Casilla scratched from Friday’s lineup
Posted on July 4th, 2008 – 2:17 PMBy Joe Christensen
The Twins signed University of Miami pitcher Carlos Gutierrez, the 27th overall pick in last month’s draft. Gutierrez will report to Class A Fort Myers.
The Twins have now signed their top seven picks and 14 of their first 15, including Aaron Hicks (No. 14 overall) and pitcher Shooter Hunt (No. 31 overall).
Cleveland, meanwhile, has designated closer Joe Borowski for assignment.
Lineups, updates to come…
Update (4:50 p.m.): Alexi Casilla was scratched from the Twins lineup with soreness in his left middle finger. He is day-to-day. Nick Punto moves to second base and Brendan Harris moves to shortstop.
Casilla said he iced his finger several times on Thursday, but with no game, he didn’t get it loose. It was swollen when he woke up this morning and he couldn’t get it loose after getting to the ballpark.
Also, we’re hearing the signing bonus for Gutierrez was about $1.25 million, another slot signing, just like Hicks ($1.78 million) and Hunt ($1.08 million).
Note: Gardy said Harris was going to play third base the next two games, with the Twins facing lefthanders Aaron Laffey and Cliff Lee.
“That went out quick,” Gardenhire said. “I was talking to [Harris] when the trainer came in, and I told him, ‘Forget it. I was just kidding.’ ”
Indians (37-48)
1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 2B
3. Ben Francisco, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
6. Casey Blake, 3B
7. David Dellucci, DH
8. Ryan Garko, 1B
9. Kelly Shoppach, C
Starting pitcher: RH Paul Byrd
Twins (47-38)
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Alexi Casilla Nick Punto, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Nick Punto Brendan Harris, SS
9. Denard Span, RF
Starting pitcher: RH Livan Hernandez
Metrodome. First pitch: 6:10 p.m.
217 Responses to "Casilla scratched from Friday’s lineup"
gutierrez looked shaky in the CWS. he does have a nice sinker, but he was leaving it up a lot in the games i watched. that could’ve been because of overuse, i mean he was pitching 2 innings every game it seemed, but i’m not sure. nevertheless, i have faith that the twins may have a nice little pitcher on their hands if they can make the most of the sinker and develop a good secondary pitch.
Is 6th rounder BJ Hermsen the one that wasn’t signed?
Wow…looks like you called that one on Borowski there JoeC.
uh-oh. the anti-punto floodgates are about to open.
It is becoming an awareness on my part, that with the Pups we have on the Twins’ big club right now, that the Owners and other Big Kahunas see the possibilities of a dynasty growing. This years Big Club is surprising everyone, including the Kahunas, and to sign the large number of drafts, I think Carl P. and his family are looking now to start dominating, not only for the present, but also the future. I hope my thoughts are correct, because Gardy and his Coaching Staff have proven themselves…. Good Luck Twins, and go get the Tribe tonight.
Well, I guess we can kiss Brendan Harris’ days as a starter goodbye. Here comes three more months of Nick “I can’t hit for my own weight” Punto.
Go back on the DL Punto, I’m begging you.
Yeah Punto has one ok game and “earns” another spot….. this is sickening….. Punto is behind about everybody else in the Twins system yet he finds a way to start…. yet to figure that one out…. This is a joke….. Punto goes to the DL and then the bench and the Twins were playing good….. This is a complete joke….. Punto stinks we don’t need him at all….
Why is Gutierrez going to Ft. Myers when Hunt went to Elizabethton? I just wonder sometimes on the Twins placing draft picks…
Re: Evening start on the 4th of July
Hey y’all…
‘Wouldn’t mind hearing from a few folks as to why the Twins and MLB haven’t scheduled today’s game for an early/mid-afternoon start. An early start and early finish would have allowed fans/families to get an early start on evening BBQs and time to seek out fireworks shows. In my case this afternoon, I didn’t have anything going (until later) and may have hoofed it down to the ‘Dome. Your thoughts?
The “hate Punto” flood gates need to be opened. He doesn’t need to go on the DL. He needs to get the hell of the team and go somewhere else.
Is anyone else tired of his BS defense plays where he dives, nearly injuring himself, for a foul ball with zero outs and a 6 point twins lead. Sure there pretty, but they don’t matter.
I feel much more comfortable with harris at the plate.
one more anti-PUNTO. the twins have been against harris all year. how many homers in game situations does puntp have.
Day game would’ve been nice… I’d have been there for sure. Tonight, I’ve got plans. I don’t know why it’s a night game; I thought the same thing. Ah well, I’ll be able to watch the game still, but it’s always nice when you can go.
