Meet your 2008 Twins!

[Neutron 14]

For the next three months, the Twins just have to balance their L's and W's.

Hang around, hang around, hang around, hang around get hot for a stretch.

So far, so good.

As long as we dont reach 34-34 on June 18th, we'll be ok....

[packerboy]

This is the "all square and then go on a tear" approach that has proven so successfull in the past. I like it and it could Happen but I stilllike my 81-81 prediction.

What do they do with Denard when Cuddy comes off?

They dont have much of a choice but Id like to see him stay.

[Irishmans Shanty]

34-34 on June 18, we can only hope for such a sign of impending Twins domination.

Unfortunately, 34-34 on 6/18 probably comes around about as much as Haley's Comet.

There are other signs out there, we must keep looking.

[GR3343]

What do they do with Denard when Cuddy comes off?

That's when Mr. Monroe needs to get a red tag in his locker.

[Govs93]

What do they do with Denard when Cuddy comes off?

That's when Mr. Monroe needs to get a red tag in his locker.

It's too bad Cuddyer could never figure out 3rd base... Keeping Denard out there and adding some offense to 3rd would be a good thing.

[GR3343]

What do they do with Denard when Cuddy comes off?

That's when Mr. Monroe needs to get a red tag in his locker.

It's too bad Cuddyer could never figure out 3rd base... Keeping Denard out there and adding some offense to 3rd would be a good thing.

Maybe worth the try. Better yet, may be time to see what a former all star catcher could do over there. He hasn't been all that impressive behind the plate thus far.

[packerboy]

Keeping him and using Cuddyer as the DH some would also make sense but somebody has got to go if you keep Denard.

Who?

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Well amen to that IS.

But last nights game proves what I have been saying all along.

You cant just have a team full of hitters. Their hitting is fine but you cant win without pitching and defense.

They should have traded for some more pitching in the off season.

PITCH THE BOOFIN BALL

Is that you Slappy?

[Irishmans Shanty]

Cuddyer's arm is golden, he has to be the RF when healthy.

Monroe can go to make room for Span.

or

Send Bass down and go with 11 throwers. Utilize off days and skip the fifth starters turn, fifth starter takes on Bass' role for the immediate future.

This move only keeps Span around and doesn't solve the problem of keeping Gomez, Cuddyer, Span, Young, and Kubel all in the lineup together.

[packerboy]

I said at the start of the season that Gomez was not ready.

The first week, I am an idiot and the second week , I am Carnac.

I am still not sure that throwing Gomez in there and having Span play in AAA is for the best.

But I think the bottom line is that Span is screwed. Its too early to give up on Monroe and they wont give up one of their pitchers and Gomez will stay for better or worse.

Id like to see Span stay but theie isnt any room for him...yet.

[Neutron 14]

Some of us posters have a little egg on our face today, as a foul out DID become a good at bat last night.

Speaking of good at bats, I see a certain posters kid went yard yesterday. I wonder if he took a few pitches first??? Congrats!

[Irishmans Shanty]

a foul out DID become a good at bat last night.

I'll have to tuck away my "Twins are never lucky card" for a while.

The go ahead run in the bottom of the 8th can't cross the plate that way.

[packerboy]

Some of us posters have a little egg on our face today, as a foul out DID become a good at bat last night.

Speaking of good at bats, I see a certain posters kid went yard yesterday. I wonder if he took a few pitches first??? Congrats!

2-0 fastball.

Get a good pitch to hit and drive it.

[boblee]

That's when Mr. Monroe needs to get a red tag in his locker.

It's too bad Cuddyer could never figure out 3rd base... Keeping Denard out there and adding some offense to 3rd would be a good thing.

Maybe worth the try. Better yet, may be time to see what a former all star catcher could do over there. He hasn't been all that impressive behind the plate thus far.

I don't think that's a good idea. He has to lead the league in throwing out baserunners. He is just fine back there and he is starting to hit a little too.

[Irishmans Shanty]

thump....hump.... ump....mp....p....p....p....p..Thump..p..hump.p.ump.p.mp.p.p.p.

That is sound of balls echoing after striking the football pressbox.

Evidently, the sounds of Travis Hafner's first two AB's have intersected.

[pacman]

I Highly Doubt the Indians will do any good in this series, they are terrible this year, there Bullpen cant get a guy out if their lives depended on it, kinda like our Bullpen ha

[Indians forever]

I Highly Doubt the Indians will do any good in this series, they are terrible this year, there Bullpen cant get a guy out if their lives depended on it, kinda like our Bullpen ha

ah um??? don't forget they are playingthe Twins.

[Zamboni Guy]

I Highly Doubt the Indians will do any good in this series, they are terrible this year, there Bullpen cant get a guy out if their lives depended on it, kinda like our Bullpen ha

Cliff Lee didn't leave much up to the Indians bullpen tonight, he was dealing.

