Note: If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it here. Comments deleted on a whim.
Note: Before the questions start rolling in, I'd like to remind everyone that these will be reprinted in an entry and read by a relatively large number of people, so keeping the questions somewhat brief and free of spelling errors and overall sloppiness would be good. Thanks.
Aaron,
What do you think of the structure of the baseball playoffs in general? Do you see baseball revising and/or restructuring the playoffs at any time in the future and, independent of that, if you could change it, would you and how would you do that?
Thanks for the great blog, and keep it up
Aaron, Bill Simmons brought up a good question the other day. Do sinkerball pitchers really do better when they are on short rest? We always hear about the danger of throwing a sinker when the pitcher is "too strong."
Do you think this is a popular myth that is repeated by uninformed talking heads, or do you find the evidence compelling to support this idea?
I don't know if I get to ask two questions, but here is another one....
Which league has an inherent advantage in World Series play? Is it the National League team who can easily field a useful 9th hitter in away games and are comfortable in home games? Or the American League team who has a salaried DH handy and is suffers no (or little) disadvantage on the road? I guess my question adresses the system itself, alternating AL and NL rules.
Thanks!
Describe a couple of trades that you'd make for a 3b/outfielder in which you deal some of our excess pitching. Also, describe a deal involving Santana that makes sense for both teams, unlike the Reyes rumors fouling the air last week.
Do you think you'll ever beat me in checkers? What up Aaron. Glad to see your blog is still in working condition.
What are the Twins going to do for bobbleheads next year now that there are no worthy players left undone?
I have heard of a realignment/change to the mlb schedule that i think was thought up by bob costas. In his proposed scenerio both the al and nl would contain 15 teams. The interleague schedule would consist of 1 series throughout the year. What are your thoughts on this idea, and do you think it at all likely to happen in the near future?
Are you in favor of changing the "Mendoza Line" to the "Punto Line"?
MVP for the Indians in the playoffs: Paul Byrd's goofy delivery, or Casey Blake's beard?
Do you think it's a good idea for the Twins to trade Santana this offseason if they get an offer they can hardly refuse?
You have said over and over again about the Twins not trusting the young talent they've developed nearly enough. So what does it say about the Twins kind of bringing up young talent that three of the four CS teams have reached that stage this year because they do this in a more 'risky' way than the Twins?
What would you consider to be a fair package for Johann Santana? Do you think he will be traded?
Can you believe that LaTroy Hawkins will be pitching in the World Series?
and have you seen the delivery he's got going? What's up with that?
Your best guess--What happens with A-Rod?
The Twins wouldn't bring back JJ on the cheap to play CF, would they?
What would Santana's win-loss record have been if the Twins had produced as a league-average offense during his starts, given the rest of his periperals.
How ridiculous good would the Twins have been the last few years if they hadn't let David Ortiz and Casey Blake walk away for nothing?
What should have been my reaction when some random guy at Canterbury Park told me that I look like Nick Punto? Was it merely an attempt to put me on tilt?
What do you think of the Rockies playoff run? Honestly, I love the underdog so I would love to see them win the World Series. Doesn't seem like anyone is really interested in them or their run.
When's the next Top 40 Twin of all-time coming out? What number are you up to now?
Play Twins GM for a day: Do you sign Hunter and trade Santana to fill holes or do you let Hunter walk and lock up Santana long term?
What would you do if you were GM and why?
slightly different: If you could play Bill James to Bill Smith, what advise would you give.
How to calculate trade value?
Trade value for Nathan
Should the Twins extend Nathan
Trade value for Baker
Trade value for Bonser
Trade value for Slowey
Trade value for Duensing
3B targets
CF targets
LF/DH targets
Player profile: Justin Morneau
do you really think Casilla is/should be the 2B? Based on your own column, he appears to be at least a year away, but it's questionable if he arrives at all due to low OBP (and mediocre AAA numbers).
2B targets
Should the Twins extend Kubel now while he is cheap?
Is Cuddyer core? Should he be extended?
In your 28 Sep 07 post about xFIP you linked to THT's stats, where I noticed that Felix Hernandez ranked #2 in xFIP in both 2006 and 2007. Santana was the only guy with equally impressive rankings over the two years, and only Sabathia and Bedard were in the top 10 both times.
My question is: What does his impressive showing in xFIP for 2006 and 2007 mean for Felix Hernandez?
