Twins (We'll try it again)

[HornedMessiah]

Morneau is done. You really can't blame him at this point. He's best to retire.

Ugh....c'mon man there's enough depression going around here right now

[glg]

Ugh....c'mon man there's enough depression going around here right now

Come on, you have to see that coming when he couldn't make it back for the playoffs.

[vikeinmontana]

i think morneau will be back by the time spring training starts.

[thatguy]

Come on, you have to see that coming when he couldn't make it back for the playoffs.

It's a concussion...you don't play around with things like that. Doesn't mean he's done by any means.

[Iron Man Favre]

He's had more concussions in the past. Maybe he's on the 60 day DL and comeback in the second half. He needs to learn how to slide and not take out the opponents knees.

[HornedMessiah]

Come on, you have to see that coming when he couldn't make it back for the playoffs.

Nah. Just because he didn't come back for the post-season doesn't necessarily mean he's done for good. I think there was actually a very very slim chance of him participating in the post-season but somehow it got out that the team was considering using him in a pinch-hit role and that got everyone's hopes up. It was most likely wishful thinking on the team's part, and thinking outloud to the media.

It probably boiled down to this: take a chance by bringing him back but potentially hurt his recovery, or keep him out and have a greater chance of having him back for the future. Obviously you go with the latter.

[44_viking]

Morneau is done. You really can't blame him at this point. He's best to retire.

Yeah, I didn't mean to be blaming hiim. I'm aware his condition is serious and he did what he needed to for him and his future. Baseball is still just a game after all.....just disappointing that we didn't have him for the stretch run and quite frankly I doubt it would have mattered much.

[Thaumaturgist]

Well... All I can say is... PurpleMustReign, and Purple guy. You both called it, and i was blind.

[HornedMessiah]

If Gardy is going to stay, then other changes to the coaching staff need to be made: fire Rick Anderson and Scott Ullger to start with.

Rick Anderson's whole pitching philosophy is a BIG reason why we continue to fail in the post-season. This guy focuses more on relievers than starters, which is kind of baffling. His whole 100 pitch count thing and going out and getting guys like Capps and Fuentes instead of another starter, it all points to him caring more about who's in the bullpen rather than who's on the mound at the start of the game. A whole lot of good Capps and Fuentes did for us against the Yankees!

Scott Ullger needs to be shown the door as well. His role isn't that big, but he made enough goofs this season coaching third base to merit getting fired. The first one that comes to mind was waving Thome from first to home on a hit to right field (Thome was out of course). I know there was other similar bonehead moves but I don't remember specifics.

Also...interesting tidbit I heard on the radio today while they were talking about how the Twins lack a true #1 ace: Liriano has NEVER pitched a complete game. That really surprised me. That fact alone strengthens the argument from those who say he's nothing more than a solid #2 (albeit one with #1 level skills). Maybe Rick Anderson is holding him back.

[thatguy]

If Gardy is going to stay, then other changes to the coaching staff need to be made: fire Rick Anderson and Scott Ullger to start with.

Rick Anderson's whole pitching philosophy is a BIG reason why we continue to fail in the post-season. This guy focuses more on relievers than starters, which is kind of baffling. His whole 100 pitch count thing and going out and getting guys like Capps and Fuentes instead of another starter, it all points to him caring more about who's in the bullpen rather than who's on the mound at the start of the game. A whole lot of good Capps and Fuentes did for us against the Yankees!

Scott Ullger needs to be shown the door as well. His role isn't that big, but he made enough goofs this season coaching third base to merit getting fired. The first one that comes to mind was waving Thome from first to home on a hit to right field (Thome was out of course). I know there was other similar bonehead moves but I don't remember specifics.

Also...interesting tidbit I heard on the radio today while they were talking about how the Twins lack a true #1 ace: Liriano has NEVER pitched a complete game. That really surprised me. That fact alone strengthens the argument from those who say he's nothing more than a solid #2 (albeit one with #1 level skills). Maybe Rick Anderson is holding him back.

The 100 pitch count thing is a philosophy that is practiced throughout the league especially in the AL. As for Ullger, I can agree with that. He's screwed up a lot for a guy who is only responsible for telling guys when to stop or go.

You don't have to pitch a complete game to be considered an Ace just so you know. Guaranteed they were going easier on him this year because he was still rebounding from Tommy John. I bet they let him unload it all next year.

[purple guy]

The 100 pitch count thing is a philosophy that is practiced throughout the league especially in the AL. As for Ullger, I can agree with that. He's screwed up a lot for a guy who is only responsible for telling guys when to stop or go.

You don't have to pitch a complete game to be considered an Ace just so you know. Guaranteed they were going easier on him this year because he was still rebounding from Tommy John. I bet they let him unload it all next year.

1. While the 100m pitch count is widely used, the way a pitcher is throwing should also be considered, not JUST the fact how many pitches he has thrown. Its ridiculous.
2. While you dont need to pitch a complete game to be an ace I suppose, Lariano has NEVER pitched a complete game. He is not an ace, an excellent #2. But in a TERRIBLE rotation, he is expected to be an ace, sorta like early in the Vikings season, even tho BB is clearly a 2 or 3 WR, he was asked to be a #1, and clearly is is not capable. Sorry dude, couldnt resist.

[thatguy]

like early in the Vikings season, even tho BB is clearly a 2 or 3 WR, he was asked to be a #1, and clearly is is not capable. Sorry dude, couldnt resist.

[PurpleMustReign]

Go figure... The Yankees lost in the postseason again, except for beating the Twins... huh...


So, since 2003, with the exception of 2009, the ONLY team to lose to the Yankees in the postseason is the Twins (of the postseasons that the Twins have been part of)... huh again.

[Demi]

2007 Indians beat Yankees. 120 million dollar difference in payroll
2006 Tigers beat Yankees 110 million dollar difference in payroll
2005 Angels beat Yankees 101 million dollar difference in payroll
2003 Marlins beat Yankees 101 million dollar difference in payroll

2010 Twins are 109 million difference. Indians, Tigers, Angels, and Marlins all managed to beat them with over a 100 million dollar difference.

2010 Rangers beat Yankees 140 million dollar difference in payroll

Clearly payroll isn't an issue. As much as Twins fans want to make it one. Nor is the "steroid yankees" or the disparity in baseball.

[PurpleMustReign]

2010 Rangers beat Yankees 140 million dollar difference in payroll

Clearly payroll isn't an issue. As much as Twins fans want to make it one. Nor is the "steroid yankees" or the disparity in baseball.

Or the lack of salary cap, which is basically your first point but I wanted to make it clear that it isn't "cheating" for the Yanks to have such a high payroll.