Squirrel

Lol ... my debate style wouldn't work here ... I would just say what I thought once, and walk away

Santana ... hands down ... not even worthy of a debate (I'll add it to the list)

I was joking, mostly commenting on the response this topic has generated ...

Right now, I think Miranda would be a great trade chip. Before people jump all over me, I'm not suggesting we actively seek to trade him, but his stock is high right now and thrown in with someone else, maybe he'd bring something back worthwhile, like pitching. Further, in Seth's interview of Miranda, didn't he say his favorite position to play was 2nd base? So, to bank on him being our 3rd base of the future? I'd be wary, plus given what you've said here. It's why I don't want to trade Donaldson for nothing and don't want to trade him without a legitimate 3rd baseman in return or signed. Just because Miranda is in the wings doesn't mean Josh is even close to being expendable. Having Miranda in the wings might make Arraez expendable, but not Donaldson.

I think we may need to have a continuing debate .. who was better, part 2. This thread has generated some really good discussion and not the usual kind of nonsense we see when similar topics are introduced elsewhere.

Quit reminding me a sad memories! Damn you!

You gave Puckett the nod because of the championships, then acknowledge that winning isn't a singular accomplishment and that the FO never helped Mauer, etc, to get there. I think from a pure baseball standard and argument, Mauer was the better player. But from a purely emotional, fan perspective, everyone LOVED Puckett. And never the 'tween shall meet. But ... whenever someone mentions how the FO didn't help Mauer and co. win ... I always, always, always go back to 2006. Damn it. That always hurts.

We are not discussing team revenues in this thread. If that's the discussion you want, frame it up, write it out and start your own discussion thread. Or write a blog, or series of blogs, to discuss revenues, small-mid market teams, etc. Seriously. You have much to say, so create your own platform to say it and stop taking other threads off the track. Of late you have taken a few threads off the track, with the help of a few others, please stop. All of you. I get how easy it is when someone mentions how the Twins could afford to do this or that, and there is goes. Don't keep picking up that bait, please. And this thread was only 2 pages in when you started it. Stop doing this.

Yes. Between two posters. Each debater posts an opening statement that goes public simultaneously. Debater A gets the first rebuttal, then B, then A, then B. Then both submit closing statements that go public simultaneously. Debate over. So, basically, each has four posts to make their case. We post a pre- and post-debate poll for comparison and open the debate thread at the conclusion for public comment. This was the 2nd debate. The 3rd one starts today with opening statements on the topic ‘Building a strong lineup vs Building a string rotation -which is more important.’ And a 4th debate will begin Nov. 29. If you have topic ideas and/or want to participate, send a PM to @Squirrel and/or @Otto von Ballpark. Or, just check back and follow along! Glad you enjoyed this. It’s a new thing we are trying. The posters involved have enjoyed the experience as well, I think. We will reveal identities soon, but wanted to get the poll and comments in first.

Ahh ... yes, the comparison before and after ... I think we will give this poll a day or two, allow people to vote, and then show the comparison. Wouldn't want to unduly influence anyone!

Any time you want to sign up ... let us know!

Debate No. 2 has now concluded and this thread and poll are open for public vote and comment! Please give both debaters a virtual round of applause for the time and effort ... they both did a tremendous job! It is much appreciated! ??? Look for new debates to start soon ... "Strong lineup vs strong rotation: Which is more important?" and "The Twins should trade Buxton this off-season". If you want to be a debate participant and/or have topics to suggest, please PM @Otto von Ballpark or @Squirrel.

Obviously not you? ??

Or us!

I don't recall reading specific numbers, do you remember what they were?

Right ... it's a tactic to 'cry poverty' in negotiating years ... been on the receiving end of that too many times to count. But they will claim 'operating costs' are different than assets, which, okay ... selling off part of the team to help with costs ... BUT ... at $1.4billion? That's more than an asset

fyi ... here's a link to the Jeff Passan article, which is behind a paywall, but you can read a couple paragraphs before you can't, unless you are subscribed. https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/32612663/why-mlb-seems-headed-lockout-how-thatll-create-free-agent-frenzy

I like when you ask what they like to do in their free time. in this interview, I liked hearing about being shut down this season with his shoulder and how he heard weekly from various Twins personnel to discuss his progress and how informed he was what they were doing with him and why, for the longevity of his career and how much he seemed to appreciate how invested they were in him, I liked hearing that he finished his degree. im not sure what else I’d want to know as you are pretty thorough on these. Maybe ask, ‘If you weren’t doing baseball what would you pursue career wise?’

Heh, in my line of work, I more or less give the same advice. I work in a very specific field that is hard to get into and up the ladder, so when I speak to college students I tell them to get experience any way they can, even if they have to create it themselves. I also tell them what courses to take that would be specifically beneficial.

Another great spotlight episode … and no mute issues! ?

The debate is concluded. Please read and submit your vote. The thread is now open to public comments. I want to thank both participants for being the guinea pigs in our new site feature ... they did a tremendous job! Please give both a virtual round of applause! ??? Look for new debates to start soon ... "Mauer vs Puckett: Who was better?" and "Strong lineup vs strong rotation: Which is more important?". If you want to be a debate participant or have topics to suggest, please PM @Otto von Ballpark or @Squirrel.

The first H2H debate is now live ... opening statements tonight, Poster A will submit a rebuttal post tomorrow, Poster B on Tuesday, Poster A again on Wednesday, Poster B on Thursday; then both will give a closing statement on Friday. Each of the posts will go live (approx) the same time each evening ... then on Saturday, we will open the debate up for voting. Hoping to get the next one started next week ... so ... if you are so inclined ... we await your PM saying you want a go at it

I go back and forth on this and what Brock is trying to say. There have been a lot of fun seasons in the years he mentions ... and then great disappointment in the post season. I mean, I get that the goal is to win it all ... but only one team can do that. And there are a lot of reasons why many teams, not just the Twins, are not that one, but that would be worthy of another thread. I think what some are saying is that the disappointment outweighs any fun we had to get there. That is certainly a valid point to make that allows an opinion contrary to Brock's statements; and that is something we can either agree or disagree with all day long. If you remove the post-season play from the equation, we had some great, fun seasons. Yes, it's gotten to the point where the disappointment becomes the focus, but it isn't the whole story, at least not for me. It makes it difficult since that's where things end, on the disappointment, and we all tend to carry that forward and forget what got us there. For me, personally, I've always tempered my expectations with the mantra "It's just a game." That works for me ... and I'm not suggesting that anyone else follow my lead on that ... but that's what I do. I can enjoy or not enjoy each and every individual game. They either add up to a more fun or less fun season. And then I regard the post-season as something else. I don't know ... but compartmentalizing sports like this still allows me to enjoy the sport ... most of the time. What irks me the most isn't the conversations of post-season disappointment, because that I get, whether or not that is my personal view. But what irks me the most is all the bemoaning some do each and every game from game 1 of a new season. It makes trying to watch a game very unpleasant when I'm just trying to take a 'each day is new' approach to get through the season and enjoy that one game, one game at a time.

Found this to be very interesting ... in a good way

You don't have to get it through emails ... mine come through notifications on the site, not emails ... check your settings. I believe you can change follows to be received through site notifications not emails