The Twins Need to Trade for Koskie

by moses002 on Jan 2, 2006 12:30 AM EST Comment 5 comments

Murray Chass of the NY Times wrote in the Jan. 1 edition about the Blue Jays new players:

Besides their talent, Ricciardi likes that all four players he has acquired are under 30. The addition of Glaus and Overbay also gives the Blue Jays a glut at two positions. Last season, Eric Hinske and Shea Hillenbrand played first base and Corey Koskie and Hillenbrand third.

Overbay, Glaus and Hillenbrand will be in the lineup, Ricciardi said. Hinske will most likely move to the outfield. Koskie will probably be traded.

So, it seems that Corey Koskie is the odd man out in Toronto. I think it would make a great amount of sense for Koskie to come back to Minnesota. Ryan and Ricciardi seem to be similar types of GM's -- reasonable, low-ego types. They have experience working together in the Stewart/Kielty trade. They would be able to figure out something that would help out each other's ball clubs. And they'd probably be happy to stick it to the NY/Bosox/Chisox elite.

I think that there would also be something to a desire to "do right by Koskie". We saw how Romero was traded to the Angels, perhaps in part because he had been a decent guy in TR's eyes. If Koskie has now been made redundant (ironically, perhaps, by the strength of the Canadian dollar), then he deserves to come back and play with the Twins.

I'd argue from a fan's point of view that it would increase the number of butts in the seats. If Koskie came back and had a good April (along with the Twins, of course), it would create a nice buzz among the media. Lots of folks (decent, upstanding Minnesotans) were impressed by the full-page ad in the Strib when he left -- they would be curious to come out and see Corey in 2006.

Gardenhire has got to be lobbying TR for the trade as well. I saw Gardy and Corey on a Twinsfest tour a couple years ago -- it was clear that their was mutual respect between the two. Koskie was always seen as a leader and Gardy's type of player.

Sure, it comes down to health.. and how much Koskie still has "in the tank"... but I say... "Let's get it done.. bring Corey back to Minnesota!

Poll

How interested should Terry Ryan be in bringing back Koskie?

Not at all -- who cares

6 votes

Try to get another option

2 votes

Very interested -- great trade to make

14 votes

Interested -- fan favorite plus upside

30 votes

Sort of Interested -- too much risk

22 votes

Not really interested -- Batista's fine

6 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 5 comments

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Comments

It would be nice

I would like to see Koskie return to the Twins, I think it would be a real improvement for our offense. There are some major obstacles that could prevent this trade from happening though. I wrote about it pretty extensively in our blog, you can check it out for my full take.

And I've said this before but I'll say it again. I don't agree at all with the notion that bringing back Koskie would significantly increase attendance because he's well-liked. Corey is a nice, classy guy, but he is not a superstar. If his return spurs the offense and helps the team win, that is what would increase attendance.

Nick & Nick's Twins Blog

by Nick Nelson on Jan 2, 2006 4:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Dollar

Although I agree with your comments and would love to see Corey back in a Twins uniform, I must also agree with Nick that the contract Corey has may make this difficult...with the most difficulty being the 2008 year which is added if he has 1200 plate appearances in 2005-2007 (which is likely).

Regarding the dollar, I do not know for a fact but expect that all contracts in Canada are likely equalized to the $US. Does anyone know about this and are they equalized monthly, annually, etc. as the value of the dollar changes? And would Koskie be treated differently because he is Canadian?

by roger on Jan 2, 2006 8:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs