Casilla has torn thumb ligament, Everett to rejoin Twins
Posted on July 29th, 2008 – 10:22 PMBy Joe Christensen
The Twins placed second baseman Alexi Casilla on the disabled list tonight after he was diagnosed with a torn tendon in his right thumb.
To replace him on the roster they activated Adam Everett from the DL.
Yes, there were reports earlier that the Twins had designated Everett for assignment. They actually gave him a contemplative outright assignment form, and he had three days to decide whether to accept it.
Tonight, they called to tell him they needed him back.
But the bad news is Casilla could be lost for the season, depending on the severity of the tendon damage. He will be re-examined on Wednesday.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said it’s a similar injury to the one infielder Matt Tolbert sustained in May. Tolbert had surgery and has yet to return.
“Tough break for us there,” Gardenhire said. “Kind of sad for Lexi. We’ll see what the doctors say tomorrow. He’s going to determine what that next step is.”
Casilla is batting .313. The Twins are 38-25 since May 19, when he took over the starting second base job.
140 Responses to "Casilla has torn thumb ligament, Everett to rejoin Twins"
CRAP! Maybe a trade for Brian Roberts?
ouch. that is gonna hurt the twins
That is Punto, Tolbet, Cuddyer, and now Casilla with finger injuries. I think it is time to put a ban on the head first slide Gardy.
Tolbert, my bad
pack it in. congrats on the division title detroit (sox will still finish 3rd)
E-Rack your a moron, Detroit couldn’t carry our jock straps right now.
Aw… crap. Now we have to play Punto more.
Sounds like football season is starting.
The Twins have decided to make their batters and baserunners wear boxing gloves to prevent further finger injuries.
Kidding!
How about Cuddyer at second when he comes back? Probably not, but depending on what the long term prognosis is on Casilla, Twins may still make a move. Moe incentive to go out and get a 3B with Harris possibly moving back to second? Stay tuned…
This makes things REAL tough. Suddenly Punto/Harris/Everett are our IF options (meaning one or the other has to play regardless.
Trade? Looking less and less likely with each passing injury.
Wow, that is a big blow. They lose like 100 points in OBP (I’m making that up, but it can’t be far off) and any power from 2B. This is a big blow. I CANNOT believe this coaching staff cannot COACH these guys not to slide head first. Brutal. Punto and Everret are pretty much every day players now. Not happy about that.
How about some reporting to tell us how and when this actually happened? He played and looked great on Monday. Did I miss a head-first slide somewhere in there?
Everett will still not be an every day player. Punto and Harris will man SS and 2B. Buscher will get 3rd most days. Against lefties you may see Harris at 3rd Everett at SS. The real question is what to do with the batting order. I fear Gardy will put Punto in the #2 spot, but would far prefer Gomez be moved up there.
yup. you missed a head first slide and him grabbing the base. tolbert is supposed to be back sometime in august. call up macri and put harris at second. not many options out there for them right now unless they make a trade or what
PD says:
July 29th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
How about some reporting to tell us how and when this actually happened? He played and looked great on Monday. Did I miss a head-first slide somewhere in there?
———————-
Yes. Yes you did. How about a little less hostility towards the reporting and a little more watching the game with your own eyes?
PD- You are right! There are many of these “phantom” injuries in pro sports - - makes one wonder.
I think Gomez is fine in the #9 spot, I would really prefer Mauer at #2 and Cuddyer at #3 when he returns. But Gardy will let his “buddy” bat in the second spot, heck I’s rather see Harris in that spot, Punto can bat #8 (or not at all!)
What were you watching, E-rack. I have reviewed the game (mlb.com) and did not see anything serious with Alexi. Call me skeptical but I have seen way too many of these “phantom” injuries - so were is the script cynics - you may be right.
they took like a 2 minute break looking at his finger last night
Alexi was hurt when sliding into second on an apprent force out (throw was wide, he was safe) Twins trainer did come out looked at thumb (or finger)and put bandage on it. Looks like he caughthand on base when sliding, think it happened in the fifth inning
If I recall, Casilla’s injury was NOT on a head first slide. He went feet first but slide on the inside of the bag to avoid the tag and grabbed the bag as he was sliding by.
Awwwww, what crappy news, man. Totally ruined the good feelings after the win tonight. 2 months of watching Punto and Everett in the lineup every day … arrrgghhhhhh.
Everett comes off the DL with only about 6 games at triple A under his belt. He’s not going to contribute much, if at all.
luke hughes anyone? or how about tolleson? can’t be much worse than everett or macri…let’s see what the kids can do.
Punto at 2B and Everett at SS, is a nice combo. Everett is a savvy vet, and is used to playing everyday. I like the new tandem. Go Twins!
It was an unnecessary hand first slide by Casilla and the entire team will feel this loss.
Wow, Cuddyer has been on the DL for a month now, he may not be back for a few more weeks. They need some right handed bats, where will it come from?
We’ll be fine…he might not even be out for the season; if he is, we’ll plug the hole with someone. We will still be fine with out him!!!
Well, I hope that Everett and Harris split time at SS with Buscher playing every day at 3B.
