Note: If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it here. Comments deleted on a whim.
Before the questions (hopefully) start rolling in, I just want to say that because these will be reprinted in an entry and read by a large number of people, keeping the questions relatively brief and without a ton of spelling errors or overall sloppiness would be good.
What do you think the Twins starting rotation will look like this coming season and will it affect our team because we have usually been able to depend on a good starting rotation to begin the season?
I'm wondering what your opinion of Kenny Williams' off-season moves is. If the goal was to 'get ahead of the market', did Williams do enough?
Taking ChuckR a step further, your thoughts on the rest of the AL Central competitors and their moves and development?
ESPN.com has speculated recently that the Yankees have been stockpiling prospects recently in an effort to prepare for a future trade for Johan Santana.
What are your thoughts on the Twins' ability to keep Johan Santana after his contract expires. Is it realistic to expect the Twins to be able to retain Santana?
And, if not, what would a reasonable trade package look like.
Has the greatest Twins of all-time list officially died, now that it isn't on the link sidebar anymore?
How do you think Kevin Garnett and Kirby Puckett compare in the minds and hearts of Minnesotans? Across the nation? It seems people in MN will always hold Kirby on high, but isn't KG just as, if not more, deserving?
It's been a while since you ranted about Kevin McHale and the T'wolves. Is that because you think they're better, or have you just stopped caring? They are undefeated in 2007, you know.
Specifically, what do you think of Randy Foye at this point? And is Mark Blount the best center they've ever had?
Tagging on to the Santana questions. What would be the market price if the Twins went after an extension? Given the current financial climate, are they better off waiting or trying to lock him up for a few more years. Even if they paid market price, if they were able to negotiate some flexibility on trades in the contract and he stayed healthy, wouldn't Johan be worth more in a future trade with more years remaing? Or, would the Twins end up with a Manny type of contract no one would touch?
Along similar lines, is now the worst time for GMs to be locking up their star players? Should they wait a year or more for the market to go down? Or is the market going to go up even more in the short term?
How in the world do you still have an @aol.com email address? Does that service still function?
Who do you think will get most of the DH at-bats for the Twins -- White? Kubel? And is there any chance the team will come anywhere close to league-average production from the DH spot?
I haven't checked in a while and was curious if this has happened to anyone else:
I had a phone call the other day the my Caller ID said was the LA Clippers with a 213 area code. Barely knowing the roster and not being a huge basketball fan I was quite confused. In listening to the related voice mail, It was the twins box office calling me to try and sell tickets....Is their some phone bank out there for major league sports that cold calls people to sell tickets???
Aaron: Suggestion for a regular blog entry: question of the day. Rather than asking us to ask you questions, how about asking a key question everyday as a way of fostering the comments section? Just a thought.
My question is, how many starts/quality starts do you project for the following three pitchers: Boof Bonsor, Carlos Silva, Scott Baker, and Sidney Ponson? What other pitchers do you see getting significant starting opportunities in 2007, and why?
Who will be the next Minnesota Gopher basketball and/or football coach?
Aaron -
What gives with Freddy Garcia for Gavin Floyd? Is Floyd really still seens as having big time potential in MLB circles?
Also, who is going to pitch this year for the Twins? If Ponson doesn't pan out, where do we get our innings from?
When will the next Twins decline begin?
Is trading Santana key for them to avoid their next skid?
In your eyes, which rookie pitchers will be in their respective rotations prior to the All-Star break? Does Slowey or Humber have a chance?
Aaron,
In your opinion, who was the boss? Tony or Angela?
Why is Urea a common ingredient in most hair mousse?
I think one of the big reasons Joe Mauer was originally a fan favorite was not only because of his good ball-playing ability, but because he's home grown.
Do you see him sticking with his home for a while longer? Or do you think money will get the best of him sooner (than later)?
I have so much respect for the players willing to stick to one team...
Who will be the Redsox closer opening day?
Will we see Bryce Cox in Boston before the season is over?
Will Torii Hunter be traded during the season?
Any chance Mike Smith gets another crack in '07? And, more importantly, is he still sporting the greasy mullet?
Who will finish their top40 Twins list first, AG's list or SBG's VORP list?
I'm finishing Dan Harrington's Volume 2 on Hold em. Have you read many poker books, and if so which ones do you recommend?
(It's the nothing months, meaning a Viking-less January to about March 15, when I start really paying attention to Spring Training. My mind is focused on poker.)
Aaron:
What is your opinion on the signing of Ponson and Voyles? What do you feel the likelihood is of either of them helping the 2007 Twins?
Will the Twins sign other vet starters like Chen or Ramon Ortiz?
Supposing Cuddyer, Mauer and Morneau go to arbitration. What would you expect the arbitration ruling to be for each player's salary?
What is keeping Bert Blyleven out of the Hall? He is fifth all-time in strikeouts. Among the 16 all-time tops in strikeouts and NOT in the Hall are actives who are either shoe-ins or will have a great shot: Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling.
I have a few MLB-related questions to ask, but will try to answer those myself during the long wait til spring.
Instead, I'm curious about your opinion(s) regarding the state (& future)of the journalism industry.
More specifically, potential for employment in said industry.
You seemed to take the road less traveled by not completing your degree & then dutifully starting out at the bottom of the 'hack' ladder.
