ewen21

Bailey replaces Gibson, plus we get a wildcard in Hill. This is smarter than signing Ryu, in my opinion

Thanks for that. Yes, it was a rainy day and when we got in and things cleared up my friend Ronny said, “This place is Mecca” (And in that moment it sure was) Good call on Jacque. I have a friend who had a letter exchange with him and it was terse. I was a Jacque guy, though, and was happy to see him get in a game at Target. He was part of the nucleus that helped keep baseball in Minnesota and for that I respect him

Cruz is an island to himself. Not everyone is as blessed, focused and as conditioned he is. So he shouldn’t be all that relevant in this discussion Wanna know how many position players were in the league at age 36 other than Cruz? Miggy, Pujols and Chin Soo Choo. Two of them have a negative WAR and one had a 1.7 WAR. This version of Josh Donaldson puts us over the top next season? Uh, no.

For how long is the question. He’s 34, man. Admit that this diminish in the near future.

ME. Of course I climbed a fairly steep 800 foot ridge about 50-100 times a year for almost 10 years through my 30s and early 40s so mine might be more severe and unique

I was at the first exhibition game against the Cardinals. That would be number one for me. Just the initial feeling of being inside and being among the first paying customers to enter that stadium as a huge moment for me. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I hate to say it, but I’m still waiting for something of real significance to happen during live action at Target Field do that’s the trouble I have with this. We’ve yet to win a postseason game since the place opened so there is no moment that had any real urgency in the grand scheme of things. No Twin has pitched a no hitter at home since Eric Milton 20 years ago, no one got their 3,000th hit (like what happened in the Dome), nothing record breaking or historically significant has happened yet. (Mauer getting his 2,000th hit might have been listed before some of this other stuff, but still that is 2,000 hits) Perhaps it should be more about individuals sharing their personal moments at Target Field as there aren’t any significant signature in moments that have happened yet. For me it was that first look at the field when I got into the stadium. I can honestly say I was one of the first 5,000 or so paying customers to enter the stadium. That’s huge for me

We are up against the Nats and Atlanta. He’s expressed a desire to stay in Atlanta and the Nats just won a championship and lost their third baseman. We will have to go a fifth year to win out on this one. I don’t care how stupid baseball money has gotten. Throwing stupid money at one guy who is old isn’t a magical bullet. At some point a deal stops making sense and yet I get the impression here that there are many who couldn’t be convinced of that reality. I love Donaldson as a player, but we’d be getting a diminished version of him. I don’t know if anyone here has suffered a calf injury. Those stick with you forever when you get older. It’s a constant concern if you had that issue and for an older ball player to have it is a big red flag. I know the name is exciting. I know an imaginary lineup with him in it sure looks good, but is it actually realistic to believe he can even play a full season ever again? That’s a big question mark.

They are most assuredly going to need to and in this case it isn’t worth it. I like Donaldson, too

We are a few years too late with a Donaldson. I don’t need a “show me you care by throwing a lot of money at a guy” deal. Give me something that makes sense for more than just one year.

Oh hello Carole. I hope you’ve had a pleasant holiday season. The thread’s title is “who is ready for stardom” so I zeroed on that. As far as team MVP goes for next season? Beats me. I hope all the players listed have something resembling complete years and contribute a lot. Polanco seems to be the best bet, but I don’t know for sure. What about you?

