I'm a slow processor, so I'm just now coming to terms with the fact that this season sucks. In an attempt to ladder me out of this pit, I thought it might be interesting to look at some catcher/1b/DH options for next year. Actually I'm looking at back up catchers that have enough bat to DH and could be used at first in a pinch. I'm hoping the front office is going to end the Sweet Drew experiment and I'm also assuming that Morneau is going to be healthy enough to play at all, but willing to take it easy and not handle first every second of every day. I'm also working under the assumption that Mauer will still be willing to play some first. And that the Twins could use some actual bench depth, like a decent bat. Also, I think any catcher in the system that might be close could still use more seasoning. And, hey, if this year taught the Twins anything it's that you need people in double/triple A to step up from time to time, so if it comes to that (fingers crossed it doesn't) then there should be a body (beside Butera) to catch a plane from Rochester. Jump the jump for three options.

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I'm a little late to the party.  As in, past fashionably late and into just plain rude late.  And after all the great posts, I feel like there is not a whole lot for me to add.  But I'll do it nonetheless.  1) Because I'm rude and 2) So I can use the word nonetheless.

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I've been away from a computer but I'm still seething about Souhan.  On the pre-pregame radio show before Friday's game on 1500, they were talking about the Twin's playoff chances and they got into the old three-man rotation discussion about how power pitching wins playoffs.  Fine, whatever, probably some legitimate truth to that argument.  Whoever Souhan was talking to asked him about the ace of the staff and Souhan said it should be Pavano but he hasn't looked good lately and he hasn't been missing as many bats as usual.  I'll agree he hasn't looked great his last couple of starts (15 hits!) but his K/9 has increased from June (3.83) to July (4.98) to August (6.04).  Then Souhan said: And Baker isn't ready for it either.  I don't know anyone who would argue that Baker is in line to be the ace of the staff.  Ever.

And excuse me, Mr. Souhan.  No mention of Liriano?

When he did mention Liriano later in the interview, it was only to say that he also hasn't looked good as of late and that he's not a big game pitcher, that he seems to always choke when going up against other aces.

(Side note: If being a big game pitcher makes you an ace, maybe our ace has been Blackburn)

I think Souhan's an idiot.  But he did get me interested.  Is Liriano not a big game pitcher?  

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Mlbtraderumors just put up a list of players going to arbitration in the off-season.  They're separated into two categories: Expected to be tendered contracts AND Non-tender candidates.  Kubel and Capps are in the first list.  Clay Condrey is rightfully in the second list.  As is J.J. Hardy, with the second highest salary, behind the guy with the super-douchey facial hair, Mr. Jenks.

I think they're right about Kubel, Capps, and Condrey.  But I have no idea what the Twins will do with Hardy.  Plouffe has looked good when he's been up, like he can hold his own.  Hardy seems to be the obvious better defender and, with power coming for Plouffe, they look like similar hitters, assuming J.J. can stay healthy and Plouffe can translate his AAA numbers to the bigs.  I like Hardy; I think, when he's on the field, he's a good second-tier shortstop, with All-Star potential.  But is he worth 5+ million more than Plouffe? 

And, because I think someone might mention it, their is always the option of playing the infuriatingly inconsistent Alexi Casilla at shortstop.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Phil Mackey just said on KSTP that he wouldn't offer Aaron Hicks for Zack Greinke.  That's sounds insane to me, but I'll gladly concede to being wrong.  He said Hicks should be untouchable, reasoning that a guy who has walked 70 times already this season is a sure thing.  He said his average will come up and he'll show power soon.  I don't completely disagree, but, in my world, if you don't play in the bigs, you're not a sure thing.  And Greinke has the stuff, albeit with a little bit of pout to him.  Also, he's been quoted as saying that he's not interested in New York, that he prefers small markets.  Thoughts?  Talk amongst yourselves.