tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post253538121379032680..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: 2007 Spring Training PreviewNick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-14039643203440491352007-02-25T13:49:00.000-06:002007-02-25T13:49:00.000-06:001. Will Kubel's knee be healthy enough to run the ...<I>1. Will Kubel's knee be healthy enough to run the bases and play the field on occasion? Last year watching him run at times was painful for us to watch.</I><BR/><BR/>I guess there's no way to say for sure, but the general sentiment is that he should be back to 100% now that he's two years removed from the surgery and he's had a full off-season to strengthen his knees. Many people are picking Kubel as their player to surprise on the Twins this year.<BR/><BR/><I>2. Why not find a 2nd left hander for the bullpen?</I><BR/><BR/>Reyes is more than sufficient as the lefty specialist, and the Twins have a number of right-handers (Crain, Rincon, Nathan) who are almost just as effective against lefties as they are against righties. I think they could get by with Reyes as their only southpaw in the pen.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-17119281851270342262007-02-25T08:12:00.000-06:002007-02-25T08:12:00.000-06:00Two questions:1. Will Kubel's knee be healthy eno...Two questions:<BR/><BR/>1. Will Kubel's knee be healthy enough to run the bases and play the field on occasion? Last year watching him run at times was painful for us to watch. <BR/><BR/>2. Why not find a 2nd left hander for the bullpen?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-43081233958760067152007-02-23T15:27:00.000-06:002007-02-23T15:27:00.000-06:00In Tyner's defense, I just replayed the 2006 seaso...In Tyner's defense, I just replayed the 2006 season in Diamond-Mind Baseball, and Tyner wound up with a .320 average, six triples, and two homers! <BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, Ford was dreadful :o)TheBentKangaroohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03062032236799191406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-39431808825652868002007-02-23T12:36:00.000-06:002007-02-23T12:36:00.000-06:00I agree with TBK, I think I actually prefer Ford. ...I agree with TBK, I think I actually prefer Ford. Tyner hit for a nice average last year, but he did so without any power or patience. If his BA drops back to his around his career average this season, he'll return to being a pretty poor offensive player.<BR/><BR/>I think Ford is a better defender, and I think he is better able to utilize his speed on the base-paths. I don't think he'll ever return to 2004 form, but I also don't think he's as bad as he was last year.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-32165176033860181022007-02-23T11:41:00.000-06:002007-02-23T11:41:00.000-06:00I prefer Ford as well, as he seems to be a better ...I prefer Ford as well, as he seems to be a better backup at all defensive positions and he's an excellent baserunner and base-stealer. Plus, at least he had some semblance of power at one point in his career; we know what the ceiling is for Tyner.TheBentKangaroohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03062032236799191406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-78822343164728860872007-02-23T10:10:00.000-06:002007-02-23T10:10:00.000-06:00I agree 100% that it's useless to have both Ford a...I agree 100% that it's useless to have both Ford and Tyner on the roster. I have a slight preference to Tyner as the fourth outfielder--fifth behind Kubel. From the little I've seen, I think Tyner has slightly better instincts.<BR/><BR/>Between Durbin and Tyner, I'd take Durbin, though.thisisbethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764018111806835434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-31138148351909936652007-02-23T08:30:00.000-06:002007-02-23T08:30:00.000-06:00And yes, the Lew Ford of 2004 isn't returning. Tha...And yes, the Lew Ford of 2004 isn't returning. That was a fluke year for sure. Ford does not have the power to hit that many home runs or the ability to around .300. It just isn't happening.Nick M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05029328242185237902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-20621415404928663052007-02-23T08:27:00.000-06:002007-02-23T08:27:00.000-06:00Well, I think the idea here is that the Twins will...Well, I think the idea here is that the Twins will probably have to choose between Tyner and Durbin. If the Twins are smart, they'll pick Durbin or trade Ford and keep Tyner. Having Tyner and Ford on the roster is useless because they are similar players. (Don't let Tyner's average fool you)Nick M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05029328242185237902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-8772783993370023742007-02-23T07:54:00.000-06:002007-02-23T07:54:00.000-06:00Thank you for not forgetting Scott Baker. Serious...Thank you for not forgetting Scott Baker. Seriously, Kelly Theiser annoys me in how often she doesn't even bother to *mention* him. I'm okay with him being rated lower than some of the other prospects, but don't write him off entirely.<BR/><BR/>And I prefer Tyner to Ford. If Ford can get back to rookie form, then he's better, but I haven't seen an evidence of that happening.<BR/><BR/>Beththisisbethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764018111806835434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-32760849770069224342007-02-23T07:33:00.000-06:002007-02-23T07:33:00.000-06:00I agree, the only thing I'm wondering is what the ...I agree, the only thing I'm wondering is what the Twins will do with the guy they leave off the 25 man roster suchas Tyner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com