Minnesota Twins
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
money talks
Newguy, I stick by what I posted. I am familiar with the money thing. I have been a Twins fan since the 60's. I remember Calvin Griffith,..... if you want to talk cheap.<br><br>Listen and listen good pilgrim. The fact that the Boone deal isnt costing us anything doesnt mean a darn thing. The issue is wheteher the deal is going to help get us into the Playoffs. <br><br>If he could resign Rick Reed to throw some more home run balls would that be a good move if another team agreed to pay his salary? (The other teams in the division probably would)<br><br>If Boone hits .200 with 5 home runs are you going to say it was OK because it didnt cost anything? <br><br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckerboy</A> at: 7/14/05 3:23 pm<br></i>
Re: money talks
very true packerboy the last comment I agree with 100% <p>The Iceman</p><i></i>
Boone
0-4 with 4 runners left on base, not exactly a stellar beginning. The good thing for a couple of weeks we're playing with the Casino's money here with Boone, he hits .200 and he's out the door and there is still money to spend elsewhere. He hits .275 and he's turned his career around.<br><br>I don't think he's a #3 hitter though.... geez Gardy<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> . Putting .227 guy after Stewart and Mauer doesn't make a whole lot of sense. <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
But goldy, we dont have a #3 hitter. Actually, Stewart is probably as close as we can come.<br> <br>This team was (is) in need of some offensive help. I think Ryan is working on it and it may be that there is nothing out there available thats feasible for the Twins. Maybe there is no Don Baylor out there like there was in '87.<br><br>I hope Boone helps but my sense is that there was pressure on Ryan to do something and he did something that wiil turn out to be nothing.<br><br>But, we shall see and one game is hardly an indicator. We will look forward to Hillfan's Boone watch information.<br><br><br><br> <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
Well, Ill just have to look forward to Bret Boone bobblehead night then......if he lasts that long.<br><br>Interesting question, if he goes 2 for his first 20 or something like that......how long do you stick with him? <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
If Boone struggles, they're going to have to stick with him until Williams comes back at least, his stint on the DL should be about up. Rehab could take a bit though. <br><br>I'd like to see Williams lead off and Stewart hit third and see how that works out. Maybe something like Williams, Ford, Stewart, Mauer, Hunter, Jones, Morneau, 2nd base, shortstop. Ford's got a decent OBP, Stewart and Mauer are good contact hitters with some pop. Hunter, Jones, and Morneau K way to much with runners on. At any rate way to many runners are being stranded with the line up as it was the first half, maybe a shake up would help. <p></p><i></i>
Boone
<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>one game is hardly an indicator<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>Must agree, and I sure hope that's the case.....<br><br>I say for now Gardy is doing the right thing in putting him in the 3 spot. Like packerboy said, we don't have a true 3 hitter. Ford could be a decent player to put there but as of now, he's not showing that he can handle it (.269 AVG). Boone is a veteran and he is capable of long ball and run production (well, at least more than a couple of our youngsters for now), so hopefully he'll turn his season around in a Twins uniform. <br><br>I know Ryan is still searching for another hitter at the moment and he's doing his best. Like I said, it would be incredibly nice to get a guy like Huff, but I'm sure it won't be easy... <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... Hillfan</A> at: 7/15/05 4:46 pm<br></i>
Re: Boone
Well another 3-2 loss tonight and Boone has an identical night, going 0-4. Twins are now 17-17 in one run ball games and that is not going to get them to the playoffs, especially in the race that they are in. <br><br>Well the Twins need to turn it around starting tomorrow. While they do that, Boone needs to start showing that he belongs in the 2-3 spot by raising his average up an driving a few guys in. <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
Another player I'd like to mention is Justin Morneau. Ever since he slowed down from that hot streak he had after he was on the DL, he hasn't done really anything. This was supposed to be our new power guy who was basically seen as hitting about 30 home runs and driving in around 100 runs. Right now he's hitting .262 and on pace to hit 22 homers and drive in 88 men. The RBI total isn't too bad, but like I said, I wouldn't mind him hitting 30 homers and making the RBI total around 100 while he hits at least .275. <br><br>We'll just have to see if he can have a breakout second half for the Twins....<br> <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
All right, I'm back and I gotta put my thoughts into the Boone trade. I think that we are better off with Punto at second, but for a low money leaguer and 150k its not a bad move. Plus we can always move Cuddyer out at play Punto at 3rd. One thing about Boone as that he is still a very good fielder. Also, it doesn't mean anything that he started off his Twins career 0-8. Remember when we got Shannon that he started off very similar, but once he found his groove he and the Twins took off. Maybe the same thing can happen here. <p>-------------------<br><br>"75 percent of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Smoot." --Fred Smoot<br></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
