kitekrazy

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Oct 15, 2010 -> 12:53 PM) Closers are a dime a dozen these days. Except for a Southside team in the month of August. It will be interesting to see what kind of money Jenks will get from another team.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Oct 14, 2010 -> 01:50 PM) So let's ignore the fact that Aardsma has a 2.90 ERA, 9.6 K/9 and 144 era+ the last two years? He's certainly not elite. But considering he's made just over 3 million the last two years, I'd say the Mariners have gotten pretty good value. How about Nick Masset? All he's done the last two years is post a 2.89 ERA, 9.1 K/9 and an ERA+ of 142. And I'm shocked you of all people haven't mentioned the complete bust that has been Tony Pena. Don Cooper is getting pretty overrated. He's good but the hype is ridiculous. We basically got a year and a half of dominant pitching from Contreras. A failed reliever that's turned elite (give him big props there). And Gavin Floyd. Not saying that's nothing. But he's not the messiah of pitching coaches, either. Ouch. Good call on Aardsma. Steve Stone thought that was a great prospect.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Oct 14, 2010 -> 08:13 AM) Plus Coop has probably forgotten more about pitching than any of us could ever know, and HE wanted Jackson. In Coop I trust. He gets a free pass way too often. His group under achieved. Danks has meltdowns vs. the Twins. Floyd? Maybe a million dollar arm but not a mind to match it. What about the pen? Coops magic is probably short term. He gets too much praise.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 17, 2010 -> 03:19 AM) This might sound dumb, but I'd like to acquire a Twin or 2 for karma's sake. We need some former Twins on the team. Won't help when they play the Yankees.

QUOTE (MattZakrowski @ Oct 12, 2010 -> 08:09 AM) That is the sort of range we prefer in our RFs. POTW.

Interesting read. http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/104682954.html

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 06:01 PM) WTF is up with these guys? How do you get to the playoffs like that year after year, dominate your division, and then collapse in the playoffs? Might be a curse in that state. The Vikings set precedent.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 11, 2010 -> 07:18 AM) WTF? Really, you think that the reason baseball has no cap is the owners? And not the fact that it has the most powerful union in Sports? Your latter statement I place on the owners. So, yes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 11, 2010 -> 09:40 AM) So in otherwords it is pretty universal that fan bases think they have the worst manager in their game. Yes it is. Plus fans get caught up in thinking their team is better than it really is.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 08:39 PM) This is why, IMO there should be a cap of a $150 MM payroll in baseball. Maybe they'll might think about it if the NHL surpasses MLB in popularity. Baseball owners don't appear to be the most brilliant people in sports. A cap should be about $100M. Each player can make $4M. The NFL cap I don't think is $150M and they have a much larger roster. I fear the NFL owners will think they way the MLB is setup that it's a great idea.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 07:43 PM) The only reason I say this is because if you bring back everyone mentioned and do field the same team with $120M payroll Im still not sure its a 95 win team that can even get past the Twins....again. Then again they might win 95 and how they do against the Twins isn't all that important. If you take out the slow start, pen blowing 5 straight games and replace just a few guys and get better at DH, they aren't that far. They could also get a lot worse since they got some older players and age will start to show in other players. Kenny doesn't have much trade bait and who knows what his financial resources will be. He always makes it out to be grim but getting Jackson and Manny contradicts that.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 09:58 PM) http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/10...?page=1&c=y Six ways to improve the Twins going into next season. It will be interesting to see if KW takes a shot at Crain if they don't resign him...although he'd be overpaying based on 2010. Guerrier could become available, Rauch obviously as well. Pavano might be gone if he asks for too much money (and more than 2 years, which he arguably might get from someone)...Hudson will undoubtedly be gone as well, and they're going to have to make a decision on JJ Hardy. The writer's main idea was trying to deal Young and Slowey for Greinke. I think it would take more than that, personally. I don't think Danks (or Floyd) and Quentin would be enough, either. Interesting feedback from that article. Most of the fans can't get past complaining about Gardy. I'm not sure Greinke is all that either. The Sox could take out the Twins if their GM started collecting players from the Royals so Kenny can't get any more of them. Too bad they didn't hold on to Santana. Who knows what Kenny's resources are for next season.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 10:56 PM) Too bad you can't merge the Twins' offense with the White Sox starting pitching. We have Peavy (theoretically), Jackson, Danks and Floyd who can all dominate games. Obviously you feel Cuddyer is not that elite RH bat, the problem is who is it, then? I could see the Twins going after Vladimir Guerrero as their primary DH, but that pushes Thome out. It's tricky, since you don't know what you'll have in Morneau, the White Sox have the same issue with Peavy. You certainly can't shed Kubel, Thome AND not know what you have in Morneau. That's a huge gamble. And can Thome be counted upon to be as effective again next year, it's doubtful. Danks had nice numbers but I think he and Floyd are now mental midgets.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Oct 11, 2010 -> 01:25 AM) Look at the difference between the Twins and Yankees offseason and in-season moves. The yankees make moves to win the World Series, the Twins make moves to get past the White Sox or win the division. Of course the Yanks have way more $$ to spend but in increasing payroll they go out and get free agent prizes Mark Texeria, CC Sabathia, they trade for Curtis Granderson, acquire Kerry Wood, etc. Those are real proven impact players. Look at who the Twins go out and get during their big able to spend year; they get an oft injured journeyman 2B in Orlando Hudson, they trade for a recently demoted to AAA SS named JJ Hardy, they sign Thome and assign him to the bench, they trade for a closer that was released by the freaking Pirates a year ago, and they can wait to sign a washed up $8M reliever the angels couldn't wait to get rid of in Fuentes. DOES ANYONE SEE THE DIFFERENCE OR IS IT JUST ME!! Heck look at the Phillies back to back years they are in need of a pitcher, as are the Twins. The Phillies trade for Cliff Lee first then acquire Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt the following year. The Twins were in need of a pitcher in 2010 too, they signed Carl Pavano for like $7M. The yankees and now phillies have shown that they get it, a move or a signing isnt worth making unless its a real impact move that has the ability to effect who wins the world series. The Twins seem happy to make "B" moves, win the division, and then get swept in the first round of the playoffs. Is it any wonder why the Yanks won...again. They are above and beyond a much better team than the Twins and pretty much the best team in the AL. I thought Kenny was the king of B moves. Kenny could have won some more series with a $200M payroll. I still have to give the Twins credit after losing some good players, they bounce back.

