SB Nation User Blog: Chaddens

Jersey Possibilities

Chaddens — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:45:52 -0000

Turnover is inevitable on any sporting team and much more so for so called Mid-Level markets such as Minnesota. People buy jerseys and t-shirts with their favorite players, and more often the most popular on them - anywhere from Gaborik for the Wild to KG for the Wolves to Santana for the Twins. People move on for varying reasons such as growing tired of a bogged down offensive system, allegedly mailing it in for the finish of a non-playoff season or because their contract becomes just too expensive.

Where am I going with all of this? In 2002 before I was married and had a lot more expendable money, I saw a young Venezuelan pitcher by the name of Santana pitch. Soon after, I found myself in the Twins Pro Shop picking out the most expensive Twins official jersey and had a big, shiny #57 placed on it. I thought with a guy this good, there is no way the Twins ever let him go - Great investment! Soon after I also thought, you know what, I can't have just the one so I proceeded to get a white and gray jersey, too... On the white one, I placed a young and upcoming stud named Romero #33 and a can't miss 2nd base prospect Rivas #2 (one out of three ain't too shabby, right?).

Last year, I got very lucky and swapped out "ROMERO" for "MORNEAU" (so if you see me at the dome with a too white name plate on my slightly non-white jersey, you'll know who I am). I debated for the whole season on the gray one to go with a 28 BLYLEVN or a 32 GLADDEN but I couldn't decide.

So here's my dilemma: What name do I put on my way too expensive (now) jerseys to not wear? I'll want someone who will hopefully stick around for a long time meaning someone good that won't be leaving for a few years (Gomez, Young) but someone who isn't too popular (Mauer) and someone who isn't middle of the road (Harris). I'd also prefer a player over a pitcher for the everyday factor but would go for someone who is a complete stud (Liriano).

Give me a compelling reason why or why you personally wouldn't put someone on your own jersey and/or if you think someone else is deserving. I'm pretty open to options at this point and am thinking of '08, '09, '10, . . .

It's voting time: Jersey '08

Poll

Who Should go on my Jerseys?

22 Gomez

9 votes

28 Blyleven

6 votes

16 Kubel

5 votes

32 Gladden

2 votes

17 Neshek

11 votes

47 Liriano

4 votes

21 Young

16 votes

53 votes | Poll has closed

Jones Heads West to Dodgers

Chaddens — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:22:43 -0000

This Could be good news for those that would like Johan traded to:
A. The Dodgers
B. The National League
C. Anyone not the Yankees
D. Anyone not the would be stacked Red Sox.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3143653

Does this open up the possibility of the Dodgers as a trade partner? My favorite line from the story: "Light-hitting Juan Pierre, who had been in center field, could switch to left -- potentially reducing playing time for Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier."

A conversation I'd like to hear: "Hello, Bill Smith? Ned Colleti, Dodgers here. We want Johan and we hear you need a centerfielder. Let me tell you about Matt kemp..."

Does this signing of Jones to LA bring the Dodgers back into play? Would they be (the best!!) a match?

Joe Nathan - Stay or Go?

Chaddens — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:53:51 -0000

What do you all think? Does Joe stay or go? If he stays, do you resign him? I know a lot of people have said he's just too expensive so it's just a matter of time until he's gone, right?

The reason for this is to determine, for me thank you, where you all think he goes and what the Twins obtain for him. I like Joe Nathan and will miss him at the end of gamaes, but there has to be a GM out there with an itchy trigger finger that doesn't have a good enough arm for the end of games that wants a dominant closer.

So, to Milwaukee for Hart? He played 34 games in center last year - is he good enough to do that for a full season? He would fill the goofiness that departs with Nathan - Have you seen the size of Hart's head? Wow. I'm not sure how the batting helmet contains that melon. He's 6' 6" - is that too tall for a center fielder (range/speed/etc)?

To Milwaukee for Weeks? Do the Twins need another second basemen? Would Milwaukee even trade him?

To the Dodgers for LaRoche and ?? This would be good as it would fill the 3b hole. But the Dodgers already have Saito so would this work?

National League only? Do you trade to the American League? lots of questions... Should be an interesting upcoming week.

A Good Charlie Walters Article?