And Joe, I agree completely. Twins get on a roll, and Gardy cites it as a reason for not making any lineup changes. Punto comes back, and Harris is out of the lineup despite Gardy “not wanting to make changes.” It’s just mind-numbing how he can rationalize a reason to put the goon in the lineup night after night.
Even more mind-boggling is how people still somehow cheer for him. Sometime we should organize an anti-Punto movement to all go sit in one section and start a “Punto sucks” chant when Gardy starts him. 
K, that might be a bit extreme…
Macri and Plouffe deserve the starting job at short more then punto does….. They atleast have the potential to do something at the plate….
Punto exaggerates his defense all the time. It’s the only thing he has going for him really, and it’s why people like him I guess.
Truthfully, I think it’s just stupid. I went to game against the Orioles when Punto started, and someone extremely slow (Ramon Hernandez I think, maybe Kevin Millar) hit a grounder to short where Punto had to field it while ranging to his right. He grabbed it, whipped, and threw it all in one motion, completely off-balance. He got the out… by about 5 steps. It was an idiotic and completely unnecessary play that could easily have resulted in an error that would’ve allowed the inning to continue.
For as much hype as he gets in the field, his “flashy leather” is the same type of crap that got Casilla in Gardenhire’s doghouse for awhile when they kept saying how he needed to “slow the game down.” Interesting… Punto pulls the same crap and gets rewarded for it with more playing time usually.
Get this clown off the team.
I won’t Punto-bash, but…..
JOE C, what’s the official word as to why Harris isn’t starting?
gardy likes punto’s range as a fielder, and i’m sure he doesn’t mind having 4 speedy, can get on base in multiple ways players hitting in a row.
Lil Nicky Punterrible gets another start… he’s been playing with Gardy’s Bathroom Caulk a lot lately. I’m surprised he can walk let alone run. I can’t wait until they do their Viagra commerical together.
I like Punto for his awesome defense
I like this line-up, tonight - for a while. Sometimes, defense matters more. To say Livan wants the opposing team to make contact is an understatement. It is Punto’s baserunning that drives me nuts. I still believe if Punto had been in th 7th inning against Detroit(1st Game), it would have been a victory.See ” toothless piranha with claws” or as one astute blogger noted something went terribly wrong in the animal kingdom.
Punto is nothing more than Al Newman without charisma, and Jeff Reboulet without a cool last name. He’s just a defensive replacement, 25th man. It’s funny to see these people start bowing to him like he’s Joe Mauer… or Brian Harper Jr as he’s known for by his lack of run production.
right on, whalefeet. twins don’t have a real shortstop and punto’s numbers are better (harris is .304/.346 ob/slg; punto is .346/.361). certainly not worth getting all bent outa shape.
twins are two back on the 4th. enjoy the ride!
I really really love to see Punto slide head first into 1st base… it’s a great example for my children as to how even in the big leagues there are idiots that don’t know how to play the game right, and why they shouldn’t get mad at their grade school teammates for not knowing how to play the game right. They watch Punterrible play, and do the wrong thing.
Dude there isn’t a problem with Punto getting 1 start a week its when he gets 2 or 3 that people get upset…. Punto is not a major league player yet a starter…. he doesn’t deserve to be on this team, I give him a break when he plays against a lefty because he is one of the few right handed bats that the team has but he shouldn’t be getting any other starts…. he stinks…. Macri and Plouffe both have done good at AAA, Macri played good with the big club… but they send him down for Punto…. This is the problem with the Twins they find some reason to keep guys like Punto….
Yeah, the Punto bashing was inevitable. Never mind that this is the one RH starting pitcher the Twins will face this weekend so if you’re going to sit Harris a game, doing so against the RHP might make sense. Never ceases to amaze me how many “experts” show up around here that know so much more about the comparative skills of players than do the manager and staff that sees them practice and play day in and day out from February on.
you got that right, jimcrikket.
Harris, and his robust .250, should be on the pine more often than not. I prefer Punto to Harris just because of the wide gap in defensive ability. Harris is a marginal utility guy who is way too inconsistent with the bat to ever carve out a long term major league career. At least Punto can field, and his real value is as a late inning defensive replacement at any 3 infield positions. There is no way Harris compares to Punto. Yeah, Punto is Denny Hocking redoux, but honestly folks, he is more valuable to this team than Brendan Harris is. Some of the critics exaggerate their arguments against Punto. I dont like to see him start either, but some nights, like tonight, he has a better chance to impact the game than Harris does.
The Twins are also starting Livan tonight. I’d be sending my best defensive lineup out there behind him, if I were managing, too.
JimCrikket,
“Never mind that this is the one RH starting pitcher the Twins will face this weekend so if you’re going to sit Harris a game, doing so against the RHP might make sense.”
Exactly right, BUT…
Against the LHP’s, it will be Harris replacing…………BUSCHER AT 3B with Punto playing at SS today, tomorrow and FOREVER!
