It’s OK to say how you really feel
Posted on July 27th, 2009 – 9:56 AMBy Howard
The Twins will play their 100th game of the season tonight. It’s no longer a small sample size.
And the Twins are in a fade caused by sloppy, indifferent-looking baseball that makes them look like they’re 14 games out of the division lead instead of four. The rotation is battered, the offense gives up too many automatic oitsouts and fundamentals are on holiday. And the excitement of 2008 generated by youngsters Gomez, Casilla and sometimes even Span has been replaced — more often than not — by wondering wonder what they’ll do next to make it that much harder for the Twins to win.
I’m not the guy who sits in the stands and boos the home team. I tend to sputter and stammer and reach for the peanuts.
But if you are that guy (or woman), I’m totally fine with it at this point.
The Twins are playing baseball that deserves to be greeted with derision — aimed everywhere from the front office to the playing field. Stinks to say, but that’s how it is. The key players pretty much made that point in LaVelle’s story this morning by going public about the team’s need to deal.
If the Twins had recovered from their “unjust” loss to Oakland on Monday by winning the next two and playing better in Anaheim, you could give them some returning-from-adversity points, as long as you remembered that the Twins cost themselves that 14-13 loss in Oakland 100 times more than the home plate umpire and his missed call.
But the games since have often been a horror-house of give-up at-bats, unfocused pitching and sloppy defense.
I mentioned in the last post how there were two throws to nowhere that didn’t hurt the Twins in the ninth inning of Thursday’s loss. On Saturday, as the Angels scored their nine runs in the fourth, there were two wretched throws (way, way over the cutoff man’s head) that contributed to the damage. (Kubel and Span were the culprits) And later, Cuddyer threw to second on a fly ball to right when everyone who saw the play (I’d opted for a movie by then) said he should have gone home.
Playing sloppy doesn’t come and go.
Sometimes it happens out of frustration; sometimes it happens out of stupidity. Doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t happen. You get sent back to the dugout by John Lackey or Mark Buerhle and you’ve probably been overmatched. You go popout/strikeout/weak groundout against Justin Speier after getting runners on first and third to start an inning and you’re just not working hard enough.
I can argue that most position players beyond Morneau, Mauer, Kubel and Cuddyer have regressed from last year. Put Gomez, Casilla, Punto, Young, Redmond and Buscher in bold on that list. Add Harris and his current .306 on-base percentage (.214 in July) and Span for his mistakes on the bases and in the field.
I’m of mixed mind on Crede because of his two years of back problems — his .299 on-base percentage and his total lack of pop against lefties don’t help. His power and defense do. (I will not dog Crede for his injuries, a combination of freakish ones and others caused by hustle.)
Some of those are tough judgments, but we’ve been spending a lot of time this season pulling slivers of excitement from the mountains of mediocrity. (Gomez and his five-RBI game two weeks ago, for example.) It’s time for the Twins to cut a path through that mountain.
In their defense, Harris had a stretch where he was vital, Span has largely kept the Twins from worrying about the leadoff spot and Crede (when healthy) plays gem-filled defense. Can someone make a case for one or more of the others? Be glad to hear it.
Morneau, Mauer and Kubel could be doing less than they are still be having excellent seasons. Morneau is on a 134-RBI pace despite the lack of base runners from the 2-hole (and a 42-homer pace, too). Mauer and Kubel have been studly. Those three guys should be greeted with loud ovations for their work. Pretty much everyone else looks like they’d be at home wearing a Royals uniform and signing autographs as Tony Pena Jr.
Things are going badly enough that I made it a point to listen to Gardy yesterday morning on his radio show. (Unfortunately, there’s no podcast on the KSTP radio site, but props to Jim Souhan and Mark Lane for getting Gardy to go beyond the cliches.) Among his other frustrations, Gardy told of an exchange between coach Jerry White and Casilla, in which White suggested to Casilla that he may want to take more pitches. According to Gardy, Casilla’s response was, “I just want to have fun.”
I’m sure he’d have great fun watching somebody else come in and play second base.
Many years ago, a Twins middle infielder of modest ability complained about how the manager wouldn’t give him the green light to swing a couple of times when he was ahead in the count. The team’s response? That player never started another game for the Twins — literally — and when he was sent to the minors, he was loaned to another organization. That sent a message. The player never appeared in the majors again.
My question for Gardy is why was Casilla in the lineup after showing that kind of disrespect for White and, more to the point, for his teammates? (Someone call me out if I’m overreacting.) I know the options are uncomfortably few right now, but managers like to say that most major-leaguers understand only one thing — playing time.