Well the Twins just finished off yet another one run game against the Angels, and this time it went as a win. Joe Nathan picked up his 26th save and Bret Boone got his first Twins hit, a big one in the 4th inning. An RBI single by Boone put the Twins ahead and it ended up being the game winning RBI. Johan Santana pitched well, going 7 innings giving up only an earned run and he didn't walk a batter. Next up is the final game of the series, and my guess is that it'll be another entertaining, one run game <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> . <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Another</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> one run game today, and the Twins lose 2-1. Tough series as they are beaten in 3 of the 4 games. If the Twins are going to keep this play up, then don't expect any playoffs this year.<br><br>Twins need:<br>-Hitting<br>-Hitting<br>-Also, Hitting<br><br>It's a good thing this team has the staff and bullpen that they have, otherwise the Twins wouldn't be anywhere near where they are now. <br><br>What they need:<br>-Nick Punto to start picking his bat up like he did before he went on the DL.....<br><br>-Rodriguez to get some playing time so he can bat more often....<br><br>-Ford to pick the average up to at least the .280 range.<br><br>-Jacque Jones to pick up his batting average and power, and the high amount of strikeouts needs to end.....<br><br>-Justin Morneau to start hitting the ball, period. I watched him against Lackey today during an AB and he was behind two 90-91 MPH fastballs right down broadway. It would be great to see him hit balls out of the park, but first lets start getting base hits....<br><br>-And of course, Bret Boone. I think the key for him is to stop thinking so much! The swing isn't very good, true, but it looks to me like Boone has his confidence level way down. He reminds me of Chuck Knoublach right now....<br><br>Two players that I think are doing their job just fine: Joe Mauer and Shannon Stewart. Mauer is healthy and batting over .300, and Stewart is his same self, batting around .300 and providing clutch hits.<br><br>Well, lets hope the pitching staff keeps doing their thing, and hopefully Terry Ryan can get a trade or 2 in. The Twins really need some offense and power in their lineup. If they can't get it, then don't expect to see the Twins in October. <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
Good guess, Hillfan, Twins lose 2-1 in a pitcher's duel. Joe Mays looked good, but Lackey was better. Of course, Lackey was pitching against the Twins lineup.<br><br>I went to the game last night and have to agree with Hillfan regarding Morneau. In the 4th or 5th when the Twins batted around Colon was rocked by the Twins. Only Morneau had a poor at bat against him. On top of that he turned a routine grounder into a run for the Angels in the first. Listening to the radio today someone suggested that Morneau be sent down to get his groove back and I think the Twins have to seriously think about it.<br><br>On the other hand, Mauer looked great at the plate, he could have had two doubles but his first two hits were cut off in the outfield before getting to the wall. Santana bounced back nicely from a first inning in which other pitchers might have ended up taking an early shower. Gardy must have read this because he had Stewart batting third. I'd rather see someone other than Punto leading off though, maybe Rodriguez who has more walks than Punto in half the at bats. And maybe it was just the angle we were sitting at, but Punto made some throws from short to first that looked weak--though I did see him drill a throw from third today.<br><br>And the Boone-watch yesterday, he had one little Texas league single for the game winning RBI, but swung through a lot of pitches and didn't look good at the plate. Geez, I'm hoping Packerboy is wrong on this one, but it looks like our South St.Paul Sage may be right. <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone and the Twins
Well, one thing I bet we can all agree on as it relates to Boone..............He fits right in. <br><br>ChrisK, as far as sending Morneau down....he is second on the team in HRs and RBI (incredible as that sounds)<br><br>One thing to add to the "nothing to lose" spin, they sent Rivas down. Now, Rivas had issues at the plate but defensively he was very good and he has been with that team for 4-5 years.<br> <br>I wonder what that does to the clubhouse. <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone
Good article by Jim Souhan in the Strib today regarding Morneau, he makes the same point you make packerboy. However, it's pretty clear that he is in a major funk, he hasn't homered in over two weeks (July 2nd) and hasn't had a hit since before the All-Star break. It's a tough call, because most of the problem has to be mental and you don't want to destroy his confidence, but if he stays up and continues to struggle he'll continue to press and it might end up hurting his self confidence anyway.<br><br>I'm a bit surprised they're not giving LeCroy more at bats. He's currently 4th on the team in HRs with less than half the at bats as the top three HR hitters on the team. His OPS of .883 is second only to the injured Glenn Williams. Maybe they figure he's more productive as a part timer but for a team struggling to hit it would make sense to put him in the lineup more often and see what he can do.<br><br>As far as Rivas goes, it might end up being a good move for him. Though he's really quick turning the double play it's my understanding that his fielding had fallen off in addition to the drop in hitting. This may provide the motivation for him to make some changes in his game. And this sends a message to the clubhouse that the management isn't going to sit around hoping for improvement. If they're willing to send a 5 year veteran down you have to think that anyone short of Santana or Hunter is vulnerable if they're not producing. It sounds like some players weren't happy with Rivas going down but this team is no longer in the position to sit around and hope things turn around. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Boone and the Twins