And I’m OK with it.
BC Beneke,
Welcome back! Things have been way too positive and civil around here the past two weeks. Where have you been?
It must be pretty tough being limited to posting “Punto sucks” missives now that the Twins have been playing so well.
So good luck with that next post!
The Livan point is the only valid one I’ve heard, and I sadly think it’s a good one.
However, I’d still have Harris at SS and Punto at third over Buscher in that case. Harris is a better fielder at SS than Buscher is at 3B.
Punto > Harris
Buscher is a LH hitter so yes it may make some sense to have him sit at least one of the two games vs LHPs this weekend. Would make no sense to sit him tonight against Byrd, however. Buscher is no Brooks Robinson, but he’s not performed poorly in the field lately.
Joe,
“Why is Gutierrez going to Ft. Myers when Hunt went to Elizabethton? I just wonder sometimes on the Twins placing draft picks…”
Gutierrez is starting at High-A ball because he already has a MLB-ready sinker - a pitch that has often made successes out of one-pitch pitchers in the Big Leagues.
He is closer to MLB-ready than is the Hunt.
Hunt is starting at High-Rookie ball because:
1) He lacks command. He gave up 42 walks compared to 38 hits at Tulane this spring.
2) He lacks PITCHING experience. He was a full-time catcher until 5 years ago.
3) He is just learning a change-up which could be a big difference-maker for him.
NO Casilla?!?! Why?
NO Casilla?!?! Why?
See JoeC’s 4:50 update above.
NO Casilla?!?! Why?
See JoeC’s 4:50 update above.
Does that mean we have to stop bitching about Punto?
I got nuthin………
Hopefully Punto tears his ACL tonight.
Hopefully Erik breaks his neck tonight.
Real class there, Erik.
Punto, at worst, is a below average baseball player.
Erik, at best, is a pile of cr-p!
Hey, I think we are lucky that we can banter back and forth about players. At least we are winning and if you look at Steinbrenner’s “boys” they are 7 games out of first place and all NY is worried about if A-Rod is dating Madonna..Gotta love it…GO TWINS!!!
no doubt, eric is classless. a-rod, too, seeings how he’s married with little kids. many stories out there about tonight’s pitcher paul byrd. i suppose he’s trying to sell his book or something. he claims he used to use prescription steroids for injuries. only problem, the prescriptions came from a dentist!
that’s enough dirt for today. let’s get the game going!
Ewik is cwabby cause he dwopped his pacifiew. Let Gawdy call the shots, for cwying out woud!!! Get the Twibe, tonight, Trins!!!!
Wittle Ewik is what’s known as an attention whore.
“Gutierrez is starting at High-A ball because he already has a MLB-ready sinker - a pitch that has often made successes out of one-pitch pitchers in the Big Leagues.”
I didn’t intend to imply that anyone is a one-pitch pitcher. But many successful Big League pitchers have exceptional sinkers plus one or two average pitches in their repertoire.
Gutierrez has an average slider and a developing change-up to complement his exceptional sinker.
Hunt has a standard 4-seam fastball, curveball, slider and developing change-up. Usually that pitch set requires above-average command of 3 or 4 of the pitches.
If Hunt has only one pitch working in a game, he’s in trouble.
If Gutierrez has only the sinker working in a game, he may be OK.
That’s why Shooter needs more development time than does Gutierrez.
Hopefully the Casilla thing isn’t serious… still, not good when he’s not in the lineup coming off of an off-day…
I concur with Steve/Fridley. Was just thinking about that whole “I don’t want to mess with the line-up” thing when La Velle asked Gardenhire about the possibility of moving Gomez to the ninth hole once Span was called up. Sure, in that case (which, btw, makes perfect sense) he doesn’t want to tinker with the line-up but OH BOY that same standard doesn’t apply when it comes to getting ‘lil Nicky in the line-up, does it?!!?
Moreover, why on earth would you bat him second?? How about putting Harris or even Span there so as to get some speed on the basepads before Mauer, Morneau come up, versus say never getting a runner on before they come up with ‘The Stick’ batting second?
In re draft signings:
Does anyone know whether the Twins signed that 3B prospect from Holy Angels…or know the kid’s name so that I can google it to find out myself?
75 games left until Punto goes the way of Lew and Tyner. Unless the Twins make the playoffs, then 78 games.
John,
Its Joe Lofthus from Holy Angels.
He hasn’t signed and most likely won’t sign this year.
He is college-bound and he, likely, won’t be offered enough money to change his mind.
Span batting 2nd & Punto NINTH would still give you some speedsters in a row. Span is more patient than Punto & a better bunter. Otherwise I’m OK with the lineup if Casilla can’t play.
detroit just got beat by seattle. back at .500.
