Reviewing the Delmon Young Trade: Was It Still the Right Thing to Do?
by Jesse on Oct 6, 2011 3:03 PM EDT
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PrintTo be sure, we're asking a different question. When the Twins dealt Delmon Young to the Tigers last month, many people were so frustrated with the Twins and with Delmon's terrible performance that it was a fairly common opinion that it was the right thing to do. I was one of those people. In general, Twinkie Town front page writers certainly weren't opposed to the trade and understood it...even if they weren't necessarily big fans of the idea. I still kind of like Lester Oliveros.
In 2010 Young broke out, with his .298/.333/.493 performance. He tagged 46 doubles, 21 homers, and was the big right-handed run producer with 112 RBI. It was his age-24 season. There was reason for optimism. It faded quickly, as we know, as he hit just .266/.305/.357 with the Twins this season.
From June 1 to when he was dealt, on August 13, Delmon had been doing better. In those 51 games he hit .302/.345/.423. It still wasn't that good, since a corner outfielder who plays bad defense and doesn't hit for power isn't really dubbed desireable, but it was an improvement.
And let's get something else straight. While Delmon destroyed Minnesota down the stretch (13-for-36 in nine games with a pair of homers), his overall line to the end of the season with the Tigers was still just .274/.298/.458. Yes, he got some of his power back, and he did pick up a couple of big hits for Detroit. But was it enough to make the Twins regret trading him?
Absolutely not.
Yet here we are in October, watching Delmon play for the Tigers. For a team that, realistically, could beat the Yankees. It's something the Twins haven't done in the playoffs in my lifetime. So it's understandable if there are a few people out there shaming Minnesota for dealing him. We're stuck at home in October, watching a guy we traded hit a home run (which wasn't really awesome on its own) against the hated Yankees (which made it totally awesome and we remember it).
The Twins were a terrible team before they traded Delmon this season. They were a terrible team without him. Having him on the team would have changed nothing, and even if he had stayed in Minnesota and finished stronger than he did in Detroit, it's still likely the Twins would have non-tendered him this winter anyway. Because for the money he'd be making, he just isn't reliable enough to be the guy this club would have needed him to be.
Ultimately, my opinion of the Delmon trade still hasn't changed. Was the return great? No. Am I happy the Twins traded him? I'm more or less impartial about it. On August 21 I said this:
...but the biggest factor in all of this as far as I'm concerned is what the Twins do with that money in the off-season.
...and I think that still sums it up for me. If the Twins spend wisely this season, I'm going to be totally fine with the Delmon trade.
Good luck tonight, Delmon. May the baseball gods bless your swing, and may the baseball hit the solid area of your swiss cheese bat. Go 4-for-4 with a pair of homers. Beat the Yankees.
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I'm rooting for Delmon
but only cuz he’s playing the Yankees….if he were playing the Rangers I wouldn’t care about him and no matter what we do with the money, I’m glad he’s gone. One less frustration in a year filled with many.
The beard abides.
by Jason Kubel's Beard on Oct 6, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions
My feeling as well
Beat the Yankees, Delmon. Then take an interesting route on a Michael Young fly routine fly ball, turning it into the game winning triple.
It was the right thing to do
I do not think he would have got hot at the end of the year if he was still with us and then he just would have been non tendered and nothing gotten for him. Since Mr. Smith was fixated on “contending” with half the red wings team up in Minnesota and missed the opportunity to get higher market value for him he had to go on the waiver wire to what ever team claimed him. That led to him being traded to a division rival while we were playing them, that pissed him off, but that team was going to the playoffs so it got him fired up.
When interested and putting forth full effort Delmon has the potential to be a moderate power bat that provides little or negative value on the bases and in the field. However Delmon tends to lose focus or something for long periods of the season where he slumps hard and plays defense even worse than his normal iron glove.
