Comments on: JC’s 2012 Offseason Twins Blueprint… Redux

By: shannon

shannon — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:04:18 +0000

@Jim: I think that Ryan sees Doumit as a replacement for Kubel than Cuddy. The Twins are working on re-signing him, and according to posts at MLB Trade Rumors, most teams eyeing Cuddy want him as either a utility player (i.e. not an everyday guy) or they think that his asking price is too high. It’ll be interesting to see what he does after the arbitration offer deadline.

By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:54:39 +0000

Yeah, shannon, I’m not jumping for joy over the Doumit signing. I don’t hate it, but I question if he was the right choice. He’s simply not a good catcher, so I don’t really see him as a fall-back catcher in case Mauer can’t catch a lot. He does provide 1B/OF/DH flexibility and as an emergency catcher, that would be OK. I’m just a bit concerned that this is the guy Ryan is going to try to sell to fans as the replacement for Cuddyer and I don’t see him as providing that kind of offense. I hope I’m wrong, both about Doumit’s performance and Ryan’s motives for signing him.

By: shannon

shannon — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:22:15 +0000

The Twins signed Ryan Doumit to a one-year, $3MM deal today. He’s played C, 1B, and RF for the Pirates for the last 7 years. Reportedly he wanted to go to an AL team to be a DH. He’ll provide much-needed depth at C and is good M&M insurance. (If Morneau can only DH, Doumit could be the new 1B. If Mauer needs a break from behind the plate or is too sick or hurt to play, Doumit can catch.) From the sounds of things, the Twins aren’t likely to bring Jason Kubel back but are still trying to woo Michael Cuddyer back to MN.

By: scot

scot — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:32:31 +0000

Alot of what ifs for next season. Will Mauer, Morneau, and Span be healthy next season? Morneau should be DH and Revere should be in LF next season. Kubel is probably gone. Harden? I’d rather see Twins keep Slowey. Blackburn will probably still be in the rotation also.

By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:47:53 +0000

jjswol,
Um.. because Harden hasn’t had a 200 inning season, he should be well rested?

I dunno.. I guess I’m just really tired of seeing guys on the mound for the Twins who can’t miss a bat. Harden has a history of at least getting guys to swing and miss occasionally and when I look at the bargain bin for starting pitchers, that’s something I don’t see in many of the other guys.

frightwig,
You finally figured me out… I’m here for no reason other than to please the Pohlads!

By: frightwig

frightwig — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:25:46 +0000

This roster might be a few games worse than your previous blueprint, mostly because Hendriks probably won’t be as good as Pavano and Maholm may be a little less valuable than Buehrle (although I can’t imagine Buehrle signing with Minnesota, anyway). But I’d expect it to finish at about the same level in the standings–possibly a solid 3rd with potential for better if the division is weak–and you’ve saved about $20 million! Congrats, Jim! The Pohlads would be pleased.

By: jjswol

jjswol — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:06:35 +0000

JC, I gotta ask, why Rich Harden? Harden has spent most of his career on the DL. In Harden’s 9 year career he has pitched over 148 innings once, just once. In his last two years he has pitched 82 and 92 innings. His ERA in the last three years has ranged from 4.09 to 5.58 and his WHIP has been 1.34, 1.66 and 1.43. I guess I just don’t see that as an improvement to the rotation.

I can live with Maholm but I don’t think you can pay Blackburn $4.75 million to be a long guy in the bullpen. The Twins need to find a way to make Blackburn disappear even if they have to pay a chunk of his salary.

I will be surprised if the Twins bring back Nathan, Cuddyer, or Kubel, I am thinking that ship might have left the dock. If the Twins can steal Storen from Washington some way, now that would be a deal I could really get excited about. I am not sure I would bring Capps back either, I think the Twins need to find a closer from within.