What a nice anthem — some talent there!
John,
Spell that Joe Loftus.
Never accept info from someone who couldn’t spell shit if he was sitting in it.
Good luck with googling his name the way I spelled it the first time.
Thanks for info, sane.
Agree Derek, sent shivers up and down my spine, can imagine how it touched Livan, coming from Cuba originally.
Gomez and Young are probably the only two guys, that would swing at pickoff throws. Gomez never has a plan up there does he? He just looks clueless 90 percent of the time.
HAHAHAHA You have got to be kiddddddddddddddding me
HR Punto, bashers eat your garbage!!!!!
Punto homers, thats why Gardy is manager & not me.
when Punto hits a HR to CF, everything is going right
ah, sweet irony.
Punto now has his annual quota of HR.
Byrd does not seem to be fooling anyone.
Why couldnt Punto have trotted around the bases and broke his leg?
He’ll blow this game before its all said and done with a terrible AB in a key situation.
It will serve Gardendolt right for hitting a .200 hitter second in the lineup.
you’d think with all those ‘roids byrd was using, he could blow one by punto!
.200 hitter? Not this year, Erik. That HR brought him to .288. Man you haters can’t even wear the hat after a HR…lol
GoGo!!
royalheinis says:
July 4th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
.200 hitter? Not this year, Erik. That HR brought him to .288. Man you haters can’t even wear the hat after a HR…lol
——
Great stats! Check how many ab’s he’s head. By the end of the year, he will fall back to .230 ish.
You must be Vavra or Gardy posting during the game. Noone else can really be that ignorant.
*he’s HAD
If we want any more sh-t out of you Erik, please squeeze your head.
Quoting stats is ignorant. Wow, I must be ignorant because I didn’t know that.
haha wow
LOL at all the Punto haters on here. Good thing you guys aren’t talent evaluators.
Look, I’m not a huge Punto fan, but I will support whatever players the Twins put on the field, and I will cheer for them when they succeed. That’s all I’m saying. I will not hate directly after a HR, and say he’s going to fail later. That, to me, is not a quality in a real fan.
57% of all stats you read on a blog are made up on the spot.
enuf about punto. let’s trash paul byrd.
B Squared…to the gap!!
royalheinis,
You don’t have to respond to insults from a troll.
erik, you just dont apparently know how low down and fu_ing stupid you sound…i would not want to be you, the way you wish nasty stuff on other people…grow up or get out please—you are making me and others quite ill
According to Bert, Delmon ‘dropped the barrel of the bat’ on that base hit, rather than dropping the ‘head of the bat.’
No word from Bert yet on what part of the bat Buscher dropped on the double.
it’s nice to not have a double play once in a while.
Aaron Hicks went 4 for 7; with a HR, a double and 4 RBI and 3 runs scored today.
Lucky catch by Sizemore. Gotta be careful pitching to this guy also. Was surprised to see he has 21 homers already.
royalheinis,
A hater would just say “Punto s—ks!”
Scum like Erik plead for players to be injured.
Haters are not sub-humans.
my cleve buddy was not thrilled with LNPs HR
Kelly Shoppach? Are you kidding
DOH
Well said Jon. lol.
Shawn:
you two are even now. livan gives up one to their number nine hitter
i am waiting for the text
got a good Twins weekend coming:
Tomorrow night in New Britian
Monday in Fenway
I hope Shoppach tears out his……………no I don’t.
4 lefty POWER hitters in a row, lol
NOW would be a good time for a HR!
(i guess any time is)
Delmannnnnn!
Any Young & Kubel bashers in the house?
It doesn’t have to be bashers vs supporters, we all like the Twins right?
mr. young is starting to hit, my friends. his swings look better and better lately.
no, kmack. just puno bashers.
PUNTO is a power hitter!!!
A’s up 2 - 0 on Whites in 4th AHYEAH!!!!!!!!!!
I only wish that the blog had not optioned Delmon to AAA last month.
His recent hitting would really help the Twins, if he was still with us.
AFLAC = Belle 1995
Did you see Livan SPRINT to cover 1B?
He would TRASH Boof in a footrace - with or without Boof’s weight loss.
he will be back in september sane
Ohhhhhhhhhh, the poor SpankMe’s are 9 gms out. Too Bad.
lol kmack,
the kid was watching a cartoon today and the kids were playing a major league team called the “Spankees”
Sane with the post of the month. So far at least.
Well played sir.
USAFChief,
“Sane with the post of the month”
Thanks.
Only 28 days left in the month.
delmon seemed more confident on the fly to left, to me.
Nice pitch!!
Gotta pitch Sizemore carefully.