Im glad he is gone, it was nice while he went on the demon tear but outside of that streak Delmon hasnt been a good player. With a plethora of OF prospects scattered throughout the minors it was the right move to get rid of him.
first-worst-first?
Good riddance,
Hey Delmon. take one of you zigzag routes to a lazy fly ball in the 9th to allow the winning run to score tonight. Don’t like the Yankees, but hate the Tigers more.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!
What next?
I would always look at what else I had before trading anyone. Do I have somebody that can take over that spot and not kill us? With both Cuddy and Kubel FA and really very few if any major league ready outfileders it may have been worth the angst for another yr and if he had a come back next yr he has a lot more value. Trading Hardy or Delmon, Morales/Ramos etc for next to nothing without a proven replacement is stupid, imo. Now we have Span if his head gets better as a big? and Revere he is probably a 4th outfielder at best unless he really improves and then Tosoni, Plouffe and Repko?
I don't regret the trade, even though it's good to see this topic covered in-depth
I think it’s just simple, for me at least: It just sucks to watch him come through big against the Yankees in the postseason with another team, but he’s still Delmon. Prone to hot streaks every now and then, and utterly incapable of cleanly fielding a routine fly ball.
And now he’ll probably get a game-winning grand slam tonight off Rivera to win the series, just for another kick to the nads.
When I was a kid, I would cover a blue futon with a white blanket, prop it up with a fan set on high, and pretend it was the Metrodome. That should tell you a lot.
by MarshalltheIrish on Oct 6, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions
Addition by subtraction
Also, who wouldn’t do better hitting in front of Cabrera and Martinez?
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
He didn't really have a role here
Couldn’t play D. Didn’t hit for much power. Basically, he should be where he is now, a 3 hitter, who is only asked to hit for average and get driven in by the guys behind him. Mauer already had that spot locked down for us.
Add to the the inconsistency and he wasn’t long for this organization.
But the biggest question I have about him is whether his departure didn’t leave us with a big hole in the future of our outfield. Unless we resign one of Kubel/Cuddyer, we seem to have only two big league outfields (and that’s being generous to Revere).
Outfield is our deepest position
Benson, Hicks, Arcia, Morales, Roasrio, and Kepler are all top-flight prospects.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Did you miss the part where I said "big league"?
We have lots of prospects. We have two big league outfielders. Whether any of these guys will move from the first group to the second before the start of next year is anyone’s guess.
Left fielders are relatively cheap
A fact lost on Bill Smith, apparently.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
yeah but the only one ready to contribute now is Benson
And he’s a 3rd OF at best.
could end up more frustrating then Young. Offensively
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
but like years better than Delmon in the field.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!
generous
The way Young played all season for us, I think it is being generous to consider Young a big league outfielder.
Comparing Mauer to Delmon is ridiculous.
Batting average isn’t what you need to look at as far as allowing others to drive you in. Delmon’s OBP was terrible for Detroit (.298) and has always been below average. In an awful year for Mauer, his OBP was .360.
He doesn’t drive runners in at a high rate. He doesn’t get on base at a high rate. He doesn’t hit for much power, He doesn’t steal bases. He doesn’t do the little things. He isn’t a vocal leader. He doesn’t play defense well. He doesn’t play a hard position.
Not sure what people think we’re missing out on.
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Oct 6, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My thoughts exactly.
He was going to see better pitches in front of those guys. He’s still Elmon in the field.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!
I'm not so sure that if they threw him junk outside the zone that he wouldn't still swing
I can understand why a pitcher might give in on three ball counts with those guys on deck but he’s not working the count more in Detroit.
I almost think this is some sort of sample-size and/or scouting fluke.
no regrets... almost
In the past three seasons with the Twins, Delmon has been a slightly above-average though incredibly frustrating batter and absolutely terrible in the field. From a purely fan perspective, Revere will be much more fun to watch everyday.
