My Crazy Off-Season Strategy....

by mak07 on Oct 24, 2011 10:16 PM EDT

We all have the whole off-season to ponder what the Twins will do through Free Agency and what not, but I have come up with a totally crazy idea that seems very far-fetched, but it could be one of the best things this franchise ever did. It could also come back to bite them in the future too, but hey, we won 63 games last year, we are going to have to do something big...

First off, we can let Cuddyer walk. I would offer arbitration, all the while knowing he's probably going to get a multi-year deal. We will get 2 picks out of him this way. (He's type A)

For our other FA's, We can let both Capps and Kubel walk.

We should offer Arbitration to Liriano, Perkins, and Mijares. I think we should keep those 3 locked up.

I think instead of buying out Nathan's 12.5 million dollar deal for 2.5 million, we should re-work it so he's on a 2 year/10 million dollar deal.

I would trade Denard Span to the Nats for Ian Desmond, Tyler Clippard and a minor leaguer.

I would send Justin Morneau off to wherever will take him, or re-structure his deal to about 5 mil a year down from 15 mil.

Sign Ryan Doumit as a DH/C/1B, Nate McLouth OF, and Orlando Cabrera 2B/SS to cheap deals...

Then, the crazy part. We give Albert Pujols a 6 year/240 million dollar deal. He is worth it. Just stay with me for a while...

C: Joe Mauer

1B: Albert Pujols

2B: Trevor Plouffe

SS: Ian Desmond

3B: Danny Valencia

LF: Ben Revere

CF: Joe Benson

RF: Brian Dinkleman

DH: Ryan Doumit

Bench: Chris Parmalee, Nate McLouth, and Orlando Cabrera.

SP's: Liriano, Baker, Pavano, Blackburn, and Hendricks

RP's: Clippard, Duensing, Perkins, Mijares, Nathan, Oliveros, Slama, and Dumatrait

We would have the two best hitters in baseball, when healthy. We would have a speedy, defensively orientated OF, and we would have a much improved infield and bullpen. We may be thin at OF, but we are loaded in the minors if the injury bug bites us. There are also a LOT of quality OF that sign for dirt cheap at the end of FA... I would be open to signing one of them.

What does everyone think? I know it's very, very unlikely, but would we not sell out every game for the next 5 years? Would we not be very dangerous down the stretch if Pujols and Mauer remain healthy? Would we not have one of the best bullpens in the AL? Where are the flaws??? (FYI, we would be very close to the payroll we opened up with this year)

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Sounds good.

I let Nathan go and use the money to find a starting pitcher. The Nats will not trade Clippard and Desmond go for only Span. Sorry I think all Twins fans over value Span. I really like the Doumit idea and I think Pujols would sign for 40 million a year and give the twins the much needed power bat.

by Emma2011 on Oct 24, 2011 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

This makes me appreciate Bill Smith.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 25, 2011 12:00 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs

The outfield, middle infield, starting rotation and bullpen are godawful.

I’m pretty sure the FDA, USDA, EPA and CDC are prepared to label that roster a carcinogen, it’s that bad.

Cheering for inconsistent, undisciplined teams [Twins, Wild, Packers, Hawkeyes] since 1989. "False Hope is better than No Hope"

by Yabbs on Oct 25, 2011 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

How about catcher, Yabbs?

That is if Mauer is not there!

by Emma2011 on Oct 25, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

This lineup just doesn't look good.

I may overvalue Span (since I think strong defensive, strong offensive CFs are extremely important), but I think you undervalue him.

It’s too early to give up on Morneau, and there’s no way Pujols comes to MN.

I can deal with that bench, but there’s just not enough there.

by Caleb A on Oct 25, 2011 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

There's no way the Nats swing Clippard AND Desmond for Span though.

That’s ridiculous overvaluing.

Cheering for inconsistent, undisciplined teams [Twins, Wild, Packers, Hawkeyes] since 1989. "False Hope is better than No Hope"

by Yabbs on Oct 25, 2011 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess I'm just not very high on Desmond

I also don’t think the Twins have enough major league ready OFs to replace Span and fill out the rest of the outfield, especially if Cuddyer and Kubel both leave.

by Caleb A on Oct 25, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not very good at math...

…but 240/6 = 40, I think. Straight up insanity. Not even the Yankees would do that.

Let’s not get crazy. We need a middle infield, a couple #2-3 starting pitchers, someone who can catch 81 games and play DH/1B the other 81, and a shuffle in the relievers.

by spanspanspan on Oct 25, 2011 12:06 AM EDT reply actions

I’m going to ignore the obvuously crazy part of this.

The Nats wouldn’t deal Storen and Lombodarzzi for Span.

Also, doesn’t Morneau have a NTC? And I don’t think he’s going to be cool with restructuring his contract. This is not MLB 11 The Show.

by Brady Eyestone on Oct 25, 2011 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

Here's my crazy Twins offseason strategy.

Embrace the Pitch to Contact strategy to the fullest.

Find a way to trade Span, Nishioka, and Plouffe for contact pitchers to fill out the bullpen.

Sign LNP, Re-sign Cuddy for utility depth/DH and those times we need a 3 man OF.

Seems okay so far, right?

OF: Gomez and Revere, with their range, we should only need two OFers.
Infield: Valencia at 3rd, Mauer at L-SS, Casilla at R-SS, Morneau at on the bag at 2nd, Pujols at L-1B, Fielder at R-1B.

Starting Order would be:
Revere (OF needs to leadoff)
Morneau (2B, bats 2nd)
Mauer
Pujols
Fielder
Valencia
Cuddyer
Gomez
Casilla

If we’re going to embrace the pitch to contact mentality. We don’t need a catcher. We can shift one of our infielders to behind the umpire to catch balls that aren’t put in play.

Cheering for inconsistent, undisciplined teams [Twins, Wild, Packers, Hawkeyes] since 1989. "False Hope is better than No Hope"

by Yabbs on Oct 25, 2011 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

That's stupid

You clearly bat Casilla third because he’s a switch hitter.

by spanspanspan on Oct 25, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Gomez likes to swing from the heels.

You might as well bat him cleanup, then.

by Caleb A on Oct 25, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry

This will not work for me. Besides, the NFL will not allow anybody to work behind the plate unless they have a catcher’s mitt.

I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!

by Jessy S on Oct 25, 2011 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Really?

This is where you draw the line?

by Caleb A on Oct 25, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

The NFL needs to mind it's own business.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 25, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Criticisms

I don’t mind dreaming about Pujols, but you could do 6/180 and it will still be the best offer he fields… That being said, you don’t “restructure” MLB contracts. They are guaranteed. Unless he retires, Morneau is getting paid the remainder of his contract. You could put him on irrevocable waivers and I wouldn’t be surprised if a deep pocketed team took a flyer on him, but I don’t anyone is trading a prospect beyond a marginal C prospect for him. This is a bed we’ve made and have to sleep in. That said, honestly, Morneau is the least of my concerns given that we seem to have a realistic replacement in Parmalee. He did quite well in a limited sample, and while I think we agree he needs more time, he is a fine backup option to stash in AAA given that he has options.

I don’t get trading Span. He’s an above average CF and his replacement will be below average pretty much across the board. I would trade Span if the Twins are going to give up on 2012/13, and I most certainly wouldn’t do it for an RP. Our OF organizational depth could be counted on in 2013 as Benson needs more time. Revere shoudln’t be in a starting linup anywhere as his bat doesn’t play in the corners, and his arm doesn’t play anywhere. He’s a 4th OF. I’m fine sending him to AAA to keep improving it they think he can start, but if he’s in MLB in 2012, it should be in Repko’s role. If they want to compete in 2012, then you need to retain both Kubel and Cuddyer. You still need to fix the middle infield (probably Barms via FA) and need to do something with the rotation as well as find a reliable backup catcher. If you are giving up on 2012, then trading Span makes sense with the OF glut we have in the minors, but I’d still lock up additional long term pieces as the price is right. Liriano has a low value right now. You might be able to get him to a reasonable 3 year deal. There’s some risk, but that is what buying low is all about.

by diehardtwinsfan on Oct 25, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

It is official, since diehard makes sense:

The World is coming to an end.

by Jessy S on Oct 25, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

don't confuse me with the other diehard

I rarely post here. :)

by diehardtwinsfan on Oct 26, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

To all who have read this...

I did it almost mocking Bill Smith. He obviously thinks putting people in the seats is more important than winning. If we had Pujols and Mauer, we would sell out every game. This “new ballpark” thing is going to wear out real quick if we have 2 or 3 more sub-.500 years… We will struggle to sell the seats without another big name. Bill Smith doesn’t realize it’s winning that puts people in the seats.
Two things I’ve gotten a lot of feedback about… Span and Pujols. At the trade deadline we were offered Clippard and Desmond for Span. They have no need for Desmond, and Clippard is a set-up man. They would do this deal… They’re the ones who offered it and we turned it down mid-season… We were trying to hold out for Drew Storen instead of Tyler Clippard.
Albert Pujols… One agent believes he will be able to get 6 years/240 million… I heard the guy talking on ESPN Radio, but this is all I could find for proof…
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/heyman-on-crawford-pujols-buehrle-madson.html
So… He may not get 40 million a year, but he will be over 30 million a year… I think 7 years/217 million would be fair…

Again, this is mostly mocking Bill Smith. I actually think this lineup would do better than what Smith has put on the field lately… I am 100% serious about letting Kubel walk though.. Can’t stand him… He got hurt early in the year and we started winning… Then when he came back we started losing again… He’s a cancer…

by mak07 on Oct 25, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Kubel is a cancer?

Ok then.

"I learned something yesterday. No use in having rules if there's no punishment for breaking them. You'll be fine if you bite down on the trigger. Enjoy your breakfast."

by John_Locke on Oct 25, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

hahahahahahahahahahahahahah

I am 100% serious about letting Kubel walk though.. Can’t stand him… He got hurt early in the year and we started winning… Then when he came back we started losing again… He’s a cancer…

by funnytrain on Oct 25, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You'd have to know me...

He’s the only Twin I don’t like… We all have those people who rub us the wrong way, and well… for me that’s him…
I know he’s not the reason we lost all those games, but I feel much better if I tell myself that.

by mak07 on Oct 25, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's more about you than it is about Kubel

by DJL44 on Oct 26, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow. I need a tylenol after that one.

by Darth Paxton on Oct 25, 2011 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

Some logic

First order of business: Trade Capps for Sabathia, A-Rod, and Pujols. Then I would trade Tolbert for God. We would still loose to the Yankees in the first round, but hey! You gotta have something to be disappointed about late in the season…… what else are sports for?

by rarndaraki on Oct 30, 2011 1:15 PM EDT reply actions