The good news for the Twins is that about two-third of the remaining games are against AL Central teams. So the Twins still have the potential to take command of their fate, starting tonight against the White Sox. That would be fun. Droplets of good news were that the achievers on the roster spoke out at a team meeting after Saturday’s embarrassment and made their opinions about the roster known by talking to LaVelle. But one game of improvement is no cause for celebration, especially for a team that has been so consistent in its ability not to play good baseball for an extended stretch.
My advice: Hope for the best right now, but don’t bank on it.
79 Responses to "It’s OK to say how you really feel"
“White suggested to Casilla that he may want to take more pitches. According to Gardy, Casilla’s response was, “I just want to have fun.””
Send his sorry @#$% to the Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester (NY) for unlimited fun during the rest of his career.
Trade him to the Phillies for JC Romero
Great post Howard. Regarding Alexi Casilla…perhaps the young man is simply confused. When he was called back up (again) recently, didn’t we read quotes from a Casilla-Gardenhire conversaton, where Gardy told Alexi to “have fun”? Maybe there’s a language barrier thing there, or Gardy needs to tell players like Alexi what he really wants from them. Plausible?
The throw attributed to Go Go on Saturday was actually Mr. Span. He had a lot of mistakes Saturday and if there were other options should have been sat down on Sunday.
In light of that exchange regarding Casilla, I may just have to boycott Twins baseball until that young man is playing in a different uniform. The fact that he will likely be in the starting lineup tonight makes me sick to my stomach.
Love the topic…Twins fans are WAY behind the rest of the country when it comes to making their frustrations known with the home team at the ballpark. Hopefully, they won’t have to do that in this 6-game homestand with the White Sox and Angels, but let’s face it, the team is one or two days away from being pretty much out of the playoff race, so if things go South this week, don’t be afraid to make some echoing under the teflon.
Props to Nick Punto for coming up with a huge hit yesterday. Obviously, these have been few and far between (if not completely missing) this season, but we absolutely needed that game yesterday and Nicky’s bases-loaded, two out single in the fourth inning of yesterday’s game was the key at-bat in what was a must-win for the Twins.
Yes, I said it, “must win”. The Twins were in danger of being 6 games out yesterday with a loss and a Detroit win and sweep of the Whities. Luckily, the exact opposite happened so we’re still alive. While I continue to disagree with how Gardy is handling the infield (Just play Harris everyday already and let him work out of his slump), I was happy to see Nicky do what he could to make the most of the situation. His double the next time up was obviously a pure gift and he did commit what could’ve been a huge throwing error (his 7th of the season, folks), but still, if he gives us another 0-fer in that game, we might be wagging home 5 GB after a 3-7 homestand. So thanks very much, Nicky.
Other than that, the Twins’ have laid it out for the FO so let’s see what the response is…at the very least we have to get Grudsie up here ASAP. Like I said, I would like to see Harris get everyday playing time and end this ridiculous platoon situation we’ve created at SS. If Nicky HAS to play (which he absolutely does not), then let Harris play 2B and at least put the best 9 in the lineup, for crying out loud.
Or, for booing out loud…feel free, Twins fans. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.
FUN…FUN!!! There’s no FUN in baseball!!!
Ok, here’s my question/issue. The Twins will try and say they don’t want to part with their best prospects, and at this point I assume they include Revere and Hicks. Well here’s my issue, Rever, Hicks, Span, and Gomez are all relatively young. Span is a consistent leadoff hitter and solid fielder, so I want to keep him. Gomez is young and full of potential, so keep him. That 2/3 OF that are young and should be part of the future, and already up in the bigs. That leaves 1 spot, currently Cuddyer, who will be gone in the “future.” So now you have Revere, Hicks, and possibly Young battling out for that spot. Would it really be that bad to trade Revere or Hicks for a guy like Sanchez, as there is really no minor leaguers ready to take over at 2B? Am I completely off base?
I tend to try not to over-react to quotes like what Gardy attributed to Casilla. I don’t know the context of the discussion between the two.
What I do know is that Casilla and several of his team mates have tanked on the field, just as you pointed out, Howard.
I know that Bill Smith has, as yet, failed to obtain much needed help in any of the areas that are struggling.
I know that Gardy has allowed some sort of stubborn blindness to prevent him from putting his best players on the field on a regular basis and has used legitimately questionable judgment with regard to bullpen use.
