Comments on: Twins buzz is quiet at GM meetings

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:31:15 +0000

Bill Smith is horrible. Remember Craig Monroe? Mike Lamb? Adam Everett? Livan Henrnandez? Leaving Liriano in the minors and costing us a division championship? Failing to go after any bullpen help or right handed power hitters? Johann Santana for Carlos Gomez and his huge strikeout numbers and perennial 265-.275 batting average, and two stiffs on the mound who will be gone after 2009? TB’s MVP Jason Bartlett and rising superstar pitcher Matt Garza for Delmon “Dead from the neck up” Young and Brandon Harris?
He is an absolute joke as a GM. With so many in this country losing their jobs it is a miracle he still has his?
You want a guy who can play flash leather and hit home runs? Joe Crede. I know he has back problems but give him an incentive laden contract and you won’t have to worry about where to play Punto and Harris, they’ll be on the bench with Casilla at short and Hughes at 2b.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:25:44 +0000

Chris, we do that and we go 75-87. Cuddyer needs to either be shipped or be a right handed pimch hitter. His lack of mobility and inability to hit the long ball (or in the clutch) makes him a .245-.255 punch and judy hitter and we have tons of those on this club.

By: Chris Zelmer

Chris Zelmer — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:41:30 +0000

Wow we need to put young as DH and keep cuddyer in right that’s our strength Punto or Harris at third is fine with me.

By: Nico

Nico — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:41:39 +0000

Shannon….

1. Hudson had a fluke injury that kept him out the last 1/3 of the season. He is a top 3 2B when healthy.

Barmes isn’t even remotely as good as the 3 I mentioned. He doesn’t have a consistent bat and Twins fans would get sick of him quick.

2. Teixeira was drafted as a third baseman and could slide back there. Of course Cuddyer at third be the cheapest move, but Gardenhire is a fool and won’t make that move.

Atkins has hit more homers in his career on the road then at home. Due to the huge outfield in Colorado, Garrett’s average is higher at Coors, but he’d be fine here.

Blalock is healthy and I’d love to see him here.

3. Why would I want Abreu? He’s a professional hitter, has some power, steals some bases, is a decent hitter, and would provide a lot more protection to Morneau then anyone else on the roster currently does.

I just want Burrell’s bat. He could rotate with Kubel in the outfield and DH. A 30+ homer a year guy from the right side is sorely needed here.

Baldelli would be a high quality, relatively cheap power threat. Sure he can’t play every game, but 2 out of 3 is probable and his bat would be of great use.

Ibanez has had excellent years more then just last year. Cuddyer has done very little at the plate other then that 1 year. Ibanez is a very good player, Cuddyer, not so much. Ibanez has five 20+ homer seasons and four 100+ rbi seasons. Cuddyer has one 20 homer season, one 100 rbi season, one 81 rbi season, and he’s never been above 45 rbi in any other season. He just isn’t capable of producing the way the Twins need.

4. Cruz has been dominant as a reliever since he came into the league. He was terrible as a starter which resulted in some high ERA totals. However, as a reliever over his career he has been elite. HE would be the ideal 8th inning guy of the pitchers available in FA, and one fo the top in all of baseball really.

Fuentes will want closer money, there is no doubt about it, and with Nathan’s contract rather inexpensive for the best closer in baseball, I’d put Nathan on the block and see what level of infield player or prospect the Twins could get in return and have Fuentes close.

Wood may want closer money, but the reality is he is still a high injury risk. Offering him a low base price with a lot of easily attainable incentives would be the way to go. He would also be a great 8th inning option or another reason to see what the Twins could get for Nathan.

5. What’s debatable? There is no way Perkins or Blackburn will be as effective next year. They both pitched way over their heads this year. Dump 1 or both while they have value.

By: baseballbob

baseballbob — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:31:58 +0000

Keep Young. Keep Cuddyer. That one will work itself out. Injury! We’ll be sorry if Young is traded. You don’t sit Young on the bench and play Cuddyer. Young has a much higher ceiling. Cuddy is what he is, and Young is already that much and in some ways more. I heard something about his work ethic. If that’s the problem, do something about it. But I still like Young’s performanc over two seasons in the big leagues, and his tremendous potential. So did the Twins when they traded Garza and Bartlett last year. I still say, make a move for Cano and then move Casilla to short. Cano’s stock went down last year with the Yankees, but he still is VERY talented and young.

By: adidasman

adidasman — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:58:55 +0000

Four words for the Twins:

Do. Not. Trade. Span.

The rest of the outfield, do what you want. But, to me, Span is the future of this team. Leave him be.