The Welcome Back Johan Thread

hockyman08 · Post by **hockyman08** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:37 pm

I was in the gallery yesterday at 16, When Lehman put it next tp the hole that place erupted. And i'd say about 20,000 were there, it's truly a site that is a must see.

Mr. McTabish · Post by **Mr. McTabish** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:47 pm

February 2, 2008

Dear Twins Fans: On behalf of the entire Minnesota Twins organization, I'dlike to take this opportunity to follow up regarding today'sannounced trade of Johan Santana to the New York Mets inexchange for outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers DeolisGuerra, Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey.

Trading a pitcher of Johan Santana's stature and characterwas a very difficult decision for the Twins organization.Since being acquired as an unknown 20 year old by the Twinsin the 1999 Rule 5 Draft, Johan has emerged as one of thegame's elite pitchers, as well as an ultimate competitor,teammate and role model. The Twins organization isincredibly thankful for Johan's significant contributions tothis franchise and wish he and his family all the best goingforward.

As the club has stated many times, our first choice was tosign Johan to a contract extension ensuring he remained in aTwins uniform for years to come. Despite the largestmulti-year offer in Twins history - one which would haverewarded Johan with the highest annual salary among allpitchers in Baseball - the team and Johan's representativesrespectfully were unable to reach agreement. Only at thatjuncture did the team and Johan's agent begin consideringtrade options.

As has been well documented, the Twins organization has arich history of acquiring quality players via trade.Examples include the acquisitions of Joe Nathan, FranciscoLiriano and Boof Bonser from the Giants; Eric Milton andCristan Guzman from the Yankees; and Rick Aguilera and KevinTapani from the Mets. With that history in mind, Bill Smithand talent evaluators such as Mike Radcliff, Rob Antony andTerry Ryan engaged in a process aimed at helping ensure thelong-term competitiveness of the franchise.

With hopes of repeating that trade success, the deal bringsfour high quality young players to the Twins system:

Carlos Gomez - OF - 22 Years Old - Ranked as Mets' 3rdBest Prospect by Baseball AmericaNative of Dominican Republic is a true five-tool athletewith game-changing speed and an above average arm ... MadeMajor League debut with the Mets in 2007.

Deolis Guerra - RHP - 18 Years Old - Ranked as Mets' 2ndBest Prospect by Baseball AmericaThe Venezulean native was the Opening Day starter for Mets'Class A Port St. Lucie club at the age of 17 ... projects tobe an impact starter ... pitched in the 2007 Futures Game

Philip Humber - RHP - 25 Years Old - Ranked as Mets' 7thBest Prospect by Baseball AmericaWon championship game of 2003 College World Series for Rice... Was the Mets first round pick - third overall - in the2004 draft ... Has a great curve ball.

Kevin Mulvey - RHP - 22 Years Old - Ranked as Mets' 4th BestProspect by Baseball AmericaThe Mets top pick in the 2006 draft, throws four pitches forstrikes ... Was the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Yearand pitched in the 2007 Futures Game.

These acquisitions only add to the Twins impressive nucleusof young, impact players. Ron Gardenhire can take comfort inknowing he has a lineup anchored by some of the game's bestyoung offensive stars in Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, MichaelCuddyer and Delmon Young; a veteran bullpen led by all-starcloser Joe Nathan; and a young emerging starting rotationfeaturing Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, Kevin Slowey and thereturn of Francisco Liriano. The pitching rotation will beyoung, but talented, and we are confident that RonGardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson will mold thisgroup into a successful unit.

Once again, thank you for your incredible support of Twinsbaseball. We look forward to seeing you at the Metrodomeagain this spring.

Win Twins!!!

Dave St. Peter
President

WendyClark · Post by **WendyClark** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:34 am

Neutron 14 wrote:
WendyClark wrote:
Neutron 14 wrote: I'm just picturing the hole, then the Excel Center(filled), and I'm thinking "marketing".
and then the 150 corporate suites on that hole that fetch $45k for the weekend
Well Wendy, I stand corrected. And furthermore, I've added being in that gallery to my "bucket list".

Ahh yes, "bucket list", being in the gallery at 16th at FBR and reeling up a 30incher from the Minnesota river, i hope i get to do both.......with a Brain Melt in hand

goldy313 · Post by **goldy313** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:56 am

Dave St.Peter had me until he mentioned Boof Bonser as an emerging talent (unless he meant his pants size), didn't he watch Boof pitch last season?