I’m not a season ticket holder, so I won’t boo the team from Section 220. I simply won’t be making the one or two additional trips to the Twin Cities I had planned for this season.
When the organization, from the field to the front office, demonstrate they are willing to improve the product, I’ll consider getting enthused about things again. Until then, I’ll follow things, but they won’t get another dollar from me.
Patrick Reusse suggested on TV last night that the Twins should forget about this year and prepare for next year by bringing up Valencia, Tolleson, and Parmalee and cutting ties with Casilla, Young, and Gomez (or a combination).
I think it’s too early to give up on this year, but I think some moves have to be made. It was nice to see Brian Buscher come up with a couple hits over the weekend, or our bottom 4 might have been completely shutout. Buscher isn’t the answer any more than Casilla is. We could live with one Gomez in our lineup, but we can’t live with a Gomez when we have a Punto, Casilla, and Buscher to go along with him.
Changes, Bill Smith…changes, please.
“as long as you remembered that the Twins cost themselves that 14-13 loss in Oakland 100 times more than the home plate umpire and his missed call.”
I disagree. That might have been the worst call of the season, Howard.
Sure, the Twins bullpen coughed it up and Cuddyer helped by diving for a ball he had no chance to catch, allowing three runs to score when only one might have scored if he plays is it on a bounce. But that blown call was about as obvious as it gets and it cost us a chance to win the game.
Of course, you can’t blame that call on our poor play during the rest of the road trip.
Speaking of fundamentals, Howard, you´ve got some automatic oits and you are wondering wonder up there!
Given the nature of the post and the interlinking of all things, I hold with “it happens out of frustration.”
“Patrick Reusse suggested….prepare for next year by bringing up Valencia, Tolleson, and Parmalee and cutting ties with Casilla, Young, and Gomez.
Is the idea to get older (Tolleson and Valencia are older (25) than Gomez and Young?
Is it to get worse?
Parmelee is hitting .258 in CLASS-A and is nowhere close to MLB-ready.
Next year?
That is a joke.
Or is it just to get whiter, by getting rid of Young, Casilla and Gomez?
As per usual, Howard, excellent points all in your blog. However, a point that is being missed by you (or perhaps written about and I missed it) is the fact that the Pohlads have told Smith that he is free to spend more money be it in player trades which might mean bigger contracts for the player(s) acquired or simply purchasing a player or two. To my knowledge Smith has not done this. In the real world of business this is simply not done, in fact it is not following orders from ownership or management and is not tolerated. Why does Twins’ ownership permit Smith to do this with out holding him accountable? There are a few days left to the trading deadline so now is the time for the general managership to start obeying his bosses’ commands. I’d like your take on this, Howard, and also views on it from readership here.
Jason, I’m with you on sticking with Harris at short. He at least has demonstrated the ability to hit this year. Hate the slump, but at least I have hope he’ll pull out of it. I’d like to see Punto at 2nd base then. I’m sick of Casilla and his antics. Obviously, I’d prefer to see a trade so Punto is back to a utility role, but unless that actually happens, Harris and Punto are probably my first choice at this point.
I have to say regarding the out call during the Oakland comeback game. I agree that it was a terrible call, but like Howard stated, I just can’t get all that worked up about it. You were up 12-2 in that game. You absolutely can NOT be coughing up that lead. Not when you know you need every game possible after last year’s one game playoff. If any team should understand, it is our team. You just have to close that game out.
Worst call of the season or not, that game is on the players. I don’t even want to hear complaints about Gardy in that game either. You’re a major league team, any combination of players have to hold on to a 10 run lead when you’re in post-season contention.
Let’s hope BS proves us all wrong and makes a smart trade or two. As bad as everything has been, we’re still only 4 games back. We’re not in must-win games yet, but we must avoid losing streaks, and we better start winning series, especially against the division.
Go Twins! And yes, I may join the boo-birds as well if this team keeps playing stupid! Good day all!
Casilla was an idiot to say what he did but it’s no fun when you’re getting your arse kicked every day. Winning is what it will take for these boys to be having “fun” and by that I mean playing up to their potential. It’s fun to come to the ballpark everyday when things are going well and you’re in contention but this past week has taken lots of fun out of the game for the fans too. I’m hopeful that BS will take the club leadership’s comments to heart and get a deal done - please, we fans want to have “fun” too!
Killer, I’m sendin’ all my stuff to you for editin’!
