Saturday lineups: Twins/Rangers
Posted on July 19th, 2008 – 2:49 PMBy Joe Christensen
I’m anxious to see Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison tonight. He came over from Atlanta in the Mark Teixeira trade last season, and this will be his third major league start.
The Twins counter with Livan Hernandez, who is 7-1 with a 4.04 ERA at the Metrodome this season.
Update (4:55 p.m.): Michael Cuddyer did not have an MRI exam or any exam today. The knuckle feels a little better, but he still has no timetable for when he’ll be able to do baseball activities. Nick Punto’s knuckle is still sore and he was having trouble putting his left hand in his glove. If there’s not more progress for him by Sunday, the Twins could have a roster move before they get to New York on Monday.
Rangers (50-47)
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Milton Bradley, DH
5. David Murphy, LF
6. Hank Blalock, 3B
7. Marlon Byrd, RF
8. Chris Davis, 1B
9. Max Ramirez, C
Starting pitcher: LH Matt Harrison
Twins (54-42)
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Craig Monroe, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Brendan Harris, SS
9. Denard Span, RF
Starting pitcher: RH Livan Hernandez
Metrodome. First pitch: 6:10 p.m.
244 Responses to "Saturday lineups: Twins/Rangers"
Harrison looked pretty horrible vs. the Pale Hose sunday, hoping for more of the same. Livan can go to 10-6 even if he gives up 4-5 runs.
If the Twins are looking to move Livan before the deadline, a good outing tonight, at home, against a good lineup is critical. If he gets shelled, whatever value he has will take a serious hit.
If he does well his value goes up.
If he does terrible, Frankie should come up.
If he gives up like 5 runs and goes 7 and the team wins? well…. probably status quo, I am most afraid of this.
Is there a reason why one of the worst hitters in the entire game is still getting the most plate appearances on the team?
“Exciting” isn’t a valid reason.
I love Gomez!
I don’t want him hitting anywhere but 8 or 9 right now however.
Gomez needs a day or two off to watch the game from the bench and get his head straight. Sit him right next to Red Dog and don’t let him move, he would learn alot.
I think once Cuddyer is healthy Gomez should be sent to AAA to relax, and remember how to play the game for fun, and not press himself so much.
I am not a Span fan by any means. In fact I might be the guy that said the meanest things about him in the entire state, but that being aside, he has proven me wrong this year, and he has deserved the right to play every day.
It was brought up yesterday or the other day that the Twins could possibly trade Span to the Padres for Kevin Kouzmanoff.
I would kind of like to see them get Khalil Greene. I also think that Greg Maddux would be an easy pickup as well.
The Twins have been doing great without Punto and Cuddyer. Why don’t the Twins trade them along with Bonser, Bass, and Hernandez for a solid relief pitcher? Those four bums are real losers.
Players need to have trade value in order to be traded, something the bloggers don’t seem to know or choose to ignore.
HERB, you named five people and said four bums. Hellllooooo, Earth to HERB.
Let’s go again tonight Twins, and let’s help HERB enjoy the game.
Greg Maddux would be an easy pickup as well.
why would Greg Maddux with a full no-trade clause would like to leave San Diego and his family and move to Minny for the twilight of his career?
I don’t think Punto, Cuddyer, Bonser, Bass and Hernandez will be on the team in 2010 when the new statium opens. They are not contributing to a winning formula like Span, Hughes, Valencia, and Liriano can.
We just signed Cuddy through 2010 last summer so I think he might. The others, probably not.
You better not be late to the game Joe C. because Happy Hairston or whatever his name is won’t be lasting long in only his fourth start. And Livan is virtually unbeatable in the Dome, so this should be another breather for the Twins.
Sorry sports fans, it had to be said.
i am shocked and pissed that gardy is still letting gomez lead off, let alone even play….he should be on the bench and kubel playing….move span to cf and kubel in rt…come on gardy, im on y our side but watching gomez lately is very painful and disgusting to say the least…
KMACK and DR. DON:
Henry said he wanted to trade all FIVE for a pitcher. We should be able to get SOMETHING for them!
Maybe that Fernando Rodney fellow who LaVelle said is available. The Tigers might want to unload F-Rod after the way the Twinks SHELLED HIM LAST WEEK ! ! !
“The knuckle feels a little better, but he still has no timetable for when he’ll be able to do baseball activities.”
But is there a “time horizon?”
mj1- the biggest reason Gomez is still leading off is that we are winning. Gardy (maybe correctly) is hesitent to mess with the order when the team is doing well. If we lose 7 of 10 that may change, if it dosent, I will join you in protest.
ryan, its just superstitious and fear of hurting poor gomez feelings….good god, if you cant sit down a 22 yr old kid and communicate to him that he needs to sit a few games or move down in the lineup, then i question your managerial skills, and i love gardy and have been one of his biggest fans, but this is rediculous and i believe, even he knows it….
I agree with mj1. I like Gardy, but Gomez leading off and Monroe batting fifth just makes no sense. I don’t care if Kubel normally bats fifth and you are too lazy to change the lineup. Monroe is not a very good hitter these days. Tomorrow I’m sure we’ll see Redmond batting third again…
maybe gardy is using gomez as his answer to speeding up the game, because he is such a damn quick out…i believe gardy has this thing confused
mj1,
I hear you, but you are talking about a manager who is batting Reddog 3rd, when Mauer is off and refuses to pinch hit starters (unless it is a pitcher batting in a NL park) or make defensive replacements… do you expect any different?