“Punto and Everett in the lineup every day … arrrgghhhhhh.”
Some days it will be Buscher at 3B and Harris at SS.
He slid feet 1st inside the bag and grabbed it on the way by. Perhaps the Twins shouldn’t slide at all like my softball teams?
Alexi will be ready by next spring. His thumb will need rest and rehab. All hitch-hiking should be avoided.
Just in case, Bill Smith should sign Punto as a cheap insurance policy. Time to lock up Punto now, with a 3 year deal.
Hank Blalock is on the DL once again, what brilliant minds wanted the Twins to trade for him? Third base may be the least of their problems now, but they seem to always find someone to fiil in nicely when needed.
The Twins are tied - in the loss column - for the AL wild card lead.
Red Sox 61-47 and dropping
Twins 59-47 and rising
I don’t know, Dane. Gardy seemed quite subdued for just getting a BIG win. I think the latest “finger” he got is something to worry about.
Who are we actually looking at trading for?
Blake went to the Dodgers. Blaylock is not the answer. I think it’s time to figure out a way to get Beltre. How about giving Seattle Liriano and another prospect for him?
i have no confidence everett’s shoulder will outlast the cortisone injection. in all likelihood he’ll go back on the DL. then what? and is this going to be Punto at 2B everyday and Harris/Everett at SS? Harris/Buscher at 3B?
Alejandro Machado might be ready, if someone gets hurt, and they need another player at 2B. He’s a good player.
Another idiot. WRONG.
This coming from the guy who made an oral sex joke.
Yeah. Your clever. Want a medal?
“Odds of Billy Smith’s whereabouts right now:
Eating a sandwich: 2 to 1
Blowing Gardy: 5 to 1
On the phone Discussing a trade: 10,000 to 1″
Haha………hilarious and sadly true!
i guess it’s thank goodness for punto, no?
mickey - Thank goodness for Punto, until he gets hurt again and goes on the DL!
For f*ck’s sake, all he did was slide FEET FIRST and catch his finger on the bag!!!!
This must be some kind of jinx. Losing Casilla would crush this team.
Ha!!! That’s the funniest post I’ve read in awhile. At first I thought it said “Bowling with Gardy” which is porbably 8 to 1 odds.
DEAR SLOW ACTING, RELATIVELY BRAIN DEAD TWINS FRONT OFFICE…TIME TO GO GET ADRIAN BELTRE OR GARRETT ATKINS !!!
with this injury, the Twins need a big bat badly because the only guy that can fill in hitting #2 in the lineup is Mauer. They need a big bat to take his spot at #3. Third base is a HUGE need anyway. Now is the perfect time to get it done !!
Nico, Atkins is off the market.
And suddenly the Twins have a GAPING hole in the #2 spot in the lineup.
Punto? Harris? Gomez?
This injury may provide motivation to patch a hole, but suddenly 2B (and the 2-hole) is bigger than 3B.
The upgrade from Buscher to Beltre wouldn’t be as big as the upgrade from Punto/Everett to ANYTHING.
other odds of Billy Smith’s whereabouts…
3 to 2: listening to Gardy telling everyone how much his players “battle their tails off” every game.
5 to 1: Sitting in the corner of his office sucking his thumb…oh wait…that was the entire team last week in Yankee Stadium.
10 to 1: Figuring out who the next low budget, soon to be bust free agent/trade pick-up will be…ahem….LaTroy Hawkins???
15 to 1: Watching endless highlights on FSN of the history of Yankee Stadium.
25 to 1: Wondering how or why Dick Bremer compared Cuddyer to Manny Ramirez on the air (it actually happened a fe wyears back)
40 to 1: Trying to figure out how Telly Hughes has a job with FSN.
50 to 1: Negotiating with cheap ass Pohlad on who will replace him as GM someday. It’s probably another inbred member of the front office that has been brainwashed into thinking we’re still a small market club and we can never win so why spend the $$$
Nico, I’m with you! If the Twins want to contend THIS YEAR, they need to make a move now. If it took losing one of their young starters, so be it! But hands off Liriano and Baker, they can have Livan (or Boof) for sure though (well he’s not young, but expendable)
Honestly, as a Twins fan I am disgusted that we take the first two from the first place Chi Sox and (as I do after every televised nightly Twins game turn directly to ESPN for “Baseball Tonight” analysis) the ESPN guys don’t even give the Twins so much as a sentence. La Velle, Joe, have you ever spoken with Olney, Stark, Crasnick, Gammons, Neyer, etc…? They deserve a smack in the noggin, along with all those “baseball prospectus” guys. We can’t get any respect. Ozzie said Morneau should be regarded as the most feared hitter in baseball. Anyone take notice, nope! The guys at ESPN give Ozzie no respect either, they treat him much like they treat the Twins, like some sort of spectacle. As they gawk about Garza, they’re totally sleepin’ on our boys. I just went on ESPN and cannot figure out how to e-mail these fools, but I’m definitely going to post a comment for Stark’s “Rumblings and Grumblings”. Fans unite, we must undo this national injustice and it starts by replicating the 35,000 plus we had tonight at the Dome! Casilla may be a blow, but if there is any team that strives in adversity its the Minnesota Twins.