I’d like to start the Trade Cuddy bandwagon. His value is peaking right now, and if we can move him for some relief help and a longer term solution in the middle infield, it’ll be a great compromise of plugging holes, not creating new ones with what we get rid of, and moving a large chunk of salary we’re committed to. Kubel, Young, and Gomez would step up with the extra at bats. We’ll fix two big holes on our team, and the Front Office should breathe a sigh of relief by getting rid of his contract.
sy you made some good points in your 11:06 post, it is too bad that you ruined your good comments by bringing up the race card at the end. You are better than that.
sy, let’s keep race out of this..alright?
yeah, dead end, I’m sure trading away one of the relatively few productive hitters the Twins have would go a long way toward proving to Mauer, Morneau, Nathan, and the fans that Smith is intent on helping the team win this Division.
I’m already thinking this season is done; I hope it isn’t, but the pitching is just too shaky. On the bright side, If the Twins collectively blow it, at least we can root for batting champions and home run/RBI leaders.
(Does the Albert Pujols MVP rule apply if the Twins end up with a mediocre record in spite of their outstanding first baseman? Because Morneau is leading the league in RBIs and home runs right now…)
Don and Koopa, I didn’t read the Reusse article in question, but let me just say that if the Twins traded away 3 major league ballplayers of color and replaced them with three white minor leaguers, you can bet that eyebrows would be raised… and justifiably so. I don’t think sy’s making that point was out of line in this case.
“Ok, here’s my question/issue. The Twins will try and say they don’t want to part with their best prospects, and at this point I assume they include Revere and Hicks. Well here’s my issue, Rever, Hicks, Span, and Gomez are all relatively young. Span is a consistent leadoff hitter and solid fielder, so I want to keep him. Gomez is young and full of potential, so keep him. That 2/3 OF that are young and should be part of the future, and already up in the bigs. That leaves 1 spot, currently Cuddyer, who will be gone in the “future.” So now you have Revere, Hicks, and possibly Young battling out for that spot. Would it really be that bad to trade Revere or Hicks for a guy like Sanchez, as there is really no minor leaguers ready to take over at 2B? Am I completely off base?”
Rumor is Pittsburg wants Larino for Sanchez. I’m not sure if they’re even looking at Revere or Hicks…That’s where this stuff gets sticky. Here comes the “If I were GM” daydream…Make Revere, Hicks, and Casailla available to Toronto for Halliday (we won’t resign, but who cares, dump the salary in the offseason) then send Lariano to Pittsburg for Sanchez. Basically you traded Lariano for Sanchez, but have a veteran ace for the rotation on loan for the remainder of the year and sent Casilla on a slow boat to nowhere. Have fun in the A.L. East, let me know if you’re still having FUN FUN FUN.
I hope I turn on the game tonight and there are only 2500 fans in the stands. Maybe ownership and Bill Smith will get the message to spend some money on this AAA squad…
JC,
Thanks for noticing that:
WITH NO OTHER JUSTIFICATION FOR THE MOVES, dumping Young, Gomez and Casilla to make room for Valencia, Tolleson and Parmelee makes no sense on ANY (other) logic stream.
Those moves would force one to ask why?
To get older?
To get worse?
If not, then what?
Howard, I think you spoke for many of us who are frustrated and cannot continue to serve as Twins’ apologists. I thank you for the post.
I think a Sanchez trade could make a longer-term impact than just the remainder of this season. I don’t think a Cabrera trade would do all that much even for the remainder of 09. As far as I can see, if Pittsburgh wants to trade for Liriano’s potential, then let them have him. I know the starting pitching is in disarray and there isn’t much evidence of help in the minors. So maybe a high-level prospect like Revere needs to go in another trade for a veteran starter of a higher ilk than a Sidney Ponson (Halladay is just TOO unrealistic a deal for the Twins). Maybe Liriano will turn it around with the Pirates. Can the Twins really afford to absorb his poor starts in the hopes that he’ll work his way out of it?
Sanchez at second, Harris at short, and Crede/Buscher/…even Punto once in awhile at third sure looks a lot better for the rest of this year. Throw in a Matt Capps to help the bullpen if you can get him in the Sanchez deal, and maybe the rotation will set itself up by pitching in front of a stable and everyday defense and batting order.
Again, thanks Howard. Excellent post.
haha, anyone who thinks Punto’s time will decrease if someone is brought in for the middle infield is insane. If they bring in a capable hitter and defender then it will take the pressure off of Punto (remember, if everyone else does their job Nicky will be fine) and he will be in there every game, Lexi can have fun back in AAA and Harris can be sipping red bull from the bench plotting bad sushi deliveries, especially if OC is brought in to play SS.