I’m puzzled by the reluctance to at least move Gomez down to the #9 spot. However, given how far Gardy’s taken the team this year with what he was given to start with, I’ll defer to him.
thrylos, no i dont, but i keep holding out hope..i know he knows the game 1000+ times better than i do, but somethimes there are things that just look so no brainer ….well what can you do , but piss and moan on this blog i guess
mj1-I don’t disagree with your two reasons. But I don’t share your outrage that those are the reasons.
Actual managing is different than Fantasy Baseball, you have to manage emotions and confidence as well as creating a cohesive team. Now, I would argue it would help Gomez’ confidence even more if he moved to a spot in the order where he had less pressure- but part of me feels that is just Gardy posturing to the press to show his team that “he has his guys’ backs,” I am not sure he really holds the opinion that he needs to leave Gomez in the one hole just because he dosent want to hurt his feelings- but since we are winning, he can take that public stand.
But as far as superstitions… yeah, that is just part of the great game of baseball.
i dont know who i am more disgusted with, gardy or gomez….believe its a tie
off the subject but, i just gotta ask…does anybody hate keith olbermann as much as i do, and i mean really hate that bastard, or am i alone…just curious….
mj1- Im sure you wouldnt be surprised to find out that I actually like him… but lets keep politics out of this thread.
i heard gardy commenting that he thought it would mess with gomez confidence if he moved him, but thats where i think a manager has to really do his job and not let the kid lose that part of him and understand…jmho…..at least we are still winning …thats the good thing
how far Gardy’s taken the team this year with what he was given to start with
Frankly, I would say that the team has gone that far, despite Gardy’s inability to manage his bullpen (Rincon in late - HR, Bass in late - HR, etc) and his inability to manage during the game. All he does is put a lineup card up and moves relief pitchers in. No strategy as far as batters are concerned…
mj1,
I realize its a bitch when winning takes precidence, eh?
Regards,
ps: what major league team are you currently managing?
old twins players never die, just go to work for fsn….yo tim laudner
I guess I just have a hard time bitching when we are winning… especially when we are a game and a half out after the break with a team full of twentysomethings….
not at all dragon, winning is great and the twins have done a damn good job of just that….currently i am a free agent and will probably stay just as i am….
this is my trade idea for the deadline.
twins send: livan hernandez, denard span
oakland send: street
twins get: street
oakland get: livan hernandez, denard span
twins send: kevin mulvey, swarzak, harris, revere, benson
marlins send: hanley ramirez
twins get:hanley ramirez
marlins get:kevin mulvey, swarzak, harris, revere, benson
twins send: buscher, span, humber, bass, bonser
mariners send: adrian beltre
twins get: adrian beltre
mariners get: buscher, span, humber, bass, bonser
lineup:
gomez
casilla
mauer
morneau
ramirez
beltre
kubel
cuddyer
young
rotation:
liriano
perkins
blackburn
baker
slowey
bullpen:
denny reyes
craig breslow
matty G.
philip humber
huston street
jesse crain
joe nathan
bench players:
redmond
monroe
punto
tolbert
thoughts?
RyanW,
check that other team full of twentysomethings that is currently on top of a tougher division and that the Twins overall compare favorably in 75% percent of the slots…
That’s why some of us are “bitching”… Let Gardy win a World series (or 2) for this team, before he becomes Mr. Teflon.
lion, that would be cool, minus that Street guy. Crain and Guerrier have better numbers than him.
whoops my bad. i messed up a couple there.. bucher bass bonser robertson for beltre. ill update it in a sec with the updated one
still want thoughts though
LION:
I like it! I like it a LOT!
(i doubt seattle will)
“lion, that would be cool, minus that Street guy. Crain and Guerrier have better numbers than him.”
if you dont like street do the same trade but for fuentes
I guess I just have a hard time bitching when we are winning… especially when we are a game and a half out after the break with a team full of twentysomethings….
+1!
I’d also keep Revere & Span and find a way to get rid of Punto and Cuddyer…
this is my trade idea for the deadline.
twins send: livan hernandez, denard span
oakland send: street
twins get: street
oakland get: livan hernandez, denard span
twins send: kevin mulvey, swarzak, harris, revere, benson
marlins send: hanley ramirez
twins get:hanley ramirez
marlins get:kevin mulvey, swarzak, harris, revere, benson
twins send: buscher, robertson, bass, bonser
mariners send: adrian beltre
twins get: adrian beltre
mariners get: buscher, robertson, bass, bonser
lineup:
gomez
casilla
mauer
morneau
ramirez
beltre
kubel
cuddyer
young
rotation:
liriano
perkins
blackburn
baker
slowey
bullpen:
denny reyes
craig breslow
matty G.
philip humber
huston street
jesse crain
joe nathan
bench players:
redmond
monroe
punto
tolbert
thoughts?
“I’d also keep Revere & Span and find a way to get rid of Punto and Cuddyer…”
i really like cuddy though and honestly he has only been down because of injury. he will come back eventually too normal self. and when that happens he will be crushing lefties just like before.
also hanley is the one bat we need too finally back up morneau and yes it takes a lot of prospects but its well worth it
has everyone given up on bonser or are some of you willing to hang with him and think he may be ok…i for one, was impressed the way he took control of the 9th last eve and think maybe he could be a setup guy …one inning where he just lets it all fly ……look where g.balfour is today….blowen em away…theres always hope
well lets hope livan can hold them to 3-5 runs and i like the twins chances
Boof was too good for a while to just throw him away. He started game 2 for us in the playoffs in 06…he threw teh ball pretty damn well.
