tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post7075201848112642882..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: Patience for the Wrong ReasonsNick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-25867432212277390012011-08-01T10:33:19.255-05:002011-08-01T10:33:19.255-05:00Nick,
Have you ever considered renaming your bl...Nick, <br /><br />Have you ever considered renaming your blog to Nick's Troll Town Twins Blog or something? You have a very ummmm... unique comments section. <br /><br />If you said the sun will rise in the east tomorrow and most likely the next day, too, I have a feeling you'd have about 2 dozen comments from your regular readers nitpicking your statement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-75673757342510121752011-07-28T10:41:31.198-05:002011-07-28T10:41:31.198-05:00Hardy had 18 games in AAA in his demotion in 2009,...Hardy had 18 games in AAA in his demotion in 2009, bringing his total games to 133. Throw in that he earned himself a few extra days off for performance reasons and missed at least two games due to travel between Nashville and Milwaukee, and arguing that he isn't durable because he "only" played in 115 MLB games that season is just dumb.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-80410100675580316152011-07-28T10:37:03.984-05:002011-07-28T10:37:03.984-05:00"Hardy only played in as many as 115 games th..."Hardy only played in as many as 115 games the prior 3 years."<br /><br />Is it easier to support an argument when you get to make up "facts?" He played in 146 games in 2008, 115 in 2009, and 101 in 2010. <br /><br />146 is normal, since every player has somewhat regular days off. 115 games in 2009 wasn't due to injury, like many of you implied. He was struggling and was demoted. He still played in around 146 games again that year. 2010 was his only year with injury issues. And he's on pace to play more than 115 games this season, even with his stint on the DL earlier. <br /><br />And even if you don't want to include the posting fee as part of payroll, whatever. It's not like the Twins are working against a salary cap- it's money coming out of the team's pocket, so who cares if it's going to salary or to Nishi's old team? In the end, the Twins essentially decided to go with Nishioka over Hardy, with minimal financial savings.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-26108282619750055862011-07-27T23:08:27.893-05:002011-07-27T23:08:27.893-05:00Right, in less than a full season. Lets see where ...<i>Right, in less than a full season. Lets see where he is if he stays healthy to the end of the year.</i><br /><br />I should just let this go, but it's too much fun, and too easy.<br /><br />Last 365 days (that would be one full season), JJ Hardy: .278/.335/.469<br /><br />That's an .804 OPS. From a SS who plays above average defense.<br /><br />For roughly $1M more per year than the Twins are paying Nishioka.<br /><br />(As an aside, Hardy posted an .805 OPS for the Twins in the second half last year, and was one of the primary reasons the Twins pulled away from the rest of the division.)USAFChiefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-13681739003801476042011-07-27T22:12:03.105-05:002011-07-27T22:12:03.105-05:00For the record, since we're discussing this, i...<i>For the record, since we're discussing this, in a similar situation earlier in the game, Nishioka also hit a ground ball...and DIDN'T get the run home. The contact play was also on in that situation, and Young was thrown out at home. So if hitting a ground ball was "exactly what the Twins wanted" why didn't it work earlier?</i><br /><br />This is exactly the point I was making in the post. Nice ownage all-around.<br /><br /><i>Why does Plouffe deserve a shot? His 8 season's were medicore. He came up they saw he couldn't play short and sent him down. They do see that his bat might play somewhere and are trying him at other positions. I'd say that's his shot now.</i><br /><br />Switching Plouffe to a position that muffles his offensive contributions as much as right field or first base should be a last resort. He has started a total of 22 MLB games at shortstop. And who's to say he wouldn't make a fine second baseman?<br /><br /><i>Wilson Ramos is another story. He is probably a back up catcher in the majors.</i><br /><br />Then what does that make Drew Butera?<br /><br /><i>Lets see where he is if he stays healthy to the end of the year. A hot start will inflate your "overall line" for most of the season, just as a cold start will deflate it.</i><br /><br />Yeah, so basically, I'm supposed to believe that he's going to fall apart in the second half of the year... because you say so. Very compelling argument, except that this is nothing new for him. See: 2007 and 2008.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-52197489111650131612011-07-27T20:57:16.764-05:002011-07-27T20:57:16.764-05:00"Hardy has obviously done enough good to have..."Hardy has obviously done enough good to have an excellent overall line,"<br /><br />Right, in less than a full season. Lets see where he is if he stays healthy to the end of the year. A hot start will inflate your "overall line" for most of the season, just as a cold start will deflate it. The Twins current record probably doesn't reflect how good a team they will be this year when the season is over.TThttp://grannybaseball.