I am pretty sure though there will be a little meeting pregame with BS and the team telling them to watch what they are saying to the media, the front office is trying to better the team but they feel they can win with that they have blah blah blah (ala Ryan Braun earlier this year)
Great posts Jason. Agree all the way across the board. Punto/Buscher were huge yesterday in a definite must-win game.
Also Agree that the Cuddyer call was terrible. Someone made the point a few days back, that did Oakland deserve to win more than the Twins because they gave up 13 runs? The right call still has to be made.
The next 2 weeks are huge, w/ the Sox and Angels and then Cleveland Detroit.
If LIII is correct in saying that Sanchez would like to play for the Twins - then I think you need to bring him here. Even if it means throwing a little more into the mix than what you normally would.
Thanks for another good post, Howard. I always have wondered what kind of impact the recent Morneau/Mauer/Nathan quotes have in the club house. Will a guy like Punto/Casilla/Busher/Young or “insert reliever name here* get better or worse when he hears team leaders saying they suck. I have thought of comparing it to an office setting where a young accountant is sitting in a conference room as a VP demands that the CEO hire some new accountants. I guess whatever on-field performance occurs next will show who has the kahunas to fight it out and who will simply fold.
good points, LMS.
It must be rough for Punto if you think about it…you don’t even control your own destiny…whether or not you are viewed as a success depends solely on how the rest of the team does.
From that standpoint, LNP must really be frustrated with Casilla this year.
I really believe that JC is on to something in his 10:36 post.
If the wealthiest owners in baseball are not committed to spending the money to make this team competitive, than why should we, the fans, spend our money to attend the remaining games this year?
If anyone believes that BS alone calls the payroll shots, then I have a bridge in Alaska for sale. Perhaps that is why Terry Ryan is no longer the GM- he just couldn’t take it anymore.
Maybe it’s time to pick one game and go a little further than what Howard suggests- just not show up at all…
Even yesterday’s blowout win was pretty sloppy, just a lot less sloppy than the Angels. Punto and Casilla are very lucky the Angels squandered their big opportunity in the 7th after three straight misplays. So that 10-1 win did little to inspire any added confidence, in my opnion, other than in Swarzak.
There was a rumor out there that the Twins had scouts at the Pirates/D’backs game last night…. any chance they were there to see Qualls instead of Sanchez or Grabow? I mean he is a veteran, sinkerballer who has done the setup job for years prior to becoming their closer this year. D’backs fans are convinced he is gone by Friday, maybe to MN? and who knows maybe we can get Augie too =)
In Casilla’s defense it’s not all that much fun to take pitches. Swing away boy you cant hit the ball with the bat on your shoulder.
BC,
“In Casilla’s defense it’s not all that much fun to take pitches”
Taking pitches is not as offensive as telling a coach that you are swinging at pitches because you “want to have fun”.
Casilla should have swung the bat and kept his mouth shut.
I should have said:
SWINGING at pitches is not as offensive as telling a coach that you are swinging at pitches because you “want to have fun”.
Santana for a bag of rocks. Fool me once shame on you. Garza and Bartlett for Duncemon Young and Harris. Fool me twice shame on me.
Lamb, Everett, Monroe, Eddie G, Livan, Ayala, yup, Buufet Bill is really working hard.
It might just be a coincidence, but it seems like Gardy and his coaches tend to have “trouble” with a lot of the spanish-speaking players.
Think about it - some of the regular occupants of Gardy’s doghouse over the years have included Guzman, Rivas, Casilla, Garza, Liriano and Gomez.
According to Gardy, these players either “don’t listen to the coaches,” “don’t follow the trainer’s advice,” or, the ultimate sin, “don’t play the game the Twins way.”
Well, here’s a thought - maybe these players would understand Gardy and the coaches better if the Twins had one coach who was Latino, or at least spoke Spanish fluently.
I’m not calling anyone a racist - I just think that the Twins have a communications problem here. I don’t speak Spanish, and I don’t pretend to understand the issues that a spanish-speaking player faces. Just wanted to throw it out there for discussion.
If gardy is really so down on Young, Casilla and Harris why doesn’t he suggest that Buffet Bill package them and Liriano in a trade for Sanchez and Capps or Grabow? Does Gardy have any say with this team’s personnel?
