Morning After Poll: How are you doing?
by Jon Marthaler on Oct 12, 2009 7:01 AM EDT
in Speculation
Email
PrintWe did this last year, so it's only fair to do a 2009 version as well. Twins baseball is over until April, and over forever in the Metrodome, and it's hard not to be a little bit sad about that.
That's certainly not the only feeling this morning, though. No doubt there's a certain amount of rage, some of it directed at Phil Cuzzi, much of it probably aimed at Darrell Evans Nick Punto.
So, how are you doing?
77 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'm already onto 2010.
I’m so excited for next season! Not just because of Target Field, although that’s a big part of it. But because we’ll have a full lineup back together and healthy. Kubel had a breakout season, Cuddyer was healthy…those two guys make a huge difference to this offense behind Joe & Justin. Denard at the top is fantastic, he’s one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball. I’m excited to see the rotation bounce back, the bullpen should be a rock next summer with Nathan, Guerrier, Rauch, Crain, Mijares and Neshek. It’ll be good to see what Danny Valencia is made of, and hopefully another year of development will finally pay off for Gomez and Young.
This was a great run, but clearly we weren’t ready to beat the Yankees. So screw ‘em. I’m ready for next season, I can’t wait.
I meant all that, by the way.
Now, if anyone has seen my Kool-Aid I know I set it down around here somewhere…
+1
I’m right with you there, Jesse
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
+1
can you pass the Kool-aid?
this season is over, time to recharge and get ready to cheer on the 010 Twins at Target field.
I hear the 2010 Kool-Aid is even better!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
—Hasta la victoria siempre ¡Patria o Muerte! –Ernesto "Che" Guevara
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 12, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
its always better served chilled...
and best drank outside!
by NYCisTwinsTerritory on Oct 12, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
This is getting a little old.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my Twins, and the guys that we have right now are some of the best we’ve had in a long time (Probably since ‘91). It wasn’t like we were totally out-classed by the evil empire. It just looked like we got scared of their evilness (If that’s a word), and couldn’t get the ball out of the infield at the opportune time. If that means that we weren’t as good as the Yankees, I don’t know, but I know that we had opportunities to beat them in games 2 and 3, and we messed them both up. But to me, it’s getting a little old to watch my Twins do just better than average. We’ve won the division how many times now this decade, and then we choke up in the playoffs. We’ve only gotten out of the divisional one time. Come on, we aren’t the Vikings. Leave the choking to them.
In my opinion, we underachieved this year. We were supposed to win the division. We were supposed to go far in the playoffs. I don’t know if I’m just getting spoiled, but this is the year that I heard about 20% of analysts say that the Twins were getting to the world series this year, and we barely got into the playoffs. Maybe that’s my problem, too. I listen to the experts that tell me what I want to hear. I should have been suspicious when they kept on saying that Liriano was going to be the Cy Young winner this year. But, all that to say this. I’ve never felt so strongly about any of our teams than I have this year. We’ve got a great bunch of guys that show up and play with their hearts. I’m so thankful that we’re competitive and we have something to cheer about, unlike those 90’s Twins when I was a teen. I’m an eternal optimist, and next year definitely is looking pretty good. What areas do we need help?
1. Starting pitching?
2. 3rd base?
3. Shortstop and second base?
Any input would be appreciated.
P.S. Any news if Redmond is retiring or not? I always liked that guy.
by TwinkieinHawaii on Oct 12, 2009 7:44 AM EDT reply actions
I don't know which analysts you were listening to,
because the overwhelming favorites this year were the Indians and Tigers. The Twins were predicted to finish third or fourth, depending on who you asked.
This team didn’t over-achieve or under-achieve. They were slightly above average, which is exactly where they should have been. They were lucky because no team in our division was good enough to just run away with it, and that’s why we managed to steal the division title. That shouldn’t take away from that accomplishment, but it is what it is.
You’re right—we have a great bunch of players. The problem is the rest of the roster, and certain players under-performing or getting hurt. There’s nothing “choke” about this incarnation of the Twins, because they weren’t even supposed to be in a position to win the division to begin with.
I think your list of positional needs is pretty much right on the money. The sad news is that the free agent market is pretty weak this year, at least from the positions we need to supplement, and so those few good players will likely be overpaid to go to bigger markets. My guess is that the Twins will have to A) rely on high-risk high-reward FA’s like they did with Crede this season B) rely on guys like Valencia, Liriano and Young to step up and provide the way we need them to, and C) maybe make another big gamble in a trade.
