I'm starting to see a little grass along the north side of the house. In the front, the snowpack is still pretty solid, but the good news is that the ice damn is gone. A visual inspection of the shingles reveals no obvious damage, which is not to say that there isn't any damage, of course.
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Cup of Coffee: March 11, 2010 This entry was posted by SBG
on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 7:36 am and is filed under Cup of Coffee categories and tags. It is one of 3334 entries by the author.
We are no longer accepting Letters to the Editor on this post.
96 LTEs in response to Cup of Coffee: March 11, 2010 |
Cup of Coffee2010 Prediction ContestSpreadsheet The third window is now open. Mail your changes to WGOMContest [at] stickandballguy, etc. Remember, the first change that you enter will be the one that I accept. The window will be open until the beginning of the 140th game. I have updated the spreadsheet and will try to do so after every game while the window is open. WGOM Sign InLog InCitizens OnlineRecent Letters to the EditorIn Response to Capps Askew, davidwatts wrote: I just wish the dude would have more than one 1-2-3 inning per week. thats all I ask Beau wrote: Thanks for this. What it all boils down to is that the role of "closer" inherently generates a ton of stress. In a situation where everyone expects perfection, only one or two people… spookymilk wrote: Great stuff as always, CH. The point about where we are in the season is the most important one, I think; I don't trust Capps in the playoffs, and that's why I can't get… FirstTimeLongTime wrote: Let me preface by saying I am not a Matt Capps fan. With that out of the way now there is something the Boss in March/April that stuck with me. Something along… In Response to GB Leighton - Twins Territory, FirstTimeLongTime wrote: If you are not having fun why play the game, right? cheaptoy wrote: That was the first time I really sat down and listened to that song. I got to the first chorus and could go no further. At least the kids in the front seemed to be… brianS wrote: Someone is trying to bring the Shat out of retirement. In Response to Game 140: Twins hosting the Royals, brianS wrote: because drinking beer while on-line would be pathetic otherwise? ;-) Milt on Tilt wrote: If youre not wishing for success, what's the point of fandom? DK wrote: Yeah, you're probably right. It's funny that I read this little bit before any of the bottom section of this log. This part feels like a whole other game now. brianS wrote: I assume socal was joking there. DK wrote: Yeah, I missed the game log at the time, and I certainly wasn't happy about the ending of this game as it was happening, but a lot of this log does read like some of… brianS wrote: I don't think any of us would be here if we didn't want him (and every other dude in a Twins uniform) to succeed when called upon. To borrow a line from Jean-Luc Picard: "Wishing… Milt on Tilt wrote: I'm not saying don't criticize him. I'm saying we should all want to see him succeed at this point. brianS wrote: Not having been here for the game, my spleen is still intact. And I can see socal's point. I think we collectively went off the deep end on Capps tonight. As in GOSO territory. sometimes… DK wrote: And I do think the numbers bear out that Capps, himself, has been shaky a lot but alright. There's been a lot of baserunners, but there's been a lot of BABIP, too, and I… DK wrote: Again, I'm sick of this whole "he's our guy we should be behind him" blind devotion thing. I refuse to look at anything uncritically. What the Boss said the other day was right… In Response to Cup of Coffee: September 8, 2010, spookymilk wrote: Oh, I see. Yeah, it's a wretched title. Well, now I can check it out with my hopes undiminished. AMR wrote: No, I meant the title sucks. It smacks of an overthought concept album (TI vs TIP, I am... Sasha Fierce). Luckily, that didn't happen and the album's very good. I went online… punmanbowler wrote: After tonight's victory, the Twins are 7-11 after winning the first two games of the season. Also, the Twins have been swept in a 3 game series only ONCE this year. In Milwaukee.