I like to whine and moan. It’s the only way I can derive any pleasure from life. Hopefully the Twins lose soon so my moaning looks less retarded than usual.
BATHROOM CAULK!
More odds…
75 to 1: Calling his people in L.A. and trying to get an Oscar nomination for Gomez for his theatrical performance Friday after running into the wall in Cleveland.
85 to 1: Trying to convince Cuddyer to drink more milk so he’s not so darn fragile and injury prone.
90 to 1: Wondering why he signed Cuddyer to such a ridiculous contract when he’s had one “good” year in the bigs out of 7.
100 to 1: Watching Cuddyer’s magic tricks in the clubhouse.
Even money: Nothing. He’s sounds asleep at home while every other contending is looking for a way to get better.
The injury definitely means it is time to make a move. Liriano plus a package for Matt Holiday. Done.
Lexi hurt his thumb when he went inside the base line in an attempt to break up a possible double play. When the throw went awry he reached out to the bag and hit it with his right hand. They stopped the game immediately and the trainer taped Lexi’s hand near the thumb. He stayed in for awhile but left the game soon afterward. It wasn’t a dumb play or a headfirst slide at all. He was trying to do the right thing to break up the double play and got hurt. No one’s fault, least of all Lexi’s.
Imposter!! If you can point out anything I said that’s not true, I’ll stop.
When healthy, Everett is a solid, everyday professional SS. He’s a renowned glove-man. Punto is experienced batting 2nd (2006), and is a great glove at 2B. People are pounding on the panic button, and it’s totally unwarranted. Tolbert will be coming off the DL soon, and once again the infield will be crowded.
You’ve got to be kidding be with this nonsense. Did you see who the Angels picked up today? The Twins need to pick up a player that is a not a Twins “type” (as in good at defense, good contact hitter, can’t hit for power). Beltre is just a disappointment for a career, in which his only good season he was probably roidin’. Forget that, our roto is nasty and clicking. Liriano plus a package for Matt Holliday. And sign the dude. Picking and prodding, lets be a contending ball club and make the deal necessary to make a serious post season run.
Bill Brasky says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:03 am
“I like to whine and moan. It’s the only way I can derive any pleasure from life.”
Then keep right on doing it! What is great is everyone can have their say here. Give ‘em hell, Brasky!
Part of the solution for solving the lack of right handed power is closer than you think. Give big Randy Ruiz in Rochester a chance. He whiffs a lot but does pack some punch. We need Randy !
“The Twins need to pick up a player that is a not a Twins “type” (as in good at defense, good contact hitter, can’t hit for power).”
But, but, but, that’s how they win!
i gotta give punto credit. i’m sure he can feel the hate.
but at the moment he’s an everyday big league player known for his glove but hitting .295 in the middle of a pennant race.
When was the last time the Twins made it into the World Series? A long time. This isn’t the NL, where a team like the Marlins can get lucky in the playoffs and end up winning the World Series. This is the AL, where you gotta produce and we are taking for granted the fact that we’re a consistent ball club. When you’re in it, you have to go for it. There is always next year, but you have to live in the moment (or season) in this league if you’re ever going to bring home the trophy.
“Give ‘em hell, Brasky!”
in my mind, that’s the new slogan for these blogs.
T says:
July 29th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Nico, Atkins is off the market.
And suddenly the Twins have a GAPING hole in the #2 spot in the lineup.
Punto? Harris? Gomez?
This injury may provide motivation to patch a hole, but suddenly 2B (and the 2-hole) is bigger than 3B.
The upgrade from Buscher to Beltre wouldn’t be as big as the upgrade from Punto/Everett to ANYTHING.
you couldn’t be any more wrong. this year punto is actually playing great and is a superior fielder to casilla and anyone else that could play 2nd base and he’s hitting exceptionally well.
buscher can’t hit lefties, and had another horrible showing against a mediocre lefty tonight. also, his fielding is poor at best. Beltre would be a huge upgrade over buscher in all aspects of the game. given that Beltre is signed for next year as well, it’s a no brainer.
As for your 3 suggestions for the #2 spot, Punto and handle it. Gomez just plain sucks, he belongs in AAA. Harris is a bottom of the order guy, he doesn’t get on base nearly enough to make himself effective in that spot. Mauer needs to bat 2, Beltre would be perfect for 3.
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:09 am
The injury definitely means it is time to make a move. Liriano plus a package for Matt Holiday. Done.
neither holliday or liriano are available or should be.
The New and Improved Craig says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:16 am
When healthy, Everett is a solid, everyday professional SS. He’s a renowned glove-man. Punto is experienced batting 2nd (2006), and is a great glove at 2B. People are pounding on the panic button, and it’s totally unwarranted. Tolbert will be coming off the DL soon, and once again the infield will be crowded.
please, do yourself a favor and take 2 seconds to look at everett’s career stats. he’s a mediocre fielder and is a terrible hitter. if you honestly think everett is an asset to this team in any way, you are completely fooling yourself.
I was just about to celebrate the fact that the Twins cut my least favorite player to ever put on a Twins uniform…. and this happens! WTF!!! what a freakin all time stupid move. Why waste the space on Adam can’t-play-baseball-anymore Everett. This guy can’t hit, can’t throw, can’t run…. Gosh Bring back RonDL before bringing this piece of crap. I mean the Twins didn’t even have to make a trade and would have had an upgrade over Everett! Call back up Matt Macri for crying out loud!
Bring up Liriano and Ruiz, trade or waive Monroe and Bass, and god forbid, take a chance with Cuddyer at third. The offense and defense both improve. Cuddyer is more experienced now and should be able to adapt better this time at third. Span has to stay in the lineup. DH Ruiz. I’m telling you Ruiz will hit much better than Monroe.Comments?
come on now. they aren’t going to get matt holliday, so that comment needs to stop popping up. the rockies aren’t going to trade him and the twins would have to part with baker, span and probably 2 other prospects. not a wise move. the twins are rebuilding, i’ve said it many times. they aren’t going to give up a whole lot, whether they’re competing or not. i think the smart move would be to buy low and look for a 2nd baseman, or call up luke hughes or steven tolleson and see what they can do at 2nd.
mark grudzielanek is an interesting option, i wonder if the royals would trade in the division.
The fact that you say they are not available, means they should be. The Twins need to pull off a blockbuster. If you don’t like Holliday, I’ll throw out Michael Young. They need to start introducing names they would not normally introduce. Santana treated us well, but give me a reliable all-star bat for a post Tommy John guy (who by the way is already pissed at the Twins organization.)
Captain Jack says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Part of the solution for solving the lack of right handed power is closer than you think. Give big Randy Ruiz in Rochester a chance. He whiffs a lot but does pack some punch. We need Randy !
good idea. let’s have a guy that’s almost 31, that doesn’t play 3B, and has never been called up to the big leagues come up and try and be our savior. horrible, just horrible.
yeah, let’s bring cuddyer off the dl and throw him to another position he hasn’t played in 4 years or so. oh, and it’s also a position he couldn’t play worth crap in the first place. smart thinking.
Jimmy, not that I don’t agree with you, but those clowns at ESPN get that email like 1000 times a night I’m sure from every non- Yankees/Red Sox fan in the country…. and probably some of them too. They don’t respect the Twins b/c they can’t ‘explain’ it with 2-bit statistical analysis.
And you can’t tell me that an offer of Liriano would not intrigue the Rockies front office. He’d go to the NL in a hitters park. Good riddance!
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:53 am
The fact that you say they are not available, means they should be. The Twins need to pull off a blockbuster. If you don’t like Holliday, I’ll throw out Michael Young. They need to start introducing names they would not normally introduce. Santana treated us well, but give me a reliable all-star bat for a post Tommy John guy (who by the way is already pissed at the Twins organization.)
liriano is not to be traded under any circumstances, but if you wanna dump blackburn and/or perkins, be my guest.
Throw in Span and it seems to me you got a deal for Matt Holliday. Mauer, Morneau, Holliday…are you kidding me?
makes Everett a lot less horrible
whalefeet says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:54 am
yeah, let’s bring cuddyer off the dl and throw him to another position he hasn’t played in 4 years or so. oh, and it’s also a position he couldn’t play worth crap in the first place. smart thinking.
actually, cuddyer is an excellent third baseman. he started off the season poorly, made a lot of errors, but he had a nice run of very good fielding before he was moved. however, cuddyer can stay in the outfield, gomez needs to be in the minors so he can learn how to actually play this game.
Twins aren’t trading Liriano either. I don’t like the prospect of a 4-young brad radke’s + whatever current cheap joker veteran they can plug the 5 spot with. They need to have at least ONE power arm in there so they can get their baseball tonight face time every 5th day…. speaking of the Eastern Seaboard Pandering Network, Neyer had a good quote on his blog from yesterday… for those that missed it…
“So where does Liriano fit? Where can he fit?
I’m pulling for Hernandez to keep his job. He’s given up 12.6 hits per nine innings, and has a fantastic chance to finish with the highest H/9 ratio, among ERA title qualifiers, since World War II. This does leave the organization in a real quandary. Do they let Hernandez go for the record? Or do they bring up the best pitcher in Triple-A and try to win, you know, a pennant or something?”
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Throw in Span and it seems to me you got a deal for Matt Holliday. Mauer, Morneau, Holliday…are you kidding me?
not interested. 3B is a glaring need, outfield isn’t in the top 10.
Gomez in the minors is absolutely ridiculous. Gomez is the fastest player in baseball, doesn’t matter if he bats .100.
you guys are just ridiculous on this message board. most comments offer no insight whatsoever. you get pissed when the front office won’t make unreasonable trades. it gets annoying. there is a reason the twins will not get beltre. the M’s GM is in a tough spot, where any deal he makes has to bring him more than he gives away because of the bedard deal. that means they would want top players for beltre, who is not worth any of the twins top players. they would want span, they would want baker or slowey PLUS top prospects. that’s just dumb. beltre is not the missing piece that would instantly make this team a world series winner. the twins could use another bullpen arm, and the price for those isn’t cheap either. the best solution is someone within (korecky, one of the starters with liriano in rotation) or latroy hawkins.
LaTroy be all old and whatnot…. total anti-baseball tonight time.
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Gomez in the minors is absolutely ridiculous. Gomez is the fastest player in baseball, doesn’t matter if he bats .100.
WTF does him being fast have to do with anything ?
he can’t hit, he takes terrible routes to balls, and he doesn’t steal.
go to bed clown.
This idea of an untouchable “golden boy” arm is silly. Prior, Mulder, etc… Give me a bat and I’ll take my chance on an all-star player’s consistency. Come on, doesn’t anyone want to win the Series. Are we really the T-wolves, playing for 2015
whalefeet says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:02 am
you guys are just ridiculous on this message board. most comments offer no insight whatsoever. you get pissed when the front office won’t make unreasonable trades. it gets annoying. there is a reason the twins will not get beltre. the M’s GM is in a tough spot, where any deal he makes has to bring him more than he gives away because of the bedard deal. that means they would want top players for beltre, who is not worth any of the twins top players. they would want span, they would want baker or slowey PLUS top prospects. that’s just dumb. beltre is not the missing piece that would instantly make this team a world series winner. the twins could use another bullpen arm, and the price for those isn’t cheap either. the best solution is someone within (korecky, one of the starters with liriano in rotation) or latroy hawkins.
1. bullpen is hardly a need on this team. the manager mismanaging the pen is the real problem.
2. beltre would go a long way into make this team a legit contender. he fills multiple holes on the roster. a great fielding third baseman. a right handed slugger. someone to protect morneau while splitting up mauer and morneau in the order.
3. if this team is going to have any shot at the playoffs, and unless they get a slugging third baseman they likely won’t, korecky and hawkins can not be on this team and bass has to go away.
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:06 am
This idea of an untouchable “golden boy” arm is silly. Prior, Mulder, etc… Give me a bat and I’ll take my chance on an all-star player’s consistency. Come on, doesn’t anyone want to win the Series. Are we really the T-wolves, playing for 2015
you just don’t get it do you. i’m all for trading liriano, go ahead and do it, but fill holes on the team if you do. trading for holliday, a position that is overly filled, is absurd.
now if you wanna deal liriano toward getting atkins and fuentes, or beltre and putz, be my guest. that would actually help the team.
Actually, Gomez is batting .250 with 5 homers, 33 RBI, 54 runs, and 21 SB. And he went 3 for 3 tonight with 2 runs scored and an RBI.
not a candidate to get sent down in any case, especially cause he’s 22.
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Actually, Gomez is batting .250 with 5 homers, 33 RBI, 54 runs, and 21 SB. And he went 3 for 3 tonight with 2 runs scored and an RBI.
great story. means nothing. he hasn’t stolen a base in a month. he hit .236 in june and is hitting .181 in july.
Umm Nico, did you miss the part where Morneau says that he likes hitting behind Mauer in the batting order? The guy is having another MVP type season, witness the last three games clutch hitting), and you want to change that up with Beltre? Just doesn’t make sense. If we do pick up a Beltre/Atkins, I wish, they have to bat behind Morneau. Also, how can he protect Morneau if he splits him and Mauer?
Jimmy says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:13 am
not a candidate to get sent down in any case, especially cause he’s 22.
you have that exactly wrong. being only 22 is a perfect reason to send him down. at this stage in his career he’s a bad player and needs to learn how to play the game.
Nico, no offense, but you’re so wrong on Punto. There’s no way in hell that anyone with baseball knowledge would agree with you that Punto is a better defensive 2B than Casilla. It’s not even close. Casilla is so good laterally, an often-overlooked deficiency of Punto’s. Nick can’t go laterally. He never has been able to. Don’t you remember all those balls ripped down the line last year??? Alexi is a MUCH better fielder than Punto. He’s a bit rawer, but he’s MUCH better. Enough of the Punto for Gold Glove BS provided by Gardy, his faithful lover.
Gregor says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Also, how can he protect Morneau if he splits him and Mauer?
simple. the way it is now, mauer is powerless and hits single after single. what a giant threat ::rolls eyes:: you can pitch to mauer.
so what if mauer hits his little slap single and gets on, you can pitch carefully to morneau and if he gets walked, so what. you throw fastballs to beltre and he’ll kill them.
bottom line is, the only guy you have to worry about in the twins lineup is morneau. he gets pitched around and there is little the twins can do. but a right handed slugger in the lineup before morneau, you have to be careful with both those guys, and having a righty in between those 2 lefties will make matchups much harder on opposing managers late in the game.
Lala72 says:
July 30th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Nico, no offense, but you’re so wrong on Punto. There’s no way in hell that anyone with baseball knowledge would agree with you that Punto is a better defensive 2B than Casilla. It’s not even close. Casilla is so good laterally, an often-overlooked deficiency of Punto’s. Nick can’t go laterally. He never has been able to. Don’t you remember all those balls ripped down the line last year??? Alexi is a MUCH better fielder than Punto. He’s a bit rawer, but he’s MUCH better. Enough of the Punto for Gold Glove BS provided by Gardy, his faithful lover.
i hate punto with a passion, but there is no better fielder at the middle infield positions on this team then him. also, casilla makes way too many mental errors which results in actual errors.