QUOTE (klaus kinski @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 09:38 PM) I dont recall them throwing at any Yankee batter-because they'd get one right back . How many Sox batters did they hit this year without payback? Some guys will get hit because they like being close to the plate. (CQ) It's a part of baseball. When PK got hit in the face, he would probably know a lot better than us if it was intentional since he's 60 feet away. The so called payback the next inning cost the Sox 3 runs. Great, that worked.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 11:53 PM) I've been out of town and not had time to check anywhere so I wonder if the Twins take is they had a great season or if people in Minnietown are furious. I know the Yankees should beat the Twins but this postseason ineptitude of theirs is embarrassing. I guess they can mock us and say they own us, but still. Either the Twins are chokers or this truly proves money buys most pennants. Very furious. If they played the other two teams they might still be playing.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 9, 2010 -> 11:51 PM) I just don't see how our fear of the Twins could continue after this. The Twins really are the laughingstock of baseball right now. Swept by NY again?? Please. If the White Sox are ever intimidated by these guys again and have the kind of record they had against the Twins this year, then even as an Ozzie/KW apologist I agree heads have to roll. The Twins are a laughingstock because of their postseason flameouts. There's no other way to put it. Too bad Twins. You got owned. Yes you owned us, but this has to be as painful as the Sox's pathetic effort against the Twins this year. Twins fans must be pissed/embarrassed. Or are they blaming the loss of Morneau which really is a copout. You are playing the same game as the Twins fans. The fans are already firing the the ownership/manager, not gonna watch another game, no more season tickets. Yes the Twins owned the Sox but so did the Royals, Tigers, Orioles, Indians and anyone close to .500. That's been the Sox MO this century. The only constant peice in that is Kenny has been the GM. The Sox have this bad habit of playing down to the competition. Throw in the pen not being able to get anyone out in most of August. Twins used the trade deadline to help fix theirs. If the Sox took care of the other business, they wouldn't wet the bed so much when it comes to a showdown with the Twins. Besides the Twins beat a lot of team after the break. Baseball is full of streaks and that one couldn't last forever. They seem to peak too soon.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 9, 2010 -> 11:55 PM) Twins are the laughingstock of baseball tonight. They just are. Many people look at it as the small market team vs. the best team money can buy. Interesting reactions to the Star Tribune article about Gardy got an extension. I should go over there and impersonate a Twins fan and say "maybe we can get Ozzie Guillen for 2012, he's won a World Series".

I wouldn't be surprised if Sale is on the team as the closer for 2011. They will need one next year and I don't think they will buy one.

Maybe the Twins need a hypnotist to convice them those pinstripes are actually White Sox uniforms. Ouch. Tony Larussa said that he loves to face managers like Gardenhire who never bunt, hit and run, squeeze or take chances because you know exactly what they are going to do and it makes managing so much easier. I agree with him. Huh?

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Oct 9, 2010 -> 11:54 PM) Mauer had a very good postseason last year and I can't believe there are people that still believe guys like Mauer don't show up when they don't produce. Its a small sample size, with almost any player if they get enough opportunities their playoff numbers will be similar to their regular season numbers. I'm assuming you were in the ARod isn't clutch camp until he dominated the postseason last year right? A-Rod gets a pass because he was considered a shoe in HOF. People forget that baseball is still a team sport. There's still 8 other guys in the line up that need to produce. There have been mediocre players that have become legends because of the post season. Modern day sports fans and media seem to make seasons less important today. It's worse when it comes to the NFL. What was so awesome about the post season 2005 White Sox, you pretty much had 25 guys produce. That was one of the best post season teams I've seen in my lifetime. If the Sox win 3 more, I doubt they could top that one.

I found this quote from that *other* forum but too funny to leave out. Nothing could ever lessen my dislike for the Twins, but this series really put it to the test. Thankfully, I will no longer have to: -Root for the Yankees, which makes me want to take ten showers. -Be glad when Nick Swisher (who sucked, then sulked, then quit on the Sox) has success, which makes me physically ill. -Have to be grateful for bad calls by the biggest jag-bag umpire in baseball, Hunter Wendelstedt. One more reason to dislike the Twins: for forcing me to hate myself for the past four days!

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Oct 9, 2010 -> 11:32 PM) This actually from a yankee fan on one of the twins forums: Minnesota BOBs? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I loved the part:The ONLY player on the Twins that has a chance of being a Yankee is that catcher of yours. What is his name again? I doubt Mauer could handle NY. You might as well ask for a crucifixion if you don't show up for the post season.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Oct 9, 2010 -> 11:30 PM) But anyway... we could make this an absolutely HILARIOUS thread with quotes from them. I agree. It gives us a chance to see ourselves in the mirror. I loved this. Let's face it the local teams outside of TK and to a lesser extent Bud Grant have never had a good post-season manage or coaches. The teams that did... moved.

I think media people got too enamored with the Twins ASB record. Peter Gammons thought this was the Twins year. That kind of intensive play eventually ends. The Yankees are a better team. They got guys who show up for the post season.