Friday

Hey, Good morning everyone! Before I get started, I am going to update you on what will be happening with the site next week. There will not be 'daily' updates, per se. What I plan on doing is just blogging when something comes up that I feel like writing. Maybe there will be a trade or a signing. Maybe the Twins will do something important. I will talk about the Vikings and Wolves and more. The only difference is that there will not be daily entries. But still, be sure to stop by often to see if I've made any additions.

This Christmas weekend seems like a really good time to acknowledge a lot of people who have helped make this site very fun, interesting and, in my opinion, successful this year. But who do I thank? I hate to start naming a lot of names and leave someone out. So, first I am just going to thank everyone! (that should cover me) But I do want to take a little time to thank a few people.

So many people helped me out with this site. There are a few other bloggers who have made this whole blogging thing a community. Stick & Ball Guy and I e-mailed more fairly frequently throughout the year. It is that interaction with others that is so much fun. David Bergner, aka The Baseball Savant, is another guy that I communicate with frequently. His site is still great despite the fact that he is also now going to medical school! But also I want to acknowledge and thank Bill Ferris, Aaron Gleeman, Trevor Born, Will Young, and Brent Hanson of BrentNet (who allowed me to be on one of his podcasts) who are some of the many bloggers that I read daily. And, I can't leave out all the great contributors at the Dickie Thon Twins Fan Forum.

Most importantly though, I need to thank all of you, the readers. At the beginning of the year, I was getting about 200 hits a day on the site, a number that I was happy with, but wanted more. In the last few weeks, that number has increased between 250% and 300% over the year, which is very exciting for me. More and more people took the time to e-mail me when they either agreed or disagreed. I totally appreciate that. It is fun for me to just simply get an e-mail from someone who says they have been reading the site for months and just wanted to say hi. That means a lot!

I have to thank a few readers a little more though. First and foremost, I really need to thank "Roger." As you know, he has been writing a guest column for me on Thursdays for most of the offseason. But Roger and I have been e-mailing back and forth on an almost daily basis for quite some time now. Like me, he is a big fan of following the Twins minor leaguers on their trek toward the big leagues. He has contributed a Why Baseball article, as well as his position reviews of the Twins system. So, thank you to Roger, and here are some of his articles:

Likewise, I need thank both James Mathewson and Mike Kramer who also wrote great guest columns for me.

Another post-season series that we had here was the Why Baseball articles. I wanted fans and readers to tell us what it is about baseball that makes us all love it so much. The response was excellent, and I want to thank everyone that participated (and would encourage others who may be interested to e-mail me). Here are the Why Baseball articles. I would encourage you to check them out if you missed them, or maybe even read them again:

I have to also thank "Mike" the owner of GuardDog Watches for his help with promoting these articles and other contests. I have heard such great comments on the product from a couple of the people who 'won' one in the contests! So, thank you Mike!

Also, following the season, I was able to do a number of great Q&As with some of the Twins minor league players and several media members who followed them. I really enjoy the interaction with the players and learning more about others through the very people that cover them. Here are the people who have taken the time to answer my questions over the past year. Thank you! (and, if any other Twins minor leaguers happen to read this and would be interested in participating in a Q&A, send me a quick e-mail!):

I also want to thank Rita Maloney, Dan Geiger and Rocco Bonello of WCCO radio. I have been on the radio a few times throughout the year. They allowed me the opportunity to appear monthly on their Saturday Twins Magazine show, and it culminated with an appearance at the WCCO booth at the State Fair where I got to be on stage with the Twins Geek and the Twins Junkie, Rita, Steve Thompson, Erik Nelson and former Twins All-Star Ron Coomer. Thanks to them for the opportunities that they have given to me.

Again, there are probably hundreds more that I should be thanking, and I just know that I have left people out. I hope that I didn't offend anyone. I of course need to thank all my friends and family for their support of this site. And again, most importantly, thank you to all of the readers and particularly those of you who have taken the time to write and introduce yourself or share an opinion or ask a question. I hope you will continue to do so!

