Twins need to win today because the D-Backs are coming to town
Posted on June 19th, 2008 – 11:23 AMBy La Velle
Joe Mauer does not, I repeat, does not get Thursday off following Wednesday’s night game. He didn’t play Sunday, there was on off day Monday, there’s another off day next Monday and Mike Redmond may start Friday night against the The Big Unit. So Mauer plays today.
Mauer’s presence in today’s lineup helps the Twins’ chances to sweep an opponent for the first time since May 27-29 at Kansas City. They need a sweep because the AL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks are coming to town this weekend. Even with a 38-34 record, the D-Backs are a dangerous team.
After Randy Johnson on Friday, the Twins will face Micah Owings on Saturday then the 11-3 Brandon Webb on Sunday. The Twins will throw Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Livan Hernandez at Arizona.
Both teams blew off batting practice after two days of unblieveable offense.
Nationals (29-44): 1. Cristian Guzman, SS. 2 Elijah Dukes, RF. 3. Lastings Milledge, CF. 4. Dmitri Young, DH. 5. Aaron Boone, 1B. 6. Ronnie Belliard, 3B. 7. Felipe Lopez, 2B. 8. Wily Mo Pena, LF. 9. Wil Nieves, C. Pitching: Shawn Hill.
Twins (36-36): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Alexi Casilla, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Michael Cuddyer, RF. 6. Jason Kubel, DH. 7. Delmon Young, LF. 8. Brian Buscher, 3B. 9. Brendan Harris, SS. Pitching: Glen Perkins.
287 Responses to "Twins need to win today because the D-Backs are coming to town"
the same lineup 2 days in a row… last time that happened was a the KC series
Good to see Buscher in there again after a huge day yesterday. The next question is: When will Lamb start again? Bets? Anyone?
The Dbacks are for the NL West what the Sox are for the AL Central… Only the NL West is much weaker than the AL Central…
Jonas,
When will Lamb start again?
After Punto returns,
Macri or Buscher is optioned.
Lamb starts.
Better option:
After Punto returns.
Neither Macri nor Buscher is optioned.
Lamb starts……………….packing.
At least Owings won’t be hitting.
I think twins are 0-7 in Thursday afternoon games. Not good. Glad to see Mauer playing though, sometimes the lineups that Gardy puts out for day games are doomed before the game starts
Did the D-backs move to the AL West???
“Twins need to win today because the D-Backs are coming to town”
That is based on the premise that better teams usually beat worse teams.
Thats just not the case in MLB. Everybody beats everybody and proves nothing!
Its baseball!
Brent,
The Twins finally won a thurs day game a couple of weeks back
“Joe Mauer does not, I repeat, does not get Thursday off following Wednesday’s night game…”
Good idea.
“…and Mike Redmond may start Friday night against the The Big Unit. So Mauer plays today.”
Not so much. Let the chants begin.
Remember when everybody at the beginning of 08 was saying Harris would be the best option to lead off (or bat second)?
Mauer playing during the day…I was starting to think he might be a vampire and wasn’t able to be out anywhere during daylight hours…who knew?!?
I really think this supports his cause…Mauer in ‘08!
1-2-3 start for Perkins.
sane,
Better option:
After Punto returns.
Neither Macri nor Buscher is optioned.
Lamb starts……………….packing.
I’m with you. If he needs any help packing, I’m sure there are plenty of people on this blog that would be willing to help out.
Anybody watching this game?
“I was starting to think he might be a vampire and wasn’t able to be out anywhere during daylight hours…”
Daylight?
I thought the game was at the Dome.
Wow… I had no idea that Casilla was 0-fer 13. He walks and sacrifices enough that you wouldn’t know… and he was using Tolbert’s bat.
I like Lamb’s veteran bat on the bench more than Buscher/Macri.
Buscher was heating it up in Rochester as a DH. After he blew his triple-play throw last night, DH looks to be a good place for him.
“Anybody watching this game?”
On gameday.
…How did Casilla get caught stealing? He was going on a foul attempt, and then there were two straight balls…
Gomez:
there should be no reason why the Twins should not have at least 1 run after the first inning in every game this year. there is no doubt in anyones mind that Go Go is an exciting young player and wicked fast !! this guy should be breaking records for infield hits for the twins and the Majors this year. he should be bunting his way on or just watch some Luis Castillo tape from when he was a twin. have him steal second cause no one can throw him out. than let Casilla, Mauer or Morneau hit him in. I know he needs to be more patient but they have got to utilize this guys speed more !!!
the catcher threw an one hopper to the 2B who made a great play. Close play but the replay showed him out (I am watching on MLB.tv)
“After he blew his triple-play throw last night, DH looks to be a good place for him.”
So because Morneau just grounded out to end the inning here, should we start to consider dumping him as a hitter and shift him to the mound instead?
romer,
“After he blew his triple-play throw last night, DH looks to be a good place for him.”
One bad throw.
End of audition.
Don’t call us, we’ll call you!
Tough room!!!!!
“have him steal second cause no one can throw him out.”
Not true……..of ANY baserunner.
“Wow… I had no idea that Casilla was 0-fer 13.”
“there should be no reason why the Twins should not have at least 1 run after the first inning in every game this year.”
Gomez and Casilla are having trouble stealing bases lately. And they look slightly worn down like they’re not having as much fun.
Gomez is banged up a little. Both wrists are giving him trouble. Haven’t heard any report about Casilla’s legs, but I’m suspicious…….
sane-
does Mauer live at the dome? he would have to be outside (daylight) to get to and from the dome for day games!
oh and way to break down a sarcastic, joking comment 
Mauer,
He goes to all day games.
He usually just stays in the dugout.
Less daylight there.
“So because Morneau just grounded out to end the inning here, should we start to consider dumping him as a hitter and shift him to the mound instead?”
Come on, T. Morneau’s offense isn’t suspect. Buscher’s defense IS.
:0)
C’mon Kubes… gotta homer there to keep up with Dudley Do-Right.
Well… OK. A triple’s just fine.
Delmon with another horrible at-bat. Horrible. Someone needs to pull that kid’s head out of his ***.
Why not Kubel in LF and Buscher at DH?
Kubel triple was a very high fly ball that landed right at the base of the baggie and rolled slowly 30 feet towards the infield. The problem in the Delmon play was that Kubel did not tag to score. The foul was caught at the Nationals’ dugout steps and the player who caught the ball lost his balance and stood there for a couple of seconds.
easy sane;
i might have exaggerated ‘a little’ but anyone that has a 50+% success rate and the speed he has should be stealing bases any chance he gets.
I hope Casilla does not get in a slump and become a basket case again.
50%?
Anything less than a 70-75% success rate is costing your team runs.
“anyone that has a 50+% success rate and the speed he has should be stealing bases any chance he gets”
He better have a far better than 50% success rate to be stealing every chance he gets. When you get thrown out, you are not only losing an out, you are losing a baserunner.
romer,
“Why not Kubel in LF and Buscher at DH?”
