From the St. Paul Pioneer Press,

 

Relatively unknown until his major league debut a week ago, Terry Tiffee could replace Corey Koskie at third base for the Twins next season.

 

Tiffee, 25, came to the Twins as a 26th-round draft pick out of Pratt (Kan.) Junior College and received a $50,000 signing bonus, which is nearly triple what most players in that round get. But the Twins had a relationship with the Pratt coach, Greg Miller, who has become a Twins scout. And a lot of clubs backed away from drafting Tiffee because they figured he was headed for Louisiana State after playing at Pratt.

 

The Twins are impressed that Tiffee, whom they considered soft physically when they signed him, has worked hard to become stronger and an excellent third baseman. He also can play first base.

 

At the very least, the emergence of Tiffee is expected to decrease Koskie's free- agent leverage with the Twins this winter.

Koskie has only been OK this year and seems to have a lot of injury problems = especially with his back.

 

I know we need a left-handed hitter and Koskie is a grinder. And his power numbers would increase in Chicago.

 

But I'm not sure he's got much room for improvement -- or if it's time to dump Crede.

 

Tough call for KW.

Even though he has been the suck this year, I still think Crede may get it together. If he shortens that swing, he'll be alright.

I just can't see him signing here in Chicago with a division rival. But on the other hand, that doesn't matter as much anymore and it's all about who will give him the most money on a winning team.

If I'm KW, I look at Crede and say, yeah, this guy is still young and he's flashed potential. And he's been solid defensively at 3B.

 

I would also look into my farm system and see that my 1st round draft choice, Josh Fields, came on very strong for Winston-Salem and is looking like a player.

A 2007 arrival seems about right.

 

If I trade Joe Crede, can I get a good, solid 3B whom I can sign to a reasonable 2-3 year deal? The answer is yes ... Koskie and Randa are two who come to mind. Maybe Bill Mueller too, if he becomes a FA.

 

And what can I get for Crede? Can I land a bullpen arm or two? Or a bullpen arm and a 2B or an outfielder?

 

Those, among others, are the questions he's undoubtedly pondering.

Even though he has been the suck this year, I still think Crede may get it together.  If he shortens that swing, he'll be alright.

How many years have we been saying that?

 

It's one thing if he shortened his swing and still couldn't hit. Take a look at Aaron Rowand for instance. He always had a short swing, it was just a matter until he figured it out. But the fact that Crede hasn't shortened his swing 'yet' isn't very encouraging. Back in the minors we knew he needed to shorten it, and a few years later with MLB experience, he still needs to shorten it. If he hasn't shortened it yet, what suggests that he ever will?

Koskie has a very respectable OBP as well. Crede probably won't ever walk much. He didn't in the minors. Add in his LH bat, his tough d, and the fact that he's always been clutch vs the sox, signing him would make sense.

 

Few teams will give Koskie much, with his back injuries. Yet the Sox could take a gamble on him with Uribe as a backup. A decent 2 yr deal [when Josh Fields should be ready] is very possible.

 

It may come down to keeping Crede or Uribe. Both are similar hitters [streaky, k a lot, have low OBP]. Keeping two RH hitters like them limits what the Sox can do offensively. My guess is Uribe will stay, and Crede dealt while he still has value.

If he shortens that swing, he'll be alright.

If he ever listens to Greg Walker, he'll be alright.

If he ever listens to Greg Walker, he'll be alright.

If he ever does what Greg Walker tells him to do, he'll be fine.

 

His listening skills are fine.

If he ever does what Greg Walker tells him to do

I'll let you figure that out for yourself..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah nevermind, that's all part of LISTENING kid. Crede is very hard-headed. Greg himself said that as well.

Crede has been a flop considering what everyone thought of him at one time. But that still doesn't mean he's not a bad player, hopefully he can get more focused in the off season and have a turn around year like Konerko did this year.

I'll let you figure that out for yourself..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah nevermind, that's all part of LISTENING kid. Crede is very hard-headed. Greg himself said that as well.

