Rauch to Jays

[zamboni]

$3.25 Mill next season. Not bad. If he can prevent the Yanks from going to the post season- good for him!

[DonBo]

Sounds like Fuentes is gone too. The bullpen appears to be taking a big hit this year.

[ozzie]

do we have a bullpen this year? I know we have Capps a recovering Nathan and hope in Neshek but what else we got.....lost Fuentes, Crain, Matt G., Rauch and I am sure I am missing a few.....

[mrklean]

yea what use to be a strength for the twins is now the biggest weakness

[ozzie]

well I guess we got Perkins out in the bullpen also.....yeah!!

[The J-Man!]

The Twins bullpen should consist of 7 or 8 of the following:

Nathan

Capps

Mijares

Neshek

Perkins

Hoey (rec in the Hardy trade)

Diamond (signed from Atlanta)

Burnett

Slama

Delaney

Waldrop

And if we resign Pavano that leaves one of our starters as a potential bullpen guy. Perhaps Duensing, Blackburn, Baker or Slowey.

There will be some new names in our pen for sure, and I would have liked to retain Rauch at that price. But the size of the contracts given out to Guerrier, Crain, Fuentes, etc. was way too much to spend. I also feel we overpaid for Capps. With the $7+ mil we gave him we could have retained Rauch and perhaps Crain.

[DonBo]

I think we needed to keep Capps at most any price. He'll be THE closer this year. There's no way Nathan is going to be back 100% at any point this season, if ever.

[thatoneguy]

capps is not the answer unless the question is, "you know who's a guy who only has one pitch - a flat fastball - that he can consistently throw over the plate?"

[DonBo]

He may not be the answer, but he's all we got for now. Nathan's not gonna be able to handle it. Slama? Not yet. Neshak? Please. Hopefully we'll be able to trade for someone once the season starts and we really see where the needs are.

[The J-Man!]

I agree that Capps will be the closer unless Nathan has a miraculous recovery.

Billy Wagner came back last season one year removed from Tommy John surgery and had 37 saves with a 1.43 era with Atlanta. Others have as well, so it is possible Nathan could be the closer with Capps as his setup man.

[Far-I]

what about Manship? is going to be around at all?

[The J-Man!]

what about Manship? is going to be around at all?

I believe so. There is another name to throw in the bullpen hat!

[Stcloudangler]

And if we resign Pavano that leaves one of our starters as a potential bullpen guy. Perhaps Duensing, Blackburn, Baker or Slowey.

Well, now thats done, if one of these has to go, please, please, don't make the same mistake twice! Duensing does NOT belong in the pen, we need 2 lefty starters, and he has proven he is more than ready. Send any of the other 3, they are all carbon copies anyway.

[zamboni]

I know the ace titles loosely thrown around, but hopefully everyones favorite moustached pitcher is the guy- and not stink pot Scott

[Far-I]

I believe so. There is another name to throw in the bullpen hat!

Another name for the bullpen hat, and a good one, Dusty Hughes! Signed on waivers from the Royals....heeehaw!

The royals are losing all their arms this year aren't they. must realize they dont stand a chance with MN being dominant and CHi and Det both seriously beefing up too. Bring on some baseball!