My only pause is Young’s age; he is only 25 years old. Someone could make an argument that he is still a couple seasons away from his peak, and I could be convinced. Does that change my opinion about the trade? Not really, but it does cause me a slight hesitation.
I have to agree with this
…but the biggest factor in all of this as far as I’m concerned is what the Twins do with that money in the off-season.
And that’s my biggest concern. My trust in Smith’s ability to do something right is about on par with my trust in congress to do something right.
I think this goes one of two ways.
Either Delmon stays Delmon and we look at it as a good move to get anything at all. Or Delmon learns to hit and we look at it as a David Ortiz situation, where sending him to a team that can teach a good hitting approach and has a manager that understands the concept of platoon splits was a key turning point in his career.
In neither case would keeping him a Twin have been a good idea.
I'm with the consensus
I always pulled for him because he was young, and put into a tough spot, and seemed to have big right-handed potential. Plus, I didn’t want him leaving to become the next Ortiz.
But it’s been long enough that I don’t see him changing his approach at the plate (someone recently called him a first thing any-ball hitter). And I don’t miss his fielding.
I don’t wish him bad, but somehow I don’t mind seeing him batting third in the playoffs.
It sounds like this fellow from SB Nation’s Roto Hardball thinks about the same: http://www.rotohardball.com/2011/10/5/2470845/is-delmon-young-getting-good
That's absurd!
I don't know
I personally never thought he was as bad as his reputation was here. Time will tell.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"I am laughing right now. Am I insane?" Jessy S
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 6, 2011 6:14 PM EDT reply actions
He's a 25 year old who should be a DH but no power
Which is always disappointing. But doesn’t mean that he can’t have a long as a hitter.
He's not a good enough hitter to DH.
There are only 14 full time DH positions available. No way he deserves one.
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Oct 6, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Sold too Low and too late
Its the story of our incompetent GM’s career. Dither and wait and then make a move from the weakest position possible.
But there was nsver reallyt a good time to trade him.
Before the 2011 season would have been a bad time to trade him as well because we were expecting to contend and expecting Delmon to be a run producer in the middle of the lineup. You don’t trade away a guy like that in a situation like that. You don’t.
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
According to LEN III
Twins had offers to trade before the deadline
But he didn’t do it because Smith’s accountant brain didn’t want to pay out the Salary.
by clutterheart on Oct 7, 2011 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
What??
Your post makes no sense.
And even if the Twins had offers on Delmon before the trade deadline, it was not a good time to sell because the Twins were still in the race until mid August. You don’t sell off players when you’re trying to win a pennant.
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
The Twins were out of the race in mid-April
They had a remarkable June and a good July but they were still far enough back that trading Delmon at the deadline would have been a good move. Don’t forget that Delmon was AWFUL up to that point and probably wouldn’t have fetched much in return.
It wasn't a disaster
Further back in July 2006, and even in September 2009.
In hindsight, I might have gone into rebuilding mode. But I can’t blame anyone for #itshappening.
by spanspanspan on Oct 7, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't care what Delmon Young does for Detroit in October.
He could end up being World Series MVP, and it wouldn’t effect the Twins at all.
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
Timing for Trading Delmon
After he got off the DL, his numbers were so bad that there wasn’t really a market for Young. I saw it reported that the Twins tried to trade him at the deadline but had no serious takers. The Tigers may or may not have been interested until Boesch got hurt.
Delmon’s plate discipline is still among the worst I ever saw. Until or unless that changes, he will never be the hitter he has been projected to be.
I also kind of like Oliveros. He throws hard and I thought his command was better than advertised.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Oct 6, 2011 7:54 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah the timing of the trade was my main agrument
not that a trade was made.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I like Oliveros too.
Over on BYB I was joking that Delmon might be our newest David Ortiz… and they thought Oliveros might be the next Mariano Rivera. So, fair enough.
by spanspanspan on Oct 7, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
all joking aside
the latter is an impossible outcome, while the former is plausible.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 8, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol...