Because Delmon had 93 RBI as a 21-yr-old rookie last year. That is more than the Twins all-time record for a 21-yr-old rookie (Butch Wynegar-79 RBI) and more than Joe Mauer as a 21-yr-old rookie (17) and more than Joe Mauer EVER drove in (84).
with Gomez’s speed i would take the chance. he’s young and he will get better. if not him, have Casilla do it
that should have been an error on Buscher. He botched a double play ball for a single
either way, whether he steals a base or not; bunt single or chopper to get on and a single gets him to 3rd. my original point; they should score at least 1 run in their half of the first inning of any game !!!
T and thrylos98, what’s the deal with Perkins? How’s his velocity?
Remember when the Twins had a 2-0 lead? Yeah…those were good times.
romer, I don’t have the game live, just the gameday flash. The pitches that have been getting hit look to be floating right in the zone.
i posted this early on 220;
i find this interesting because crawford is considered by many a superstar and young has been blistered on here as being a failure.
crawford: 271ab, .266 ave, .312 obp, .369 slg, 4 hr and 33 rbi.
young: 261ab, .276 ave, .326 obp, .368 slg, 1 hr and 24 rbi.
not much difference compared to the media and fan perception.
Mauer is killing lefties this year (72 ABs): 375/.410/.500
His two home runs came off lefties also.
Let him play against the Big Unit!
romer, I know it wasn’t directed at me, but his velocity is fine… he is getting hit on pitches he is leaving waaaay up in the zone and fastballs with hardly any movement.
This inning his velocity dropped about 5 mph to mid 80s and it seems that he kept the ball up and could not find the corners like the previous innings.
If gameday is right on the type of pitches, Perkins through about 12 FBs and 2 change ups in the 3rd inning. Nats were jumping on strike one.
I hope he is mixing it up better than that.
i find this interesting because crawford is considered by many a superstar and young has been blistered on here as being a failure.
crawford: 271ab, .266 ave, .312 obp, .369 slg, 4 hr and 33 rbi.
young: 261ab, .276 ave, .326 obp, .368 slg, 1 hr and 24 rbi.
not much difference compared to the media and fan perception.
Yes, completely ignore what they’ve done in the past.
Who considers Crawford a superstar?
“Who considers Crawford a superstar?”
He’s certainly one of the stars on the Rays. On a national scale I wouldn’t consider him on the same scale as the “superstars” like Jeter, Rodriquez, Ortiz…etc.
He’s probably the same as Morneau when it comes to national stardom.
romer,
“Why not Kubel in LF and Buscher at DH?”
Delmon out? / Buscher in?
Delmon’s 93 RBI in MLB last year compared to Buscher’s best years,
A+ 56
AA 37
AAA 30
MLB 10
Yeah, Mauer REALLY needs to be in there against The Unit. It’s Randy Freakin’ Johnson.
When it comes to something like that, splits don’t matter. You put your best lineups out against their best pitchers.
Good player yes, but superstar may be stretching it.
Delmon’s OPS compared to decent hitting corner outfielders….
“young has been blistered on here as being a failure”
Some here consider Mauer a failure.
what does that mean snepp? that punto would have 90 rbi if he got 700 ab’s?
the other night on the cubs-rays game the tv guys went on and on about how great crawford was and many other tv “experts” say stuff like that. funny most experts are wrong more than right.
Boof should be up and warming now
Since when are TV guys experts.
If you think my Punto RBI comment was meant to be taken literally than you’re not going to understand any explanation I give you.
boof should be the next one to go down. loosin’ the weight has done nothing for him. they need to find a replacement for HIM quickly; they can’t bring anyone else up and Frankie isn’t ready
Thanks, thrylos98 and Jonas. Perkins having an off-day.
Hope Bass is ready. Still don’t know why he pitched last night.
Lopez missed 2 HRs by inches in the last AB
most tv guys “think” they are experts. most are correct at about the same rate as us bloggers.
Delmon’s OPS
2007 .724
2008 .672
Buscher’s MLB OPS .657
“Some here consider Mauer a failure.”
Some here consider anybody a success or failure on a pitch by pitch basis. It’s to the point where I’ve given up on keeping straight who I’m supposed to hate.
I know I’m supposed to blame Gardy for everything (apparently having trickled up from Young to Vavra to Ryan to Pohlad and then back down through Smith and Gardy), though lately blame’s started shifting back towards Smith for some reason…
Frankly I think it’s all Wally the Beerman’s fault. You don’t think he has any say, but why else do you think he’s worked his whole life selling alcohol? The man has so much power and wealth that he can AFFORD to do that for a living.
I won’t call Young a failure, but he has been a major disappointment. Apparently, Gordo said the Twins were considering sending him down to AAA if it were not for a few good games in a row last week. Going from 93 RBI to borderline AAA is a disappointment - I don’t know how that can be disputed.
I think that the problem with Perkins is that he threw about 80% fastballs and the rest change ups. He threw only 2 curves in the game. Not much nipping in the corners, the hitter have finally timed him at the second pass through the order. Time for a bullpen call
sane Fresno St vs Stanford CWS final. We just have to get rid of Georgia and it will happen
Buscher with his second hit of the day. And HARRIS gets one too?
Go bottom of the order! Nice to see some hope down there now that Lamb and Everett have lost their everyday status.
Kinda saw it coming. They were meant to hold down the fort until somebody from the minors stepped up.
Buscher has done that, and I still think Harris’s stick is better than people give him credit for.
Casilla at 2B is a nice bonus as well.
I always get torn by Delmon…….sometimes I feel like trashing him because he has a lot of bad AB’s, and sometimes I patiently wait for his promise to blossom.
Wait, wait wait……
2nd and 3rd no outs. Gomez on the plate, why not a bunt?
“Going from 93 RBI to borderline AAA is a disappointment - I don’t know how that can be disputed.”
It’s less that aspect and more that people are ready to write off Young as a failure for the rest of his career.
That’s the problem I have. He’s in the same kind of sophomore slump that Mauer and Morneau had following their big years.
There’s a difference between acknowledgeing that a guy’s struggling and calling for his head.
sane:
last night harmon was talking about all the bats breaking. you often see these guys with the label facing the ball not paying attention to the label being up like they used to teach. we were always told to keep it up so the ball would hit the edge grain and the flat grain in the wood. the edge grain being much stronger. could this be because these guys all grow up using aluminum bats with no need to check the label or grain?
do your teams use the aluminum bats?
“most tv guys “think” they are experts. most are correct at about the same rate as us bloggers.”
Gobble
Howard did a recent blog about what rule we’d change if we were the Commish. One suggestion I liked was banning Tim McCarver for life.
So…is anybody else trying to figure out where this new Alexi Casilla came from?
I’d hate for there to be investigations into what he did with the old one.
snepp,
“If you think my Punto RBI comment was meant to be taken literally than you’re not going to understand any explanation I give you.”
You were deriding Delmon’s 93 RBI total by saying Punto would do just as well given similar opportunity. If there was sarcasm hidden within, it was difficult to determine. There was no indication that it couldn’t be taken literally except for the fact that it was nuts.
I believe that Harris is about to take off - if you look at his numbers last year, they were actually pretty good. Don’t know what’s up with all the K’s this year, but I think he’s got potential. The question will be, now that he might be starting to get it together, will Punto returning put him back on spot duty?
