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Somewhere, there's a little old Hatian woman with needles in our "Piranhas".

Very bad Ju-Ju.

It's been a great ride. Thanks Shanty, for 42 pages of entertainment.

We have a lot to look forward to next year. Most of the keys are returning. Hunter's a question mark, and I'd hate to see him in pinstripes.

I think we only have 2 needs.

1. A healthy Liriano.

2. A DH that doesn't bat in the 8 slot.

What a ride it WAS. This one is dissapointing but it is nowhere near the pain of seeing Rincon give up the bomb to Sierra 2 years ago. This series and this game seemed oddly familier to the ALCS in 02. Even the final game was identical, the Twins played poorly yet hung around, crawled back into it and then the floodgates opened in the late innings. This time around they were again victimized by a middle infielder hitting at the bottom of the lineup.

Within a couple hours of a disappointing finish to game 3, the series, and thus the season, I find myself tuned in and enjoying the Yanks/Tigs.

I'd be lying right now if I said I can't imagine the Twins hosting the Yanks right now. But a strange twist of fate, a 100 loss team, a large grown man named Boof, and a school of small fish all came together to create a great finish to a bizarre season. Earlier in the campaign, I proclaimed this to be the "season of improbabilities". PB set me straight and said many of the improbalities were actually positives. He turned out to be right as the Twins were set to begin their greatest run in franchise history.

The season has come to a close but it doesn't mean there aren't pressing issues in dire need of discussion.

1) Was Hunter safe in the 6th or didn't it matter anyway?
2) Has Hunter played his last game for this franchise, if so what is his place in its history?
3) Is Punto an everyday player next year, if so is it 3B or 2B, if it's the latter what becomes of Castillo and what is he worth in the market?
4) Is Tyner an everyday outfielder next year?
5) Is Liriano going to be consistently healthy?
6) Is Boof as good as he was the second half?
7) Has anyone had a quieter great year than Joe Nathan?
Was this the real Jason Bartlett we saw this week, or was it nerves?
9) Was this playoff just a dominant team for the future getting their feet wet?
10) Are the Twins as set at the 3,4,5 spots as they appear to be?
(11 thru 101) to be posted later.

Bottom of the 2nd
Yankees hold your tags on the baserunners, if A-rod keeps it on Pudge he's out, if the mighty DJeter holds it on a picked off Granderson he's out at 2nd. Wow lots of action here, Tigers executing, Yankees getting nickeled and dimed to death and paying for everything they can't execute. Where have I seen this before?

Well put Neutron, Thanks for the entertainment boys.

1) Was Hunter safe in the 6th or didn't it matter anyway?
I think he was tagged out, but man the twins just couldn't catch a break.
2) Has Hunter played his last game for this franchise, if so what is his place in its history?
No, one way or another he will be back next year. Either we pick up his option which he doesn't want or we sign him to a longer 4-5 year contract and assure him that he will finish his career as a Twin.
3) Is Punto an everyday player next year, if so is it 3B or 2B, if it's the latter what becomes of Castillo and what is he worth in the market?
I am not sure what Castillo contract is, but I think the twins need to keep him and punto the verdict is still out. Can he be an everyday player? Quite possibily but look at Lew Ford a couple years ago, had a great season batted over .300 but hasn't been much of an impact player since.
4) Is Tyner an everyday outfielder next year?
I really have no idea. I would like to see an outfielder with a little power but with the soon-to-be-departed Stewart that is a hole we need to address.
5) Is Liriano going to be consistently healthy?
I think with rest he will be fine. Everyone talks about his mechanics and his shoulder being an area he needs to improve to relieve stress on that elbow so hopefully this is a wakeup call for him and also the start of a long successful career.
6) Is Boof as good as he was the second half?
I was personally impressed with Boof. He will be a starter in our rotation next season.
7) Has anyone had a quieter great year than Joe Nathan?
Nathan is clutch everytime he takes the mound.
8)Was this the real Jason Bartlett we saw this week, or was it nerves?
I have never been a fan of using nerves as an excuse with pro athletes because they are at the pinacle of their careers and have no reason to play nervous, but Batlett played bad and yes I think he was just flat out nervous and didn't want to make a mistake.
9) Was this playoff just a dominant team for the future getting their feet wet?
I would say that winning the division 4 out of 5 years is pretty impressive. The Twins have been a model franchise in recent history, I expect to see the Twins be a favorite heading into next season.
10) Are the Twins as set at the 3,4,5 spots as they appear to be?
If you are talking pitching which I assume you are than I expect to see
Santana, Liriano, Garza, Boof, and Baker start the season as our rotation. Man it is weird not seeing Radke's name in there.
(11 thru 101) to be posted later.