Don’t want to jinx him, but Mulvey has given no hits through 3.2 innings in Rochester with 1BB and 1K
“twins get: hanley ramirez”
Have we become Yankee fans? Just pick any player in the league… and get him.
““twins get: hanley ramirez”
Have we become Yankee fans? Just pick any player in the league… and get him.”
this isnt being a yankee fan.. look at who we give up..
kevin mulvey, swarzak, harris, revere, benson
bad, bad, bad, bad call @ 2B
The Twins have never gone the route of the big trade, liondragon, so I think that none of those deals will come even close to happening other than on the blogs.
thats a dinger…..
With Cuddy out, we REALLY need to have Span in the leadoff spot and Gomez in #9. We’re doing great with 5 runs/game, I predict that we’d go up at least .5 runs/game with Span setting the table. When Cuddy comes back, get Gomez to the minors for work. EVEN when he gets on base, he’s not doing anything on the bases and teams are wise to his crazy ideas on the base paths.
Span
Casilla
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddy
Kubel
Young
Buscher
Harris/Punto
Harris/Punto has a better OBS and can turn the order over much better than Gomez could. Cuddy will come around and give some power like we know he can.
lion, the marlins aren’t trading basically a top 5 player for anything this far from free agency
John Gordon needs to change his pants, Mauer hit a homer. The poor old man made one of the lamest comments ever…
“5 of Mauer’s 6 homers (not 30 of his 35) are against lefties…” then in dreamy steam lust Gordo says “He’s Amazing”
If the Twins make a deal it will be for an arm they think will help them for the 8th inning. I think they should call up Liriano and release/option Boof and Bass. They could then try a 6 man rotation of Livan, Liriano, Baker, Perkins, Slowey, Blackburn and a bullpen of Guerrier, Breslow, Reyes, Crain and Nathan. The 6 starters could work 1 or 2 innings on their third day between starts, their bullpen work if you will. I think they should also consider that Cuddy is done for the year and that Punto should go back to the utility role seeing how he has become injury prone this year, maybe even onto the DL again.
Don’t worry fellas, this is just Livan’s tricky, mystical way of “just winning”. The twins will score runs and comeback and Livan will be our savior, our winner.
Another no name hurts the Twins.
Livan is such a proven veteran, he’s just showing the young kids how to motivate the offense by giving them an obstacle to overcome.
4 Hernandez scenerios:
He only gives up the 2 runs… good trade bait
He gets shelled… good bring up Liriano
he gives up like 5 runs in 6 but the Twins win…. can live with it, but he aint going anywhere
he gives up like 5 runs in 6 but the Twins lose…. ugh, he aint going anywhere
how about option 5,
he gets injured and never plays another game again
nah, i wouldn’t wish it on anybody
my prefernce would be that Bass is DFA and Livan sticks as a mentor and spot starter
i didnt say i wish it happens just saying its a scenerio..
liondragon, wishing injury upon someone? come on man. He’s 9-4… it’s not like he’s Kevin McHale or a certain president… why wish him harm?
stupid rain, i want to watch the game
certain president? what did Jimmy Carter ever do to you? 
i didnt wish injury!!!!!! i just said thats one thing that COULD happen.. i didnt say it would and didnt say i wanted it too happen
Gomez swung the bat pretty well yesterday…looks good at the plate tonight…still no hits. The kid is not only in a funk, but incredibly unlucky right now.
TB just put up a 5 spot against Halladay, Longoria with a grand slam.
AFLAC = Manny being Manny - 165 1999
I love how MLB.com gameday lists all of Livan’s pitches as changeups.
how many did Juan GOne have that MVP year?
Juan Gone = 157
Manny it is
He had 157 in 98 I think. The answer is manny though.
ohh, that crafty Livan has found a way to get that lead back. He is amazing.
Nice hit by Monroe, but he’s got to run hard all the way. Bench him, show him a lesson. Nice hit by Young, 3-2 Twins!
I’m happy that the Twins are up one and all, but it was pretty clear that the catcher came out and said when Doc was at bat..”Nibble and let the other guys beat you.” This time they did. I’d like to get the full measure of Justin Morneau’s ability…go get a hitter to back him up, Billy
Delmon Young is the hard hitting right hander that is needed to protect Morneau. Just got to slot him in there.
Watching Livan pitch is like watching my kids Babe Ruth team this weekend!!
Monroe’s replay looked like he spent a long time admiring the flight of the ball. That cost him.
Exactly, Mudcat. He needs to run hard until it actually clears the fence.
Ironically, this is one of Livan’s better starts so far…however if he ends up losing a close game, does it become a horrible start? hmm
Nice play by Gomez to end the inning.
Any body got some mustard? ?
Span goes deep!!!!
Almost!
That is exactly how dick called it too.
lol, Gomez finally catches a break and ignites the crowd…that is the Gomez we loved early this year!
livan at 65 thru 5
Go Go with a nice hustle play. Still looks like a Babe Ruth game!