…and another playoff homerun for Delmon.
Still has no bearing on his trade
But at least now he’s beating the Yankees, which is always a worthwhile endeavor.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 6, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions
yankee hate
conquers all
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 6, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
(Plus, I secretly like the Tigers)
I guess that’s not really a secret anymore.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 6, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Flagged
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"I am laughing right now. Am I insane?" Jessy S
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 6, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
get out
the banhammer!!!!!!!
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 6, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have
kept that secret. The ONLY reason I can root for the Tigers(I feel sollied just saying that), is my all out hate of the Yankees. Mixed emotions… like seeing your worst enemy back off a cliff in your brand new car.
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 6, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I lived in Michigan for four consecutive summers
This was pre-Target Field, so the loveliness of Comerica won me over.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 6, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I've lived
in California for more than a quarter century, and while AT&T Park is nice…. I still can NOT root for the Giants… I would feel icky.
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 6, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I live in Cali too
went to both AT&T and Target Field for the first time this year and while AT&T is a great park Target Field blew it out of the water. And the ridiculously expensive beer is at least cheaper lol 6.50 or whatever for a decent Grainbelt or the cheapest beer in the park in Frisco was 9.25 for a crappy Budweiser.
first-worst-first?
I live in Cali and kind of prefer Oakland games to SF games
But that’s because it’s way cheaper and I can get really good seats day of game.
I haven’t been to Comerica in a few years (do not ask me about Jim Thome’s 600th homerun and how I just missed going to that game), so I can’t really make an honest assessment about which park is better. But I would probably lean Comerica because it’s more “open”… you can walk around the whole park without ever losing sight of the field. Plus that ferris wheel is kind of fun, even though I am generally opposed to turning ballparks into amusement parks.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 7, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
its nice to pay less for the Oakland games
but the Coliseum is such a dump and in such a shitty part of town, I remember walking over the fenced in bridge from the Bart and seeing at least 4 bums out there begging for change and hawking rip off “F*** the Yankees” Tshirts. The only other one ive been too is Pittsburgs PNC at it was extremely nice as well probably rank it between TF and SF
first-worst-first?
I need a whole new post to rank all the ballparks I've been to (20, if I just counted right...)
As far as ballparks go, the Metrodome is at the bottom despite my emotional attachment to it from growing up with it. The Coliseum is second to bottom for all the reasons you mention. And yet, because I never leave my seat once the game starts and pretty much just need a hot dog and beverage or two, I still like going there more often than AT&T because it requires no advanced planning and doesn’t have to be an “event” the way Giants games do. Plus, don’t get me started on Giants fans who are there to be seen.
Plus, I’m an American League kind of girl. The teams I want to see are more often in Oakland.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 7, 2011 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions
SF....
seems to have that “being seen to be cool” vibe. Kind of like LA, but even more annoying, because in LA there’s no pretense about that type of shit. In LA everyone KNOWS it’s B.S., without pretending to be sincere. In SF, it’s trying to pretend they’re NOT full of it. If that makes sense… but this is coming from a Fresnan, so take it with a large block of salt.
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 7, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The Tigers
are only the lesser of two evils… my season rests on the D-Backs, Brewers and Cards(even though I kinda hate Tony LaRussa)
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 6, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
more reasons to root for the Tigers
I’m rooting for the tigers for several reasons
1) hatred of the Yankees. that’s plenty, really. But also
2) defend the pride and honor of the AL Central. If my team can’t win, I like to see my division represented well in the playoffs. If they flame out, and they’re the only winning team from our division, it makes it seem like winning our division doesn’t mean anything. If our division does well in the playoffs, we all get more respect. If our division sucks, our pennant race seems like an embarrassment; we just diddle around all year to see who gets to be this year’s sacrificial offering to the Yankees? That’s just depressing, and makes the whole year seem hollow. If our division beats the Yankees, it makes the whole next year more relevant. Go Tigers!