Let's see, first to answer Shanty's questions. Hunter was safe, but as Reusse said it was the old ball beats the runner out call by the ump. He felt it was a bad decision by Hunter to even try to score on that play and I can't say I disagree.

Jim Souhan has a good column in today's Strib outlining the Twins' options regarding Hunter. Paying him the full $12m for next year makes the most sense and will probably be what they do.

Punto is a utility infielder. He did a great job in the role thrust on him this year, but they could use a 3rd baseman with some pop. Castillo is the 2nd baseman on this team.

I really like Tyner, but I'm not sure he's an everyday outfielder. I'd see him in the 4th outfielder role that Lew Ford has played in the past.

I have my doubts about Liriano's health. He's had a long history of injuries but like Wild4Hockey points out maybe this will be the wakeup call for him to really do the off field work necessary to keep himself in shape.

Boof is the real thing.

I thought Nathan was better last year, but he's the best closer the Twins have ever had.

Bartlett was clearly intimidated in the playoffs. True, a pro athlete should be able to overcome that kind of thing but remember the guy hasn't even had a full season in the majors yet.

This should be a dominant team of the future just getting its feet wet. You never know though, sometimes the gods conspire and potential is never reached or even approached. Let me add that packerboy was right and the lack of hitting was the key to the Twins' failure this postseason.

I thought you were talking about the 3-5 spots in the lineup and I would say no, Cuddyer is a good 5 or 6 hitter but they could use another bopper. I think Gardy split up Morneau and Mauer because they were both lefthanded so finding a righthanded bat either at DH, 3rd base or LF should be a priority in the offseason. As far as the rotation, I'd agree with Wild4Hockey, except for Baker at the end of the rotation. He has potential but needs work and I expect him to be in the minors at the start of next season. I'd like to see the Twins pick up a solid veteran pitcher too.

And with that, let me say it was one of the funnest baseball seasons that I can remember, thanks to packerboy, Shanty, Goldy, Empire, Neutron, and all for the great banter. Now it's back to hockey...

Quick sidebar here.
Was the Gambler tough and zoned in last night or what? It sickens me to think he was on the Twins' roster a couple years ago and didn't get a post season start because it went to LOHSE or SILVA instead. Maybe the Gambler was aching and scuffling back then but he answered the bell in prime time last night. Maybe a little angst against the Twins for not calling his number back then added to his fire. I feel like going out to buy a Tigers hat, NOT.

