tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37892113.post8384219995458705662..comments2024-01-26T11:14:40.053-06:00Comments on Over The Baggy: Twins should put their closer search on holdUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37892113.post-66215208187220017402011-12-03T23:41:34.218-06:002011-12-03T23:41:34.218-06:00Tying up the budget long term. That seems to be th...Tying up the budget long term. That seems to be the problem for most team. It’s a roll of the dice to an extent...Hitting Drillshttp://www.artofbaseball.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37892113.post-3610872414493279832011-12-03T21:49:53.230-06:002011-12-03T21:49:53.230-06:00"If your designs are on winning the division,..."If your designs are on winning the division, fortifying the rest of the bullpen – not dumping a heavy percentage of what money is remaining into one arm."<br /><br />I am not sure that is true. Do you really think dumping the same money into two mediocre arms on one year contracts, and naming one of them closer, is a better investment? I don't. In fact, to the contrary. I think that is a plan for mediocrity at best.<br /><br />Of course, if you assume all closers are overpaid by definition then maybe that makes sense. But I don't buy that.TThttp://grannybaseball.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37892113.post-80885330119564744912011-12-02T15:11:56.850-06:002011-12-02T15:11:56.850-06:00@TT,
Maybe I am reading between the lines too muc...@TT,<br /><br />Maybe I am reading between the lines too much in Ryan's most recent interviews but to me, he's seems to be implying that one of the top priorities is landing an "experienced" closer. <br /><br />Now, we do know that there is likely a very finite amount available to spend and investing $7M+ in a closer is an expensive way to use those resources. Closers - as we should know, don't take you into the playoffs - deep bullpens do (along with the offense, defense and rotation). Texas had one, Tampa had one, St Louis had one and so one. The Twins, on the other hand, had the furthest thing from one. If your designs are on winning the division, fortifying the rest of the bullpen – not dumping a heavy percentage of what money is remaining into one arm.<br /><br />In terms of M&M, while if they return to full strength they would improve the offense, the Twins did or are in position to lose a combination of Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Jim Thome and Delmon Young who helped them on their 2010 run without replacing them (to date). The Twins should be looking to add one more bat to the lineup. <br /><br />Yes, they need to add a closer but what I am advocating is targeting an inexpensive one rather than break the bank on one with a longer resume.Twins Fan c.1981https://www.blogger.com/profile/05029718081907720967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37892113.post-87831398911130363592011-12-02T14:18:37.280-06:002011-12-02T14:18:37.280-06:00"The front office is seemingly trying to stop..."The front office is seemingly trying to stop the bleeding where the team blew a handful of save opportunities"<br /><br />I doubt it. I suspect what the front office is doing is identifying what additions it will need to get into the playoffs. <br /><br />I suppose they could try to put together an offense that wins by so many runs it doesn't matter how lousy the closer is. But that doesn't seem like a likely strategy. <br /><br />They could just give up on 2011. That seems to be a popular choice in some quarters. <br /><br />Or they can add a closer, a right fielder, some bullpen arms and maybe a starter. Then hope that Mauer and Morneau and the gang come back like gangbusters. You may think that is unlikely or not. But I think that is where Terry Ryan is.TThttp://grannybaseball.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37892113.post-70584530600799513912011-12-02T09:10:12.937-06:002011-12-02T09:10:12.937-06:00While I agree the Twins should hold off on getting...While I agree the Twins should hold off on getting a closer, using the argument you outline is a rather slippery slope. Why get a starting pitcher if you have a nobody in the bullpen that can hold a lead... Why pay for a RF if you are still left the same ineffective 5 starters...<br /><br />This team has so many holes and not nearly enough payroll to fill them and no help coming from the minors. I would rather see the Twins pursue trades and free agents that will either A. help in 2-3 years or B. fill the gap cheaply and not tie up the budget long term.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com