The Jim Thome Saga Ends

[clyons]

and it was off of guy who was in the midst of saving 70 something in a row

 

Yeah, 7 years ago.

 

Last year he hit .234, had an OBP of .277 and K'd 108 times in 462 at bats.

 

I guess that means he'd platoon well at DH with Jones.

[PeavyTime]

Yeah, 7 years ago.

 

Last year he hit .234, had an OBP of .277 and K'd 108 times in 462 at bats.

 

I guess that means he'd platoon well at DH with Jones.

 

Then what happens to Kotsay?

[ThunderBolt]

That.

 

It also seems that some of ST is ready to hand over the division to a team that made a minor move. Yes, it's a minor move because he won't be playing as much as some of you think he will.

 

I like Thome too, but we need to stop acting like this guy was the second coming.

This "minor move" would have add a projected 44 runs to our average to below-average lineup. That's a big deal

[Flash Tizzle]

They also have Swarzak, Manship and their prize possession who will move fast in Kyle Gibson, who's predicted to be their #1 starter in 2012 or 2013.

 

The Twins were active acquiring talent all summer. With the 22nd overall pick in June, they drafted Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson, a projected top-10 pick choice who was available because he had a stress reaction in his right forearm. Gibson signed at the Aug. 17 deadline for $1.85 million, marking the first time Minnesota took a premier talent who slid and paid him a seven-figure, above-slot bonus.

 

In another first, the Twins paid the highest bonus on the international market in 2009 and the highest for an international player in franchise history when infielder Miguel Sano signed in September for $3.15 million. Minnesota had kicked off the international period by signing German outfielder Max Kepler for $800,000, the largest bonus ever given to a European position player.

from baseballamerica.com

 

The Twins are going into an all-new stadium, they're not messing around.

Well, we're always looking to be like the Twins, so I guess that means we should be spending 3+ million for international talent and paying players above slot bonuses. Right?

 

Why don't we ever emulate the good parts of teams, such as a devotion to minor league development, instead of the grindy gimmicky parts? And yes, I realize we've changed our ways from the past, but we still haven't developed much of anything outside of this country through our system. It shouldn't be Carlos Lee, then nothing afterwards. That was over 10 years ago.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Flash Tizzle

[greg775]

This stuff about Jones being in great shape is the cliche offseason story. Baseball writers laugh about it. It means nothing.

[MHizzle85]

This "minor move" would have add a projected 44 runs to our average to below-average lineup. That's a big deal

They play seasons on projections now?

 

 

[MattZakrowski]

They play seasons on projections now?

Good point, projections are pulled out of some statistician's ***, and have no basis in reality, and are definitely not predicated on factors like player's past performance.

[PeavyTime]

They play seasons on projections now?

 

 

"I'll go ahead and make sure you get another copy of that memo. Umm-k?"

[ThunderBolt]

They play seasons on projections now?

Not anymore. Now they just go with gut feelings and conjecture.

[witesoxfan]

If that was the Sox rotation you would be calling for 65 wins. Its not good.

 

Because the Sox offense is mediocre. If the Sox had the Twins offense, I'd say they had a pretty damn good team.

 

Baker has the stuff to be a legit 2 starter, although he regressed last season.

 

Slowey is more like a Sonnanstine type who profiles as a 4/5 but pitched like a 2/3 in 2008.

 

Blackburn is a 3/4, although he has had his moments against us and has really been their "big game" pitcher.

 

Perkins, if he can stay healthy, has a "plus" arm.

 

Pavano was suprisingly good for them, he could be anything from a 3-5. He pitched much much better than his ERA of around 5 would indicate because of one or two really terrible outings, the rest were basically "quality" starts.

 

Yes, it's a far cry from Santana/Liriano/Radke/Garza, but they got the job done last year.

 

Then you throw other names onto the list like Liriano, Manship, Swarzak, they have a lot of depth. That's at least 9 starters. We have six, unless you count Torres and Hynick as 7 and 8.

