This offseason really does seem to suck.

Does this mean that Tyner, Williams and LeCroy are gone gone, or just that they are in AAA and off the 40 man roster?

I need the geek! Does BG know?

First Newmie leaves and now this? Sheesh. What a rotten day.

Dear Mr. Brian,

I believe the answer is that for a major leaguer, it's pretty much good-bye, (he can refuse the assignment and become a free agent) but for a minor leaguer they may try to settle on a minor league contract, as they said they would with Li'l Abner. Let me see what I can find out.

Sincerely,
BG

Sadly, unless you are playing, there really isn't a fun part of this time of the year. Just ask the D-Rays front office, which finally blew up yesterday.

Speaking of blowups, maybe it's time for an Ultimate Fighting championship in Legovision between all those battling Twins. So everybody can get it out of their systems before spring training.

also, it looks like our hopes of a stadium are kuput and the Twins will be looking to relocate in the next year. :(

Good news? Cuddyer's knee surgery was "successful". Well, it's good news to me, and I'll take what I can get, today.

Williams and Tyner really puzzles me.

Good point, Beth. Why outright two guys who don't cost the organization anything? Does that just mean they're officially Redwings until they get non-roster invites in the spring? Or can they leave/get claimed/something?

Well, they're clearing space on the 40-man roster to make moves, and it seems to be an indication that the players aren't in their plans, but maybe with the minor leaguers that will change. I know LeCroy can leave, but I don't know about the other two. I assume this also means they're vulnerable to a Rule V draft.

God, what a horseshit couple of days for Twins fans. I'm sure we all expected Mays' option to get declined. But still:

-Newmie's gone.

-LeCroy too.

-Glenn Williams and Jason Tyner, both of whom showed some promise, are going to AAA (at least there's a chance they'll remain Twins).

-It's looking less likely that the Twins stadium deal will even be discussed if a special session is called.

I'm going to go have a few drinks with Dad to see if he can talk me in off the ledge.

*sigh*

WHY? -cries in the corner- I was sad to see Newmie go, but now Tyner? I loved that guy. Hopefully he'll be sticking around. Mays I can deal with. That's what Baker and Liriano are for. We don't need Mays to succeed. In most cases he caused us our losses. -shrugs- I miss Newmie and Tyner!! -cries some more-

I'm trying to stay positive, and hope that all these changes mean really great things are about to happen for next season. It always hurts to get rid of old friends, but maybe something really great will be born of it.

Of course, it could be another 1993... Oy.

I feel the need to sing that little radio commercial from a couplefew years ago one last time: "we've got Joe Mays on the mound, ain't that a beautiful sight . . . " I agree with Batgirl and definitely do wish Joe well and hope he does great . . . preferably in the National League someplace.

As for Matty LeCroy, I wish him well too. He seemed like a great guy. Love those dance moves! Loved the bow tie he wore on my wedding day! But we really do need a better DH or someone to fill that roster spot who can play more positions maybe.

Oh man! Now I will never see Matthew LeCroy hit for the cycle. :-(

What a sad day in Twins baseball... I am going to miss Newmie and LeCroy. Scottie should have been the scapegoat not these two. I guess I'll just sit through the offseason and pray that I will be able to see Justin play in the spring.

Why do I keep finding myself in long-distance relationships?

Dear Mr. Young,

Oh, honey. I didn't even think. I'm so sorry.

Concerned,
BG

Aarghh!!!! First Big Al, my most favorite utility player when I was in Jr. high and now LeRoy. I am firmly convinced, the Twinkies may win next year, but there damn sure won't be any joy (in Mudville or anywhere else) in it.

Chris in Flagstaff, AZ
(whose tiny consolation is that Newmie is going to the REALLY sucky team that is only a 2 hour drive to see)
((but as an advance scout - hopefully one day a bench coach))

I'm sad to see Al go. A tiff between Al and Gardy is like watching a fight between two friends, and it bites that it has to end this way.

As for the outrightin' thingee, we simply can't allow ourselves to be frustrated about the way this season went and then shed tears for a trio of second-tier performers. Tyner and Williams are basically Triple-A guys, 24th and 25th players on a major league roster at best.