“One suggestion I liked was banning Tim McCarver for life.”
I’m only up for that if we throw him in the same rocket that we’re using to blast Joe Buck into orbit.
Okay…I get “SPD” and I think I have an idea as to what “BRK” represents.
But on Gameday, what is “PFX”? I keep thinking “Pitch effects” as though he’s hurling a fireball or Hadouken up there.
“will Punto returning put him back on spot duty?”
Harris has responded defensively to the move to SS. Punto will likely get a few starts shortly after his return to assess if he’s fully back. But Harris is the starting SS.
tim mccarver? turn the the set off!
t: you have been doing this a while don’t you understand over reacting is the norm on here?
T says:
June 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
“One suggestion I liked was banning Tim McCarver for life.”
I’m only up for that if we throw him in the same rocket that we’re using to blast Joe Buck into orbit.
Any room on that spacecraft for McFail and Everett
“Pitch-f/x” is the distance between the location of the actual pitch thrown over the plate, and the calculated location of a ball thrown by the pitcher in the same way, with no spin. Or, in more common terms, this is the amount of “movement” the pitcher applies to the pitch. A faster, straighter pitch like a fastball will have a higher Pitch-f/x value than a slower, breaking ball like a curveball, which will have a higher Break value.
gobble,
“could this be because these guys all grow up using aluminum bats with no need to check the label or grain?
do your teams use the aluminum bats?
We use aluminum bats exclusively, except when we enter advertised “wood bat tournaments”
If the concept of label-up or label-down is not covered by minor league (especially Rookie League) batting coaches, I would be stunned and amazed.
But “what kids are thinking” has always been a mystery to me.
So what’s next for Boof? My suggestion would be as a human pitching machine for Gomez. We can have Boof throw breaking balls on the outside corner each day till we get frustrated or until Gomez hurts himself smashing bats into his legs
I kinda get that explanation…but I have a feeling I may need a diagram.
Thanks thrylos!
You were deriding Delmon’s 93 RBI total by saying Punto would do just as well given similar opportunity. If there was sarcasm hidden within, it was difficult to determine. There was no indication that it couldn’t be taken literally except for the fact that it was nuts.
I have a pretty lengthy history of ripping nearly every decision to play Punto on these blogs, he’s my go-to whipping boy. You could have replaced Punto with any other light-hitting middle infield in that comment without changing what I was trying to say.
Delmon’s RBI total from last year had less to do with being a good hitter and was more to do with his enormous number of plate appearances as well as where they occurred in the order. On a better team his .700 OPS isn’t sniffing those prime 5-hole AB’s and he isn’t getting anywhere near 93 RBI. Put a better hitter in his place and those 93 RBI get blown away.
lets hope we don’t over react to this series on how good the twins are this nationals team has to be the worst team in the majors. any team worse?
A rare, actual RBI by Mr. Non-RBI. Our no. 3 hitter now has 28 on the year. Mr. RBI, on the other hand, has 56. Not a fair comparison? Young, Casilla, Gomez! (need I point out he has at least 1 at bat each game when no runners can be on?) and Lamb!! all have about as many the guy who should not be batting 3rd.
Young - 24
Casilla - 24
Gomez - 25
Lamb - 26
Who should bat 3rd? Let’s see, how about:
Cuddyer - 34 (and he sat out for weeks!)
or
Kubel - 38
Mauer might hit for a very nice average, but he is not, never has been and never will be a 3-hole RBI-guy hitter.
T,
click on the link for an in depth explanation on pitch movement measurement and many diagrams
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/in-search-of-the-sinker/
wow Kay Mauers 2 for 2 with an rbi and no runners LOB and your ripping him? tough crowd today
jimmy,
“a human pitching machine”
Like a pitcher?
gobbledygookguy says:
June 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
lets hope we don’t over react to this series on how good the twins are this nationals team has to be the worst team in the majors. any team worse?
seattle this year but normally KC every single year
sane says:
June 19th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
jimmy,
“a human pitching machine”
Like a pitcher?
Batting practice pitcher for Gomez would be a better explanation. Thanks for the catch sane
according to Gamecast, Perkins is really getting squeezed.
true?
Wow BC, I am looking at the whole season, big picture, not one game.
Other thoughts: if no one picks up Rincon, can he ask tell the Twins he would now like that AAA spot?
Anyone notice Ponson was picked up by the Yankees, for their farm team? Apparently, he was a “disruptive” influence in the Rangers’ clubhouse.
I thought Boof would perform better in the pen than has a starter. Guess not. How about a trade?
I wish you were right about LNP T, but I don’t thinks so. Gardy has repeatedly shown he will absolutely stick him in as a starter as soon as he can, day after day, no matter how well the other guy(s) might be doing.
Thanks thry! I’m going to have to look those over at some point (kinda at work at the monet)
Kay,
It is hard to get RBIs when the guys infront of you don’t get on base.
Out of Morneau’s 56 RBIs, I bet at least half of them he drove in Mauer.
The strike zone today is truer than the previous 2 days both left-right and top-bottom and consistent for both pitchers. Perkins just cannot adjust to the true (smaller) zone and his pitches do not have movement out of the zone, instead they have movement into the zone, which is a good recipe for disaster, esp. if you throw 80% fastballs
Also, I don’t see my comments as “ripping” BJ, I am just pointing out what the numbers clearly say: he should not be batting 3rd.
Kay,
Also Cuddyer and Kubel drive in Mauer when Morneau doesn’t.
Mauer has 43 runs, subtract the 2 times that he drove himself in and that means someone else drove him in 41 times. And that would be Morneau, Cuddyer and Kubel.
Sweet one, that’s a tired old excuse and it does not jive with the nos. for Gomez and Casilla.
kay,
“Mauer might hit for a very nice average, but he is not, never has been and never will be a 3-hole RBI-guy hitter.”
“very nice average”
Whoaa, not so much hype!
“never will be a 3-hole RBI-guy hitter.”
No, but he is a tremendous 3-hole NON-RBI-guy hitter.
If he keeps the inning going for 4-5-6-7 hitters he is doing great.
OBP worshippers would tell you that getting on base is a greater goal than driving in runs.
If a 3-hole hitter’s job is defined as an rbi-guy, maybe thats a crappy definition.
So Mauer is a failure ONLY by that arbitrary and possibly crappy definition of a 3-hole hitter.
There are
BC how much greenery does Byrnes have a day to keep that sh*t grin on his face
“Gardy has repeatedly shown he will absolutely stick him in as a starter as soon as he can, day after day, no matter how well the other guy(s) might be doing.”
Punto came off the DL, got all of what….one start? And then sat the rest of the time until he went on the DL (except for a pinch bunt).
Punto hasn’t been able to contribute on a regular basis since before Casilla came up, Tolbert and Everett got hurt, and Harris moved over to SS.
Before that, it was Harris at 2B, Tolbert and Everett out, and Casilla still in the minors (having yet to prove he was ready)
This is the same as last year, where everybody ripped Gardy for using Punto for half of the 2007 season when they forgot the fact that HE DIDN’T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS except for Cirillo (who was living with White on the DL most of the time), and Luis “Hey guys I’m still here!” Rodriquez.
