In the two hole, he would really open some things up, for the middle of the lineup.

Think of our runs scored output if we had a guy in the lineup like that, as apposed to the black hole we normally throw out there.

As you pointed out though, we prefer the slap hitting, .300% on base guys, who really get after it.

Given that the Twins already have good (not quite great, but good) depth in the rotation, they should be spending more time on the 2B/3B market.

Felipe Lopez is still available, and probably won’t be that expensive given the contracts that have been signed already. He’d help us out a whole lot more than having the option of trotting Washburn out there if 4 of our younger, cheaper, and more talented options all flame out.

Yes, he does push back Duensing or Liriano, but if that push comes to a shove, it’s just to the bullpen for awhile.

He is definitely insurance if Slowey isn’t ready or if Blackburn pops. You can never have too many pitchers. The Twins have the luxury of 4 extra arms vying for that 5th starter or abck-of-the-bullpen spot, or AAA ball and ready for a call-up if something happens…And Washburn is just a (hopefully) low-end signing who can be durable and get folks out if the Twins can score 5+ runs a game.

Duensing, Manship, Slowey, Swarzak…all have options and can go to AAA. Boof didn’t, which was a decent move by the Twins, in a way…they had to keep him or lose him, and this way they got a player for him in the least and didn’t have to negotiate a contract.

Money is the key (no incentives…you want to get rid of the guy at some point, probably).

Homer prone fly ball pitchers who don’t strike people out? Well, around here we call that a sinker, and they pitch to contact and that’s the way we likes it.

Slap hitting .300/.300/.300 guys who either hit a grounder or pop it up to the infielders? That’s the Twins Mold, and we’ll be damned if we’re going to criticize anyone who matches it — we have 150 of them in the minor leagues! If that kind of player ever gets valuable, we’ll be set!

But yes. I’m guessing that’s why they always do this. They actually think Washburn is good.

Focus on 2nd/3rd base, unless you are targeting a real pitcher.

We don’t need another fly ball pitcher, with our crappy outfield defense, especially at his price.

Why do they always do this?

But the fact that he lives in Wisconsin in the offseason shouldn’t mean anything to the Twins unless:

1. He were good enough of a player for us to want him in the first place
2. We could use the fact that he lives nearby as some sort of negotiating chip to get ourselves a better deal than other clubs could get

But #1 isn’t the case, and the Twins probably aren’t savvy enough for #2 (which is moot, because nobody else wants him anyway).

My other question: Why does everyone keep using “he lives in Wisconsin, which is near Minnesota” as a reason why he should play for the Twins? Sames goes for Robb Quinlan. And everyone says we should get rid of Perkins. But he is from here? How can we get rid of someone who is ONE OF US!? Seems like people use the “hometown” argument when they only have two crappy reasons and need a third.

Unless this is a minor league deal, I think it’s a terrible idea.