FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[snoop dawg]

tmerton.....+k for that one.  Dont we all pay one way or the other?

[TC]

In my opinion, Joe Nathan needs to be traded, like, yesterday.  Don't get me wrong, he's great at what he does, but there's only so much value a team can get from ANY pitcher that only throws 70 innings a year.  Nathan is signed for a ridiculously reasonable $6M in 2008, which makes him a very valuable commodity, and the Twins very likely won't be in a position where a few marginal wins will be the difference between making the playoffs or not. 

Signing him to a multi-year, market-rate extension--never a great idea for a pitcher entering his mid-30s in the first place--substantially decreases Nathan's value as a commodity.  Plus, whatever prospects the Twins would receive in return for him would likely have a bigger impact on the team's fortunes in @2010 (when, hopefully, they plan to contend again) than 70 innings from a 35-year old Joe Nathan would.

I'd be very happy if they could cash in Nathan for an impact offensive prospect and take the considerable money they've "saved" this offseason to sign either Kenny Lofton or Corey Patterson as a one year stopgap in CF.  Carlos Gomez needs more development time in the minors.  If he's in centerfield on Opening Day (as anything besides a symbolic gesture), it's time to rethink whether the Twins are committed to rebuilding the right way.

[finsleft]

Hah! TC I knew you'd be weighing in on the subject after you woke up. 
I agree with you on most Twins things, but not Nathan. Those few innings are crucial innings. Can you say Ron Davis? With our starting rotation, we'll be going deep in the bullpen and need a reliable closer to compete. Payroll's now at $50 million. Twins can afford Nathan and Lofton. Nathan has many years left. He has good mechanics, takes care of himself and is far from worn out. Even starters can pitch into their 40's, e.g. Clemens, Ryan, Niekro's...
         
                   ***************************************

After a long night of making love, the guy notices a photo of another man on the woman's nightstand by the bed. He begins to worry.
"Is this your husband?" he nervously asks.
"No, silly," she replies, snuggling up to him.
"Your boyfriend, then?" he continues.
"No, not at all," she says, nibbling away at his ear.
"Is it your dad or your brother?" he inquires, hoping to be reassured.
"No, no, no! You are so hot when you're jealous!" she answers.
"Well, who in the heck  is he, then?" he demands.

She whispers in his ear, "That's me before the surgery."

[TC]

Hah! TC I knew you'd be weighing in on the subject after you woke up. 
I agree with you on most Twins things, but not Nathan. Those few innings are crucial innings. Can you say Ron Davis? With our starting rotation, we'll be going deep in the bullpen and need a reliable closer to compete. Payroll's now at $50 million. Twins can afford Nathan and Lofton. Nathan has many years left. He has good mechanics, takes care of himself and is far from worn out. Even starters can pitch into their 40's, e.g. Clemens, Ryan, Niekro's...

We could argue forever about how many wins the Twins would cost themselves by having Pat Neshek or Jesse Crain or Juan Rincon close rather than Joe Nathan.  1?  3?  5?  Who knows...  I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say 5 wins, as I'd imagine that is towards the very high end of the range.  Doesn't it seem a little futile to even worry about that when those 5 wins leaves the Twins with, what, 85 on the year? 

I understand that flags fly forever and any team is more likely to win the World Serious with Joe Nathan on their team than without, but the minute Joe Nathan goes from being signed for one year at $6M to 3 years at $30M (which is likely way too low to begin with...) he loses a lot of value.  Why not sell high for once?

I'm sure it's an issue that we'll just have to agree to disagree on.

[finsleft]

Probably moot anyway, since the Twins will probably move him.

[sjusection105]

Hah! TC I knew you'd be weighing in on the subject after you woke up. 
I agree with you on most Twins things, but not Nathan. Those few innings are crucial innings. Can you say Ron Davis? With our starting rotation, we'll be going deep in the bullpen and need a reliable closer to compete. Payroll's now at $50 million. Twins can afford Nathan and Lofton. Nathan has many years left. He has good mechanics, takes care of himself and is far from worn out. Even starters can pitch into their 40's, e.g. Clemens, Ryan, Niekro's...

We could argue forever about how many wins the Twins would cost themselves by having Pat Neshek or Jesse Crain or Juan Rincon close rather than Joe Nathan.  1?  3?  5?  Who knows...  I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say 5 wins, as I'd imagine that is towards the very high end of the range.  Doesn't it seem a little futile to even worry about that when those 5 wins leaves the Twins with, what, 85 on the year? 

I understand that flags fly forever and any team is more likely to win the World Serious with Joe Nathan on their team than without, but the minute Joe Nathan goes from being signed for one year at $6M to 3 years at $30M (which is likely way too low to begin with...) he loses a lot of value.  Why not sell high for once?

I'm sure it's an issue that we'll just have to agree to disagree on.

I have to agree with TC on this one. The old saying "buy when they cry and sell when they yell" can apply to stocks, housing, or pitchers. Nathan's value is at the top currently, so why not move him & build for the future. The Twins have proven over the years that they can develop young talent, why not make a couple more silk purses out if sows ears?