Very good post Chris <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls</p><i></i>
Re: Boone
Yeah ChrisK, I agree. Rivas has had his chances and maybe "deserves it". But, your comments apply to just about the whole team.<br><br>Whats the feeling in "the room" when Rivas gets sent down and the Boone deal falls flat. I think Rivas had his chances. Both Gardy and TR have said they are dissapointed in his hitting and he has to learn the strike zone etc. <br><br>But have they seen Jacque Jones? <br><br>The point is the whole team has been terrible at the plate for a long time. <br><br>But they play 162. This stuff can turn and in a hurry. <br><br>Crack out a homerun, shout a hip hooray<br>Cheer for the Minnesota Twins today<br><br> <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone and the Twins
Must agree, have to keep rootin' for those Twins. Hopefully they can pick up their play (and bats) after that poor series. Lets hope some 2nd half magic can once again spark the Twins to the playoffs. <br><br>How about another sick second half from Johan? How about Morneau hits 15-20 homers? How about Ford, Jones, and Boone picking their averages up?<br><br>Lets hope so. <p></p><i></i>
Re: Boone and the Twins
We got to start small, how about Morneau just starts making contact or only gets 1 out instead of 2 per at bat. Boone quits threatening the Mendoza line. We score more than 1 run in an inning more than once every 3-4 games. I'll take any of that.<br><br>The starters are looking great right now, giving up a pittily 9 earned runs the past 38 innings. Stewart continues to just roll along.<br><br>I hate to say it, but maybe it's time to start from scratch. Trade Radke and Stewart to a contender, they've been around long enough to deserve better than this. Plus they'd be worth some good prospects. Morneau is not the the next Hrbek, he may not even be an upgrade from Douggie Baseball. Keep Mauer, Rodriguez, and Crain and build around them, Santana is signed and Baker looked like he could pitch in his brief stint. All are under 26 and could grow up together much like the past Twins teams have. <p></p><i></i>
Twins
I'm really liking the pitching.<br><br>The hitting.....yuck.<br><br>Interesting topic you bring up goldy. It's too tough to do now though. The Twins are just 5 games into the 2nd half and they are still easily in contention for the Wild Card spot. What they need as of now obviously is a trade or two. We need a couple of new guys that can actually hit the ball. I hope that Terry Ryan can find something....<br><br><br>Goldy, I guess if the Twins start dropping even more before the deadline and it doesn't look good, then maybe some trading is to be started. Now Radke and Stewart....I don't know if the Twins organization is ever going to want to do that. I don't know if I'd like to either. <br><br>Only way I'd trade Radke is if Baker gets some more starts and shows that he has the stuff to stay in the majors. Stewart, our most consistant, clutch hitter, would be tough to get rid of. We do have Ford, but we could really use a home run hitting outfielder from the minors to replace him.<br><br>We'll just have to wait and see and hope that Ryan can help this club out... <p></p><i></i>
Re: Twins
I think Ryan has done a good job to get the team this far with his budget constraints. <br><br>I also dont think we need to dismantle this team. <br><br>They have made the decision to spend the money on pitching. Maybe they over spent there with Radke and Mays costing 16 million.<br><br>Maybe that needs to change and when a Jim Thome type opportunity presents itself like it did a couple of years ago, they can jump on it.<br><br>But goldy is right. They will have to adapt. The division isnt the easy road it was. They will have to upgrade the hitting on this team. Lew Ford and players like that are great but it isnt going to s cut it.<br><br>The offense is a whole team of support players. Guys who would look great sandwitched around a couple of real hitters. But they cant carry the water. <br><br>As a result, the money you spend on pitching is wasted. You cant have half a team. Ask Denny Green. <p></p><i></i>
Trade talk
According to the Strib, the latest rumors involve J.C.Romero to the Bosox for Bill Mueller or Kevin Millar. Both of these guys are lifetime .290 hitters, it looks like Millar has a little more pop but Mueller fills a hole in the infield so I'd probably prefer him at this point.<br><br>There's no reason to blow the team up and start over at this point. This team has not fired on all cylinders yet this season and they're contending for the wildcard position. If they can ignite the bats, the pitching is good enough to carry them into the playoffs.<br><br>I see Gardy took my advice last night and started LeCroy at DH. Then he pulled him for Morneau, for a good matchup I suppose, who grounded into a double play. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: Twins
I agree, I would rather see us getting Mueller at this point. He might not be the greatest at any part of the game, but he is dependable and knows how to play the game. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls</p><i></i>
Re: Twins
Radke deserves to finish his career as a Twin if he so chooses, I'd like to see him do just that myself. The reason I mentioned Radke and Stewart as trades is I think teams would overpay to get guys like those, and I doubt there's much demand for Jones or Hunter. Radke isn't a #1 starter anymore but has considerable value as he eats up innings at an incredible rate. Stewart could lead off for any team in the majors. Both have higher salaries than the Twins would like to pay.<br><br>Ryan's smart, they're probably only going up in value as July wanes and in another two weeks we'll all know where the Twins stand in the wildcard race. <br><br>It's time to box or throw rocks, it can still go either way. <p></p><i></i>