Milkman wrote:Luckily we have arguably one of the top 5 offensive line-ups in baseball, so maybe we will have a decent amount of run support and the pitching staff won't be asked to keep teams under 2-3 runs on a daily basis.
Indy5 wrote:Milkman wrote:Luckily we have arguably one of the top 5 offensive line-ups in baseball, so maybe we will have a decent amount of run support and the pitching staff won't be asked to keep teams under 2-3 runs on a daily basis.
Yeah that is the total opposite of your typical Twins team. My concern is that with the addition of Thome, he'll probably DH. There are going to want Kubel's bat in the line-up so that probably puts him in left with Cuddyer in right. Also, they added Hudson(great pickup. Good defense and a good bat in the 2 slot.) and Hardy. I don't know about Hardy on the defensive end. This also means Punto won't see that much time. He should always be playing somewhere IMO. I just worry that they are sacrificing defense for power. Thats usually not a big deal, but I don't like getting away from Twins baseball.
The Schwab wrote:Indy5 wrote:Milkman wrote:Luckily we have arguably one of the top 5 offensive line-ups in baseball, so maybe we will have a decent amount of run support and the pitching staff won't be asked to keep teams under 2-3 runs on a daily basis.
Yeah that is the total opposite of your typical Twins team. My concern is that with the addition of Thome, he'll probably DH. There are going to want Kubel's bat in the line-up so that probably puts him in left with Cuddyer in right. Also, they added Hudson(great pickup. Good defense and a good bat in the 2 slot.) and Hardy. I don't know about Hardy on the defensive end. This also means Punto won't see that much time. He should always be playing somewhere IMO. I just worry that they are sacrificing defense for power. Thats usually not a big deal, but I don't like getting away from Twins baseball.
I'm sorry, Puntos defense has declined over the last few years, he makes more dumb base running errors then he did before. I would much rather have him as a spot starter to give guys rest rather than an everyday player.
Hinsa wrote:If Danny Valencia can have a good start at Rochester and Punto/Harris falter at all, Valencia will be up by June to take the 3rd base job.
Indy5 wrote:Jones makes sense, but there has to be room somewhere for Casilla. I like him as a player. He is one of the few piranhas left. He's a decent average hitter with a very good glove.
baseball wrote:Indy5 wrote:Jones makes sense, but there has to be room somewhere for Casilla. I like him as a player. He is one of the few piranhas left. He's a decent average hitter with a very good glove.
Was Casilla with the Twins when they used that term? I thought it was back in the days of Luis Castillo...
baseball wrote:Guzman
scc wrote:You have to see Target Field in person. It's a great ballpark, and even though it was a bit chilly over the weekend, it was a lot of fun. Get there early to check out all the sights inside and outside Target Field.
Indy5 wrote:I agree that the new stadium looks awesome, but they really should have got a retractable roof. What are they going to do when there is snow until May or in October when they are in the playoffs?
Hinsa wrote:Valencia is a true 3rd baseman - quick reflexes, good arm, hits for some power. Should be as good as Coskie if not better. He could lock up the Twins 3rd base position for a long time.
I think their starting pitching will be just fine. Slowey's back, Liriano is poised for a comeback season, Baker and Pavano are very consistent, and Blackburn is really coming into his own now.
The one thing I have a problem with is keeping Butera on the major league roster. He's hitting under .200 and reports are that his defensive skills are only average. Ramos hit over .300 and spanked 3 homers in spring training. I'm sure this is a move motivated by money - keep Ramos in the minors so his major league clock doesn't start ticking so they can delay his eligibility for arbitration as long as they can.
And I wish they had room for Jacque Jones. He can provide defense in all 3 outfield positions and his bat off the bench would surely be an upgrade over Alexi Casilla. Start Harris at third, let Punto be the uber-utlity guy, send down Casilla and keep Jones. Shoot, their only outfield depth right now is Kubel or Punto in an emergency. Jones makes a lot more sense to me than Casilla.
Hinsa wrote:Valencia is a true 3rd baseman - quick reflexes, good arm, hits for some power. Should be as good as Coskie if not better. He could lock up the Twins 3rd base position for a long time.
I think their starting pitching will be just fine. Slowey's back, Liriano is poised for a comeback season, Baker and Pavano are very consistent, and Blackburn is really coming into his own now.
The one thing I have a problem with is keeping Butera on the major league roster. He's hitting under .200 and reports are that his defensive skills are only average. Ramos hit over .300 and spanked 3 homers in spring training. I'm sure this is a move motivated by money - keep Ramos in the minors so his major league clock doesn't start ticking so they can delay his eligibility for arbitration as long as they can.
And I wish they had room for Jacque Jones. He can provide defense in all 3 outfield positions and his bat off the bench would surely be an upgrade over Alexi Casilla. Start Harris at third, let Punto be the uber-utlity guy, send down Casilla and keep Jones. Shoot, their only outfield depth right now is Kubel or Punto in an emergency. Jones makes a lot more sense to me than Casilla.
Return to Open Topics - Sports and other things
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests