KOA Radio 850

September 15, 2012: Fargo, ND – Mark Gunter and George Crocker sit down with Aaron Turner before today’s match-up with the Dinosaurs to discuss his role with the Borealis, the season, and his future.

Gunt: Well fans, here we go: two weeks left on the 2012 season, and we are in for a barnburner of a close to the season.  The Desert Hills is as close as it’s ever been at this stage of the year.  I’m Mark Gunter and with me, finally after a couple of months absence, is my partner…

Crock: Yep!  That’s true.  I’ve got stories for ya’ll, I’ve got pictures, and you won’t believe…

Gunt: That’s George Crocker, everyone…

Crock: Marko, I tell ya, I still got it.  I proved it down there in Col-Um-Bia.  They loved me down there.  Free housing.  Free food.  Free…

Gunt: Later, Mark.  I know everyone wants to know where you’ve been, but we have a show to do.  With us today, folks, is Aurora…

Crock: OK Marky, gotcha.  Later.  Inaugural draft 4^th round pick Aaron Turner is with us, Mark-a-mundo.  Career .270 hitter… how’s this guy still with the team, Mark?  I thought for sure he was on his way out the door.

Gunt: That’s a question for Aaron.  So how are you doing Aaron?

Turner: I’m… well… not the happiest guy on a first-place team.  George, that’s a question I’ve asked myself every day.

Gunt: Well, since we’ve broached the topic, what are your thoughts on that?

Turner: Like I said, am I happy?  Not really.  I was pretty angry at first.  I’d been a starter my first four seasons and then, all of a sudden, I’m on the bench.  Granted, John Knight had a special season last year and warranted the playing time.  Now?  I’m just kind of numb from waiting… and then nothing happened.

Crock: True dat!  Knighty had a Royal Raker season, at least for the first half of the year.  Did they tell you they were going to move you?

Turner: They didn’t have to.  Splitting time with Salvador was tough for both of us, and clearly they weren’t going to sit Chris.  When they signed Knight to a big extension during the offseason, I knew… we both knew that neither was moving on.  With Cory Pierce knocking at the door in Thornton, one of us needed to go – maybe both of us.

Gunt: Did you ask them to be traded?  Rumor is they spoke to a lot of teams.

Turner: I spoke with Topham – both of them, actually – and inquired about what their plans were.  They were honest about things.  They wanted Cory to come up.  They expect that Chinese kid, whatever his name is, to be here next season to play center, and they were not planning on making me an offer for next year.  Sally either.

Crock: What do you think about Pierce?  He’s pretty awesome, eh?  Royal Raker material don’t you think?

Turner: Obviously, he’s extremely talented.  You can see why they wanted him up here.  Hey, I have no hard feelings for Cory, or John for that matter.  I guess it’s the price for being in a richly talented organization.  Same thing for poor Alex Poirier, and perhaps in another year for Augusto.  Cory and John stepped up and earned their playing time.  It’s a shame that Cory got hurt.  We need every bat we can get for the postseason.  He may be okay in time for the second round.

Crock: Why didn’t they trade you?  You’ve got talent.  Couldn’t somebody have used Aaron Turner?  Did they not try hard enough or are you just not good enough to attract interest?

Turner: Gee, thanks for the confidence, George.  I think I’ve shown in the playing time I’ve had this season with John and Chris’s injuries that I have plenty of game left.  Come on… I’m only 30.

Gunt: So what was it?  A lack of effort or a lack of interest?

Turner: Maybe a combination.  From what I gather, they tried, but perhaps they wanted the right deal.  Between the injuries and my Type A status, perhaps they tried to “milk it”, so to speak.

Crock: Whole milk?  2%? You’ve had some serious whole milk games, like your 4-5 game vs. Bakersfield earlier this season, but you’ve also had some low fat ones.  So whose dairy do you hope to grace next season?  Do you see greener pastures than Aurora?

