Felix

QUOTE(WCSox @ Dec 31, 2005 -> 12:59 PM) Power doesn't mean anything when your BA or OBP are below .200. Juan Pierre doesnt hit for power, and he's a very valuable CF. Juan Pierre isn't a valuable CF. He's a bad CF. There is a big difference. And if you are so high and mighty on how Taveras is going to have a jump next year, then why not Anderson? You seem sold on his AVG and OBP being below .200.

Last year, in 34 ABs, Anderson had 2 HR (both hit in Safeco). Last year, in 592 ABs, Taveras had 3. Last year, in 34 ABs, Anderson had 3 XBH. Last year, in 592 ABs, Taveras had 20. If Anderson had 592, and stayed on that pace, which you seem to think since you keep mentioning his AVG and OBP, he'd have 52 XBH.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Dec 31, 2005 -> 12:29 PM) At the very least, he's a better option than Anderson at this point, who has done absolutely nothing in the majors and could be the CF incarnation of Mike Caruso for all we know. What has Taveras done in the majors? He had 20 extra base hits last year, while playing in one of the best hitting parks. He is far from being better than Anderson, even if Anderson is a bust. Again, look at Taveras' numbers outside of Minute Maid Park. He couldn't do anything at all.

Very cool, nicely done

For those of you who think that Taveras isn't a scrub, take a look at his numbers outside of the juice box. 298 AB .252 average .282 OBP .289 SLG 11 SB, 6 CS 8 XBH

Brian Anderson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Willy Taveras This proposed deal would make no sense to me.

One can only hope 2006 is as good as 2005.. its been a great year. Happy New Years all!

If you get the update, he's in the game (as is Jenks etc.)

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 03:07 PM) To take it back to the original point of this post, do these moves make the Twins worry you in '06? Thats not the point. The original point was that they have improved, something you thought no one else in the AL Central had done. The fact that they got Luis Castillo to fill a huge hole at second, Rondell White to improve on Jaque Jones, and a full season of Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano, yes, they have improved. And yea, since their pitching staff is so good, they do slightly worry me.

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 02:52 PM) Not that it will hurt, but you're using him as an example of significant improvement? I said that if he surprises, he will be a significant improvement. He was a pretty good source of power in his youth. If he can show any power at all, which the Twins drastically need, it will be an improvement, specially because if he sucks, they don't lose any money. Also, his name is Tony Batista, not Bastilla, my mistake.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 02:46 PM) I wouldn't bet a nickel that Batista will surprise. He will hit some homers but he will also put up a crappy AVG and OPS. Neither would I, but if he's free if he doesnt make the roster, how can it hurt?

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 02:37 PM) Justin Morneau hasn't shown too much yet. Last season, the Twins were batting him way down low in their order because he was struggling so bad. With another good OBP guy at the top of the order, he will benefit. Yea, but considering that they basically got him for free, it isn't that bad a move, and he could surprise.

QUOTE(Adam G @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 02:28 PM) They have? They gained a legit leadoff hitter to get on for Mauer and Morneau and middle infielder in Juan Castillo, replaced Jaque Jones with Rondell White (who is arguably better), they will have Francisco Liriano and Scott Baker for an entire season (who are better than Lohse and whoever else they had starting), and they signed Tony Bastilla, who only gets paid if he makes the opening day roster, so its a pretty good signing.

QUOTE(Adam G @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 02:02 PM) It seems to me that we've gotten a lot better and our competition has either stayed put or fallen back. The division is ours for the taking, IMO. So are you saying that Minnesota hasn't done anything, although they have improved dramatically over last years team?

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:33 PM) Felix Diaz was non-tendered wasn't he? Yep, so mentioning him right now is pointless

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:18 PM) It's not even close. We still have a solid 1-5 pitching staff. Our defense would still be vastly better than what it was in the early part of this decade. And again, since this has been asked at least 3 or 4 times, what happens if one guy gets hurt? We don't have anyone in our minors to take their place.

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:12 PM) Okay, maybe I'd buy into that if our fifth starter would be Scott Schowenwiess. But it's going to be Brandon McCarthy. And if we all assume Contreras will continue his second half/playoff success, why can't we do the same for McCarthy? And if anyone gets hurt? And what about our bullpen? Our former, hitting first team, along with the Texas Rangers (although not really, because of their stats on the road), are great examples on why hitting doesn't win championships. Pitching is the most valuable thing a team can have nowadays, and we have it. Lets not get rid of it (although I do think that Garland should be dealt for some prospects/bullpen help)

QUOTE(Adam G @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:04 PM) Buehrle didnt really have a stellar second half last year. He was the odds on favorite for the Cy Young at the break. He had a bad July. Outside of that, he was fine.

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:02 PM) I can see the argument that this may not be the best trade for us long term, in terms of shoring up salary space. But I can't understand for the life of me how anyone could think this trade wouldn't vastly improve us in 2006. I think its mainly the lack of pitching depth. Our strength is the pitcher. We tried having a team based around power for years, and it didn't work out. Now, with a team based around pitching, defense, and the timely hit, we won a World Series. Pitching depth in this league is very valuable in this league.. I'd rather hold onto it.

QUOTE(Adam G @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:00 PM) No one's a bigger Buehrle fan than me. But he wasnt nearly the pitcher Contreras was in the second half last year, not to mention the playoffs. Personally, I'd take someone who is consistantly good over someone that is only good one half of the year anyday of the week.

QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 12:59 PM) That was unbelieveable, only about 4 guys went to the DL. (el duque, pods, frank, gload, im not sure if that is it but i think it is) Crede.

QUOTE(Adam G @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 12:57 PM) Well, we wouldnt have a clear cut #1 pitcher anymore. Ever heard of a guy named Mark Buehrle? He's prettty good.

QUOTE(Damen @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 12:54 PM) So you believe that a team with this rotation Buerhle Garland Garcia Vazquez McCarthy and a lineup with Tejada/Konerko/Thome at the heart is worse off? That doesn't matter. We can't afford Tejada..

PSU was going to kill them anyway. Now they are just going to kill them by more.

I think if VAfan actually posted things smaller than a paragraph, I might actually care to read them. But I do have a limit.