Buscher and Casilla didn’t get here until after the Castillo trade, and then we had that nice period of about a month where at any time half the MIF was hurt (Buscher’s infected leg, Bartlett’s twinged back/hammy, Watkins’ back, Casilla…well…he was Casilla Classic then)
Who do the Twins have that can bat 3rd?
kind of ironic all the bloggers sitting at work blogging and complaining about the players not doing their jobs!
traditionally, the 3rd and 4rd hitters have the highest OPS in the team with the 4th hitter having the higher SLG% in the team. This is the case with Mauer and Monreau who have the 2 highest OPS in the team and Monreau has the highest SLG% of the two. So if one believes in the traditional model of creating a lineup, the Mauer 3rd, Morneau 4th, fits.
That, and why wouldn’t you want Mauer batting directly infront of Morneau? I have no problem with mauer being on base 40 percent of the time morneau is at the plate.
Who do the Twins have that can bat 3rd?
The best overall hitter on the team, Morneau.
Punto had one game after returning, but Gardy had him penciled in for his starter the next game. It was only because he overused him in the 1st game back, and he re-injured himself, that Gardy was forced to take him out of the starting line-up. Barring that reinjury, he was the starter. When Punto came back, Harris had been playing SS and playing well, but Gardy claimed he didn’t like his range.
Snepp,
That is why Morneau bats in the 4 hole. 4 hole is the cleanup spot and that means cleans the bases. If Morneau is the best overall hitter on the team he rightly should bat #4. If Morneau didnt bat 4th and batted 3rd instead, I would like to know who you would insert into the 4 hole.
“I am just pointing out what the numbers clearly say: he should not be batting 3rd.”
So where do you put him? Gomez and Casilla are tearing up the 1/2 slot. Morneau’s planted his flag in the cleanup role.
Not to mention Morneau has said on more than one occasion that he feels better hitting behind Mauer because Joe’s usually able to see a lot of pitches, giving Morneau a good look before he takes to the plate.
Frankly, I’d rather not mess up Moreneau, as he’s been one of the few constants. And really, this whole Mauer 3rd thing seems to be one of those “fad” things that each season a bunch of people latch onto.
I think at one point last year there was group arguing that Luis Rodriquez would be a better option than Cirillo…
Who do the Twins have that can bat 3rd?
Gomez
” I would like to know who you would insert into the 4 hole.”
Don’t even bother at this point. I have yet to see anybody legitimately answer that question.
Mauer is a great #2 hitter unfortunately Gardy has noone else to put in the #3 spot.. atleast until PUNTO comes back…
Kay i wasn’t necessarily disagreeing with you just questioning your timing is all and like snepp said Morneau is the only one who’s a better candidate.
“BC how much greenery does Byrnes have a day to keep that sh*t grin on his face”
Not sure who your talking about.
sitting at work blogging and complaining instead of doing jobs?
who isn’t doing that?
I like Morneau at #3 and Mauer at #2 also, but then who hits #4?
“…but Gardy claimed he didn’t like his range.”
I always love people’s use of the word “claim”, as if Gardy is some nefarious trickster with a secret agenda.
Oh yes. He will do anything in his power to make sure Punto plays…it’s why he wrecked Tolbert’s thumb (you thought that was an accident?).
He had actually meant for Harris to be the one that pulled his hammy, but Punto and Brendan apparently switched water bottles by accident.
“who isn’t doing that?”
I actually go into these figuring 90% of you are somewhere in this building with me…
gobble,
“:kind of ironic all the bloggers sitting at work blogging and complaining about the players not doing their jobs!”
I am insulted!!!
I AM NOT AT WORK!!
Oooops!
That’s not a good thing, is it?
NOT GOMEZ…..he THINKS he is a power hitter but he is far from it. he would need to work on his patience before you put him in the 3 spot. Mauer is good enough for that now and if go go or Casilla can get on that will give Mauer good rbi chances.
I would switch Mauer and Cuddyer, or move everyone up 1, starting with Casilla and have Gomez bat 9th.
The Twins seldom hit and pitch well at the same time, which accounts for the fact that they have lost as many games as they have won. They do o.k. against the worst teams but are out-classed by the better teams. I think Gardenhire and Anderson should be held more accountable for the team’s performance. The team has alot of talent and they are young. But, the fact that they are tyoung should not be an excuse for losing. After all, the team seems to intend to function as a farm club for the better teams in baseball. They are major league baseball players and age should not be an excuse for losing. Gardenhire and Anderson are never held to account for the team’s poor performance and losing. I think they are given a pass when it comes to their responsibility for the team’s lack of success. For the most part they are do-nothing type of people that the fans have simply gotten used to.
I blog(er comment) while i wait for my system to slowly call up orders…. works well and keeps my constantly busy
Gomez is tearing it up? He’s still taking lousy AB’s. Casilla on the other hand has for the most part been taking fantastic AB’s. Put Gomez 9th, that allows you to keep the Gomez/Casilla dynamic, and move the entire lineup up one spot, Not only will this allow your better hitters to get more plate appearances, but you’re guaranteed of getting Morneau up in the 1st inning.
The idea that Morneau HAS to hit 4th because he “hits the most home runs” is horribly antiquated.
BC “Eric Byrnes”
I still contend the top 5 of the orders should consistently look like this:
Gomez
Casilla
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddy
This is based off the premise that Casilla has good control with his bat and rarely gets a GIDP. Morneau hits better with Mauer in front of him and Mauer is great to have if both Go-Go and Casilla reach.
“I like Morneau at #3 and Mauer at #2 also, but then who hits #4?”
Assuming Gardy just pulls a “slide everybody up” it’d be Cuddyer.
And yeah…that’d go over real well around these parts.
But let’s look at it this way…if the reason Mauer doesn’t deserve to hit 3rd is solely because of dingers, then I guess the only other option to hit either 3rd or 4th would be Kubel (10 HR).
Yeah, I’m guessing that’d make people long for Cuddyer in the cleanup spot.
Essentially, it’s a no win. Either we put Mauer/Morneau 3/4 and everybody gets pissy that Mauer’s 3rd…or we slot them in 2/3 and everybody gets pissy that Cuddy/Kubel/not Morneau is batting 4th.
Or we have Mauer hit 2nd, Morneau hits 4th, and we just go into that magical blogger fantasy land and ignore the fact that the Twins don’t have a #3 hitter.
AKA: No-Win.
“The idea that Morneau HAS to hit 4th because he “hits the most home runs” is horribly antiquated.”
Wait…isn’t the reason everybody wants Mauer 2nd (or rather “not 3rd”) because of the same idea about the #3 spot?
And heck, that one’s not even antiquated…it’s just wrong.
People love to complain about Young who is playing full time at 22 years of age and batting over .270. Some quick comparisons
Hunter at 22 played 1 game
Manny was good at 22 with nearly 20 HR’s
Alex Rios at 22, .286 and 1 HR, 28 RBI
Mauer at 22 . 294 Ave.
Mournau batted .226 at 22
Most guys hit stride around years 23-25. Give young some time. However, I wish he would wait on the first pitch one in awhile.
