Random thoughts after a mind-numbing night
Posted on September 26th, 2008 – 10:30 AMBy La Velle
The White Sox are a mess: There were a lot of long faces in the White Sox clubhouse after last night’s game.
Jim Thome stood in the entrance of the trainer’s room with the look my father used to give me when I broke his curfew.
A.J. Pierzynski, in between expletives, said their game plan was to accept that Joe Mauer would get his hits but they wanted to shut down Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel. A.J., forgetting Kubel’s big game on Tuesday, felt they did just that.
“They just dinked and dunked us. Found some holes when they needed to,” he said.
Paul Konerko tried to stay upbeat, stressing that the intensity the Sox showed on Thursday needs to be repeated over the final three games of the season.
I want to see them try to pull that off.
Chicago is starting Javier Vazquez on Saturday and Mark Buehrle on Sunday - both on three day’s rest. Vazquez was terrible when he did it earlier this month. Buehrle was only O.K.
The Dome: When the Twins tied the game in the eighth inning Thursday, it was louder in the Dome that it was for any of the playoff games I’ve covered there. People weren’t just clapping, they were screaming their heads off and jumping like crazy.
When Denard Span’s triple scored Carlos Gomez, we saw trash being thrown in the air. It was truly unbelievable. My adrenaline was pumping pretty good, and it was hard to remain focused.
When the Sox pitched out with Alexi Casilla at the plate, I told Joe C., “Tony LaRussa would call the squeeze now.” When Span took off for home on the next pitch, I said, “and so does Gardy!”
If Casilla gets that bunt down, we all have an easier deadline. But it wasn’t quite the time for Casilla to be a hero.
Gomez, from zero to a hero: Carlos Gomez was partially to blame for Chicago’s six-run fourth when he took off and crashed into Span in right-center as Span had called for and was about to jump up and catch Jim Thome’s deep fly ball.
But I think Gomez redeemed himself with a four-hit night during which he reminded everyone that he may be the fastest man in baseball. I don’t think Usain Bolt knows how to run around bases, so I would consider taking Gomez in a race from home to third.
“A lot of people in the league would like to have him in the nine-hole,” Guillen said of Gomez. “He has a chance to be something special.”
Kevin Slowey: Tough luck for Slowey on his wrist injury. Think about how he had the composure to try to throw to first despite all that pain? We should know more about his injury by game time tonight. MRI’s normally are taken in the morning then Twins doctors read them when they arrive at the park in the late afternoon. I’m hoping they look at them earlier but not expecting it.
152 Responses to "Random thoughts after a mind-numbing night"
I took a look at the comments from the South Side Sox blog today, and man do they hate Gomez. Haha
I think Go Go is great. I also think Cuddy or DY is heeeeestory by the end of the year.
Cuddyer, even when healthy, has not looked like the player he was a couple of years ago when he had that breakout year.
I say trade him for a reliever in the offseason or keep him as a 4th outfielder, although he would be an overpaid fourth outfielder.
Don’t mess with Gomez, Span and Young in the outfield. They are so young and could be a fantastic group for the next several years, with Kubel hitting homers from the DH spot.
Jimmy - Please give me Delmon
That ball was in the right CF gap and the CF takes priority. Yeah, Span had a bead on it but apparently Gomez thought he did too. I don’t think you can blame either of them. They obviously couldn’t hear each other and both wanted to make a play. Still, a hell of a night from both of them at the plate. Regardless who screwed up that play, they both redeemed themselves.
I was at the game last night, and I’m not kidding, I have never, ever experienced anything like that, especially when they tied it in the 8th inning. It was crazy at the end of the game, the metrodome floors were shaking for crying out loud, but when they tied the game in the 8th, I thought the place was going to fall down. I was expecting to see speakers and lights falling from the roof and to see cement cracking beneath my feet from the amount of noise in there. Ozzie said they had one good inning the whole series, it was actually a bad inning for us. If Span catches that ball in the outfield, or Buscher makes that play at third, or Slowey doesn’t throw the ball away, ballgame is over in the 8th. GO TWINS, and thanks for the amazing game last night, I will remember it FOREVER!!!
“I also think Cuddy or DY is heeeeestory by the end of the year.”
Delmon would have a lot more trade value but only because he’s 23 years old and A LOT more talented than Cuddyer. Regardless of what anybody says about him, he still has a ridiculous amount of potential. You can’t give up on a guy like that after one year. Cuddyer on the other hand is 28 and has had one good year. He used to have a lot of potential but after 5 ineffective years, you pretty much know what you’re going to get from him. He’s exactly the type of guy you give up on. Except they just signed him to a questionable contract so we wouldn’t be able to get much for him.
It’ll be interesting.
And just think, we are willing to give up that huge homefield noise advantage by building an outdoor stadium.
