Meet your 2008 Twins!

[Irishmans Shanty]

I think Frank has a lot of money still coming his way from TOR. If Frank signs a new deal wouldn't he forfeit that cash? I doubt anyone would want to sign him for what he's owed.

Neshek's shakiness is a result of an injury. We haven't been told anything yet but effective late inning guys who suddenly become uneffective are usually combating a physical breakdown.

2008 is looking like 2007 win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win two, loose three, win one, lose one and on and on and on.

For the Twins to win a division, management is banking on this again.

Cuddyer .284 24 109
Mauer .347 13 84
Morneau .321 34 130

I don't know if any of these player will duplicate these seasons again, let alone while in the same year on the same team.

[packerboy]

I think Frank has a lot of money still coming his way from TOR. If Frank signs a new deal wouldn't he forfeit that cash? I doubt anyone would want to sign him for what he's owed.

Neshek's shakiness is a result of an injury. We haven't been told anything yet but effective late inning guys who suddenly become uneffective are usually combating a physical breakdown.

2008 is looking like 2007 win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win two, loose three, win one, lose one and on and on and on.

For the Twins to win a division, management is banking on this again.

Cuddyer .284 24 109
Mauer .347 13 84
Morneau .321 34 130

I don't know if any of these player will duplicate these seasons again, let alone while in the same year on the same team.

Morneau wil duplicate it many times, (maybe not the BA but who cares) and Mauer will come close and it will happen in the same season but I doubt Cuddyer ever will.

If Neshek is hurt, why is he out there in the 8th inning of a close game.

I wonder how many quality relief pitchers they will burn out with their stupib boofing pitch counts for starters.

I think anyone who signs Thomas has to cut a deal with the Blue Jays about how much of his salary they pick up but for sure Thomas gets the money whether he plays or not.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

I thought they always said that chicks dig the longball, but it seems that packerboy might be the more appropriate answer this year.

As far as Frank goes, if he clears waivers I believe he gets his $ from TOR and if he signs with someone else then it is just extra $ in the bank. If he doesn't clear waivers (someone claims him) that is when a deal for how much is going to be paid gets worked out.

[Govs93]

Why is everybody getting all wound up over Frank Thomas? Given the chance, I'm willing to bet that Jason Kubel could probably put up numbers comparable to what Frank has in recent years.... Gardy just won't settle on any DH you give him. You think if they bring Thomas in here, he's not just going to split time with Kubel anyway? You could have given him Edgar Martinez - the greatest DH of all time - and Gardy would still bench him against righties in favor of Jason Tyner.

At some point, a decision has to be made. Frank Thomas isn't it. He was two years ago, but not now.

[ChrisK]

If Kubel can start hitting lefties then no, we don't need Frank. Maybe Thomas has lost it but with the way the Twins are hitting right now they have to at least consider him. Govs does make a good point though, if Thomas wasn't happy with limited time in Toronto he wouldn't be happy splitting the DH with Kubel.

If Neshek is hurt he shouldn't be out there particularly in the situations he's been put in, as packerboy said. He's had two games where he's been lit up otherwise he's given up one hit and one walk in the other six appearances. When he's been bad he's been awful but if he was hurt the numbers should be consistently bad rather than the two spikes among the 8 appearances.

And Delmon Young is expected to add some offense so the Mauer/Morneau/Cuddyer trio don't have to carry the team. A .236 batting average and .292 slugging are not going to do it, he needs to turn it around too.

[packerboy]

Jason Kubel?

Jason Boofin Kubel?

Who cares about Jason Kubel?

Frank Thomas hit 26 HRs last year and knocked in 95.

Is Jason Kubel ever going to do that?

Maybe Thomas is over with but Kubel has never been and IMO never will be.

Thomas is off to a slow start and he has hit 3 HRs. How many Twins have 3 HRs?

Jason Kubel cant hit lefties.

We cant sign Frank Thomas because we have Jason Kubel?

It's Like a Nightmare.

[OGEE OGELTHORPE]

If your looking for an old DH go for Barry Buffin Bonds.
You get Home runs and the Circus side-show attraction to sell tickets.

It's a win-win both ways.

[Govs93]

Jason Kubel?

Jason Boofin Kubel?

Who cares about Jason Kubel?

Frank Thomas hit 26 HRs last year and knocked in 95.

Is Jason Kubel ever going to do that?

Maybe Thomas is over with but Kubel has never been and IMO never will be.

Thomas is off to a slow start and he has hit 3 HRs. How many Twins have 3 HRs?

Jason Kubel cant hit lefties.

We cant sign Frank Thomas because we have Jason Kubel?

It's Like a Nightmare.