3) I am happy to root for the city of Detroit. No city has taken a beating in the past 20 years like Detroit, economically. I feel sorry for them. I want them to have something to feel sorry about. They are the epitome of a working class, midwestern, factory town, once the engine of the American economy, now fallen on super hard times. I begrudge them nothing.
4) they are a classic, old-fashioned, mid-market, all american team. I hate to see teams like Phoenix and Arlington, with all their nouveau, shallow, tacky money, waltz in and steal the thunder from original teams from solid midwestern cities. I much prefer to see teams like Milwaukee, Detroit, and Pittsburgh win than Phoenix, Arlington, San Diego, FLorida — it’s like watching the Coyotes or Hurricanes do well in the NHL. They just don’t deserve it. Detroit does.
5) I kinda like their players. Who do you really hate on that team? Cabrera is a bit of a head-case — but who am I kidding, I would drool to have him on the Twins.
6) THere’s regional pride, as well. If our team doesn’t win, who’s our next closest neighbor? Milwaukee is my number one rooting team in this year’s playoff. I just feel like they’re one of us, almost. Detroit is next closest geographically, and next in line in my rooting interest. I guess after that would be St. Louis — another good midwestern city and old-fashioned, midmarket team (traditionally anyway — I like the fans and the city — but I have a gut level dislike for La Russa, and Pujols).
I’m hoping for a Detroit-Milwaukee world series. I don’t mind Philly, because they’re a classic, long-suffering team, and city, and they beat up on New York in their division regularly. And while I don’t like that they’re from Texas, and can’t really root for them for that reason, the Rangers are just a damn likable bunch of players. I could live with Texas-Philly in the world series. There’s something to be said for seeing two really good teams battle for the championship. As long as one of them isn’t the Yankees.
I hate Brandon Inge.
I mean, not that that in itself is a good reason to root against the Tigers. But you asked.
Now that they beat the yanquis
I hope they lose.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"I am laughing right now. Am I insane?" Jessy S
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 7, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I hate Cabrera, Peralta, Elmon, and with a white hot hatred Valverde and
his childish antics after each and every strike out or for that matter every friken out. I will not watch any more baseball until they are eliminated. So the way it is going, I probably will not get to watch any more baseball this year.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!
Let us not forget our hatred of Phil Coke
http://www.blessyouboys.com/2011/1/22/1950639/phil-coke-says-white-sox-and-twins-suck
and a following article on yahoo news
“Phil Coke, love what you said about the Twins!” he yelled out. Coke turned back and said, “What, that they suck?”
I’m getting a T-1000 from the future and going Terminator on his punk ass
JIM JAMS BUSINESS IS MASHING TATERS, AND BUSINESS IS GOOD!!!
Delmon left the game in the 7th with a left oblique strain
Was that the same side he hurt earlier in the year?
"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."
hahaha suck it yankees
"They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation." - Admiral Chester A. Nimitz
by hawkeyeforever on Oct 6, 2011 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well said
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"I am laughing right now. Am I insane?" Jessy S
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 7, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey, what do you know Detroit beat the yankees.
Something the twins will never be able to do. Because like all minnesota teams they choke.
by LittleLad on Oct 6, 2011 11:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
two words
87…91 kma troll
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 6, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm a twins fan you idiot!!!!!
I’m sick of seeing all four of Minnesota’s teams suck and choke in the fucking playoffs.
by LittleLad on Oct 7, 2011 12:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I hate the losing too
but I don’t dis the hometown regardless… I’ve been a fan since 1967…. and you are acting like an idiot
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 7, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
This is a pretty standard attitude for Vikes fans...
….it wouldn’t be surprising to see it spread to the Twins.
