The Twins Are in First Place?

[DanAS1]

Can we please stop the season now ... and just extrapolate the stats to 162 games? (Imagine Nathan's stats, for example.) I had this team down for 90 losses for sure. Heck, I still wouldn't be surprised if they hit 90 losses. But at least I'm paying attention. Never having been much of a fan of AAA ball, this is a welcome development.

[John_Viveiros]

Can we please stop the season now ... and just extrapolate the stats to 162 games? (Imagine Nathan's stats, for example.) I had this team down for 90 losses for sure. Heck, I still wouldn't be surprised if they hit 90 losses. But at least I'm paying attention. Never having been much of a fan of AAA ball, this is a welcome development.

The standings are upside down. The Tigers were supposed to be one of the strongest teams in the league. I'm thinking of cutting the standings out of the paper to show that at one time in 2008 the Twins had a two game lead in the division, because I'm guessing that it will be a pretty distant memory by October - not any fault of theirs, just that the baseball salary system is so out of whack compared to the NFL.

John

[wang_chi7]

It's early, but they are playing well. They have an excellent bullpen and a decent, young lineup and some young arms that should develop. I didn't expect a whole lot this year, but in 3 years when they have experience they should be a force to reckon with.

[wang_chi7]

The standings are upside down. The Tigers were supposed to be one of the strongest teams in the league. I'm thinking of cutting the standings out of the paper to show that at one time in 2008 the Twins had a two game lead in the division, because I'm guessing that it will be a pretty distant memory by October - not any fault of theirs, just that the baseball salary system is so out of whack compared to the NFL.

John

No, its not totally fair. But most of their division is comparable in finances. Chicago is obviously a big market; but they are second fiddle to the Cubs in that market. The other teams have about the same situation as the Twins, but with better parks at the moment. The new ballpark will help tons, if Pohlad opens his purse strings.

The big markets aren't doing too well right now. The Yankees suck (thats no surprise as they have ignored the farm system for years now and its finally come back to hurt.) Boston has finally turned it on after playing awful for a month. Chicago WS are in second place in a (so-far) weak division. Texas is in last (though its tough to call Dallas a big market for baseball). Anaheim is doing well though in the AL West. In the NL Chicago is doing pretty well (:D) but have slipped into second place; LA is also in second, and NY is in third; and San Fran is terrible.

The six-years that a player is stuck with a team until free agency allows smaller teams to keep homegrown talent until they pass their peak. They do lose out on some, but most of the time free agents are 30+ and way overpayed. The smart teams play the game and keep their farm stocked full so they can afford to let a Barry Zito or Giambi get way overpayed by dumb teams with money. They can't play by the same financial rules, but they can compete.

[Demi]

I'm not a huge fan of move the runner dink and dunk pirahna ball. But I do *love* it when you have a guy like Gomez flying around. It's too bad the owner doesn't care, be nice to have some better bats on the right side of the infield. Wish we had Castillo back. I expected more out of Young, but probably just had too high of expectations.

So far so good. Too bad it's so ridiculously early in the season.

[wang_chi7]

I'm not a huge fan of move the runner dink and dunk pirahna ball. But I do *love* it when you have a guy like Gomez flying around. It's too bad the owner doesn't care, be nice to have some better bats on the right side of the infield. Wish we had Castillo back. I expected more out of Young, but probably just had too high of expectations.

So far so good. Too bad it's so ridiculously early in the season.

I hate small ball too. I'm a fan of pitching, defense, and the three run homer (aka Earl Weaver Ball.) "Manufacturing" runs is a myth that hasn't totally died yet unfortunately. I want guys who are patient and have a high slugging percentage. Not guys who bunt guys over only to strand guys at second and third because they can't get hit in. But thats not how Gardy manages, so I have to live with an offense based on the second deadball era (70's and 80's.)

Delmon Young has done OK at the plate so far. The lack of homeruns is discouraging to say the least. He's playing really good defense at least. Hopefully he turns his hitting on real quick as that is supposed to be his strong point.

Gomez has turned into a very nice player at the top of the lineup and in center, I'm very happy with his acquisition so far. He needs to walk more often to be a true number 1 hitter, but he should be alright.

[purple guy]

It's early, but they are playing well. They have an excellent bullpen and a decent, young lineup and some young arms that should develop. I didn't expect a whole lot this year, but in 3 years when they have experience they should be a force to reckon with.

But in 3 years when these young guns prove their worth, we'll let them go for some young prospects as the Twins wont want to pay them. Theyd rather develop them, and let someone else pay them big bucks.

[Mothman]

This is NFL Talk?

Jim

[glg]

This is NFL Talk?

Odd, I could have sworn this was in the Bar. Back it goes.

[wang_chi7]

But in 3 years when these young guns prove their worth, we'll let them go for some young prospects as the Twins wont want to pay them. Theyd rather develop them, and let someone else pay them big bucks.

They have rights to Delmon Young for 5 years (counting this year), Gomez for 6, and most of the pitchers for at least 4 years. All of them would go thru arbitration, which is a discount over free agency value.

They also will have a ballpark bringing in cash soon. Its up to Pohlad to invest though.

[Demi]

Hopefully Pohlad (Carl that is) has no say in the matter by that time.

[PurpleMustReign]

Hopefully Pohlad (Carl that is) has no say in the matter by that time.

I'm not sure that I trust his sons to spend any money either.

[DanAS1]

I hate small ball too. I'm a fan of pitching, defense, and the three run homer (aka Earl Weaver Ball.)

Thanks for reminding me about Earl. Dude knew baseball. And there were few things better than watching him charge the field to yell at an ump. Talk about one of the most popular Marylanders of all time!

[jackal]

Even my very very stinky Giants are not in last place
yet !