Re: TWINS
Ryan DID have to trade AJ. If he keeps him on the team for one more year, he becomes arbitration elgible, and the Twins aren't going to give him the large contract he'd be awarded with Mauer waiting in the wings. Other teams know that as well, thereby decreasing the Twins' leverage in any trade talks. Trading him this year allows Ryan to negotiate with numerous teams, drive up the price, and bring back quality talent in return, which he did.
As for AJ's strikeouts, comparing him with Posada doesn't work. Posada's strikeouts come with large homerun and RBI totals. AJ's 7 HR's don't justify all the swings and misses. He is a good catcher and probably should have made the all-star team last year, but his loss won't mean a thing to the Twins this season. Mauer is already better defensively, and while he may not hit .300, he has much better plate discipline, and will most likely have a better on base percentage, which is more important.
Ryan traded AJ for our new closer, and 2 top level pitching prospects (Liriano is a lefty that hit 98 on the gun this winter!!). The trade brought us more than AJ could have on the field this year.
As for Eddie, he will not be missed. I expect him to have a sub-par year in Seattle this season. He does not have GREAT stuff, which is fine when you're closing games in the weak AL Central. We'll see how his numbers look trying to shut down teams in a tougher division. Nathan has 3 quality pitches and can get a strikeout in a tough spot. He's a veteran who has had success in a tough division, and has pitched in the playoffs and a pennant race. He's an unproven closer, but i expect him to excel in that role.
Ryan DID have to trade AJ. If he keeps him on the team for one more year, he becomes arbitration elgible, and the Twins aren't going to give him the large contract he'd be awarded with Mauer waiting in the wings. Other teams know that as well, thereby decreasing the Twins' leverage in any trade talks. Trading him this year allows Ryan to negotiate with numerous teams, drive up the price, and bring back quality talent in return, which he did.
As for AJ's strikeouts, comparing him with Posada doesn't work. Posada's strikeouts come with large homerun and RBI totals. AJ's 7 HR's don't justify all the swings and misses. He is a good catcher and probably should have made the all-star team last year, but his loss won't mean a thing to the Twins this season. Mauer is already better defensively, and while he may not hit .300, he has much better plate discipline, and will most likely have a better on base percentage, which is more important.
Ryan traded AJ for our new closer, and 2 top level pitching prospects (Liriano is a lefty that hit 98 on the gun this winter!!). The trade brought us more than AJ could have on the field this year.
As for Eddie, he will not be missed. I expect him to have a sub-par year in Seattle this season. He does not have GREAT stuff, which is fine when you're closing games in the weak AL Central. We'll see how his numbers look trying to shut down teams in a tougher division. Nathan has 3 quality pitches and can get a strikeout in a tough spot. He's a veteran who has had success in a tough division, and has pitched in the playoffs and a pennant race. He's an unproven closer, but i expect him to excel in that role.
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