ewen21

He puts do much emphasis on his daredevil-like persona and I don't think he can help it. He thinks he's helping the team when he runs into a wall (even if he doesn't get the ball). I've said this before and I will say it again. Some of the best defensive outfielders in history made plays look easy. I heard an oldtimer once say that Joe DiMaggio never dove for a ball. I've also seen brilliant outfielders like Gary Pettis and Devon White manage to be great and not hurl themselves around recklessly. Torii Hunter took crazy chances here and there but often times that was when the game was on the line. Hunter was also physically different and he didn't have migraine/concussion concerns. Finally, in 2017 (he won't have another year like that) he had 26 defensive runs saved. Basically he saved the Twins a run once a week when he was at his very best. I don't know how anyone can cite this year's W-L record with and without him and pass that off as gospel. I think he brings a lot of value with his love but at the same time I feel it's grossly overstated here on occasion

There isn't anything so complex about it. MLB centerfielders historically have averaged less than three putouts a game and the vast majority of those are routine plays. Furthermore, making great plays in the field isn't unique to Buxton. How many plays does he make that no one else could make? Not many. Possibly only a couple a year? He doesn't have an S on his chest out there on the field. He's a great glove but people get carried away with how much the defense of one outfielder matters in this case. Buxton would be more valuable if he were an average fielding hitting over .300

Learns how to hit better and not knock himself out multiple times during the seasonqaaqq. He does no one any good on the bench trying to make plays he has very little chance of making. Most off he's on a path to a short career if he doesn't reconcile with what the heck is starting to happen. As far as the record with and without him goes you can draw your own conclusions there. I'm not convinced that is the true indicator of his value

THIS in nearly every single case. I think this organization has failed to view prospects properly. That narrative Terry Ryan used to spew about "mortgaging the future" was, is and always shall be a crock. If there is an area of weakness and a trade can be made for a pre-arbitration major league player then how in the world is that "mortgaging the future"?

Gibson as a linebacker? He has the aggression of a stoned giraffe! LOL

This kind of devalues the "give him time" angle. Next year is his 26 year old season and it will be his sixth with this team. Speed guys don't have a very long shelf life and ones with concussion/migraine issues and injury problems especially. It is starting to feel like his career might not be as long as expected and it is starting to feel like his time to shine is going to be a small window. That is, unless he learns. And I am losing faith in that

Saw him get a walk off single against Boston

Then go ahead and prorate the numbers as you see fit. The fact remains Cruz has over 30% more RBI and HRs now than Thome did in all of 2010. He's also got a batting average that is 20 points higher. TO ME Cruz is more impactful to this team than Thome was in 2010. This isn't to discredit Jim. It's just what Cruz is doing now is more exceptional than what Thome did in 2010.

Even if this is strictly just a goof it's got me riled up! Anyway, I gotta say Cruz over Thome we are comparing two DHs here. Cruz already has hit 8 more home runs, has driven in 21 more runs and has a much higher batting average. Thome was great and he did damage, but Cruz has done even more damage and has more weeks to do even more damage. I would also give Cruz props for leadership. He's the kind of veteran that you want around young players and we really haven't had that since Thome.

I'm like that in the winter but during the summer I will take it down to 70 at night and most of the time it automatically shuts off. I'll put it up to 75 during the day (keeping the blinds closed). I have not been home since July 18th so I'm wondering what it's going to be like when I finally get home Sunday afternoon

Right. Don't want him.

I don't like position players that can't OPS over .600. Apparently neither do the Reds or KC.

Huh? He is a horrendous hitter. One of the weakest bats in the game. Speed is not a big enough asset to keep you in baseball. The A's tried that with Herb Washington and it didn't work

Love Common!

It's as simple as that. If we are going to be beggars for pitching in the FA market year after year we are going to be in the same boat year after year. When are we ever going to raise our own pitching? It's nuts how terrible we have been at that

He had a Billy Martin vibe to him. Liked his beer, wore a cowboy hat, kinda thin, hunted, had the same cheesy moustache... Back in my day no moustache was cheesy

My uncle Tommy had one, too i remember being in his chicken coop almost about to vomit and then coming outside to see that He was a true character. Moved out to Colorado when he was 50 to become a cattle rancher. Snap your fingers. That's how fast that happened

Dominos has been around a long time I never had food delivered to me in my life until I went to college. Then I discovered Dominos (usually after inhaled wacky tobaccy)

I learned to stop getting worked up about sports long ago. When the game is going on I might get a little emotional on occasion. I am entirely ok with it. I think some folks mistake those who turn into skeptics (about this team) are somehow angry or bitter. That couldn't be further from the truth in my case at this moment in my life.

You are correct. It is only a game If someone wants to say this team is toast no one should get offended or upset because it's just a game (I don't believe we are toast, but the way) And for the record..... I kind of like game thread freakouts. I'm one of those guys who finds humor in that. I guess some people like chocolate, some like vanilla....I'm rocky road

It's the feeling I get, too. This team really has little in common with that bunch, but this group is dangerously close to being on that path. I also want to say this.... By being skeptical about our chances today (due to a variety of factors discussed here daily) it in no way means I have given up or turned on this team. Same with anyone else who comes here and passionately follows this team. This has been a fun season. I love watching a team that can hit some home runs and I hoe for the best. However, as I continue to watch how things are progressing it seems like the weaknesses are far more pronounced to now and we are missing two very key players who will be out for a while. Berrios isn't looking good at all and his velocity is way down. Our bullpen is flat out weak and taxed. Cleveland has all the momentum right now. Not sure how any of that can be considered "being negative"... It's just a fair assessment of what's going on right now

Ever seen the movie Groundhog's Day?

Entirely fair

Forget you and me. Simply check the outcomes between the two teams. You can't debunk the very human realistic skepticism any fan might have about our chances against them in the playoffs. I can't ignore the way this team is losing when assessing their chances, nor can I ignore the playoff futility against the team we would likely face. Not saying it's over. I'm just not buying into what you're selling. Sorry

As far as this bullpen goes, we can shuffle the deck a dozen different ways but it's still the same card game. I was WRONG when I defended Falvey for doing nothing to improve the pen. My reasoning was bullpens are unpredictable one year to the next and that we made big improvements to the offense anyway. I'm not inclined to blame the manager for using Rogers today. I reserve that for yesterday's SP. Would be nice if he could get to the sixth inning in less than 100 pitches