Now we head to Texas?! This might get worse before it gets better.
51 thoughts on “July 25, 2011: Rangers”
Huge thanks to bootsy for organizing yesterday's mini-caucus, and thanks to all of the citizens who were able to make it. I had a great time chatting with all of you and putting faces to handles.
Oh, and Surly rocks.
Stick, heartfelt thanks for all you have done over the years to bring us together. Yesterday was just more confirmation that you are The Man.
Not to get all maudlin, but I feel like I've known you and bootsy forever.
Thanks free, banjo, amr, (ben, whose handle is escaping me at the moment, good luck wither the bar exam--remember "supercold"), algonad, and Sean. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone.
Meat, you will be happy? To know that one topic of discussion was "what meat is saying in his art work". Of course, that was after several rounds....
My reward for attending, besides the company, was receiving a copy of Pos' BIG RED MACHINE from E-6, which he received from Big Mak. It's moving to the front of my queue. After I read it, I am going to sign the inside cover and send it to brianS. He can throw it away if he wants, but I'm hoping he reads it, signs it, and sends it to another citizen.
I am also going to take a book from my collection, andd send it to someone so that they can enjoy it. I might be on to something.
Yeah, I like the sound of this.
This is very cool. Now I'm just bummed I didn't sign my name before shipping it out.
Me, too (though I suspect Doc's daughter is capable of forging a signature.)
Heh. I can make that happen.
From our minor league updates:
Denard Span was 0-for-4, dropping his average to .150 (3-for-20).
I'd say it's worse.
Nice part is, they still have 28 games against the three division opponents ahead of them in the race; still control their own fortunes.
Against left-handed pitching this season, the Twins are 17-12.
Against all teams that aren't the Tigers, the Twins are playing .500 baseball. Against all teams that aren't the Twins, the Tigers are playing .500 baseball. If they can somehow exorcise those Tigers demons, they may have a shot at this thing.
Slow day, huh.
In that case, I'll just mention how much I love Zappos. I ordered some new shoes and they have free 4-5 day shipping. Then about an hour later I got an email saying they bumped me to overnight shipping free. They've done this all 3 times I've gotten shoes from them.
Slow day, huh.
I was wondering about that myself. Aren't Mondays usually pretty busy around here? Anyway, for my part, I've been writing. As for everyone else, but I'll go ahead and assume the Caucusers are hung over and that the rest are getting annoyed with the hometown nine.
I can probably answer this since you never sent anything my way, but did you decide not to do Machine of Death? Again, thanks for spotting those tense issues in mine.
I didn't write anything, no. I wanted to, but there is way to much else going down right now.
That's what I assumed. Well, I might be running it as another late-game challenge in Spookymilk Survivor next season (or even this one, I suppose), so maybe you can jump on with the "deadline" and save it for Machine of Death 3.
I just got back from vacation and have far to much actual work to do to comment outside lunch.
I'm with you there. I was out of the office last week and am thus swamped today.
Zappos is pretty great. Even without the little extra things they do which sweeten the transaction, I don't mind giving them my business instead of a big box like DSW.
That said, I won't be buying any more running shoes through them; I found a great local store which offers free fittings and returns if you're not completely satisfied after two weeks of running. The guy who helped me examined my feet, then gave me everything he had in stock to try on. Considering I have wide, flat feet, that was about 6 or 8 pairs of shoes and thirty minutes of his time. He wrote down the two that fit me best in case the pair I took home didn't work out, but I've had absolutely no complaints. That's how to build customer loyalty.
A case that will only be of interest to SBG, strategery and Can of Corn.
I went ahead and read it since I was bored. I found it both somewhat interesting and a great reminder why I didn't follow Dad into the legal profession.
Thanks W; just before I chuckled I suffered a momentary bout of PTSD.
Good God.
LOL.
"our assessment of them was a bit adrift."
I needed that line.
Any potential deal should include the Nats taking Capps back.
I'd throw up if the Twins made this deal for a reliever.
I'm not confident in BS's ability to get a fair return on any trade. I shudder to think what that clownshoes would find a respectable haul for a young CF/LF. Indeed, if he trades Span based on need (RP) and not a fair return, I'm gonna go full-on Stribbie on his ass.
Won't happen given Revere's struggles and the fact that neither Joe Benson or Aaron Hicks has been promoted this season.