Yeah, Jason "Boofin'" Kubel. Over the last 3 years he's only had 109 ABs against left handed pitchers... by Frank Thomas' rationale, you can't base much on that. As you'll recall, the same thing was done with Morneau when he was brought up - Gardy sheilded him from lefties for a long time, but once Mientkiewicz finally hit the road, he didn't have a choice but to take the wraps off of Morneau, and look what happened.

And to answer your question "Will Kubel ever do that", it's early, but so far this season, he's on almost the exact pace for the year Thomas had (27 HR, 107 RBI), but I have no doubt that he won't get there as long as Monroe (or whatever washed up has-been they trot out there) is around. We'll never get the chance to really find out.

As long as Terry Ryan/Bill Smith keep sending Gardy the crutches like Jose "Boofin'" Offerman, "Rondell "Boofin'" White, and Craig "Boofin'" Monroe, nobody's every going to realisitcally be able to say what Kubel's really capable of.

[packerboy]

Now, I know how the AFLAC duck feels.

Jason Kubel only has 100 ABs vs lefties because he cant hit them.

Compare Kubel to Morneau? There is no comparison.

Kubel has had plenty of opportunity and every bit of potential he has is still in him because he hasn't used any of it.

Jason Kubel.

The reason they keep getting these RH DHs is because even the washed up hacks can hit leftys better than Jason Boofin Kubel.

Jason Kubel?

Boof Jason Kubel and sign Thomas.

[Govs93]

Now, I know how the AFLAC duck feels.

Jason Kubel only has 100 ABs vs lefties because he cant hit them.

Compare Kubel to Morneau? There is no comparison.

Kubel has had plenty of opportunity and every bit of potential he has is still in him because he hasn't used any of it.

Jason Kubel.

The reason they keep getting these RH DHs is because even the washed up hacks can hit leftys better than Jason Boofin Kubel.

Jason Kubel?

Boof Jason Kubel and sign Thomas.

Plenty of opportunity?! When?!

He finally got a window of opportunity last season when Rondell got a boo-boo hopping out of the dugout in May, and what did he do? He led the team in Slugging and OPS for the rest of the season, then hit over .320 in both August and September! How's that for an opportunity? Could he use some improvement against left handed pitchers? Sure he could, but how's he going to get that? Or should we just hand over the keys to Frank Thomas who hit around .250 against right handed throwers last year? Thanks, but I'd much rather take my chances with a kid who hit about the same against lefties, but will see far more righties, and still has yet to reach his peak.

AFLAC duck is right. You're out of your boofin' mind if you think Kubel can't hit... he NEEDS to hit.

[GR3343]

AFLAC duck is right. You're out of your boofin' mind if you think Kubel can't hit... he NEEDS to hit.

Although he should show a little more patience at the plate. Maybe take a few more and work the count.

[Govs93]

AFLAC duck is right. You're out of your boofin' mind if you think Kubel can't hit... he NEEDS to hit.

Although he should show a little more patience at the plate. Maybe take a few more and work the count.

Good point... I don't think he's getting enough "great at bats". Needs more foul balls.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

And to answer your question "Will Kubel ever do that", it's early, but so far this season, he's on almost the exact pace for the year Thomas had (27 HR, 107 RBI), but I have no doubt that he won't get there as long as Monroe (or whatever washed up has-been they trot out there) is around. We'll never get the chance to really find out.

Ha.

Jason Kubel's 162 Game Averages
17 HR, 74 RBI, .265 AVG, .429 SLG, 5 SB

Thomas did that and better last year in 155 games and (like you said Govs) against mostly righty pitching. I'd take him as a fulltime DH over Kubel any day of the week. Btw, Frank averages double the walks that Kubel does so he'd at the very least get on base much more often. He would fit into the Twins perfectly and maybe even provide a little of the leadership that we lost in Torii for the youngins.

[ChrisK]

Those 162 game projections are mostly based on what Kubel did in his three previous ML seasons. This year Kubel has as many homers, a better average and a better slugging percentage than Thomas. Remember that Kubel came back from a terrible injury and this is probably the first year that he's fully healthy. He's been one of the best bats in the Twins lineup so far this year, which ain't saying much but I think the Twins have to see what he can do.

And Empire there's no way you pick up Thomas for his "leadership". This is a guy that got released from Toronto because he couldn't tolerate the fact that he'd be getting fewer at bats when he was hitting .167 and then behaved like a two year old. My 13 year old son has more maturity than this guy. If he can still hit fine, but I'd make sure his locker was in a remote corner of the clubhouse.

[Govs93]

And to answer your question "Will Kubel ever do that", it's early, but so far this season, he's on almost the exact pace for the year Thomas had (27 HR, 107 RBI), but I have no doubt that he won't get there as long as Monroe (or whatever washed up has-been they trot out there) is around. We'll never get the chance to really find out.