Damn, I was thinking hearing, not listening...D'oh! lol

 

But yeah, I do agree.

 

I'm just not sure what Crede can do, and I'm not sure I want to wait 3 years to find out. I say trade him to a team and try to convince that team that he is the next Adrian Beltre, and get some good arms for him.

How many years have we been saying that?

2 years. This is only his second full year. 14 AB in 2000, 50 in 2001 and 200 AB in 2002 (when he batted .285). His first full year at .261 wasn't a total flop, but it was well below what we all wanted. I am sure it is below what Joe wanted as well. If you can get a sure-thing at third instead of Joe, and that is the 'missing piece', then go for it. Otherwise, I think Joe should get another year.

2 years.  This is only his second full year.  14 AB in 2000, 50 in 2001 and 200 AB in 2002 (when he batted .285).  His first full year at .261 wasn't a total flop, but it was well below what we all wanted.  I am sure it is below what Joe wanted as well.  If you can get a sure-thing at third instead of Joe, and that is the 'missing piece', then go for it.  Otherwise, I think Joe should get another year.

You cut down my post and twisted my words. What a weak way to argue. As I said in my FULL post, we've been saying it since he's been in the minor leagues. It goes far past just two years.

Koskie has a very respectable OBP as well. Crede probably won't ever walk much. He didn't in the minors. Add in his LH bat, his tough d, and the fact that he's always been clutch vs the sox, signing him would make sense.

 

Few teams will give Koskie much, with his back injuries. Yet the Sox could take a gamble on him with Uribe as a backup. A decent 2 yr deal [when Josh Fields should be ready] is very possible.

 

It may come down to keeping Crede or Uribe. Both are similar hitters [streaky, k a lot, have low OBP]. Keeping two RH hitters like them limits what the Sox can do offensively. My guess is Uribe will stay, and Crede dealt while he still has value.

I can see both Uribe and Valdez being on this team next year as real utility players. We can go out and sign Koskie, and then trade Crede in a package for a closer perhaps? Ozzie might even want Uribe and Valdez to rotate as the everday SS until 1 can show they are capable of winning the job permanently.

You cut down my post and twisted my words. What a weak way to argue. As I said in my FULL post, we've been saying it since he's been in the minor leagues. It goes far past just two years.

True. We have been saying that through the minors years. But, that isn't a fair and true reflection on Crede or his abilities. Evilmonkey's point is more valid.

I can see both Uribe and Valdez being on this team next year as real utility players. We can go out and sign Koskie, and then trade Crede in a package for a closer perhaps? Ozzie might even want Uribe and Valdez to rotate as the everday SS until 1 can show they are capable of winning the job permanently.

If the Sox want to contend next yr [which they should, given the starting pitching] they can't go into 2005 with an IF of left to right of Crede, Uribe and Harris. At least one and probably two spots will be filled by proven players.

 

Personally, I'd go after Koskie and Vizquel, and trade Crede. Uribe could rotate between 3 spots, and Willie sit vs LHP. If Joe tanks next yr, no team would want him. Yet he has value now based on "potential". I just don't think Joe fits in with the Sox given his style of hitting, ala Jose Valentin [low OBP, high K's, lack of contact]

If the Sox want to contend next yr [which they should, given the starting pitching] they can't go into 2005 with an IF of left to right of Crede, Uribe and Harris. At least one and probably two spots will be filled by proven players.

 

Personally, I'd go after Koskie and Vizquel, and trade Crede. Uribe could rotate between 3 spots, and Willie sit vs LHP. If Joe tanks next yr, no team would want him. Yet he has value now based on "potential". I just don't think Joe fits in with the Sox given his style of hitting, ala Jose Valentin [low OBP, high K's, lack of contact]

This is a very good post.

 

I like Uribe as much as anyone, and think he has a good chance to be a regular at some point. Emphasis on "chance" and "at some point". Witness his at bat against Francisco, where he swung and missed at two 97 MPH fastballs in his eyes.

