It isnt just the timing of the hits that hasnt been there, although thats a real problem.
It seems that when they pitch well they dont hit at all and when they do hit, they dont pitch.
The batting avg stat is overshadowed by the lack of power more than anything. The Tigers have a lower BA and OBP as a team but have scored many more runs. Why? Timing and 40 HRs compared to 23.
Terry Ryan can talk about getting more singles all he wants. The Twins already lead the league in # of hits. Let me repeat that: The Twins lead the league in number of hits.
For the upteenth time, get somebody in here who can hit for power.
2007 Minnesota Twins
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
post 7899
How nice might this lineup look?
1. Luis Castillo 2B
2. Joe Mauer C
3. Torii Hunter CF
4. Justin Morneau 1B
5. Mike Lowell 3B
6. Michael Cuddyer RF
7. Rondell White DH
8. Lew Ford/Jason Kubel LF
9. Jason Bartlett SS
1. Luis Castillo 2B
2. Joe Mauer C
3. Torii Hunter CF
4. Justin Morneau 1B
5. Mike Lowell 3B
6. Michael Cuddyer RF
7. Rondell White DH
8. Lew Ford/Jason Kubel LF
9. Jason Bartlett SS
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Irishmans Shanty
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post 7906
It has been accepted that the Twins likely won't trade for a bat, but we all know the chances of trading for more than one is slim to none. I think Mike Lowell makes the most sense.Irishmans Shanty wrote:I still don't like Rondell at DH
I still don't like the options in LF.
Kubel, Ford, and White would be fine bench options but I don't want any of them playing 125+ games.
Do the Twins need a bat, obviously yes, but will one bat help all that much? As IS pointed out stats only mean so much, for example the White Sox are dead last in the AL in runs scored, 16 behind their closest team, 36 behind Minnesota, dead last in BA - .056 behind AL leading Minnesota, and their pitching is dead even with the Twins, yet they are in front of the Twins. In fact the only offensive statistic where the White Sox are in front of the Twins is in HR's, 37 -23 and that's with Thome missing nearly half their games. It just goes to show what power can do for a team, the White Sox have 8 guys with more than 1 HR, 12 with at least 1. The Twins have 3 guys with more than 1 HR and only 6 with at least 1
The White Sox went out and signed Darin Erstad for a mere 1 million/yr, how good would he look in LF for the Twins? By contrast the Twins are paying White 2.75 million/yr to be on the DL and stinking Jeff Cirillo 1.5 million/yr for his injuries and 0 extra base hits. That should serve as a prime example of what Terry Ryan is lacking as a GM, he just can't identify a good free agent bat, he keeps bringing in guys who can't play and then overpays them.
The White Sox went out and signed Darin Erstad for a mere 1 million/yr, how good would he look in LF for the Twins? By contrast the Twins are paying White 2.75 million/yr to be on the DL and stinking Jeff Cirillo 1.5 million/yr for his injuries and 0 extra base hits. That should serve as a prime example of what Terry Ryan is lacking as a GM, he just can't identify a good free agent bat, he keeps bringing in guys who can't play and then overpays them.
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Irishmans Shanty
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That gap is only going to widen as the season continues for the mere fact that the Twins have no potential to hit more homers. If Redmond, Punto and Ford averaged 20 HR's a piece over 6 years and right now they are all sitting at one, you know the instant offense will eventually come. For the Twins, they've hit very few and there aren't any more on the way. When Mauer went down I looked at the six bodies that would fill the bookends of the lineup, those guys accounted for 30 some homers in over 10,000 AB's. Three hits to score a run doesn't work, it's why the Twins are under .500.goldy313 wrote: It just goes to show what power can do for a team, the White Sox have 8 guys with more than 1 HR, 12 with at least 1. The Twins have 3 guys with more than 1 HR and only 6 with at least 1
If you've built or are left with a slap hitting high school squad because of injuries, you better play like it. Any leadoff man that reaches needs to be bunted over, period. Now it only takes two hits to score, not three.
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EREmpireStrikesBack
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Re: post 7899
I'd prefer this:boblee wrote:How nice might this lineup look?