Trey no only that advantage but the advantage of playing on the turf instead we will be playing on grass. I consider this a major loss
not
Excellent game!! This has to be one of the better games I have watched in my life. It had everything, the downs of the six run inning and losing Slowey, to the Gomez-Span collision, and the Buscher error. Then the ups that of course I don’t think any Twins fan will ever forget. Span hitting the triple into the rightfield corner and watching the streak of blue and white running from first to home, also known as Go-Go. Then, after all the anti-Punto posts on this blog all year, the “LETS GO PUNTO” chant in the bottom of the tenth, eventually leading to the walk and the great heads up play to advance on the ball in the dirt. This was a game I and most Twins fans will never forget, lets hope that we can ride this emotional rollercoaster and finish out the summer of stun in grand fashion. Here’s to our team, in our state…..Here’s to all of Twins Territory, lets go out there, support the boys this weekend and hang another Central Divison Championship banner.
Cuddyer will still have value to the twins as a 4th OF, back up 1B, RH DH and emergency infielder. He’s not a bad player to have around next year. They’ll all get thier AB’s one way or another
anyone that wishes to get rid of a 23 year old outfielder with a cannon arm and decent speed, that hits .300 with developing power, has questionable baseball knowledge at best.
And i don’t care that Young is surly. Happiness and clubhouse harmony are overrated, and are no guarantee that a team will win.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
Too many outfielders. Too little posiitons. What to do. What to do
Sometimes that impartial objectivity in the pressbox rule is a bit of a challenge to maintain, eh, LEN3? I’m betting you weren’t the only one feeling the challenge.
I don’t see trading Cuddyer (a) because you won’t get full value for him because of the contract, and (b) it’s important to have 4 guys you feel good about putting out there. 162 games is a lot of opportunities for injuries and one injury screws your championship chances. No way do you trade Young, by the way. Keep ‘em all.
And while Punto didn’t respond to the “Lets go Punto” chant with a hit, that walk was a great at bat. He fell behind 0-2, as I recall, and kept making Jenks throw pitches until he worked the walk. Then did a nice job on the basepaths.
Really have to give them all credit for not giving up when they lost their SP and fell behind 6-1 early. Shows a lot of maturity for such a young team.
[…] Twins Insider – […]
Why would anyone consider trading Delmon? Look at his stats….avg, obp, slg, ops have all improved from last year….yet people act as though he’s been a huge dissapointment.
Cuddyer on the other hand im sure they’ll try to try, problem is i dont know who would take him on for that money or give up something good to get him. Young, Gomez, Span is no doubt our outfield next season….with Kubel as the DH/4th OF. Only scenario i see Cuddyer staying is if they transform him back to a 3B.
fcmlefty has the best suggestion above. But you do not, under any circumstances, trade DY, at least until he gets to expensive in several years. And he almost certainly will.
Nobody will take cuddyer at his current salary.
Does anyone think that Cuddy will mind that he lost his full time starting position and who will be the other ball player the Twins will play part time with Cuddy please explain. Will Cuddy even be the other Part timer or will DY or Gomez or Span???
If Cuddyer stays, say good bye to Ruiz and Pridie will likely head back to AAA. I thought Ruiz looked pretty darn good when he played this year.
cuddyer will not get alot of playing time next year, unless gomez really struggles, and gets sent down. He will be the occasional dh, 1st baseman, and 4th outfielder. And who cares whether he’s happy about his playing time. It’s the Minnesota Twins, not the Minnesota Cuddyers. And the Twins made their bed with his contract, and they’re going to have to lay in it.
Trade pridie for a mid level prospect; he is as good as he will ever be, and i’m sure some team would be glad to have him. Ruiz is good only for pinch hitting, and occasionally dhing. Players like him are a dime a dozen, no big loss.
“who will be the other ball player the Twins will play part time with Cuddy please explain”
Kubel = LH DH
Cuddy = RH DH
Cuddy would also rest the three OF and Morneau occasionally at 1B.
Slightly off topic, but there is a serious lack of Twins’ games in HD. Seems even worse as of late. FSN better step it up next year with more HD coverage. Larger markets like Boston and NY have every game in HD - we get about 50 percent, if that.
And regarding the South Side Sox blog - hilarious.
Go Twins.
You’ve got to be kidding me! So you think out of Cuddy, DY, Gomez and Span that Cuddy is on man out and as far as playing time he will have little to none at all. Do you think that the Twins FO will let a player whom we gave a good contract too ride the bench or would they trade one of the over stocked OF’s away for much needed help. I don’t know with how cheap the Twin’s are if that would happen. Maybe I am wrong though.
sane help me out with the above question please. Also how do those Yankees like Joe Torre and the Manny’s now
you know who had “too many outfielders” at the beginning of this season? Angels. Seems to have worked out for them.
And to think, last year the debate was, “who should the other outfielder be, Ford or Tyner”
There is no way that Cuddyer is the 4th outfielder next year. He will be the starting left fielder for the majority of the games. Span should be the starting center fielder and DY and Gomez will split time, Gomez in center with Span in right and Young in left with Span in center. DY surely does have a cannon arm, but he is absolutely atrocious in the outfielder…I dont think Ive ever seen a more clumsy outfielder, aside from Manny…In 4 or 5 years, the outfield will be Revere in center, Gomez in right and either DY or Hicks will be in left. Cuddy, Span, and Kubel will all finish their careers with other teams. Gomez and DY have the most upside and Cuddyer is the best option to help win next season, but when his contract is near the end, he will likely be traded. Cuddy plays next year, and he will be good. You cant use this year against him, he wasnt healthy all year…
I meant Cuddy will be the starting right fielder…he will get his old job back
What is all of this talk about too many outfielders and getting rid of one?