Was Hunter Safe? Yes, when I see the replay I see a catcher reach and then pivot to follow him. That tells me Kendall missed him and went after him. Hunter may not even know if he was tagged, but Kendall does, and his body language tells me he whiffed.
Did it matter? With having the luxury of seeing how it turned out with him being punched out, I'll say it did matter. I see a game that is 4-3 with with a man on and one out. It's true the ump had nothing to do with Rondell not taking 2nd. If Rick Sutcliffe wouldn't have pointed it out I would have called the network myself and told them to say it. Rondell made the classic mistake a lot of hockey players make. He watched a linemate go to the net and instead of moving his feet to anticipate a rebound he became a spectator and missed an opportunity to contribute. For two and a half games the Twins looked for a break, when one came the ump didn't comply. As far as the ball beating the guy, that doesn't wash with me. The only play where the ball beating the runner matters is on a force.
Has Hunter played his last game? Tough one, but I don't think so, if the Twins/Hunter tear up the 12 mil option and restructure it to give him more $ over more years. However, I don't know if the Players union would let Hunter do so. Hunter has sweat equity in this club and I believe he sees this team and its core as having some unfinished business.
Is Punto an everyday player. Yes, he is the Twins 3b for next year. To clarify this one look no further then who was their 3b to start the year.
Is Tyner an everday player? No. He is a very serviceable fourth outfielder, period.
Is Liriano going to be consistantly healthy? No, don't think for a minute he will make 30+ starts. Plan for him to not be available.
Is Boof as good as he was the second half? Yes, he'll be a workhorse and inning eater for years to come.
Nathan? I saw him close maybe 5 times this year. Good numbers, only 2 blown saves. But for a stretch there they were winning everday and they didn't need a closer for any of them. Best in the game.Was this the real Bartlett? No. For whatever reason, he was intimidated and out of sink in this playoff. However this guy handled his demotion and came back better, he'll be back and better than ever next year.
Playoffs next year? Yes, this team is on the rise with their core. This stretch this year was not an anomoly.
3,4,5 as solid as they look? Two of the three, yes. I'm not sold on Cuddyer yet. Good power stick and he will back it up next year, but a cleanup hitter on a world championship team he is not. He may be best at 6 possibly 7 if Hunter returns. Your right boys, if he's a lefty, he's not hitting four, the L R L thing put him there.

The biggest weakness on the team is DH. We can't have our DH be a light-hitting utility outfielder. Tyner can be valuable as a 4th outfielder who provides speed and a left-handed bat, but in a league where the DH is an advantage for most teams, we lost our advantage with our DH's.

Silva, Radke, Stewart will all be off the books, hopefully freeing up cap room for either a DH or a veteran starter. Hunter is a wild card, we'll most likely pick up his option, but will he be happy about that? We can't afford to lock him up for 5 years at 15 mil per, he is a good player and Mr. Twins, but is getting up there in age, and is not a 15 million type player. If he takes a discount, I will be all for an extension, but that is doubtful, and it seems picking up his option is the logical choice.

Liriano should be healthy heading into the season. I think he will work hard this offseason and hopefully putting on a little weight and come back ready for the full workload. If he is 100%, we have a 1-2 punch that is unmatched anywhere else in the league.

I love what Punto did this year. He was a key contributor with his solid defense and hustle that was infectious to everyone else on the team. That said, I would rather find someone else to play 3rd base full-time. Punto should be on the roster and can play a poor mans Chone Figgins role by moving all around and offering a spark, but I don't think he would approach another .300 season in a full-time role. His weaknesses were exposed by better pitchers and his serious lack of power is a liability at a position where power is important. However, if we do end up heading into the season with Punto as our 3rd baseman, I will be confident he could do an admirable job and at least not be a liability like Batista was.

In the rotation, Johan is the obvious lock as the ace. He is in the prime of his career and he will post similar dominance to what he has done the past few years. I think Boof has earned his right to start as the # 2 starter, and I am confident he can be a very solid starter in this league for a long time. Liriano is the obvious # 3 if healthy, and his stuff matched up against another team's # 3 starter creates a huge mismatch. Garza falls into the # 4 spot. He showed some promise and definitely has some great stuff and appears to be mentally strong. He can be a good 4th starter and hopefully blossom into the top prospect many have projected him to be. # 5 is up for grabs, I think Spring Training decides who wins this job. Baker may have the inside track due to experience, but he has struggled with command and many question his mental makeup. Glen Perkins and top prospect Kevin Slowey will most likely battle to try and earn that 5th spot, and hopefully one can step up and earn it if we don't sign a reliable veteran.

