What's the old saying "You can always teach someone to hit, but you cannot teach someone to throw a 95 mph fastball"? I'm not sure who said, hell maybe I made it up.

1992

Nice post Beer Me, but I have been in the trade him camp. I appreciate all of the good things that you so eloquently mention. However, if we are truly trying to build a team like the Twins we must let them all grow up together IMO.
I am of the "screw today" camp, let's invest for tomorrow. I do enjoy seeing them win now though when they do. I guess I want my cake and eat it also.

seems to me that the Royals play just as well without Sweeney as they do with him.



11 million dollar a year for that kind of irrelevancy??


nothing personal, but :shrug:

I'm not sure they don't play better without him.

Just an opinion, but I wouldn't mind seeing his milktoast attitude out the door along with his huge contract. I'm starting to hope he's not a piece of the vaunted plan for the future. Splitting 11-12 million between two younger players, even slightly less talented, who can contribute more than 100 games a year (and play defense) might not be a bad thing.

It sure seems like it, offensively at least. Doesn't really make sense, and I'm not attributing it to Mike at all, but kind of a weird coincidence.

I'm kind of sick of his kissey huggy attitude also. I know he's a real sweetheart, but that doesn't necessarily make for a great ballplayer. Not questioning his commitment either, I just think every once in a while, he needs to be able to kick a teammate in the ass instead of being buddy buddy.

And beer me, I'm sorry, but I have a hard time saying any professional athlete who plays a kids game for a helluva nice living "deserved every penny of it".

I haven't talked much about it this year, but that's been a concern I've had with having Affeldt and Sweeney as the quote/unquote team leaders.

WHO was going to pay a DH more than 11 million per year?

It seems we've been scoring pretty well without him. Hey, I like his bat in the lineup. But, a guy making that much money shouldn't be striking out on pitches low and away every single game (when he's healthy...)

team playing better without both of them

You mean leaders like allowing half the team to skip out on pre-game warmups?

You mean leaders, like not allowing the clubhouse to become so fractured that fights were nearly breaking out.

Those kind of leaders?

Both should be traded for prospects ASAP.
Especially Sweeney.

I thought Sweeney retired a couple of years ago.

I'd claim it if I were you... it's not bad....

Maybe I'm dreaming here but it seems to me that even teams who say they are "re-building" have at least one proven player to build around.

Who are we to build around if not Sweeney? Berroa? DeJesus? Grienke? These are all guys still trying to find their own way in the league. None of them are ready for team leader status.

You mean like that closed door meeting he called all of his team-mates into a month or so ago and proceeded to rake them over the coals for the way they were playing?

While I agree that no athelete is worth the money they are paid... I'd rather pay a guy like Sweeney than a guy like Sheffield, Sosa, Bonds or any number of others.