… spookymilk wrote: Is it bad? Damn. I've been thinking about checking it out, but their peak seems to be long gone. AMR wrote: I like ATLiens quite a bit (both the album and the title). Now, Big Boi's solo album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, ugh. This is what happens when you have too… spookymilk wrote: For *A LESSER dirty southern rap group, I meant to say spookymilk wrote: Hmm. I always found it low-class in a way ill-fitting of the disc. I think they should have left that title for a dirty southern rap group. Now, Aquemini and Idlewild? … Can of Corn wrote: Brilliant! Better Know a Citizenpunmanbowler -- 8/25/10 spookymilk -- 3/16/09 DK -- 3/2/09 Gutzon -- 11/24/08 Yickit (eschapp) -- 8/12/08 thisisbeth -- 8/7/08 cheaptoy -- 8/5/2008 Nibbish -- 7/31/2008 FirstTimeLongTime (FTLT) -- 7/14/2008 meat -- 7/9/2008 frightwig -- 10/31/2007 SoCalTwinsFan -- 10/4/2007 kg2005 -- 10/2/2007 Will Young (Dread Pirate Will Young) -- 9/27/2007 Sheenie -- 9/25/2007 Seth Stohs -- 9/20/2007 Whiffers -- 9/18/2007 Andrew -- 9/13/2007 Greek House -- 9/11/2007 Twayn -- 9/6/2007 Kris -- 9/4/2007 Moss -- 8/30/2007 Algonad -- 8/28/2007 Banjo -- 8/23/2007 SideshowTootie -- 8/21/2007 Beau -- 8/16/2007 Aaron Gleeman -- 8/14/2007 ubelmann -- 8/9/2007 BeenAroundAwhile Guy (New Guy) -- 8/7/2007 davidwatts -- 8/2/2007 Big Mak -- 7/31/2007 zoomx -- 7/26/2007 Freealonzo -- 7/24/2007 E-6 -- 7/19/2007 Nick N -- 7/17/2007 New Britain Bo -- 7/12/2007 bjhess -- 7/10/2007 AMR -- 6/30/2007 CarterHayes -- 6/26/2007 brianS -- 6/23/2007 Jeff A -- 6/19/2007 Rhubarb_Runner -- 6/16/2007 SBG -- 6/9/2007 |
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the good news is that the ice damn is gone.
Typo or intentional?
Typo. But, it works both ways.
Hey, who's jonesing for trivia? I have three questions, and I'm not sure if they're all too easy or if none of them are. Have at it:
1) Which team occupies the top four spots in team (pitching) strikeouts with their totals from 2001-2004?
2) What former Twin is fourth on the all-time World Series list for triples?
3) What former Twins pitcher had the most career appearances?
1. I'm not sure what you are asking; did one team lead the majors every year? Houston.
2. Chuck Knoblauch
3. Jesse Orosco, all time; Eddie G., as a Twin
1. That's what I'm asking, but nope, not them.
2. No
3. Yes, and I had totally Battey'd Orosco's 8-game cup of coffee with the Twins and was thinking the answer was Mike Jackson. Oops. Funny enough, I did remember that Orosco was drafted by the Twins.
Da Cubbies.
Sorry, didn't see this earlier. Point goes to Bootsy.
Houston was not a bad guess, though. Chuck and I are tied on the career WS 3B list, though. But how about this as a winner? Chuck played in 14 post season series. His team won the first 13 and was one Luis Gonzalez blooper from winning the 14th.
Chuck played in 14 post season series. His team won the first 13 and was one Luis Gonzalez blooper from winning the 14th.
Greatest Yankee ever!
1. A's
2. Greg Gagne?
Solid, but nope. Two teams put up historical K numbers in the early part of the century, but neither has been named yet.
The answer to #2 isn't a huge surprise either, but no, not Gagne.
1. Arizona? I recall them having Johnson and Schilling in the early part of the decade.
Amazingly, not Arizona. Their 01-03 totals would be tops on the list if not for this other team.
I was trying to figure out what the Twins angle was and now I know. I completely forgot about them.
They didn't stand out the way Arizona did with Unit putting up sick totals, but they just kept getting solid numbers from everyone, Wood in particular.
I'll go with...
Red Sox
Paul Molitor
Did Molitor ever...? Oh, I suppose he was there in 1982. No, not him.
No, not Red Sox, either.
Molitor was a good guess. He played in the 1982 WS, yes, but also the 1993 WS (named MVP!), where he had two triples.
Jays! Of course...
1- Cubs
2-Tovar
Cubs is right.
2004: Maddux, Zambrano, Clement, Wood, Prior!
In 01, Tapani and Lieber were major contributors. Kyle Farnsworth added a lot of Ks from the bullpen throughout.
Look above. Bootsy nipped FTLT with the Cubs answer. Good questions, although the last was was obviously too easy.
What do I win?
Does an Executive Producer credit do anything for you?
Respect and admiration from an entire nation. That's right. Bupkis.
1. Wow... Yankees, maybe?
2. I know that Gladden had a couple in the 91 series, that can't be enough, though
It can be enough, nib. Three triples is enough to make Gladden tied with a bunch of guys for fourth; three guys have four.
That seems absurdly low, but I guess for how rare triples are...
cc to cheaptoy: your shipment has arrived safely. I will have something heading to you sometime next week.