Among the four pitchers I've mentioned, Hernandez is the only one to not have a stellar season in 2006 or 2007 based on WHIP, ERA, etc. Does xFIP favor Hernandez too much, or does it indicate Santanian dominance in his future?
(Sorry about the "Gleeman-length" question! Feel free to paraphrase for your response.)
Something I've been asking myself of late, Aaron, maybe you can provide some thoughts:
With the potential for a Cleveland/Colorado World Series, Fox execs have to be disappointed. Yet, in the NFL, Indianapolis is as popular as the Giants or Jets. A Browns/Broncos AFC Championship game would put up huge TV ratings. What does baseball need to do to get to that point? (Besides not playing games so late at night.)
Do you still play fantasy football? I remember that you mentioned your team last year but I can't remember you mentioning it this year.
If so, how many leagues are you in?
Have you ever been in a "dynasty" fantasy football league? If you were to draft first in a dynasty league today, who would you rank as the first three picks?
Reasonable expectations of Liriano next season? Comparable (age, tenure, etc.)pitchers off of TJ?
Have not heard much about the new stadium living in SC. What impact do you believe the new stadium will have on the Twins organization going forward? It has seemed to invigorate lesser teams from years past to excell. By the way I saw my first Twins game in 1966 at the Met when I was 8 years old as part of The Knothole Gang.
In your opinion, with the AL Central what it is right now, would it be smarter for the Twins to do a minor rebuild (let Hunter walk, trade Santana and Nathan) and go with a young rotation and let 'em play, or do you think we are still close enough to do what they can to keep everyone for now and plug holes the best they can?
Most over-rated Twin farmhand today? Last 10 years?
Looking at the Twins' payroll going ahead, why does everyone assume the Twins have to trade Santana? With all these cheap young players, why couldn't they keep him, even at $20M/year? Look at the numbers (http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/), and let us know what you think.
Aaron, looking at the roster now and seeing who is available in the free agent market, who do you see as our starting third baseman and center fielder in 2008?
There has been more than enough criticism to go around due to the Twins disappointing season. But what do you think of Ron Gardenhire's long term prospects for managing the team? Do you think he is a good "in game" manager? I don't think there has been enough criticism of him. His lineup choices this year were very poor to say the least. His only solution for helping the struggling team down the stretch seemed to be to get tossed out of games over meaningless arguments. I think if the Twins have a repeat performance this year, his management may need to be called into question.
Aaron, who is your favoirte ESPN sports writer?
In line with the Liriano question, how long should I extend his contract in my keeper league? I own him at $1 and that goes up $4 every year I want him under contract. Basic $260, 10-team format.
Why do baseball writers and television analysts say and write "RBIs" instead of "RBI" to indicate multiple Runs Batted In? The plural is in the "Runs." This bothers me.
Would you eat the moon if it were made of spare ribs?
Anyway on a more serious note, I've been doing some research of my own to determine a possible trading partner for the Twins and (yes I even hate typing it) Johan Santana in this offseason. There has been a lot of talk about the dodgers as possible partners, with Andy LaRoche as a key component of the trade. I guess I just wonder if maybe the Brewers or Marlins might be better trading partners. Maybe Braun, Weeks, and some minor leaguers for Santana? this would fix our infield issues...
Just a thought...
Maybe Braun, Weeks, and some minor leaguers for Santana? this would fix our infield issues...
And leave us with the worst infield defense of all time.
When does the real debate about the next Blog girl start? Who is in the pool of candidates?
To back up Moroni's question, how do you feel about pluralizing runs batted in as RsBI?
Hey Aaron,
I understand the networks desire to have the baseball playoffs in prime time, but at what point does MLB realize that they are really hurting themselves by having the games on so late at night? The "early" games have started after 8 PM eastern time -- how many 10-year olds living in Boston can even watch their Red Sox beyond the fifth or sixth inning? How is not allowing them to see the games good for creating the next generation of life-long baseball fans? Is there any hope to have this travesty changed? I'd appreciate your thoughts...
Of the Twins current minor league hitters, which, if any, do you see having a future as a starter for the Twins? Not necessarily this year, but any time in the future.
Who do you think is a better wide recievier Randy Moss or TO? Or, who do think would perform better on the Vikings?
1.) Can you settle on an official AG fantasy girl?
2.) Continuing on with the fantasy football question, if you do still play, would you mind sharing your roster?
Who deserves to win the NL Cy Young award in Gleeman World season 4?
