cmathewson
Mar 26, 2008 Jan 07, 2009 179 4942
I generally try to give Twins management the benefit of the doubt. But when they make what seem to be obvious mistakes, I call them on it. An example was the Bartlett/Castro position. If two players are demonstrably the same, I think you should take the younger player with more upside and athleticism. And I thought Bartlett was much better than Castro, especially in the field. So it made no sense to me to hold him back in favor of an aged utility player with no track record as an everyday player.
I also believe in a balance of numerical analysis and scouting. Unfortunately, we don't have access to proprietary scouting reports. So I rely more on numbers than scouting. Still, if I find people trying to demonstrate stuff with numbers that only constitute partial proof, I'll call him out. And I make claims that rely on my scouting eye, such as it is. I long for the day when the MLB runs its scouting like the NFL, opening up information on prospects to the general public. We as bloggers could make much more informed positions if they did.
If you want to know more about me in real life, read my LinkedIn profile. Briefly, my real name is James Mathewson. cmathewson is an homage to my father, who's first initial was C. He was a huge Twins fan, and I became a fan of the Twins in the '60's by listening to the radio with him in the back yard or on his sailboat on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. He didn't know much about the game (when he coached, he taught all the players to slide into first). But his passion for players such as Caesar Tovar and Kirby Puckett was infectious. The fact that my nome de plume is also the initials of the greatest pitcher of all time not named Maddux (and a shirt-tail relative) is just a bonus.
My avatar's nickname (Matty) is the same as Christy's, so that's the connection there. I also liked LeCroy's personality as a player. I like to think I'm as fun loving as he is. And I was almost as saddened by the knee problems that ended his career as I was by Tony O's. But I don't share his taste in food. I once worked at a company that served road-kill stew in the lunch room every day. The owner, who is the richest man I've ever known personally, had a deal with the Hennepin County sheriff's office to pick up road-kill deer. He would make stew out of it in the lunch room and call it one of the greatest bonuses his company offered. Unlike Matty, who lives on the stuff, I just can't stomach another piece of road kill.
website: My LinedIn Profile
email:
a fan of
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Wild
Tiger
Not a fan
Not a fan
Muhammad Ali
Not a fan
Lance Armstrong
Pete Sampras/Roger Federer
Recent activity
Commented Correction on Minnesota Twins Offensive Projections, 2009 on Twinkie Town - 01/07/09 12:29 PM PST
Commented He won't on Minnesota Twins Offensive Projections, 2009 on Twinkie Town - 01/07/09 12:04 PM PST
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Commented Eulogies on RIP Carl Pohlad on Twinkie Town - 01/07/09 11:06 AM PST
Commented Steals on Twins 2008 Baserunning Stats on Twinkie Town - 01/07/09 9:43 AM PST
Commented This doesn't suprise me on Twins 2008 Baserunning Stats on Twinkie Town - 01/07/09 7:56 AM PST
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Commented St. Peter's estimates... on The Twins will have an $80 million payroll by 2010 on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 5:27 PM PST
Commented Redux on Former Twin News: J.C. Romero Suspended on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 2:53 PM PST
Commented This is a tough case on Former Twin News: J.C. Romero Suspended on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 1:14 PM PST
Commented Gomez has three options left on Minnesota Twins Offensive Projections, 2009 on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 10:16 AM PST
Commented Gomez and Span on Minnesota Twins Offensive Projections, 2009 on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 9:09 AM PST
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Commented Then they won't get him on Twins Rumors....ugh, More Pitchers on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 8:14 AM PST
Commented +1 on Michael Young... on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 8:11 AM PST
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Commented That middle bullet point on RIP Carl Pohlad on Twinkie Town - 01/06/09 6:24 AM PST
Commented Small sample size on Minor League Report...January 3, 2008 on Twinkie Town - 01/05/09 9:49 PM PST
Commented Lyon on Twins Rumors....ugh, More Pitchers on Twinkie Town - 01/05/09 4:45 PM PST
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Commented His sons inherit on RIP Carl Pohlad on Twinkie Town - 01/05/09 4:43 PM PST
Commented RIP Carl on Carl Pohlad: Dead at 93 on Twinkie Town - 01/05/09 2:27 PM PST
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Commented Middle infield depth on DeRosa to Indians on Twinkie Town - 01/05/09 7:02 AM PST
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Commented Two sides to that coin on DeRosa to Indians on Twinkie Town - 01/04/09 8:43 AM PST
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Commented Never seen play? on DeRosa to Indians on Twinkie Town - 01/03/09 10:07 PM PST
Commented Some truth to that on Order Seth's Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2009 on Twinkie Town - 01/03/09 10:14 AM PST
Posted Order Seth's Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2009 on Twinkie Town - 01/02/09 2:18 PM PST
Commented Channeling Dwight on DeRosa to Indians on Twinkie Town - 01/02/09 10:34 AM PST
Commented Yep on When Will we do our Comunity Prospect List? on Twinkie Town - 01/02/09 7:00 AM PST
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Commented I can't believe this on DeRosa to Indians on Twinkie Town - 12/31/08 12:28 PM PST
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Commented People booed AJ ... on Red Sox "already salivating" over Mauer on Twinkie Town - 12/30/08 9:41 PM PST
Commented It's closed more often than that on Twins get their Rule 5 Draft Pitcher Back! on Twinkie Town - 12/30/08 9:31 PM PST
Commented Anybody but Hicks, Baker and Liriano on Hanley Ramirez a Twin??? on Twinkie Town - 12/30/08 9:57 AM PST
Commented I hate this thread on Red Sox "already salivating" over Mauer on Twinkie Town - 12/30/08 9:02 AM PST
Voted for Yes! He loves playing for his hometown team too much! on Twinkie Town - 12/30/08 9:01 AM PST
Commented Safeco is a dome on Twins get their Rule 5 Draft Pitcher Back! on Twinkie Town - 12/29/08 12:35 PM PST
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Commented Never liked him on Juan, I liked you then, and I like you now on Twinkie Town - 12/29/08 12:29 PM PST
