Short hops from around the AL Central
Posted on June 16th, 2008 – 10:57 AMBy Joe Christensen
Trying to get caught up on baseball news this morning after riding home from Milwaukee with Reusse. A certain airline canceled the final leg of my trip after my Friday hassle, so after we filed our Sunday stuff, I helped Patrick navigate around the flood waters in Wisconsin.
With parts of I-94 closed between Milwaukee and Madison, we headed north to Appleton, west to Stevens Point, north to Wassau and then west on Hwy 29 before rejoining 94. We made it home in about six hours.
Today, the Twins are off. This is great for the players and staff after 40 games in 41 days. Of course, the writers are still busy getting copy ready for the next news cycles. So, before getting to that, I just wanted to give you a few key notes from the AL Central:
(*) The Tigers have won six straight to pull six games behind the White Sox, and 1 1/2 behind the Twins. Fernando Rodney returns from the DL on Tuesday, and Joel Zumaya and Gary Sheffield won’t be far behind. “It’s such a good team,” Brandon Inge told the Detroit Free Press. “Things had to change.”
(*) The White Sox are 1-5 since sweeping four games from the Twins by a combined score of 40-15 and now Paul Konerko has a dreaded rib-cage injury and could be headed to the DL.
(*) The Royals are 4-2 in interleague play after taking two of three at Arizona this weekend.
(*) I really thought Cleveland was in trouble Thursday, when Victor Martinez joined Travis Hafner, Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook on the disabled list. So, naturally, the Indians have won three of four since.
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
If the foot injury for Yankees’ ace Chien-Ming Wang is serious, there will be rampant speculation about them trading for C.C. Sabathia. This is a month when many teams decide whether to be buyers or sellers before the July 31 trade deadline.
But with no team running away with this division, it’s hard for Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and yes … the Twins, to position themselves as sellers right now.
26 Responses to "Short hops from around the AL Central"
Well we are only 4 1/2 games out of first place and Washington Nat’ coming up. Great for making up ground and moving closer to the Sox by playing against the NL East. I also heard a rumor that Griffey JR is going to Tampa.
Joe, always good to get updates from around the league. More of these, even when you are covering the Twins, would be great.
Joe you ever have to share a car with Sid?
Just an idle thought, but remember a few months ago when everyone (or so it seemed) was convinced that the worst thing the Twins could do with regard to Johan was just start the season with him without an extension and see what might be available from a desperate team at the deadline? The conventional wisdom was that nobody would give up much for a half season ‘rental’ of Santana (assuming he’d even agree to waive his no-trade clause).
It will be very interesting to see what Cleveland can get for Sabathia. It’s hard for me to imagine them NOT trading him, regardless of what the standings look like.
JC-Should have taken the Ellsbury trade
Any chance the Yankees might take Livan?
Any chance the Yankees might take Livan? I think Livan usually goes to the NL East so maybe the Mets? How bout a reunion with the Phillies or even Atlanta. What do you think?
If not Livan, how about Boof?
All of a sudden the weak AL Central isn’t looking so weak after all. I don’t see the Twins as being either buyers or sellers right now because they won’t spend the money or make a trade to get someone like Sabathia and they really don’t have anything to sell thats worth anything.
BC What about Casilla
With our little detour to Beloit, we did the trip home in 6 1/2 with a 30 minute dinner stop. Not bad all things considered. Little traffic and no troopers. Was a nice night for a drive.
I wish we had time, I wouldve shown my friend the Trappers ballpark.
ooops I meant Snappers, not Trappers.
jimmy i like Casilla he’s really suprised me this year.
BC Package deal with Casilla and someone before his lucky streak runs out. Maybe for Holladay or Atkins. Has anyone heard anything regarding Rincon
I’m not sure if it’s just hot streak or not his minor league numbers indicate that the kid can hit. Juan declined assignment and is now a free man.
BC I have a feeling Juan gone is off to the NL
Wouldn’t surprise me maybe the Cards pitching coach can work the same magic he did with Lohse this year.
BC how about the A’s they have a pretty good coach or the Marlins for an NL team
The Marlins i could see but the A’s wouldn’t take him there pitching is solid this year.
The Marlins maybe a good inexpensive fit. They may even be cheaper then the Twins if that’s possible. what was the no power mauer thing again that was funny.
BC is it true that Pohlad doesn’t like to buy gas so he has Reyes syphon gas out of tanks during the first 7 innings of each game
“what was the no power mauer thing again that was funny.”
Do you mean when i said here’s Jo no power Mauer prior to him hitting his first HR my friends loved that call?
Pohlad is so tight you get stick a piece of coal up his butt and in one week it would be a diamond.
Joe No Power Mauer. I heard Pohlad retreads the Twins cleats
here is a trade with the Mets:
Cuddyer/Boof/Gardy for Church/Heilman/HoJo
“(*) The White Sox are 1-5 since sweeping four games from the Twins by a combined score of 40-15 and now Paul Konerko has a dreaded rib-cage injury and could be headed to the DL.”
But Guillen’s tirades are magical happy-juice! They automatically make the Sox hit better and win more games than the Twins!
It has NOTHING to do with the fact that they beat up on two less than stellar teams in the Royals and Twins and EVERYTHING to do with Guillen’s rants.
Obviously he just needs to go on another tirade, and they’ll win 7 more in row.
Has anyone heard what the radar gun is showing for Liriano now? Is his velocity up at all yet?