What a horrible situation in 2009 to have Kubel, Cuddyer, Young, Span and Gomez as the 5 OFs and DH combos!!
Not too mention Cuddyer can play some infield if absolutely necessary.
Do you all forget previous years’ rosters outfielders (or even the beginning of this year)?
Monroe
White
Ford
Tyner
BTW - Ford and Tyner on the same roster at the same time.
Quit worring about who gets which at bats - the point is to have quality players. With the 5 above, for those who feel the Twins sign cheap Free Agents, at least there will not be any money wasted in 2009 on some has been/wanna be OF.
Too long of post already, so I won’t go into injuries and slumps that happen.
So how did those Yankees do this year. If all Joe Torre did was keep a bunch of big ego ball players in line. Joe Girardi and Hank see anyone can manage the Yankees and get them into the playoffs. Ooooops
Four outfielders to play three positions. Rotating around w/ Cuddy also being the RH DH….I would like to see Cuddy in LF, Gomez CF and Span in RF w/ Delmon subbing.
Much better than starting off like we did this year w/ Monroe.
For all your vikings, twins, and comedy fix visit
I was at the game last night as well and I agree when Span hit the triple it was as wild in there as when Kent Hrbek hit the grand slam in Game 6 in the World Series. I literally jumped out of my seat and ran up the stairs in Section 131 - high-fiving complete strangers all the way up on both sides. By the time I got to the top, I starting seeing spots and almost blacked out. Just before I buckled, I realized I left my kids back in row 22…
To say it was raucous and fun last night is an understatement - this is what its all about~
Span will be in RF and leadoff for years. He is tied for MLB lead in Sept runs at 23. Gomez will be in CF for years. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Gomez IS the team’s emotional leader. Sane has it right with Kubel and Cuddyer splitting DH time and subbing. and finally Morneau can get some rst with Cuddyer at 1st about 15 games
I have heard rumors that the Twins will trade either Cuddy or DY for a third baseman. If it were up to me, I would try to trade Cuddy for Beltre. Perhaps you would need to throw in a pitcher, but I don’t think the contract is that big a deal with Seattle.
You’d be trading a 28 year old with a 106 career OPS+ with two years left on his deal plus an option year for a 29 year old with a 107 career OPS+ with one year left on his deal. From Seattle’s perspective that’s a comparative win.
cmathewson - I agree. Doubt the Twins would trade Cuddy to be honest, but maybe if it were for Beltre plus cash. Might be more likely they trade Delmon plus a pitcher for Beltre. The FO likes Beltre a lot but will watch how he recovers from his surgeries. A risk either way, but I’d pull the trigger if I were the GM…
“… the intensity the Sox showed on Thursday…”
Yeah right. 7 hits. Lotsa luck, bitchsox.
I still don’t understand how anyone can continue to beef about Delmon. He’s hitting just under 300, is improving at the plate overall and in the field. The ONLY number that’s down for him is HRs (and, of course, the corresponding rbi’s). He’s a very young man and is, by any other account, having a very solid year. the Delmon haters need to pay attention to what’s happening instead of the blooper reel they saw him on earlier in the year.
Hats off to Gardy and the team. The Twins have been the best sports product in Minnesota for the last 10 years. They are fun to watch, competitive and do it the right way.
Hard to believe this is still a “Vikings town.” the Vikings and the NFL are about the lowest people on the food chain. Thugs, drugs, prostitutes, DWI, jerks, bad coaches, Love Boats, etc. etc. etc. - a constant on the police blotter every single week for the NFL. Most players only last a couple years and are crippled by their 40’s and most die in their 50’s. Unbelievable that league has remained popular and our team is one of the worst group of dirt bags.
The Twins continue to do it the right way, not just the winning, but with some pretty decent sportsmanship and character. Sure there have been exceptions, but they are fairly rare. And all in a smaller market with lower budget. Think about it - we’re fortuante to have what we have with this team.
Enjoy it!
“When Denard Span’s triple scored Carlos Gomez, we saw trash being thrown in the air. ”
Didja see THIS?
Casilla was on deck, so had to give the sign to Gomez for the erstwhile play at the plate. Of couse Gomez could have just run through easily, but I believe Casilla gave him the slide sign.
PERFECT! All eyes being on Gomez, this marvelous Olympian-looking athlete arrives in a cloud of dust and jolts up and pumps his arm strongly (as we all saw). WHAT A SHOW!!!!!
I wonder if the buddies Casilla and Gomez have it set up for Gomez to slide in just about any situation just for the celebration effect of it all. Wouldn’t put it past them.
They are MARVELOUS athletes to watch. #34 is having a blast watching.
I’m glad someone else feels that way about the NFL too. It is a head scratcher it has remained so popular. I pull for the Vikes, but yes, they are an embarassment like most of the rest of the league. Dungy is the exception - the rest are pretty much dirt bags.