The latest on Redmond is that he wants to return to the Twins next season. I like him too, but I think re-signing him and keeping him on the 25-man roster probably isn’t a good decision. Mauer doesn’t need a mentor anymore, and Morales has shown enough this season to prove to me that he’s ready to be the exclusive backup. Red-dog’s production just stunk this season. I’ll always love him for what he’s done and meant to this squad over the last few years, but I think his time might be up.
The Tigers? Really?
Hmmm, I don’t recall that at all. Even our pre-season prediction thread over at BYB, barely anyone picked the Tigers to win the division. A season like we had in 08 scars even the diehards.
And on another Tigers note, what’s the connection between Darrell Evans and Punto? Just masters at drawing walks, or is there another joke in there I’m missing?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
agreed
I felt like everyone was picking the Indians to win the division, with the Twins next most likely. Maybe a few picked the Tigers, but I thought the Indians were the popular choice
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 12, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
so sad
but it’s time to put red dawg down…he’ll always be a great dog…
this is more sad than Old Yeller
He has a great career ahead of him as a male model
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 12, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
...I think you dropped your sarcasm font.
:)
"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." -Kirby Puckett
could he do wrangler commercials with Favre?
or sell Toyota’s with Chuck Norris?
by NYCisTwinsTerritory on Oct 12, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting combo
Man, Favre and Redmond. For some reason, they just seem like they would be instant best friends.
by TwinkieinHawaii on Oct 12, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
+1 hahaha!
I’ll bet they would hang out together all the time!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
—Hasta la victoria siempre ¡Patria o Muerte! –Ernesto "Che" Guevara
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 12, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
he might have been reading ESPN and SI
Slightly bitter Tigers fan here. I must say, I enjoyed the poetic justice of the blown call in game 2.
As for next year, the Twins will be the Twins at or near the top most of season.
In both games I refuse to let either team off the hooks with the blown calls.
Both teams still had bases loaded chances and failed to convert. You and I can argue all we want about umps, but both teams failed to do their jobs afterwards. Also, if the closers do there jobs those plays never happened.
by NYCisTwinsTerritory on Oct 12, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
I think it’s best summed up with “That’s baseball.” On a different note, I (and many Tiger fans) still hope Mauer gets the MVP.
+1 for your screen name
And thanks for the Mauer MVP vote
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 12, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
How am I doing?
Disappointed. I don’t have a problem with the Yankee players, they’re great. I have a problem with what the Yankee’s stand for – they’re nothing but pimps to the rest of the league with revenue sharing. I’m tired of the Twins folding like a cheap card table when the play them. What is Gardy, like, 3-30 now and o’fer this year? How is that possible? It’s the kind of record you see when a college plays a rival and truly I’m not real thrilled to be at Target field next year. Outdoor baseball is great. When did the trip down to Kaufman this year to watch the Twins/Royals. It was fantastic. But, the thought of freezing my ass off in April/May, and any time during the post season is repulsive to me. Otherwise, the Twins need to keep Pavano, Cabrera, dump Perkins, and find someone who can be healthy at third with a power bat. I don’t think Crede will be back.
I think you'll find that the weather in April or May or October
won’t be so bad as long as you dress for the condidtions. Plus, I think it’s worse to have to sit inside on a gorgeous summer night to watch your baseball team play under a teflon roof. Of course, all this would be moot if we’d have added a retractable roof, like we should have.
I’m totally with you on the Yankee thing. It’s what that team stands for that I despise. The odd thing is, I don’t really even blame the Steinbrenners. I blame the office of the commissioner. He’s done well at introducing revenue sharing, yada yada yada, but it’s not a level playing field. If he wants parity, he doesn’t have it yet. And so the Yankees stand for what I despise—baseball’s fundamental lack of a playing field, and indulgence in excess. The Steinbrenners aren’t breaking any rules, they’re just doing what they want to do because baseball allows them to do it. Most GM’s in baseball could be doing the same thing right now if they decided to run their team like a video game instead of like a business.
I’m also with you on bringing back Pavano, but bringing back Cabrera is a horrible idea. For a guy that will command a minimum salary of several million dollars, with bad offense and what’s become some pretty bad defense, I’d rather try Trevor Plouffe. He’s young and inexperienced, but if we’re going to play someone to not put up numbers we might as well pay them $400K instead of $5 MM.