Nico, did you miss the part where Morneau says that he likes hitting behind Mauer?
Mauer’s splits vs. lefties .413 .567 .361
Beltre’s splits .464 .559 .366
Beltre batting 4th .338 .367 .241
C Mauer
1B Morneau
2B Punto
3B Buscher
SS Harris
LF Young
CF Gomez
RF Span
DH Kubel/Monroe
Everett, Lamb, & Red Dog off the bench. Get used to it, boys & girls, these are your 2008 MN Twins.
Twins should give Ruiz a shot at the RH DH spot. He was doing pretty good in spring training, and he hit well in AAA. With Cuddy due back after his soon to be rehab there are plenty of outfielders. I still have a feeling Liriano may be traded. I hope not, but The Twins usually don’t like boat rockers in the org.
The fact that you say they are not available, means they should be.
The funny thing about trades…they take TWO teams to do it.
Hey, while they’re at it let’s ask the Yankees about Robinson Cano. I know he’s not on the market but that shouldn’t stop them right?
Liriano isn’t available because if he’s truly back he’s going to be a front of the rotation pitcher to replace Liriano. (Barring trades, a rotation of Liriano, Baker, Blackburn, Perk, Slowey isn’t too shabby)
Holliday isn’t available because the Rox consider themselves buyers. You might as well ask the Twins if they’d be willing to trade Morneau.
Everett’s defense will be a big boost. Twins have been fielding poorly. What’s their DEF? It’s still under 70, I think. It’s too bad about Casilla, but Everett at SS is a positive, in my opinion.
Everett’s a better option if his arm is actually healthy.
He could field the ball no problem, but where he ran into trouble was on the throw. I can recall at least a handful of plays that should’ve been made had he not had a weak throw.
If I’m Gardy, I keep Everett on the bench as a placeholder and go with Punto & Harris up the middle. I just don’t want to chance that arm.
Keeping Everett with the club instead of DFAing also keeps him open on the trade market.
But let’s make sure somebody gets that voodoo doll away from him before anybody else gets hurt.
*/RANT
Seriously guys, what is with all the hating on Liriano and saying he’s a headcase?
I haven’t heard one quote from him that puts him in that category, go back and read everything he says, he’s not bitching and moaning, he wants to be with the team obviously, but he follows any of those statements with the ‘but dang, those guys are pitching good, so I don’t know’ lines.
How can you not want a guy like him on your team? We all Loved Santana while he was the best pitcher in the league. Liriano is the only guy we got who can be that type of guy. Absolute Ace Pitching Force who’ll give them a chance to win every game he pitches for years to come and especially when the stadium opens. Who doesn’t want to be at that first game when he takes the hill? Not only are you talking about getting rid of arguably the best Pitcher the Twins may ever have, but also one of the biggest fan draws. I’ve been to only 1 twins game at the dome this year (kind of disappointed in myself) and it was Liriano’s first start against cleveland in April. The next game I go to will be his first start at the dome when recalled. My way of ’striking’ against the Twins FO until they do what everyone knows they should because they are in a PENNANT RACE. And that is get the best and ONLY POTENTIAL DOMINATING pitcher they have in their starting rotation.
and trading him? WTF is wrong with you poeple? Do we have closet Sox and Tiger fans masquerading as twins fans? You should be ashamed of yourselves.
there is no RATIONAL thought behind wanting to trade Liriano for anything.
and for Matt Holliday? I wan’t some of what you’re smoking, that makes ZERO sense on the Twins front, and would be totally out of character, which we know they won’t break.
-losing Casilla hurts, I think it should be the signal to Billy Smith that Beltre needs to be brought in. There is not much offensive production that will come from the likes of Punto/Everett/Harris/Buscher when 3 of them have to play everyday. Casilla was the big piece of those guys keeping them productive.
and is it too early to start the Morneau for MVP campaign? Is there anyone else in baseball right now who’s as clutch as him? I don’t think there is.
/*RANT
Good reading, Twin Note. I agree, it’s a big blow losing Alexi, and Everett’s not gonna cut it. We need that trade. Morneau is having an MVP season, but can’t carry the load himself. While I think Liriano does have issues, I’m dead set against giving up on him. Give him some starts after the rosters expand and let him start fresh next spring and be the Ace of the Staff.
we have a very solid player in brendan harris to come in and play. Buscher has shown he can produce and has quite a bit of potential. have buscher play more at third and (dare i say it) cuddy go over there and spot start. have harris start at short and bat 2nd, move punto over to 2nd and have everett back up. nothing wrong with that and we still get pretty solid production.
People keep asking for a third baseman; yah fine whatever. How bout just ANY good bat? Besides 1B and catcher, any really good bat could be fit in somewhere in this lineup. if a very good player could be had for a decent price, grab him and put him in somewhere (DH isn’t exactly a solid spot for us either).
at this stage in his career he’s a bad player and needs to learn how to play the game.