Your ability is obvious, so it's clear your decision was warranted, but (from what you know) what are the odds of success for the rest of the herd?
Advice for anyone (re)considering a career in journalism?
Without being too Twins biased, how do you think the AL Central will finish out in 2007?
Do you read any non-sports books? Have any recommendations?
What is your exercise routine on your elliptical machine? Do you listen to music or catch up on TV, or both? How often do you exercise?
Also, I Tivo'd the first week of Poker After Dark. What did you think of Phil Hellmuth going absolutely 100% ballistic in the middle of the match?
I was impressed by nearly every aspect of the show: quality of the set, quality of players, quality of conversation. It was consistenly interesting. But I don't watch a lot of poker, either, so I am not an expert.
Ok, Gleeman. What's the story with Lew Ford? Do we Twins fans honestly have to suffer another season with this stiff?
Are you thinking about getting a new dog? I mean you're in bed all day anyways, right?
That's meant to imply it would be easier for you, as opposed to someone with a traditional job, to take care of/hang out with a dog, rather than imply anything unsavory.
When at the Winter meetings, did you talk to Jason Williams and find out what he does?
Do you think the Twins will sign Torii Hunter to a long-term contract before or after the Season or will the Twins just trade him at the trading deadline?
Have you ever listened to Bruce Springsteen's music? if yes, how did you like it?
Will the steriod issue derail my greatest investment, my baseball cards? Will a Barry Bonds card be worth half as much in 25 years as a mickey mantle card is now?
Billy,
It won't even be worth close to half as much. But that has nothing to do with steroids. It has everything to do with supply and demand.
(Sorry, Gleeman. I had to field that one for you.)
If the Twins somehow convinced themselves to get rid of John Gordon, who would be a viable replacement? I like the insight that Gladden provides, but I don't think he is a very good play-by-play voice. I like the traditional calls.
Did you catch the replay on AM 1500 of the Twins World Series victories? Was it as weird for you to hear Herb Carneal from 20 years ago? Gradual voice change...down about 2 octaves.
Alba, Biel or the Italian chick from The Office? She's purty.
Other then yours do you have a favorite twins related blog?
If so which one?
Will the twins be wearing #34 on their uniforms again next year?
What is the status of Shannon Stewart?
During which season did the Twins wear a bright red alternate jersey?
Why didn't you answer any questions?
Haha- Here's a question I hope gets answered honestly lol:
How do you feel about opening the doors for us to fire away, now that the questions are piling up, how many questions were you anticipating, and how long did it take (will it take you) to answer these questions.
Also, do you do your blog writing the night before? I enjoy the fact that it's always posted by the time I get to work.
Aaron, are they just selling papers with this or is this real?:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/tw...es/
16414292.htm
to: mwilke
I read Harrington's vol 1 and 2 last year at this time and see that he has a vol 3 out now. I found both 1 and 2 to be quite informative and enjoyed the way he used specific hands that he'd played in real tournament situations to discuss his strategy. I've read several poker books and I would definitely recommend Harrington's to anyone asking. That said, I haven't read vol 3 and have heard announcers talking about the notion that Harrington has even changed his own play some since the books have come out. I think he may even be playing a more aggressive/loose style than recommended in his books. Finally, I'm not Aaron so sorry to jump on this bandwagon if perhaps he feels like commenting later in the week.
Aaron-
The vast majority of the time I agree with your fact-based cogent arguments and opinions. Therefore, I would like to know your opinion on the steroids issue in baseball. Specifically, with the Hall of Fame inductee announcements impending, what is your opinion of McGwire legitimacy as a Hall of Famer?
Leaving steroids out of the discussion, personally, I am not impressed with McGwire's statistics outside of dingers, and certainly not for his defensive prowess. However, I do credit Big Mac's historic 1998 homerun battle with Sosa as the catalyst for Baseball recent renaissance back into the public eye, and with such credit I feel McGwire is deserving of a Hall of fame inductions for his contribution to the game when America's pastime was at its post-strike lowest.
Is "The Office" the best show on television right now?
McGuire received 23% of the HOF vote, not even close to the 75% needed. His lack of support is directly tied to his alledged steroid use. If thats the case, how do Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco receive votes? I think an even bigger question is who the hell voted for Jay Buhner, Ken Caminiti, Bobby Bonilla, Dante Bichetee, Tony Fernandez, and Jose Canstrikeout. If I were Blylevin, Oliva, or Jim Rice I would be pissed at the whole process. If they can't get in and these guys can get votes, its almost a joke like the all-star game. They should make the ballots public so we can see who the idiot writers are.
Where do you weigh in on the value of a good closer to a baseball team, particularly one on a limited budget? How high should the Twins go in locking up Nathan beyond 2008?
How long does it take to create all those links on Fridays Linkorama?
Are you going to do you top keepers list again this year? similar to the one you did for Rotoworld last year.
Also, does dropping "I was onair for NBC" help with the ladies?
Have you heard what the expected payroll would be in a new stadium? I've heard from a co-worker they were thinking of not raising it much above the $70 million threshold which I think is bullcrap--they should be able to afford to go up to the $85-90 million range.
If Santana were a free-agent- he could easily get 22M per. Somehow, the organization needs to find a way to sign him for at least a 3 year extension past his current contract. This is a guy who could win 300 games finishing with the greatest winning percentage ever.
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