Crede I’m up in the air on. If he wants to come back on another incentive-laden deal I’m open to it, because I think it would do Danny Valencia good to have a veteran third baseman on the roster to take some of the pressure off. And this would go for Cabrera, too—if the Twins can bring in a good young shortstop, from anywhere, if O-Cab wants to take a $1 MM base salary with incentives to be a playing coach, then so be it. But I don’t want him to start.
Dude --
Most GM’s in baseball could be doing the same thing right now if they decided to run their team like a video game instead of like a business.
If they could, why don’t they?
Listen, man — George Steinbrenner’s militaristic obsession with WINNING is what separates him from every other baseball owner/entrepreneur in the country. I think you said it best in the quote above; many could do what he does, but they don’t.
If you win, you feel awesome for having destroyed the mighty Yankee monster; if you lose, you devalue our victory by saying we don’t play by the rules.
It is for reasons like this that I rooted all the way for the Lakers in the Finals, despite the fact that I’m a Knicks fan. I know what it’s like to have people try to water-down the credentials of a team by focusing on how excessively talented/rich they are, when in fact, payroll/potential talent is only a small portion of what you really need to be successful in team sports. You need to come up in big spots; and spots tend to grow MUCH BIGGER when people consider you the heavy favorite.
In all honesty, most Yankee fans (the real ones) respect the Twins and understand the freakish recent history you guys have been through against us (look at ours against Anaheim). Sometimes, that is simply the way it is.
But the conversation turns stupid once you bring in payroll, even though it seems to be the easy target for letting go of frustration. New York’s obsession with baseball preceeded the Yankee payroll, and the payroll only exists because of our equally militaristic obsession with winning.
Like it or not, it's still an issue
I don’t blame you for being annoyed by the repeated “They just bought their pennant!” comments, but the fact is that it always will be a part of the conversation as long as the Yankees have the ability to grossly outspend virtually every other team. I don’t fault them for doing it as long as they’re allowed to (both by baseball’s rules and their revenue stream), but as long as that’s the case, fans of other teams will point out, correctly, that it’s not exactly a level playing field – the Yankees have the resources to virtually always be one of baseball’s best teams due in large part to the fact that they’re the most popular team in the nation’s largest city. There’s certainly room for debate as to whether that situation is in the best interests of the league as a whole.
I know what it’s like to have people try to water-down the credentials of a team by focusing on how excessively talented/rich they are, when in fact, payroll/potential talent is only a small portion of what you really need to be successful in team sports.
Payroll and potential talent is certainly more than a “small portion” – the Yankees were the best team in the league on paper this year, with the most talented players, thanks to their large payroll. Sure, it’s possible to flame out like the Mets did this year, but there is a huuuuuuge correlation between payroll and on-field success, and it’s silly to try and claim otherwise.
Also, I think you misinterpreted Jesse’s comment above – by saying that other teams would do the same if they ran their team like a video game instead of a business, he was saying that other teams would do that if they, like the Yankees, had a basically unlimited budget (like in a video game). No one else does it because they can’t afford to, not because they just decide not to.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Solomon96
Go troll on your own site, or are you done trolling Halos Heaven? When your team builds a club through their farm, and solves problems in house rather than punking the likes of the pirates into trades, and stops handing out huge, over the top contracts to players like Kevin Brown and CC (hot dog eating champ) Sabathia, then talk shit. Until then, hop on the F train next to John Rocker and sh&t the fuck up!!!! BTW, great win Cuzzi handed you guys in game 2, how many feet fair was that ball inside the LF line?
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....
I am a whole mix of emotions.
1. Definitely feel that the biggest missed opportunity of the series was when Drunk Guy chose not to run for Phil Cuzzi.
2. The Yankees, overall, are a much better team than us — they bought and paid for it, and after all, when you look at us this year, we weren’t all that good. September was wonderful, Game 163 was unbelievable, but frankly, we only made it to the postseason because someone from the Central Division had to go.
a. That being said, this would have been much easier to take
if we hadn’t been in so many positions to win. The Yankees
were incredibly beatable this whole series, but we couldn’t
close it out.
b. This team has got to get over its fear of the Bombers.
It’s almost worse than the White Sox in the Metrodome.
c. Fuck the Yankees. Go Angels.
3. Personally, I feel this hurt less than 2006, when we were arguably the best team in the AL, then got swept by Oakland, who won by doing our thing but better. Let us remember that there were no inside of the park homeruns this series.
4. I realized Derek Jeter looks just like Abe Simpson. Think about it.
5. I am so proud of our starting pitching that I’m just fit to burst. I’ve spoken firmly in favor of Duensing before, and I stand by that. Nick Blackburn was spectacular. And Pavano? Carl Pavano, who I raved and bitched and threw a fit about when I realized he was joining the team? He went out and pitched his tail off. I especially loved all the pitches inside. He was brilliant and the Yankee-hate in his eyes was hot. It didn’t work out for any of them, but let’s not diminish their accomplishments. Brava, guys.
6. I’d rather leave our baserunners out of it — yeah, they screwed up, and it was ugly. But far more than Gomez or Punto (or Kubel, or anyone else who failed to produce), I’m angry at Joe Nathan. This was a collective team choke, but if you have to name one name, Nathan’s the guy who hurt us most. He blew Game 2 and moved Game 3 out of reach. I actually had a dream that Joe Mauer slapped Nathan like a little girl.
7. I’m looking forward to seeing how Neshek, Slowey, and Boof (yes, Boof!) are feeling next year in spring training. Also, I want Cabrera and Pavano back. And, of course, we must sign Joe Mauer, no matter what the cost. Hopefully he’s not too bitter about all this.
8. I find the snow outside this morning actually improves my mood. It doesn’t look like baseball season anymore.
http://www.realityfish.com
Oh, and also...
9. Our team is so, so, so much more attractive than the Yankees. Ain’t no amount of WS wings gonna make those faces pretty. Maybe we lost, but we get to look at Blackburn’s eyelashes and Cuddy’s dimples each year, unlike Sabathia’s… um… well, just Sabathia.
Yes, it’s petty, but after watching all these games in HD, I’m feeling more appreciative than ever of things like lovely eyelashes.
http://www.realityfish.com
Hey now
I can’t believe you just made a post about ugly Yankees and didn’t mention Hideki Matsui. My wife has him right alongside Randy Johnson in her Pantheon of Hideous Baseball Players.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
I actually find Matsui to only be a middling level of ugly.
At least compared to the rest of the team. I heard a quote that says Deter looks like The Rock had sex with a muppet. And Johnny Damon looks ridiculous shaved.
http://www.realityfish.com
Really?
Matsui is uh…really, quite ugly. And like we discussed while watching the game last night, Damon should have kept his long hair. Kinda hid the face a bit.
I am right there with you, though, that the Twins have the more attractive players. Who can ever resist dimples?! And the snow definitely makes it feel like Wild/Vikings time now, not a devastating sweep of the Evil Empire time.
"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." -Kirby Puckett
I'm surprised there isn't a movie about that
A caveman, frozen in ice, who wakes up after thousands of years and joins a baseball team. I’m sure the Royals would sign a guy like that, at the very least.
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 12, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
They had clubs back in caveman times.
Just saying. He probably would know how to swing one around…possibly make contact with the ball as much as Mark Teahen.
Ahhh, how I look forward to 2010 now.
"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." -Kirby Puckett
The Yanks are hardcore about that.
I admit, I thought that their grooming policies would stop Damon from signing with them. Apparently for the right amount of money he doesn’t mind looking like a moron.
http://www.realityfish.com
by Robin G on Oct 12, 2009 5:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I feel Matsui is more "grizzled" than "ugly."
I don’t find him attractive, but he doesn’t make my stomach turn. Just one of those things, I guess.
http://www.realityfish.com
by Robin G on Oct 12, 2009 5:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes. Blackburn has distractingly nice eyelashes.
Which go well with his distractingly nice eyes.
I love our team.
http://www.realityfish.com
Layoff the Payroll Excuse
The twins HAD Game 2 and to a lesser extent Game 3 but choked it away – despite the payroll disadvantage.
I am still pissed off about game 2. Nathan, Young, Gomez and the freaking ump….
blech.
Next year:
Pavano? NO
Cabrera? NO
Harden? YES
Mauer? No Shit Sherlock
No Pavano?
I think if he can pitch 10-15 games like he did last night, he’d totally be worth it. But, a risk I guess.
"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." -Kirby Puckett
+1
I thought he did well for us this year.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
—Hasta la victoria siempre ¡Patria o Muerte! –Ernesto "Che" Guevara
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 12, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
He is not an upgrade over Slowey
I don’t even think he is an upgrade over Boof.