Ha.

Jason Kubel's 162 Game Averages
17 HR, 74 RBI, .265 AVG, .429 SLG, 5 SB

Thomas did that and better last year in 155 games and (like you said Govs) against mostly righty pitching. I'd take him as a fulltime DH over Kubel any day of the week. Btw, Frank averages double the walks that Kubel does so he'd at the very least get on base much more often. He would fit into the Twins perfectly and maybe even provide a little of the leadership that we lost in Torii for the youngins.

I took ESPN.com's projections which has him at 27/107. Beyond that, the fact that he led the team in SLG & OPS for 5 months last season still stands, and it shows that given the opportunity, he can be a very good DH with much more furture upside that than The Big (perennially) Hurt. If you haven't learned your lesson from the past 5 or 6 years of signing long shots and injury ridden old timers, then good luck to ya. He's played only 2 full seasons out of the last 4... can anybody say "Rondell"? You may as well take a crack at Barry Bonds over Frank Thomas... at least that guy has ways to get himself back on the field!

This team just isn't going to win this year. If they're close in July, I'd say maybe you take a look at a guy like Thomas then. Until that point, there's no need for him to fill up a roster spot when '09 is really what this season is all about.

[Neutron 14]

This team just isn't going to win this year.

Drunk the dammn Krool-Aid (hic) .

We're going to win Twins,
We're going to snore...

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Kubel is the bat of the future? I've heard that for the last 3 years... I'll believe it when I see it. Have him stay healthy for the majority of the year and keep up anywhere near those numbers and I'll believe.

Until then, sign the Big Hurt and watch him give us the runs/opportunities we've been missing.

Btw, Mike Lamb Watch:
16 G, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 3 BB, .145 AVG, .971 FP

[Govs93]

Kubel is the bat of the future? I've heard that for the last 3 years... I'll believe it when I see it. Have him stay healthy for the majority of the year and keep up anywhere near those numbers and I'll believe.

Until then, sign the Big Hurt and watch him give us the runs/opportunities we've been missing.

Btw, Mike Lamb Watch:
16 G, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 3 BB, .145 AVG, .971 FP

Can Thomas play 3rd? I could be convinced if he can.

[sinbin006]

Kubel is the bat of the future? I've heard that for the last 3 years... I'll believe it when I see it. Have him stay healthy for the majority of the year and keep up anywhere near those numbers and I'll believe.

Until then, sign the Big Hurt and watch him give us the runs/opportunities we've been missing.

Btw, Mike Lamb Watch:
16 G, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 3 BB, .145 AVG, .971 FP

Can Thomas play 3rd? I could be convinced if he can.

How bout we slide Morneau over to 3rd? If A-Rod can do it so can the 'Nuck. Then we'd have some real power on the corners .

[Irishmans Shanty]

Kubel is just a guy, that's it. He doesn't hit for average, nor for power, he is a station to station baserunner, he will give you zero wow moments in the OF, and his arm strength is somwhere between Shannon Stewart's and Jason Tyner's.

Kubel had a glorious June of 2006 (YES: his 3 HR's this year have been most welcome) but prior to and since then, he's just a guy. He's better than Ford and Nevin and Offerman and Cirillo and Monroe and Rondell and GJones and Buchanan and Mohr and Rabe and Sierra and Ryan and Restovich and McCracken. He's about the same as Kielty but not as accomplished as JJones.

I'm tired of "just a guy" filling a role when they know "just a guy" is not going to get them by. Kubel deserves a spot on this team but on a division champion team in 2008, it is as the 4th OF, not a starter. 2009 and beyond is a different story but for now he is "just a guy".

[packerboy]

Kubel is just a guy, that's it. He doesn't hit for average, nor for power, he is a station to station baserunner, he will give you zero wow moments in the OF, and his arm strength is somwhere between Shannon Stewart's and Jason Tyner's.

Kubel had a glorious June of 2006 (YES: his 3 HR's this year have been most welcome) but prior to and since then, he's just a guy. He's better than Ford and Nevin and Offerman and Cirillo and Monroe and Rondell and GJones and Buchanan and Mohr and Rabe and Sierra and Ryan and Restovich and McCracken. He's about the same as Kielty but not as accomplished as JJones.

I'm tired of "just a guy" filling a role when they know "just a guy" is not going to get them by. Kubel deserves a spot on this team but on a division champion team in 2008, it is as the 4th OF, not a starter. 2009 and beyond is a different story but for now he is "just a guy".

Also known as a journeyman. Kubel will bounce from team to team for a 10-12 year career as a lefthanded bat that can sometimes hit right handed pitching and barley good enough to play the OF in a pinch.

The guy has had 1,000 ABs , 90% vs RH Pitching and he is a career .265 hitter.