Or for that matter who wins all of the postseason awards in Gleeman World after season 4. Maybe least deserving All Star, or top overall prospects? (not that 99% of the blog readership cares, but here's to that 1%)
What are your thoughts on "suiting up" to go to a casino?
Better career: "All Day" Adrian Peterson or Reggie Bush?
What are the chances that you would set up an open league sim league baseball team for AG.com readers at whatifsports.com?
Love your football daily dose. Ever thought of expanding AG.com to include a Vikes blog during the twins offseason?
AG,
Have you ever thought about a VORP that includes the player's salary in the equation?
do you think the twins will resign the big 3 guys to long term deals over the winter before spring training? i am referring to morneau, johan & cuddyer.
Under Tom Kelly and during Gardy's early tenure, the Twins were always a fundamentally sound baseball team. With their recent baserunning errors, inability to bunt, etc., who is to blame?
For example, I have never seen Michael Cuddyer bunt in his entire MLB career. I noticed that while he was at bat against the Yankees, AROD and Jeter played WAY back, almost in the outfield. When Hunter batted, they moved up to around the basepath (both times the bases were empty). Couldn't Cuddyer increase his average by 15-20 points if he were to lay down a bunt even a few times a year, forcing the other team to play closer to the plate?
Would Tom Kelly have stood for a player that NEVER bunted and let the other team's defense play back on them?
I forgot to mention, Cuddyer would benefit more than usual by forcing opposing teams to play further up with an occasional bunt since he is primarily a line drive/ground ball pull hitter.
Which canceled television series do my wife and I miss more...Futurama...or Arrested Development?
What are your thoughts on the state of blogs? More specifically, how has the rise of blogs (and their lack of editorial accountability) changed the world of "professional" reporting and print media? And on the flip side of this, what do you think blogs offer that "professional" media can', or won't?
Feel free to narrow an answer to sports-related blogs/reporting.
PS - I'd like to point out that when you asked us, your questioners, to write clearly and without sloppiness, you made a somewhat unclear and sloppy statement yourself. "...so keeping the questions somewhat brief and free of spelling errors and overall sloppiness would be good." While not altogether incorrect, the final qualifier of "overall sloppiness" being followed immediately by "would be good" is misleading and, if you ask me, sloppy.
What types of pitches and/or velocity ranges produce ground ball pitchers and fly ball pitchers?
What do you is the biggest niche left to be filled in the Twins blogging community?
Are you going to the winter meetings again?
Do you have any interesting travel plans coming up (pre-SABR convention)?
Any good restaurant recommendations in the Highland Park or Mac-Groveland neighborhoods now that I'm working there?
The questions about what you would do if you were Twins GM brought back to mind a question that was asked here recently (not by me) and which wasn't answered (as far as I know). I'm paraphrasing.
If you were hired as the Twins GM, where do you think you would rank among the 30 GM's? What would be your greatest strengths/weaknesses? What would be the single biggest change you would implement in the way things are done and why?
Is it possible for the Twins to win the AL Central in 2008? If so, how?
Don't know if I have ever read your view on THE baseball question.
What is your opinion of the DH rule?
Can stats be used to explain everything in baseball? Can a person cherry pick stats to "prove" his or her point? If a player has a bad year, one where an injury is not a factor, can he come back and have a great year? How about a run of great years? Why does it bother you so much that Torii Hunter runs his mouth? (There's no doubt that he does.)
Aaron,
You have been a HUGE dissapointment lately.
Why?
Aaron,
I've always been intrigued by Scott Hatteberg. He's put up some great OBP for the Reds these last few years and for some reason he's cheap. Why don't the Twins ever target a guy like that? He'd be perfect to bat 6th for us. Instead we go after White, Batista, Cirillo, etc. Plus, a lot of the Twins players could learn from plate discipline from him.
Thoughts or other suggestions of good, cheap players?
Is there anything we can do to prevent Billy Smith from ever signing Pedro Feliz? Should I have more faith in him?
1. If you stopped linking to pictures of scantily-clad starlets, would you lose readers and, if so, how many? Would you anticipate gaining new readers (presumably female) from such a change?
2. Back in the summer, you wrote that the breakdown of your air conditioning unit had a negative impact on your mood and even your ability to write this blog. Yet you've also expressed an extreme dislike of indoor baseball, specifically the Metrodome. How do you reconcile these two opinions on climate control?
If forced to choose between the two, would you rather watch an hour of Nick Punto at-bats or listen to an hour of a Jeff Straub podcast?
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