I think he’s the next “Twin Killer”
the delmon we were hoping for in spring training is starting to arrive i think…damn if he starts popping a few with some regularity, this lineup will be much more dangerous…what a combination of speed and power….
hope to see delmon’s stock to rise and garza to come back to earth. although garza is only 6-4 and surrounded by the winningest squad in baseball
And Livan wiggles out of trouble…
(we can breathe now)
“And Livan wiggles out of trouble…”
…by wisely having nothing to do with Sizemore, and pitching to Carroll.
I gotta ask:
in the stretch since we started playing well….. can you think of 2 players that haven’t played well? I’ll spot ya Mike Lamb.
Delmon is Young & Delmon does have power.
mj1,
I am a long-time Delmon fan, but anything you hear (even from Dick Bremer) about Delmon’s speed is just a rumor.
I think he will be a terrific hitter, but speed……uh, no.
Any bases he steals will be from baseball savvy, not from his wheels.
He is fast enough to play corner OF; and he can beat Dmitri in a race; but thats about as good as it gets.
delmon would lap dmitri, but he’ll never be a rabbit or bottom feeder or whatever
BOOF & well, Boof is big enough for 2 still!
sane, i know, but i was referring to the lineup as a whole if delmon finds his power, this lineup is a great combo of speed and power…i know delmon is not gomez on the bases….
damn we need more runs…this is not enough….
mj1,
I understand.
Have I been missing something, or has Livan stopped throwing his La-lob curveball?
Jeeze, Bremer read my post.
bert and dick just mentioned the slo ball also…hadnt seen it yet
D & B just asked that question , sane….LOL
spose they read along????lol
A boo-boo by Go-Go, nice catch though.
“spose they read along????lol”
I hope not!
I just dissed Bremer on his evaluation of Delmon’s speed.
Everyone can breathe now….
i think they call that a quality start.
IMO, that’s enough from Livan. Time for the pen.
they should check in now and then - they would learn something and certainly see things from different perspectives…plus twins fans for the most part are great people…most of em….
There is NO WAY they can read along, circle fans and answer AFLAC questions simultaneously.
So, no they probably don’t benefit from our wisdom.
Hack! Kaff! Choke!
Borka-Borka-wheeze!
Harris!
Alexi Who?
Sooo… Punto in CF, RF, or C tomorrow as the whole infield is hitting?
other than billy martin, who else has worn #1 for the twins…i cant think of anybody right now…anyone???
Luis Castillo wore #1 didht he??
Otis Nixon wore number 1.
otis…thats a bad memory, but thx for the info
thx to krissy also
Put me down for preferring someone other than Bass here.
Didn’t Alex Cole wear 1 too?
There goes Nickki’s gold glove!
Klomp….Yes he did
Nice play Harris!!!
Hunt threw 3 innings tonight - o hits, 0 BB’s, 6 SO’s
now that the inning is over, I pick Bass
Shooter Hunt’s debut at Elizabethton.
Three PERFECT innings!
Six strikeouts!
Span not looking too deadly at the plate tonight.
Sorry Tim.
Your scoop!
“now that the inning is over, I pick Bass”
Me too.
Delmon IS looking pretty deadly at the plate tonight.
Juan Rincon vs Rochester tonight:
1 2/3 IP
3 H
2 R
0 ER
2 BB
1 K
8.10 ERA
Shooter Hunt!
What a great start for a kid who was nicknamed after a famous alcoholic!
Span is NOT afraid of the wall!
Just like Torii!
looks like santana had a good eight-inning outing against philly, although he coughed up a 2-0 lead. tied at two in the ninth.
Sane = OK I get the scoop but I see where you earlier got post of the month. I dispute that as I have 14 other Sane posts as nominees.
Span may not look too deadly at the plate ( boy can I call them…..not) but, he almost killed the pitcher.
If Punto gets a hit with bases loaded, he will start every game.
SUCK IT ERIK!
Put his name down in permanent marker!!
Guess we better get used to seeing Punto from now on. LOL
Has anyone ever noticed how fast Gomez is?
tim,
Thanks!
considering that the rebuilding twins oughta be within one of the white sox after tonight, whatever gardy decides to with his infielders is ok by me …
11 runs and 13 hits and Gomez and Mauer are 1-9 with a HBP and 1 run. Pretty good night for the home team.
Lamb sighting!
Help!!! I must be the only person in the world who doesn’t know what that crazy song is that is played at several sporting events, First noticed it when the Rockies made their run last year. Some video game?
Erik says:
July 4th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
“Why couldnt Punto have trotted around the bases and broke his leg?
He’ll blow this game before its all said and done with a terrible AB in a key situation.
It will serve Gardendolt right for hitting a .200 hitter second in the lineup.”
Nothing like being SICK AND STUPID!!!
Just had a psychic flash = something about Erik and pie hole. cannot seem to put it together
So, I guess we’re back to playing Nick Punto everyday. Who cares what he did tonight. He can’t cut it day-to-day. He’s a one day a week guy, if that.