Gardenhire is the league’s worst manager. He is a do-nothing type of person who is obsessed with simply platooning the lineup, which will guarantee the team never wins the division championship and help keep salaries in check for Mr. Pohlad.
Kay,
Actually the numbers for Casilla and Gomez do support it.
Gomez has a .308 OBP which means he only gets on base 1-2 times/game. Also, he hasn’t been stealing many bases lately so when he does get on he either gets himself out or is still on 1B.
While Casilla does have a decent OBP, unless Gomez or the #9 hitter get on base before Casilla bats Mauer will just get up with a runner on base. So with a runner on 1B, Mauer has to hit at least an Double to drive in a run.
sane is there anyway that we could trade for one of those extra outfielders that the Angels have. Also is there a Pac10 network that can be ordered from comcast that you know of
Manager Gardenhire sets a bad example for the team because he is obiese. He should eat less and exercise more. He sets a bad example for Bonser, Kubel, and Hernandez who are also fat people.
What are the chances that Boof leaves town with the Nats tonight?
LOL!
“which will guarantee the team never wins the division championship”
Funny, could’ve sworn they did just that in 2002, 2003, 2004, oh and 2006.
“He is a do-nothing type of person who is obsessed with simply platooning the lineup”
Gomez, Cuddyer, Young, Morneau, Mauer, Harris. Pretty sure those guys have been in all but a few “rest” days (not counting the NL situations). Not to mention Kubel and Casilla’s more regular starts now that they’ve started doing stuff with the bat.
He’s platooned Kubel/Monroe and done some experimentation with Lamb/Buscher/Macri now that he has the options to try the younger guys.
I know that this whole “constant lineup shifting” is one of those random fad’s that people have been latching onto for whatever reason…but try to keep up with what’s actually happening?
Cause I loves me some hyperbole, but I usually find stats and fact to be far more useful.
Nice quick inning by Perkins there, he should be good for another one.
A question. I know that the dome is 25+ years old but does anyone know if there is space/room for a pitcher to stretch/stay warm during extended innings? If so, do the Twins’ pitchers take advantage of it? If there is no place to do it, maybe that helps explain why they are so prone to give back runs after longer than normal half innings. Input? Thanks.
If only Gardenhire was “obsessed” with platooning back when we had jaques jones.
with that score it makes sense to let him finish the game because you never know how many pitches you would need for the next series…
T I noticed Mourneau getting a little thin on top is there a chance that he could have a future like the great Jay Buhner. Also if he get’s a little thinner on top can I do his lid work
The MN Twins have the fattest manager in baseball, the most childish TV announcers, and a very good grounds crew.
trade a middle prospect for guzzie and bat him 1st move gomez to the 9 spot. let harris and little buddy be utility guys rest of the yr.
dfa everett and find a way to dump monroe and lamb.
Kubel ripping another one.
Monroe who?
Gardy obese? lol
how many managers are thin? 10?
Yeah, Perk was in trouble, but now that it’s a 5-run lead might as well goes until it’s a save situation.
“if there is space/room for a pitcher to stretch/stay warm during extended innings? “
Do most places have this? It’s possible they could have something behind the dugout (like further back) where he can throw a few extra pitches.
But I dunno if that’s normal practice…
T I noticed Mourneau getting a little thin on top is there a chance that he could have a future like the great Jay Buhner. Also if he get’s a little thinner on top can I do his lid work
As long as he does get rug tips from LaPanta.
That should say “doesn’t”.
tommy, herb and Tony,
Good luck with that Multiple Personality Disorder.
“The MN Twins have the fattest manager in baseball, the most childish TV announcers…”
And a number of fans with split personalities…
Hi HERB!
Everything T says is 100% correct, and as a completely new and unique user I can say that with absolutely no bias.
Good pitch count for Perk i think he could go all the way with a little help from his defense.
Boy, T and t really know their baseball!
Thanks +, welcome to the STRIB!
Sane, don’t lump me in with those two(or that one)
T,
Rumor:
BC Beneke is the new boss of the Twins Human Resources Department.
All batting coaches have been terminated.(fired, not killed)
It had to be done before the Twins hitting stats became so good that Vavra would get a multi-year contract.
Harris quietly having a good day (2-3 with a walk)
Sarcasm aside T, Gardy will find a way to play his best buddy as soon as he returns. I think LNP makes a great addition coming off the bench as a late-inning defensive sub or pinch runner, but he should not be starting.
All of this, who will bat 3rd? Who will bat 4th? garbage is just that. Move everyone up 1, put Gomez 9th. Let’s take a chance that we might see a little better offensive production. Some of you act like Mauer batting 3rd is written in stone and handed down from above.
I do not like Morneau’s new look. He should not take his hat off.
T are you hired by Star Tribune to “police” all the rubes that comment on the blogs… seems your sole purpose in life is to attempt to “correct” all who comment here.. please feel free to present original ideas and thoughts
harris is starting to hit only to sit on the bench when the skippers litle buddy gets back?
“BC Beneke is the new boss of the Twins Human Resources Department.
“
I was wondering where BC went. Kinda been hoping the Twins would lose one here so they’d come back an remind us how much this team sucked and how they knew it all along.
Sorry, Tony!
I should have picked up on the capital “T” in “Tony”.
I got fooled by your Gardy-bashing.
“please feel free to present original ideas and thoughts”
Wait, you’re going to say this in the same post where you resort to the “You work for the Strib/Twins/Pohald” thing?
There’s something about pots and kettles. Can’t quite remember how it goes.
that was a fat change up in the middle of the plate
I really wasn’t Gardy bashing. I was trying to make the point that Gardy really doesn’t platoon that often, even when he probably should have with Jones.
“I should have picked up on the capital “T” in “Tony”.”
Oh now. Don’t be that guy. I’ve been waiting for people to think Dave T and I are the same guy simply because of that.
sane who will need my lid making services first LNP or Mourny. My bet is Mourny but I may decline. I like the idea of the second coming of Jay Buhner
Dmitri with his 3rd dinger of the year eh?
We got the wrong Young!
…What? SOMEBODY had to say it eventually.
to come to gardy’s defense (which i seldom do) he has had very poor bench options over the years.
“Sarcasm aside T, Gardy will find a way to play his best buddy as soon as he returns.”
Well yeah. Punto will likely get a few starts off the DL to see if he’s back to 100%.
After that they’ll go back to Harris. This lineup has changed a lot since Tolbert, Everett, and Punto were regular players.
The 2007 Casilla showed up today.
Re: RBI’s and who should hit 3rd. Here are the batting averages of hitters mentioned in the debate above.
Numbers are RISP%. They are listed as lifetime RISP and then 2008 RISP, since some might rightly suggest 2008 is a small sample size.
Lifetime RISP%/2008 RISP%
Mauer: .332/.310
Gomez: .304/.352
Morneau: .296/.360
Kubel: .296/.291
Casilla: .292/.444
Cuddy: .282/.358
Mornoe: .270/.281
With these numbers, I think you can make any argument you want for a 3 hitter. Personally, I like today’s (and yesterday’s) lineup and would run with it.