Gomez may be struggling but his head is in the game
HOLY COW GOMEZ DIDN’T YOU SEE WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO MONROE ? ? ?
no harm. nevermind.
Mauer needs a gapper!
A hit here would break the game open and we would start pulling away from them.
I guess you guys figured that out, too.
Morneau goes deep!!!
That has to be the quintessential difference between Twins fans and like Tiggers and Chi-sox fans. We are praying for a gapper from our all-star.
Oooh after looking at it I meant it to be funny not sarcastic.
OK, Morneau with a gapper!!!LOL
Boy do I feel like a jerk now!
And that’s why you go get a batter to fear behind Morneau. He is too good not to protect.
Anybody up for putting Delmon at three and Baby J at 5?
that’s ok revdrev. nobody reads our comments anyway!
Texas better warm somebody up. This kid has already lasted three more innings than I gave him.
Actually, I live in Phoenix and I love to turn on the MLB TV and watch the blog comments…feels like I am at a bar watching the game with my fellow Minnesotans.
Willie,
I’d consider Young at 2 if Gomez ever happened to get lowered in the line-up.
Morneau has continually expressed his desire to follow Mauer because he get’s to see ALL the pitcher has to offer.
Regards,
Livan -somehow- getting it done.
Has anyone been following Baltimore-Pale Hose? 9-7 Orioles in the 4th…
I agree with Willie,
especially vs lefties then keep Kubel in and bat him like 7th
HOLY COW THAT WAS A MIRACULOUS CATCH.
oh, i guess he was quite a ways from the fence.
style points will be awarded.
Baltimore is playing detroit. The sox are losing to the royals, 3-0
You mean Bal-Det? Go birds!
C’mon Livan!
Make a soccer play or something to help out Justy!
Correction: I meant 8-7 O’s
Yeah, I saw “Dark Knight” and my head is still spinning.
So, I’m screwing up Detroit and Chicago…
DY for the 5 hole!!
I don’t know.
I think if Doc could watch Span take some pitches, and Lexi take some pitches and then watch Delmon hit a single to move whoever got on over I think that he would see a whole lot of fat if Baby J was sitting in the on deck circle.
And if Delmon is going to insist on hitting one out like he just did…put Dmon in the 3 space and protect Doc.
I’m liking this idea.
Delmon is absoluting raking lately. Nice to see him turn it on to make some fellow posters eat some crow.
Did they open a meat market at the dome? The only reason I ask is that John Gordon, the prince of paltry, sure butchered the call of Morneau’s base clearing double. In Gordon’s defense, TRN sure overloads the broadcast with ads and other minutiae. Just an observation..
Delmon Young is the hard hitting right hander that is needed to protect Morneau. Just got to slot him in there.
(is there an echo in here?)
Does Livan come back out for 7?
Was listening to the beginning of the O’s/Det game while picking up a pizza. Det scored 6 in the 1st, Balt got 2, Det got 1 in the 2nd.
Now, O’s have added 7 to lead 9-7 at the end of the 4th. Hope you had the over in that game :-).
Regards,
revdrev,
Livan has 76 pitches through 6 innings. Unless he get’s killed he’s good for atleast 8 innings.
Regards,
Livan has only thrown 76 pitches. He should be able to eat at least one more inning
Meche is pitching an 1 hitter in Chicago and the sox are down 3-0
Good call. Hope Monroe was watching on how to hustle out of the box!
Um, I think Span has earned a spot on this team and it is at leadoff. This kid has found himself.
Punto would have slid
Like I was saying….Gogo sure should be at leadoff I suck.
That one was a real double.
Just when we call for Go Go to get benched, dropped or demoted, here he goes! Love it!
Funny, a ball finally finds a hole and boom…it seems GoGo is back.
I see the wisdom of this blog…It’s obvious Gomez and Young should be in AA ball, they have NO BUSINESS in the major leagues (sarcasm intended).
Regards,
White sox got a run off Meche but AJ popped out to end the innning.
Again, a gapper from Mauer would be sweet.
All you Crede lovers, he made another error tonight, his 19th.
Mr. Dragon, You’ve got to be loving this. Bon Appetit!!! (sp?)
and there it is
You know if we did pick up Crede he would never play because Gardy would be benching him all the time for Punto. 19 errors yeesh
Now Livan should go for the complete game…
And a big fly from the Big Canuck!!!
The HR derby did not hurt Justin. LOL
Vavra’s agent just filed a grievance.
He thinks his client should be the manager.
how good is this offense? I guarantee the sox and other teams are taking notice.
Here is another example of Gardy’s idiocy:
Twins up 12-2. Righty pitching. Why not PH Lamb for Monroe? Give the guy some ABs
bigggg inning!
Ok, here’s the plan…
Don’t need no Beltre or any other dog.
Just put Span at 1, Dmon at 3, Baby J at 5 and let the rest roll.
Then go out and get the best reliever available and we’re good.
Got that, Billy? Ok, go.
Stupid storm is messing with my satelite. Did Morneau just hit a homerun? How can he do that without anyone protecting him?
So does this nights performance stand to make Livan tradable or do we keep him in the rotation?
Yes, Doc hit one, but we were beyond a “critical” situation. The more instructive spot was when the game was still in doubt and Doc came up with bases loaded and two outs. He HAD to be pitched to and he delivered the gapper that blew the game open.