My point
is that LL’s original post read like a troll coming in to talk shit, not like a fan that’s disappointed or even angry. I guess that being a fan, in my opinion, is rooting no matter what, and trying to find the positives in a bad season. and the choking? I’m willing to guess that a lot of fan bases would trade woes with us in a heartbeat. (Mariners, Cubs, Padres, Astros come to the top of my mind, though I’m sure there are others)
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 7, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Angry meathead is angry.
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
by Flip27 on Oct 7, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Lynx
Are one win away from a championship… what do you mean by “all four” of Minnesota’s teams?
by spanspanspan on Oct 7, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Lynx won
If you count the WNBA as a sport… I personally don’t
JIM JAMS BUSINESS IS MASHING TATERS, AND BUSINESS IS GOOD!!!
Detroit beat a much worse Yankee team then we ever had to face
not saying we didnt choke but I would much rather have been facing Ivan Nova in game 2 than Andy Pettite.
first-worst-first?
On BYB tonight
Delmon Young’s three home runs during this series mark the most ever by a Tigers player in a single post-season series.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"I am laughing right now. Am I insane?" Jessy S
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 7, 2011 1:04 AM EDT reply actions
Delmon
The best case scenario for the Twins continues to play out: for Delmon’s mediocre contributions to continue to be overrated, surely leading to him scoring a big, stupid contract from the Tigers this offseason. The odds of him living up to it are low.
The Twins were about to very rightfully non-tender him anyway, giving him away has no downside.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
while I agree
He’s the kind of hitter that destroyes the type of pitchers we develop and may do so for the next few seasons….
which would make me want to vommit…
Anyways I hated the Garza trade at the time it was announced and I hate it more now then i did then.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Same here with regards to Garza.
Garza and Gardenhire don’t get along? Well I know which one I’d rather trade.
Because of my distrust of...
…the organization and my pessimism, I would never expect Delmon to be successful with the Twins whereas he might be successful or not with another team.
Also saw this story about how the Tiger’s lineup has really helped Delmon Young:
In the five ALDS games, Young hit .316 with three home runs four RBI and he even walked as many times as he struck out. That’s an insane movement from a guy who has struck out 514 times and walked just 125 in his career in the regular season.
Whoops, forgot to add the key graph about it.
Instead, what Leyland has done with Young is noticed he’s managing a guy who swings the bat too much and rarely takes pitches. In his sixth major-league season, Young isn’t likely to break that habit, so instead, Leyland put him in position to see more strikes. No one wants to pitch to Cabrera and Martinez with men on base, so Young is seeing strikes. And he’s making pitchers pay for them
Even if Gardenhire had noticed that, and was able to overcome tradition to do something about it, the Twins lineup was in no was positioned to affect that change.
Pitchers must be crazy
Considering Delmon has averaged only about 25 walks a season, I’m not sure why pitchers feel the need to throw more strikes to keep him off base. He was doing a great job at keeping himself off base before.
I'm going to cry "sample size" here.
Give Delmon a full season in Detroit and I’m sure his number won’t look as good. Even if pitchers are throwing him too many strikes, they’d figure it out eventually and Delmon would post the same old Delmon numbers again.
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Might work out perfectly
The beauty of it is, this might be the best case scenario for the Twins. Delmon comes alive to help beat the Yankees — yay. The TIgers pony up to re-sign their postseason hero. Next year, he becomes a big drag on their offense and defense, helping the Twins. It’s all good.
I don’t think batting in front of Miggy and Martinez will help him very long either. He has always been top five in swinging at balls out of the zone. He never walks. Why start giving him pitches to hit now? Keep throwing out of the zone and make him prove he can resist swinging. If he hasn’t been able to resist till now, he won’t suddenly start. If Leyland can make him change his ways, he’s manager of the year. But I’ll believe it when I see it. FIve days don’t count, I mean over a whole season.
Better yet
How about the Tigers give him a 5 year contract!
Delmon
25 years old. Erratic . Head case. Tons of talent.
Some team is going to figure out how to handle him, and get a good return on their invstment in him.
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