Every player looks like a bad player in the midst of a slump. Fortunately, his slump seems to be behind him. Have you noticed that he has hits in his last four at bats and has scored two runs and driven in two runs in those four at bats? Four at bats does not mean he’s out of his slump. But it’s a start. My hope is that the injury actually calms down his hips a little and keeps him on the ball. That’s what we’re seeing with balls driven to right center. My prediction is he’ll be hitting .280/.320/.420 in a couple of weeks and the whole notion of a demotion will seem silly.
I would be in favor of Gomez going to AAA if I thought he could learn stuff down there. But I doubt that assumption. He needs to learn to recognize and hit major league pitching. You can’t learn that at AAA. He has a few rough edges otherwise, but those rough edges by themselves do not warrant a demotion.
MATT:
I think here is the sticker:
“if a very good player could be had for a decent price”.
Our idea of a decent price seems to be different from the Front Office’s idea of a decent price.
[…] on Joe C’s blog, Casilla is gone for several weeks for sure and could be gone for the season. The immediate […]
from a Baseball America article:
“Twins’ first-round CF Aaron Hicks is lighting up the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He went 7-for-16 (.438) this week with five stolen bases and his second home run. The 18-year-old Hicks has struck out just four times in 33 at-bats over his last 10 games ”
“MEN AMONG BOYS:
-Francisco Liriano, lhp, Twins. Liriano has nothing left to prove at Triple-A Rochester—he has given up one run in four July starts—but the Twins’ big league rotation, until recently, had been cruising. Perhaps that changes now that Minnesota has lost four in a row. Regardless, the 24-year-old Liriano’s mid-90s fastball and sharp slider are back, and 33 strikeouts and four walks in 28 July innings suggest that his command is, too.”
-surprised shooter hunt isn’t on their hot list…
Link:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2008/266554.html
and is it too early to start the Morneau for MVP campaign?
It’s been going for a month or so now, but now that Hamilton appears to have fallen off ESPN’s radar it may be the best time to start pushing.
Perhaps some televised campaigns? We need some people to get “M. V. P!” chants going for the rest of this homestand. That was one of the coolest moments of the ‘06 postseason. The “MVP” chant during Morneau’s AB followed by a homerun to DEEP right field.
It seems to work for him. 
Tolbert will take the spot of Everett when he is healthy. I’m ok with our infield when he (Tolbert) returns. Just bc he can play every position in the infield as good as our starters.
Sometimes, I come to these comment suggestions purely for the entertainment value. I knew the news on Casilla would lead to some really interesting comments.
Playing guys at positions they haven’t played in years might work in fantasy leagues, but not at the major league level.
Trading for other teams’ stars who aren’t available at any price (oh… but don’t give up any pitchers but Boof and Livan!).
DO trade the only pitcher in the Twins organization who’s come close to demonstrating he’s a legitimate potential #1 rotation guy? Why? Because he’s a headcase? Nevermind that there isn’t a single reported instance where he’s even been the least bit disrespectful toward anyone in the organization.
I’d love to get Beltre… but not at “any price”. Sometimes I get a little frustrated by Bill Smith’s lack of activity in the market but then I remember the Twins don’t talk to the media about the deals they’re discussing so you don’t see new stuff on mlbtraderumors.com about them every hour like you do other teams.
Of course, it also helps for me to come read these comments. Then I can at least thank God the Twins have Bill Smith as the GM instead of anyone here (myself included).
Wow, looks like Nico spent half the night pining away for trades that aren’t going to happen and bashing the players we do have. Tough day at work I’m sure.
Punto plays second, Harris Stays at short with Busher at 3rd.
Harris bats second, Punto bats 8 Gomez 9.
When we play lefties Everett Plays short and Harris moves to third.
Harris bats second, Punto bats 7, Gomes 8, Everett 9
We’re fine in the field, the batting order suffers at the top and bottom.
Don’t panick. So far, injuries have worked out in the Twins favor. Would we have even had Casilla without Tolbert’s injury? Span would still be languishing in Rochester if not for Cuddyer’s injury. Everett has just been given a new life. Is he the next one to take advantage of his shot? Punto or Harris? What sets this team apart from others in the division is the ability to absorb injuries and not fall apart.
If Casilla is going to be out for a considerable amount of time I would like to see the Twins trade for someone like Grudzilanek who is a veteran presence and becomes a free agent at the end of the season. The biggest need, demonstrated once again last night, is bullpen help.
good chat transcript from MLBtraderumors.com:
-thinks Beltre deal could be worked around Perkins…
-thinks andy laroche could be had without moving a current starter.
Everett, until he was hurt, had one of the best gloves in the game. I’m hoping he comes back and is stellar defensively. Whatever we get out of him at the plate is gravy. Casilla’s production will ahve to be made up elsewhere.
Walter is exactly right. Almost every guy who’s gotten an opportunity because of another player’s misfortune has taken advantage (one possible exception would be Guerrier/Crain not really stepping up to replace Neshek).
There’s certainly no guarantee that this will happen again this time, but I’m sure going to watch and find out.
Twins need a block buster that would set them up for years to come.
They need to go for either Young, Roberts or Atkins. IMHO Span, Blackburne, Jose Morales (AAA) and any AAA or AA pitcher (except FL) s/b used in trade bait to get one of these guys.