Man, when are we going to get past father-son bullshit with Gardy and Punto?!
Harris-Casilla-Buscher got us here. Leave them be and let’s looked to the future. Punto is so yesterday, plus he sucks defensively. He’s so overrated defensively. Harris and Casilla are better hitters, better fielders, and they’re faster at this stage of their careers.
Lal72,
I would consider benching Punto,
but not until AFTER he has a bad game.
Then I’d play him anyway.
Just got back from Orioles game and raining in Baltimore so we left not knowing if fireworks were postponed.
Read a few of the posts, and noticed that the HATED Punto is hitting well above the QUALITY of the posters observations/predictions.
Life is good. AND ONLY complaints…some of you folks make Philadelphia fans seem downright charitable.
Regards,
Philly beats NYM, Santana with a ND.
somewhere “me too” is smiling about that.
Dragon,
“some of you folks make Philadelphia fans seem downright charitable.”
We would never boo the kids who are struggling to find eggs on Easter Sunday!
4-10 5.85 team record 6-12 in his starts
9-5 5.18 team record 12-6 in his starts
Silva vs Hernandez….same pitcher better luck over here.
Hey LAL72, you must be watching a different Punto than everybody else. The Punto we see is quality glove and so far this year has done much better with the bat than anyone expected, or had the right to anticipate. No, he’s not everyday, but he is fine as a defensive role player. Any offense he gives is gravy. Tonight’s a great example. So wake up and smell the roses. Punto is here to stay. Twins will still need to find long term solutions for SS and 3B…maybe Buscher? Maybe not….Harris….absolutely not…..
Wsox lose big tonight, Tigers lose to Seattle…guess you can say Detroit is officially cooled off after that one. What’s going on here………Twins are plus 10….never in a million years did I see them being +10. If the pitching holds, and the bullpen is more consistent, they could? Maybe…..
sane,
you might not personally, yet I suspect many other posters would and relish every moment of it.
Regards,
Crain is taking forever. He should not be used for anything but mop up.
hey, how bout them twins?
Poor Johan, he picked a new team…but it is his old team that is scoring runs this year.
The Twins are 13-6 in Livan’s starts, my bad.
Hey Coco, I guess Johan will have to console himself with 137 large, because the Mets aren’t going anywhere but down. Guess you get what you wish for sometimes in life!
Think the White Sox might be looking over their shoulders a little bit? Good night all.
DY - 16-39 2 hr 9 RBI .410 AVG, .641 SLG, .439 OBP last 10 games.
Ahhhh, missed all the fun. Just got home. Punto! DY! Twins! Whities! Sweet!
kmack,
You’ve obviously missed the point.
If DY had been sent to AAA he would be hitting 1.750, 35 HR’s 145 RBI over those 10 games
Regards,
Someone said Delmon was looking pretty good yesterday. Hmmmm??? Looks like he got the bat out in front of the plate again tonight.
Carlos G says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
DY is quietly improving his numbers and quality at bats. Here’s hoping that continues to improve. He looks to be getting the bat out in front of the plate with more frequency and hitting with some “pop” now also. Has anyone else noticed the difference in how the ball comes off his bat now than earlier? He also has a quite effortless swing to generate the bat speed.
I can really see how people were intrigued by his potential. He easily could be a .300/30 HR guy. (Note, this does not say “he is now or soon will be a .300/30 HR guy”. I expect it to happen in 2010 or so.)
LOL @/w Dragon…. Maybe even better numbers!!!
Half the Punto haters post their gibberish just to get a reaction. The other half just hate Punto so much that they become illogical.
For the moment, Punto is a better offensive and defensive player than Harris. OPS is 130 points higher than Harris. Runs Created Per Game is higher. Punto’s Range Factor Per Game is better than Harris’ at third, short and second.
Go with the hot hand and play Punto. The numbers might say something different a month from now.
Alkaline:
Go with the hot hand? How about the lineup that produced a 15-3 record?
The numbers will say something different a month from now. I am illogical when it comes to punto as a starting player. Here’s why:
.246 .315 .323 .638.
Those are career numbers for punto. Ridiculous for a MLB player. And thats not even talking about last year, the worst season for a MLB player in modern history.
Theres a saying: “fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me”.
Punto fooled the fans, gardy, the front office, even his wife going into 2007. It was embarrassing to watch him at the plate. I predict if Gardy gives Punto a starting job and he gets over 250 AB in the second half the Twins will not make the playoffs.
somewhere “me too” is smiling about that.
Dang right, there is a big dang grin on my face over that one, but not so much that Santana didn’t get a win, but that Livan did, and that means that the Twins put another W into the only column that matters at the end of the season.