Is it true that during games between the 1st and 7th inning Pohlad has Reyes syphone gas out of cars for him
Tony,
You are right.
I misread your post.
My bad!
You are hereby cleared of being sybil-herb-tommy-charles manson-hannibal lechter-whoever.
I think M&M, cuddy, Kubel and Harris are starting to move to their more positive norm. Unfortunately, I think Gomez and Casilla are regressing to their norm.
I still think Hughes will be your everday 2B next year, with Plouffe, Casilla or an outsider at SS. Harris will hold down 3B until Valencia is here.
This nats team is really, really bad. That lineup the last three days is a who’s who of castoffs. Brutal.
keep up the cheep jokes jimmy. never get tird of heering them 8 times a game!
thanks for letting me know I’m still sane, sane.
I would eventually like to see Casilla and Tolbert batting 1/2 and bat Gomez 9th Tolbert playing 2b Casilla on SS. Harris, Buscher and Punto platoon at 3B, with Buscher dh sometimes sitting young on his a*&.
mike…Can Gomez even have a norm after less than a year?
sane says:
June 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Tony,
You are right.
I misread your post.
My bad!
You are hereby cleared of being sybil-herb-tommy-charles manson-hannibal lechter-whoever.
You forgot Steve Garvey and Bruce Jenner
WOW! PERKINS!!
How did he get a full 8?!!!!
When is that bloody scoreboard coming I really must see it soon
The poor Expos somethings never change.
I’m still not sold on Casilla yet. He makes some of the worst errors.
Who’s warming up, Boof?
sane - How are kankle’s formed
hee hee and lapanta has a toupe and reyes is FAAAAAAT!!!
i could mak those jokes all day long theyre soooo FUNNY!!!!!!!
I am so tired of hearing about Hughes. The guy plays over his head for six weeks at AA and all of a sudden everyone thinks he’s a ML starter. Give me a break.
Tony,
“thanks for letting me know I’m still sane, sane.”
No problem.
But if YOU ever answer your phone, and its YOU on the OTHER end, I will reconsider my diagnosis.
I’m looking into my crystal ball here and i see Nathan coming in and pitching the bottom of the ninth to get some work in. Then tomorrow he will only be able to pitch one inning in a tie game and we lose in extra innnings.
How many pitches for Perk? If he’s below 100 why not send him out?
I guess not.
He can have a predicted season, though, and I think he’s moving back to what many of us expected of him. Haven’t checked his predicted batting numbers on line….
Ellsbury and a Bos pitcher….mmmmm.
johnny cee This guy has the right outlook keep it up
hahahahaha my jokes are a riot! i kno this because i tell them!
over and over and over!
lapantas wig! ROFLROFL
T, Perkins threw 106 pitches = done
Oh yeah, Twins have Breslow. Forgot about him.
johnny cee says:
June 19th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
hahahahaha my jokes are a riot! i kno this because i tell them!
over and over and over!
lapantas wig! ROFLROFL
I would have to agree johnny cee lets ask jimmy bee
“Then tomorrow he will only be able to pitch one inning in a tie game and we lose in extra innnings.”
Innings he is ABLE to pitch are irrelevant.
He will pitch ONE INNING, even if he is ABLE to pitch 100 innings.
I was a little late getting on the audio and due to work have only been able to half listen. Who’s in the booth with Gordy today?
If Nathan has to pitch more than one inning, one of two things has happened.
1) He blew a save, at which point he didn’t do his job and thus put Gardy in a bad spot.
2) It’s already extra innings, and the rest of the staff hasn’t done their part. (Or the offense hasn’t done theirs)
Pardon me…
3) The rest of the bullpen hasn’t done its job and Nathan needs to get a guy like Guerrier or Crain out of a 8th inning jam.
Let Boof close it out today I say. I feel confident in letting him finish and save the bullpen for AZ. We are up by enough where I feel confident
My crystal ball needs cleaning i forgot he got the save on Tuesday my bad. Twins win, Twins win, Twins win.
Well there we go. Despite having the worst manager in baseball, a terrible #3 hitter, and a bunch of junk in the OF…the Twins get above .500 and improve to 6-3 in interleague play.
Back above .500!
I think picking up Breslow was one of the best moves BS has made this year.
Yeaaaah BC Twins win Twins win. Can you see in your crystal ball if we will see the Twins in the playoffs this year.
Way to be!
Tony, Jack Morris.
Yeah, I just figured that out. He makes me miss dan gladden
“Yeaaaah BC Twins win Twins win. Can you see in your crystal ball if we will see the Twins in the playoffs this year.”
The old crystal ball is in need of some repairs obviously but the playoff picture is really muddy right now. I’ll check again after the AS break.
Pay the fee!
“peewee cee says:
June 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Way to be!”
and back to me cause I’m jimmy bee
“Can you see in your crystal ball if we will see the Twins in the playoffs this year.”
jimmy bee, the Twins are a .500 ballclub.
Take a knee!
BC I think that they have as good of a shot as anyone. I do admit we are playing good. My main concern is the Bullpen. Run production looks great and defense is a little wishy washy but I think we may
“Can you see in your crystal ball if we will see the Twins in the playoffs this year.”
“jimmy bee, the Twins are a .500 ballclub.”
Is that a yes? or a no?
never take a knee go for three
Slighly above pee wee cee I say that the twins on the whole are maybe .540-.560 when all is said and done.
.500 may make the playoffs.
jimmy I’m thinking about buying a new crystal ball but i can’t decide if i should go to the Pohlad Crystal ball emporium or just buy the used one at Fire’s garage sale.
I am done with garage sales this year.. the wife had 3 in a year and I said STOP!!
Who is this “T” guy that is trying to use my last name?
Good game for Mauer today — I hope this means we will see more of him in future matinee games. I am OK with playing the bench players once in a while, but not all at the same time!
FIRE i think our wives might be sisters
BC - yes it is a curse!! my goal is to be garage sale free until Twin’s win a world series… that should be a nice long run!
previous post should read “until Twin’s win another world series” I had to enter the disclaimer before T - blog policeman ticketed me
The freakn white sox must hit 3 or 4 Bombs a game. The pirates suck.
I agree my wife once tried selling my record collection and my baseball cards stating they just collect dust. They are in a safe place now though. The nice thing is she wont let me monitor the sales anymore because our inventory goes way down but the profit margin is low and she doesn’t like that.
OMG!Juan Castro is the Mariners’ new hitting coach. That should help!
BC do you have a romper room mirror. I see little Joe and little Dy and what’s that over there little Mourny
Ok jimmybee your really starting to worry me now.
BC
Ask your wife if she will sale Punto, Lamb, Everett and Monroe at her next garage sale. Talk about a low profit margin.
Ben D. In order to get anything for those guys we’d have to move to KC or DC to have the sale.
BC that was not me I think it was actually T or an imposter using other names rhyming with jimmy bee. Believe me not me I am not having a multiple personality disorder. remember someone posted under a lower case t then it was a really small t aka a plus sign. Not me either.
