Minnesota Twins

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:04 am

They need to repeat last night a lot for the rest of the season. As was stated here some time ago, the division title is not going to happen this year. They need to win the WC. I think 95 wins wil do it. They can win that many if they can "outscore" the other team once in a while when their pitchers give up 5. Crack out a homerun Shout a hip hoorah Cheer for the Minesota Twins today

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:39 am

Well a few days ago I read that the Twins just might be interested in doing a trade for Bret Boone, a spot that would fill 2nd base. I read that if it happened, it might involve pitcher Kyle Lohse. This would mean that Scott Baker could become the 5th starter. This is unlikely yet because Baker needs to make some more starts to prove himself before that would ever happen. Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... Hillfan</A> at: 7/9/05 11:40 am

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:06 pm

Well fellow Twins fans, I for one appreciate the break. It was getting pretty frustrating. Sweating out 2 one run wins vs KC in between getting thumped on was not what I had in mind. I realise that they are 10 games over .500 and I realise that they are leading the Wild Card. But it just seems that they are struggling and if their pitching doesnt return to where it was, they will not make the playoffs. As I said some time ago, the division is out of reach. I think they can win the WC if: 1. Maurer hits the ball the way he has in the last couple of weeks 2. Morneau hits for power the 2nd half 3. Santana finds a groove 4. Everybody else..do what you've been doin

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 1:52 pm

Must agree with you packerboy. I'd like to see Radke step it up as well. He is considered the ace (next to Johan of course) and I'd like to see him start settling down and not giving up so much long ball. This just in!!! It is to be announced today that the Mariners are dealing Bret Boone to the Twins. I just read this off of Yahoo, and all it said was sometime today it would be announced. I have no idea who will be dealt from the Twins...the only thing I heard earlier about it was Kyle Lohse could be the one moving on. I'll be listening to the news and I'll make sure I post. What does everyone think about this? Personally, I like it. He's a gold glover and he has been known to do damage with the bat, and that is what the Twins could use. I really think this move could help him out since he's moving to a new home in the Metrodome...

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:14 pm

Well they still haven't announced who or what yet, but I did get a bit more information: "The Mariners have traded second baseman Bret Boone to the Twins, the Sporting News has learned. The Mariners will receive cash or a player to be named. The Twins will pay only a prorated portion of the minimum salary for Boone's services the rest of this season; Seattle will assume the rest of his $8 million salary." -Sporting News

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:47 pm

Well, I dunno about this. He is 36 and hitting .230 with 7 HRs. If he has anyhing left, DH him and see what happens. I cant evaluate it until we see who we gave up. I would bet who we lose depends on how well he does. I cant believe we gave up much since he was already cut by the Ms. If they gave up on Lohse for this, I would be surprised. Maybe he can hit 15 in the second half as the DH. At least Ryan is trying.

Newguy99 · Post by **Newguy99** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:29 am

He will NOT be the DH, he WILL be the second baseman, hopefully this trade will re-energize him. I think it was a GREAT move, I'm sure Lohse isn't the player to be named later, but we'll see.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:53 am

Why not DH him? They have Punto, Rivas and Rodriguez to play second base. They have second basemen up the wazoo. Or do they move one of those to third (not Rivas) and is this the end of the Michael Cuddyer era? It will be interesting. I like Punto at second and Boone as the DH (sorry Lew)

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:24 am

Well as far as I heard, the Twins are sending a low minor league player over, so it's no one from the big league roster. No name has been announced yet.

Newguy99 · Post by **Newguy99** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:42 am

Packerboy says, "Well I dunno about this. " Newguy says, " What's not to know, we are paying him 150k and virtually gave up nothing to get him, sounds decent to me." Terry Ryan greatest GM of All-Time.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:07 am

Newguy, dont speed read. The word was that we were giving up Lohse for a 36 yr old guy hitting .231. That should make anyone hesitate. Now, it looks like we are giving up nothing for a a guy who may help out. But, we will still have to a wait and see. Punto can hit better than .231. If Boone can return to form then it will be great. But if that was a given, the price would have been a lot higher. Hopefully this will be another Don Baylor/Shannon Stewart type acquisition. But dont get too excited just yet.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:36 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>we are paying him 150k and virtually gave up nothing to get him, sounds decent to me<hr></blockquote> NewGuy is right on the money! I don't know what you are talking about and where you got your info Packerboy, but Lohse was never, and I repeat never, mentioned in the trade at all. I read just about all the same stuff as you and never once saw a major league level player mentioned along with Bret Boone. The Mariners were getting no takers in any deals so they figured they might as well as get something for him and the Twins wanted to be guaranteed to get him. He will also be playing 2B because he is a very, very good defensive 2B and even though his stats are down this year, they are better than all the guys we've had play there this year. I think this is a great deal for the Twins because it is basically risk-free. We are paying him the minimum, giving up some A player and getting a guy that could hit 17 HRs and provide stellar D. No brainer in my mind. This also, I believe, is a signal to the near-end of the Cuddyer at 3B deal. Punto, Rodriguez and Williams when he comes back will get playing time there as well as Cuddyer and hopefully we can pull a trade or something and get someone to play there full-time. I think Michael will be a very good utility style backup for the Twins. He can play 1B, 2B, 3B & the OF and has semi-good power, just doesn't seem to hit well for any stretch of time. I think playing a game here and there and pinch hitting, he will do very well for us. I would like to see the Twins get a 3B & a pitcher of some sort for the stretch run. But again, this is only my $.02 <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"> Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:48 pm

Also, for all the statheads out there: Minnesota's 2B canidates this year: (Abernathy, Punto, Rivas, Cuddyer, Castro & Rodriguez) 86 G, 305 AB, .279 Avg, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 7 SB Bret Boone: 74 G, 273 AB, .231 Avg, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 4 SB Personally, I like the offensive potential that Bret Boone brings to the club. Btw, his career averages look like this: .266 Avg, 23 HR, 93 RBI, 162 H, 34 2B, 9 SB I'm not expecting a 36 year-old to play up to his career averages, but I think that he could easily finish the year with 20 HR & 70 some RBI which would be mountains above anything a 2B for the Twins has put up lately. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"> Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls

Newguy99 · Post by **Newguy99** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:00 pm

Very nice ER, very nice! Well said my friend.

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:31 pm

I'd settle for a 20 HR, 70 RBI season from a Twin anyday. I was reading the article about the trade for Boone in the Pioneer Press today and it said how Terry Ryan isn't done looking for guys, which I can understand. It said how the Twins could use another hitter in the lineup, and names of Joe Randa and Aubrey Huff were mentioned. In my opinion, it would be incredibly nice to get a guy like Huff, who is 29 years old. He is having a bit of a rougher year this year (.256, 8 Homers, 45 RBI), but his past numbers show that he has the power: 2002- .313 avg. 23 HR, 59 RBI (454 AB) 2003- .311 avg. 34 HR, 107 RBI 2004- .297 avg. 29 HR, 104 RBI He's a career .290 hitter now, so the average most likely should start to increase as the season rolls on. I'm not sure on how we could get Huff or if the Rays are actually willing to trade him, so we'll have to just wait and see.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:33 pm

Nothing to lose? If Boone's production continues to be below what they were getting from their second basemen, there is plenty to lose. (Fox reports that Boone's SLG % and OBP% is lower than the current second basemen) I heard Terry Ryan's comments and thats his spin on it. "Nothing to lose, no brainer" Thats fine unless he hits .231 with 7 homers the second half. As far as Lohse being part of the deal, I dont remember where I heard it but I think Souhan or Barriro or some body mentioned it. If you will quit speed reading, you will see that Hillfan, who broke the story exclusivley for the board, mentioned Lohse. 20 Hrs and 70 RBI in the second half. OK , love to see it but I think you guys are dreamin.

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:08 pm

I was ready to argue with Packerboy that Boone's career numbers and experience make this a no-brainer for the Twins. Obviously his offense is way down this year so the question is whether or not he'll be able to bring his numbers up and this article: <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/ ... fwall.html" target="top">seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/229587_offwall.html</a> suggests that he's washed up in the field and at the plate. I still think this was a good move for the Twins, they gave up very little and it's possible the change of scenery will be good for Boone, but I'm less inclined to think this will give the team the jump start that Shannon Stewart did. I'll be happy to be proven wrong though.