Chaddens — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:42:53 -0000

Wow - I'm shocked. Charley Walters actually wrote a good article. Well, technically, it is just an interview so it wasn't filled with "Little Birdie" information and it was with Frankie V. I think it was quite a good bit of timing since the last time Minnesota traded their best pitcher for a ranson was Sweet Music. Frank makes some great points about what the Twins should wait for and be able to get - very honest and what we all hope happens. Check it out here:

http://www.twincities.com/dailydose/ci_7595915?nclick_check=1

It's a tossup for my favorite quotes:

Viola said: "I don't want to see (center fielder) Coco Crisp in a Twins uniform. I want to see that Ellsbury kid to go along with (Jon) Lester, who I think is a terrific lefty pitcher. And maybe get another young talent." I agree - I don't want to see Coco Crisp in a Twins uni either.

And then he followed it up with this: "As good a job as Nick (Punto) has done, I think he's made to be an (ex-Twin) Al Newman type of player, one of those role players." I also completely agree with this one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Nick Punto is very good at all, but his defense is good enough to fill in once a week at SS/2nd/3rd. I think he's a great util player but nothing more.

Anyway, It looks like The Yankeess might be back in it since they're thinking of including Phil Hughes. Is he any good?

To Rebuild or Not To Rebuild

Chaddens — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:02:30 -0000

Is that the question? Aren't small market teams perpetually in rebuilding mode in some sense of the word? It's sad to see Torii go as he has been a big part of the Twins for quite a while now... but that is the economics of baseball and the Twins are living proof.

To rebuild? Does it make sense to rebuild since the reality of what most of us knew was going to happen anyway happending with Torii leaving? Does it make sense to trade Santana? Does it make sense to trade Nathan? Would the Twins be really that much worse? If the Twins were to obtain a young CF, a decent 3rd base option with which any offense was provided, a decent LF/DH option (Kubel taking care of one or the other), is the offense really going to be any worse than last year?

How about the pitching? With Garza, Slowey, Baker, Bonser and the return of a healthy Liriano and Perkins, the pitching will be solid. That's not even mentioning the up and comers in the minors.

If the Twins got a major league ready 3rd basemen and CF for Santana (plus more) and a major league ready DH/LF for Nathan (plus something more), would it make sense to pull those triggers and begin rebuilding? With these moves, the Twins would be a very young team - a lot of growing pains and stupid mistakes, but it would be fun. And they would contend again very soon.

I know it is much easier being an Arm Chair GM than what Bill Smith is going through but without the money that the big market teams have, it might make sense to rebuild now and have the youngsters ready for 2010 and the new stadium. Tickets and budget aren't going to be a problem for the next two years as the new stadium will sell out regardless of what's on the field in '08 and '09 - but there has to be a winning product for '11 and beyond - look at Pittsburgh and Milwaukee - they dropped by a lot in attendance after their first year becuase they didn't have a winning team. I say go for it and trade Santana and Nathan - their value won't be higher than it is now - and be some what ready for next year and gear up for a big push in the new stadium.

RonDL is Back!

Chaddens — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:41:39 -0000

Yea. I'm ecstatic :| accorindg to ESPN, the Twins sent out Jones and called up Rondell White

What kind of difference can RonDL make this year? Torii seems to think he is a savior and it will be someone to protect him in the lineup - is that a rip on Kubel?

How long until RonDL gets injured again? I put the over/under on 3 weeks. Luckily, he cannot do any worse than Garret Jones did - unfortunately, his at bats will come at the cost of (most likely) Kubel.

Can RonDL or Kubel play right while Cuddyers is out? Kubel and his arm seem like a more natural fit in right... McDonald sure doesn't seem to be anything special.

So your thoughts - what happens - what kind of stats does RonDL put up? Will the team play better? Does this mean the Twins are not buyers since they have a "left fielder"?

Poll

RonDL's impact

Terry Ryan gets fired for basing success of season on RonDL

1 votes

Team still inconsistent, finishes 7GB in Wild Card

24 votes

Torii is much happier; ends up with 40 HRs

3 votes

RonDL goes on the DL within 3 weeks

24 votes

Kubel gets pissed off with lack of playing time, hits 5 HR in a week

2 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

All Star Results - Let's get one more!!

Chaddens — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:12:21 -0000

Looks likes it's Santana, Morneau and Hunter. Let's vote early and often to get Neshek there as well. Vote Pat Neshek!!!