His homer changes nothing given the situation. It was good, but in the playoffs you need to make sure there is a bat that is respected behind him.
Daniel,
I always love it. Even if it is frustrating from time to time to read here.
Like you and Carlos G, we can remember the bad times from the early 70’s through 2000 (with 2 brief exceptions in 1987 & 1991) where a random .500 season was all to celebrate.
Maybe if others had experienced that much futility, we would hear less of the crap (IMHO) about losing 10 years if it meant a WS win.
Regards,
revdrev,
Livan is much more valuable for his work and example with the young pups, his excellent record is a bonus.
Regards,
agreed
For the record, Dragon, I’m 53 and can remember every player on the 65 team…I can even tell you the starting lineup for the Red Sox the weekend of doom in 67…I’ve been around.
The other thing the manager of the millennium should have done at this point is put in Redmond for Mauer, so Mauer is fresh for the game tomorrow instead of sitting out, but Gardy, doesn’t manage other than filling up a lineup card…
Willie Norwood,
There is enough time left that the line-up will take care of itself or the front office will say “Yeah, we need a right hand bat”. But you can’t argue with success right now.
how about we keep this batting order… 2-3 for gomez with 2 doubles and a walk.. i think hes out of the slump.. young is 2-3 morneau is 2-3 with 5 rbis mauer is 2-3
only thing that needs too happen is get monroe out of the game.. 0-4.
otherwise dont move this lineup at all.
Monroe is not 0-4 and he had a big hit.
Forget all the trade suggestions. Let’s just enjoy this team!!! WOW!!! B. Harris is the only guy without a hit??? Are you kidding me??? The M & M brothers & DY going deep??? YEEE-HAWWW!!!
Monroe is 1-4 with a lack of hustle single, Harris is 0-3. Happens.
Mr. Dragon, AMEN! Please don’t lose your enthusiasm, as if you ever could. It’s going to be a fine year.
Willie,
Welcome to the AARP contingent of this blog
Regards,
What the !@#$. Strike 3.
Bass or Boof tonight? (sounds like the menu at a seafood restaurant) Can Boof go back to back days?
I hope that Hernandez finishes this up, but big mouth Bass is warming up in the pen…
Livan at 95 pitches, but top of order for the 8th, I guess he’s done.
Harris gets a hit this inning, maybe even extra bases. My call, again.
Apologies, mr. kmac.
My only point is to point out that there may, in fact, be the resources in the lineup to address the issues that have been brought up over time on the roster that exists without making trades.
One of the hallmarks of great management is agility…the ability to recognize changing situations and changing resources and applying them in different ways to address the changing challenges.
I have said that Morneau needs to be protected…it seems like with Dmon advancing in his development that Mauer’s ability to hit the ball may serve a better/different purpose.
That’s it. I know I’m not as smart as Gardy (that may be a bit of a humble statement…I do ok in my businesses) but I was trying to stem the idea, which I once held, that there needs to be a dramatic move.
Perhaps said move may be better in the relief area.
That’s all.
And he’s ONLY 22 @#$%%*&^%$#@#$%^&* FREAKIN’ YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daniel,
I’ve been at this a long time, I only found the Twins blogosphere a little less than 2 years ago, and was stunned at all the negativity.
I seriously believe if/when the Twins win the WS, it will take less than 24 hours for a majority to complain because the win DID NOT come with sufficient “style” points.
Regards,
ps: Every few days when I talk with my 82 year-old dad, the 1st thing he wants to talk about is the Twins. This past July 4th was the 72nd anniversary of his first Senators/Twins franchise game. July 4, 1936
thrylos, give it a break. Your knowledge of baseball could fit in a thimble. With that said, it’s still more knowledge than all these strib writers put together. I love how Gardy calls them “The Great Predictors”. Gardy and the Twins are doing just fine and real fans knew it would be the case. Some of us are NOT surprised.
Why does Gardy keep putting Delmon Young in the lineup?
Wow, nice start to the 2nd half for DY, he’s now batting .300.
Not picking on ya Willie, but you know how the front office works, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I agree we need a RH bat and to tweek the line-up a bit, but it seems to be working. My apologies to you sir if you thought I was picking on you or calling you out.
Dragon
My dad had a stroke recently and the only thing he ever wants to talk about is the Twins. He can’t walk real well and he looks forward to the game every night…and he gets after me for being so negative all the time. I feel you. Bring on the positivity.
More good news: KC just added insurance runs, leads white sox 5-1 in 8th.
kmac,
I’m saying that I think I was wrong. If you manage the players to allow for where they at a given point in time we don’t need a RH bat. I’ve said we need to protect Morneau with someone who the pitcher fears. With some creative movement in the order we could address that. For example, taking a hot Dmon and flipping him with Mauer. Or moving Dmon to 5 behind Mauer.
I’m thinking that I am more inclined to help the bullpen.
I understand that our FO won’t make the bold move. I think a quiet move that brings someone for the bullpen may be more important than an Beltre.
We may be on the same page.
Agreed sir. But can I ask, Where is Bombo Rivera?
Garza went 7.2 with 2H, 0R to go 8-5. Does every Twins trade have to be a steal? MR. Norwood…welcome to the old guy society (glad you still are a young thinker). Mr Jeff E., with all due respect, Mr thrylos is a good person to read and learn from, especially when one wants to know about how our minor leaguers are doing. Let’s all enjoy this wonderful win, hey?