The bullpen will remain strong as ever. Neshek, Crain, Rincon give us the best set-up men from the right side in baseball. Reyes will likely take a step back but still be solid from the left side. Perkins could possibly slide into a left-handed reliever role early on as well. Guerrier has proven to be a reliable long-reliever, but I am not sold on Willie Eyre being able to provide valuable innings. Nathan as closer will be as good as any and we will be able to maintain our dominant record after leading after 6 innings. I think Neshek slides into the 8th inning role, and I also think Crain becomes a dominant set-up man, much as he was in August and September. The workload could take its toll on Rincon.

The core is as good as any. Morneau, Mauer, Santana, Nathan, and Liriano are all elite players at their positions. Bartlett, Castillo, and Cuddyer can all be reliable players who won't be overmatched by an opponent. If all these guys continue to improve, we have some serious talent.

I think the X-Factor next year, besides the obvious one of Liriano's health, is Jason Kubel. He has a great bat, and people forget that when the Twins first got hot, it was his bat that carried the team for the first couple weeks. Hopefully he can slide into left field and be a .300 hitter with some pop in his bat which bolsters the bottom of the lineup.

We should be favorites heading into the 2007 season, but we still have a tough task at hand. Detroit will most likely improve as well with all their young pitching, the White Sox will still be solid, and Cleveland should be dangerous with a good, young lineup and a solid rotation. Even Kansas City has top prospects like Alex Gordon coming up. It's going to be tough, but I think we could be early favorites for the AL Central next year.

Sorry this is a little wordy, but I am already excited for Opening Day 2007. April 2nd against the Orioles. Spring Training is right around the corner. Hopefully some off-season acquisitions and the continued development of young studs takes us to the next level.

Friday morning's card at Mariucci is nearly set.

Twins vs. Yankees
Dodgers vs. Padres?

Great tickets available at the door!

Friday afternoon I was riding in a van for a couple of hours with 4 other guys on our way to ref a football game and we spent all that time listening to the Twins game in almost silence, it brought me back to before games were on TV and we sat around the porch listening to games while in the distance we could see the lights of Met Stadium.

Our talk after the game was decided centered on whether Hunter was safe or out wasn't even an issue because it wasn't worth risking an out at that point. The Twins needed to save the out rather than have a meaningless run, and to compound the mistake White didn't take second on the throw home. The Twins should have had first and third with one out a perfect time to bring in Redman, instead they had a man on first and 2 out. As much as I respect Gardy the coaching, along with many other aspects of the Twins post season, was sub standard.

The other thing we talked about, especially on our way home was how are we going to listen to Twins games next year? Bumping across back roads of south central Minnesota we were lucky to have WCCO and never had to change the station, never had the game fade in and out. At my house at night I can only get the Twins clearly on WCCO, KSTP doesn't even exist on my radio it's a station from Oklahoma. On any given night in the summer I can hear the White Sox, Indians, Rockies, Pirates, and Brewers but next year even though I'm only 80 miles from Minneapolis I won't be able to hear the Twins. Sorry for Sid type rant but I'm glad I'm not paying a nickel for Carl's stadium.

Here is what I think:

YOU GOTTA HIT THE BOOFIN BALL!

I think there pitching is pretty set. I think Bonser is for real. Garza may contribute. Baker maybe. Perkins has a chance.

Liriano being healthy is a wild card but they proved they can win with out him.

They may need to pick up another starter. Silva will have good years and not so good. He is a typical 4/5 starter on a good team.

With the depth of their pitching, they will be fine.

Mauer and Morneau had very good years. It is too early to tell whether they can do that every year or whether they are a little ahead of themselves...or maybe its just the start of somethng better.

Castillo is a little flakey at times but over all he does solidify 2b.

They will work something out with Hunter. He ajs a lot of holes in his swing but who else is going to play out there?

Cuddyer looks like he found his nitch but I think what he did in 2006 is all your gonna get and maybe a little less.

Punto, Bartlett, Tyner are not..repeat not .300 hitters. If you keep Punto and Bartlett as the left side, you will need to find more offense elsewhere.

