Minnesota Twins 05 edition

[tbuck]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

What do you guys expect of Bartlett next season?

Not too much. I know his glove is going to be worse than Guzman. His bat will probably be better, and he is a better base stealer. Still, if he makes the team, we're looking at a 9th place hitter that is going to make mistakes. With the signing of Castro, i'm not sure Bartlett is going to break camp with the team. He won't be on the bench. He'll start or begin the season at AAA.

[bender_over]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Not too much. I know his glove is going to be worse than Guzman. His bat will probably be better, and he is a better base stealer. Still, if he makes the team, we're looking at a 9th place hitter that is going to make mistakes. With the signing of Castro, i'm not sure Bartlett is going to break camp with the team. He won't be on the bench. He'll start or begin the season at AAA.

I agree with that assessment. I really don't think Bartlett will pan out as a major league player. My guess is that he'll end up being a back/utility player.

The shortstop position will probably be a platoon situation with Punto and Castro getting most of the at-bats. I've also heard reports that the Twins are thinking of putting Rivas at short, which was his original position. If Rivas does well at short, I could see Cuddyer as the everyday second baseman with Punto playing some second when Cuddyer plays third or the occasional start in the outfield. Unless of course Koskie isn't signed and the Twins use Cuddyer everyday at third instead of Tiffee.

It will be a little easier to tell once the hot stove cools down and we get closer to spring training. Regardless of whether or not Koskie is signed, there will be a lot to be determined as far as who plays where in the infield. You really can't say for certain at this point who will be playing the bulk of any infield position other than first.

[bender_over]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Not too much. I know his glove is going to be worse than Guzman. His bat will probably be better, and he is a better base stealer. Still, if he makes the team, we're looking at a 9th place hitter that is going to make mistakes. With the signing of Castro, i'm not sure Bartlett is going to break camp with the team. He won't be on the bench. He'll start or begin the season at AAA.

I agree with that assessment. I really don't think Bartlett will pan out as a major league player. My guess is that he'll end up being a back/utility player.

The shortstop position will probably be a platoon situation with Punto and Castro getting most of the at-bats. I've also heard reports that the Twins are thinking of putting Rivas at short, which was his original position. If Rivas does well at short, I could see Cuddyer as the everyday second baseman with Punto playing some second when Cuddyer plays third or the occasional start in the outfield. Unless of course Koskie isn't signed and the Twins use Cuddyer everyday at third instead of Tiffee.

It will be a little easier to tell once the hot stove cools down and we get closer to spring training. Regardless of whether or not Koskie is signed, there will be a lot to be determined as far as who plays where in the infield. You really can't say for certain at this point who will be playing the bulk of any infield position other than first.

[vinny]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

And they said last year was a rebuilding year, look at this year. Wow, I never thought we'd let gooozy go, he was solid and now I dont think we have anyone to replace him. Barlett is just never going to reach the level guzman has imo. Guzman is certainly not terrific, but not bad either. He would be a better bet than Barlett but that day has came and went.

Is Jacque Jones still w/the Twins?

[vinny]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

And they said last year was a rebuilding year, look at this year. Wow, I never thought we'd let gooozy go, he was solid and now I dont think we have anyone to replace him. Barlett is just never going to reach the level guzman has imo. Guzman is certainly not terrific, but not bad either. He would be a better bet than Barlett but that day has came and went.

Is Jacque Jones still w/the Twins?

[tbuck]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

And they said last year was a rebuilding year, look at this year. Wow, I never thought we'd let gooozy go, he was solid and now I dont think we have anyone to replace him. Barlett is just never going to reach the level guzman has imo. Guzman is certainly not terrific, but not bad either. He would be a better bet than Barlett but that day has came and went.

Is Jacque Jones still w/the Twins?

Let's not long for Guzman like we lost Cal Ripken Jr. or something. He had a solid season last year, and beyond that, he's had 1/2 of a great year in 2001. He's far from irreplaceable. Bartlett is already a bigger threat on the bases, and he may be as good of a hitter right now. His glove is behind his offense, but he's a well-respected prospect. Terry Ryan is high on him, and Terry Ryan doesn't miss on many. Let's give him a legit shot to sink or swim before we write him off.

Cuddyer is the everyday 2nd baseman next year. Even if Koskie doesn't sign, i still expect him at 2nd. He just doesn't have the feet to play 3B. I expect Tiffee to get first crack there. Castro will also get some games at 3B. We may see an entirely new infield in '05.

Right now, we need to worry about getting Radke back. If we don't do that, we may as well not sign Koskie. What's the point? We'd be in total rebuilding mode. Same with a player like Shannon Stewart. If Radke doesn't re-sign, do we really need Stewart's contract while we rebuild?

Jaque Jones is still a Twin, but hopefully not for much longer.

[tbuck]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

And they said last year was a rebuilding year, look at this year. Wow, I never thought we'd let gooozy go, he was solid and now I dont think we have anyone to replace him. Barlett is just never going to reach the level guzman has imo. Guzman is certainly not terrific, but not bad either. He would be a better bet than Barlett but that day has came and went.

Is Jacque Jones still w/the Twins?

Let's not long for Guzman like we lost Cal Ripken Jr. or something. He had a solid season last year, and beyond that, he's had 1/2 of a great year in 2001. He's far from irreplaceable. Bartlett is already a bigger threat on the bases, and he may be as good of a hitter right now. His glove is behind his offense, but he's a well-respected prospect. Terry Ryan is high on him, and Terry Ryan doesn't miss on many. Let's give him a legit shot to sink or swim before we write him off.

Cuddyer is the everyday 2nd baseman next year. Even if Koskie doesn't sign, i still expect him at 2nd. He just doesn't have the feet to play 3B. I expect Tiffee to get first crack there. Castro will also get some games at 3B. We may see an entirely new infield in '05.

Right now, we need to worry about getting Radke back. If we don't do that, we may as well not sign Koskie. What's the point? We'd be in total rebuilding mode. Same with a player like Shannon Stewart. If Radke doesn't re-sign, do we really need Stewart's contract while we rebuild?

Jaque Jones is still a Twin, but hopefully not for much longer.

[bergie56]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Brad Radke signed a 2 year 18 million tonight.

[bergie56]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Brad Radke signed a 2 year 18 million tonight.

[vinny]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Glad we got Radke, I had a feeling we would. Had we not signed him, I think the twins wouldnt have got any other quality pitchers. Radkes certainly not a star, but he is still a solid pitcher.

[vinny]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Glad we got Radke, I had a feeling we would. Had we not signed him, I think the twins wouldnt have got any other quality pitchers. Radkes certainly not a star, but he is still a solid pitcher.

[tbuck]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Radke's signing is great news for the Twins. He's a guy you just can't replace in a small market like Minnesota. We had to sign him if we want to contend in 2005.

Because he's injured so often, Koskie is probably easier to replace. I still hope he stays, though. Too much change can be a bad thing. We need a little continuity before we turn the club over to young stars like Morneau and Mauer.

[tbuck]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Radke's signing is great news for the Twins. He's a guy you just can't replace in a small market like Minnesota. We had to sign him if we want to contend in 2005.

Because he's injured so often, Koskie is probably easier to replace. I still hope he stays, though. Too much change can be a bad thing. We need a little continuity before we turn the club over to young stars like Morneau and Mauer.

[vinny]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Signed Jaque Jones to one year deal, I believe he took a paycut to stay. I heard the twins are already over their wanted budget.

[vinny]

Re: Minnesota Twins 05 edition

Signed Jaque Jones to one year deal, I believe he took a paycut to stay. I heard the twins are already over their wanted budget.