And I really don’t think he can pitch 10-15 games like last night.
by clutterheart on Oct 12, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I did say he was a risk.
But who knows how Slowey will be after surgery? Or if Boof will perform well? Both seem to be the same kind of risk as Pavano, except Pavano’s not coming off surgery.
"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." -Kirby Puckett
Speaking of Cuzzi
I agree Jesse, we should have did it right and put on the stinking roof. Again, being in a seat for three hours in less than desirable conditions isn’t appealing to me.
I’d love to have O-Cab back. I think we need his leadership and experience on the field. His fielding was a bit slack this year, but over his career he’s been very solid. Compared to Punto, Casilla, Tolbert, or whoever else they ran out there, a career .280 something hitter is a breath of fresh air to me. I’ve thought that I would give up an error here and there for a good bat. Cabrera has one. We need one ( or more ) desperately.
Cuzzi has no business on a baseball field. Has anyone Googled this idiot? Lol. What a schmuck. Questionable calls, fired from the Minor leagues, other times when is ineptness cost the team playing the Yankee’s. Go figure.
I’m not sure of Ron’s rationale bringing Nathan in any game against the Yankees. Especially game two. With the other team batting damn near .600 against him, and baseball being " all about the numbers " what’s the call? No Nathan against the Yankees.
Frustrated
It’s tough to blame the Yankees. People say that they cannot stand what the Yankees stand for. I think that’s ridiculous. The fact is, they have a massive amount of revenue each year. They have their own television network. All of the advertising from that network is revenue. So, when they play the 162 game schedule and they sell every half-inning and every pitching change, they do so with two things in mind: raising revenue; finding better players. And, then they have the gate at new Yankees Stadium. Although the seats around the plate are usually available (as they go for $2,500 a pop), the seats everywhere else are sold. Again, they do this with the twin aims of raising revenue and finding better players in mind.
So, to blame the Yankees for “what they stand for” is ridiculous. Hate baseball for what it stands for. There is no question that a full-scale revenue sharing plan is what’s needed. I’m talking about pooling all revenue and distributing it equitably. Until that happens, though, the Yankees are going to be difficult to beat. But don’t blame the Yankees because they are just doing what they should do: raise revenue; find better players.
Finally, their guys didn’t swing at first pitches in key situations; they exploited our first-pitch swinging in key situations. For example, take Delmon Young’s at bat in the 11th on Friday night. I know, it’s our second extra inning game of the week. Everyone’s exhausted. BUT, Young swung at the first pitch and lined out. And, Gomez did the exact same thing: bases full, one out, he swings at the first pitch and grounds to first. Now, compare that with yesterday’s ninth inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases. Each at bat was a struggle. They made us work. They tired us out. Eventually, they took over.
Their guys didn’t make the serious baserunning mistakes that our guys did. You know that Jeter saw some tape somewhere of Punto rounding a base too far – and he exploited it yesterday. It killed a rally. Yes, Punto gave us the rally by doubling to left center. But, that mistake was huge.
In the end, the Yankees have better players — for sure — but they also have a much better IQ than our guys have.
One good note: Carl Pavano was dominant. It was great to see him play so well against the Yankees. . . .
About their network
Why is it that noone blinked about the YES network which adds mucho dinero to the Yanks but when the Twins wanted Victory Sports network so they too could add some revenue, MLB did nothing to help them fight off the cable providers?
This might not be apples and apples but it seems be unfair that one team gets to benefit from their own network while another does not.
Fairness
The business of baseball is unfair. There is little question about it. Now, the Yankees out east — from Southern New Jersey to northwestern Connecticut — are popular. Sure, there are Phillies, Mets and Red Sox fans in that area — and even some Orioles fans — but the Yankees are pretty popular. I think the cable providers believed the YES Network would add value to the cable subscription.
Here, the Twins are popular, but they’re not wildly popular. A few years ago Terry Ryan explained the problem by noting that a preseason Vikings game outdrew the Twins game for the same night — while the Twins were in the midst of a division fight and were playing (I recall) the Chicago White Sox. So, it’s tough to expect the cable provider to increase their rate by a few dollars given that so many don’t regularly follow the Twins.
