tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post3164598522921230968..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: Thome, the Twins and Free AgencyNick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-88207619119065218482010-01-27T19:33:38.494-06:002010-01-27T19:33:38.494-06:00For me I want this to be a way to slide Young out ...For me I want this to be a way to slide Young out of an everyday role. I'm tired of waiting for him to become what the Twins want him to be.<br /><br />This will be a perfect way to use Thome as a DH against tough righties and make our lineup that much stronger. We can do this by moving Kubel to left on those days as it's not like Kubel is any worse than Delmon in the OF. In fact Kubel's bat makes up for his lack of defensive ability where Young's doesn't.<br /><br />I'm not saying Thome is an everyday DH, but I'd like to see him 3-4 days a week in the lineup.Matthewhttp://jrsbeard.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-89443436992266473882010-01-27T15:56:26.803-06:002010-01-27T15:56:26.803-06:00I don't see how this hamstrings our bench. We...I don't see how this hamstrings our bench. We were all looking for a 4th OF who could be a defensive replacement and pinch hit. Instead, we have that in two players, Thome and Pridie. Between the two, they are better than any 4th outfielder we could have gotten. If we end up signing Crede, then we still have room for a versatile guy like Harris. There was no reason to have both Harris and Tolbert on the bench. There isn't really anything that Tolbert does much better than Harris.<br /><br />It might limit some flexibility, but overall, this was better than signing someone like Winn, because we now have a legitimate pinch hitter and defensive replacement for only 2 mil. If that means that we only get one utility infielder, I think that's a fair trade off.Steven Ellingsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03023063969965767482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-9062041652809050622010-01-27T15:06:25.352-06:002010-01-27T15:06:25.352-06:00ScottyB
I think many, many people are missing the...ScottyB<br /><br />I think many, many people are missing the actual bench implications.<br /><br />For the money, it's not a terrible signing. But it is not without ramifications, as you pointed out.<br /><br />The need off the bench is for a quality hitter, who can deliver late in games, who works counts and gets on base. Thome strikes out much but gets on base. However, as soon as he gets on base, he is a liability and we have to go to our bench again.<br /><br />Gardy likes his veterans though and Thome is built like Babe Ruthrghrbeknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-81820817893992992322010-01-27T14:46:56.960-06:002010-01-27T14:46:56.960-06:00In this same vein please explain how it make more ...<i>In this same vein please explain how it make more sense to sign an immobile, non-fielding LH hitter like Thome rather then spending the $4.5 million more on the RH 3B Tejada? Both are 1 year deals but Tejada actually fills a need in the field and balances our lineup which is overloaded wth LH.</i><br /><br />If the Twins wanted to sign Tejada, I don't think committing $1.5M to Thome prevented them from doing so. It's far more likely that either the Twins didn't want Tejada or Tejada didn't want to come here. And if you're looking for a misuse of a couple million dollars, Jesse Crain is probably a better example than Thome.<br /><br /><i>Am I missing something here? Does no one else see how this hamstrings the bench?</i><br /><br />See tomorrow's post.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-31149788419658700692010-01-27T14:25:44.855-06:002010-01-27T14:25:44.855-06:00Am I missing something here? Does no one else see...Am I missing something here? Does no one else see how this hamstrings the bench? Twins will not add Crede or anyone else now. Harris has to start at 3rd. If he is moved to the bench by acquiring a new player, that moves out Tolbert or Pridie. The Twins bench right now will be Tolbert, a catcher (Butera, then Morales), an outfielder (probably Pridie, to keep the budget in check), and Thome. <br /><br />We would have to immediately put any injured player on the DL, no more waiting a day or 2 to see if they can play through it. We wouldn't have that luxury. And heaven help us if Harris and Punto came down with the flu on the same day. Our lineup would have to include Tolbert at 3rd, Cuddyer at 2nd, Kubel in RF and Thome at DH. I wouldn't want to pitch that day.ScottyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-88446818371802602522010-01-27T13:32:58.220-06:002010-01-27T13:32:58.220-06:00Anonymous,
Tejada signed with Baltimore to play t...Anonymous,<br /><br />Tejada signed with Baltimore to play third.DKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08828660995923103900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-492839465190898202010-01-27T12:14:58.233-06:002010-01-27T12:14:58.233-06:00Last I knew Tejada is a Short-stop and not a 3b. ...Last I knew Tejada is a Short-stop and not a 3b. I don't think he willing to move either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-14622053317086804592010-01-27T11:56:39.926-06:002010-01-27T11:56:39.926-06:00You made some very good points about how multi yea...You made some very good points about how multi year deal year is not wise for the Twins and that will probablly make Lopez/Hudson not possible. In this same vein please explain how it make more sense to sign an immobile, non-fielding LH hitter like Thome rather then spending the $4.5 million more on the RH 3B Tejada? Both are 1 year deals but Tejada actually fills a need in the field and balances our lineup which is overloaded wth LH.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02938788014778471934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-75167610983000960042010-01-27T10:31:06.547-06:002010-01-27T10:31:06.547-06:00Nick,
Unfortunately, I think you are right on the...Nick,<br /><br />Unfortunately, I think you are right on the 2nd basemen. It's not happening.<br /><br />Thome, at this price, was an ok pickup. I just hope Gardy gives Delmon every chance to either do well or stink it up so we finally, for sure know what we have in him.<br /><br />Crede is all but assured to come here.rghrbeknoreply@blogger.com