I do feel bad in a way for Santana, he pitched a whale of a game from what I get from reading the game story, but again, his team was saddled with another L on a day that the 137million dollar man pitched, while the 5 million dollar man got a big old W.
Yep, there is a smile on my face
BTW, man, what is up with the run-support that Livan is benifitting from? I bet Livan is smiling too
JP, I haven’t done this for Punto for as long as I can remember, but man, I gotta defend him here.
Everyone seems to be on the Span/Casilla bandwagon (me too, I admit) but if you look at their history, you would/should have the same reaction to seeing either of them, much less both of them in the starting lineup.
Casilla, nothing but a weak hitting, showboating shortstop. Span, well, we can’t even call him a weak hitting player, can we? The guy didn’t do squat in the minors until the mirage that is 2008. The guy couldn’t steal a base if his life depended on it, and he couldn’t throw out a base-runner trying to take an extra base on him either.
SO, taking this into account, why are you so down on Punto, when you give these two career underachievers a free pass? Is it maybe that Punto is a career underachiever, but since he is older, you don’t think that he can actually have a good year too?
Earlier this season, I remember Punto just destroyed a ball to left, that the Detroit fielder (don’t remember who) made a great, jumping play on to end the game, as opposed to getting a game tying double. The guy has hit the ball hard this year, that much I can clearly see with my eyes. Have you actually watched him play? The guy has had some very, very bad at-bats, but hey, I don’t think he is alone in that on this team either.
Everyone was pounding on Delmon earlier this year, and I stood up for him. Now he is turning it around. Maybe I need to spread my GOOD VOODOO around to Punto as well by standing up for him.
JP, get off Punto’s back, otherwise you will be eating crow just as Jason had to eat it after his namesake had what I considered a pretty good week. BTW, Jason actually seemed pleased that he had to eat the crow, for some reason, I just can’t see you as being positive about a Twins player (Punto) actually making your opinion look foolish.
/Just to preempt what I expect to see, I am NOT Craig!!!/
Man, why is it so hard for me to write just one line for a quick reply??
Dang, I’m long-winded.
BTW Benke, was wondering if you have eaten any of that crow about Vavra yet? The Twins are doing very, very well, and it would seem that the hitting is the reason why.
If Vavra doesn’t have a hand in that, who does?
In your opinion, as you stated many, many times, Vavra was directly responsible for the Twins getting shut out so many times, but yet, you refuse to give him credit when the team does well. BTW, you can’t call it a fluke when it is now past the midpoint of the season, can you????
BTW, tonight was a GREAT night for me. The kid won both his games today in his doubleheader. The TWINS kicked butt, and the night was finished with beer and fireworks. Nothing wrong with beer, baseball and fireworks.
JP,
To Quote from Alkaline,
“For the moment, Punto is a better offensive and defensive player than Harris. OPS is 130 points higher than Harris. Runs Created Per Game is higher. Punto’s Range Factor Per Game is better than Harris’ at third, short and second.”
If the Twins play Punto until (if ever)his numbers fall below Harris’ numbers, how are they being “fooled by Punto”?
Until that time, they will be playing the “better” player.(Punto) And after that time,they will be playing the “better” player.(Harris)
Follow that decision criteria and no one gets “fooled”.
Sane
Cmon all those stats are from limited 2008 numbers. Look at career hitting numbers and Harris has far superior numbers. No debate there.
I stand by my statement. 250 AB, no playoffs for the twins.
Me Too. I’m willing to make a personal side bet on Punto.
Gardy had planned to start Punto at SS, before Casilla was pulled. That makes sense. Just as Craig predicted, Punto will become the regular SS.
Gardy has been talking about Harris making the switch to 3B. Gardy knows what he is doing. Craig understands Gardy and knows that Gardy appreciates what a fine player Nick is. Gardy playing Nick at SS, is very astute. Gardy loves Nick, and so does, Craig.
Craig was happy to see Harris get a couple of hits. Harris needs to take over the every day job at 3B, at least for right now, says Craig.
Buscher is a much better hiitter than Harris, but the glove doesn’t cut it. Rochester will soon see his return, according to Craig.
Nice to see Lamb get an AB, and pick up a hit. Craig has been awfully brutal toward poor Lamb. Lamb is horrible, but actually, he is far superior to Monroe, in Craig’s opinion.
Craig remains hopeful that Kubel is traded, but he doesn’t really expect that to happen. Craig also hopes Monroe is released.
Craig has stated that Span is the second coming of Carew. Craig believes Span is at least somewhere between Carew and the great Lyman Bostock.
Craig wants Bill Smith to finally make an intelligent move, and lock up the fabulous, Nick Punto, to a 2 or 3 year deal. Losing Nick to free agency would be a horrible mistake, as far as Craig is concerned.