Comparing Jason Boofin Kubel to Frank Thomas is ridiculous.

ChrisK is right about Frank as far as leadeship goes but I was there last year when he hit his 500th HR off of Silva. The Twins have enough leadership. They need guys who can hit the ball like that.

[ChrisK]

Before he got hurt Kubel hit .320 in the minor leagues with over 1000 at bats. Compare that to Bobby Kielty who has a .278 minor league average. It's hard to say how much that injury took out of Kubel and yes, the minor leagues are not the majors, but that's a pretty good average. Kubel has the chance to be a good major league hitter and with the dearth of hitting on this team, the Twins have to see if he can make the jump.

It may have been ridiculous in the past to compare Kubel to Thomas, but this year Thomas' numbers have not been good. Still I'd want to check him out and see if he can offer more than what Monroe's giving the Twins and then if he's willing to be a part time DH and pinch hitter. I don't see the Twins giving up on Monroe this early though, it could hamper their chances in the future to pick up free agents. And Thomas will be looking for as many at bats as he can get so it's unlikely he'd accept a part time role.

[Govs93]

Kubel is just a guy, that's it. He doesn't hit for average, nor for power, he is a station to station baserunner, he will give you zero wow moments in the OF, and his arm strength is somwhere between Shannon Stewart's and Jason Tyner's.

Kubel had a glorious June of 2006 (YES: his 3 HR's this year have been most welcome) but prior to and since then, he's just a guy. He's better than Ford and Nevin and Offerman and Cirillo and Monroe and Rondell and GJones and Buchanan and Mohr and Rabe and Sierra and Ryan and Restovich and McCracken. He's about the same as Kielty but not as accomplished as JJones.

I'm tired of "just a guy" filling a role when they know "just a guy" is not going to get them by. Kubel deserves a spot on this team but on a division champion team in 2008, it is as the 4th OF, not a starter. 2009 and beyond is a different story but for now he is "just a guy".

Also known as a journeyman. Kubel will bounce from team to team for a 10-12 year career as a lefthanded bat that can sometimes hit right handed pitching and barley good enough to play the OF in a pinch.

The guy has had 1,000 ABs , 90% vs RH Pitching and he is a career .265 hitter.

Comparing Jason Boofin Kubel to Frank Thomas is ridiculous.

ChrisK is right about Frank as far as leadeship goes but I was there last year when he hit his 500th HR off of Silva. The Twins have enough leadership. They need guys who can hit the ball like that.

They don't necessarily need the long ball... they need run producers. Care to guess who's generating the 2nd most on the team so far this year?

At this point in their respective careers, Kubel and Thomas can legitimately be compared... or if you're Bill Smith, you don't bother to compare (rightfully so). Frank Thomas is not coming here, nor should he. Given the playing time, Kubel will produce as many - if not more - runs than Thomas will, and it's very obvious that Thomas isn't interested in a team anymore - he's interested in himself. To some degree, he's earned that right with the time he's put in, but it doesn't mean he's the perfect fit for every team.

[packerboy]

If this Jason Kubel guy is so good, whey did they feel the need to trade Garza for DY. Why not hang on to Garza and put the great Jason in LF every night?

Why is Killer Kubel only in the lineup because Cuddyer is hurt and even then Denard Span has played out there.

If Jason The Bambino Kubel has so much potential, why in the Boof did we sign Craig Monreo as the RH DH?

Why?

Well, Ill tel yah why....Jason Kubel isnt good enough thats why.

Jason Kubel couldn't carry Frank Thomases jock strap from Huberts to home plate.

[Govs93]

If this Jason Kubel guy is so good, whey did they feel the need to trade Garza for DY. Why not hang on to Garza and put the great Jason in LF every night?

Why is Killer Kubel only in the lineup because Cuddyer is hurt and even then Denard Span has played out there.

If Jason The Bambino Kubel has so much potential, why in the Boof did we sign Craig Monreo as the RH DH?

Why?

Well, Ill tel yah why....Jason Kubel isnt good enough thats why.

Jason Kubel couldn't carry Frank Thomases jock strap from Huberts to home plate.

And why did the Blue Jays let go of Frank Thomas for nothing in return, and put themselves in a position to eat $18 million just to get him out of there?

The company line was that they signed Monroe for outfield depth after Torii left. They never envisioned Kubel as a fulltime outfielder going into this year, I'm not sure why you keep trying to sell him as one. One has nothing to do with the other.

And your argument for bringing in DY is as ridiculous as your plea for Thomas. Everybody and their mother knew that Young was one of the premier young hitters in MLB, and the kind of guy you can build an offense around - a perfect right handed compliment for Morneau and Mauer, and with the depth of pitching we all know they had, you make a deal and start building a young offense - which includes Kubel.