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-84862970832015056562011-07-27T19:42:42.018-05:002011-07-27T19:42:42.018-05:00Posting Fee's aren't part of the teams pla...Posting Fee's aren't part of the teams player payroll but that's fine if you want to say Nishioka. More realistically Nishioka, & Thome. Or Pavano or Capps. All sensible to me for Hardy but they wanted those guys more. At the time it seemed okay. Hardy only played in as many as 115 games the prior 3 years. Pavano, Capps and Thome all had terrific years and Nishioka had promise and would be way cheaper for more years. It could still be a good deal but as of right now it obviously is a mistake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-58853048828638033982011-07-27T19:32:57.960-05:002011-07-27T19:32:57.960-05:00Hardy was only traded because of the payroll. So, ...<i>Hardy was only traded because of the payroll. So, they had to trade him. Obviously in hindsight it would have been good to keep Hardy over a combo of Pavano, Capps, Thome and Nishioka</i><br /><br />Hardy: $5.85M<br /><br />Pavano: $8M <br />Capps: $7M<br />Thome: $3M<br />Nishioka: $3M (plus posting fee)<br /><br />Doesn't seem like they had to make the decision of Hardy or those four. <br /><br />Keeping Hardy and not posting/signing Nishioka would have resulted in LESS money being spent in 2011.USAFChiefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-39408556452754048452011-07-27T19:18:10.224-05:002011-07-27T19:18:10.224-05:00As for Hardy he is an above average shortstop. Wi...As for Hardy he is an above average shortstop. Wilson Ramos is another story. He is probably a back up catcher in the majors. Since May 1st he has hit 203 with a 270 or so OBP. If you look at his minor league stats they were also medicore. The Nationals 2nd-3rd best prospect is a catcher - Derrek Norris. The Nats really traded for Ramos for a good defensive backup. Norris will probably be the starter in 1-2 years. The Twins fans and bloggers overvalue our prospects especially Ramos. He isn't a loss. The only prospects the Twins have that project to be better than average ML starters are Hicks, Arcia, Sano and Benson. That's not bad but it's not like our top 10 guys are untradeable. Hardy was only traded because of the payroll. So, they had to trade him. Obviously in hindsight it would have been good to keep Hardy over a combo of Pavano, Capps, Thome and Nishioka but they went with those guys. That's the tough mistake. They happen. It's not like trading Colby Rasmus for Edwin Jackson. <br /> <br />SeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-12923892204888178602011-07-27T19:11:47.911-05:002011-07-27T19:11:47.911-05:00Why does Plouffe deserve a shot? His 8 season'...Why does Plouffe deserve a shot? His 8 season's were medicore. He came up they saw he couldn't play short and sent him down. They do see that his bat might play somewhere and are trying him at other positions. I'd say that's his shot now. He hasn't produced yet but I'm fine with him playing some DH, 1B and OF for the rest of the year. Maybe he can fight for a bench spot next year if he continues to hit around 200.<br />Nishioka deserves a chance he has 8 years of prior play in the NPB and a 3 year contact. He has less than 45 games so far and has shown range at short. <br /><br />SeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-38429871746514392332011-07-27T18:36:45.641-05:002011-07-27T18:36:45.641-05:00"The Twins had a contact play on. Young was o...<i>"The Twins had a contact play on. Young was on his way home.</i><br /><br />It appears you do not know the definition of 'contact play' either. Young comes home on a contact play AFTER contact is made. <br /><br /><i>Nishioka's job was to put the ball in play, on the ground. Which is exactly what he did.</i> <br /><br />Nishioka's job is to get the run home.<br /><br />The contact play is used to prevent something worse happening (typically a DP) and is, in effect, an admission by the manager that he has to gamble because he cannot count on the hitter (or the following hitters) to do something preferable to grounding to an infielder.<br /><br />In every case, a medium deep fly ball is ALWAYS preferable in these situations to a ground ball, since it virtually guarantees a run scoring and eliminates the possibility of multiple outs from one hitter, while a ground ball does no such thing.<br /><br />I'm surprised at your lack of simple baseball knowledge.<br /><br />For the record, since we're discussing this, in a similar situation earlier in the game, Nishioka also hit a ground ball...and DIDN'T get the run home. The contact play was also on in that situation, and Young was thrown out at home. So if hitting a ground ball was "exactly what the Twins wanted" why didn't it work earlier?USAFChiefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-77135244649144785732011-07-27T18:32:03.230-05:002011-07-27T18:32:03.230-05:00"If you take out all those times he's don..."If you take out all those times he's done good, Hardy has been really bad."<br /><br />That's some fine analysis there.<br /><br />Hardy has obviously done enough good to have an excellent overall line, with an OPS 300 points higher than Nishioka's. Every game counts, every at-bat counts. Discounting his performance this season by setting arbitrary parameters is asinine.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-171916995936936532011-07-27T18:16:22.998-05:002011-07-27T18:16:22.998-05:00The Twins had a contact play on. Young was on his ...The Twins had a contact play on. Young was on his way home. Nishioka's job was to put the ball in play, on the ground. Which is exactly what he did. <br /><br />"My point is that just because a guy hit .360 and won a Gold Glove in Japan League doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to MLB"<br /><br />Just as hitting .360 at AAA doesn't mean a damn thing. <br /><br />And 153 major league plate appearances doesn't mean a damn thing either.