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2007/fv/ballot.html

It's not shocking that the Twins got three there as all three players are having outstanding seasons but Neshek is deserving as well

Missing Starts

Chaddens — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:48:30 -0000

Is this a good thing or bad? From the PiPress:

"Skipping a starter: With a day off Thursday between series in New York and Miami, the Twins will skip Slowey's turn in the rotation this week, in order to keep Silva and Santana working with four days of rest. That means Boof Bonser, Silva and Santana will face the Marlins next weekend, with Slowey's next start coming Tuesday, June 26, in the Metrodome against Toronto. That will be eight days of rest for Slowey."

Is that going to be a good thing or bad thing for Slowey? I don't have any stats and it isn't due to his ineffectiveness but it seems Twins younger pitchers in the past have not fared well after this much rest. But what do you do? You can't skip Johan, Silva is pitching well and Boof is a horse...

Who Would You Trade?

Chaddens — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:39:32 -0000

Who Would You Trade?
I was checking out Roger's arcticle over at Twin Cities Dugout (http://twins.scout.com/2/620210.html) and I am amazed at the number of pitchers in the Twins Minor League System (Good work, as always, Roger). When viewing what Rogers writes and then seeing what Tom Verducci writes over at CNNSI (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_verducci/02/20/al.watch/index.html), you have to think that Tampa Bay and Minnesota have to be natural trade partners. Minnesota really could use a left and center fielder for the future (assuming Kubel can't play the outfield and Hunter leaves via Free Agency) and Tampa Bay really needs pitching.

From Verducci: "Elijah Dukes, OF. The Rays like Duke's skills so much they will consider carrying him on the major-league roster even if they can't guarantee him regular time -- a rarity for a young player with such a high ceiling. Tampa Bay seems set in the outfield with Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young, but a big spring and continued maturity as a professional might earn Dukes a promotion. And if Young and Dukes each establish themselves as prime-time ready, Tampa Bay can shop from its outfield surplus to find pitching."

Crawford has stated he isn't a center fielder so assume he stays in left. Also, I would assume MN would not want Delmon Young because of character issues and Dukes would be untouchable. Since pitching is such a premium in any organization and the Twins "seem" to have so much of it, who would you trade to get Crawford or Baldelli? Both are in their 25 year old season this year.

Crawford is signed for 07:$4M, 08:$5.25M, 09:$8.25M club option ($2.5M buyout), 10:$10M club option ($1.25M buyout).
Baldelli is signed for 07:$0.75M, 08:$2.25M, 09:$6M club option ($4M buyout), 10:$8M club option, 11:$9M club option ($2M buyout - 2010 & 2011 options must be exercised together).

You're Terry Ryan: What would you trade to get Baldelli? What about Crawford? All things the same, would you rather trade for Baldelli or Crawford? If you got Baldelli, would you trade Hunter this year? If you got Crawford, would you trade Hunter and ask Crawford to play center for a couple of months?

The other Joe.

Chaddens — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:54:32 -0000

Joe Nathan is underrated. Well, to those outside of Minnesota, he is underrated and seeminly not appreciated. Over on ESPN's Hot Stove Heaters (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?id=2763130), they are going through a bunch of different stories. Yesterday was the Bullpen. The Twins was 6th in the Majors according to Sean McAdam.

In there, it contained the following line about about the Angels Bullpen (#3):

"Francisco Rodriguez has led the American League in saves in each of the last two seasons and boasts a ridiculous strikeout ratio (189 in the last 140 1/3 innings). "

Joe Nathan, in his last 138 1/3 innings has the same amount of strikeouts. It confused me how they don't give him more credit. Another line is (and this is an amazing stat to me even though I've seen most of the these blowns saves) that he has only blown 10 saves in the last three years!! K-Rod hs blown 16, Mo Rivera 11 (153 1/3 IP with 135K the last two years), Wagner 12 and Ryan 9 (in just the last two years).

It's scary to see how much he could get on the free agent market - Wagner got paid 10.5 million last year (albeit from the other NY team) and BJ Ryan got an average of nearly 9.5 million - if Terry Ryan doesn't get something done. He's younger than Mo, Wagner and only a year older than BJ Ryan.

What kind of contract should he expect? I would think that Ryan really can't backload it due to Joe being 36/37 at the end of 4/5 year contract to coincide with the new stadium. However, he hsn't shown any signs of slowing down and has been (knock on wood) very healthy since the team picked him up. Also, Neshek, Durbin or Crain could be groomed for the job...

Would he give Minny a home town discount since they rescued him from SF and made him into a closer where he'll be making a lot more money than he ever would of as a middle reliever?