I think Span would be used in all 3 OF spots, Playing pretty much every day. Young in LF, Gomez in CF, Cuddy in RF. wherever Span plays gives that guy rest in the field. That’s how I’d work it with the 4 anyway
Stupid is right and that’s probably what the Twins will do - rotate as much as they can all next season like the Angels have done. I doubt they would part with Cuddy - gardy likes him too much and he is being pushed out there as the face of the team too much to trade yet. It may be hard for Cuddy to share his playing more next year, but he seems like a team player and I think he’d do it. Plus look at all the injuries - chances are we’ll need all these guys at some point. It also gives the opportunity to go with the “hot-hand” at any point in the season.
You guys are assuming Cuddyer will be healthy next year. He had one good year, he is over rated. I can’t imagine there is a team out there salivating over him plus we are stuck with his contract. I like our outfield the way it is: young, fast, and exciting, and next year they will be even more experienced. And keep Kubel in, why would you ever sit him.
“Carlos Gomez was partially to blame…”
Well, no runs would have scored if he hadn’t collided. And you’d better believe he never wants to do anything like that again the rest of his career.
Like Gardy said, it’s okay. Just trying to make the play. And it’s fine with me too.
Forgiveable rookie mistake leads to the 6-run inning, pure and simple.
There is no class in the NFL…the two words are oxyMORON’s.
If Cuddy isn’t going to be a starter, why not put Delmon back in his more comfortable RF position? His arm is better than Span’s and there’s less ground to cover out there. Span’s wheels would be very nice to have in the comparatively spacious LF.
“There is no class in the NFL”
That is because the NFL is starting to become more like the NBA and it is stocked piled full of people who are inner city raised.
Another thought after last night’s game. During the interview Gardy seemed about ready to tear up. (In fact I think I caught him wiping one out of his eye)
This was when he started talking about the fans and how the crowd stayed in the game even when they were down 6-1.
I think Gardy was either genuinely moved by the fans tonight, or he was incredibly proud of the game his team had just played.
Or both.
I’d almost rather see the two collide than do the not so forgivable “I got it, I got it….You get it” move. I’m just glad they didn’t get injured.
Delmon is in LF next year as well or they would have made the RF move by now
During the interview Gardy seemed about ready to tear up. (In fact I think I caught him wiping one out of his eye)
He is stealing moves from Joe “Cry Baby” Torre. LOL. Actually I heard Coomer ate his dinner and he became very upset, Even to the point of tearing up.
“Delmon is in LF next year as well or they would have made the RF move by now”
Its easier to make position changes in Spring training. If it looks like a ST position switch is a mistake, it can be reversed before any real games are lost.
“You do know that the playoffs start on 10/1 don’t you.”
No, Sweetone, I don’t. I thought I read on the official MLB website that it started Oct 8.
Thanks for your patience.
Where can I find the schedule, and where can I find the official 25-man post-season roster of the Twins, please?
I agree sane. I wouldn’t assume that just because things are one way this year and weren’t changed at mid season, that they won’t be changed in the spring. It really comes down to whether Cuddyer is re-established as the regular RF. If he is, DY stays in LF. If Cuddyer is penciled in as more of a 4th OF, a DH and 2nd first baseman, then I think DY could become the regular RF and Span moved to LF.
The one thing to consider before making that move is this… most of the Twins SPs are righties, meaning teams tend to load up their line ups with LH hitters. So you have to ask yourself whether you want your better fielding outfielder in LF or RF. Might be that Span gets more fielding opportunities in RF than he would in LF.
sane what do you think of a repeat from 65 with the DOdgers vs the Twins. I hopped on the LA Times Web Site yesterday and left a good one liner on there. I said that the Angel fans can go back to being Dodger fans now. Fare weather fans out there.
jimmybee,
You have me confused with someone who is a Dodger fan.
The last time I gave a cr-p about the Dodgers; Campanella, Hodges, Robinson, Reese, Cox, Pafko, Snider and Furillo were on the field.
Back 2 the Twins.
“I thought I read on the official MLB website that it started Oct 8.”
romer
I read something about next year’s schedule that the playoffs started late. Maybe that’s what you are thinking of.
imo you leave span in right, i think the slicing drives down in the corner he gets to with his speed and the throw to 2nd (good example last night) is easier for a lefty than a rh. same as at 3b a lefty doesn’t have a good throw, we often saw that when jj was out in lf if he goes into the corner and has to turn around to make the throw. imo there have been a lot more difficult plays in right, which span has made and young or cuddy wouldn’t make, then plays in left that he would make that young can’t. but i may be wrong.
i find it amazing that so many are ready to give up on young who is 4th on the team in rbi, hitting nearly .300 and just turned 23. puckett and hunter were still in the minors or not playing at 23 and young has already had 2 productive big league seasons behind him.
harris will be gone this winter, play cuddy at 3b & 1b a little, dh vs. lefties and a day a week in of, it will be fine.
Rocket launcher arm (Cuddy) not needed as much if the foot speed (Span) can help make catches that are near impossible. Span stays in RF. Gomez in CF and Dy in LF. Maybe Cuddy goes back 2 playing 3rd for a go at it again
If Cuddy plays 3B, Buscher will become an apprentice butcher playing behind a REAL butcher.