<br /><br />"Hardy has been incredible this year."<br /><br />Batting Last 28 days JJ Hardy:<br />.217/.245/.402<br /><br />I am not sure how "incredible" that is, his batting average is 23 points lower than Nishioka's. But he did have those two home runs last night.<br /><br />Hardy had one hot month. And he has had one hot game this week. That does not make him incredible. Its a lot like Wilson Ramos, who had a great April with the bat and has struggled ever since. His current averages look a lot better than his actual performance.<br /><br />Or for that matter the Twins. Who struggled for two months and then got hot. They have cooled off some, but there is still a lot of baseball to play.TThttp://grannybaseball.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-9163189361521991212011-07-27T17:42:12.128-05:002011-07-27T17:42:12.128-05:00Revere, mauer, and tnish all of them are utterly a...Revere, mauer, and tnish all of them are utterly and completely incapable of pulling the ball with athority. It wonder how many well hit balls the the three of them have pulled to the number of atbats? So balance they have when it comes to wet noodle sticks. It's Happening!jackie Childsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-88391270400992309822011-07-27T17:16:59.632-05:002011-07-27T17:16:59.632-05:00Aside from his horrible stats, anyone who's ac...Aside from his horrible stats, anyone who's actually watched Nishioka play at the park can see he's just physically over-matched. I don't know how you get around it. When he's batting left handed he looks like he's hitting a backhand to leftfield ala Wimbledon. I don't think he's strong enough to pull a 90+ mile an hour fastball.<br /> I read that Jason Bartlett might be available. He would be a nice upgrade. FO would have to admit another screwed up trade though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-47429473140150040492011-07-27T16:51:56.404-05:002011-07-27T16:51:56.404-05:00There's putting up bad numbers, and then there...There's putting up bad numbers, and then there is looking so overmatched that you don't belong in the majors. The latter is Nishioka, the former is Plouffe. <br /><br />Picking between Plouffe and Nishioka to play short is a no-win decision. It's scenarios like this that make me seriously question the competency of certain aspects of the front office, such as international scouting and player development. Can't they do any better than making Gardy have to choose the least-bad option time after time? <br /><br />The only time to put Plouffe back at short is when the Twins are totally out of the race, otherwise he'd better hit so he can find a place to play, because his glove isn't getting him on the field. He's too erractic at short.<br /><br />Nishioka is much more mystifing. Right now, it seems like the Twins made a huge mistake, but it is still early. He was an accomplished player in Japan, and despite what some of you seem to think about the level of play in Japan, it is generally regarded as slightly higher than AAA. Also, given the Twins lack of options internally, Nishi is going to play. But he is giving the Twins no other choice but to look to upgrade at the position in the offseason.Drew Madisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-53954398229387084202011-07-27T16:24:50.419-05:002011-07-27T16:24:50.419-05:00My problem with that is that middle infielders are...My problem with that is that middle infielders are a defense first bats second type position. While Plouffe's Power may be intriguing I'd argue that he doesn't have the "yips" but the "I'm a mediocre fielder." Nishioka has been largely ineffective, agreed but he has shown terrific fielding abilities at times. While he has tons of errors, and he's good fielding is a minority, I think we could call that the "yips" because of his Japan stats, and some of the occasional outstanding plays he makes. That said, he needs to learn to put the ball in the air. <br /><br />SS is a weak spot for the twins right now, but let's not start hoping Plouffe magically learns how to field, his range in the field is garbage and he's error prone as well, his bat is no where near enough.<br /><br />Plus, one thing that is continually neglected, many/most of Yoshi's failed AB's are 5 plus pitches, wile he needs to get on base, at least he's making pitchers work a little.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-85592126514603070752011-07-27T16:06:08.299-05:002011-07-27T16:06:08.299-05:00"He also praises Nishioka for his play. He ch...<i>"He also praises Nishioka for his play. He chopped the ball into the ground and past the pitcher, which is exactly what the Twins were looking for him to do."</i><br /><br />I think you're confused. That's "exactly" what the Twins wanted? One would think the Twins were looking for him to get the ball into the outfield, thereby maximizing the chance Young scores, and possibly resulting in a hit. Leaving the ball in the infield, or a K, was exactly what the Rangers were looking for. <br /><br />Sheesh.<br /><br /><i>I thought we were discussing last night's game.</i><br /><br />I thought we were discussing who should play SS.USAFChiefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-40595391592809735442011-07-27T15:39:19.937-05:002011-07-27T15:39:19.937-05:00My point is that just because a guy hit .360 and w...