 

Baker is a solid #2. Slowey is far superior to Sonnanstine. He has plus control and his stuff is pretty solid. I would say he is comparable to Greg Maddux towards the end of his career but not at the end of his career. Blackburn is good #3 pitcher as his 4.04 ERA over the past two years indicates. Perkins doesn't have a plus arm and he isn't that good. Pavano is a decent #4 pitcher right now and he pitched his ass off against the Tigers and Sox last year.

 

From what I can see, they need Slowey to rebound to where he was in '08. If they get that, they need one of Duensing, Liriano, Swarzak, Manship, and whoever else to be a #5 starter. If they don't get Slowey to rebound, they need two from that group to be decent.

 

In the end, I wouldn't say their rotation is good, but it should get the job done.

[The Ginger Kid]

Hahahaha this is comical. New stadiums sell tickets. You don't have to add a old, breaking down, once-a-week DH to sell more tickets.

never hurts to add a big name and bat to add to the excitement of a new stadium, esp a team that's been unable or reluctant to add big names in the past. but i'm glad it amuses you.

 

As for the Twins, i think they were the favorites going into the season even if we kept Thome. I see the Tigers as the sleeper who could make some noise.

[Balta1701]

As for the Twins, i think they were the favorites going into the season even if we kept Thome. I see the Tigers as the sleeper who could make some noise.

What exactly did the Tigers do to upgrade for this season?

[The Ginger Kid]

What exactly did the Tigers do to upgrade for this season?

I like Scherzer w/Porcello and Verlander heading up the rotation, and I think Sizemore will be an upgrade over egghead and Raburn will be playing every day, which could help him. Plus he's a solid defender. They also have a closer now with Valverde. And lastly, I was very impressed with Avila last year. Be interesting to see what he can do with a full year under his belt. Not picking them, just saying, they could surprise.

[MHizzle85]

Good point, projections are pulled out of some statistician's ***, and have no basis in reality, and are definitely not predicated on factors like player's past performance.

You know the point I was trying to make here. Last time I checked, they didn't hand out wins on who looks like they're going to win. They still play the game.

[Benchwarmerjim]

Twins fans are sure excited to see Thome. I was at TwinsFest Friday, and Thome was at one of the Player Autograph booths. My friend and I were going to stand in line, but the line was really long. I would say close to 700 in line. Some with Thome Twins jerseys already (where did they get them so quick!)

 

Myself, I don't know how I feel. Thome is old and has back issues and has killed Twins pitching for about 30 years it seems (kind of like Favre and the Vikings). But, he is cheap, a super nice guy, veteran presence, and a guy who is willing to draw a walk.

 

I guess better to have Thome as a bench guy/platoon DH than some of the other retreads the Twins have bring in (Lamb, Monroe, White, the list is long and dubious)

 

speaking of the Twins, fans have been kind of abuzz about Liriano's Dominican Winter Ball start the other day. Something like 5 IP, 10 K's. 92-93 MPH FB and his 84-86 MPH slider with wicked movement. That should be for another thread though

[SoxAce]

speaking of the Twins, fans have been kind of abuzz about Liriano's Dominican Winter Ball start the other day. Something like

5 IP, 10 K's. 92-93 MPH FB and his 84-86 MPH slider with wicked movement. That should be for another thread though

 

I told wite to not sleep on that guy and why, but he replied back some non sense I don't even remember. Sure he has to do that when the season comes, but from what I heard and from what a scout told Andrew Marchanes(sp?) he "looks like the Liriano of old." Usually it takes 2 years to really come back from TJ. Well... this will be year 2 for Francisco and I see him being a nice dark horse for you guys this season.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Two of the best Sox blogs in the business summarize why there really is no excuse or KW to be deferring to Oz on personnel decisions. http://soxmachine.com/soxmachine/2010/01/2...llen/#more-1269 and http://www.southsidesox.com/2010/1/25/1269...ot-a-fan-of-the

 

These are must reads IMO.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I told wite to not sleep on that guy and why, but he replied back some non sense I don't even remember. Sure he has to do that when the season comes, but from what I heard and from what a scout told Andrew Marchanes(sp?) he "looks like the Liriano of old." Usually it takes 2 years to really come back from TJ. Well... this will be year 2 for Francisco and I see him being a nice dark horse for you guys this season.

