Dougy Baseball

[Piker]

Is it time for the Twins to pull the plug on the Doug Mientkiewicz plan? I think it's time to put Justin Morneau in the lineup.

[lots of luck]

Something has got to happen, 100% correct.
I'm tired of that "His defense saves runs argument." That lineup is void of power and first base is a power position. There are other players with more home runs then he has RBI, sad!!! Doug talked a lot when things were going great, I'm not hereing much now.

Didn't need Ortiz.

[Guest]

Oh geeze, Here we go again...........

[SCCO9803]

HE's got some mental issues! How I hear on KFAN that he's going to see a psychiatrist in AZ next week, to help him get over his slump. It's been the same for the past three years now, until the Twinkies buck up and spend some cash on a real pitcher and a real power hitter we're destined for AL Central glory and if this continues not even that.

[Guest]

I'm getting sick of people trying to blame the Twins woes on one guy. Now if the rest of the team were hitting like studs, then you have an argument, but when 13 out of the 14 somewhat regular players are batting right around .250 (the highest of those being Stewart at .287 and he's not even playing), you cannot blame Doug just because he's not the prototypical firstbaseman on the team's recent slide.

In a column today, Ulger said Doug is very close to breaking out of his mega-slump. I say give him another month, then if things do not improve make a change. The team is NOT, contrary to popular belief, in dire straights. We're not even at the all star break and they are within 2 games of first. What were they last year? 7 games out or something?

The sky is NOT falling....

[lots of luck]

Tom,

I misunderstood you, I thought Ulger was a columnist or something. I was thinking to myself, "Columnists and there opinions are often like A.... " well you know the rest.

Well we may just have our answer, the Fan is reporting there are moving Doug to 8th in the order.

Let's hope this lights a fire under his bumb. He may just respond. That would be sweet.

[Guest]

When he was hitting well, I think he was either batting 6th or 7th...don't remember.

I do know that his slump started right about the time he was moved up in the order...we'll see. Sometimes being placed in that spot does things to ones mindset, maybe he's just been trying too hard and we all know what happens when you do that playing ball. When he's on, he has such a sweet swing.

[lots of luck]

Another month? No way. I agree the whole team is having its hitting woes, but this has been an onoing issue for Dougy Baseball. And how do you just know that someone is going to come out of a slump? Another month the Sox might be 12-15 games out in front. Fortunate its a **** division.

[Guest]

Well, lets see, if you are refering to Ulgers comment, I think he is a bit more qualified to answer that question than you or I for that matter. He works with him every day for hours on end...you just see him maybe at the cage before the game, on TV and what you read in the papers....

Does that answer your question?

[Guest]

Dougie Update:

Last 3 games....

5 for 11 (.455)
5 RBI
4 Runs
2 HR

Could this be the end of the slump???

[lots of luck]

Saw Dougy Baseball's 2 run dong the other night, looking up for him.

[Jarrod32]

Yep...he's hitting much better since being moved back down to 7th or 8th in the order. Some guys are just more comfortable (or less comfortable) in different places in the batting order. It's all mental, but the great game of baseball is a very cerebral game, so it does make a difference.

[The Grebe]

With these new guys knocking the ball all over the place, even immediately after comming off the injured list (Punto) and more of them chomping at the bit to come up, a couple of the regulars are going to have to step up and start getting down to cases, one in particular!

[Piker]

I should probably clarify a little here. I think Doug's a very good ball player and arguable the best defensive 1B in the game. To top it off, everything I hear about him as a person far exceeds the great things he does on the field. I think competition is good though, and I know Doug's a fisherman so maybe he read this and that inspired him to start hitting. . The Twins are in first place, so all is not lost.

[The Grebe]

DM certainly has been getting some hits, and he may very well be reading these posts!

"Dougie, if you keep that bat going, you da man!" The way you play 1st base, topped with the hot bat, you really would be "Dougie Baseball!"

[IFallsRon]

The Twins can package a light-hitting first baseman with a couple prospects and Jones to trade for Randy Johnson.

[Guest]

Wont happen.

Pohlad will never take on his salary.

Sounds like the white sox are trying to make a move to get him though.

The price will be steep, like a whole bunch of prospects and 1, 2 or even 3 big league players.

[The Grebe]

I don't believe we will ever see a Nolan Ryan, Clemens, Glavin, or a Randy Johnson, brought to the Twins, not while their arms are still hot! $$$$

[Jarrod32]

It'll take more than 'a couple' prospects to get Randy Johnson. The D-Backs asked the Angels for Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, AND someone else. The Twins would need to cough up Morneau AND either Ford or Restovich for any chance of getting Randy J...and then would have to eat his salary for the next year and a half. Not gonna happen.

The Twins will probably make a move for a starter...look for Batista (from the Blue Jays), Kris Benson (from the Pirates), or maybe Livan Hernandez (from the Expos). Any of those guys would be nice...then move Lohse to the fifth spot, and have a decent rotation.

[Guest]

Batista would be sweet. Not bad stats considering he's on a bad team in a good division.

[The Grebe]

Cheez, how bad can DM be feeling right now? Did anyone catch Reusses column this morning? The Twins want to peddal him and nobody wants him!

If you caught the game last night, DM was our total offense and a good portion of defense...why would he wait until the 11th hour, to start swinging the bat?

It obviously is'nt because he can't hit, the other troops were swinging at the same pitches? He has a good eye at the plate, which means he can see the ball really well, he gets alot of walks.

It is'nt luck, players don't get lucky 3 times in a row against a pitcher that is striking everyone else out, so what is it?

Those in the know on the team must know what it is and that is probably why he is being offered up for trade.

[The Grebe]

Fate is a fickle mistress! From a maybe trade, to a Cubs trade, and traded again to Boston, and is in their dugout, the team he whipped up on the night before! What a weird turn of events! This should put the saga of DM to bed, unless he makes a miraculous turn around with his offense and comes back to haunt us somehow. "Adios"!

[Guest]

Ok, So you tick off the manager and you get traded...for what? someone who may never play in the bigs!

I hope Doug tears it up in Boston. Just hope to heck Justin does not fall flat or get hurt down the stretch run.

And how about Normar? Going from one cursed team to another!!

And what were the White Sox thinking? Tade their best pitcher for someone who has struggled the last month or so? I can't believe ANY team in the AL would help the Yankees bolster thier team.....So does this say the Sox are conceeding defeat already?

[Jarrod32]

Not a lot of market for a good-D, light hitting first baseman. Not unlike John Olerud (Olerud and Minky had remarkably similar stats this year) who was released outright by the Mariners.

A decent low-level prospect was all he could bring. I am a little disappointed that the Twins didn't trade an outfield prospect (Restovich is expendable) for some more starting pitching depth.

[Flash King]

Jarrod32 - the last "low level propect" involving the B- SOX was Lew Ford.