This is the second time this year that Gardy has called out Alexi in the media (earlier during the Ayala fiasco Gardy made derisive comments on Alexi’s attitude). Gardy is about as far from Ozzy Guillen type manager as you can get–it seems like Gardy doesn’t drag most of that stuff into the light of day. I have to think that for every negative comment that Gardy has shared on Alexi’s lack of being a team player there’s 20 we haven’t heard about. Makes you think this kid might be a poison pill in the dugout with an upside not big enough to tolerate the negatives.
I’ve been having a lot of fun watching his sorry a** all year too…
sane do you think there might have been a bit of a communication breakdown between Alexi and ole Jerry? I can only imagine how it went down but i find it hard to believe he would just tell him “No i just want to have fun”.
short,
Good point, but Garza is not a “Spanish-speaking player.
He speaks Fresno State English when he isn’t spitting.
Short ornery norweigan- I think there might be something in what you say. Under other managers, Oliva, Versalles, Valdespino, Tovar, etc. thrived with the Twins. Of course Gardy also had trouble with Lohse so maybe it’s not the color of their skin or their nationality but that gardy is out of touch, period. His buddies are the underachieving weak hitting guys like Punto, Buscher, Tolbert, etc. All players who are very similar to Gardy when he played- fiery scrappers who hit .220.
Short– and there are plenty of English speaking players who are in his doghouse…. maybe if they don’t do the outdoors thing they get in his doghouse (I really can’t see Delmon hunting)
BC,
“do you think there might have been a bit of a communication breakdown between Alexi and ole Jerry?”
Very likely.
Casilla could not have wanted to communicate that “having fun” supersedes winning and playing professionally on his priority list.
If that is what he ACTUALLY meant to say, then he is beyond stupid.
I’m appalled at Casilla’s comment. Can’t even hit .200 and you want to be sassy? Also looked like Casilla was having a laugh after his horrible throw in 7th. Just when Twins get back in the game with decent pitching and middle infield screws it up. I don’t care if they were ahead, no reason for carelessness.
Harris was starting to hit well into the All-Star break only to come back and find he lost the job he earned. No wonder he’s slumping. Put Punto back on 2nd and give Harris his job back. Casilla is a disaster and no fun for fans.
yeah, I thought Garza’s name in that list was out of place as well, but I totally agree (and have said in the past) that the Twins really should have a Latino on the major league coaching staff. Let’s face it… that staff isn’t made up of a bunch of indispensible baseball geniuses.
I believe that Latino players also have a differant way of looking at the game that comes across as not caring to the rest of us.
BC,
“I believe that Latino players also have a differant way of looking at the game that comes across as not caring to the rest of us.”
I believe that you are absolutely correct.
It’s a cultural subtlety that needs to be addressed and accounted for by a Hispanic coach on the staff.
The Twins need to do something to try to get this team back in sync — even if that “something” ultimately doesn’t pan out.
I remember watching the Tigers in 2002 or 2003 and thinking that they looked like a bunch of little leaguers in the field — and that is probably an insult to many little league teams. At the time I remember thinking that even when the Twins weren’t winning, they were fun to watch because they played fundamentally strong baseball.
But maybe all the articles about the Twins doing it the “right” way and about sound defense and baserunning and all the other little things went to their heads. It has almost been painful to watch the last few weeks (and earlier in the season as well). I NEVER thought that the Twins would remind me of those Tigers in 2002-2003 but it some ways it has been almost that futile.
So there’s my rant. I don’t know what has caused/is causing the problems but its just not much fun to watch anymore.
I’d like to hear others’ thoughts on the issue Rotoblinders raised: What are the Twins going to do with Revere, Hicks, Span, Gomez, Young, and sometimes Kubel in the outfield? Reminds me of when we had so many potential starters-our current six plus Boof, Garza and supposedly Humber.
Of course, looks like we traded the best of the nine pitchers, so it’s hard to be confident that the Twins will trade the right one, but we have zero major league middle infielders, and adding one now would help both on the field and in the clubhouse, it seems to me.
[i]Let’s face it… that staff isn’t made up of a bunch of indispensible baseball geniuses.[i] *hope I did that right.
wow, those are some harsh words from JimC. Those comments and the ones from last week about the Cards vs Twins way - you are seriously crabby about the Twins these days Jim. Not a good signe when the beat writers, players, and really big fans all start writing/saying negative things (even Seth has been questioning their decision making more this year).
dang it!
The Twins are a .500 team. No better, no worse. Why the surprise that they are 49/50?
The problem is, one trade (which will only be done to pacify the 3 big guns) won’t be enough. Especially if it’s Cabrera.
They need 3 players of quality, and I just have no faith and confidence in BS to pull anything of meaning off.