Well, yesterday the Twins made what will likely be their final big plunge into the free agent market. First, it was a solid on-base 2B in Luis Castillo. Next, the Twins signed 30 homer, no on-base 3B Tony Batista out of Japan. Yesterday, the Twins signed their DH. It wasn't Frank Thomas. It wasn't Mike Piazza. Instead, Terry Ryan chose to sign veteran Rondell White.

My first reaction was a quick bout with disappointment. I guess I thought that the Twins were going to sign Mike Piazza who I think would have been a better fit. I was simultaneously thrilled that they did not sign Frank Thomas! But as I think about it more and more, I am satisfied with the White signing. It makes sense. First, he is guaranteed $3.25 million. He will make $2.5 million in 2006 and has a $750,000 option for 2007 which automatically vests if he gets X number of plate appearances during the season. If he gets that many plate appearances, it means he is staying healthy and being productive. If he does those things, the most he will cost the Twins is $8.5 million over two years, which is not excessive, and certainly less than the two other DH options would have received.

Now, White is not a prototypical cleanup hitter because he does not have big-time power. But he has consistently had very solid slugging percentages. He hits lefties. He hits righties. He is a very professional, veteran hitter. Just exactly what the Twins needed and wanted. I read that he is a very good teammate and leader which this team really does need, I think!

Overall, this is not a drop-dead, sure thing signing. White does have an injury history. But he will be the team's DH and play little, if any, in the outfield which should help him try to remain more healthy. If he can play in 140 games, that would be great.

Where does this leave the team? I see this potential lineup:

Shannon Stewart LF

Luis Castillo 2B

Joe Mauer C

Rondell White DH

Torii Hunter CF

Justin Morneau 1B

Tony Batista 3B

Michael Cuddyer/Lew Ford/Jason Kubel RF

Jason Bartlett SS

That is a pretty solid lineup which the exception of Batista at 3B. If the Twins are able to get the consistent, high-quality starting pitching that they have in recent years, they could score some more runs and win some more games.

Overall, I am not thrilled about the Twins Hot Stove League performance. I'm happy about Castillo because he is a professional, on-base hitter at the top of the order. I am happy about Rondell White because of his professionalism and ability. I am not at all thrilled about the Batista signing.

We were led to believe that there would be some major additions to the team, and I did think that they might finally be a player with bigger name free agents. I wasn't kidding myself into thinking that Johnny Damon or Paul Konerko were going to come to Minnesota. I thought maybe Jim Thome would, or other names heard in trade rumors since the Twins have the best prospects with which to deal. However, the Twins made some slight overall improvement to their lineup without messing with their core guys (Mauer, Morneau and Bartlett). They also did not trade any of their real high-level pitching prospects for a short-term fix. In that way, it was very good.

For the Twins to maintain any level of competitiveness over a number of years, they need to build primarily from within. That is not lost upon Terry Ryan, and that is a good thing. That said, the White Sox have had a great offseason, and Cleveland still has a far better lineup. But the Twins still have the great pitching which even with a little more offensive support may make them a 90 win team. Will that be enough to finish above third place in the division? I guess we'll see.

Also, Terry Ryan isn't necessarily done either. My guess is that he will now supplement the organization with a series of minor league signings. Most of them will maybe be invited to spring training and spend the rest of the year as insurance in Rochester. I also expect the Twins to bring in a few cheap left-handed relievers to compete for a couple of bullpen jobs with the likes of Francisco Liriano, Dave Gassner, Jason Miller and Ricky Barrett. But again, there will not be another major signing.

However, Mr. Ryan still could make a trade. I mean, if the Rangers back off their hopes for Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker, then the Twins would be more than happy to acquire Hank Blalock.

Don't get me wrong! I am no less of a Twins fanatic. I am very excited for the 2006 season. I just wonder if the team, as-is, can finish above third place in the division.