Sweet. I hope you enjoy them, especially that cherry stout.
this is the payback I get for letting Mrs. S destroy my cheapbeer tasting notes.... :-(
I don't think I'll have a cherry stout for you (not a homebrew, from New Glarus) because I'm having a hard time not drinking them. But fear not, I do plan to put together a small package for you.
Merlin Olson, dead.
I wonder if people will send flowers?
They ain't pets.
Although Top Jimmy's "Trade Mauer" article today in the Strib was stoopid, there is rumbling from both Souhan and LEN III that Mauer rejected an 8-year $20M per contract over the weekend. Obviously their source is from the Twins so take that with a grain of salt. However the speculation is that negotiations have cooled. No need to hit the panic button yet, but jeez, let's just get this done!
Man, there are some things that I just will never be able to comprehend. $20M a year isn't enough for you, Joe? How the fudge is that not enough money? What exactly do you plan on buying each year that will cost more than 20 MILLION DOLLARS? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SPEND ALL THAT MONEY ON? WHY DO
ATHLETESAGENTS AND UNIONS* NEED TO FIGHT AND CLAW FOR EVERY LAST POSSIBLE PENNY WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY MAKING 500 TIMES MORE THAN WHAT IS REASONABLE?*Amended in light of twayn's comment, which is probably much closer to the truth. My exasperation still remains.
I agree the principle, but if the athletes aren't making the dough then the owner is.
How much is enough? That's an age old question, and well, I suspect that Joe wants to make enough to guarantee that he won't end up like AI. How much that is remains to be seen.
if the athletes aren't making the dough then the owner is.
Exactly!
The "How much is enough?" question has to be applied to the Pohlads as well as Mauer. What's a few more million per year? It's a lot more to Mauer than it is to the Pohlads.
Turned down 8yr/$160? Good, he deserves more and the Twins can afford to give him more. It's a good starting point though.
What would you give him?
I don't mean to imply its a slap-in-the-face lowball by the Twins, but I think Joe is right to ask for more, as stated below.
Turned down 8yr/$160? Good, he deserves more and the Twins can afford to give him more. It's a good starting point though.
Um. Really? How much more can the Twins realistically give him and stay competitive in other areas on the field? And how much is enough?
It doesn't matter what is enough. 200K a yr is enough, why not offer him that? There's no doubt in my mind that he'd take a discount from the Twins. I don't think the Twins have to quite go to $25M a year, but I'm guessing they have to go at least $22M. If I were Joe I'd hold out for 8yr/$180.
Joe Mauer's fair market value could very well be 25-28 per for 9-10 years (give or take a few), and if that is what he wants he can certainly get it from any of the BoSox, NYY, LAAoA or the Dodgers. The question you ignore is far more important, how much can the Twins realistically give Joe before it cripples team finances for the foreseeable future?
And how much is enough
Let me be clear, I was talking about the amount that will be enough to sign him.
Ah..I thought you were acting like StribGuy, $20M is more than I'll make in my life....just sign already!
That wasn't Strib Guy, that was me, straight from the heart. I realize that the money has to go somewhere, but I just think there is something very distasteful about a person seeing $160M and saying "no, that's not enough. I need more." And I don't really want to bring politics into it, but the fact that half the world is in a recession right now would make haggling over a few extra million to play a game even more galling.
You have to get yours while you can. And who knows what Joe is going to do with that extra money? Set up a charity fund? I'd rather a Joe Mauer charity get that money than Jim Pohlad.
No way the Dodgers are even considering going after Mauer. They're payroll is lower than the Twins now and they have a good young catcher in Russell Martin. And it wasn't like the Angels were big players in the free agent market this year either. They couldn't keep their own players. The market for Mauer would be set by the Yankees and Red Sox and I think the Mets would be players. A surprise team that might jump in there could be the Mariners, but hopefully, we'll never know.
Well, Martin kind of fell off a cliff last year, so by next fall the Dodgers' baseball people might be more willing to go after Mauer, depending on how this season goes. From a financial perspective though, the nasty McCourt divorce is probably going to prevent them from offering giant contracts in the near future.
There's no way for me to know how high the Twins are willing to go. I would think it'd be significantly higher than 8/160. Since, according to some the benefits of the stadium will be in the area of 20M annually. If I were running the team? I pay market value if I need to. If the Twins go into the 2011 season Mauer-less I wonder what kind of hit there will be at the gate.
