Comments on: Yes, the Twins need Casey Blake

By: sploorp

sploorp — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:28:10 +0000

Blake is such a perfect fit and would be all for it.

From what I understand the Dodgers aren’t offering 3 years either. Not only that, with the Twins backing out, Blake’s chances of getting that third year have now been reduced to zero. At this point, the only thing Blake’s agent can do is go in and negotiate the best 2 year deal he can.

Blake playing for the Twins on a 2+1 deal is still very do-able and that is the one I would most like to see. I only hope Smith can pull it off.

There are a glut of closers on the market right now. Way more than teams that need them. Forget middle innings guys, they can pick up a closer and use him in the 8th inning role with the occasional save opportunity when Nathan needs a rest.

Cruz was offered arbitration and any team that signed him would lose their 1st round pick, but there are others out there.

I think that is where the Twins should be focusing the brunt of their efforts right now. The bullpen was the weakest link on this team last year and looks to be even weaker this year. Signing bullpen help would also make it less risky to trade off some of the prospects for a stud short stop.

By: canoozer

canoozer — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:41:16 +0000

Absolutely no trades. Keep everything we’ve got that other teams think are worth trading for. Forget Blake. Three years and age IS a problem. It’s good to see someone else mention Joe Crede for a change. I believe is by far the best (I think only) choice. Offense, defense and power. Twins have plenty of people capable of spelling him to help prevent injury. One middle reliever should be sufficient.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:38:04 +0000

I don’t think we need Blake or Beltre or Crede or any of the other players mentioned above. The best part of being a Twins fan is two-fold. 1.) We have the best damn farm system in baseball and 2.) We win when everyone writes us off. There is no way we should have been in a one game playoff last year and if the coin had spun one more half turn, we’d have been at home and definitely won. We wasted innings on Livan and in case you guys forgot, we had a heck of a run producing offense WITHOUT power. I say let Buscher play…see how he does. Let the young guys grow in to their roles. What happened with every one of those terrible FA signings, a young player no one expected jumped in an played well (i.e. Span from last year). Let’s get some bullpen help and leave it at that.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:40:28 +0000

I like how Casey Blake played against the Twins last year. I think he is a versatile player who can play many positions 3rd base, 1st base, and I think he played the outfield as well. So I would like the Twins to pick him up in FA. Also how about the idea of trading for J.J. Hardy at SS and maybe do a 3 team trade to also get a reliever. Or package a reliever in with J.J. Hardy from the Brewers. The Twins have money to spend this year and beyond. My Great Grandma will be 100 yrs old in February and she is also a very big Twins fan so I hope the Twins can make it all the way this year!! Go Twins!!

By: Kay

Kay — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:16:29 +0000

Interesting spin T, but if attacking the comment was your intention, you gotta work on your word choice: “Gotta love HOW STUPID SOME PEOPLE ARE about this Punto/Gardy thing….” attacks the person, not a comment.

By: twinslifer

twinslifer — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:16:45 +0000

Great post, Howard. I couldn’t agree more.
“How can you people who call your selves twins fans want a 35 year old free agent to come here and rob the organization of moneys better spent elsewhere(like in the bullpen).”

“studboy”-try watching some baseball and look at stats. Blake’s fielding percentages are right on track w/Beltre’s (Gold Glove winner). They apparently do make 3B who avg over 20 homers a season, as Blake does. Furthermore, the guy doesn’t play like a 35 year old going downhill and he has played in over 150 games most seasons. Furthermore, at $6 mil a year, and with the pathetic free agent list, he is by far the best option. “Rob the organization of money?” We have a lot to money to spend this year…and we also have an OF as trade bait for BP help.
Crede? I’ll take a healthy Blake over a guy who was hurt playing on grass-Blake played in more games in ‘08 than Crede did in the past two seasons. Check the stats. Blake is a great move, but some Twins “fans” just like to complain and think they know more than the FO and the scouts. I am glad to see they are going after a legit name in free agency. Let’s land him, Bill!