Rondell is a wild card. He has shown that there is no reason why he cant hit 23 HRs and bat .270 in LF/DH. The reverse is also true. But I think he needed more time to settle in and he had some injuries.

They need to find more offense. If they did , they could get to the postseason..... and advance. Without it , they may get to the playoffs again but wont go anywhere. Jason Kubel isnt going to give it to them. Puto and Bartlett arent going to hit .300 over 162 games. If they play Tyner 50 feet behind the SS, he wont get any hits.

This is why I pleaded for a Garza for Soriano trade. How would he look in a Twins uniform at 3b?

They need to do soemthing like that to win a championship.

From the Sunday Strib here are a list of potential free agents at three positions the Twins could fill for next year:

STARTING PITCHING

Pitcher Throws Current team 2006 stats

Jason Schmidt right Giants 11-9, 3.59

Cory Lidle right Yankees 12-10, 4.85

Ted Lilly left Blue Jays 15-13, 4.31

Jeff Suppan right Cardinals 12-7, 4.12

Orlando Hernandez right Mets 11-11, 4.66

Adam Eaton right Rangers 7-4. 5.12

Jeff Weaver right Cardinals 8-14, 5.76

LEFT FIELD

Player Bats Current team 2006 stats

Alfonso Soriano right Nationals .277, 46 HR, 95 RBI

Carlos Lee right Rangers .300, 37, 116

Cliff Floyd left Mets .244, 11, 44

Frank Catalanotto left Blue Jays .300, 7, 56

Dave Roberts left Padres .293, 49 SB

THIRD BASE

Player Bats Current team 2006 stats

Aubrey Huff left Astros .267, 21, 66

Pedro Feliz right Giants .244, 22, 98


As far as the pitchers go, I'd lean towards Schmidt or Lilly. Schmidt's numbers are a little better but Lilly's younger and has pitched in the AL.

With the batters, Soriano or Lee are probably the best options. There's no way I'd put Soriano at third though, so you'd still have to fill that position as I agree with packerboy and feel Punto should be a utility player. I find it hard to believe that the two players listed are the only free agent 3rd basemen, but I've always liked Aubrey Huff even though his numbers weren't real good last year.

For pitching:
Schmidt will be too expensive and he has already shown that he's going to either Seattle or back to San Fran. I'd like Jeff Suppan, Adam Eaton or Jeff Weaver. I don't think we need another lefty with Lirano & Santana, plus Lilly isn't the most dependable guy. Jeff Weaver could be fixed by Anderson and I think if he blows up in the playoffs, we should be able to get a decent deal on him.

Left field:
Soriano won't come here. Plain and simple. Carlos Lee is our only option besides Rondell IMO. We need a right handed slugger and one that is dependable. Carlos would be perfect hitting cleanup for us and he would be very adaquate in the field for us.

Third base:
Soriano? I've never heard anything like that. Huff doesn't really excite me especially with the kind of attention he will get from other teams. Feliz wouldn't be a bad option as he can also play nearly anywhere in the field. I would like Ryan to work out a trade for a 3B, bring up someone or live w/ Punto. He's already providing stellar D and is only getting better. I can live with it if he hits near nothing in the #8 spot.

If we just upgrade the O a little bit (LF & DH), sign a pitcher or 2 and maybe get a reliever, I think we will be in great position next year.

It doesn't address power but one of the guys I really like from ChrisK's list is Frank Catalanatto. He would fit in real well with the type of baseball that has made the Twins a four time divisional champ in 5 years. He is a scrappy tough out who can hit at the top of the order and play good D. Scrappy and tough probably sounds like the light hitting Punto or Tyner. Not so, Catalanotto has more pop and only strikes out once every 8 AB's. Mauer who has a great ratio is about once in 9.5 AB's. Catalanotto may fit the budget moreso than a Lee or Soriano.

Soriano has never played 3rd but he had never played left. He was a second basemen....like Punto was.

Why wont Soriano come here ER? The Twins are now a playoff team 4 of the last 5 years. Where does he want to go?