1. Luis Castillo 2B
2. Joe Mauer C
3. Torii Hunter CF
4. Justin Morneau 1B
5. Mike Lowell 3B
6. Michael Cuddyer RF
7. Rondell White DH
8. Lew Ford/Jason Kubel LF
9. Jason Bartlett SS
1. Jose Reyes SS
2. Joe Mauer C
3. Alex Rodriguez 3B
4. Albert Pujols DH
5. Vladimir Guerrero RF
6. Manny Ramirez LF
7. Carlos Beltran CF
8. Justin Morneau 1B
9. Chase Utley 2B
I would have Ortiz or Howard instead of Morneau, but figured I should keep at least 2 Twins. Just a thought, I'm sure Pohlad could give a couple hundred million to each club along with some prospects to get each of these guys. And he'd still have a billion or two to spare.
But the problem would be still, we need to sign some pitching.
Either way, I don't think Lowell could cut it as a #5 hitter. Cuddyer would be there and Kubel (I can't believe I'm saying this) 6, have Lowell at 7 right before the piranhas start it up.
Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls
One bat would make a difference. There is an article in the Red Star today that features Punto and his struggles.
The Twins offensive numbers at third base are way below league average. But the article points out that the Twins are 29th in OPS in left field.
I can live with Punto as long as he plays D. He can make up for his lack of production by keeping other teams off the board. But LF right now is a black hole. There is no game changing defense being played out there and no offense either.
A bat out there would make a big difference.
Goldy is right. TR has had good success with d finding pitchers outside of the organization but his efforts at finding hitting have been an embarrassment.
The Twins offensive numbers at third base are way below league average. But the article points out that the Twins are 29th in OPS in left field.
I can live with Punto as long as he plays D. He can make up for his lack of production by keeping other teams off the board. But LF right now is a black hole. There is no game changing defense being played out there and no offense either.
A bat out there would make a big difference.
Goldy is right. TR has had good success with d finding pitchers outside of the organization but his efforts at finding hitting have been an embarrassment.
How much of a leash do the Twins give Ramon Ortiz? He's been brutal, worse than Ponson his past 3 starts and tonight TK threw tougher pitches in BP than he did to the Indians. He's given up 15 runs in 11 innings the past 3 starts and hasn't made it out of the 5th inning. The guys ERA was above 5 for 3 of the past 4 seasons, it seems it took all of a month for opposing scouts to figure him out this season. He's a guy who's had 1 good year and that was 2002 and has a career ERA of 4.82.
Ryan wanted him to fill Radke's spot in the starting rotation but like many of Ryans recent free agents he's looking like another bust. You add up Terry Ryans free agent (re)signings of White, Cirillo, Ponson, and Ortiz and you have 8.75 million in mismangaged money. There's Hunter's and Sanatana's money right there.
Ryan wanted him to fill Radke's spot in the starting rotation but like many of Ryans recent free agents he's looking like another bust. You add up Terry Ryans free agent (re)signings of White, Cirillo, Ponson, and Ortiz and you have 8.75 million in mismangaged money. There's Hunter's and Sanatana's money right there.
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EREmpireStrikesBack
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Thats exactly right goldy.Thats what happens when you do everything on the cheap.
Here is another way to look at it: For the money he has spent on these guys he could have had one Soriano.
Who would fill the shoes of Ponson and Ortiz, you ask? Baker and Garza.
Who would fill the shoes of Cirillo and White?
packerboy and Irishman's Shanty.
Here is another way to look at it: For the money he has spent on these guys he could have had one Soriano.
Who would fill the shoes of Ponson and Ortiz, you ask? Baker and Garza.
Who would fill the shoes of Cirillo and White?
packerboy and Irishman's Shanty.
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Irishmans Shanty
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Jeff Cirillo (37), Ken Harvey, Jose Offerman (35), Rueben Sierra (40), Matt LeCroy (32), Juan Castro (34), Tom Prince (37), Pat Borders (41), Brett Boone (36), Phil Nevin (35), Tony Batista (32, via Japan), Rondell White (35), Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz.
TR..... this profile of player you keep signing in free agency isn't helping.