Newguy99 · Post by **Newguy99** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:32 pm

Packerboy listen up! The reason Terry Ryan says "nothing to lose" is cause we got him for virtually nothing. If he doesn't produce then we put him on the bench (which I doubt will happen.) So worst case scenario we pay 150k to sit his but on the pine, I don't know about you but that sounds like a nothing to lose situation to me! Cmon man Terry Ryan is a frickin genious.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:10 pm

Newguy, This is the same guy who let David (Big Pappy)Ortiz and my personal favorite Kenny (The Gambler) Rogers go and got nothin in return. Ryan doesnt always know when to hold em and when to fold em. If we would have kept Ortiz, we wouldnt be having this conversation. Hardly the stuff of genius. Besides, like Joe Theisman said (as applied to baseball): "Nobody in football should be called a genius , a genius is somebody like Norman Einstein" Now,pay attention! What if this guy is a stiff who is over the hill and doesnt hit as well as Punto , or whoever, would have? If that happens, and I hope it doesnt, you lose 2 ways: 1. You dont get the production. 2. You dont get a young guy the at bats he needs to be even more productive. FYI, Punto has a higher OPS than Boone. Sure, financially it doesnt hurt but who cares about that? Lets get enough wins to win the WC. I dont know if the genius has done anything to help us there. It is speculation at its best and its fun. Will Boone regain enough of his form to be a factor? Who the hell knows? But finding out may not be as risk free as TR spins it. Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckerboy</A> at: 7/13/05 3:23 pm

Newguy99 · Post by **Newguy99** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:10 pm

Packerboy get it through your head! For one, if Boone doesn't produce we sit his can on the bench and play with what we had, so nothing to lose. Two, Ortiz and Rogers were free agents and have you ever heard of our owner Mr. Carl Pohlad, he isn't exactly a free spender. Sure your not gonna make the right decision 100% of the time but I think we can all agree that Terry Ryan has done one HELL of a job!

EREmpireStrikesBack · Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:27 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>FYI, Punto has a higher OPS than Boone<hr></blockquote> Does OPS win ballgames? Hell no, runs do. Boone has 34, Punto has like 6 and gets hurt all the damn time. Its about time we get someone semi-solid and 2B and will be out there everyday and drive in runs. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"> Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:31 am

No, Ryan isn't a genius, but he's a good GM. As Patrick Reusse has pointed out a few times, it was a big gamble to start the season with unseasoned players at catcher, first base, a rookie at short, an unproven third baseman and Luis Rivas at 2nd. One reason for all the shuffling in the infield has been to try to find a solution to the players that didn't work out, i.e. Bartlett at short and Cuddyer at third. It's a tribute to Ryan that he has been able to find capable players to fill the holes brought on by his risky strategy. Bringing in a veteran 2nd baseman at little cost to try to stop the revolving door at 2nd is a relatively low risk move with the added psychological benefit of showing that he's willing to make a move to try to improve the team. The point is Ryan's not perfect, but he isn't afraid to admit a mistake and try to do something to fix it. And every bad transaction, i.e. Ortiz, Rogers, remember Rick Reed?, can be countered with a good one, such as Johan Santana as a Rule 5 pick up, Shannon Stewart for Bobby Kielty, Joe Nathan for Pierzynski, Carlos Silva for Eric Milton, etc.

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:32 am

Must agree. Sure, maybe Punto had a decent batting average but look at his RBI production. We should be able to count on Boone for more run production and homers than any other 2nd baseman has given us this year.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:39 am

Allright, enough said. Lets see how it plays out. Since Hillfan broke the story, he should maintain a Bret Boone watch and keep us advised of how he is doing. Also, if there is a Bret Boone bobblehead night, we should all be there.

Newguy99 · Post by **Newguy99** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:54 pm

Packerboy this will be last time I call you out on this whole Boone thing but..... you said, "Boone isn't costing us anything financially but who cares about that." Did you forget were not the Yankees and that it's all about finances when it comes to the Twins. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)">

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