I think you're right. That's what Teixeira got just last year and Mauer is younger, a better hitter and plays a far more critical defensive position. It would be difficult to see him taking less than Teixeira even though he's not out on the open market. Maybe if the Twins get some insurance money from Nathan's injury, they can use that as a signing bonus, similar to Morneau and Cuddyer.
Yes, but the important question is whether or not Mauer is given the opportunity to purchase the best 8 season tickets available any given year like Mark. What an odd clause.
I think socal and MonT are spot on. And the difference between $20 per and $22.5 per is, what? Delmon's deal this year? Just get it done so I can exhale already.
So.... you're suggestion is to cut _elm_n and give that money to Joe? I'm on board!
Win/win!
If that's true, then it's further proof of the adage that whenever someone says, "it's not about the money," it's about the money. Mauer can probably get more than that as a free agent, and he has every right to get as much money as he can if that's what he chooses to do. But if he actually turned this down, then I don't want to hear any more about how wonderful it is for him to play in his home town, because it obviously doesn't mean very much to him.
well, I disagree, Jeff A. Playing in his hometown is no doubt wonderful for him. That likely has an economic value -- we (and the Pohlads) just don't know what it is. This is a bargaining game with incomplete information on both sides. Those games can be hard to solve.
Oh, he probably does enjoy playing in his home town--I didn't say it meant nothing. And you're right, there's clearly bargaining going on here. Given the choice between playing in his home town for $20 million dollars and playing in his hometown for $22 million dollars, I'm sure he'd prefer the latter, as would just about everyone. We don't know, at this point, whether he would walk away if he was convinced that the Twins would go no higher than $20 million a year for eight years.
So, I will temporarily withdraw my comment pending the conclusion of this story. But if it turns out that the Twins did offer $20 million a year for eight years, and if it turns out that Mauer leaves rather than take it, my comment will once again stand.
Again, I don't begrudge him the right to make as much money as he can. But if, in fact, he leaves the Twins rather than accept $20,000,000.00 per year for eight years to stay, then it will show that money is far and away the most important factor in his decision making, and being in his home town is a very distant second.
I agree completely. If he turns down the Twins in order to make a couple extra bucks, what separates him from Torii Hunter?
Well, so far, at least, Mauer hasn't told every other team in baseball how much he'd love to play for them.
This I can agree with. Like when Face of the Franchise was saying it wasn't about the money, but was then rumored to be leaning towards going to the ChiSox, of 72 wins the previous season. Of course, then the Angels went and threw even more money at him. At no point was money not at the top of Hunter's list of concerns.
How much can someone who gets $20 million in salary per year expect to bank after taxes in MN? I (sort of) recall reading about how Mauer (or anyone else, I suppose) could save millions by having deferred payments, but the Twins supposedly not wanting to do that. Or something. Anyway, I know the answer to my question is "even after taxes it's still an absurd amount", but I have no idea how much tax planning plays a role in a negotiation like this.
I don't think the problem is as much with deferring payments but the interest he would expect along with that deferral. From what I've read, he'd basically want that deferred portion to get credited with 6% interest for each year it is deferred.
If the Pohlads could simply hold onto his money for a few years without paying him interest, I'm sure they'd be more than accommodating.
Simply as a tax strategy, I don't know if it is really that big of a deal. I think it is pretty safe to assume that someone like Mauer will always have enough income to be in the highest tax bracket so shifting income from one year to another isn't that much of a benefit to him.
Is there a state-tax component to the deferred money strategy? Maybe after the player retires and settles in Fla., then he's not paying state tax in every state where he plays games (and effectively, pays the 0% marginal rate in Fla.).
All in all it comes down to this, as much as I enjoy rooting for Joe Mauer, I am going to be rooting for his laundry long after he is gone. Now, is it more fun to watch a competitive team than a lousy one? Of course! But that doesn't mean the Twins can't field a winning ball club without him. The owners have to make a decision regarding what is best for the team in the long haul. If it is maxing out at $20 million, so be it.
If he wants to make $30 a year, well, I worry about how that is going to impact the team in other areas.
And remember, it wasn't all that long ago that the Twins lost the best pitcher in all of baseball. Since that time they have won the division once and lost a one game playoff to not make the playoffs the other time.
The team with be fine, with or without Mauer.
Gees Louise, I had been trying not to think about this stuff.
With that said, please sign Joe Mauer.
I wonder just how much influence the players' union has in this situation. I'm generally in favor of organized labor, but if they're putting pressure on Mauer/Shapiro to set the salary bar at a certain level in this negotiation in order to set a new standard, I would be very pissed off.