Span/Gomez/Cuddyer from left to right next season. I’ve read that the Dome has the smallest square footage in the league in right field and a guy with Cuddyer’s arm can dominate that patch until the new park is online. The criticism leveled at him this season has been quite unfair due to his injuries - I do think that a healthy Cuddyer batting between Mauer and Morneau as in 2006 would drive in 100 runs easily, especially with a real leadoff hitter such as Span to set the table. Young/Kubel would split DH duties on my team with Young the long-term candidate once he develops his power stroke.
I am very surprised that some want to blame Gomez for that collision. I am not going to even sit here and blame Span, they both worked hard to get to that ball.
However, you all might want to watch that play again. Span misjudged the ball badly, and never moved initially and even when he did he looked lost. Once he finally got the ball judged correctly, he sprinted after it full speed. Gomez coming from Center surly saw how far off Span was and went as fast as he could to the ball.
I don’t see how you can blame Gomez…especially considering how Span played the ball.
Rub-a-dub-dub
Three men in a tub,
And how do you think they got there?
With butcher, then Baker,
The Twins now neeed a candlestick maker,
They all jumped out of a rotten potato!
T’was enough to make a man stare.
If we are going to blame anyone for the collision it should be us..the fans. It was too loud in there for Gomez to heaer Span. Not that it is a bad thing that the Thunderdome was rockin last night, but neither of them could hear each other I would imagine.
I hope Harris doesn’t go this winter. Why does Gardy dislike him so much?
You have me confused with someone who is a Dodger fan.
No Steve Garvey fan website visitings. LOL.
Is everyone forgetting Buscher’s error in the 4th? He couldn’t get the ball out of his glove for the third out.
I like buscher, but he is not a major league 3rd baseman. That guy is brutal on the hot corner.
gardy likes his fire flies and imo punto will play ss again next yr with casilla 2b and tolbert at 3b. harris will be gone. find another fire fly to be utility guy.
what i’d like to see is them go after uggla, send perk or blacky and whatever to florida and move casilla to ss. cuddy and buscher can butcher up 3b with tolbert utility guy, punto gardy’s new bench coach.
According to MLB.com, the ALDS begins Oct 1, ALCS begins Oct 10, and WS begins Oct 22.
GGG so Punto will take on a player/managerial role ala Pete Rose later in his career
Seriously, Cuddy’s next game at 3B will be at the company picnic softball game.
IMO, he will NEVER play MLB 3B EVER AGAIN.
romer,
Here is a link to the tentative post season schedule: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp
Here are the 28 postseason eligible Twins Roster:
Pitchers:
Baker, Blackburn, Bonser, Breslow, Crain, Guardado. Guerrier, Liriano, Nathan, Neshek, Perkins, Reyes & Slowey
Position Players:
Buscher, Casilla, Cuddyer, Everett, Gomez, Harris, Kubel, Mauer, Morneau, Punto, Redmond, Ruiz, Span, Tolbert & Young
Doea anyone know how the playoff tickets will be distributed. I wonder if 1 game tickets will be available or if many tickets are needed to be purchased in order to attend
does
sane will you go to the ALCS to see the Twins take on the Anaheim Angels?
Cuz he’s not a ‘hustler’ like Punto even though Harris is more clutch than Punto will ever be (notice he has a respectable .280 BA but only gets on base when there is no one else there.
people, why are you letting Cuddy off the hook? I love Cuddy but you people have to learn that Span, DY and Gomez (while head scratcher at times) are the most talented OF tandem we’ve had in a LONG time. Sure Cuddy has a great arm but he has average speed and only slightly above average offensive numbers and over his career (besides that one good one) he has not shown anything more than a 20 HR, 75 RBI, .270 BA potential wheras Delmon has slightly less power but higher average and speed (and he’s only 22!!)
I love him and his magic tricks but he needs to move to 3B or take a backseat to the most exciting OF team in the leagues
jimmy,
i want that Twins/Mets WS, would go to that for sure.
jimmy bee,
playoff tickets have always been sold as strips.
The strips for the ALDS are already on sale.
jimmy you hit the nail on the head! nicky will be assistant manager and bill smith’s right hand man in the dugout, super utility guy and take telly hughes job doing tv reprots between innings. then he can take over as player manager when gardy has his heart attack screaming at an ump.
gardy sure is getting a lot of national love lately, considering were we all (most of us) thought we would be he made silk out of a pigs ear. no lipstick tho.
jimmybee,
“sane will you go to the ALCS to see the Twins take on the Anaheim Angels?”
I am coaching HS football, so our games, practices and meetings will probably prevent me from going to the games.
Plus I hate the @#$%@#$% thundersticks!
I can tolerate the @#$%@#$% monkey.
I do not think the Twins will get rid of Harris if only because we had to give up Garza and Bartlett (and that other kid) to get him and Young. I think Punto will be gone to free agency, especially if he shines in the playoffs.
Matt
3B is probably not the solution for Cuddyer. But nothing wrong with him being the 4th outfielder. Nothing wrong at all.
A huge upgrade over the fourth OF in past years.