That makes perfect sense, but I hope it's true.
I'd consider trading a package including Span if the return was a cost controlled ace pitcher (Ubaldo, Strasburg) plus a solid cost controlled middle infielder. And even then, I'd hesitate because it would open up a huge hole in center field. They stupidly traded away Bartlett, and 3 years later, they're still looking for a good answer at shortstop (because they stupidly traded away the best option they have had or will have in years to have money to re-sign a luxury). I don't think Revere is the answer longterm at CF, and I think that Benson/Hicks are way too far away and it would ruin the Twins' chances to contend in the next couple of years.
The problem with the Twins front office is that they don't really hide their moves well. If it's rumored they're discussing trading him, it is far too realistic that it could happen. Smith also seems too reactionary, and not nearly proactive enough. If they're going to make a trade at the deadline this year, I'd hope it's someone who can help in 2012 as well. I don't think they're at the point where the team needs to be blown up, so trading just to trade is idiotic.
The problem with the Twins front office is that they don't really hide their moves well.
Which is why everyone knew Gomez was going to be traded for Hardy. The Twins have traditionally been tight-lipped, but not every front office is like that.
There isn't even a rumor of a discussion. It was just a statement that the Nats are interested. Doesn't mean they've reached out to the Twins or that the Twins are even listening.
Benson/Hicks are way too far away and it would ruin the Twins' chances to contend in the next couple of years
Like trading Bartlett ruined their chances? Benson is in his second season at AA and playing well. I think he was injured for a while but I think the reason he's still in AA is because New Britain is contending and Rochester is not. He's not that far away. However, I don't see the Twins trading Span because he's cheap and under their control for a while, while Cuddyer and Kubel will be free agents and Delmon has only one more season after this, so a lot of outfield spots will be opening up.
Yup, that sounds like a Bill Smith trade.
Dave Cameron could use some support as he begins a tough fight against probability. Despite saddling the Twins with the #6org Curse, I know there's a lot of respect for his analysis here.
Good luck, Dave.
Oh, gross. All my best to him.
Heard about it today. That's bad news.
I hope the Twins hit a bunch of HRs and limit Texas to very few this series
New plan fellas (well, a slight tweek to my current plan)
I need to be in Prague by October 16th. My friend wants to go to Oktoberfest in Munich for a couple of day starting September 26th. Assuming I'm in Munich for 5 days, that leaves me two whole weeks to "kill". Anyone been anywhere cool in that part of the world that isn't Vienna?
If it were me, I'd be going to Budapest. Well, after I visited the tiny village my family emigrated from; no one has been back in 100 years.
I just thought of this: is Omar coming with you?
Nope, I'm going to be living & traveling very lightly. Omar is moving in with his aunt and her fiancee (sister and future BiL).
If you want to Dink around Germany for a bit and get a train pass you could always hit up köln and Frankfurt. I really enjoyed eheir city centers n. My wife suggests nice.
A Germany/Czech Rep. combined railpass is looking like the likely option.
Köln is a great town. Sheenie's parents just returned from Budapest and found it very enjoyable.
I'd suggest the smålands in Sweden, but, really, you're not there in mid june so it may be better to head south.
Just spent ~$300 for coolant for our upstairs air conditioner. Looks like we'll be replacing that unit sometime instead of getting a sprinkler system installed. Dang.
While it's been hot here, it hasn't been record setting hot. Well, yes it has, I guess: we've set a record for highest low daily temperature for 5-6 days now. 🙁
CC to Mags: What, if anything, do you know about Donegal? I may be headed that direction later this fall.
Donegal is a very beautiful-in-a-rugged-way place. It can have some pretty rough weather sometimes with storms and winds coming down out of the north Atlantic and slamming into the coast. I never made it that far north myself, but I've only heard good things. I have a friend who student taught at Letterkenny for few months and she loved it there.
Travel-related, meat: it turns out the Milkmaid saw both the Grand Canyon and the Desert Museum as a girl. She's in favor of seeing both again, though.
I'm pretty sure that your kid-os will enjoy the desert museum. I was pretty fascinated by the humming bird enclosure that you can enter.
Skim seemed pretty entranced by the photos of the Desert Museum on the internets, so I assume it would translate to real life.
