Piazza or Thomas

by WITwinsfan on Dec 21, 2005 1:18 AM EST Comment 7 comments

All right, now that the void on third has been, well, addressed, sort of..., there still leaves the roll of the designated hitter batting cleanup. Espn has been flashing rumors of interest in Mike Piazza and Frank Thomas. Both would seemingly fit the roll but I feel that Piazza would be the best deal for the team. While not being expected to catch daily or even at all Piazza could concentrate on hitting the ball and hitting it a lot. Besides the added offense, Piazza would provide a veteran presence for Mauer and get him to calm down a bit. Not only could Piazza help out Mauer but also other players, Morneau, and Cuddyer with there confidence. Thomas would also be a solid replacement but missed the majority of last season and still appears iffy in my humble opinion. For what its worth now that Jones is gone, the Twins should target Piazza. I really would like to know what everyone thinks about this, but don't be too hard on me, first timer.

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Confidence

Mauer doesn't need it.

Morneau won't listen to anyone.

I guess that leaves Cuddyer for Mike to chat with over a Red Stripe.

There are better DH options than Piazza.

I do agree Piazza's is a better option than that World Class whiner, Fat Frank.

by Firpo Marberry on Dec 21, 2005 1:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Says who?

"Morneau won't listen to anyone."

What basis do you have for this claim? I think you'd need to have a lot more access to Morneau than reading the papers in order to make a claim like this.

by ubelmann on Dec 21, 2005 1:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well. . .

OK.

by Firpo Marberry on Dec 22, 2005 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thomas

Whoa. Go check out thomas's stats. Look at the slugging percentage on that...

Damn...

Shit, look at him up through tht eninties. Those numbers are ridiculous.

Thomas would be a greater risk the Piazza. Piazza would play 140 games probobly, and have an OPS around .775, give or take some. Thomas could be a totally unhealthy bust, or a freaking monster, IF IF IF IF IF IF healthy.

by AdamOnFirst on Dec 21, 2005 2:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Morneau listened to too many people

Every time someone interviewed him about hitting, he always said, "I've got too many people talking in my ear. I'm thinking too much. I just need to relax and not think so much."

Sounds like he listened to all the well meaning coahes and teammates and they sometimes gave him conflicting advice.

Ulger: Take the ball the other way. Work outside in.

Gardy: Don't worry about contact, see the ball and put a good swing on it.

His dad: Keep that shoulder in and don't pull your hips through the zone ahead of your swing

Hunter: Man, just hit it as far as you can

Stewie: Don't swing unless it's a strike

Jones: Shorten your stride

Newmie: Try to hit the ball to the opposite gap

Little: Shorten your swing and wait for a good pitch to hit

Mauer: Keep your head still

In isolation, these tips can be helpful. But when everyone's saying them at the same time, it's just more noise, which is the last thing you want in the batter's box.

I think he'll be fine when he clears his head. And hopefully Vavra takes control and becomes the only guy giving him advice on a day-to-day basis.

Joe Mauer for MVP.

by cmathewson on Dec 21, 2005 10:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Piazza or Thomas, maybe not

I was thinking, would if instead of looking for a DH, TR found a Left Fielder instead. Then we could have Stewart DH. Getting Stew out of the field but still keep his bat in the line-up, might benefit the team more than getting a washed up DH, who might hit 25 homers while keeping the poor fielding Stew in left. What about Stew at DH and Ford in left if nothing else?

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

by USNReactors on Dec 21, 2005 3:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs