GP830

I lov Cruz, and would love to see his bat in the middle of the line-up. However, I remain focuses on the line-up's ability to get on base, as well as it's heavy right-handedness.

Interesting that it's a one year deal after all the hoopla made of mercenaries poisoning the well last year. I hope he plays great, but I'd have preferred a 2 year deal, or a more defensively sound Short Stop.

Can you imagine what Austin's dad will tweet if he gets cut, and Cron has a bad year?

Knowing that MadBum may be available, I wonder if Longoria might also be available?

Man. Keep posting articles with headlines that have other team's players and free agent's names in the headlines and you've got a click from me.

What's to say?

Annnnd, Cron is a Twin.

I'd take Bryant in a heartbeat. C Garver 1 Sano 2 Polanco 3 Bryan SS Iglesias LF Rosario CFBuxton RF Cave DH McCutchen/Brantley/Cruz Could be nasty. I hadn't heard Bryant was on the block. Wonder what it would take.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Law, but how do you feel about Royce Lewis being able to stick at SS?"

I'm once again thinking ahead into the off-season when things may be excited again. Much ado has been made about the Twins wanting to shore up the infield defense, and stabilize the core. One name that I assume may be on the trade block, as his team has been terrible is Andrelton Simmons. He'd lock up SS for a few years, and allow Polanco to move to his more natural position. Since he's 29, he can be a bit of a veteran presence, but also not cost an arm and a leg. Haven't heard his name come up yet, so I thought I'd throw it out there. Who do you think may be a target this winter?

I think that's a fair offer, but I think they'll get outbid in years and numbers.

Always remember that Seattle signed Cano. Anything can happen.

How sad is that celebration video?

fair enough.

My sense is if they aren't thinking they'll be competitive and if Big Mike performs, they could get a few prospects for him, no?

I'm wondering if he'd be a trade candidate this winter if he pitches well in September. If a team is excited about his one year, afforable contract, there could be some interest...

So strange.

I feel like there's usually a few deals that become public in the subsequent minutes.

I just watched the video of his performance and was struck by the speed of delivery. It's noticeable how seemingly spastic he is from glove to release. As has been noted by many people before me, a rushing or pressured pitcher will sometimes invert the W, so to speak, and raise the elbow of the throwing arm or the plain of their throwing shoulder, which causes undue stress on the UCL. I didn't detect this with Greene at all, but he was moving so quickly it was hard to see. Relatively low leg kick as well. My sense is the quick delivery is part of his attempt at deception, but it doesn't offer much if that 102 mph is coming in straight as an arrow...

If the Orioles are in hard sell mode, I wonder if Adam Jones could be a potential target for our Twins. Not as a win-now move, but more as a RH OF, veteran leadership option. I also don't know what his contract situation is.

I noticed that last night too. Looks like a change of plan which will hopefully break him out.

All in all, he's just another brick in the wall.

It seems to me that LoMo is a clubhouse leader. He's got the fire and seems to be ready for anything. Especially as he continues to heat up, I think he continues to be a strong presence. My sense is he'll be the opening day 1B next year.

Cool! Would you be open to finding photos of these guys and photoshopping them into Twins gear?

The more I dwell on this, the more I'd rather try and get a real defense-first back-up and let Garver flourish. We can use our prospects on acquiring more pressing needs in the next few months. I continue to believe that one or two more big arms in the pen would be necessary, and would override the need for a big name starter. Though I would certainly take an Archer, Nola, and be willing to move a strong starter to the pen.