Comments on: Anatomy of a collapse (Part 1: Pitching)

By: Time for org shift

Time for org shift — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:32:56 +0000

lol I love how today the front page sports has an article about power pitching evolving and the game going to that. Hopefully the Twins took note…

By: John P.

John P. — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:08:17 +0000

“kubel and delmon are among the least athletic guys to go through the twins outfield, but at least delmon has a cannon for an arm.” (Comment by yefrem)

I’m not so sure about your preference for Delmon over Kubel as an OF. Kubel can throw it hard too. The ball tends to stay in Kubel’s glove better, he takes fewer ridiculous routes, and it seems like fewer balls drop within his diving/juming range. All that makes up for some raw speed. Delmon has speed, Kubel has skills. It just never seems like I’m left saying “Kubel should have had that” like I do with Delmon even though he’s better than last year. Of course Delmon is the superior bat lately. Neither one is headed for the HOF based on fielding.

By: ?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:00:39 +0000

Rauch usage is beating a dead horse, its never going to happen that way, doesnt happen that may for most ML clubs, its not happening in Twinkie Town.

By: CM

CM — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:08:59 +0000

Aaron outlines three excellent–and most importantly, realistically feasible–ideas to get this team’s pitching back on track.

The only things I disagree with are Duensing’s fitness for the starting rotation and moving Blackburn to long relief. Duensing was a starter for his entire college and minor league careers, and performed very well in the role last year in a high-pressure situation. It’s hard to imagine him doing WORSE than Blackburn.

Speaking of which, Gardenhire might as well save Blackburn the trouble and roll out a pitching machine as a long-reliever before giving Nick the ball. Blackburn needs to learn how to mix his pitches up and change speeds again, and I’m afraid the only way he’ll be able to do it is at AAA (if possible); I don’t think he’ll have enough opportunity for this if he were limited to long-relief.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:03:21 +0000

I am ro

By: Ted k

Ted k — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:27:15 +0000

Hardys been valuable to the twins. Hes been an elite defender for the twins. It would be nice if the offense picked up, but like joe crede last year, a large portion of his value is going to be on defense.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:09:59 +0000

“Hardy (Twins rubes really thought he’d hit 25 HRs — ha!).”

Neil,

It wasn’t only “Twins rubes” expecting big things from JJ. ZIPS was projecting Hardy for 17HR in 520 plate appearances this year. So it wasn’t unreasonable to think he’d hit 20+ in a full, injury-free year.

The guy has only had 150 AB this year, I’m still willing to give him a chance.

By: Erik

Erik — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:06:20 +0000

Who says that switching to 3b, a position Mauer has never played before, would go so smoothly and without issues?

By: jimbo92107

jimbo92107 — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:19:52 +0000

If it’s true that Mauer’s hip is bothering him (same injury as late last year?), then he simply must hang up his catcher’s mitt. The Twins signed Mauer for a ton of money for his bat, not his defense. Mauer to 3B; call up Wilson Ramos. Mauer can spell Ramos every fourth game, and then Valencia or Punto can play third.

Aren’t we all glad now that we didn’t trade away Ramos?

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:10:02 +0000

What *is* the deal with Neshek anyway? Are there serious recovery problems, or did he tweet himself into the doghouse?