Comments on: Twins sign Josh Willingham, say goodbye to Michael Cuddyer

By: Katz

Katz — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:47:18 +0000

If Cuddyer was really the super clubhouse guy/great makeup type that we were all led to believe, wouldn’t he have stuck it out with the Twins?

By: aarongleeman

aarongleeman — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:42:46 +0000

I personally view Cuddyer as a marginal disappointment as a 9th-overall draft pick.

This is beyond silly. There have been 47 players selected No. 9 overall in baseball history and Cuddyer ranks 8th in WAR despite only being 33 years old. Only two No. 9 picks in 47 years have topped 20 WAR for their careers.

By: John Gregory

John Gregory — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:33:06 +0000

one of the best, longest-tenured, and most-beloved players in team history

Not sure if this means top ten best, or top hundred, but I’m having trouble seeing Cuddyer in the real top echelon. Likewise there are many second-tier players who were on the WS winning teams who were more beloved. I personally view Cuddyer as a marginal disappointment as a 9th-overall draft pick. 12-WAR in a career (so far) is nothing to sneeze at, as there are plenty of downright busts even that high in a draft, but it’s not especially good at that slot either. Cuddyer was an everyday player, nothing more; his one all-star appearance was the “pity pick” that each bad team gets one of.

By: bon

bon — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:37:18 +0000

Morneau is going to go on a death streak next year. No more rollovers: pure bang and and wallers!

By: Gendo

Gendo — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:26:15 +0000

The Twins are admittedly pretty dumb, but I don’t think even they’re dumb enough to move Mauer to third.

They’ve surprised me before though!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:41:16 +0000

Yes, the Twins made the sensible choice. But I don’t feel good about seeing Cuddyer go. All things being equal, I’d take Cuddyer over Willingham in a heartbeat, but it’s not and 10 mil plus 2 picks in the top 70 do sway the argument to Willingham.

I have questions about the whole thing though. What does it say about the Twins organization that a guy who was a part of it for 14 years really didn’t seem to want to come back? It’s not like Cuddyer is going to a annual contender, did he really just want to get paid? Or did the Twins overstate their interest in Cuddyer to try to appease the fans who didn’t want to see him go?

By: steve hoffman (SHS)

steve hoffman (SHS) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:35:26 +0000

After watching Willingham play for 1 full season

I’d love to hear the, “similar arguably superior player” to Cuddyer chatter again this time next year

By: Pedro Munoz

Pedro Munoz — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:26:41 +0000

How about instead of a late inning replacement, we just never let Butera play for the Twins again.

By: J

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:35:01 +0000

Why not sign Kubel and have him play right? Willingham can DH/be the 4th outfielder. (I would also go farther and put Mauer at 3rd about half the time and put Doumit behind the plate, with Butera a standard late innings replacement).

By: Dirleton

Dirleton — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:51:34 +0000

Has anyone told Cuddyer that there are trees in CO?