[tmerton]

Hah! TC I knew you'd be weighing in on the subject after you woke up. 
I agree with you on most Twins things, but not Nathan. Those few innings are crucial innings. Can you say Ron Davis? With our starting rotation, we'll be going deep in the bullpen and need a reliable closer to compete. Payroll's now at $50 million. Twins can afford Nathan and Lofton. Nathan has many years left. He has good mechanics, takes care of himself and is far from worn out. Even starters can pitch into their 40's, e.g. Clemens, Ryan, Niekro's...

We could argue forever about how many wins the Twins would cost themselves by having Pat Neshek or Jesse Crain or Juan Rincon close rather than Joe Nathan.  1?  3?  5?  Who knows...  I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say 5 wins, as I'd imagine that is towards the very high end of the range.  Doesn't it seem a little futile to even worry about that when those 5 wins leaves the Twins with, what, 85 on the year? 

I understand that flags fly forever and any team is more likely to win the World Serious with Joe Nathan on their team than without, but the minute Joe Nathan goes from being signed for one year at $6M to 3 years at $30M (which is likely way too low to begin with...) he loses a lot of value.  Why not sell high for once?

I'm sure it's an issue that we'll just have to agree to disagree on.

I have to agree with TC on this one. The old saying "buy when they cry and sell when they yell" can apply to stocks, housing, or pitchers. Nathan's value is at the top currently, so why not move him & build for the future. The Twins have proven over the years that they can develop young talent, why not make a couple more silk purses out if sows ears?

You can always trade him back to the Giants (aka Twins farm club - I would have said major league farm club, but I thought maybe that was going too far to refer to the Giants as major league; besides, we're just waiting around to see if Barry's going to be indicted).

[OzJohnnie]

For your viewing discomfort, here is a video of Nathan Brown, playing for the Richmond Tigers, snapping his leg three seasons ago.  Amazingly, he returned from this injury to see some playing time last season.

(Be prepared at the 24 second mark to see the camera angle you were holding out for.  It's rough.)

JR; Saw your PM and just responded.  Didn't check the Yahoo account for a week - sorry about that.

[Johnnie Red]

OzJohnnie, thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate your help and advice. My "little girl" is in the Republic of Boulder for the weekend and heads to Aussieland on Valentine's Day.

Duffman, I may not be making it to the BockFest tomorrow. Too many other things going on, including the wild game feed in Waconia. Can't wait for the culinary delight of roadkill raccoon.

I think Paris Hilton is going to be on the David Letterman show tonight for anyone interested.

[DuffMan]

Duffman, I may not be making it to the BockFest tomorrow. Too many other things going on, including the wild game feed in Waconia. Can't wait for the culinary delight of roadkill raccoon.

Bus leaves at 9:00 am

[finsleft]

A foursome of guys is waiting at the men's tee while another foursome
of women is hitting from the ladies' tees.

The ladies are taking their time. When the final lady is ready to hit
her ball, she hacks it ten feet. She goes over and whiffs it
completely.

Then she hacks it an other ten feet, and finally hacks it another five
feet.

She looks up at the patiently waiting men and says apologetically,
"I guess all those f**king lessons I took over the winter didn't help."

One of the men immediately responds, "Well, there you have it, you
should have taken golf lessons instead."

[repete]

I'm leaning with TC on Nathan ... but invoking the ghost of  Ron Davis has scared me --itless.

[retagent]

I was slumming over on the WIAC board, and they were having a discussion about Derrick Stanley back in school, competing on the track team, and getting his degree. Am I wrong for wanting to start a small war lambasting them as a D I type football factory, not interested in the academic well-being of their athletes?

Bennie - I hope you saw Ovechkin flying around like a maniac last night, scoring four goals and getting an assist - the game winning goal with what appeared to be a broken nose. See you at the Caps/Bluejackets game next week - in Center Iceland.

[Klopenhiemer]

For your viewing discomfort, here is a video of Nathan Brown, playing for the Richmond Tigers, snapping his leg three seasons ago.  Amazingly, he returned from this injury to see some playing time last season.

(Be prepared at the 24 second mark to see the camera angle you were holding out for.  It's rough.)

JR; Saw your PM and just responded.  Didn't check the Yahoo account for a week - sorry about that.

Thanks OZ, now that I just threw lunch up on my keyboard, I will spend the rest of the day cleaning it off. 

[bennie]

Bennie - I hope you saw Ovechkin flying around like a maniac last night, scoring four goals and getting an assist - the game winning goal with what appeared to be a broken nose. See you at the Caps/Bluejackets game next week - in Center Iceland.

I did not see the Caps game last night. I will go check out the highlights. Since there were no highlights from the BlueJacket game last night, I haven't even looked yet today. I am going to have to tape the Caps/BlueJacket game. I will be at a conference Sunday-Monday and have to go to Portland overnight on Tuesday. I won't get home until late Wednesday.*gasp* Four days with no hockey!!! I don't know who thought it was a good idea to schedule the conference for Super Bowl Sunday. They scheduled meetings right through the game. A few years ago they did the same thing except they actually planned a viewing party (with a big screen tv). One of the sponsors provided an open bar. Let's just say that after they got the bill they decided that they will never do that again. I know I did my fairshare of damage!