Carlos Lee? hehe

Soriano? hahahahaha

What the Boof are you guys smoking?

All positions will be filled from within, except for reclamation projects.

You guys know the routine. Why would 07 be different?

This has been a great year. Sometimes its not where you go, but how you get there. This ride has been a blast.

This is why I pleaded for a Garza for Soriano trade. How would he look in a Twins uniform at 3b?

He would look horrible defensively, and if we would have traded for him, he would have bolted this winter for big money, and we would have lost a potentially # 2 starter for years to come. That's why the Twins didn't move him. Would you have moved Liriano the year before? No, stud pitchers are few and far between, if anyone even has the potential to become one, you hold onto them.

Schmidt and Soriano are out of reach, Carlos Lee is possible if we shell out some big money, I think he would like to play here and fits in well.

Suppan and Lilly are possible candidates, but I'd rather rely on what we have with Garza and Perkins at the back of the rotation.

I like the Catalanotto idea, and I think Feliz could fit in pretty well too, those guys are more in our range and within reason.

I would love to go after the Zito's, Soriano's, and Schmidt's of the world, but we just don't have the resources or the market to do it.

I dont put Garza and Liriano in the same class from a prospect standpoint. Never did. So asking the question or making the point of:Would you have traded Liriano in 2005 doesnt fly.

No.I would not have traded Liriano in 2005 but I would have traded Garza in 2006 and Id do it today.

I dont know what Garza will be. What I do know is that Sorinao is a proven superstar hitter. I also know that the Twins need offense and can make due quite nicely with the pitching they have.

Guys, you might want to sit down but I am ging to say somethng that some of you might find upsetting. Ready?

Pitchers do get traded.

Sometimes a team will have enough pitching but not enough hitting and will trade a pitcher fot a hitter to a team that has enough hitting but not enough pitching. I swear......its happened.

I know Soriano would be pricey but they are in pretty good shape. They will lose a lot of salary and the young bucks arent eligible for free agency yet. I think there is a little window here.

They wanted Garza for Soriano a month ago.This time do it. Whats changed?

One word. Boof. He is for real. If you have a rotation of Santana, Bonser, Liriano, Silva and Baker or whoever, and with that bullpen, you got enough pitching.

Now go out and get yourself a complete team.

I don't put them in the same class either, but at the time that both players names were being swirled around in rumors, they were the same thing: Elite pitching prospects. Regardless of where either of them end up during their career, they were regarded in much the same way while being talked about in trades for Soriano. Soriano would have been a rent-a-player for the Twins. Would he have helped us in the postseason? Possibly, but I don't think he could have pushed us over the hump with how poorly we executed against the A's. Keep in mind the Twins wouldn't trade Kevin Slowey either for Soriano, so they clearly felt they had no chance of signing Soriano beyond this season.

Soriano is going to be fielding ridiculous offers. High budget teams are going to be throwing about 20 million dollars a year at him, and that would assume about 33% of the Twins budget. We are not a team that does that, and that would leave little money to lock up long-term deals with studs like Mauer and Morneau. They're not eligible for free agency, but they are for arbitration and are due raises in the several millions. Soriano is not going to sign for one year either.

We didn't hit in the postseason, but we still led the majors in hitting. Our execution was awful against the A's, as was our clutch hitting. If we can remedy that, we can score enough runs to make a run at the title. Look at the Tigers, not a lot of offensive firepower, but their pitching was so deep they were able to stifle that Yankees lineup and advance.

Lead the league in hitting or batting average?

There is only one category Im intersted in for a team: Runs scored. The Twins were below the middle in that category.

I really dont know what a Soriano would cost. But I cant stop thinking that we would still be playing if he were in the lineup.

It makes me mad theat we still arent playing because we hit so Boofin poorly.

Blue Breeze you say"if we can remedy that....".

How?

I should have clarified, yes it was batting average. We were in the midde of the pack in runs scored, although our offense was significantly better than in 2005 which is why we reached the playoffs, but we still need to some more power and more guys that can draw a walk. Soriano would look good in our lineup, but the price to pay for him either via trade or free agency is much too high for the Twins.