[boblee]

I Highly Doubt the Indians will do any good in this series, they are terrible this year, there Bullpen cant get a guy out if their lives depended on it, kinda like our Bullpen ha

Cliff Lee didn't leave much up to the Indians bullpen tonight, he was dealing.

My brother, Cliff, was throwing pretty good last night but his numbers were inflated due to the Twins offense. I don't know how many 2-0 and 0-0 fastballs they took right down the middle.

[packerboy]

I Highly Doubt the Indians will do any good in this series, they are terrible this year, there Bullpen cant get a guy out if their lives depended on it, kinda like our Bullpen ha

Cliff Lee didn't leave much up to the Indians bullpen tonight, he was dealing.

My brother, Cliff, was throwing pretty good last night but his numbers were inflated due to the Twins offense. I don't know how many 2-0 and 0-0 fastballs they took right down the middle.

They were just working the count so they could have a good at bat.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Ahem, ahem...

Blue Jays release Thomas after slow start to 2008 season
ESPN.com news services

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays released slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas Sunday, cutting the 19-year veteran loose one day after he was angry for being taken out of the lineup.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN's Peter Gammons that the release of Thomas was "by mutual consent. He doesn't want to be here if he's not going to play much, and we don't want him to be unhappy. He handled it with class, and I appreciate that."

The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for the remainder of the two-year $18 million contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.

"Our best opportunity is to put other guys in the lineup at this point," Ricciardi said, according to The Associated Press. "Obviously, reduced playing time is not something that he was interested in. In order to let him go forward and get on with his career, I think it's fair to do it at this point."

Thomas was hitless in his past 13 at-bats and had gone 4-for-35 since homering in three straight games April 5-8. Known as a slow starter, he batted .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs for Toronto this season.

Last season, Thomas batted .277, leading the team with 26 home runs and 95 RBIs.

"I don't know that we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for somebody to kick in because we can't let this league or this division get away from us," Ricciardi said, according to the AP.

Thomas' deal included a $10-million option for 2009 that would have kicked in automatically if he made 376 plate appearances this season. On Saturday, Thomas said the Blue Jays had benched him to prevent him from reaching that mark.

"It's pretty obvious," Thomas said. "Sixty at-bats isn't enough to make that decision. I'm angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this."

Thomas did not shake hands with his teammates following Toronto's 3-2 victory over Detroit Saturday and left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters.

Ricciardi said Thomas was more calm when they met Sunday, adding that the contract was not part of their discussion.

"That never came up," Ricciardi said, according to the AP. "I told Frank our decision is based on performance and his decision is based on not being able to be in the lineup."

He reached the 500-homer plateau on June 28 against Minnesota's Carlos Silva.

Thomas has 516 career homers, placing him 18th on baseball's career list. In addition, he has hit 264 career home runs as a designated hitter, the most in baseball history.

With a career average of .302, Thomas is one of four players in baseball history to record at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

[packerboy]

My thoughts exactly.

[packerboy]

OK , we've met them and thanks Neut for the introductions but now what do we think.

My top ten thoughts:

1. Delmon, ah Delmon, where is your bat Delmon? Great LF play but you gotta hit.

2. Lamb, you are a third basemen with an averge glove. You have to hit.

3. Craig, ah, Mr Monroe sir, lets go. We arent asking that much.

What the boof is it? Is it in the air here? These guys come here and cant hit. Its not just that they are a bit under their usual. They boofin go under water. Hit the ball.

4. Nick Blackburn

5. Neshek looks shaky

6. Come on Joe, drive the ball.

7. Scott Baker

8. Livan

9. Matt Tolbert

and last but not least:

10. Nick Punto.

[ChrisK]

The Twins are in love with Craig Monroe, they won't pick Thomas up. There's no question they could use a good right handed bat and I'd take Thomas over Monroe.

The Twins went 3-4 over the last week, getting swept by Detroit, splitting with Tampa and winning the series against Cleveland.

Liriano isn't back to 2006 vintage yet but it sounds like it's a matter of getting control of his fastball. He went a year without pitching so it only stands to reason that he'd be a bit rusty. I think the Twins would have preferred to have him shake off the rust in Rochester but the injury to Slowey forced their hand.

Bonser's bad start on Thursday is troubling. I didn't see the game but looking at the numbers he didn't have any Ks which tells me he was really off that game. He needs to be more consistent, he's 2 for 4 in good starts this year.

Baker had a really good start yesterday, he's the staff ace at this point.

The bats continue to sputter, though Mauer has moved his average up to .295 and Morneau is starting to look good at the plate. The problem is when they did score runs in Detroit, the bullpen blew up.

This team is about where I'd expect them to be at one game under .500.

[packerboy]

I suppose if we brought Thomas here , he'd catch the disease before long and not hit.

3 guys, I repeat, 3 guys have hit a home run and we've played 20 games.

What the boof.

HIT THE BOOFIN BALL