I guarantee they are. They realize that Mauer is in position to set the market and he has every possible negotiating advantage and yet because of his ties to the area and the team, he could "settle" for a "hometown discount." Everyone is watching this deal.
You know what's happening tonight? American Idol elimination night! 4 of 16 singers are getting the boot tonight. Here is the MoT power ranking for week 3. Remaining at the top for the third consecutive week is Bowersox.
Crystal Bowersox
Siobhan Magnus
Michael Lynche
Katelyn Epperly
Casey James
Lily Scott
Didi Benami
Lee Dwyze
Alex Lambert
Andrew Garcia
Todrick Hall
Lacey Brown
Paige Miles
Katie Stevens
Aaron Kelly
Tim Urban
Going home should be Tim Urban, Aaron Kelly, Katie Stevens, and Paige Miles....Will be going home...Paige Miles, Lacey Brown, Todrick Hall, and Aaron Kelly.
I've only watched two times but how is Urban still there? He's awful! I know he looks like the kid from High School Musical, but still!
2 reasons. His looks and Vote For the Worst. Teenage girls and their texting have a huge influence on the results of the show.
I think Big Mike should go with a really sexy song next time. I wonder what Kara's reaction would be. Maybe we'd see a recreation of the diner scene on When Harry Met Sally.
This can only end one way.
Last night was my first watching the men, and Michael was fantastic. This week was also the first where I felt Bowersox was truly above the rest of the women.
Todrick's performance was a hot mess, but the wonderful-type mess that you get from doing Queen songs. I expressed hope to my wife that the Queen song would be "Fat Bottomed Girls" but no dice. Still, it was an entertaining tightrope walk between awesome and awful. I'd say about 50% of each.
I don't know about Urban, I'm a bad judge because I kindof hate that song, so I changed the channel. (Cohen's "Hallelujah" for those of you not playing along.)
Paige and Kelly should definitely and I believe will leave tonight. But other than that, I can't really say.
Also, I hate it that Kara equates biography with the ability to sing songs. It's not that he's too young to sing a song, it's that he didn't sing it well.
PS, I think you've overrated Siobhan again, MoT.
Oh Hogwash. After listening to the performances from last week again, I did drop her to #5, but I don't know what it is about her. She's so odd, she's delightful. I'm shocked no one has taken issue with my rankings of Lilly Scott yet.
Where do I line up to take issue?
Behind the rest of America I guess?
Well, that was bollocksed up.
Todrick, Alex, Katelyn, and Lily.
I think we can both agree that was very wrong.
At least those four won't have to tour.
It was criminally wrong. This is easily the worst season ever. I think I'm gonna tune out and just come back for the final 4
You mean Aaron, Tim, Paige, and Katie?
Warning: Fantasy baseball!
I'm not sure if this is the best place to discuss this, but the settings for the league aren't very typical. Are we really settling on R, RBI, SB, OBP and SLG? Not that that's bad, but it seems like HR are usually in there somewhere...
How is HBP not in there?!?!
I actually haven't even looked at the settings. Are we doing standard Roto, or H2H.
Roto
Ok. Sounds good. I thought I would go into the draft with my Basketball strategy; Essentially no idea what's happening.
Ick...Roto makes me sad. Meh, I'm just used to H2H.
Homers got the shaft because I don't see how you can have runs without RBIs or vice versa or how you can have OBP without slugging and vice versa. And you need SB to get a speed category in there. Anyways, everytime a guy homers, that's a run and at least one RBI plus a big boost in slugging, so it's not like you aren't getting rewarded for a home run.
Yeah, I prefer it this way. Standard form is to do AVG and HR instead, but I prefer 1) OBP over AVG and 2) SLG over HR since both are more comprehensive measures.
Evening spring game on the radio alert. It looks like the Opening Day lineup will be starting the game (6 p.m. Central).
btw, it's "icky" weather here tonight. Even worse tomorrow.
Thome Tweets on Twitchy.
I am eagerly anticipating the Dugout's 2010 Twin's Spring Training chat.
I fully expected that tweet to have been stuttered.
Is anyone paying attention to Gordo and DazzL?
Gordo "I don't know.....well, I don't know if fireworks will work in rain like this"
DazzL "Sure they will"
Gordo "uh.....well. Uh."
Me "you guys must be loaded"
We were on our way back to our hotel thinking that we sure did well going to the Tuesday game instead of tonight's. Now, wonder if our flight gets home tomorrow night out of Ft. Lauderdale?
Nice to know Gordo and Dazzle are in mid-season form.