SSH2005

What? Castillo had 10 SB last season, Stewart had only 7 SB. Castillo: .370 career OBP Stewart: .364 career OBP Stewart has a bit more homerun power than Castillo. Castillo will be leading off with Stewart batting second. Nice try though.

And Boston's stacked lineup didn't help Graffanino's numbers? By the way, Castillo will likely lead off for the Twins with Stewart batting second so what does it matter if you don't like him in the 2-hole or not?

Why are you comparing Graffanino's 2005 stats to Castillo's career stats? Graffanino (2005 stats): .309 .366 .425 .791 Castillo (2005 stats): .301 .391 .374 .765 Graffanino put up those numbers in one season. Castillo has put up his line consistently. I would put my money on Castillo to repeat his line way before gambling on Graffanino to do the same. Castillo has done it before. Graffanino hasn't.

Castillo doesn't steal much these days, has posted much better OBP over the years, and plays much better defense at his respective position than Podsednik does at his. Castillo put up a .391 OBP last season. That's much, much better than Podsednik's .351 OBP. I don't see much of a comparison other than the fact that neither hits for any power whatsoever.

Do you honestly think that skewed the stats that much? Come on. Castillo plays better defense, is a better hitter, and has more speed than Graffanino. There's really no comparison.

Graffanino: .268 career AVG, .336 career OBP Castillo: .293 career AVG, .370 career OBP There's really no comparison. Just because Graffanino had a career year last season, it changes nothing. Look at the numbers above and try to say that with a straight face.

Of course he is, but this is the Twins we are talking about. Usually you would expect them to go for the cheap signing instead of trading prospects and taking on salary for the much better player.

It's not a done deal yet, guys. The Yankees are still thinking about it: Scott Proctor and Sean Henn for Juan Pierre.

Haha, that's what I was going to write in my last post. I'm not worried about Frank's production for another team like the Twins. I just wouldn't want to see him playing for the Twins. Frank or not, we would still be better than them.

I agree with you. I wonder why they didn't want Graffanino? I do like their new 1-2 of Castillo and Stewart if they stay healthy. They still need a power-hitting DH though. I just hope it's not a healthy Frank Thomas.

It was pretty much a steal. Bowyer is the only good player going to the Marlins and he's still just a reliever. Tyler is a nobody. Why would the Marlins pick up any of Castillo's contract? It was mostly a salary dump.

You must be disappointed. You seemed to like Pierre a lot.

Because there are decent second basemen available like Graffanino and Grudzielanek. Meanwhile, the market for good center fielders is slim. That's why Rowand had pretty good trade value. I could see the Marlins waiting for Johnny Damon to sign before they trade Pierre. Then they will try to gouge a team of their prospects for him.

The Marlins want cheap prospects, not guys who will be earning big raises soon. The Marlins are going to be the N.L. version of the Royals now, except they will be better because they will actually play their young prospects instead of signing and starting washed-up veterans.

A much, much better trade for them. Castillo fits the Twins' ideology -- good contact hitter, good speed, and great defense. Soriano is the most overrated player in the MLB. He's strikes out a ton, doesn't get on base, and he's a hack at second base.

They have pretty good minor league numbers: Travis Bowyer Scott Tyler Pierre will be the next to go.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2245065

Peter Gammons is reporting on ESPN radio that the deal is done. Twins get: Luis Castillo Marlins get: minor leaguers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler

If they sign a healthy Frank Thomas to DH, they might.

That sucks. He's a good pickup.

I think most people who say Pierre stinks are saying so because we already have Podsednik. If we didn't have Podsednik, everyone would probably want Pierre. Some people don't like the idea of having two light-hitting leadoff hitter types at the top of our lineup. And then there's also the defense factor. Pierre has a weak arm but that doesn't bother me much because Rowand's arm stunk last season as well. I'm more worried about his fielding ability.

Why do you think Timo will be back? I honestly think he will be non-tendered.

Hafner is awful at first base. He is a DH.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/5758905.html

What did Garland say to you when you told him to keep up whatever he was doing?