The Twins had been looking to trade Jose Mijares before tonight, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter link). The left-hander allowed five hits and four runs in 2/3 innings in tonight's blowout against the Rangers.
let me guess, he has a grating personality, right?
Its grating to me, anyway.
At this point, I don't care if they don't get anything for him. Send him down to AAA and pretend he no longer exists.
Huge thanks to bootsy for organizing yesterday's mini-caucus, and thanks to all of the citizens who were able to make it. I had a great time chatting with all of you and putting faces to handles.
Oh, and Surly rocks.
Stick, heartfelt thanks for all you have done over the years to bring us together. Yesterday was just more confirmation that you are The Man.
Not to get all maudlin, but I feel like I've known you and bootsy forever.
Thanks free, banjo, amr, (ben, whose handle is escaping me at the moment, good luck wither the bar exam--remember "supercold"), algonad, and Sean. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone.
Meat, you will be happy? To know that one topic of discussion was "what meat is saying in his art work". Of course, that was after several rounds....
My reward for attending, besides the company, was receiving a copy of Pos' BIG RED MACHINE from E-6, which he received from Big Mak. It's moving to the front of my queue. After I read it, I am going to sign the inside cover and send it to brianS. He can throw it away if he wants, but I'm hoping he reads it, signs it, and sends it to another citizen.
I am also going to take a book from my collection, andd send it to someone so that they can enjoy it. I might be on to something.
Yeah, I like the sound of this.
This is very cool. Now I'm just bummed I didn't sign my name before shipping it out.
Me, too (though I suspect Doc's daughter is capable of forging a signature.)
Heh. I can make that happen.
From our minor league updates:
I'd say it's worse.
Nice part is, they still have 28 games against the three division opponents ahead of them in the race; still control their own fortunes.
Also, there's this:
Against all teams that aren't the Tigers, the Twins are playing .500 baseball. Against all teams that aren't the Twins, the Tigers are playing .500 baseball. If they can somehow exorcise those Tigers demons, they may have a shot at this thing.
Slow day, huh.
In that case, I'll just mention how much I love Zappos. I ordered some new shoes and they have free 4-5 day shipping. Then about an hour later I got an email saying they bumped me to overnight shipping free. They've done this all 3 times I've gotten shoes from them.
I was wondering about that myself. Aren't Mondays usually pretty busy around here? Anyway, for my part, I've been writing. As for everyone else, but I'll go ahead and assume the Caucusers are hung over and that the rest are getting annoyed with the hometown nine.
I can probably answer this since you never sent anything my way, but did you decide not to do Machine of Death? Again, thanks for spotting those tense issues in mine.
I didn't write anything, no. I wanted to, but there is way to much else going down right now.
That's what I assumed. Well, I might be running it as another late-game challenge in Spookymilk Survivor next season (or even this one, I suppose), so maybe you can jump on with the "deadline" and save it for Machine of Death 3.
I just got back from vacation and have far to much actual work to do to comment outside lunch.
I'm with you there. I was out of the office last week and am thus swamped today.
Zappos is pretty great. Even without the little extra things they do which sweeten the transaction, I don't mind giving them my business instead of a big box like DSW.
That said, I won't be buying any more running shoes through them; I found a great local store which offers free fittings and returns if you're not completely satisfied after two weeks of running. The guy who helped me examined my feet, then gave me everything he had in stock to try on. Considering I have wide, flat feet, that was about 6 or 8 pairs of shoes and thirty minutes of his time. He wrote down the two that fit me best in case the pair I took home didn't work out, but I've had absolutely no complaints. That's how to build customer loyalty.
A case that will only be of interest to SBG, strategery and Can of Corn.
I went ahead and read it since I was bored. I found it both somewhat interesting and a great reminder why I didn't follow Dad into the legal profession.
Thanks W; just before I chuckled I suffered a momentary bout of PTSD.
Good God.
LOL.
"our assessment of them was a bit adrift."
I needed that line.
Harper, Strasburg or both?
Any potential deal should include the Nats taking Capps back.
I'd throw up if the Twins made this deal for a reliever.
I'm not confident in BS's ability to get a fair return on any trade. I shudder to think what that clownshoes would find a respectable haul for a young CF/LF. Indeed, if he trades Span based on need (RP) and not a fair return, I'm gonna go full-on Stribbie on his ass.
Won't happen given Revere's struggles and the fact that neither Joe Benson or Aaron Hicks has been promoted this season.
