My thoughts....

I know this is a few weeks late, but it's been kinda busy so I had to put off doing this. Everyone has done their posts on who should stay and who should go this off season for the Twins. I, personally, thought a lot of this talk stemmed from an article from Patrick Reusse on the Star Tribune's website.

I think to start this off, the first item that I wanted to talk about was the article from Reusse. I think the Twins would be crazy to get rid of Nathan. He is by far the best closer in the Major Leagues and he was a great trade in order to get rid of AJ the ass. Sure he had a rough time during the playoffs, but we can't put the whole blame on him. The umps blew calls, the guys missed plays and in my mind you can't beat a team that uses steroids.

Trading Nathan would be the biggest mistake the Twins could ever make. In all honesty, I think the Twins need to bring back pretty much every single players we had this season. It worked from 2008 to this year forcing yet again another game 163, I think it could work again for 2010.

I even think they need to bring Joe Crede back. I love how I was against him being here to begin with, but he's grown on me and I think he's a real asset to the team. The doctors told the front office that the artificial turf was going to be tough on Crede's back, but I really think by being out on real grass next season, like he's used to playing on, we could really see Crede shine and help this team out all season.

I guess when it all comes down to it, the only person I can think of that needs to go, far, far, far away; is Glen Perkins. To me the guy brought down our pitching staff. He brought down the team. His constant complaining about his elbow, when no one could find anything wrong with him. I personally think it was all in his head, he knew his pitching sucked so he made up every excuse possible to not have to pitch.

Time Is Slipping Away

Before I get into the heart of tonight's post, I want to take a minute and invite everyone to participate in a wonderful thing that K-Bro is doing for the month of September. She is donating 2 items to the local food shelf for every Twins win and 1 item for every Detroit loss. I myself am taking part in it in hopes to help out the local food shelf. Hopefully the Twins will help us out a little and put a few more wins on the board. It's a great idea, so please help out where you can.

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Tonight was just another chapter in the disappointment section of the Twins season this year. You could think that as a Twins fan, one would be used to it after the season that we've had, but it never does seem to get easier. The disappointment/heartbreak section of this seasons yearbook is going to triumph over the happy sections. I was so hoping for the win tonight with Brian on the mound. I'm just happy he didn't take the loss.

There really isn't much to talk about from the last two games other than the fact Justin and Cuddy finally snapped their o-for whatever streaks they were on. Cuddy is well on his way to losing whatever Skittles I promised him. We'll see how he does between now and next Wednesday when I go to Baseball Unplugged.

What I've really wanted to discuss in my blog for the last couple days, but I just haven't gotten around to it, is the whiner, Glen Perkins.

Apparently Glen and his agent are talking about filing a grievance against the Twins because they didn't call him back up today after the Rochester Red Wings season came to an end yesterday. As many know Glen was put on the 15-day DL with an elbow strain. He was recently activated and was told to report to Rochester to do some rehab. Glen said he wanted a third opinion from a different doctor, of course receiving the same results as he received from the other two. But by the time the dye had cleared his system so he could pitch the Wings season was over.

Let him file his grievance. In my opinion he shouldn't be called back up or be let back on the roster because of all the complaining he's done. We need guys up here that are willing to work hard and do what they are told. If he wouldn't even go to Rochester for rehab without whining, what the hell would he do when he got back up to the Majors and just sat on the bench? I was telling Betsy, I never have said I want a player to leave the organization, I didn't even say that with Frankie when he was pitching like crap. But they could say tomorrow Glen had been traded and I'd be fine with it.


I hear the Chicago White Sux are full of whiners... perhaps he'd be a good fit in there.

Who's the weakest link?

I have to admit I was surprised this afternoon when I read that Jesse Crain was sent to AAA Rochester. I didn't think they had it in him to actually send him down, but I personally couldn't stand to watch him pitch one more inning. This season has been brutal to him to say the least. Hopefully Papa Perk has a good start tonight and shows us all what we know he can do!

I also read this morning that the Twins signed Derek McCallum on Sunday. He was our 4th round draft pick. He's going to make a great addition to the team as a 2nd baseman. He was headed down to join the team in Fort Meyers and then he's going to join the Elizabethon team on Tuesday. Congrats Derek and welcome to the Twins organization!

Say goodbye to Tampa Bay...

At least this road series wasn't a sweep, which I was expecting. But I did think that with Tampa having 9 players on the DL we would have stood a better chance of winning more then one game. But hey, that's the Twinkie way right?

As a rule, I like/"love" all the guys on the team, but after his performance yesterday, I am not very happy with Frankie. I realize he really hasn't been himself since he had the Tommy John's surgery a couple years ago, but to openly admit that you don't know what you are doing, that you don't know what pitches to throw, to me that say's you've lost it and to Triple A you should go. It's the catchers job to call the game, don't shake off the pitches he signals. I'm pretty sure Joe and Mike know what they are doing.

But Gardy and Andy both think he can still handle it, so here is where he stays. I think he needs to go back to Triple A and Swarzy should stay in as a starter. He has been so impressive his first two starts and at only 23, he has a lot of potential in the big leagues :) Today's performance by Blackie made up for the lack luster performance last night so that's a plus.

I would love it if we could make it through a game without someone getting dinged up! Today was Cuddy, out with a sprained right index finger, yesterday was Crede, and I guess you could also say was Mauer after the beating he took behind the plate. Apparently he has bruises all up and down the inside of his thighs, one on his rib cage and one on his right leg where he fouled a pitch off it. How that man manges to win batting titles after getting beat up really says something about his performance.

And to end today on a lighter note. Kevin Slowey during yesterdays game and Denard Span's mom had to be the highlights of the weekend. Listening to Kevin yesterday while talking to Perkins was the best thing during the game. "I feel like I'm at a rave, not a baseball game." Denard's mom, she's so cute! You can tell she's so proud of her boy.

Now come on home guys, the "dome magic" is waiting for you.

First off, Happy Birthday Jason Kubel.

Secondly, I might be bias since Joe Mauer is what all my friends consider to be my baseball boyfriend, but is it just me or does this team seem to have a different attitude to it when Mauer's in the line up? Long ball, after long ball, after long ball and today it just seemed like we hit a all. Leaving too many RISP.

Prime example... 2-run homer as a pinch hitter. This goes to prove we need Mauer in the lineup. I know Gardy wants to give him a day off, but let him DH. He doesn't have to catch every single game, just like Justin doesn't have to play first every game, but at least let him DH.

Thirdly, I've been thinking about our pitching situation for when Papa Perk comes off the DL. With the way Swarzy pitched Saturday night, he's proved he's ready for the majors. Sean Henn has done really well since being called up, so has Dickey. Now really that only leaves Crain, Matty, and Ayala left to get rid of. Crain knows what to do and Matty has been amazing this season. My thought is, Ayala's got to go back to Triple A. He hasn't proven much this season.

That's my take, it may not mean much, but then again, this blog is just my thoughts.