tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post114533809491150659..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: Credit Where Credit's DueNick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-1145394655696785862006-04-18T16:10:00.000-05:002006-04-18T16:10:00.000-05:00However you wish to look at it, the plain and simp...However you wish to look at it, the plain and simple fact is that Castro and Batista have both been extremely valuable to the team's success in this tough early schedule. I can essentially guarantee you that having the combination of Cuddyer at third and Bartlett at short -- which many people were preaching as a better combo -- would not have been as successful up to this point in the season, particularly on defense. Those guys are both pretty slow starters, which the Twins really could not afford against this difficult early schedule. Like I said in the post, I don't expect this to last, but the decisions to start Batista and Castro have been a big reason the team has managed a .500 record in these first 12 games against four of the better teams in the American League. <BR/><BR/>At the very least, their performances to this point have been encouraging. Even if Batista goes on to hit .240 this season, if he continues to deliver extra-base hits and RBIs in bunches, I will be far more happy with his performance this season than what we had at third base last year. For 7 and 9 hitters in an offense that was the worst in the league last year, their performances to this point have been astronomical. <BR/><BR/>By no means am I trying to saint Gardy and Ryan, but as one who was relatively opposed to both moves coming into the season, I thought it would be prudent to give due credit to the fact that both moves have been invaluable to the team's early success. We'll see how long it lasts.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-1145384492048924782006-04-18T13:21:00.000-05:002006-04-18T13:21:00.000-05:00Well, I think what you can take away from this is ...Well, I think what you can take away from this is that two things are going on that haven't historically with Batista and Castro. For one, Batista is looking more patient and that's nice to see. Sure, it may not last, but if anything, its a step in the right direction for the guy. Who knows? He may have learned something from his expulsion to Japan. As for Castro, the opposite field singles are a good trend as well. The fact is, if he hits even .260, that would be a fine improvement from last year's shortstops. Both may not happen, but my associate is right to point out that if nothing else, being key to a good start is something to write about.Nick M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05029328242185237902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-1145375334949456532006-04-18T10:48:00.000-05:002006-04-18T10:48:00.000-05:00The last couple paragraphs of your article seem mo...The last couple paragraphs of your article seem most relevant. I will concede that Batista and Castro have played well so far. I would also say that anyone who can get to the big leagues at all is capable of having a couple of good weeks at some point. I seem to remember Castro have a couple of short good stretches last year, too, but his final numbers were still poor.<BR/><BR/>If they can do this all year, I will concede that Gardy and Ryan were right and I was wrong. As a Twins fan, nothing would please me more. I think, though, that the odds are substantially against it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-1145370316835771722006-04-18T09:25:00.000-05:002006-04-18T09:25:00.000-05:00If these guys did this any other time than the fir...If these guys did this any other time than the first two weeks of the year, it would be a non-story. Batting lines except for the most extreme cases at this time of the year are mostly meaningless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-1145361368316309282006-04-18T06:56:00.000-05:002006-04-18T06:56:00.000-05:00Personally I think it would be unwise to "step bac...Personally I think it would be unwise to "step back and applaud Gardenhire and Ryan" this early in the season. The nature of "stepping back" seems to be looking at all the details in a broad view, which we can't really do after a couple weeks of baseball. You use the term "young season," which is exactly right. In no way is it time for those detractors of the Batista and Castro moves to eat crow. Maybe they should enjoy the good while it lasts and make qualified positive comments on the performance of these two players, but that's about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com