Just fooling with you man.
Willie,
I expect your employees think they know more than you do. Mine do (in that they are probably correct)!
Regards,
Red Dog in the house!!!
ya gotta love livan in the dome….he just goes out and gets it done…never have i ever seen anyone so casual/calm on the baseball diamond..if i didnt know better, i would say hes had a puff or two…lol….forget any trade talks for this guy..he is here to stay, as he has done a marvelous job for this staff….
this is a great start to the 2nd half, but in reality this is still the texas bullpen…this is not the red sox, white sox etc…we have a great bunch of guys and winners, but i still think for the stretch we need to get some help at 3b and the bullpen, ….looks like delmon is right about maybe coming on in the second half…should be fun to watch and see, as hes off to one hell of start, and i like the power…sweep it tomorrow
Here’s a crazy, wild arse idea:
Maybe the team is just fine the way it is.
I have a really crazy idea…this team is damn young and cheap and ought to stay that way for a few years
Dragon,
Heh. My employees do think they know more than I. You know what? I encourage them to think so. In a lot of cases they do. They see competitive shifts faster than I since they are in the “trenches.” I really think that most “my” achievements are due to their diligence.
Willie,
i need a boss like you. Mine is 74 and he concedes nothing…. I guess it means my future moniker will be “Shawn in ????”
Ya can’t help but wonder that the Twins need an arm in the bullpen (or maybe two). You know Bass would still be in the minors were it not for Neshek’s injury.
I think it was nice to inquire about Beltre, but i never expected that deal to occur. Considering that Cuddy will be back some day, I think everything is fine offensively, and maybe defensively with this team.
Just the bullpen.
we have a nice rotation, but I am not convinced this rotation can win a couple tough series in the playoffs. Liriano might be that piece of the puzzle, but we don’t know.
I’m Sure glad i’ve kept on reading this blog as I’ve sure learned a lot about baseball. The Twins are not very good and are hoping to improve by 2010. (a half game out by evenings end) We need to bring up Frankie. ( who are you going to drop from the rotation a 10 game winner?) We should get rid of Young as he just can’t hit for power. (batting 300 at last glance.) Punto sucks. (Probably the best stats of any utility and many starting infielders in the league.) Did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, Buscher cant hit and Mauer needs to start hitting for power so we should fire the hitting coach. It all boils down to Gardy’s fault. He just doesn’t know how to make up a batting order. It doesn’t make sense to me how we keep on winning with all these problems.
Can Red Dog go deep?
Willie-
That’s a good model for leadership. Best of luck, as I try to model the same approach.
The danger for anyone always lies in thinking AND assuming that you know more than anyone else. Though it may be true, on occasions, lording it over people inevitably ends in hubris and embarrassment.
Ladies and Gentlemen- Welcome to Garbage Time (TM)!
I think that Gardy listened 
Redmond is in.
(Daniel1966, thanks for the plug. My skin is too thick for being bothered with personal questioning. All is good.)
Here is an anecdote about the Delmon homer: In 1991 I caught one on that small little block of cheap seats about 15 feet higher than where Delmon’s went, from Chilli’s bat. And that shot was a screaming line drive (ouch!)…
When I look at the Delmond+Harris for Garza+Bartlett trade, I always add Blackburn to the equation, because if Garza were with the Twins, Blackie would be in Rochester. Still think that the Twins got the best of it.
One more wild idea. Back in 2006, didn’t Liriano star out in the bullpen? Dump Bass and bring him back up and work him in.
Remeber Mr. Willie, You Hired Them!
I’m not losing sleep over Garza, and I think it is ridiculous for others to do the same. We already cannot figure out how to get Liriano up here.
this is tons better than trading the farm for Beltre, which is something we would have to do if Young were not in our lineup.
Plus Liriano is only 24, younger than all but Slowey.
Willie,
do you need someon with alot of grocery industry experience? I’d sure like to work for someone such as yourself and move back home
Jussi, good post. None of these bloggers(the know it all doubters) are even qualified to sniff Gardys jock(although they clearly would like to).
no reason to get mean.
Atta kid. Good at bat by Red Dog!
Ok, here’s another tooth grinder…
We all have heard theories that espouse people knowing their roles and feeling comfortable in them. One of the strengths of Tom Kelly was he knew how to keep people out of situations where they had a better chance to fail.
So I posit this to the group:
Boof Bonser has, at least, two plus pitches. His fastball and curve are average or above. He has some other pitches which may be assets or not. My question/theory is this… if Gardy/Anderson went to Boof and said “your days as a starter are done. Your days as a long reliever are done. You are being groomed to be a frontline 7th or 8th inning reliever. We want you to throw you prodigious ass into your fastball and use the most cunning curve you have because you are only pitching one inning…7 or 8 when we’re ahead.
We don’t care if you look like the Hindenberg…just come in for one inning and throw as hard as you can and as crooked as you can. If some batter gives you a little gack, then throw one of those other “starter” kind of pitches to screw him up.
My question is…if Boof knew his role and was encouraged to believe it was right there in importance with Joe Nathan, just in the 8th inning do you think we might have something?
I have a hard time believing that this guy has no value.