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:02 am

I dont like the Santana trade.

But I guess I have to suck it up and get into what a promising young team the Twins have. I doubt they will finish much above .500 but it will be fun to see how they do and develop.

The pitching staff will take it's lumps like we havent seen around here in a while. If things start to go bad there is no stopper anymore.

Mauer and Morneau need to get back to what they were doing in 06. Cuddy too. Lets earn the dough boys.

Young should be exciting to watch develop.

Maybe Lamb can stabalise the 3B position.

They say you need to strong up the middle to win. They just lost some key players in the middle of the field, 2 of whom were amoung the best in baseball.

I dont like it.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:15 am

packerboy wrote:I dont like the Santana trade.

But I guess I have to suck it up and get into what a promising young team the Twins have. I doubt they will finish much above .500 but it will be fun to see how they do and develop.

The pitching staff will take it's lumps like we havent seen around here in a while. If things start to go bad there is no stopper anymore.

Mauer and Morneau need to get back to what they were doing in 06. Cuddy too. Lets earn the dough boys.

Young should be exciting to watch develop.

Maybe Lamb can stabalise the 3B position.

They say you need to strong up the middle to win. They just lost some key players in the middle of the field, 2 of whom were amoung the best in baseball.

I dont like it.

When is P's & C's?

Govs93 · Post by **Govs93** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:23 am

Neutron 14 wrote:
packerboy wrote:I dont like the Santana trade.

But I guess I have to suck it up and get into what a promising young team the Twins have. I doubt they will finish much above .500 but it will be fun to see how they do and develop.

The pitching staff will take it's lumps like we havent seen around here in a while. If things start to go bad there is no stopper anymore.

Mauer and Morneau need to get back to what they were doing in 06. Cuddy too. Lets earn the dough boys.

Young should be exciting to watch develop.

Maybe Lamb can stabalise the 3B position.

They say you need to strong up the middle to win. They just lost some key players in the middle of the field, 2 of whom were amoung the best in baseball.

I dont like it.
When is P's & C's?

For the Twins, it's the 17th.

The Orioles, Cubs, Astros, Royals, A's, Phillies, Giants, and Mariners are the first to report on the 13th.

I'm excited for it to get rolling again... although spring training is always such a big distraction from the opneing of the Arena Football League season. You take the good with the bad!

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:23 am

I think in 2 weeks.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:20 am

When I saw this thread had slid back up the menu, I was hopeful that something came up and the "White Flag Trade" was canceled.

I never did hear, did anyone fail their physical, did the comissioner veto the Mets extention?

Zamboni Guy · Post by **Zamboni Guy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:43 am

Irishmans Shanty wrote:When I saw this thread had slid back up the menu, I was hopeful that something came up and the "White Flag Trade" was canceled.

I never did hear, did anyone fail their physical, did the comissioner veto the Mets extention?

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:29 pm

It isnt easy to look at , is it?

I , for one, am tired of it.

80 milion for 4 years isnt enough?

Baseball needs to do something about this kind of thing. Franchise player tag, salary cap, whatever. Its unfair to Twins fans and other small market teams to constantly have to go through this with the best players.

There should be enough money around to make everybody happy...even the fans who shell it out.

Every other major league has put something together to get the players the money they should be making while still keeping everybody competitive from a financial stand point.

I dont like it.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:29 pm

packerboy wrote:It isnt easy to look at , is it?

I , for one, am tired of it.

80 milion for 4 years isnt enough?

Baseball needs to do something about this kind of thing. Franchise player tag, salary cap, whatever. Its unfair to Twins fans and other small market teams to constantly have to go through this with the best players.

There should be enough money around to make everybody happy...even the fans who shell it out.

Every other major league has put something together to get the players the money they should be making while still keeping everybody competitive from a financial stand point.

I dont like it.

I agree. We should sue the MLB! Anybody know a lawyer?

Somebody needs to crank up the 2008 Twins thread...

Meet the Twins! or something like that... Use the dating game music during the introductions. Who are these guys?

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:41 pm

Neutron 14 wrote:
Somebody needs to crank up the 2008 Twins thread...

Meet the Twins! or something like that... Use the dating game music during the introductions. Who are these guys?

You got 2 broken arms or something?

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:50 pm

packerboy wrote:
Neutron 14 wrote:
Somebody needs to crank up the 2008 Twins thread...

Meet the Twins! or something like that... Use the dating game music during the introductions. Who are these guys?

You got 2 broken arms or something?

Crap...