Damn Gina

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Let me preface by saying I've been waaaaaayy to busy at work lately. Hence, the post-meridian gambits. All apoligies for that.

And I don't have much time now, so let's be brief.

+ Pierzynski. A good trade, in the sense that we've got capacity in that position in the name of Joe Mauer. Granted, Sid's favorite Maurer will likely need a couple of years to get to A.J.'s production level-- but we couldn't have afforded him after next season when he became a free agent. What's not to love about a guy named Boof Bosner? He's already a fan favorite. And Nathan looks like more than an adequate replacement for The Hawk. Speaking of...

+ Hawkins. I've already aired my feelings to wadE and Al, but good riddance. Hawk blew too many games in 2001 for me to ever consider him reliable again. He had flashes of brilliance from the 'pen last year, but do we really need to pay a right-handed setup guy $5 MM a year? Plus, he didn't endear me with his quotes this fall and summer saying that the Twins really needed to step up and show him the money. Please. Most teams would have given LaTroy his walking papers after his complete flameout in '01. Ungrateful bastard.

+ Milton. While I'm not excited to see a good left-handed starter go (especially one that was good enough at one point to pitch a no-no), Milton now seems like more trouble than he's worth. He's been injured too much, and tried to pull the John Wayne thing and not tell anyone about it. This one makes me a bit nervous, in that he may come back and have a stellar year for the Phils. However, there's just as good of chance that he'll tear his hamstring in early May and be out for the year. Not worth the $9 MM.

Aaaaaand...

+ Jones. I hope we free up enough cash with the above moves to keep Jacque, because I like him despite his overwhelming propensity to swing at the first pitch even if it bounces in from 33 feet. He plays with heart, showed more discipline as 2003 progressed, and is an asset in the outfield-- despite the fact that he doesn't like playing in left. I feel much better with him out there than the slew of other yahoos (I call them the "whitey righties" we trapsed out there last year. But if we had to choose, I suppose I would pick

+ Stewart. BRING ON THE SEXY STEWS BABY! YEAH! DO I MAKE YOU nevermind. Stew re-energized this team last year, and IŠm pretty sure that if we started ä04 without him weŠd play as uninspired as we did at the beginning of last season. HeŠs the first legitimate leadoff man weŠve had since Knobby (no, Alex Cole does *not* count) and is solid in nearly every aspect of the game, offensively and defensively. And he went to high school or whatever with Mientkiewicz, so heŠs probably had a threesome with Jody. Can I say that?

+ Guardado. Daah. I donŠt know. Sure, EddieŠs great. HeŠs fun to watch, stomping and snorting and grabbing his crotch. Is he worth top closer dollars? I really donŠt think so. HeŠs just not the dominating presence that Aguilera was, or Percival and Foulke are today. Everyday Eddie has given me too many bottom-of-the-night heart murmurs to want to spend $6 MM a year for his services.

+ Rivas and Guzman. I know they arenŠt on the block, I just feel like if Terry Ryan could get a decent half-eaten pastrami sandwich for these two he should pull the trigger.

Win Twins!

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