Aside from the last two months of 2017 he’s not been a very good hitter. His on base percentage is straight up weak. Add to this his penchant getting injured on and off throughout his entire career it is now hard for me to envision “stardom” How about hit .270-20-80? Is that too much to ask? That would mean he played most of the year. Something he’s been unable to the last two seasons. Not playing certainly isn’t going to help him as a hitter

Right on time. Thanks for this one

I want express my appreciation for what you’ve done. It’s the holidays and I’ve been hobbled by the flu. You keep providing facts and those who don’t like seeing that keep asking you “what’s the plan” They can’t even acknowledge that what you’re saying makes sense because it’s rooted in reality. Arguments based in emotion can’t hold up to what you’ve presented and that is all they have: EMOTION. I would have liked to see that kind of emotion after the three-and-out in October. A lot of people are more bent out of shape by us not signing FAs we had little chance getting than they were losing to the Yankees in a three and out. And you know what? We would have lost that series regardless of who was towing the rubber since we barely scored 2 runs per game. It’s rather hard for me to rip these GMs after last winter. They made a bunch of shrewd moves and even put a promising young manager at the helm. However, I’m starting to wonder about him. He created a stress free culture that worked a treat during the season. As soon as the bright lights came out the cheeks clenched up tight as could be—just like always. Signing Ryu won’t change that. There is actually a strong chance he doesn’t even make it through the next season let alone that contract. Not given what he’s done in the recent past.

The fact that you and others keep asking him “what’s your plan?” all but acknowledges his analysis is water tight. Ryu is not a good play and we aren’t an attractive landing place for him. I figured Seattle, Houston and Toronto had a shot because all areas have fairly large Asian communities and that gives those places an advantage. Same with teams on the coasts with money. No doubt it would have taken more than what Toronto have him and that to me is insane. Over 125 innings pitched once in the last five seasons. Two seasons over 90 innings pitched in the last five seasons. He turns 33, he has a variety of injuries on his resume and he’s somewhat overweight. If he were able to pitch more than 100 innings the next two years I would be stunned. What player suddenly became durable at 33? Show me examples of a similar career trajectory because in over 45 years of following baseball nothing comes to mind. And out curiously, what is your plan? Aside from throwing crazy money at free agent pitching?

Even if not true. Maybe you’re not good with what he said. Help me out and give me your theory as to why you would end all that with “even if not true” when you have no knowledge beyond what everyone knows. And when you tell us you don’t believe he’s lying.

Then you’re good.

You said “do we know he SAID” what he said. You keep wondering why he said that but it’s out there for you to read. He likes Arizona. He likes the climate, the landscape, the ballclub , the vibe. Simple as that.....but not for you. Why does it need to be anything more than that? Can’t the fact that he likes it there be enough? Please explain what motive he’s had to say that beyond simply being sincere about it? I’m not the only one wondering, Chief.

He has played against Arizona for years and has had ample time to familiarize himself with all there is to offer in that market. Who is anyone here to believe he’s making up that he had a desire to play there? The idea that we aren’t supposed to take him at his word on this on is silly. What exactly did he say that is suspect or suspicious? I’m not going to hear this.. “Well players have different reasons to...” baloney

The information is out there if you’re interested. YES Bumgarner SAID he left money on the table. http://m.startribune.com/d-backs-finalize-bumgarner-s-85-million-5-year-deal/566284052/ If you disagree with the quote then you do t trust his word. What exactly would he tell a lie for after he signed. What is the point? Do a Google search “Madison Bumgarner left money on the table” and you will find it. It’s up to you to do that if you really want to know. Please do it because it would save a lot of unnecessary banter. If you read it then you need to substantiate your claim that it’s a lie and he never really meant it.

I was saying AMEN to the last sentence.

It’s early yet

All the grousing about not signing the big free agents masks the fact that the real blame goes on the players for where we are now. 101 wins and then a pathetic effort yet again in the playoffs

Amen.

. We’d need to give up one of our top two guys and then some to get an impact arm with good years ahead of them. I’m not afraid of that

Pretty much this. The ironic part is those who tout the players right to earn obscene money are often the ones complaining the most about the Twins not signing high price tag free agents. Salaries are so absurd that literally 15% teams are competing for the top guys while the Twins and everyone else sit on the sidelines. If you earn 60 grand a year you don’t buy a Tesla. This is basically what people insist the Twins do and it makes no sense at all to anyone rooted in reality