Plus Gomez is has that horrible OBA and stike out thing going, he is on fire right now and was good at the beginning of the season, but was horrible for a good stretch.
Nothing wrong with Young, Span and Cuddyer when Gomez isn’t go go going.
actually a WS of Twins/Mets, Twins/Phils or a ALCS Twins/Red Sox would all be in play
gobble: When the season started, there was nobody (here) who honestly thought this team would be where it is right now.
I mean sincerely, honestly, truthfully thought the Twins had a chance. Go back and read the comments.
It wasn’t until about two months in or so when Cleveland and Detroit stumbled where the Twins looked to have a chance to “stumble” into a wide open division.
It wasn’t until AFTER the Twins bounced back from the Chicago 4-game sweep that the team started looking like it could win on its own merits vs. capitalizing on Detroit and Cleveland’s troubles.
As recently as a month ago, it looked like the Twins youth and inexperience had caught to them in the playoff race.
And as recently as a few days ago, it looked like the team had run out of gas.
It wasn’t until Tuesday that this team showed it wasn’t going to bend over. They sent a message Tuesday night, and then Wednesday and Thursday showed new life across the board (how about that bullpen?).
I give a lot of credit to Gardy for finding a way to keep the young guys heads in the game during that rough roadtrip. Whatever he did after the Tampa series this past weekend struck a chord with this team.
And after the Chicago series, you can see their back to believing they deserve to be in this race.
The next big test will be to see if Gardy can keep his boys heads’ out of the clouds and in the KC series.
Same deal with Delmon. The Twins gave up good players to get him. Bill Smith is not going to give up on the pieces he got in return for trading away Garza and Bartlett until the wheels start to come off.
Johson: Somebody posted a question asking if Orlando Cabrera could be brought in somehow after 2008.
Recent developements out of Chicago may be the building blocks to get that to happen (he respects the Twins a lot comparred to the Sox, and apparently isn’t a leader in Guillen’s eyes)
Cuddy will never play 3rd again.
Cuddy will be the starting RF next year and occasionally spell Morneau at 1st. Span should be in Center and Delmon/Kubel is not great in left but we’ll have to work with it. Gomez is the inferior hitter of all those names above. Therefore he is the 4th outfielder/pinch runner. If we use some kind of a semi-regular rotation, Go-Go will still get a fair amount of at-bats as he continues to develop into hopefully a starting caliber major league hitter (which he is not quite yet). Again, with injuries and slumps - you need all these guys and all will get enough playing time. But don’t think the Twins will trade any of these outfielders unless they get a deal that is too good to be true. Doubtful….
I can tolerate the @#$%@#$% monkey.
LOL. Don’t know what a thunderstick sounds like but I can only imagine. LNP is the Twins next Peter Rose as both a player and Manager. How does this sound “Little Nicky Hustle”. Ii will have to look into if my buddies want to split a strip for different games so I don’t have to go to that many games but 1 game wouldn’t be bad
Smith isn’t going to deal Delmon because Delmon has been a big part of this season. What was traded to get him has nothing to do with it.
End of story.
I have no clue how Bartlett is suddenly this amazing piece that’s missing for the Twins. His numbers are comparable to Punto, and while Garza has been a force for the Rays…it’s not like our pitching problems were coming from the rotation this season.
I agree with those who say Cuddyer is done for ever being considered for 3B again. He’s a lumbering kind of player, does not have the cat-like quickness for 3B and is especially bad coming in on the slow roller and throwing. That’s like learning a foreign language for him. Hitting wise, I also agree that he’s not the hitter he has two years ago. He does get the bat head out there aggressively pulling the ball … now he waves his bat thru the strike zone, often just spraying the ball to RF. Not impressive — must be because of hand injuries, but who knows whether he can get it back. For ‘09 leave him as the part of a 4-man outfield rotation (always playing RF) and backing up Morneau at 1B.
Correction: He DOESN’t get the bat head out there …
Inner city guy…. just because many NFL players come from the inner city doesn’t mean they are excused for the stuff they do (on a very regular basis by the way). As fans and people that fund their livelihood, we shouldn’t put up with it either. These guys constantly screw up but the fans continue to worship them again as soon as they return to the line up and make a good play. All is forgotten -
After years and years of hearing about all of the crimes they commit - I finally am done with the NFL. I would have given anything for the Vikes to have won a Super Bowl when I was young - you couldn’t pay me to go to a game now.
Not to be a self righteous type - but after the incredible amount of crap that continues to go on in the NFL - why haven’t more people given up on the sport?
“…in a cloud of dust and jolts up and pumps his arm strongly…”
Sorry, that wasn’t completely accurate by me. It was SPAN who pumped his arm. Gomez did kind of a chest-pounding thing.
Fun ALL around!
E7,
The NFL is so popular because america likes the violent sport.
I have 2 new ideas for the playoffs to unveil.
#1 We have a night where we have people in the crowd bring in something dead and ugly (dead Squirrel to Where on there head.Wecould call this LaPanta appreciation night. During rallies the crowd could wave the dead squirrels in the air for the modern day Homer Hanky.