Here is what I think they need in order of importance:
1. starter
2. hitting infielder
3. relief
Howard, great post. Thanks!
Patrick Reusse did not suggest that Chrisptopher Parmalee be brought up to play left field. He suggested David Winfree.
mww: It’s the arrow-shaped brackets. Shift of comma and period!
Oops! Sorry for the typos…Chris Parmelee.
ah yes, thanks Howard.
rghrbek, agreed, but Sanchez is a start to addressing one of those for more than 1 year. That’s why I like that trade. I also like signing Washburn in the offseason (though I think he’s about what Baker and Slowey are at their peak, and no number 1), however, if the Brewers trade for him, I’d bet they sign him to an extension, so that may not work.
relief: try Delaney, Slama, some other minor leaguers that are AAAA starters. Hard throwers. That’s what most successful bullpens are made of. (if not this year, they better try them next year).
I thank you guys for bringing up the coaching staff/Latino players issue (or potential for there to be an issue) with their communication. I’ve wondered about that off and on, for a couple months, now, but it seemed impossible to me that with all the Latinos on the team, the Twins hadn’t employed someone who spoke Spanish well enough to act as an interpreter between the two. In fact, if they haven’t got someone like that on the team, it’s absolutely asinine. And Spanish spoken from Mexico and Central America differs in some respects from that spoken in the Dominican, which differs again from Puerto Rican. You’d think the Twins would know that, wouldn’t they? It can’t be possible that they’d not have someone to bridge this gap, is it? This lends some credibility to what I was wondering about, and if this is true, es un problema grande! And it would help to explain a lot of things. I wonder.
Mike,
I absolutely agree on the relief possibilities coming from AAA or AA, if that means we get Sanchez and a legitimate #2 or 3 starter, since we don’t have one in our current roster.
If the Twins can get a reliever and 2nd baseman for a starter, then they’ll need two starters. If they get just a starter, they’ll still need someone to help out in the bullpen and produce from second. I don’t think the Twins are going to get all three… which means B.Smith is going to get dumped on no matter what he trades for.
Why doesn’t this bad baseball fall into the managers lap.Doesn’t,and shouldn’t Gardenhire take alot of the blame for this? This isn’t just a bad weekend either.The Twins haven’t played “Twins Baseball” since the ‘06 season.It looks like Gardys ranting is falling on deaf ears.
And while Casilla has played terrible,it’s not just him.It’s almost becomig an epidemic.Span and Cuddy take bad routes to the ball.Gomez and Cuddy throw to the wrong base,or no base at all.Span and Cuddy get picked of base.Punto and Span get thrown out at thirdbase.Punto and Casilla try and turn even the most routine grounder into a highlight reel.Every atarter not named Swarzak paws around the mound,mopping their hair,afraid to throw the next pitch,putting the fielders to sleep.Get the point?
To top it off The Manager spouts off after Saturdays embarrassment about the players worrying to much about the trade deadline.In the next column over I see a story by LEN3 in which Gardenhire pretty much talks about the same thing.That the team needs outside boost.Typical Gardenhire.He loves the sound of his voice so much he forgets to practice what he preaches.
The best move Bill Smith could make would be to get a new voice in the managers chair.
The Twins can address the rotation and 2nd base by trading Pittsburg, if we could send Liriano,Casilla and what ever prospects needed we could land Sanchez and Snell. Sanchez addresses the 2 hole and 2nd base while Snell takes Liriano’s spot in the rotation (he has been nasty down at AAA). Than I would send a couple of lower level prospects to Arizona for Garland and call ita day.
it would be interesting to hear from joe, len3 or howard, who interact with the team, if they think there is a communication problem.
it does seem like gardy has had a lot of issues with hispanic players.
I think we can solve the bullpen issue by movine Liriano to the ‘pen. Then we just need a middle infielder and a starter. Of course, I think Kubel should be moved to LF and let Morales DH, so what do I know. At least we’d have a 2 hitter then.
I’m a first-time reader, and enjoyed your post, Howard. Your first point, how the Twins are looking like a team that’s 14 games out, was of course a reminder of their great fortune (once again this year) to playing in this weak division. I’d been thinking about this recently as I read the stories swirling around a likely Roy Halladay trade, a guy who plays for a team with exactly one more loss than the Twins, but who are now 14 games back. When your competition is mediocre, you can demand management moves and can continue to talk about “playoff pushes” while hovering around .500 after 100 games and playing sloppy, undisciplined baseball as often as not. This is what the MLB leadership wanted when they added wild card teams and increased the number of divisions: a lot of teams still in the hunt deep into the season. And that’s been good for a number of franchises, no question.