OBP .AVG
.307 .270 Gomez
.371 .325 Casilla
.360 .289 Punto
.367 .295 Span
Craig understands that Gardy doesn’t like to change things up too much when his team is winning. That said, Craig believes Gardy is being way too conservative, and needs to move Gomez to the 9 spot in the order, as soon as possible. Craig knows that’s what Gardy really wants to do, but is hampered by his ultra conservative way of doing things.
There are far better choices than Gomez, for lead-off hitters, says Craig, as he states the obvious. Craig lists a few of those superior choices.
I don’t hate Punto, but for Gardenhire to call a man who has hit 10 lifetime homeruns a “great player” is disheartening.
I think what we all know is that a team with Nick Punto as the starting SS has no chance to WIN the World Series. Harris was settlig in nicely at SS, and while statistically speaking he may not be better than LNP defensively, we traded for Harris for a reason - that he provides offense. He is a career .265 .324 .397 .721 since 2004. That isn’t much in all honesty, but last year was his first in MLB with significant ABs. I look at the guy and see some potential. I look at Nick Punto and see a nice bench player. Harris may never turn out to be anything more than average, and his .244 AVG at the moment perhaps doesn’t warrrant as much defense as we have been giving him, but it is the hope that he does have the potential to bring so much more than Punto that I think frustrates me the most.
JP,
“Sane
Cmon all those stats are from limited 2008 numbers. Look at career hitting numbers and Harris has far superior numbers. No debate there”
No debate,except:
I have always played the hot hitter at any given time. If I wait for the “good” hitter to get hot, my team may be eliminated before that happens.
I’d play Punto until he cools off, then switch to Harris.
I saw Punto in the lineup while reading the recap and thought “Aw man.” Then I saw he had at least a couple of hits (including a Dinger..dang) and drove in 4.
Gotta love it. Punto’s the only player people seem to hate MORE the better he does.
I think that there is no one who understands Craig as well as Craig does.
Gardy is going to go with Punto over Harris at SS. Since Gardy is the manager, the debate is settled.
Punto has battled his way back, after slumping for an entire season. He certainly won’t be the first player to do that, and then go on to a productive career. Most people recognize that he is a vastly better player this year.
Punto hating is now relegated to a tiny handful of negative whiners. They are uncompromising critics who don’t want to be confused by reality. They live in the past, because they enjoy their grumbling.
Almost all fans, the field staff, his teammates, and the competition, understand what a fine player Nick Punto is. Gardy understands the importance of having Nick on the field playing. The bench is no place for such a talented player.
Gardy needs to pick 2 of these three players for the 1 and 2 spots in the lineup: Span, Casilla, Punto.
Somewhere in the bottom third of the lineup Gomez needs to bat. That low OBP and all those strikeouts are a disgrace. He needs to improve, dramatically, before he can be considered an adequate top of the order type hitter.
“No debate,except:
I have always played the hot hitter at any given time. If I wait for the “good” hitter to get hot, my team may be eliminated before that happens.
I’d play Punto until he cools off, then switch to Harris.”
How was Harris doing before Punto came off the DL?
“Punto has battled his way back, after slumping for an entire season. He certainly won’t be the first player to do that, and then go on to a productive career. Most people recognize that he is a vastly better player this year.”
Count me among the “most people”.
JP,
Harris, batting less than .250. Hall Of Fame credentials.
Just like Gardy’s a crap manager. He WILL intentionally play a line-up which will make ATLEAST 24 outs today. I doubt any HOF manager ever did that.
Regards,
JP,
“How was Harris doing before Punto came off the DL?”
I checked the top 100 hitters over the last 30-days and the last 7-days and couldn’t find Harris, so I can’t answer that question.
If you have the answer and it is above .289 (Punto’s current season average), then you have a good point.
I’m enjoying reading this thread today. Interesting how the “early” Punto bashers in the thread disappeared without comment during and after the game. It’s also interesting to me how many people are willing to paint themselves into a corner with statements and predictions (i.e “I predict if Gardy gives Punto a starting job and he gets over 250 AB in the second half the Twins will not make the playoffs”). I agree with sane, ride the hot hand and I would add, be thankful that Gardy actually has some viable options this year! Go Twins!
I think Harris will be okay at 3B, for now. His hands seem more sure than they did in spring, and he moves his feet a little better, too. His arm is generally accurate. His lack of range won’t hurt so much at third.
I think Harris could be a better hitter than he has been so far with the Twins. You never know though. Last year, when he played for the Rays, could have been a complete aberration
craig,
“Last year, when he played for the Rays, could have been a complete aberration”
Actually Harris’ 2007 numbers are in line with most of his minor-league numbers.
I hope that means that Harris2007 is an indicator of his future as a hitter.
