Twins Scoring Drought

[Irishmans Shanty]

Good to see the Twins picking up where they left off last year.<br><br>Scoring drought now at 14 innings <p></p><i></i>

[ae42]

We need to make a trade for a bat pretty soon, also Liriano needs to be in the rotation <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Scoreless streak sits at an impressive 17 2/3 innings and doesn't appear to be ending any time soon, although they have just advanced a runner to 3rd base.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> If the Kyle Lohse for Hank Blalock trade is still a possibility, it should be done ASAP. About Liriano being in the rotation, I couldn't agree more. He has dominant stuff and would add a dynamic arm to the rotation. Somebody really has to step up and hit the ball, because this is pathetic. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

It ends at 18 innings, but Twins still lose 3-2. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... @mnhs>Blue Breeze</A> at: 4/9/06 1:54 pm<br></i>

[sterfry9]

where do you put liriano in the rotation baker had a pretty good outing last time he pitched i think.... <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

Hard to think the Twins had David Ortiz sitting in the middle of their lineup not too long ago. I believe the Twins could have easily re-signed Ortiz back in '02 for around 5 million a year over 4 years. Without the payroll numbers in front of me I hate to think what the Twins paid Joe Mays last season. Maybe Terry Ryan is not as smart as some say? <p></p><i></i>

[boblee]

Baker sucked yesterday against the Indians. He did not pitch well, so that comment is invalid. The Twins can hit, and will. They did score 13 runs in the second game of the year, and six the other night @ Cleveland. Lohse needs to become a setup man. That is where he should be, and Liriano as the #4 starter...but 1-5 is a bad start. <p>Grand Rapids-2006 State Runner Up</p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>where do you put liriano in the rotation baker had a pretty good outing last time he pitched i think.... <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>Boblee is right, Baker's start was anything but impressive. I wasn't talking about removing him though. Lohse needs to be out, he has been inconsistent and averages less than 6 innings per start, he should be moved into a middle relief role. Put Liriano in the rotation, he could be something special.<br><br>Ortiz could have been re-signed at a fairly reasonable amount, maybe even less than 5 million. It will never be known if he could have had the success in Minnesota he has had in Boston without guys like Ramirez and Damon around him, but he would be our best hitter. To answer the Joe Mays question, he made 8 million last year.<br><br>Ryan has made some mistakes, but keep in mind he has his hands-tied by our cheap owner and payroll restrictions. He has made some unbelievable trades: Pierzynski for Nathan, Liriano, and Boof Bonser. He picked up Johan Santana in the Rule 5 draft. He picked up Shannont Stewart for a backup outfielder in Bobby Kielty. He got Silva for Eric Milton. He has made some ingenious deals, and I don't think any struggles can be put on him. Keep in mind, we are not that far removed from 3 straight division titles, we were very competitive last season and it is too early to push the panic button this season. We have played the Jays and a hot Indians squad which looks poised to win the division. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... @mnhs>Blue Breeze</A> at: 4/9/06 3:03 pm<br></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

Mark April 5 as a significant date because that will be the only time the Twins will be at .500 this year. Baker's start yesterday was a good one, he held a good offensive team at bay, he flirted with trouble but in the end they were in it provided the sticks could do anything. If you get up to relieve yourself after the Twins retire the side, I guarantee there will be two outs before you sit back down. Not only do they rarely score, they rarely threaten. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Going 4 1/3 innings and giving up 9 hits and 3 runs is not a good start, no matter if you're pitching against the Yankees or the Royals. Baker will be solid, yesterday just wasn't his day. After the Twins get out of this Blue Jays, Indians, A's, Yankees, Angels stretch, they should start to win consistently. It will be very tough to get into the playoffs, but they're at least going to be a competitive team. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

I hope your right, because right now they aren't competitive. When you score 2 runs in 2 games, it really doesn't matter who your are running out to the hill. Batistia and White going into today's game have a combined average of .272. Twins were dead last in offense last year, I see it as only worse now being that the only new additions are not getting it done yet. Here's how bad the bats are, the Twins are REALLY going to miss a .250 hitter (20 something and 70 something) who strikes out a lot, a la J. Jones. Thank god the "Matt LeCroy show" is finally over, I'd sooner see Batista and White struggle than see LeCroy pop out with men on. I'll give Ryan credit for that change. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

I agree, the offense still has a long way to go. I do think it's better than last year, but not yet where it needs to be. Hopefully an acquisition can be made. I think White will be fine, not sold on the Batista project. Hunter has never matured as a hitter, the best thing for this team might be to trade him, despite his great defense and clubhouse leadership. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

Who most likely will be the Twins rep in the All-Star game? Joe Nathan. How much of an impact has he had on the first week of the season. Our best player yet to see meaniful action. If a deal is going to be made he's your bait. I know you need a great closer to win, but I believe the Twins are in more dire need of an EVERYDAY stick than a lights-out closer. You're right White could be a nice hitter, Hunter may be mature enough now to put up career numbers we haven't seen yet, Castillo, if healthy could be a .290 plus hitter, Mauer, he's already good and will only get better, Morneau has the skills to potentially erupt this year, maybe Friday is an indication of that. I can handle the Vikes being bad because there is enough other football to follow, but when the Twins are bad there is nothing else to do. <p></p><i></i>

