tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post7166233447523141791..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: Now Or NeverNick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-87155457332946442542007-07-30T14:07:00.000-05:002007-07-30T14:07:00.000-05:00I believe that that absolute worst thing that coul...I believe that that absolute worst thing that could happen is for Terry Ryan to do nothing. Either he believes the Twins still can be a contender and picks up a bat or two, or he doesn't and he starts building for the future. If he sits back and just does nothing, we're going to be screwed now and in the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-63235885609253790232007-07-30T11:12:00.000-05:002007-07-30T11:12:00.000-05:00S. Chancellor -I mostly agree with you here. In fa...S. Chancellor -<BR/><BR/>I mostly agree with you here. In fact, I recently basically wrote this in my own post. I really think Ryan won't make any big moves either. He's too conservative and there is no way he trades any prospects or risks trading pending free agents that would bring more prospects. However, I disagree about Ensberg. Honestly, I think Ensberg is the kind of move I'd approve that Ryan won't make. He doesn't like low-average hitters with power and patience; he likes low-average hitters with some power and zero patience (of course, Batista comes to mind). Somehow, he'll pass on Ensberg, which is too bad, because even at his current stats, he is a much better offensive option than Nick Punto. That would be one less "pirahna" in the lineup that opposing pitchers can throw strikes down the middle and have nothing to worry about.Nick M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05029328242185237902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-85199716352416074882007-07-30T03:07:00.000-05:002007-07-30T03:07:00.000-05:00Prediction: The GM won't make a move. When asked,...Prediction: The GM won't make a move. When asked, he'll reply "July 31st is an artificial deadline. Trades happen all time time in August, there is just a different process you go through. We'll continue to see if any deals make sense, and if they do, we'll look at helping at our club," or some such nonsense.<BR/><BR/>If he does make a move, it will not be for a proven hitter. It will be for a Morgan Ensberg or someone else of his ilk: either a veteran long past his prime, or a flyer on someone who has been slumping to such a degree that his current club is giving up on him. <BR/><BR/>In his 13-year tenure, the GM has traded for a grand total of 2 proven ML hitters in their prime: Shannon Stewart and Luis Castillo. And neither one of them were/are a threat to drive in runs. Ryan dallies on the waiver-wire fringes - prowling for Phil Nevins, Rondell Whites, Tony Batistas - players whose best years were in, well, the 20th Century. <BR/><BR/>He has never traded for a proven power hitter who is still hitting home runs.<BR/><BR/>He is skittish about trading for a player who is under contract beyond the current year, but also averse to adding a rent-a-player. He has enough [self-induced] contract headaches with Hunter, Santana, and Morneau, in that order. He certainly is not going to complicate those matters by trading for a hitter making 8 million+ next year. And the other side of the coin: he is not going to trade prized prospects that he will need to help pick up the pieces after the departure of Hunter et al.<BR/><BR/>So we have a GM only willing to part with marginal prospects and so not in league to acquire a big-name hitter, but further handcuffed by an unwillingness to commit to a hitter who he must pay in '08. <BR/><BR/>I have noted before that Hillenbrand fits the GMs bill. Wigginton would have been useful, although he is due to make some money next year.<BR/><BR/>Re-acquiring Shannon Stewart is not without merit. He could be had for some small change.<BR/><BR/>We are all aware that the Twins need a third baseman, a left fielder, and a DH. Knowing that Ryan would at best make one move and not three, 3B seemed the logical position to upgrade. Kubel is doing OK, White if healthy is at least a body for the DH hole with some track record of successful hitting. <BR/><BR/>Other than Ensberg, I do not know of any 3B still available that meets the GM's limited, restrictive criteria.<BR/><BR/>This is a long way of saying none of us should hold our breath. Perhaps the GM should write '07 off and focus on re-signing his three stars. We would all agree that locking those three up long-term is more important than the band-aid we are waiting for Ryan to cover up this team's lesions.S.Chancellorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13887377900906714516noreply@blogger.com