A much better approach, in my view, is to nationalize this type of revenue. When the Yankees sell space on YES, they’re selling a game involving two teams — and sometimes two league. Yet, the Yankees are keepin the vast majority of the revenue. It’s absurd.
thank you
for explaining how this was apples and oranges…
too bad though b/c Victory was supposed to carry Gopher games, high school sports, and the Twins…I guess everyone didn’t want it enough.
but those are the breaks and I like your idea of revenue sharing the tv money b/c two teams are playing and not just one.
Yankees are clearly the better team (although we didn’t need this series to teach us this). And the hyperactive Twins made too many of their customary October blunders to take advantage of the opportunities there to make it a series. Anything can happen in a short series—round ball, round bat, etc.—but when a team is clearly outclassed AND makes as many mistakes as the Twins, it’s lights out. (Sometimes I think the Twins preferred personality type—the gritty, competitive, battle-your-tail-off “gamers”—hurts them come October, when the lights and adrenaline are a bit more intense. While these guys are a huge advantage during your typical dog days of August stretch, playing the Clevelands of the World, maybe it’s a factor that helps explain some of the weird things we see from the team in the playoffs: swinging at pitches above the eyes; overrunning bases/stop signs; relievers looking too white-knuckled to make a pitch, resulting in either walks or meatballs down the middle…)
Anyway, let’s hope they can dig up some more voltage in the pen. Matt Guerrier has been a wonderful find for them, but he isn’t an ideal 7th or 8th inning guy. There’s some hope next year that with Neshek, Bonser, Mijares, Crain, Rauch, and maybe Liriano, they’ll luck into a couple guys to help them shorten the game.
No idea about moves. Mauer obviously needs to be dealt with, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, come winter meeting time, we even see some rumored trade offers for him (which the Twins won’t take short of an absolute haul, not unless they WANT Target Field to be a smoldering ruin come April). But I suspect they’ll sign him to a huge deal. Gut feel is they’ll bring Cabrera back, too, probably on a deal that might seem a bit steep but not too horrible, given A) the market probably won’t be that hot for him, and B) it’s not like the Twins have a great young infielder he’d be blocking. Outside of that, who knows? Thankfully the Washburn love seems to have fizzled a bit, as he came back to earth once he left the big ballpark with the west coast air and the awesome outfield defense he had in Seattle. But who knows?
We shall see. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both the White Sox and Tigers shake things up this offseason. No idea about the Twins. Hoping the market for Harden is cool enough to allow the Twins a surprise signing.
Goats
1) Joe Nathan – he choked. He knew he had to be careful with Teixeira and Rodriguez and blew it. He threw the ball into the outfield. Just all sorts of yuck.
2) Jason Kubel – absolutely lost at the plate
3) Delmon Young – What a dumb hitter, loads of talent and an awful approach at the plate. Too bad we can’t combine Punto’s approach with Young’s talent.
Punto balanced his boneheadedness with heads-up play and good ABs. Gomez was too eager but his biggest problem was losing his footing.
Guys who earned a lot of respect: Cuddyer, Pavano, Blackburn, Brendan Harris. Mauer couldn’t really earn more respect but he was good.
+1
This about sums it up. Orlando Cabrera was pretty awful at the plate as well.
by Adam Peterson on Oct 12, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Satisfied
Making it to the playoffs is an accomplishment, one that I didn’t think was likely a few weeks ago.
And the Twins are still in a position to provide hope for next year.
I feel bad for Joe Nathan
Blowing that save blew the team’s mojo. I kind of feel like the three emotional leaders of the team are Nathan, Cuddy, and Cabrera. OC didn’t do much, Cuddy was ordinary, and Nathan sucked. But I still love the guy. I think it was the 50 pitch outing way back when that lit the fire under this team. And it might have been what ultimately did Nathan in…
I don’t necessarily think the current revenue sharing is perfect, but I prefer baseball’s system to what the NFL has. I’m kind of a sucker for the whole David vs. Goliath, Frodo vs. Sauron type stories.
I think the disgust/angst/kicked in the groin feeling I have is better than whatever Red Sox fans must be feeling.
Dr. Morneau was the missing ingredient for that series. More options in the bullpen early in the year hurt. And a bench full of ass-bats didn’t help. Not to mention the ass-bats in the line-up. I’m talking to you, Jason Kubel.
Still get David v. Goliath stories in NFL
I would argue, actually, that these stories happen more often in the NFL. It’s the old “any given Sunday any team can beat any other team.” Just look at the Cardinals from last year. No one gave them a chance. Look at the Giants from the year before that and the Patriots the year they beat the Rams in the Super Bowl. The problem with baseball is that Goliath wins far too often because certain teams have distinct competitive advantages.