 

Before anyone says we need to give him a chance, we are giving him a chance, he's doing great and he's progressing. He needs to develop more though. I really think with the right tutelage, watching and learning from the right kind of guys (Vizquel?), he will continue to blossom, and perhaps be a regular in '06, or if someone goes down with an injury.

 

But beck, you are so right, if the Sox want to contend, an infield of Crede, Uribe, and Harris is not gonna cut it.

 

And by the way, did you notice Guillen talking about R. Alomar with this back injury? Did you catch how he says he thinks Robbie has something left to offer?

 

Not saying, just saying ...

 

Edit: and of course, you do know your guy Catalannato can play 2B, right? And outfield? Hmmmm ...

If Robbie comes anywhere near the 2005 Sox, I might start rooting for another team.

 

If the Sox do get someone for 2B, they should be versatile enough to play another position at least [such as Placido Polanco-who has played a lot of 3B as well]. Robbie is old and has little to offer even a team like KC or Sea, let alone a team who is thinking of making the playoffs.

 

I don't think Ozzie is sold on Uribe as the everyday SS. Few guys can play 3 positions as well as Uribe can so I think Ozzie will go in another direction here.

 

Though I did read today something to the effect that if Jose back Ozzie said he was OK with it. [Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!] It's sad to see a guy who hasn't had an RBI or a HR for almost two months still being put out there everyday.

If Robbie comes anywhere near the 2005 Sox, I might start rooting for another team.

Naahhh ... you really won't, will ya?

 

'Cause I'll miss ya.

Naahhh ... you really won't, will ya?

Maybe, 'cause it'll show Ozzie and KW have both lost their minds.

You cut down my post and twisted my words. What a weak way to argue. As I said in my FULL post, we've been saying it since he's been in the minor leagues. It goes far past just two years.

Not to hijack the thread, but what exactly did I twist? I wasn't trying to start a fight, just point out that this is only his second year in the bigs. LOTS of people have crap years during the second one. Did I try to invalidate YOUR opinion? No. You asked a (rhetorical?) question to start your post, I gave my version of an answer to it. regardless, I think one more year should be the answer. If he doesn't get it by then, he probably never will.

True. We have been saying that through the minors years.  But, that isn't a fair and true reflection on Crede or his abilities.  Evilmonkey's point is more valid.

How is his assessment 'more fair' and who are you to dictate who's point is more valid? The White Sox knew of his long swing in the minor leagues, and brought him up to the majors with it. The White Sox should have the best coaching staff throughout the system, and despite that, he hasn't shown anything that suggests he can sustain a short swing for any longer than a few games.

 

The minor leagues are to evaluate a person for the major league level and to change poor fundamentals, habits, etc.. He was evaluated as having a long swing, and they couldn't change it down there. He still has it. What, if anything, says that he'll change his ways?

Not to hijack the thread, but what exactly did I twist?  I wasn't trying to start a fight, just point out that this is only his second year in the bigs.  LOTS of people have crap years during the second one.  Did I try to invalidate YOUR opinion?  No.  You asked a (rhetorical?) question to start your post, I gave my version of an answer to it.  regardless, I think one more year should be the answer.  If he doesn't get it by then, he probably never will.

Just that my point was stated further in the post and not with the first sentence. I'm not trying to pick fights either, I just thought it was ridiculous that you picked that statement out of my post to help your case.

How is his assessment 'more fair' and who are you to dictate who's point is more valid? The White Sox knew of his long swing in the minor leagues, and brought him up to the majors with it. The White Sox should have the best coaching staff throughout the system, and despite that, he hasn't shown anything that suggests he can sustain a short swing for any longer than a few games.

 

The minor leagues are to evaluate a person for the major league level and to change poor fundamentals, habits, etc.. He was evaluated as having a long swing, and they couldn't change it down there. He still has it. What, if anything, says that he'll change his ways?

Whoa! Easy there, Hoss. I'm not dictating anything. It's an expressed opinion.