KC is up 9-1
(and Gardy listens again and PH Lamb for Monroe… darn )
Willie, I agree with everything you just said, but the timing is not good with the team needing to win every game right now. He has value and has a great arm. I think that happens over the offseason…
I guess I never thought of that Willie, neither has Gardy/Andy either, I bet. It helps alot if you know your role/job…comfort zone, etc…
Boof has plenty of value… most of his numbers are not as bad as his ERA would suggest…. I still love his curve….
I’d like to see a couple more outings like last night before i’d put him in high leverage spots, but he deserves em more than Bass does
For ALL the Bass hate, maybe a little reality. He has pitchedd 57 2/3 innings allowed 34 ER for a 5.31 ERA.
What most of you are missing is that 12 of those ER’s came in 2 2/3 innings in 2 blowouts (Det & Bost), where in BOTH cases the game was well lost before he entered the game.
So IF his line was 22 ER in 55 innings pitched the ERA is @3.60. I realize that’s crappy, but he’s been far better than most care to admit.
Regards,
I think Boof will return to the rotation. Players get hurt. Boof will get another chance.
Willie,
I agree about Boof. Check what I posted a month and a half ago if you care:
http://tenthinningstretch.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-i-dont-give-up-on-bonser.html
Maybe Thrylos should change his name to Captain Obvious. Or, PatMyself Ontheback.
Re: Bass
if you look at the following numbers:
HR/IP, BB/K
he pitched worse than Rincon this season (and this says a ton)
If you remove Bass’ two worst outings you have to remove everyone’s two worst. That puts you right back where you started, Bass isn’t “far better” than anything.
The Twins have no room for improvement (as of 7-19-2008).
Starting Monday we will see if the Twins can play the Yankees in the Stadium and avoid wetting themselves as they have done so many times in the past.
I hope that by Thursday, the blog is not rethinking the “doesn’t need improvement” thing. But if the “usual” occurs in Yankee Stadium, you can bet that theory will be heavily revisited.
Quite a performance by the Twins. This team can score runs, and they can pitch. My new fav, Buscher, is doing the job at 3B. Whew, is he hitting.
“Re: Bass if you look at the following numbers:
HR/IP, BB/K
he pitched worse than Rincon this season (and this says a ton)”
Please look at BB/IP.
Thats the Rincon stat that could not be tolerated.
sane,
Winning or losing in New York has NOTHING to do with the criticism on this blog.
The Twins are 23-7 in the past 30 games. An unsustainable rate, and some/many/most will want to get on record for an “I told you so”, when the inevitable correction takes place
Regards,
Regards,
Rincon2008 32IP 20BB
Bass2008 57IP 19BB
“If you remove Bass’ two worst outings.”
I wonder how his stats look if you remove his two best outings instead.
Mr. sane, I may be wrong but, somehow, I think the Twins may well play above expectations at Yankee Stadium next week. They simply have to look at their leaders (M, M, & N) who just played so successfully there, to realize that Babe, Lou, Mickey, etal. are no longer on the roster. This team is starting to mature, I hope!
Even if Bass hasn’t been “that bad”, he is still the worst guy in the bullpen.
thrylos98,
A bit of wisdom I heard the other week from a local Sports talk show host (who happens to have a Super Bowl ring or two).
The circumstance was a caller complaining about a Freddy Bynum error in the 9th inning a week or 2 ago which caused the Orioles to lose the game. I don’t remember exactly who the complaint was against, Bynum, the manager or the Orioles front office.
The comment: “IF you want a PERFECT player, manager or front Office….GO BUY a VIDEO game!!!”
He then chuckled as a aside, “Even then it wouldn’t be PERFECT, because you would be running/playing it.”
The game is played, and managed by human beings, As are some of the critics. Although if there is a group who have NEVER made mistakes, I am sure it is the critics.
Regards,
I am really thinking of taking Wednesday off and going to the game at The Stadium.
The only time a “worst outing” should be “partially” dismissed is when the manager leaves a pitcher out there overtime to “take a beating for the team”.
Otherwise the pitcher deserves the stats he gives up in ALL the games.
N&I Craig:0
51 1/3 inning 34 ER ERA 5.96
sane,
Are you saying I don’t get to use creative stats like everyone else?
Regards,
Mr. Shawn in B., If you go, hold up a sign for us bloggers, hey? They announced on the radio broadcast tonight that the Yankees have limited Twins’requests for tickets next week. It seems there were too many requestes. Beware of the Twins’ Nation, NY and Beantown!
Eager, not anxious.
Ha!
The Twins see something in Bass they really like. They scouted him a long time before they acquired him. The same with Craig Breslow. I trust their judgement.
i thought about bringing a “circle me bert” when i went to Boston
THE TWIN SHOULD KEEP SPAN IN RIGHT FIELD. HE IS A LOU BROCK TYPE OF PLAYER WHO WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE EVERY YEAR. HE IS ALREADY A VERY GOOD MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER WITH EXCEPTIONAL SPEED, BATTING EYE, AND DEFENSIVE SKILLS. HE WOULD BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF AN OUTSTANDING OUTFIELD THAT WILL WIN THE WORLD SERIES IN 2010. THE LEFT HANDED BAT ADD ALOT TO THE LINEUP.
BART,
“THE LEFT HANDED BAT ADD ALOT TO THE LINEUP.”