Atkins is probably a stretch but the others I don’t think are.
Listen Pohland, I know this hurts. But OPEN YOUR FRICKEN MOTH INFESTED POCKETBOOK. You see that shiny new ballpark smack dab in the warehouse district? Now give us a chance to win a division!
Does it ever end with some of you people,last time i checked,Punto was batting just under 300.Tough crowd!
mbisys says:
July 30th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Twins need a block buster that would set them up for years to come.
Why? This is a very young team sitting 12 games over .500 at the first of August. We need a stopgap to cover for Casilla. We are already set up for years to come.
61ache says:
July 30th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Listen Pohland, I know this hurts. But OPEN YOUR FRICKEN MOTH INFESTED POCKETBOOK. You see that shiny new ballpark smack dab in the warehouse district? Now give us a chance to win a division!
I agree 100%.
I don’t think so. Having a very good & exciting year but if we make the playoffs we will probably 1 & out. Questions at ss & 3rd for future. Offensivly we cannot keep the RISP up year after year. Need some RH power to compliment M&M. I actually think the Twins owe it to them.
If we could get Roberts a true lead off with some pop, Casilla could move to short and Punto to utility. Young could be #5 hitter with Casilla staying at 2nd. Atkins #4 with Casilla and Punto/Tobert playing the middle.
The bullpen need is just for this year as the minors & Neshak will help them next year.
JMHO.
The problem is mbisys you know as well as I do that a guy like Roberts or Atkins is going to require large amounts of money very soon.
What terrible news. This after I just cheered when I heard on the Twins live that Adam Evertt was going to be released.
I miss Tolbert.
The Angels are going to win it all this year. It doesn’t matter what remedial player on the or nearing the end of his career player whom we go out and get. We will never spend the $$$ to really compete so who cares.
cmathewson says:
July 30th, 2008 at 8:13 am
at this stage in his career he’s a bad player and needs to learn how to play the game.
Every player looks like a bad player in the midst of a slump. Fortunately, his slump seems to be behind him. Have you noticed that he has hits in his last four at bats and has scored two runs and driven in two runs in those four at bats? Four at bats does not mean he’s out of his slump. But it’s a start. My hope is that the injury actually calms down his hips a little and keeps him on the ball. That’s what we’re seeing with balls driven to right center. My prediction is he’ll be hitting .280/.320/.420 in a couple of weeks and the whole notion of a demotion will seem silly.
I would be in favor of Gomez going to AAA if I thought he could learn stuff down there. But I doubt that assumption. He needs to learn to recognize and hit major league pitching. You can’t learn that at AAA. He has a few rough edges otherwise, but those rough edges by themselves do not warrant a demotion.
his slump is behind him??
he’s hitting .181 in July….the only respectable month he’s had is May. He’s been pitiful the other 3. He’s no more prepared to be a major leaguer then Ben Revere.
IowaTwin
The Twins are “under the cap” by about 20 million in my opinion waiting for an opportunity to spend it. I don’t consider them cheap. I think they spend as much of their revenues (53%) as the Yankess do.
One penny, two penny, three penny, four penny, five penny, six penny, seven penny, eight penny………
Jimmybee is Cheap
jon says:
July 30th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Jimmybee is Cheap
Huh???
Sending Gomez to AAA equals STUPID. What in the world is that kid going to do in AAA. He’s a 22 year old hitting about .250 at the bottom of the order making great defensive plays. Sending him to Rochester will accomplish NOTHING. Probably do more harm than good in the long run.
Sending Gomez to AAA equals STUPID.
I agree and keeping liriano down there is also STUPID
At least one Chicago reporter likes our outfield:
OK, now let’s get to the defensively brainless among the Sox outfielders. Talkin’ ’bout you, Brian Anderson and Jermaine Dye. In the inning by Satan, Anderson overthrew the cutoff man and wiped out a chance at a double play. Anderson’s supposed to be the team’s best defensive center fielder, but he couldn’t hold on to Mike Redmond’s rally-starting blooper, and then you watch the Twins’ speedy outfield of Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez and Denard Span all make nice running catches, and you realize that Anderson couldn’t start on that team. Later on in the same inning, on the game’s decisive play, Dye looked like he needed a Garmin in right field to track down Morneau’s line drive. Bases cleared. Sox lead blown.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2008/07/hey-oz-just-mak.html
I think we need to make a trade and bring in a guy, but why is everyone hating on nick punto so much? He is batting .295 and is an excellent feilder. He was terrible last year but he hasnt been bad this year, I think we still need to make a trade, but Nick wont kill this team! Everett on the other hand….
AND CALL UP LARIANO!!!
Are we about ready to dump Livan Hernandez, Gardy? The guy is a hits and runs machine….for the other team. Teams are batting around .330 against him and he has an ERA approaching 6…and have you ever seen someone give up that many hits? He gave up 10 hits in four innings tonight! Good gosh almighty, are we trying lose at least one game in every four the second half of the season? Livan in not the “stopper”, he is the “giver”. If there ever was a time to bring up a fifth starter, it is now. Can anyone think of a pitcher in the minors who might help…hmmmm, wonder who it could be.