If you aren't going to get younger free agents or ones coming off of better years, give me the prospects instead, it's over, no more please!
TR..... this profile of player you keep signing in free agency isn't helping.
If you aren't going to get younger free agents or ones coming off of better years, give me the prospects instead, it's over, no more please!
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Irishmans Shanty
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Going all they way back to 2001, here are TR's best Free Agent signees
1) Mike Redmond - journeyman clubhouse leader who has overachieved at the plate but can not stop the running game like a big league starter should
2) Kenny Rogers - 13-8 (4.57 ERA) in his one season in Minnesota
3) Dennys Reyes - situational lefty out of the pen
4) Jason Tyner - utility outfielder who overachieved while Shannon Stewart was sidelined with plantarfaciaitis
5) Matt Guerrier - bullpen gauze pad who has managed to stay on the 25 man roster for a better part of the last 3 years
In TR's defense, he has made some nice trades.
Luis Castillo, Joe Nathan, Nick Punto, Carlos Silva, and Shannon Stewart all were acquired for almost nothing.
But lets face it, if the Twins can't grow it, they can't have it.
1) Mike Redmond - journeyman clubhouse leader who has overachieved at the plate but can not stop the running game like a big league starter should
2) Kenny Rogers - 13-8 (4.57 ERA) in his one season in Minnesota
3) Dennys Reyes - situational lefty out of the pen
4) Jason Tyner - utility outfielder who overachieved while Shannon Stewart was sidelined with plantarfaciaitis
5) Matt Guerrier - bullpen gauze pad who has managed to stay on the 25 man roster for a better part of the last 3 years
In TR's defense, he has made some nice trades.
Luis Castillo, Joe Nathan, Nick Punto, Carlos Silva, and Shannon Stewart all were acquired for almost nothing.
But lets face it, if the Twins can't grow it, they can't have it.
I dont know.
They could have had Frank Thomas for 3 million last year and 5 mill this year.
Trot Nixon cost 3 mill.
Soriano signed for 10 million.
I understand that you cant just add Soriano but if you forget about Cirilo, White, Ortiz and Sid, and use young ballplayers you come out way ahead talent wise and even financially.
I think he has done well in trades and getting free agent back ups but has been penny wise and pound foolish in trying to get first liners to help the team.
They could have had Frank Thomas for 3 million last year and 5 mill this year.
Trot Nixon cost 3 mill.
Soriano signed for 10 million.
I understand that you cant just add Soriano but if you forget about Cirilo, White, Ortiz and Sid, and use young ballplayers you come out way ahead talent wise and even financially.
I think he has done well in trades and getting free agent back ups but has been penny wise and pound foolish in trying to get first liners to help the team.
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EREmpireStrikesBack
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Irishmans Shanty
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Wild4hockey
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A person I could see in the Twins lineup would be Troy Glaus. He would be a nice addition at 3rd Base and would provide some extra pop in the lineup from the right side. We could move Mauer to the 2 spot followed by Glaus, then Morneau, Cuddyer, and Hunter. Glaus carries a hefty $11.5 million salary, but given the current state of the Jays I would say they would do something to make it happen. The Twins and Jays have a history of trading so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Twins try to acquire him if they are within striking distance come July!
Last year, around this time, the Twins made some changes that jump started the club to a division title.
They cut the left side of the infield and inserted Liriano as a starter.
What will they do this year?
a) Trade for a hitter
b) Resign Brett Boone
c) Coax Radtke out of retirement
d) Sign another pitcher
e) Nothing
They cut the left side of the infield and inserted Liriano as a starter.
What will they do this year?
a) Trade for a hitter
b) Resign Brett Boone
c) Coax Radtke out of retirement
d) Sign another pitcher
e) Nothing
According to what LaVelle E. Neal heard from Washington writers, Ortiz is doing what he does, several great starts, followed by several bad starts. The pitching has really gone south, in the last five games they've given up 41 runs. This may actually be a reflection of the hitting woes, the pitchers could be pitching tentatively knowing that if they give up a single run the game could be over.