When the Twins face a LHP with Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Buscher, and Span, a RIGHT-HANDED BAT WILL ADD A LOT MORE TO THE LINEUP.
shawn in binghampton,
“Willie,
do you need someon with alot of grocery industry experience? I’d sure like to work for someone such as yourself and move back home”
If your boss sees that post, you may very well get Wednesday (and subsequent days) off and you may consider carrying a “Hire me Bert” sign to the game. lol
sane,
a man can dream
Mr. Willie, You’re post at 9:39 was a GEM!! Congratulations and Thanks!!
Where the hell are my glasses? The comment was to you, Mr. sane. Apologies.. tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. And the time was 9:49. OOPS!
the Dragon,
I am not sure what “local” might be (sounds like it is in the MD/DC area?)
But Football is a different sport than Baseball, and platitudes (like we are all human beings) don’t work the same in both sports:
Football strategy is down based. Baseball strategy is pitch count based. Football strategy involves every single player in the field.
Baseball strategy when batting involves the player batting and those on base and when fielding, the pitcher and mainly the infield.
In football you can substitute to your heart’s contend. In baseball, if you substitute a player is out.
In football you have 5-6 days to heal. In baseball you have to think about the next day.
This is not meant to be a George Carlin routine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YphEUa5LPjM
but, my point is that a football player with a couple of superbowl rings is not an instant expert in baseball…
Joe Vavra’s agent just filed a grievance.
He thinks his client should promoted to manager.
make that:
He thinks his client should BE promoted to manager.
sane,
sounds good. Vavra the Manager of the E-twins
Morneau, Mauer and the Seven Dwarfs are now TIED FOR THE HIGHEST TEAM BATTING AVERAGE IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AT .281.
Its now time to re-up Vavra’s contract for 10 years.
Its now time for all other MLB teams to send representatives to Joe Vavra’s hitting clinics and to take good notes.
Its now time for Vavra to publish his book:
“The Science of Hitting in the Major Leagues - My Critics Can All Suck it!” by Joe Vavra.
A Pulitzer Prize winner for sure.
sane,
I second that emotion
Vavra quits the Twins, buys 155.5 acres in Montana and becomes the Vavrarishi guru about hitting. Disciples are rooming in tents and every day sweating on a diamond trying to kill the first pitch the master Vavrarishi Vavra throws at 66 mph, like Morneau did at the Home Run Derby. If they make 3 outs they are flogged not physically but by the masters piercing eye. All clubs send representatives to study under him, he publishes his book under cliff notes, has a widely followed public access TV show and we all live happily after…
thrylos98,
Are you interesting in being the Producer or Director of my PBS documentary entitled ‘The Joe Vavra Story”?
Both jobs are currently available.
If Gomez continues to struggle, i think there’s a reasonable chance Gardy might move to 9th in the lineup. But there’s one thing all you Gomez bashers must come to grips with: Gomez will NOT be sent down to AAA.
OBP SLG AVG
.406 .500 .367 - Macri
.351 .451 .330 - Buscher
.394 .524 .325 - Morneau
.418 .466 .324 - Mauer
.383 .471 .324 - Punto
.359 .438 .319 - Casilla
.413 .418 .316 - Span
.340 .405 .299 - Young
.324 .348 .290 - Redmond
The Twins are in a 3 way tie for team batting average at .281 with Boston and Texas. Only Boston and Texas have scored more runs than the Twins. The powerful Red Sox have only scored 16 more runs than the Twins, but the Red Sox have played 2 more games. Listed are the hitters (non-pitchers) who have contributed on the + plus side of .281.
OBP SLG AVG
.333 .465 .265 - Kubel
.307 .337 .265 - Tolbert
.316 .374 .262 - Harris
.287 .353 .253 - Gomez
.324 .376 .252 - Cuddyer
.250 .500 .250 - Clark
.255 .290 .219 - Lamb
.280 .414 .204 - Monroe
.235 .324 .189 - Everett
.347 .518 .290 - Kubel vs. RHP
thrylos98,
My post was not directed only at you, but at one of your posts.
It was more general. You can dismiss the differences between Football and Baseball if you wish.
To cherrypick several instances where decisions didn’t work out is myopic.
There is NO decision a player, manager or front office makes which is 100% guaranteed to work. Generally Baseball where a 33% success rate is HOF credentials.
Many things can happen when a manager makes a decision.
a.) It is the correct decision, BUT the player DOES NOT execute the plan and the desired outcome does not happen.
b.) It is an incorrect decision, BUT the player executes and the desired outcome does occur.
c.) It is the correct decision, AND the player executes the plan, BUT against established rules, the opponent uses PROFESSIONAL ringers and they make a 1% play and the desired outcome does not occur.
d.) It is the incorrect decision, the player screws-up the execution of the plan, AND the beer league opponent joins the fun and screws up even worse than the manager and player and the desired outcome occurs in spite of collective ineptitude.
e.) there are any more thousands or millions of permutations.
f.) there may also be decisions made which are made less for the current game win, then to see how a player reacts/performs in a leverage situation. I realize this is stupid because an untested player should NEVER be put in a high leverage situation in their whole career. They have never shown they can handle it, so to put then in that position is incompetence.
Here are the stats from 2 rookie seasons:
G 30 IP 86 HR 11 BB 54 K 64 ER 62 ERA 6.49
G 36 IP 58 2/3 HR 11 BB 19 K 26 ER 34 ERA 5.22
Obviously BOTH are worthless and should be cut at 1st opportunity.
Regards,
