Tuesday (Matt Capps and other unpopular opinions) edition: Wha' Happened?

We wrote on Friday that neither the Twins' front office nor fans seemed to be able to objectively evaluate Matt Capps. A few days later, with Capps on the verge of signing with the Twins, we would like to amend that opinion slightly: while the jury is still out on the Twins' decision, we are willing to give Terry Ryan the benefit of the doubt. Fans, however, are still being blinded by Capps as a symbol of all that went wrong in 2011 instead of Capps the pitcher who could be a important piece of a bullpen at a reasonable price. If you think the Twins overspent by reportedly giving Capps $4.5 million for 2012, you are incorrect. He reportedly has a $250K buyout for 2013 or a $6 million deal for that season. Both of those numbers are also fair. In case you forgot, Jesse Crain received three years/$13 million ($4.5m in 2012) and Matt Guerrier got three years/$12 million ($4.75m in 2012). The Twins committed the same yearly salary to Capps, a closer, at one-third of the duration and overall cost.

If you want to lament the loss of a draft pick that would have come if Capps had signed elsewhere, we are listening -- just a little -- but would also remind you that the Twins are slated to get compensatory picks if Jason Kubel (one pick) and/or Michael Cuddyer (two picks) sign elsewhere. They could still have five very high picks.

But listen: Yes, Capps threw all sorts of terrible pitches last year. Maybe it was a sore forearm that was his undoing. What we know is that his strikeout numbers were down and his ERA was up. The Twins are banking on Capps rebounding, and it's hardly a impossibility. In fact, we might even say it's a probability that 2012 Capps -- with a better defense behind him -- will be significantly better in 2012 than he was in 2011. Remember, he did have 16 saves and a 2.00 ERA with the Twins in 2010 after the trade.