 

If the Liriano of 2006 returns we are in DEEP s***.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

If the Liriano of 2006 returns we are in DEEP s***.

All the more reason to add a good LH bat NOW, before the season starts. rather than later when KW comes to his senses.

[Quin]

If the Liriano of 2006 returns we are in DEEP s***.

 

That would give this division to the Twins barring the Sox make a blockbuster.

[GoodAsGould]

You all are way over-exagerating, sure Liriano being the pitcher of old would be a boost for the Twins but we can easily say if Quentin or Rios are the players they were a couple years back this team will be fine. Just have to wait and see and let things play out.

[Flash Tizzle]

Twins fans are sure excited to see Thome. I was at TwinsFest Friday, and Thome was at one of the Player Autograph booths. My friend and I were going to stand in line, but the line was really long. I would say close to 700 in line. Some with Thome Twins jerseys already (where did they get them so quick!)

 

Myself, I don't know how I feel. Thome is old and has back issues and has killed Twins pitching for about 30 years it seems (kind of like Favre and the Vikings). But, he is cheap, a super nice guy, veteran presence, and a guy who is willing to draw a walk.

 

I guess better to have Thome as a bench guy/platoon DH than some of the other retreads the Twins have bring in (Lamb, Monroe, White, the list is long and dubious)

 

speaking of the Twins, fans have been kind of abuzz about Liriano's Dominican Winter Ball start the other day. Something like 5 IP, 10 K's. 92-93 MPH FB and his 84-86 MPH slider with wicked movement. That should be for another thread though

That is basically the velocity he threw both pitches last season. When he's throwing 95-97 mph fastballs and 90 mph sliders I'll be more afraid. Then I'll lose that fear when, after a year (at most) his arm falls off.

 

No one loved the old Liriano like I did, but even if he did return to old form, it wouldn't be for very long. What made him great is what ultimately led to his injury. You just can't indefinitely snap off a 90mph slider with his delivery without reoccurring issues.

[Benchwarmerjim]

My position is that 'the old Liriano' will never come back. If he does, bonus! but I don't expect it again. The trouble Liriano had last year is that he couldn't throw he fastball for strikes when he needed to. If he could throw strikes, he could be a decent 5th starter or a bullpen guy.

[southsider2k5]

Twins fans are sure excited to see Thome. I was at TwinsFest Friday, and Thome was at one of the Player Autograph booths. My friend and I were going to stand in line, but the line was really long. I would say close to 700 in line. Some with Thome Twins jerseys already (where did they get them so quick!)

 

Myself, I don't know how I feel. Thome is old and has back issues and has killed Twins pitching for about 30 years it seems (kind of like Favre and the Vikings). But, he is cheap, a super nice guy, veteran presence, and a guy who is willing to draw a walk.

 

I guess better to have Thome as a bench guy/platoon DH than some of the other retreads the Twins have bring in (Lamb, Monroe, White, the list is long and dubious)

 

speaking of the Twins, fans have been kind of abuzz about Liriano's Dominican Winter Ball start the other day. Something like 5 IP, 10 K's. 92-93 MPH FB and his 84-86 MPH slider with wicked movement. That should be for another thread though

 

That is insane about having Thome Jerseys done already.

[Texsox]

That is insane about having Thome Jerseys done already.

 

You gotta love American marketing and manufacturing

 

What really amazes me is when we piss off some s*** hole country with two airplanes and a leaky boat half way around the world and within 3 hours they are burning dozens of US flags. Where the hell do they get them so fast?