Commented Twins, of course on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/26/08 11:50 AM PST
Commented Hot sotve is boring for Twins fans every year on All indications are that this will be a slow week in Twinsland, as the club doesn’t appear to be c... on Twinkie Town - 12/26/08 11:26 AM PST
Commented I like the deal on Twins get their Rule 5 Draft Pitcher Back! on Twinkie Town - 12/26/08 11:12 AM PST
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Commented AAA innings eater on Twins get their Rule 5 Draft Pitcher Back! on Twinkie Town - 12/26/08 8:52 AM PST
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Commented More egg nog on Angels Shopping Chone Figgins? on Twinkie Town - 12/23/08 6:55 AM PST
Commented If Walters is not just musing... on Angels Shopping Chone Figgins? on Twinkie Town - 12/22/08 6:30 AM PST
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Commented It might be easier to make deals during the season on Sooooooo Quiet; or, I Don't Trust Bill Smith on Twinkie Town - 12/21/08 7:32 AM PST
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Commented Tomko would be the eighth-best starter on this team on Sooooooo Quiet; or, I Don't Trust Bill Smith on Twinkie Town - 12/20/08 11:57 AM PST
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Commented I'd actually have more confidence in Gomez improving than Punto on Ty Wigginton, is too expensive.. on Twinkie Town - 12/19/08 5:34 PM PST
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Commented If they sign Teixeira on Ponder This on Twinkie Town - 12/18/08 11:02 AM PST
Commented Lowell>>>>>Wiggington on Ponder This on Twinkie Town - 12/18/08 8:47 AM PST
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Commented First inning.com on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/18/08 8:39 AM PST
Voted for Giants on Minor League Ball - 12/18/08 7:38 AM PST
Commented Yes on Minor League Report...December 13, 2008 on Twinkie Town - 12/18/08 7:19 AM PST
Commented That's my worry on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/18/08 7:14 AM PST
Commented Lowell on Ponder This on Twinkie Town - 12/17/08 12:16 PM PST
Commented Change of heart on Ladies and Gentlemen our prayers have been answered on Twinkie Town - 12/17/08 6:03 AM PST
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Commented Twins in Japan on Twins Interested in..... Kawakami? on Twinkie Town - 12/17/08 5:45 AM PST
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Commented 20 assists... on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/17/08 5:35 AM PST
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Commented I don't think this idea is dead on Furcal to the Braves? on Twinkie Town - 12/17/08 5:20 AM PST
Commented He's well below average on Furcal to the Braves? on Twinkie Town - 12/17/08 5:08 AM PST
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Commented More like Igor on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 3:47 PM PST
Commented Yes on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 2:29 PM PST
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Commented Makes sense on Furcal to the Braves? on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 11:59 AM PST
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Commented One proviso on Ty Wigginton + Minnesota Twins = ? on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 10:04 AM PST
Commented Minute Maid on Ty Wigginton + Minnesota Twins = ? on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 9:10 AM PST
Commented I would not trade Slowey on Furcal to the Braves? on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 9:01 AM PST
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Commented Peavy on Furcal to the Braves? on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 8:48 AM PST
Commented Right on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 8:13 AM PST
Posted Furcal to the Braves? on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 7:29 AM PST
Commented I'm with James on Bill James Likes Jason Kubel, But Not Denard Span on Twinkie Town - 12/16/08 7:13 AM PST
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Commented When it's the best option the Twins have... on Ladies and Gentlemen our prayers have been answered on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 8:59 PM PST
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Commented Depends on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Wednesday on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 11:02 AM PST
Commented Cuddyer was a decent third baseman on Ty Wigginton + Minnesota Twins = ? on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 10:30 AM PST
Commented yes on Minor League Report...December 13, 2008 on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 9:51 AM PST
Commented waivers on Ty Wigginton + Minnesota Twins = ? on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 8:40 AM PST
Commented To close on this issue on The 2009 Payroll on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 7:40 AM PST
Commented Let's be realistic on Ty Wigginton + Minnesota Twins = ? on Twinkie Town - 12/15/08 7:00 AM PST
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Commented Well on Ladies and Gentlemen our prayers have been answered on Twinkie Town - 12/14/08 6:02 PM PST
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Commented Not likely on Minor League Report...December 13, 2008 on Twinkie Town - 12/14/08 4:24 PM PST
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Commented They will not get their wish on Minor League Report...December 13, 2008 on Twinkie Town - 12/13/08 7:42 PM PST
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Commented He's a good fit on Ladies and Gentlemen our prayers have been answered on Twinkie Town - 12/13/08 6:53 AM PST
Commented Breslow on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Thursday on Twinkie Town - 12/12/08 3:45 PM PST
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Commented Craig and Dan on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Thursday on Twinkie Town - 12/12/08 2:39 PM PST
Commented Perkins on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Thursday on Twinkie Town - 12/12/08 1:23 PM PST
Commented Well on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Thursday on Twinkie Town - 12/12/08 1:13 PM PST
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Commented Of available options on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Thursday on Twinkie Town - 12/12/08 9:07 AM PST
Commented And on Minnesota Twins Winter Meetings Open Thread, Thursday on Twinkie Town - 12/12/08 9:04 AM PST
