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I dont know why Thomas was let go by the Jays. Maybe they have a young hitter who they want to give ABs to.

Sure, Kubel is in the Twins offensive plans. The same way Lew Ford and Matthew Lecroix were. He will hang out around here until somebody cheaper and better comes along and when he gets his free agent status he will be gone.

He will then bounce around from team to team like a poor man's Matt Stairs.

Kubel isnt an everyday outfielder and he isnt even an everyday DH but lets be worried about his ABs and not sign the Big Hurt. Thats just great.

Well as long as Frank isnt coming we should give Kubel a nickname.

How about "The Big He Got Hurt" or something like that?

You're ability to predict the future is remarkable considering you're overlooking what's staring you right in the face currently. You've got a guy who is driving the 2nd most runs on the team at the moment, in the top 25 of that category in the AL (despite trailing many of those ahead of him by a good 10-15 ABs - he could easily be top 15), and somehow, he should be replaced by a 40 year old, bad attitude guy who does the same thing? I'm failing to understand the logic.

The kid led this team in hitting for the last two months of last season, has driven in more runs than anybody other than Morneau and Hunter since June, and somehow, he can't seem to play ball. Are you and Gardenhire related?

So, Jason the Great led the Twins in hitting for a couple months.

We could get a couple of kids off the Cretin team to lead the Twins in hitting for awhile.

Frank Thomas would lead the Twins in hitting for his life.

Jason Kubel. You gotta be kiddin me.

We should trade Kubel now that he is leading the team in all of these offensive categories. Sell high baby!

Well State Champ, I am shocked he is still with us.

I would have thought that other teams would have demanded he be included in the Garza or Santana deals.

I doubt that Bill Smith can even pick up the phone without Kubels name being mentioned.

What are the odds that Ted Williams can be thawed out and in uniform by the weekend? There's another old-timey curmudgeon who was a good ball player.

How about him? Bad attitude, past his prime, was able to hit a ball at one point in time... AND he was never kicked off his own team. Sounds like another more viable alternative than Thomas to me.

I'd take Teddy ballgame in a minute.

He hit a HR in his last at bat.

Nobody liked him either.

But he was the second best hitter ever to play.

packerboy wrote:Frank Thomas would lead the Twins in hitting for his life.

Jason Kubel. You gotta be kiddin me.

Pretty much sums it up.

The Jays let him go because they didn't wanna be on the hook for the $10 million option next year and I can't blame them, I wouldn't pay that much for Frank next year. I'd take him on the Twins this year though in a heartbeat.

You talk about run production Govs, funny how Frankie T has outperformed Kubel in runs created every year and isn't even that far behind him with his dismal start to the year. Frank gets on base, that creates runs. Wanna know something else that Kubel ranked highly for the Twins last year? Grouned into double play. That's the kind of guy I want on my team. Just a guy.

Didn't the Jays take Kielty as payment for Shannon Stewart? If so, maybe they'll take Kubel too.

The Big Hurt for Kubel, even Steven.

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:

packerboy wrote:Frank Thomas would lead the Twins in hitting for his life.

Jason Kubel. You gotta be kiddin me.

Pretty much sums it up.

The Jays let him go because they didn't wanna be on the hook for the $10 million option next year and I can't blame them, I wouldn't pay that much for Frank next year. I'd take him on the Twins this year though in a heartbeat.

You talk about run production Govs, funny how Frankie T has outperformed Kubel in runs created every year and isn't even that far behind him with his dismal start to the year. Frank gets on base, that creates runs. Wanna know something else that Kubel ranked highly for the Twins last year? Grouned into double play. That's the kind of guy I want on my team. Just a guy.

So your suggestion is that the fleet-footed Frank Thomas is going to stay out of the DP? Guess who has grounded into more over the past two years - Thomas or Kubel?

And keep in mind, virtually all of Thomas' production this season came in 3 games... he was completely absent the other 13. You can't really compare Kubel to Thomas based on past performance though, because Kubel hasn't been given a consistent chance to play - partially due to injury, partially due to the manager's incessant need to "play the odds".

I'm not going to suggest that Kubel in his prime will be putting up 40+ HR's and 130+ RBI's like Thomas did in his, but is he capable of 25/100? Absolutely yes - and for years down the road. At this point in their careers, Thomas is certainly not going to give you any more than Kubel will, and Kubel has the potential to get better - Thomas does not.

A 2008 Division Challenging Lineup

1. Gomez CF
2. Mauer C
3. Morneau 1B, Big Hurt would give Justin a few more good pitches to hit
4. Thomas DH, could be a 25HR 90RBI guy, still will draw walks
5. Young LF
6. Cuddyer RF, finally hitting in the order where he belongs
7. To be acquired/determined 3B
8. Harris 2B
9. Tolbert SS

Finally, #3-6 could all go 20+ HR's.

Govs wrote:"Kubel hasn't been given a consistent chance to play"

Thats because he isnt good.

packerboy wrote:Govs wrote:"Kubel hasn't been given a consistent chance to play"

Thats because he isnt good.

Your compelling arguments are really making me think twice.

Irishmans Shanty wrote:A 2008 Division Challenging Lineup

1. Gomez CF
2. Mauer C
3. Morneau 1B, Big Hurt would give Justin a few more good pitches to hit
4. Thomas DH, could be a 25HR 90RBI guy, still will draw walks
5. Young LF
6. Cuddyer RF, finally hitting in the order where he belongs
7. To be acquired/determined 3B
8. Harris 2B
9. Tolbert SS

Finally, #3-6 could all go 20+ HR's.

Nice lineup but consider some tweeking.

1. Bat Tolbert here. As fun as Cargo is, his OBP is under .300. Bat Cargo 9 and do the double lead off thingy


2. Bat Mauer #3 and ......take a deep breath now,....... put Punto at #2 and let the guy play 3b.

Damn it, unless you want to spend the dough to bring a guy in here who can do it, stick with the guys you have.

It seems Punto has his eye back and could maybe hit .270. He can bunt and if you get Cargo, Tolbert and Punto on base in front of some guys who can hit, look out.

Morneau at 4 , Thomas at 5 and so on.

Drop DY down to 7 and see if he produces a little more.

By all means, tweak.

I just really like Thomas hitting behind Morneau. Frank is 39 but when he is at the dish it is still an "event".

The Kubel/Thomas debate is intriguing but ask yourself this. Who provides more protection for Morneau, Kubel or Thomas? For me, it's a no brainer. The Royals, Indians, Tigs, and Sox will be content to walk Morneau all summer long and take their chances with whomever is next. Frank changes that whole approach, for Frank you must gameplan for Kubel you do not.

I'm on my 5th bucket of popcorn listening to you guys! Keep it up!

Govs and I aren't the only ones who feel that Kubel deserves to be in the lineup, this is from Aaron Gleeman's blog a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.aarongleeman.com/2008_03_30_ ... 1636627859

01
00

Livantana hangin 'em out West.

Monroeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee delivers a big two out RBI single.

010-0
000-0

Uh huh!

010-020
000-022

The only team with fewer HR's than the Twins takes the lead with one.

010-020-1
000-022

Monroe is a triple short of the cycle. Stay tuned.

010-020-1
000-022-0

Top 8
4-4
1st and 3rd
2 out
Kubel strolling to the dish....

Well?
A. 4-3
B. F9
C. K
D. clutch

In play run(s)