[boblee]

Shannon Stewart is the Twins All-Star Rep at this point. <p>Grand Rapids-2006 State Runner Up</p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Nathan is attractive trade bait, and many teams would love to have him, but the only teams that would go after him would be the contenders:<br><br>New York Yankees (Mariano Rivera)<br>Oakland Athletics (Huston Street)<br>Los Angeles Angels (Francisco Rodriguez)<br>Cleveland Indians (Bob Wickman)<br>Chicago White Sox (Bobby Jenks)<br>Detroit Tigers (Troy Percival)<br>Toronto Blue Jays (B.J Ryan)<br>Boston Red Sox (Keith Foulke)<br><br>-The only AL team that would possibly seek a new closer would be Boston. If you look at the NL:<br><br>Atlanta Braves (Chris Reitsma)<br>St. Louis Cardinals (Jason Isringhausen)<br>Houston Astros (Brad Lidge)<br>Milwaukee Brewers (Derrick Turnbow)<br>New York Mets (Billy Wagner)<br>Los Angeles Dodgers (Eric Gagne)<br>San Diego Padres (Trevor Hoffman)<br>San Francisco Giants (Armando Benitez)<br>-Braves and possibly Giants might look for upgrades, other than that it's a reach. That leaves really only three teams that would seek a player like Nathan. I really don't even see the Twins looking to move Nathan, as he was recently signed to an extension (in 05' I believe) and he has been a top 5 closer the last 2 seasons.<br><br>The Twins best bet would be to move young prospects in an attempt to bolster the lineup. A Nathan move doesn't make much sense with no real replacement options (Crain and Rincon are best left as set-up men. While Nathan could bring a quality hitter, I don't see it happening. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

Breezer..... I like your research but there is one team missing that makes some sense. First of all, forget anyone in the AL, the Twins will not move a whale like Nathan to anyone that can use him against them. Chicago Cubs, pray for them to have a quick start so they are in contention. Pitching is their Achilles heel and it will be even if Prior and Wood return. The Cubs will GLADLY OVERPAY to win right NOW. Ryan Dempster, their current closer could be moved to the 8th or the rotation with an aquisition like Nathan. <br><br>I believe the Twins could really fleece a desperate Cub organization this season. The Cubs have some pieces the Twins could really use; Matt Murton (young outfield thumper who can hit for average) Ronny Cedeno (young SS with gold glove skills), Felix Pie (OF prospect they are high on). Pie could be the defensive heir apparent to Hunter who most likely will be moved if the Twins fall from contention, Todd Walker (upgrade from failed Batista experiment, now with TK gone Walker may welcome a return to MN), Aramis Ramirez (seems like a stretch but to get something good like Nathan, you have to give up something good). A deal with the Cubs could be multi-player. Two arms in Twins organization are untradeable (Santana and Liriano) after that the Twins have some nice starters the Cubs could desperately use (Radke, Silva, Lohse, Baker). A Nathan departure could move Liriano to closer, he is young but his stuff resembles K-Rod. Liriano wants to be a starter, but so did K-Rod. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

Jones connects for the Cubbies, two on two out! Would he have done that at the Jake today? Not. How long did the Twins go last year without a 3 run shot? <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Good point, can't believe I forgot to mention them. Dempster has been OK, but they could use an upgrade. They would make the most sense in a move. Pie would be a nice addition, it just depends on how "desperate" they would get. Minus Denard Span the Twins aren't exactly flush with young outfield talent. They might even be forced to bring up someone like Matt Moses if Batista continues to struggle. Until then, it will have to be wait and see with the current roster. <p></p><i></i>

[boblee]

The twins best bet at closer if Nathan goes would be Kyle Lohse. <p>Grand Rapids-2006 State Runner Up</p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

Good in theory, but if Nathan is gone, Lohse is already gone. I have no confidence in the outcome when it is his turn and I don't think the Twins do either. Publicly they say they like him, but I think they would trade him for a dozen fungos if they get the chance. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

It's hard to believe that Lohse has twice won arbitration against the Twins. For two straight years he has been 9-13 with an average at best ERA. Not to mention his good outings come against the likes of the Royals and Devil Rays. I would not shed a tear if he were traded. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

I think the Twins' offensive woes today stem from the fact that pitching has been draining the coffers. Joe Mays, Rick Reed, JC Romero, Eric Milton, and Kyle Lohse have all been expensive under-achievers or have been injured at the back end of huge contracts. All teams have this, but when your payroll is low, your margin for error is a lot less. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Fortunately all of those guys except Lohse is no longer on our payroll. Radke has been a steady pitcher, but his 11 million dollar salary is a bit expensive especially when you have similar options who are younger and cheaper. Hopefully we can wrap up our money in the right places, like Liriano, Morneau, and Mauer to a long term deal. It's still going to be a process of building from within. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

i know this is off subject but does anyone know whats going on with foulke over in boston is he not getting the closer job back??? <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Doesn't look like it. He struggled mightily last year and apparently they don't have any confidence in him right now, although he is throwing in a set-up role. Papelbon is seizing the opportunity, so I don't see Foulke getting it back anytime soon. <p></p><i></i>