilling. Experience. Learning to deal with the endocrinological issues of pressure. In fact, because baseball is a game of mistakes, it seems to me that that might just be the major focus.

First, let me say I'm not trying to insult or injure you or anyone. "That's my bone to pick with those who "laced 'em up". They think the stat geeks only look at fangraphs and don't actually watch the games." Apparently you're talking about me. If you are, you are wrong. I am certain you look at fangraphs AND watch the games. (I've only seen 5 or 6 games this year so I'm sure you are much better informed on the current state of the Twins than I am.) "Stats are part of the story. A more reliable part of the story than any "well, when I played" antecdote someone who laced them up can offer." I agree 100% with this statement. But the phrase "laced 'em up" is not referring to anecdotes. It's referring to empirical data. Something, I believe, most scientists weigh a little more heavily than some local baseball stat guys. Why is it so hard for some to understand that experience informs. There are thousands of finer points and subtleties in the simplest of endeavors. I understand that the baker, mechanic, roofer, carpenter, accountant, doctor, banker, lawyer and stat geek know more about baking, fixing cars, roofing, building houses, accounting, healing, banking, law and stats than I do. Why do some not understand this? Especially with something as complicated as baseball? "Also, what exactly is a vacuum of understanding?" I'm guessing this is a rhetorical question. If I'm wrong I'd recommend the "World Book" dictionary. (You might also want to look up the word "figurative".) "Is it a Kirk Van Houten lyric?" I'm guessing this is also a rhetorical question. I am unfamiliar with the reference. Let me know if you consider it pertinent to our discussion and I will research it.

Hence the bone I have to pick with the local stat geeks. When stats are viewed in a vacuum of understanding you get wierd solutions like this. This exact thing prompted my "lace 'em up" crack a while back, that proved to be so unintentionally inflammatory.

My dream. Danny starts tearin up AAA and pushes Plouffe back to another try at SS where he sticks. And Dozier becomes the "Punto" referenced above.

"It has been shown that if you randomly promote workers your company will be better off with more appropriate and solid workers at every level. Now that is a pretty counter-intuitive idea." Sounds like a bizzare way to offset the Peter Principle.

Fantastic interview. Very bright, very ethical man. The Twins are lucky to have him. As to the kerfuffle about not taking stikes...he was talking about the low MINOR leagues. Not the Major league. The goals are different. The goal in the Majors is to win games. The goal in the Minors is to get to the Majors. You want your kids learning how to drive a thrown strike, or at least go get it. They're taught zone recognition as well, but as a separate advanced skill.