#2 We could have LNP drink 12 Red Bulls in a row and display the newest spaz to the big screen. “The Rally Punto”
When will America re-think about it? If you give it more than about 10 seconds, you wonder why the attraction?
Twins split with the first place Rays and swept the first place White Sox, so we belong. Just gotta get by the Royals. But Gomez is not a “starting caliber major leaguer”?
I don’t get it?
E7 The weather here is so bad we are force fed football. It is either football or sit outside in -50 and ice fish with a 12 pack.
E7:
My younger friends tell me football is not as boring, moves faster, as well as more excitement. Nascar and Hockey were mentioned also.
Span’s celebration at 3rd was fun to watch, and considering some of the chest-thumping and hollerin’ that the Sox did, as well as the context in which the AB/RBI came…completely justified.
This wasn’t like Pudge hitting a homer to make it 9-3 in the 9th…this is a tied game in a battle for the postseason.
That said, good heads up by Ulger to keep Span’s foot on third. There’s a couple of shots (including the MLB.com replay) where you can see Span about to omce off and Ulger’s got his hands out to keep him from partying his way off base.
During the season of the Hockey strike ESPN quit showing the games on tv and the ratings actually went up
Hilarious to see what was covered on the ChicagoTribune.com web site about last night’s game. Very nice feature, you can click on an interview with Ozzie & other Sox players about the previous game. Guillen looked like he had walked through a battery of rubber hoses. I’m not a Sox fan whatsoever, but don’t count them out. The Twins may have their hands full with a recently competent Royals squad. I wouldn’t be surprised if both the Twins and the Sox only won 1 or 2 games this weekend, still tied. Saturday and Sunday could be very tough for the Twins.
T: I was saying the very same thing back about 10 days ago during the Twins last long road trip. I was getting ripped for it as well. I think the guy in particular was wlpon or something like that.
Shaun in Binghamton: Are you a B-Mets fan? When I lived there (born there) it was a Yankees farm club. Saw Thurman Munson come through.
Playoff info: As of right now, the Twins are only selling the two-game strips for the Division series, which will start October 1st @Tampa - if we get there. No home dates have been set that I’m aware of yet.
I was there last night and would also describe the energy, excitement and craziness to the World Series days of ‘87 & ‘91. A special, special night to be a Twins fan. I am so hoarse today. ;*)
Cuddy seems like a nice guy so I don’t want to bash him. But he’s the 4th best OF on this team right now and the 5th best OF hitter. He does have the cannon arm which is only useful at RF and 3B. I think the Twins have to at least consider Cuddy at 3B and platoon at DH against LHP. No one is going to take on Cuddy’s salary so he’s here to stay. Give him a chance to get his swing back next year. He’s not a bad player. If Span hadn’t blossomed, there would be no question that he would be the starting RF.
BTW, if you haven’t been listening, tune in 670AM at night for the Sox post-game show and call in. The signal comes in very well here in the Cities. It is HILARIOUS!!! They’re altering between whining and getting ready to jump off the ledge. :*)
T, “End of story”?.
Hey, thanks for all the bitterness and condescension you constantly extend to me and others here. You must be a joy to work with.
Walter Johnson Have you seen ChiefUSA on here before. He makes T seem like a saint, and that’s not easy to do. I thought I saw him on the TV broadcast wearing a hat with a pirrahna on it with another guy dressed alike next to him.
piranha. Sorry typing with my feet today.
Very strange: If you go to the mlb.com website and search for Cuddyer, it lists his position as 3B. Do they know something we don’t.
Checking the box score last night, the Pirhanas got 10 hits, and the rest of the team got 5. That’s how you win playoff drive games. They really turn it on for Ozzie, for some reason. Will be very interesting to see if Slowey is on the shelf now. Who would go on Tuesday, if Slowey couldn’t, if the Sox game was required? Blackburn? Yikes! Would they go with Liriano on 3 days rest?
I gotta say, I’ve been working all afternoon at my campus job just reading every entry here and on the SouthSideSox website. Needless to say it has been a very good afternoon.
We are keeping Cuddy and the rest of the outfield. To where they will be placed is obviously out of my hands and I leave that up to the professionals.
I think it is hilarious going on SSS and reading how the sox fans have basically given up on their team. How are they supposed to cheer on their team this weekend at home to give them support if they need support themselves? Thank god the door is swinging in our direction and we as fans and as a team have so much momentum heading into this weekend. I am going to the game on Sunday and all I can think about is how 2 years ago, people were sitting in that metrodome waiting to see if the Royals beat Detroit. I wonder if it will be another one of those games….
Needless to say, this weekend I am cheering for 2 teams… the Twins, and the Indians!!
Mark,
Actually the Twins postseason would probably start on 10/2, as the Angels will get to choose which schedule they want and they would probably choose the 10/1 start as the games are more spread out and you could almost get by with a 2-man rotation for the 1st games.
What does our outfield look like next year? Is Cuddy gone?
Next year, move Delmon to RF where he belongs. Span/Gomez will cover the other two OF spots. Use Cuddy primarily as the DH. Have Cuddy switch with Delmon and Morneau on occasion. Perfect.
Insighter, you gave me a scary thought! Maybe Boof will have to return to the rotation.!