That makes perfect sense, but I hope it's true.
I'd consider trading a package including Span if the return was a cost controlled ace pitcher (Ubaldo, Strasburg) plus a solid cost controlled middle infielder. And even then, I'd hesitate because it would open up a huge hole in center field. They stupidly traded away Bartlett, and 3 years later, they're still looking for a good answer at shortstop (because they stupidly traded away the best option they have had or will have in years to have money to re-sign a luxury). I don't think Revere is the answer longterm at CF, and I think that Benson/Hicks are way too far away and it would ruin the Twins' chances to contend in the next couple of years.
The problem with the Twins front office is that they don't really hide their moves well. If it's rumored they're discussing trading him, it is far too realistic that it could happen. Smith also seems too reactionary, and not nearly proactive enough. If they're going to make a trade at the deadline this year, I'd hope it's someone who can help in 2012 as well. I don't think they're at the point where the team needs to be blown up, so trading just to trade is idiotic.
The problem with the Twins front office is that they don't really hide their moves well.
Which is why everyone knew Gomez was going to be traded for Hardy. The Twins have traditionally been tight-lipped, but not every front office is like that.
There isn't even a rumor of a discussion. It was just a statement that the Nats are interested. Doesn't mean they've reached out to the Twins or that the Twins are even listening.
Like trading Bartlett ruined their chances? Benson is in his second season at AA and playing well. I think he was injured for a while but I think the reason he's still in AA is because New Britain is contending and Rochester is not. He's not that far away. However, I don't see the Twins trading Span because he's cheap and under their control for a while, while Cuddyer and Kubel will be free agents and Delmon has only one more season after this, so a lot of outfield spots will be opening up.
Yup, that sounds like a Bill Smith trade.
Dave Cameron could use some support as he begins a tough fight against probability. Despite saddling the Twins with the #6org Curse, I know there's a lot of respect for his analysis here.
Good luck, Dave.
Oh, gross. All my best to him.
Heard about it today. That's bad news.
I hope the Twins hit a bunch of HRs and limit Texas to very few this series
New plan fellas (well, a slight tweek to my current plan)
I need to be in Prague by October 16th. My friend wants to go to Oktoberfest in Munich for a couple of day starting September 26th. Assuming I'm in Munich for 5 days, that leaves me two whole weeks to "kill". Anyone been anywhere cool in that part of the world that isn't Vienna?
If it were me, I'd be going to Budapest. Well, after I visited the tiny village my family emigrated from; no one has been back in 100 years.
I just thought of this: is Omar coming with you?
Nope, I'm going to be living & traveling very lightly. Omar is moving in with his aunt and her fiancee (sister and future BiL).
If you want to Dink around Germany for a bit and get a train pass you could always hit up köln and Frankfurt. I really enjoyed eheir city centers n. My wife suggests nice.
A Germany/Czech Rep. combined railpass is looking like the likely option.
Köln is a great town. Sheenie's parents just returned from Budapest and found it very enjoyable.
I'd suggest the smålands in Sweden, but, really, you're not there in mid june so it may be better to head south.
Just spent ~$300 for coolant for our upstairs air conditioner. Looks like we'll be replacing that unit sometime instead of getting a sprinkler system installed. Dang.
While it's been hot here, it hasn't been record setting hot. Well, yes it has, I guess: we've set a record for highest low daily temperature for 5-6 days now. 🙁
CC to Mags: What, if anything, do you know about Donegal? I may be headed that direction later this fall.
Donegal is a very beautiful-in-a-rugged-way place. It can have some pretty rough weather sometimes with storms and winds coming down out of the north Atlantic and slamming into the coast. I never made it that far north myself, but I've only heard good things. I have a friend who student taught at Letterkenny for few months and she loved it there.
Travel-related, meat: it turns out the Milkmaid saw both the Grand Canyon and the Desert Museum as a girl. She's in favor of seeing both again, though.
I'm pretty sure that your kid-os will enjoy the desert museum. I was pretty fascinated by the humming bird enclosure that you can enter.
Skim seemed pretty entranced by the photos of the Desert Museum on the internets, so I assume it would translate to real life.
let me guess, he has a grating personality, right?
Its grating to me, anyway.
At this point, I don't care if they don't get anything for him. Send him down to AAA and pretend he no longer exists.