Any thoughts on the Twins roster at this point? Are you disappointed or optimistic still? E-mail me, or post some comments here.

With the games being played on Christmas Eve Day and a few on Christmas Day, it is short weeks for most of the teams. How will our panelists pick this week. Will Cory Hepola be able to make up any ground on Trevor Born for the league lead. And, can Stick & Ball Guy be a leader for the fourth straight week? Let's see here!

	Seth Stohs	Stick & Ball Guy	Ben Jacobs	Aaron Gleeman	Grant Balfour	Kevin Slowey
	SethSpeaks.net	Stick & Ball Guy	Hardball Times	Aaron's BB Blog	Minnesota Twins Pitcher	Twins Pitching Prospect
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay	Falcons	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Falcons
Dallas @ Carolina	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers	Cowboys
Jacksonville @ Houston	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers by 20
San Francisco @ St. Louis	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams
Philadelphia @ Arizona	Cardinals	Eagles	Eagles	Cardinals	Eagles	Cardinals
Oakland @ Denver	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Buffalo @ Cincinnati	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals
Detroit @ New Orleans	Saints	Lions	Saints	Saints	Lions	Saints
NY Giants @ Washington	Giants	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Giants	Giants
San Diego @ Kansas City	Chargers	Chargers	Chiefs	Chiefs	Chargers	Chargers
Tennessee @ Miami	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins
Indianapolis @ Seattle	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Colts	Seahawks
Chicago @ Green Bay	Bears	Bears	Bears	Bears	Bears	Bears
Minnesota @ Baltimore	Vikings	Ravens	Vikings	Ravens	Ravens	Vikings
New England @ NY Jets	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots

	Will Young	Trevor Born	Brent Hanson	Cory Hepola	Mike Brasel	Melissa Lien
	Will's Twins Weblog	Twins Junkie	BrentNet	KTVH-TV	Fantasy FB Guru	SethSpeaks.net
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs
Dallas @ Carolina	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers	Panthers
Jacksonville @ Houston	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
San Francisco @ St. Louis	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams	Rams
Philadelphia @ Arizona	Cardinals	Cardinals	Eagles	Eagles	Cardinals	Eagles
Oakland @ Denver	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Buffalo @ Cincinnati	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals	Bengals
Detroit @ New Orleans	Lions	Saints	Saints	Saints	Saints	Lions
NY Giants @ Washington	Giants	Redskins	Giants	Giants	Redskins	Giants
San Diego @ Kansas City	Chargers	Chiefs	Chargers	Chiefs	Chargers	Chargers
Tennessee @ Miami	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins
Indianapolis @ Seattle	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks
Chicago @ Green Bay	Bears	Bears	Bears	Bears	Bears	Bears
Minnesota @ Baltimore	Vikings	Vikings	Vikings	Ravens	Ravens	Ravens
New England @ NY Jets	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots

Saturday –

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay – Buccs 10-2

Dallas @ Carolina – Panthers 11-1

Jacksonville @ Houston – Jaguars 12-0

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland – Steelers 12-0

San Francisco @ St. Louis – Rams 12-0

Philadelphia @ Arizona – Tie 6-6

Oakland @ Denver – Broncos 12-0

Buffalo @ Cincinnati – Bengals 12-0

Detroit @ New Orleans – Saints 8-4

NY Giants @ Washington – Giants 7-5

San Diego @ Kansas City – Chargers 8-4

Tennessee @ Miami – Dolphins 12-0

Indianapolis @ Seattle – Seahawks 11-1

Sunday –

Chicago @ Green Bay – Bears 12-0

Minnesota @ Baltimore – Tie 6-6

Monday –

New England @ NY Jets – Patriots 12-0

And on that note, I will call it a day and a week. I hope you all have a very happy holiday weekend! If you have any questions or comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.