Good idea Trish. The Indians just swept us (I think), it wouldn’t kill them to sweep the White Sox too, IMO.
Trish: The major difference between this year and 2006 is huge, though. In ‘06 both us and Detroit were already “in.” This year, one gets in and the others season is done. Quite abruptly, I might add. The stakes are MUCH higher now. That’s why last night’s win was incredibly huge.
Postseason has many off-days.
The Twins could pitch the “staff” to replace Slowey’s start.
Perkins, Bonser, Blackburn and the bullpen.
Sweetone: You could be right, but I thought they said Wednesday in Tampa on the Twins post-game show (radio) last night.
Sane … it wouldn’t be Perkins, he starts tomorrow. Probably would be Blackburn on a very short leash, then Boof, etc. Very scary.
Mark,
I’m just going by what is says over on MLB.com.
baseball_insighter,
I was thinking tomorrow will be Perk’s FINAL start. He might be able to pitch 1-2 innings on 2-days-rest with a lot of rest to follow that.
The Twins need to tighten up their fielding. Buscher is looking less and less like a player who can regularly handle 3B. I’d like to see Tolbert there. He has superior speed, a superior glove and superior range. Buscher is hitting .220 something in September. Tolbert may even be a better hitter.
Trish,
Some of the Sox fans I work with have given up and one even said he would be surprised if the Cell was full this weekend.
Everyone is talking about playoffs, STOP! We need to focus on this Royals series. They are red hot right now and knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs two years ago, let’s not forget that. Also, correct me if i’m wrong but the Twins have yet to win a game while in first place this year. We still have lots of baseball to play so let’s worry about pounded them Royals and some help from the Indians. Anyone heard anything on if Cliff Lee is starting against the Sox?
Mark,
I would actually prefer the 10/1 schedule over the 10/2 schedule.
The 10/1 schedule goes like this:
Game 1 10/1
Game 2 10/3
Game 3 10/5
Game 4 10/6
Game 5 10/8
The other schedule is this:
Game 1 10/2
Game 2 10/3
Game 3 10/5
Game 4 10/6
Game 5 10/8
Chad,
The Twins need to focus on the Royals, us fans can look ahead all we want.
Also, the Royals didn’t know the Tigers out of the playoffs, they knock them out of the division title.
Buscher looks to me like a lefthanded version of Matthew LeCroy — all bat and nothing else. He’s just at 3B because Gardy needs to find a way to get his bat in the lineup and somebody’s got to play 3rd. When a good thirdbaseman comes along Buscher will be a backup, occasional DH & pinch hitter or off the team. Looks like a 1-1/2 tool player to me.
Chad, We aren’t playing the games, we can think about anything we want. However, I agree the players better focus on the Royals.
“When a good thirdbaseman comes along Buscher will be a backup, occasional DH & pinch hitter ”
Phase one in Cuddy’s future as a DH already coming to an end.
Chad, I don’t know if we won a game this year while in first place. I do know that we never won a game when Chicago lost on the same day.
The Twins dodged a bullet with Greinke not pitching on Sunday for the Royals. They think he’s pitched enough innings this year http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/812565.html
He had won 3 in a row and didn’t allow any runs his last 2 starts. So, the Twins get someone named Duckworth. ?? Uh-oh, Twins, don’t lay an egg against this guy.
Walter,
What about the last 3 nights? 
Shaun,
To clarify Walter’s statement, I think he meant that when the Twins have been in first place they have never won a game the same day that Chicago lost.
Sweetone,
I know…hence the smile.
Shaun,
sorry, missed that.
I think the Twins won a couple of games while they were in first during May.
Don’t know if chicago lost on those days.
might not be a bad idea to take care of business before making plans for the post season. morneau needs to be big this weekend and put an exclamation point on the mvp vote. he can’t look like he did in the sox series.
I almost would said Morneau should DH a game or 2 but he showed how valuable his glove is still. Don’t want to lose that.
No problems Sweetone-just me being a smartass.
I love Gardy but he plays favorites too much. Punto and Buscher are prime examples. punto does hustle and come through with web gems and a nice offensive play here and there, but Buscher has done nothing to deserve a shot at starting - his defense is poor and he is batting like .220. Harris, Tolber and Everett and heck even Macri whose not even here last time i checked deserve it more. Bushcer has always put up nice numbers at AAA but hasn’t gotten it figured out here. move on and get someone else in there.
oh and Morneau terribly needs a day off. here’s to hoping we don’t have to have a playoff game with the White Sux so he can rest those tired knees
matt,
You should check your stats before posting. Lamb was the one hitting around .220. Buscher is hitting around .300
Buscher is hitting .295 with 47 RBI in 69 games (217AB). I agree with his fielding though… A little below avg in my opinion, but not horrible.
To think,BC Beneke and some of you boys thought that DY and Go-Go could not improve after age 22.Torri was great at bring HR’s back,but Go-Go cover twice the ground as Torri.Wait till learns how read pitches off the crack of the bat,his range will the best ever!
[…] “They just dinked and dunked us. Found some holes when they needed to.” – Direct quote from A.J. Pierzynski about last night’s ballgame. […]