By saying if we can remedy that, I am referring to players within the lineup stepping up in the clutch, which was something painfully lacking in the A's series. We have plenty of talented bats with Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, and Hunter, it's just a matter of those guys getting the big hit. Mauer, Morneau, and Cuddyer were clutch during the regular season, but with the exception of maybe Morneau who hit the ball hard in nearly every at-bat, none of them really came through the game-changing hit. Hunter has never been a clutch hitter, so I really wouldn't expect him to come through now. Of course, another impact bat would help, especially from the right side, but as of now we have enough hitters to form a lineup that should at least be in the top quarter of the league in runs scored.

How about ARod? He can not stay in NY after this most recent Oct disaster. He has four years left on his current deal with 65 million forth coming. Is he a bargain at 16 million per year or what? Afterall, the Rangers, Twins, and the Cub just got done giving Nevin 12. Let's just say the Yankees are so busy taking calls over ARod that Costanza is probably helping answer the phones.

We've discussed a lot over the last month the concept of who's more valuable, a guy who plays 33 times a year or one who can play 150+.

If Ryan makes a call to Cashman, Ryan has something that no other GM can bring to the table.

Pros of the Trade
1) ARod is under contract for 4 years, what your giving up has only 2
2) ARod can play every darn day
3) The soft Twin Cities media will provide a haven for his alleged weak psyche.
4) Arod will be in his prime for the duration of his deal
5) The meat of the order goes Mauer, Arod, Morneau, Cuddyer, ?Hunter?
6) Arod provides protection for Mauer and burdens the load for Morneau until he fully matures.
7) In a division that very well could be the home of the last two World Champions, they may need that kind of firepower to remain a contender.
for the first two years of the deal, the Twins are not taking on much salary, the guy going to the big Apple will make 13 in '07 and around 16 in '08.
9) At his age, ARod is ahead of all the legends in terms of numerous offensive statistics.

By the way, if you're worried about his Oct problems, let's just worry about that when we get there. Afterall, you can see the impact that a backup shortstop can have if he gets hot for four days.

Do YOU pull the trigger on this one?

I do.

I will say I have thought about that one. I would take ARod at $15 million a year (we might get him for less) versus Soriano at $18 million a year. As long as we get Lee, Soriano or ARod (or comparable RH power hitter), I will be extremely satisfied. I have a feeling we won't, but I would love to see it.

I doubt Soriano will come here because we won't show him the $ he wants and I don't know if he would want to deal with the turf. Yes, I know it is better now, but it is still a factor especially to a guy that is so big into speed. He doesn't want his legs going out on him.

In a heart beat.

ARod would be a perfect fit here.

The money might not be that bad if the Rangers and Yankees pick up a chunk.

This team has Cy Young, The Batting Champ , and a top MVP Candidate. Its made the playofffs 4/5 yrs. It plays the game 'the right way' Why wouldnt anyone want to come here?

They have excellent , young talent. There is a window of opportunity.

Adding Brett Boone, Phil Nevin etc isnt gong to take advantage of opportunity.

OK Blue Breeze, we will sit back and wait for the players we have to just "step it up". Thats all they have to do.

Thats been the approach but it hasnt worked in the postseason.

Gotta take a chance and maybe 'pay too much'. I have been told many times that I paid too much to get something or somebody I thought would get the job done.

Never regretted one time.

We have hemmed and hawed about the mysterious disappearance of the Twins offense and why they get shut down by average to below average pitchers and we wonder why the offense flopped vs the As etc, etc, blah blah, blah

Here is the answer:

THEY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH

They need to get better. They did this year from within and made the playoffs as a result.

But if you sit and wait for them to get better, what are your expectations. Mauer will hit .400? Morneau will knock in 150? Cuddyer wil hit 35 HRs?
Hunter will top this season?

Oh, thats right, I forgot, Jason Kubel will be a star.

Need another guy.