This team really isn't doing much right, besides the current pitching and hitting disasters there have been baserunning blunders and fielding miscues. Last year at this time Terry Ryan made up for his offseason decisions by pulling the plug on Batista and Juan Castro and moving Liriano into the rotation, bold moves that sparked the team.
Picking up somebody like Glaus would make a lot of sense, but would be out of character for Ryan. Like packerboy has pointed out for the last 3 or so years, Ryan keeps trying to do things on the cheap. There doesn't appear to be anyone in the minors who can provide immediate help, so Ryan will need to go outside the organization to get it. Let's hope he picks up another Shannon Stewart rather than Brett Boone.
[edit: wow, packerboy and I pretty much wrote the same post. Of course, I vote for coaxing Radke out of retirement]
This team really isn't doing much right, besides the current pitching and hitting disasters there have been baserunning blunders and fielding miscues. Last year at this time Terry Ryan made up for his offseason decisions by pulling the plug on Batista and Juan Castro and moving Liriano into the rotation, bold moves that sparked the team.
Picking up somebody like Glaus would make a lot of sense, but would be out of character for Ryan. Like packerboy has pointed out for the last 3 or so years, Ryan keeps trying to do things on the cheap. There doesn't appear to be anyone in the minors who can provide immediate help, so Ryan will need to go outside the organization to get it. Let's hope he picks up another Shannon Stewart rather than Brett Boone.
[edit: wow, packerboy and I pretty much wrote the same post. Of course, I vote for coaxing Radke out of retirement]
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Irishmans Shanty
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Too easy PB.
The answer to the question as worded is: D, sign another pitcher
If you substitute will with should...now then the answer changes.
In all seriousness though, I think they will bring back Batista and Castro, in '06 the right decision was to let them go, maybe the right decision in '07 is to bring them back.
I'll hang up the phone and listen for your answer.
The answer to the question as worded is: D, sign another pitcher
If you substitute will with should...now then the answer changes.
In all seriousness though, I think they will bring back Batista and Castro, in '06 the right decision was to let them go, maybe the right decision in '07 is to bring them back.
I'll hang up the phone and listen for your answer.
I dont think they will do anything so the correct answer is e).
There really isnt much they can do right now. There is nobody in the organization who can hit. As stated here previously, the pitching isnt good enough to win on pitching alone.
So, really the only answer is to get better with who you have. Play better baseball.
They also need to get healthy. White isnt any good but he is better than Rabe and Ford. Mauer needs to get back.
The pitching will improve. Their timing is lousy right now and that will improve.
But looking at CLE and DET, I dont see our boys winning more games than those 2 teams , even when they get back on track.
There really isnt much they can do right now. There is nobody in the organization who can hit. As stated here previously, the pitching isnt good enough to win on pitching alone.
So, really the only answer is to get better with who you have. Play better baseball.
They also need to get healthy. White isnt any good but he is better than Rabe and Ford. Mauer needs to get back.
The pitching will improve. Their timing is lousy right now and that will improve.
But looking at CLE and DET, I dont see our boys winning more games than those 2 teams , even when they get back on track.
Watching Baseball Tonight last night, they were implying that the Dodgers would be looking to swing a deal for Troy Glaus. This would seem to be a nice play for the Twins to try and make.
The guy is expensive, yes, but he's making less than Torii this season ($11.25m vs. $12m), and he's currently signed through '08, so he'd be more than just a rent-a-player. It would solidify the corner power positions and get Punto back into his utility role. He's had injury problems in the past, so that wcould be a cause for concern.
This is probably just another one of those grandios trade proposals that pop up on message boards all the time, but I really think if they're at all serious about adding pop to the lineup and getting back into the race, this should at least be considered. We all know 3B and LF are the pressing concerns.
The guy is expensive, yes, but he's making less than Torii this season ($11.25m vs. $12m), and he's currently signed through '08, so he'd be more than just a rent-a-player. It would solidify the corner power positions and get Punto back into his utility role. He's had injury problems in the past, so that wcould be a cause for concern.
This is probably just another one of those grandios trade proposals that pop up on message boards all the time, but I really think if they're at all serious about adding pop to the lineup and getting back into the race, this should at least be considered. We all know 3B and LF are the pressing concerns.