There’s no joy in ripville,the Twins scored a bunch of runs today.Can’t fire Vavra today(of course they did make 24 outs)maybe that’s enough justification to fire him.Can’t fire Anderson today,but we can always fire Gardy on a whim.A lot of people on this so called Twins blog are invested in the Twins losing.Does not make much sense to me.
jimmy that’s cool i thought you were just joking around.
imposters I tell you I hope no body was offended and thinks that was me. Alot of T people today also dave T t + i dunno. Whatever. Imitation is the biggest form of flattery
So jimmy i was thinking about your playoff question and imagined something like this. Livan continues to to struggle have two bad games for evry good game and by the AS break the Twins are in 3rd place in the division. BS and company decide it’s time to part ways with senoir smoke and call up the franchise and then all of a sudden they take off and end up winning the division.
Jimmy
What Lapanta’s rug made out of? I heard it was a mix of Racoon and very fine goat a$$ hair.
Chris Basak was sold to Scranton… hopefully the Twins got something useful, but who cares? well Mandelero is bent out of shape, but who else cares?
BC I love that idea of Liriano coming up and leading us to a division title again. I see the Twins in 2010 having to many quality pitchers and eventually we may need to trade one or two for some power. What is your thought on this.
if you go look at the nationals blog (really there is one) they were less negative than the people on here. guess after awhile you get used to losing and kind of give up. many negative comments about the baggy! i don’t understand why they don’t like the dome?
the dome sucks, but, its our dome
GGG that is true someone even ripped on T and I today it’s a shame
jimmy i don’t know if you can ever have too many quality pitchers but there will be a few who just don’t fit. By that i mean they’re meant to be starters but there’s no room in the rotation. I agree that those guys should be used as trade bait. I still see a blurry image of Griffey Jr in a Twins uniform in the future.
I would really like the idea of Adam Dunn bashing roof breaking hr’s in the dome.
BC how can a man as big as Dunn play the outfield?
i would love a right handed version of Dunn for the Twins
Still on a honeymoon in DC. Only had a club for 4 years and new stadium has renewed the glow a bit for the serious fans, though it hasn’t done much for attendance.
Also new ownership who’s done a great job of simultaniously lowering current expectations will building mid- long-term enthuasiam.
“I had to enter the disclaimer before T - blog policeman ticketed me…”
Why is it the only comeback any detractors ever have is “Well you obviously work for ____” ?
Well T —- How about “I hate your ass! Send me some money and shut up.”
The Twins essentially have 4 starters with ERA’s about 4.00 and Livan’s is essentially about 5.00. The starter-extender, Bass, is also essentially about 4.00 (if you ignore that laugher in Detroit). Altogether not too bad, and this could all get better.
In the pen, Guerrier is better than his 3.20 and Breslow is worse than his 1.59. Make those two analytical adjustments and those two are pretty good as a pair. And I’ll take Nathan’s, Reyes’, and Crain’s ERA’s ver batim at 1.57, 2.49, and 2.93.
So that leaves only Boof, who has to be replaced (Korecki?) and the pen looks okay.
And Livan needs to be replaced (Liriano?) and the starters look okay.
But even if these replacements come, there’s still not much chance at the post season unless Young and Cuddyer hit some home runs and Punto hits .270.
It COULD happen. But it all still looks like .500 to me.
But it’s close to being better.
I’m just glad this team is showing signs of resiliency… I see a stronger 2nd half from Cuddy and Young, I also believe Kubel is ripe for a breakout “I’ll be worth more than we’ll be able to afford” season…
Kubel already is hitting home runs at the fastest rate on the team.
In other words, he’s already broken out.
Someone explain to me why position players need to fit in certain molds…I don’t understand why a 3B and corner outfielders have to be sluggers. Seriously, explain it to me.
They don’t necessarily have to be “sluggers”, but they should be good offensive players. If they’re not you’re going to find it awfully difficult to make up for that offensive shortcoming by finding extra offense up the middle.
Steve,
snepp is spot on correct.
If you have A-Rod at SS, Alphonso Soriano at 2B, (young) Ivan Rodriguez at catcher, and Vernon Wells in CF, you could get away with defensive specialists at the corners.
But nobody is that powerful up the middle, so the offensive specialists have to play the corners.
I’m just not convinced that this offense is desperate for power. Morneau is the only serious HR threat, but a basehit with a runner on second, and no team is better right now than the Twins at hitting w/RISP.
The Twins lack offense when they don’t get on base, which they can totally control by working counts better. You might get three pitches a whole game that a hitter could put over the fence, but at least once an inning the lineup should be able to work a 3-ball count and make the opposing pitcher throw them something they could put good wood on.
Gomez is seriously a part of this problem, and until he starts looking like a leadoff hitter, I will be frustrated by him to no end, and can’t understand how trading Santana for him was the right move - this team would be more of a contender if he were in the rotation. I think Span, with less starpower and injuries aside, would be a wash with Gomez.
steve,
“can’t understand how trading Santana for him was the right move”
Nobody suggested Gomez for Santana was a good move. It was forced on the Twins with the alternative being Santana walking to Free Agency after this season. The Twins would then have received two draft choices (like Carlos Guttierez and Shooter Hunt) instead of receiving Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey and Phil Humber.
For those who suggested holding Johan until the Trading Deadline, it now appears that CC Sabathia AND Erik Bedard will also be on the market at that same time due to the Cleveland Indians’ and Seattle Mariners’ meltdowns.
“I’m just not convinced that this offense is desperate for power. Morneau is the only serious HR threat,…”
Huh!?
Steve, do you really think the Twins have a powerful lineup? Compared to what or whom?
And Kubel is a home run threat. Check my post at 7:54.
lol
HEY BASEBALL GEEKS, I HAVE THE ANSWERS, IN THE 3 HOLE PUT ADAM EVERETT, PLENTY O POWER AND A CANNON FOR AN ARM! JOE MAUER IN THE 9 HOLE-AND WHEN PUNTO RETURNS PUT HIM IN THE LINEUP EVERYDAY AND THEN THE TWINS WILL HAVE A KICK ASS OFFENSE, JUST LIKE CHILI DOG AND THE VIKINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delmon IS a disapointment (so far). No one realistically expected him to be another Hunter (at least this year), but many, like me and others on this blog, expected him to at least be going in that direction (like 14-20 homers and maybe 70-90 RBI’s). Something like that. But he’s shown no patience, no power, and little situational hitting. Best hope is sophmore slump.
Gomez CAN be exciting, disapointing, maddening, electric, uncatchable, amazing defensive player, diving for balls he had no chance for, swinging at pitches 6 feet outside, looks like he’ll never steal a base again, a power hitter, disposable, (I think you get it). And that’s just in the same game. The point is, he is very streaky and unpolished. Span is tearing up the minors. Send Gomez and Young down and call up Span. It doesn’t have to last long. Just send them a message. You must play better, or you willn’t be in the big leagues. It has worked with SO many players (Casilla, Baker, Bonzer (to a certain extent) to name a few Twins). Go-Go I can forgive a little bit, but Young… You just cannot (especially for a team that lacks power) have a player like Delmon settle for what he’s doing.
Bottom line: Get Span up here.
About the sweep: Sweet. But, lest we forget, the Nationals…well, they suck. To put it lightly.
