You wanna know how to win games in the regular season and post season. Well actually there's no set formula and you can win it a variety of ways… but the one we hear about all the time is pitching and defense. And Minnesota sure as hell has that. It's almost a good thing the Twins really didn't do make any major trades this offseason because their now second year GM, Bill Smith, hasn't had a good track record. Right now, all he should do is let the valuable farm system the old GM, Terry Ryan, created bear its fruits and in about 5-10 years when that dies, then start getting new players. However, the major signing they do make was a good one- former White Sox 3B Joe Crede. He's an improvement over the shit the Twins had before at third. Unlike the recent Twins 3Bs, Crede can actually be productive offensively because he has power and is perfect in the 6 hole of the lineup. The main focal point of this team this year will be the rotation. You may not have heard of these good young rotation (probably because you're not obsessed with fantasy baseball as the four of us are), but trust me, they're good. Their rotation will most likely consist of: Fransisco Liriano, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn, with either Boof Bonser or Glen Perkins in that fifth slot. The four main starters are guys with great control who may not strike you out but they sure as hell won't walk you, and that's what's really important (except for Lirino who WILL strike you out). I personally think Boof Bonser kind of sucks and would be best suited as a long term guy in the bullpen or even better traded to another team but that's besides the point. The Twins bullpen is still pretty good with a great closer in Joe Nathan and a damn fine set up man (when healthy) in Pat Neshek. Bullpens are tricky because they usually are good one year and then shitty the next, but then again, Ryan stocked the team and farm system with such great talent that the Twins is one of the only teams to have a consistent bullpen year after year. The only offense this team really has is Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Denard Span but that's OK because all the players on this team can play defense (and are only good FOR defense) and with the defense, great pitching and a just-good-enough-offense-to-create-SOME-runs triad of hitters, the Twins should win this division.
Projected position in division: 1st
Fantasy players to draft:
-Fransisco Liriano: He ended the 2008 season strong and there's no reason he can't and won't revert back to his 2006 form
-Kevin Slowey: Had phenomenal control which only can produce great things for a pitcher. He won't have the highest strikeout but his control will help him rack up W, WHIP, and ERA. Plus if K/BB is a category in your league, he'll be great
-Joe Mauer: He is one of the best catchers in the game right now. He can hit above .300, walk, and generate R and RBI
-Justin Morneau: He's no Albert Pujols but he'll get you a shit ton of RBIs (100+) and will hit about 25 home runs
-Joe Nathan: Do I really need to explain this one?
7 comments:
why is there no book written on the genius of the twins? i love this team. not even the great billy beane could trade that walkaphobe pierzinski for liriano, nathan, and bonser.
Yeah, the Twins also had Joe Mauer to call up but what a great idea to convert Nathan to a closer. But the Twins old GM is as good if not better than Billy Beane
Actually, I have a great reason to avoid Liriano (aside from the injury history) -- he never eclipsed 200 combined IP before 2008. Such a high innings jump at his age (especially coming off surgery) is never "healthy" or risk-averse. He's got great stuff, but the huge innings load from 2008 between the majors and minors indicates "avoid" rather than "value pick" in my book. I wouldn't expect 160+ IP anyways.
Also, where is your love for nick blackburn? He has impeccable control, walking 39 guys in 193 IP last year (1.8 BB/9). Incredibly underrated; the best #4 starter in the AL
1)According to BP, Blackburn's player profile has his BB at 90% and his K at 10% (good control, really? hmmm), his mean stat line: 5.22 ERA/ 1.50 WHIP/ 53 SO/ 30 BB/ while going 6-8
2) While granted I wish I could read Liriano's PECOTA card better I can read he IS supposed to get significant IP
ZZZZ
blackburn's projected FIP ranges from 4.1 to 4.4. For a #4 SP, thats pretty damn good (up there w/ sonnanstine)
Sonnanstine sucks too. Feel free to draft them both.
'09 Sonnanstine is compared to '98 Estaban Loiza (3-6, 5+ ERA), '06 Dave Bush (12-11, 4.41 ERA) and '03 Josh Fogg (10-9, 5.26 ERA)
Being the best #4 starter is like saying your the tallest kid in your class in 4th grade. Big whoop-di-do
Way to prove your case by going "ZZZZ" How dare I use stats to prove my point!
Bill Smith should manage the Marlins and they should send the management team from them to the twins. it would make the world in sync
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