Comments on: Finding a level of optimism for 2009 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/ An expert fan's perspective on what's happening on and off the field Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:49:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: romer http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24718 romer Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:52:30 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24718 Looking at Joe C's blog, I guess we're in the middle of the Crede gambit. Hope it works. Looking at Joe C’s blog, I guess we’re in the middle of the Crede gambit.

Hope it works.

]]> By: Stephen Swenson http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24717 Stephen Swenson Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:35:58 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24717 Breaking News for the Uninformed: The Twins, like most clubs aren't giving up 1st round draft picks for aging, oft-injured Type A free agents like Hudson. Same for the other Type A free agents such as Cabrera, Cruz etc. It's not the dough, but the loss of a high draft pick. On the otherhand, it IS surprising that a team like the Yankees have not signed Juan Cruz since it would only cost them a fourth round draft pick (they've already signed free agents and lost draft picks in three rounds). Breaking News for the Uninformed: The Twins, like most clubs aren’t giving up 1st round draft picks for aging, oft-injured Type A free agents like Hudson. Same for the other Type A free agents such as Cabrera, Cruz etc. It’s not the dough, but the loss of a high draft pick. On the otherhand, it IS surprising that a team like the Yankees have not signed Juan Cruz since it would only cost them a fourth round draft pick (they’ve already signed free agents and lost draft picks in three rounds).

]]> By: Dirk http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24716 Dirk Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:45:10 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24716 The stunning thing about this free-agent market isn't that there are still about 100 players without jobs, it's that at least a dozen of the unemployed are excellent players in their prime. It isn't just patient all-time great Manny Ramirez who's available, but enough All-Stars and stars to form their own very good team. A dynamic lineup could be constructed with outfielders Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn and Garret Anderson, second baseman Orlando Hudson, shortstop Orlando Cabrera, third baseman Joe Crede and catcher Jason Varitek joining Ramirez. A very solid rotation would be formed with Oliver Perez, Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, Jon Garland (EDITOR'S NOTE: Garland agreed to a deal with Arizona after press time) and Braden Looper. And Juan Cruz, one of the best set-up men in baseball, remains available, as well. If you play Dunn at first, all that's missing are a center fielder and a closer. Beyond all the current stars, there are several Hall-of-Famers-to-be with their hands out. Some think Jeff Kent's retirement was hastened by this awful market. Kenny Rogers looks likely to call it quits, and others might, too. There doesn't seem to be a lot of action on all-time great Ken Griffey Jr., or for that matter, sure Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Moises Alou, Ivan Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra are among other former greats still available. It's like a Who's Who of 1990s baseball out there. But it's not only aging players who are wondering where their next paycheck is coming from. Plenty of players in their prime and even a few coming off 40-homer, 100-RBI or 14-win seasons are still seeking employment. The stunning thing about this free-agent market isn’t that there are still about 100 players without jobs, it’s that at least a dozen of the unemployed are excellent players in their prime.

It isn’t just patient all-time great Manny Ramirez who’s available, but enough All-Stars and stars to form their own very good team.

A dynamic lineup could be constructed with outfielders Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn and Garret Anderson, second baseman Orlando Hudson, shortstop Orlando Cabrera, third baseman Joe Crede and catcher Jason Varitek joining Ramirez. A very solid rotation would be formed with Oliver Perez, Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, Jon Garland (EDITOR’S NOTE: Garland agreed to a deal with Arizona after press time) and Braden Looper. And Juan Cruz, one of the best set-up men in baseball, remains available, as well. If you play Dunn at first, all that’s missing are a center fielder and a closer.

Beyond all the current stars, there are several Hall-of-Famers-to-be with their hands out. Some think Jeff Kent’s retirement was hastened by this awful market. Kenny Rogers looks likely to call it quits, and others might, too.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of action on all-time great Ken Griffey Jr., or for that matter, sure Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Moises Alou, Ivan Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra are among other former greats still available. It’s like a Who’s Who of 1990s baseball out there.

But it’s not only aging players who are wondering where their next paycheck is coming from. Plenty of players in their prime and even a few coming off 40-homer, 100-RBI or 14-win seasons are still seeking employment.

]]> By: Jim http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24715 Jim Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:16:25 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24715 I see Carl is still pulling the strings from the grave in the Gagne deal. Gagne's agent calls Smith's bluff and agrees to the Twins offer and Smith pulls it off the table. What a clown... The front office is a joke. I see Carl is still pulling the strings from the grave in the Gagne deal. Gagne’s agent calls Smith’s bluff and agrees to the Twins offer and Smith pulls it off the table. What a clown… The front office is a joke.

]]> By: cmathewson http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24714 cmathewson Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:03:22 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24714 I expect them to sign Crede. The reason they won't sign Hudson is draft compensation. They are unwilling to give up a first round draft choice to upgrade their infield. I expect them to sign Crede. The reason they won’t sign Hudson is draft compensation. They are unwilling to give up a first round draft choice to upgrade their infield.

]]> By: Wages http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24711 Wages Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:28:22 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/01/21/finding-a-level-of-optimism-for-2009/#comment-24711 Why don't we sign Hudson and Crede? Why don’t we sign Hudson and Crede?

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