Comments on: Well, uh, like, nothing happened

By: ganderson

ganderson — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:18:18 +0000

I’m not a big fan of much of anything ESPN does. Where I live, back in my pre-XM life I could easily pull in WTAM from Cleveland, listen to most Yankee games on a local outlet(little known fact: there are many Yankee fans -not transplants- in Western MA), and listen to the Red Sox on the radio and on NESN. The attitude that I’ve detected from these broadcasts is very favorable toward the Twins’ team, organization AND the manager. I’m some what ambivalent about Gardy (can one be somewhat ambivalent?)but it seems to me that he’s well regarded around the league, both by organizations and by the media. And… folks remember- we’re having a year none of us expected, so let’s have fun!

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:31:22 +0000

I say it is thanks to the Twins for the Central being up for grabs. The “experts” had them in last place with KC at this time and a daily target for the barbs that come from the ignorant. Look at the Twins record and compare with other divisions. Not shabby at all. What the heck were Cleveland and Detroit going to do? Go undefeated? I would say maybe more like 100 to 103 wins if they would have performed up to expectations of sensible writers. Where will the Twins wind up the season. Could it be close to the 95-98 win platuea? No, don’t give Detroit and Cleveland so darn much credit, give the home team some credit as they are responsible for their position. Thanks.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:32:15 +0000

It’s time for Liriano to shut up and pitch. It’s time for Livan to take a seat. It’s time to toss our “stable of slightly better than average” young pitchers into the fire and see what they’re made of.

By: mike wants wins

mike wants wins — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:15:25 +0000

btw, I think Gomez stays on the team, but moves to the bench.

By: mike wants wins

mike wants wins — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:14:46 +0000

Well, I’m disappointed, but not surprised or mad (despite my protestations yesterday on the blogs).

Here is what is likely:
Liriano for Livan
Cuddeyer for Gomez

Both of those are steps up. I’m not sure either is enough, however. We just don’t know for sure how well Liriano will pitch, and Cuddeyer could break down again. I’d have much, much preferred to get a SS or 2B. My favorite target was LaRoche from the Dodgers. He is a prospect that could be very good. I’m not certain he helps this year, though.

My biggest issue with the lack of action is the risk of the future. Everyone thought Cleveland would be great this year. They had plenty of young guys that should be better. They made some minor adjustments to be better. But, it didn’t happen. The further things are away, the more variability there is. The Twins are more likely to be in it this year than next, simply because they are in it this year (and we don’t know what will happen next year).

This is the situation they were in earlier this decade. Good, maybe very good. But, they aren’t clearly better than other teams, and they might be clearly less talented than the Rays and Angels. I think when you have the chance, you need to go for it. I’d have gladly dealt two of their minor league pitching prospects for a legit fielder. I may have dealt an existing SP and a prospect as well. Teams don’t need 5 good starters, they need 3-4, and good-great hitting.

I guess that is the root of my frustration. I am having flashbacks to earlier in the decade, a dh or 3B away, and the Twins unwilling to trade for the present. But, this year, it is 3B, SS, 2B and maybe RF (or LF - they need some slugging from 1 OF). I don’t care how many times they win the division, I want another WS title. And, I want it while my sons are in their formative years.

By: sploorp

sploorp — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:11:14 +0000

Well, the deadline came and went and nothing happened with the Twins. While I know a lot of people may be disappointed, I must admit, I am not one of them.

For one thing, we are about to make one of the biggest and most lopsided trades of the year. Livan for Liriano. If there is any truth to some of the things I’ve read today. The Twins are about to cut Livan and finally bring up Liriano. That will be huge!

A lot was made out of getting a big right handed bat for 3rd base. I got to be honest, I really like Buscher. Not only do I see him potentially becoming the Twins 3rd baseman of the future, the guy is producing right now. Even if they could have landed Beltre - and that’s a big if - just how much better off would this team really be? Beltre would hit a few more home runs, but Buscher would probably get on base more. Cuddy will be back soon and I don’t see Beltre protecting Morneau any better then Cuddy. In that regard, the trade would be a push.

Bullpen help would have probably been nice as well, but there were a lot of teams that couldn’t close deals by the deadline and I suspect there will be a lot of players showing up on the waiver wire very soon.

Lastly, most of the deals that actually did go down seemed to involve outfielders and that’s one area that the Twins are well stocked in. I also wasn’t too impressed with the moves Detroit and Chicago pulled off. I also think that even though Bay put up similar stats to Manny, he now has to learn a new league and adjust to a new city and so on. I think Boston took a small step backward as well.

I think it’s Minnesota’s division to lose and I also think that with Liriano on the starting staff, they have enough to make things interesting for the Angels come October.