“Erik Bedard will also be on the market…”
Didn’t they JUST get him?!
“It COULD happen. But it all still looks like .500 to me.
But it’s close to being better.
Considering they’d have attained .500 without Hunter, Silva, Santana, and about 90% of their bench/lineup from last year.
The Twins playoff “hunt” so far has been a side effect of the inability of any team in the Central to put together a steady run. (Chicago even fell on it’s face after embarassing the Twins over the last weekend)
That’s why I’m glad the Twins haven’t done anything rash to try and make a likely 81 win team into an 85 win team.
Yes, the Twins COULD make a risky play for now and get into the playoffs with 85 wins…but looking at some of the overall issues (the inexperience still shows it’s ugly head on occasion), I don’t think this team is consistent enough at the moment to put together a run in the playoffs.
Competitive vs. Contending. The Twins have shown their competitive, but they’ve also shown that they’d have a hard time contending.
Can you picture Gomez as he is now coming up to the plate late in a playoff game with runners in scoring position? It’s not pretty right now. 
“About the sweep: Sweet. But, lest we forget, the Nationals…well, they suck. To put it lightly.”
Well, so did Baltimore and so did Toronto. And the Twins played them with their heads up their collective butts.
So it’s nothing to make me start saving for playoff tickets, but it’s also a nice boost to show they’ve maybe gotten focused again.
Steve says:
June 19th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
“Someone explain to me why position players need to fit in certain molds…I don’t understand why a 3B and corner outfielders have to be sluggers. Seriously, explain it to me.”
They absolutely don’t. It’s totally nonsensical and silly. There is no rationale or historical baseball precedent behind it. What it is, is the musings of nincompoops. Forget about it.
In little league, we used to “hide” players, especially if they could hit the ball hard but not run and field too good. I think that principle must still apply, until the league goes to nine designated hitters.
But that is another debate.
T says:
June 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Can you picture Gomez as he is now coming up to the plate late in a playoff game with runners in scoring position? It’s not pretty right now.
People keep saying that. I don’t know why. Carlos’ RISP is .345 (a full 70 points higher than his regular BA) and with 2 outs RISP is .385.
Frankly, he does have some ugly at bats during the game. But, the numbers say there are not many on the team whom you would want at the plate instead of Carlos in that RISP situation, T.
For comparison (RISP/RISP 2 outs):
Gomez .345/.385
Mauer .322/.313;
Morneau .360/.343;
Cuddy .363/.258;
Kubel .281/.241;
Casilla .429/.353
So, let me restate it: The way Carlos hits in RISP situations, I hope in a playoff situation with 2 outs and RISP that Carlos comes to bat. He is the best on the team with 2 outs and RISP.
Should have included DY and Harris in those numbers: (RISP and RISP 2 outs)
DY .261/.179
Harris .175/.172
Carlos
How many AB’s? I think your sample size is gonna be way to small.
Same old negativity on this board.Should of drafted this guy not that guy(Garbe,Adam Johnson etc).I wonder if they are still complaining about the AJ/Nathan trade on the Giants board or the Astros board letting Johan go to rule5.Let some of this go,folks!
Exactly Ben. T was saying late in a playoff game so we need to know how these guys have faired against say Pappelbon or Rivera in those situations.
Regardless of sample size, we can’t say for sure how well Gomez (or anyone else) will hit in the postseason. The ‘06 Twins were steady offensively down the stretch and then they tanked in the playoffs.
any thoughts on what kind of moves we need to make or is no move ok?
my thoughts:
find a replacement for monroe, just not enough left to keep him around, except the 2 hr pink bat day and 3 run ph hr he has been terrible.
do something with boof, the more he pitches the less he’s worth and he can’t be sent down. trade him even if his value is low don’t need another dead spot in the bullpen.
same goes for livan, one good game against a terrible wash. team doesn’t mean he has turned it around, way to many ugly give away games.
figure out an infield that doesn’t include punto playing every day and stick with it.
Yes, that’s my point exactly. There is no quantifiable numbers to suggest that Gomez is bad in RISP. So, why do people keep saying he is?
I am willing to stipulate that we don’t know how he will do for the year or his career. But, he hasn’t been bad. In fact, with 2 outs, he has been the best on the team this season.
If people want to vent about his impatience and his K’s, I won’t argue. But, to say he is bad in RISP, is just not fair or true… at this point in the year or in his career. By the way, his career RISP is .300 in 80 ABs and his RISP with 2 outs goes up to .412 in 34 ABs.
Obviously, it is a small sample size. But, it is all there is at this time. You can’t just make stuff up and say how bad someone looks with RISP.
People might “feel” that a certain situation exists, but in this case, there are no numbers to suggest Gomez is or will be bad in RISP situations.
gobble,
I agree. I would be willing to part with Livan, Boof, Bass, Monroe, and/or Lamb. My guess is the market is weak to non-existent for these guys. Maybe if Livan throws another 1 run game, we could package him off someplace.
At major league level, the guys we don’t want are not wanted elsewhere. The guys we want to keep are the guys others want. I am guessing that any move of the above players is for an insignificant minor league player or we package some of our excess in the minors (like Span, Buscher, Macri, Tolbert) along with players above to get something a little better.
Carlos G-A lot of people get to caught up with stats.They can sometime be a long term indicator of success or failure,but stats can be deceiving at times.The game is still played between the lines and stats can’t hit a curve ball!
Why can’t we complain about giving all that money to low-level free agents.
We will have to pay Livan, Monroe, Lamb and Everett $14.9 million this year and $3.3 million next year. Thats $18.2 million completely off the books next October.
We could be on the hook for FOUR YEARS and $48 MILLION as Seattle is for Silva.
PLUS,we could be on the hook for FIVE YEARS and $90 MILLION as the Angels are for Torii. (who is aging and barely outperforming Gomez THIS YEAR)
Livan, Lamb, Monroe and Everett are not helping much, but they are making chump change in current baseball currency.
If they get outperformed by Duensing, Tolbert, Span and Punto, they can be cut loose and replaced for manageable financial costs.
Do you think the Mariners can cut loose Silva and eat the #48 million if he cotinues as he has?
Gomez looks bad half the time he bats and the other half the time he looks great. He could go 5-5 tonight or 0-5, no one knows. He is very exciting just not the one I would choose to bat with the game on the line or even RISP 2 outs. No stats to back that up just my opinion.
Vote Mauer & Morneau AL Allstars!!!! The votes are close! Get them on the team!!!
Ben D,
No problem. I respect your opinions. As I said, I agree Gomez has some awful ABs… just not so much with RISP. Maybe some people watch for those bad ABs for him more than they do with others. But, it hasn’t happened at a bad rate for him this year or last year. Maybe a lousy looking K for Gomez stands out to you more than a Mauer or DY GDP.
I see the rawness in Gomez and I see the potential. Since he wears my first name and last name initial, I gotta stick up for him when he is unfairly critized (at least unfairly IMO).
And, I’ve been driving his bandwagon bus since March, with lighter and heavier numbers of passengers each week. I figure to need an Amtrack train by 2010 for the Gomez fan base. (That’s the year I predicted in March that he will be an All Star).