Money SUCKS!
I hate the fact that money can buy a championship. I hate everything about the Yankees! I understand some players are groomed in the system, but seriously! 240 Million Payroll! Yankees can bite my SHINY METAL ASS! (Bender Rules)
I’m pretty sure I heard Chip Carey say that the team that led the league in home runs has not won (or made it to) the World Series since the Tigers in the 70’s.
Chip
and you know that Chip Caray. He is always right.
That was the worst announcing I’d heard in my 25 or so years of watching baseball. He was awful. Ron Darling? Worse. They’ve just not ready for the games, not good at what they do, and etc. TBS is terrible for baseball.
Lowhlight from last night
was Chip and Ron going on and on about Delmon’s cup. “He got hit in the cup, in the cup area, where it hurts in that cup area. Delmon having a hard time standing at 2nd base because he was hit in the cup. Porchello isn’t even old enough to wear a cup.”
The poll answer I want is...
Wanting to punch Cuzzi, Punto, and Jeter (just because of his Jeterness).
The poll has a flaw
Multiple choices were not allowed. I would have gone with A, B, C, and F.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
—Hasta la victoria siempre ¡Patria o Muerte! –Ernesto "Che" Guevara
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 12, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
Personally...
…I wanted an option to punch Chip Caray. I think John Madden and Joe Morgan commentating a hockey game would be more enjoyable. That’s not a knock against hockey; I love me some hockey. Just think about how bad those two would be talking about a sport they’ve probably never heard of. Then think back to the last four Twins games you listened to. Notice the similarities? That’s because Caray is terrible. And not completely biased towards the Yankees…just mostly.
“There’s Joba Chamberlain warming up in the pen. You know, something about Joba reminds me of Yankees..blah blah Yankees blah Yankees…” <30 seconds pass> “…and, oh, right…there’s a baseball game still going on. I think someone singled. And then walked. The Twins have…wait, two baserunners on?… That can’t be right…”
I could imagine Madden and Morgan.
Madden would tell stories about Brett Favre on skates, while Morgan would tell everyone the time he scored a hat trick, including the game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup. He loves to insert himself in to stories.
by NYCisTwinsTerritory on Oct 12, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Punto gets a pass ... and other stuff
I think Punto read that ball as getting through up the middle and he was busting his butt to score. If it could have been saved, 3B coach had to save it by letting Punto know more quickly the ball didn’t get through. And I don’t know that it could have been saved.
Gomez was a baserunning blunder, IMO; guys running the bases behind the guy coming in to score with 2 outs have to be VERY conservative because exactly what did happen can happen. Gomez should’ve come into 2nd and stopped on the base, period.
Joe Nathan – I’m so torn. On the one hand, he set a Twins record for saves in a season; on the other, he lost some of his edge toward the end of the season & pitched like he was afraid of the Yankees in game #2. I don’t like it when my closer nibbles, but that’s what he did in NY.
I would like to see Pavano signed. He was healthy this year – THE big issue with him over the past several years – and he pitched well often enough to make a contribution to this team.
Thinking about next year …. we won 86/87 (here’s hoping we don’t play a 163rd game again … unless necessary, of course) with a team that (a) didn’t have Mauer the first month; (b) lost Morneau for, what, the last 5 weeks or so(?); © got little/nothing from 2B all year; (d) got little/nothing from SS until August 1st; (e) got less than average performance from 3B & 1 OF position most of the year; (f) lost 40% of its expected rotation to flame out & injury; and (g) had to paste together a bullpen everywhere but closer for most of the year. I can imagine 10 more wins next year, especially if we got blessed with a “fewer than usual” amount of injuries for a change.
anyone else?
look at that picture of Span and just want to tell him, “everythings going to be alright, you get to play next year…” ?
You guys had a great season.
As a fan of the Halos, god knows, I understand the disappointment. Up until recently, we were amongst the small market teams that never contended, now we have a larger, well truth be told, one of the largest payrolls in baseball, but we still develop from within. I always pull for you guys, because you’re the exception to the rule, a highly competitive team, without the luxury of a 200 or 100 million dollar payroll. I can’t even make that claim on behalf of my team. GO KICK ASS IN 2010, AND YOUR NEW FIELD IS SWEET!!!!!
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Twinkie Town
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