And LeCroy, as much as I like the Bubbadoodle, simply is ubproductive by DH standards. He gets overmatched by hard throwers and fooled by soft tossers. He's a DH and a DH only, and if the Twins are really looking for "professional hitters," they can't waste another roster spot with a guy who can't play the field.

We all want the Twins to make changes are return to the top of a division that clearly improved mightily in 2005, right? Traditonally, the Twins have only opened up 1 or 2 roster spots in October. By knocking a bundle of players off the 40-man roster, it shows that Terry Ryan may be ready to make some serious moves.

I mean, I'd really like Paul Konerko to be the full-time DH next year, for example.

I take the moves as good news -- and maybe even a message to Gardy, whom i really like, that he took the loyalty routine a bit too far this season.

That being said, I miss Al already.

I love how baseball can make a person feel conflicted. Don't you?

YAY !!!!!

BOSTON SUCKS !!!!!!!

WOOO HOOOOOO !!!!!!!!

Let's Go Yankees !!!

Hooray that the Sox swept the Sawks!!!

AJ Peirziynski is my new favorite non Yankee. Any catcher that can score on a suicide squeeze is alright in my book. :)

An AL East-free ALCS would be fantastic.

glenn williams still has had a hit in every major league game he has played in, and jason tyner has my favorite number, and matthew lecroy hit so many homers this year for being on the bench part of it... and newmie... *sigh* at least now we'll see some new pitchers (baker or liriano), but unfortunately, they'll lose 1-0 games because we're getting rid of all of our offense!

What a weird move by the Twins. (Big LeRoy, I mean; Tyner is the less useful, less superheroic, outfielder version of Little Nicky Punto.) At 29 and with his obvious limitations, I don't think this will turn into David Ortiz II, but why would you effectively release a guy who can play multiple positions (albeit not super-well, but still), mashes in your home ballpark (.925-ish OPS at the Dome vs. .670-ish everywhere else; I just checked the splits, but the short-term memory... not so good), and pounds lefties in a division where your rivals have a few lefty relief specialists and rotation regulars? This coming off a year when he hit 17 homers in very part-time work, no less--I doubt the Twins had a better power threat off the bench, or have one coming up in the high minors, good as their system is.

Was any justification given?

Hi-

A big Central Division cheer for the Bitch Sox--I am loving the sweep of the Red Sox. I am finding myself getting into their quest (who knew?) being that our boys are, well, on vacation.

LeCroy--I believe he is as sweet as the day is long. However, he needs to be gone. No speed, not enough power nor consistency. The other two (Tyner and Williams)--ok but no great loss. I hope it signals some new more potent blood is coming to the Twins. I hope I hope....

Al Newman--a great loss to me. I love his enthusiam and his deep Twins ties. But this is an emotional tug. I am not sure of his 3rd base coaching ability. But then how hard is it?

I'm hoping the Yankees choke. I am bored with all the attention the Red Sox and the Yanks get on ESPN. There are other teams ya know.

Will it help if we all email/call our legislators and Pawlenty about the stadium deal and the special session? If you call could you mention saving Mpls. teacher's pensions too (we want to merge with the rest of the state teacher pension fund)--I want a retirement some day so I can soakup the sun in Florida in March and watch Spring training games.
Thanks.

Thinking Spring,

kal

Williams...Tyner! After the seasons they had! ...

Now we're down THREE infielders, at least ONE outfielder...and a DH.

So wow...what next?

Tyner 18 games
Williams 13 games
Those are hardly "seasons."

After 18 games this season, Justin Morneau was batting .415 -- and we all know what happened after that.

Let's not turn bit players into the '05 White Sox.

As for stadiums, I still don't understand the logic of any kind of subsidy where taxpayers finance a stadium so an incredibly rich guy can have a few more revenue streams.

Racists and hate-mongers talk about poor people (read: people of color) feeling a sense of entitlement. Ain't nuthin' compared to what the ultra-rich expect from the rest of us.

If I called Pawlenty, I'd tell him to find 100 rich folks to chip in $5 million each and build a stadium with a friggin' retractable roof.

I miss Al already.

Yeah, when I get my paycheck, I am buying an offseason sucks shirt. That is all about this offseason.

Come on guys, its not like we just broke up the '27 Yankees.