Turner: Well, it’s going to be tough.  I did think that I’d last here for a while, but then again, it is a business.  I’m 30, Chris Weaver’s 32, and with Weave in a $19M pay slot, I think it’s monetary.  Pierce will be cheap, as will that Chinese kid, and I hear they’re looking to bring Burton up from AAA, as well.  I figure they plan on holding onto Pexego, signing him to an extension – which obviously could be huge – or maybe holding cash back for a free agent starter.  There’s going to be three starting outfielders from Aurora hitting the free agent market.  Cheaper.  Younger.  Stay competitive.  I think that’s the plan.

Gunt: So what you’re saying, frankly, is if you were cheaper, you’d be staying.

Turner: I think so.  Or already gone.  This team has some big contracts – Richy, Roach, Knight, Suarez, Jimmy White.  This is not a cheap team.  We’ve a lot of talent, and the team’s paying for it.  Honestly, I think management is looking to maintain fiscal responsibility.  That’s fair.  This team could have a $200M payroll if they were to keep the status quo.

Crock: You sound like a regular accountant.  Joe Banker.  Susie Stock Broker.  You’ve got those payroll numbers all sussed out, don’t you?

Turner: You see, George, my time at Connecticut College wasn’t a total waste.  I was a business major, after all.

Gunt: And next season?  Where could you see yourself playing?

Turner: Not to be promoting myself or anything, but there are a number of teams that are a piece or two away – Fargo, Omaha… Kentucky.  I think someone like that may be writing me checks next season.

Crock: What are your thoughts on these last couple of weeks?  Can you guys hold off Tempe?  Looks like the Bears are too far back, but being three games up on those Desert Rats, can you hold on?

Turner: I believe we can, if we can avoid any more injuries.  I dove for a ball earlier this week and jammed my wrist a bit.  I hope some time off will help, but with Wilson out and perhaps Cory as well, we all have to pick it up.  Especially the pitchers.  We definitely need Marky to come up big this year.  Hopefully we can have it sewn up before our closing series with Bakersfield.  That would be nerve-wracking.  They’ve been brutal on us.

Gunt: You mention the pitching.  Clearly Kojima and Bradley have had outstanding seasons…

Turner: Man, that kid “Slappy” sure has some nasty stuff.

Crock: That’s nothing, I tell you.  I faced a guy down there in Bogotá, Jesús Fausto.  Let me tell you: You spell “nasty” J-E-S-Ú-S.  I stepped up to the plate and raked the nastiest slider you’ve ever seen.  Went miles.  The folks in the stands were bowing.  They love me down there.  I’m like a national…

Gunt: Please, George.  Later.  Who else can we expect to be trusted with the ball, Aaron?

Turner: Well, Artie has had a great season, as well.  I think he saved his Aurora career last post-season by pitching so well, and it’s carried over.  I’m not sure who’ll get the nod for the fourth spot in the playoffs.  George?  Roach?  Both have had great careers but have so mysteriously struggled this year.  Especially Thompson.  It may come down to match-ups.  Hey, that’s Toro and Williams’s decision.  I’m glad it’s not mine.

Crock: Don’t forget Marble.  He’s looked pretty good.  He struggled in that last start with Tempe, but he’ll shoot that ball next time.  He’ll knock guys out of the circle!

Gunt: Well, we’ll let Aaron get back to the trainer’s room to get more work on his wrist.  Thanks for coming by, Aaron.  We wish it were in better times for you, but I know you’ll play hard regardless of the external stuff.

Turner: Hey, like I said… I was pissed, but now?  I’m playing for that second ring, and that’s something no one can take away or trade away.

Crock: Okay… now can I tell you, Marky Mark?  Huh?  It was amazing.  So they really want me and sign me to this contract – not what I really wanted, but they told me I could earn more through “appearances” in other cities around the globe.  Big time… hey, like, I’m George Crocker, after all!

Gunt: Good night, folks.  This could take awhile.

Crock: So they gave me this white stuff and said deliver it to this hotel in Mexico City…