But you know, if you want to call yourself a contending team, you should probably quit admitting openly that you’re glad to be shut of those Yankees.
I object to you listing Buscher in bold with the others mentioned (Punto, Casilla, Young). Buscher has had every limited at bats. You saw a small sample of how he is cabable of hitting if given regular at-bats like this past weekend. 5-14 in three games 7-17 in last five games. No one can hit if only hitting once every 5 to 6 games. (Now just ask Harris)…..
Buscher is now filling his role as a bench player as expected…..Nothing more. His batting was awful during Apr and May but June and July have been much better. And his defense has been OK as well. (No errors again with limited play.)
He may not the be answer to 3rd base but he is now becoming a nice utility guy that can play 3rd or 1st. Who else can play back-up 3rd? And don’t tell me Cuddy…..
I meant back-up at 1st………. Not Cuddy.
Regarding the Casilla line “I just want to have fun.”
Gardy has to draw a line. If you are performing well, like Joe Mauer is right now, then you get to do things your own way a little more. If you are not hitting .300, etc, then you don’t. Casilla is not producing enough to have the freedom that he is trying to stake out. Gardy needs to enforce that.
Casilla can “have fun” as long as he’s doing things Gardy’s way. Once Casilla’s production is there, he can “have fun” in Casilla’s own way a little more.
Gardy doesn’t have that line in the sand that lets talented strong personalities freelance a little bit like they need to in order to be great. Everybody else has to do things by Gardy’s book. Gardy needs to draw that line.
We need to have a talent-friendly ballclub, that welcomes strong personalities like Lohse, Garza, Bartlett, and Casilla. Of course, tolerance for freelancing is dependent on production.
Gardy needs to get the ball rolling on this and change the culture. Nobody else can.
We need to love winning and hate losing. We need to hate losing more than we love total obedience. We don’t need pet dogs. We need strong-minded ballplayers like Ty Cobb, Jackie Robinson, Bob Gibson, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, etc.
Have you ever noticed that almost every great baseball player has an attitude? I think it’s probably because it’s such a difficult sport to play. Rickey Henderson had a big ego, but it kept him going and kept him winning.
Have you ever noticed that pretty much every Twin with an attitude has been let go so they can go star on another team?
That has to change.
Buscher is somebody we should keep. He can play 3rd and 1st, and he is the emergency catcher. He has a decent-enough bat. He has solid defense. As a left-handed batter, he gives the Twins flexibility.
I’m assuming he hit at least .250 or .260 or something. The .214 thing is unacceptable. It would be great if he would pick up tips on pinch-hitting from Jason Kubel. Pinch-hitting is kind of an art form of itself. Just do whatever Jason does.
Matt Garza was born in California. I believe English is his first language. Lohse isn’t Hispanic and he also had taken flack from the Twins organization for no real reason. Same with Bartlett.
Everybody has a story to tell. Matt Garza got to tell his while his team was playing in the World Series last year. He’s got a charity to help kids who suffer abuse. He knows about that personally. He’s a good guy who should never have been traded. Yes, he’s rough around the edges. So was Bob Gibson.
The problem is the dictatorship culture that has sprung up. The real “Twins Way” makes room for strong personalities with talent. Look at ‘87 and ‘91. Did the Twins keep Kirby Puckett even though he spoke his mind? Gary Gaetti? Jack Morris? Yes. And that is the real Twins Way.
Booing and baseball go together like PB&J. These guys all get paid enough to take it when they are playing like garbage. Good heckling is an artform and should be regarded as such.
Perk is a joke with a mellon for a head. I’m ready for them to give up on that joker.
In my opinion, Gomez should be kept around and on the field. As Aaron Gleeman has noted before, his defense puts him above replacement level.
His range makes him an acceptable starter and possibly the most important defender on the field, and he´s so young that I think it´s a little bit of a knee-jerk reaction to consider letting him go (Souhan). By all accounts, he is good in the clubhouse.
Maybe send him to Rochester - but releasing him would more than likely be a mistake.
Aaron Gleeman is always keen on the numbers and I am somewhat new to baseball - but more often than not, he seems to be right, as he never ceases to remind us. Gomez is valuable NOW, let alone in a couple more years.
“Who else can play back-up 3rd?”
Punto, Harris, Cuddyer, Casilla…
There is no excuse for booing the home team.
Ever.
Support your team, or stay home.
