Cuddy

[Scott K]

It sure seems that Cuddyer is much better on offense when he is playing at 1st base. Maybe a full time move? Move Justin to 3rd?

[SledNeck]

I wouldnt crown him based on one good game at the plate

[harvey lee]

Justin is still a better 1st baseman in regards to skills. Cuddy has done a good job but it will be Justin's position when he is ready.

I do not believe Justin will be taken off 1st unless he wants that.

[The J-Man!]

It sure seems that Cuddyer is much better on offense when he is playing at 1st base. Maybe a full time move? Move Justin to 3rd?

That's crazy talk. You have quickly forgotten just how good Justin Morneau is.

And if we are going to play musical chairs with players playing defensive positions why not move Mauer to 2B, give Kubel some work at SS, maybe Span has secretly always wanted to play catcher...

[Scott K]

I agree Justin is a good defensive 1st basemen, and much better then Cuddyer there, but maybe Justin would be a great 3rd basemen as well?

Justin is in good shape, and fairly young yet, he should be capable of playing a postion that is a little more athletic commanding then 1st base.

Although, it seems that Justin has a problem staying healthy even at first base.

[CodyDawg]

Justin's injuries have been while hitting/running the bases, have they not?

I dont think you move a Morneau to make way for Cuddy to play first. In fact, one could make a case that Kubel should be getting the RF at bats when Morneausy comes back. that would make way for Thome to be the DH with his 15 HRs in a lot fewer ABs than Cuddy's 11. Platoon Cuddy against lefties? Give him a few ABs in right, at 3B, if Justin needs a rest, etc. That way, you make the most out of his ability to play different positions and minimize his horrible hitting in the clutch.

[soldoncass]

I know one thing.....Kubel shouldn't be batting against lefties.

[Big Dave2]

Justin's injuries have been while hitting/running the bases, have they not?

I dont think you move a Morneau to make way for Cuddy to play first. In fact, one could make a case that Kubel should be getting the RF at bats when Morneausy comes back. that would make way for Thome to be the DH with his 15 HRs in a lot fewer ABs than Cuddy's 11. Platoon Cuddy against lefties? Give him a few ABs in right, at 3B, if Justin needs a rest, etc. That way, you make the most out of his ability to play different positions and minimize his horrible hitting in the clutch.

I don't know what it is going to take to convince some people that Thome is no longer an every day DH. Sure he will hit a good amount of home runs but that is about ALL he can do for you. He is an excellend option off the bench late in games because if he does not hit a home run, he WILL need to be pinch run for. He just can't run any more plus his batting average is just a touch better than Nicky Punto.

There is more to life than just Home runs.

[Musky Buck]

I think Thome's value is in the clubhouse, and suckin down beer for team comraderie, and hunting deer, neither Mauer or Morneau want to be the leader, they're both soft spoken etc., lead by example types, Thome sure beats the Phil Nevin, Tony Batista, Ruben Sierra, Buck Buchanon, Matthew LeCroy, Aaron Boone, reach for a power source hope we were looking for and at 2 million ? Dave the all he can do for you, that's about all any team is looking for in a DH, go check the AL stats on DH's, there aren't very many good ones, heck David Ortiz.......Thome would kill him in a 40 yard dash. jk

[jwmiller33]

There is more to life than just Home runs.

you didnt mention this at all in the Mauer thread when arguing about his lack of power

[zamboni]

Why is that the place to put people? Mauer can't catch anymore- stick him at 3rd. Morneau needs to get moved- stick him at 3rd. Thats not the easiest position to play, and who knows if either can handle it?

[harvey lee]

Scott, we have a pretty good 3rd baseman now. NO need to move anyone there.

[JBMasterAngler]

Let's put cuddyer in the bullpen and be done with it

[Big Dave2]

you didnt mention this at all in the Mauer thread when arguing about his lack of power

I don't know that I ever said much about his lack of power. I was talking about his lack of games played, but now that you mention it, it would be nice to get a bit more power out of him next year for 23 mil.

[Bobby Bass]

Why would you move an all star first basemen to third to make room for an outfielder to play first? Cuddy's home is right field and when Justin is back that is where Cuddy should be. In tonight's game if he( Cuddy) had the reach of Justin there would have been two less errors at first.

Twins are doing very well and having Justin return might be the little something extra they need for the final push. His return would be like making a big trade and bringing in a MVP to help you out, O wait He was an MVP

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

Why not try him out in the announcer booth???

[Ybone]

Ozzie just called Cuddyer the most underrated player in baseball.

[soldoncass]

That certainly is true for "some" posters on here anyway.

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

Ozzie has a "man crush" on most of the Twinks! He is using the Michael Corleone school of keeping your friends close but keeping your enemies closer!

[Coach1310]

I wish the Sux would have tanked this year, for a lot of reasons.... but mainly to see Ozzie get canned and have Gardy bring him over as bench coach!! Now that would be something..... he already loves the Twins and he would be a great interview every day..... you guys in Chi-town are spoiled!!

[PierBridge]

Ozzie just called Cuddyer the most underrated player in baseball.

Ozzie has played and managed his entire life, very successfully I may add. He gets the impact guys like Cuddy and Punto add to a team.

[Coach1310]

Ozzie has played and managed his entire life, very successfully I may add. He gets the impact guys like Cuddy and Punto add to a team.

Cuddy and Punto are both valuable to the Twins, but Punto's value is declining quite a bit this season if you ask me. His ability to play multiple positions, very well defensively are definitely valuable, HOWEVER, they are much more valuable when you have some suspect people at those positions. Right now we seem to have found a 3rd baseman, have an established short stop and second baseman. I like Punto, but his value isn't what it used to be.....

[PierBridge]

Good points as always coach...

But if you don't understand Punto's value this year there isn't much we can do for you guys. Yes I get he probably shouldn't be a starter or every day player but the money we have payed Punto this year and what he has done is nothing short of the best money we could have spent if you factor in all the injurys and great defense Punto has played.

Go Twins!

[Big Dave2]

Cuddy and Punto are both valuable to the Twins, but Punto's value is declining quite a bit this season if you ask me. His ability to play multiple positions, very well defensively are definitely valuable, HOWEVER, they are much more valuable when you have some suspect people at those positions. Right now we seem to have found a 3rd baseman, have an established short stop and second baseman. I like Punto, but his value isn't what it used to be.....

See coach........You argue to the death about the value of Joe Mauer who will make 23 mil next year but you can't see the value of a great defensive player making 1/5th that amount?

[Coach1310]

I know that Punto is valuable, but his value is slowly deteriorating because he really doesn't have a home anymore. He has a place on the Twins, but he isn't as valuable as he was before. I like Punto and I hope he is with the Twins for a few more years as a utility player. I just don't think he is as valuable as he used to be..