<i>My point is that just because a guy hit .360 and won a Gold Glove in Japan League doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to MLB</i><br />When I was in Japan, I took in a couple of games. While the players are skilled, it's a totally different style of baseball.<br />That being said, the way Nishi is playing right now would have landed him square on the pine over there (too many K's, too many brainless errors).<br />I had a helluva time adjusting to life over there, and I sucked at my job for the first few months as I adjusted to the way business is conducted.<br />All I can hope is that Nishi is dealing with the exact same thing.<br /><br />I support both guys getting playing time moving forward this season. Plouffe can probably play short, but won't get that chance in all liklihood...Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984504525577892812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-33726528499280233952011-07-27T15:14:36.455-05:002011-07-27T15:14:36.455-05:00Anon, so you are saying that a league in which 43 ...Anon, so you are saying that a league in which 43 players in its history have moved up to MLB is better than a league that has sent thousands? That makes no sense. I'll bet that number of players jump even from AA to the majors every year. <br /><br />My point is that just because a guy hit .360 and won a Gold Glove in Japan League doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to MLB, and you can't compare it to AAA or AA or anything else over here, for that matter. As for evidence of this, I cite Nishi, and every other hitter that's ever come here with the exception of Ichiro & I'll give you Matsui too. <br /><br />You cite Nishi and someone called Jiroki Kurodi as your supporting evidence, as well as the trusty "some guy said it so it must be true" defense. Oh, and All-Star voting. Airtight!<br /><br />I hope for your sake you aren't a defense attorney.Ed Bastnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-72655346594772965432011-07-27T14:44:18.913-05:002011-07-27T14:44:18.913-05:00I find it interesting that many of the folks claim...I find it interesting that many of the folks claiming it's way too early to make any judgments about Plouffe are also summarily dismissing NishiokaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-22230327108737107112011-07-27T14:36:26.179-05:002011-07-27T14:36:26.179-05:00I find it interesting that many of the folks claim...I find it interesting that many of the folks claiming it's way too early to make any judgments about Nishioka are also summarily dismissing Plouffe as a middle infielder after watching him play 15 games there.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-73186867836089691342011-07-27T14:15:07.353-05:002011-07-27T14:15:07.353-05:00It's not really fair to judge any hitter until...It's not really fair to judge any hitter until they've had 1000 PAs. Of course, they might not show you enough in the first 200 to stick around long enough for that...<br />But my point is that we're comparing two guys who haven't had enough big league PAs to make valid conclusions about their batting.<br />That being said, Plouffe deserves more PAs, and Nishi deserves a chance based on his contract ALONE. In a season that's basically over (anyone who thinks they should trade and spend to win the Central and get obliterated in the postseason is smokin something), both of them should be playing, who cares about positions at this point, lets see some bats!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984504525577892812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-19643895648467439032011-07-27T13:49:12.259-05:002011-07-27T13:49:12.259-05:00For everyone who didn't bother to watch the vi...For everyone who didn't bother to watch the video, the announcer says he had "no chance to get Young".<br /><br />He also praises Nishioka for his play. He chopped the ball into the ground and past the pitcher, which is exactly what the Twins were looking for him to do. Apparently Nick was looking for a pop fly that at least reached the outfield. I suspect the Rangers would have been happy with that as well.<br /><br />I thought we were discussing last night's game. Its over. You don't need to wait until the end of the season to evaluate it. <br /><br />What is clear is that some people were looking for failure that confirmed their preconceived ideas about Nishioka and found it. They ignored the same failures by Plouffe since he was their preconceived alternative to Nishioka.<br /><br />I don't agree with people who think Plouffe isn't a major league player. He no doubt will need big league at bats to adapt, but he seems to be demonstrating the power that was expected of him. He does need a position, but shortstop isn't it.TThttp://grannybaseball.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-53606383776303120782011-07-27T13:10:27.840-05:002011-07-27T13:10:27.840-05:00Also Ed 43 players from Japan have made the Majors...Also Ed 43 players from Japan have made the Majors.<br />Trey Hillman a former minor manager who has managed in Japan compares it as on par with the majors. I wouldn't go that far. That's on ESPN.om a column by Eric Neel. Keith Law has indicated it's way better than AAA ball but he thinks of AAA balls a scrap heap of washed up players. <br />I grow tired though of totally destroying your point as you know nothing about baseball thoguh Ed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com